For a long time, no one in the great hall spoke again.
On the imperial desk, the newly drafted abdication edict lay quietly spread out. The name "Qian Renxue" had already been written, but it still lacked the final impression of the Imperial Seal.
Xue Ye looked at the edict and raised a hand to signal his attendant.
The dark gold Imperial Seal, which had nearly been smuggled out of the Imperial Palace yesterday, was soon brought before him again. In just two short days, this seal representing Tiangou's supreme imperial authority would be pressed onto two entirely different edicts. The first bore the name Xue Qinghe, a name the world had known for over a decade; the one now spread across the imperial desk concealed nothing.
Xue Ye reached out and took the Imperial Seal. His body was still weak, and his fingers even turned slightly white as he gripped it, but this time, no one tried to stop him, nor did anyone raise another objection. Everyone already knew exactly who stood in the center of the great hall. Now, they waited only for him to complete the final step himself.
Xue Ye slowly pressed the base of the seal into the ink paste, then lifted his eyes to Qian Renxue.
"The edict yesterday chose you."
Qian Renxue raised her eyes and met his gaze.
Xue Ye looked away and slowly moved the Imperial Seal over the edict.
"This one today bears your name as well."
As his words fell, the Imperial Seal pressed down onto the paper. The vermilion impression emerged little by little, settling in full beside the name "Qian Renxue."
Only after Xue Ye lifted his hand again did the Imperial Clan Chief step forward and take the completed abdication edict from the imperial desk. He