That single slap struck every official speechless.
Or rather, not speechless, but stunned.
Though Princess Tian held an exalted position, why would she do such a thing before everyone's eyes?!
That was the Minister of Rites, the model of propriety for the entire world, who governed the rites of all humans and other races, men and women, young and old.
From grand sacrifices to humble meals, from the entire Divine Continent to individual households, the conduct of every living being, every rule and restriction governing it, rightfully fell within the Minister of Rites' jurisdiction.
Of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness, only propriety had become a department, bearing the entire way of the Confucian School.
In many situations, propriety far outweighed law.
In a sense, the Great Wei Sacred Dynasty's Rites Department was more like a combination of the judiciary, legislature, and law enforcement.
As such, Lin Xuanji, the Minister of Rites, could be said to rank below only a scant few people in the Great Wei Sacred Dynasty.
Even the Grand Tutor, one of the Three Dukes, was often little more than an honorary position and a symbol.
The one who truly governed Great Wei's rites was Lin Xuanji!
Yet now, Wang Lin had actually slapped Lin Xuanji across the face?!
Even the composure Lin Xuanji had cultivated over hundreds and thousands of years could not keep him from cracking.
Though it was only an ordinary slap, delivered with so little force that it had not even reddened his cheek.
But a slap like that in front of all the officials was nothing short of humiliation!
However, the person who had struck him was Princess Tian.
Had even the Sage Emperor slapped him, the Imperial Court might well have lost heart.
How could a ruler humiliate his subject like