After Daybreak

"Who else are we waiting for?"

The bedchamber remained quiet for a long time.

Xue Ye lowered his gaze to the fragment of the crimson-gold decree tube beside the bed and did not answer at once. Before last night, he had still had the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Dugu Bo, the Eastern Suburbs Direct Knights, and several garrisons in the Imperial Capital. Now those who should have come had not, and the Imperial Edict that could mobilize his remaining troops had shattered beneath Lu Yuan's spear.

There were still people willing to fight to the death for the imperial family. But at this point, the question was no longer whether they could turn things around. It was how many more people would die in Heaven Dou City tonight.

At last, Xue Ye looked up. "You want me to abdicate?"

"Not now."

Qian Renxue stood before him. The six wings behind her had vanished, but her loose golden hair had yet to be hidden beneath her Xue Qinghe disguise. "Father, you can remain the emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire. What I want is a Regency Edict and the Imperial Seal. Starting at daybreak, all military and civil affairs in the Imperial Capital, matters concerning the Royal Knights and the Imperial Family Holdings, and government business sent to Heaven Dou City from the provinces will go to the Crown Prince's Residence first."

Xue Ye stared at her. "And if I refuse?"

"The court assembly will go ahead."

Qian Renxue did not raise her voice. Her tone was even calmer than it had been during their fight. "But then I'll have no choice but to tell everyone what happened last night. An Imperial Family Enshrined Elder is gravely wounded, the camps don't dare make a move, and the palace gates are