The Crown Prince entered the fray, and not one of the upright officials filling the hall dared answer.
Luo Wenjin bowed his head. Liang Chengye gripped his ceremonial tablet, his palms drenched in sweat.
The censor who had just spoken of "a subject of the Eastern Palace" turned as white as the snow outside.
The Heir Apparent's power lay not in anger, but in silence.
Silence, taken to its utmost, made hearts quail.
The "Record of the Exemplary" in the Book of Rites said: "Through solemnity and reverence, the gentleman grows stronger each day; through ease and indulgence, he declines each day."
Ordinarily, the Crown Prince was quiet as warm jade. Yet the moment he spoke, solemnity fell over the entire hall.
This was not the might of thunder, but the majesty of a deep, still pool and a towering mountain.
On the twentieth day of the first month in Jinghe Year Sixteen, during the audience at the palace gate, the upright officials attacked from four directions. Their poisoned blades were about to fall, but the Heir Apparent slowly rose and asked three questions, silencing the hall.
Before, Wang Kan alone had faced the entire hall. Now, the Heir Apparent alone held the entire court in check.
At the very moment of deathly silence, Zou Mo stepped out of the Ministry of Personnel's ranks, ceremonial tablet in hand.
He looked neither at the Crown Prince nor at Wei Zi.
Instead, he first bowed toward the Imperial Throne, then turned and bowed to the Crown Prince.
His expression was respectful, his tone humble, as though he had happened to recall an old saying and offered it merely for consideration. "Your Highness's reasoning is sound in every sentence. This subject is sincerely convinced.
"I have recalled an old saying. Allow me