Liu Ying passed away, and Luo Xin summoned the ministers according to his final edict.
Though the emperor's death had come sooner than expected, the ministers had fortunately already prepared themselves for it.
In particular, Liu Ying had arranged everything, leaving no room for maneuver. All they needed to do now was follow his arrangements step by step.
With complicated feelings, they entered the imperial palace.
When the ministers entered the palace and saw Luo Xin standing before the Late Emperor's bed, their gazes were complicated, especially that of Marquis Liu, Zhang Buyi. Their respective status and standing were now entirely different.
In the past, however imposing Luo Xin's power had been, he had still been a subject.
So long as Liu Ying lost his trust in Luo Xin and dismissed him from office, Luo Xin would have to leave government.
The Luo Clan could hardly rebel outright over that, so although the ministers feared and courted Luo Xin, there had still been a layer separating them.
But now, Luo Xin would become regent, the Acting Son of Heaven!
"Acting" meant serving in another's place.
The title of acting Son of Heaven alone made it clear that this was no mere subject, but half a sovereign.
This was a difference in rank itself. Anyone wishing to launch a political attack against Luo Xin would probably have to wait until the emperor came of age.
But even then, would anyone truly dare?
Upon entering the hall, the ministers first wailed and went to kneel before Liu Ying's coffin. Although subjects in this era did not need to kneel when meeting the emperor, the dead were to be raised another rank.
As they wept, many found genuine grief welling up within them. Whatever else Liu Ying had been, he had treated his