The flickering candlelight reflected off the silver armor in dazzling flashes, turning the warm yellow glow bone-chillingly cold.
Prince Xin's Army suddenly surged in from outside and surrounded the officials attending Morning Court in Chongyun Hall. Every soldier wore a solemn expression, their imposing presence nearly equal to that of the Great Rui Soldiers.
The Imperial Guards shielded the loyal officials behind them, long sabers in hand, facing the intruders across the space beneath the Golden Terrace.
Jiang Tinghuai walked steadily toward the center of the confrontation, speaking as he went. "Royal Uncle, openly raising troops in court-are you truly unafraid of bearing a name cursed for a thousand years?!"
Throughout the dynasties, court historians had recorded every usurper, stroke by stroke. Hundreds of years later, people would leaf through those records and, across the distant gulf of time, scornfully pronounce them "traitors."
It was hardly a pleasant reputation. Thus, anyone seeking that position first had to find a justification that at least appeared reasonable on the surface.
But...
During Emperor Mingze's reign, aside from the label of "tyrant" the Enemy Kingdom had pinned on him, there was practically nothing to fault.
He had poured his efforts into strengthening the country and governed with benevolence. Though some things remained beyond his reach, he still worked toward them tirelessly, day and night.
Leaving aside whether his "disappearance in Beiming Territory" was true, even if it was, storming Chongyun Hall at such a moment and targeting the Crown Prince he had personally appointed as regent would earn the condemnation of all Great Rui's people.
Jiang Silin naturally understood the advantages and risks. At those words, he raised his head and smiled mildly, as though oblivious to the drawn swords and strung bows around him. "You misunderstand, Crown Prince."
He drew a rolled