Before Chongming Palace, the crowd remained silent in the wind and snow.

Tong Rushi smiled as he watched He Zi and the others.

Though the opening was unfavorable, he truly held more advantages. He was confident that without force, these advantages alone would be enough for victory.

Suddenly wind sounded overhead, followed by a box falling from the sky.

Purple sandalwood carved with nine dragons, the lid’s center inlaid with precious pearls.

Due to the throw, the box had opened, spilling out a jade scroll wrapped in yellow satin, one corner embroidered with silver dragons.

All the high officials changed color in unison.

This was the highest level of imperial edict.

Duan Yande’s breathing quickened—he had personally held this box before when His Majesty issued the abdication edict, ordering him and Grand Tutor He to personally present it to the imperial temple.

He Zi’s expression changed as he immediately stepped forward to pick up the box, but the moment his fingers touched it, both box and edict turned to flying ash.

Scattering before him and all the ministers present.

Someone was laughing loudly, landing behind Tong Rushi, who smiled: “See, the so-called succession edict is now gone too, so you’ve gained the qualification to install a new emperor.”

The late Emperor died suddenly without leaving an edict; King Tang’s grandson stepped forward to save the crisis, receiving the ministers’ support to ascend the throne.

He had already thought up this justification for these reputation-seeking great scholars who feared the knife-sharp pen of history most in their lives.

Very suitable.

No one would face criticism with such an outcome.

He looked at the crowd that showed no anger and said softly: “I know it’s somewhat difficult to have someone lead the way in supporting me now. Since I promised to protect everyone, that naturally includes your dignity and reputation.”

He pointed at everyone’s feet, saying to Li Danian beside him: “Madam Li, please draw a circle under everyone’s feet.”

Then to the ministers: “Once this circle is drawn, you’ll all be my people.”

Literary officials valued reputation and had many concerns. Under everyone’s gaze, having someone first step forward to acknowledge him as sovereign would be quite difficult.

Even if moved, they might not have the courage to be first.

No matter, he was kind—he would fulfill their wishes.

By drawing this circle to enclose his future subjects, the difficult task requiring courage became stepping out of the circle.

Changing direction changed the mindset.

Through this, everyone could see his thoughtfulness, couldn’t they?

Li Danian raised her hand, invisible airflow shooting from her fingertips. Snow on the ground flew up, then settled again.

A line suddenly appeared beneath He Zi’s feet.

The ministers nervously watched that line and He Zi’s boots.

Half-worn black boots, not moving an inch.

The smile in Tong Rushi’s eyes grew brighter.

Li Danian’s line was drawn quickly, with flying snow obscuring vision.

In almost a blink, the circle would be complete.

Xia Houchun’s roar sounded behind them: “My lords!”

No one spoke, no one moved. Everyone still watched He Zi, seeming surprised and unable to react.

The line turned corner after corner, soon reaching the end.

Gu Xiaoxiao and Palace Master stood at the very back.

Gu Xiaoxiao, currently just a secretary in the Ministry of Revenue with humble rank, consciously stood at the rear.

The line reached his feet and was about to close.

Tong Rushi raised his hand, preparing a grateful bow.

Suddenly a pair of boots moved.

Lifted, stepped over the nearly completed line, lightly walking outside.

All eyes turned instantly.

They saw Gu Xiaoxiao step outside the line without hesitation. Not only did he step out, he used his boot to scrape at the nearby line. Not only did he scrape it, he spat on the line.

Eyes lowered, not looking at anyone, his voice holding unprecedented anger and ferocity: “Such a disgusting circle—my lords, are you planning to stay inside?”

Before his words finished, a pair of small boots immediately jumped out too. Not only did they jump out, they pulled two nearby officials out as well, laughing: “Oh my, how disgusting.”

Those two officials stumbled when Palace Master pulled them, nearly falling in the snow. They helplessly got up, brushing snow from their knees: “Why are you so anxious?”

Gu Xiaoxiao’s expression improved slightly.

Tong Rushi lowered his hand, glancing at Gu Xiaoxiao.

Those few people stood in the snow, looking quite lonely.

With some contempt, he looked at Minister Gu still inside the circle: “The Minister is wise, though regrettably a tiger father has a dog son.”

Minister Gu smiled slightly: “This is my son’s first time being unconventional—I find it quite moving.”

Tong Rushi couldn’t quite grasp his meaning, turning to Gu Xiaoxiao: “If you want to stand there, stand there. I didn’t expect someone like you would also be blinded by beauty.”

Gu Xiaoxiao suddenly raised his head and smiled: “I said you’re unworthy and you still won’t accept it. Look at yourself, then look at the Crown Princess.”

Tong Rushi said coldly: “I don’t think anyone has the right to say such things in the current situation.”

“Everyone has the right. If we can’t judge the general situation, can’t we judge cowards?”

Tong Rushi’s expression darkened, somewhat incredulous: “What did you say?”

“I said, the Crown Princess left the capital at sixteen. As soon as she reached Ziyang, she solved a major case, preserved the precious Abyssal Iron, intercepted the Liaodong King’s ambitions, built dikes in Dongming to save downstream people’s lives, and exposed the Xiao family’s life-trading foundling homes. She solved the Ghost Island mystery, ruined Xiao Bi’an’s major plans involving pirates, rescued Di Yiwei from Xiao family schemes, saved Di Yiwei again in Yongping, helped him turn the tide and reclaim military power, then greatly defeated Liaodong at Five Colors Plain. She helped the Western Rong King regain power, thus gaining Western Rong’s loyalty and the Hanli Khan Desert, sent specialists to govern Hanli Khan whose rich minerals and territory will benefit future generations, personally went to Yannan to reform Qianzhou’s officialdom, and reclaimed Yannan in half a year. Throughout this, she gradually weakened the powerful ministers controlling court, and finally, she overturned the Xiao family.”

“All this was accomplished in just two years.”

“She’s worked as a coroner, inspector, student, sailor, general, and strategist. She can handle menial tasks, sit in court halls, and command battlefields. She’s endured countless injuries, suffered hardships beyond anyone’s imagination. Though she sits in the highest position, it wasn’t heaven-granted—every step was taken through blood and sweat.”

“And you? What have you done? At Leaping Carp Academy, you were like a ghost, only daring to spy and speculate about the Crown Princess from behind, watching her gain everyone’s love in such a short time at the academy, burning with jealous rage. You controlled expert forces but never used such power to eliminate evil and help people. Even knowing Dongming’s people would face merciless floods while Tie Ci and we struggled desperately for the people, you never once thought to help. You couldn’t even control your own subordinates properly. Unable to force them to act against Tie Ci, you colluded with the Xiao family, Dayan, and Liaodong, doing things any Great Qian citizen with a bit of backbone and conscience would disdain.”

“Complete nonsense!” Tong Rushi said coldly. “Liaodong and Dayan were allied by the Xiao family for self-preservation—I knew nothing from beginning to end!”

“Really?” Gu Xiaoxiao stared at the snow, his expression very restrained, but his mouth now like a blade. “If you knew nothing, how dare you come to the palace with just these people? If you knew nothing, how dare you promise to make Liaodong withdraw? You’re a waste who can’t even control your own subordinates, can’t even take down a severely wounded person, always playing good cards terribly while hiding in rat holes—what gives you the authority to make the deep and cunning Liaodong King and wolf-like Dayan cavalry withdraw? Your love of showing off, or your thick skin?”

“You…”

Tong Rushi stared blankly at Gu Xiaoxiao. Though not well acquainted, he knew this fellow’s shyness and introversion were court-famous—the type who only dared look at the ground when speaking. He knew Gu Xiaoxiao enthusiastically handled trivial matters for the Crown Princess. He disdained such men willing to stay in women’s inner quarters, never giving him a proper glance.

Today, in heavy snow, this person remained shy and introverted, not daring to look anyone in the eye when speaking.

But he was first to step out of the circle, scrape away the line, eyes on the snow while every word from his mouth was colder than snow.

Gu Xiaoxiao didn’t even glance at him.

He turned toward the arriving ministers, growing in number.

These ministers were brought in immediately by Qi You guarding the palace gates.

Of course, Gu Xiaoxiao still looked at the snow.

“I just ask everyone this.”

“Does a person driven by profit and self-interest deserve to be emperor? When the realm faces danger and people suffer hardships, can he put the world and people first?”

“Does an emperor who colludes with foreign enemies deserve to sit in this position? Deserve to draw circles in snow and frame the realm’s talents within?”

“A so-called imperial descendant who can’t compare to Her Highness in achievements, ability, character, or bearing—do you really think he deserves to stand here?”

Complete silence.

After a long moment, someone applauded and laughed loudly.

It was Xia Houchun.

Inside the circle, Minister Gu turned to Minister Jiang, seemingly calm but actually proud: “See, with a little pressure, my son speaks quite well.”

Minister Jiang sighed: “Truly worthy of being called a national father.”

Minister Gu smiled and shook his head, gesturing to Minister Jiang.

Both stepped out of the circle together.

War Minister Zhang looked at the ground, frowning: “Old Gu, your son can curse all he wants, but why spit? Nearly got my boots!”

Minister Gu said: “Stop complaining, come out quickly and let him apologize.”

Minister Zhang helped the Court of Justice Minister while stepping out, saying: “Apologies aren’t needed. How about this—I have a daughter, eighteen this year…”

Palace Master suddenly said: “Your daughter has had blind dates with almost every eligible young man in the capital, all ending unsuccessfully because she frantically promotes ‘The Compassionate Heart’ and demands they join the Wonderful Words Society for three daily cheering sessions.”

Minister Zhang: “…”

Inside the circle, Minister Cai chuckled, gesturing to the Personnel Vice-Minister beside him as both stepped out arm-in-arm.

Scholar Chang, arriving later, coughed and stepped out.

Scholar Xie looked around, finally stepping out silently.

Grand Scholars, Six Ministry Ministers and Vice-Ministers, Cabinet Secretaries and Attendants, Six Ministry Censors, Court of Justice, Imperial Sacrifices, Imperial Catering… most fourth-rank and above officials qualified to enter the palace slowly gathered behind Gu Xiaoxiao into a larger circle.

Gu Xiaoxiao quickly retreated to the back again, hiding his achievements and fame.

But one person hadn’t left the circle.

Everyone looked at that person with puzzled expressions.

But hope bloomed in Tong Rushi’s eyes.

It was He Zi.

The most steadfast royalist, closest to the Crown Princess—He Zi remained in place.

He Zi’s identity and significance differed from others. He represented scholarly hope nationwide, with about half the court officials counting as his students or students’ students. As long as He Zi supported him, many would have to reconsider.

There was still hope for salvation.

Tong Rushi stepped forward, about to speak.

But He Zi suddenly slowly drew out a cloth bundle from his robe.

Tong Rushi stopped, a bad premonition rising.

He Zi methodically fumbled with that unremarkable small bundle. The bundle even had a stubborn dead knot that he couldn’t untie for ages, making Tong Rushi’s eyes burn with impatience.

Finally He Zi grew impatient himself, pulling out a small knife to cut the dead knot.

The knife was incredibly sharp—when drawn, cold light flashed, and merely touching the bundle’s knot immediately severed it.

Tong Rushi’s attention focused entirely on the bundle’s contents, missing these details, but several watching ministers’ eyebrows jumped.

Why was Old He hiding such a sharp dagger in his robe?

He Zi casually examined the knife, smiled, and returned it to his sleeve.

The bundle broke open, revealing an edge—jade’s luster flowing warmly.

He Zi unwrapped the bundle.

The crowd gasped in amazement.

Tong Rushi stepped back.

Before them, within gray cloth, lay a jade scroll with yellow satin, both sides embroidered with silver dragons.

Another copy identical to the edict that had just turned to ash.

“Chief Minister Rong probably didn’t know the late Emperor’s abdication edict had two copies. One was sent to the imperial temple for worship, awaiting New Year’s Day announcement to the world. The other… I brought back to my own residence.”

He Zi smiled: “Following someone’s suggestion.”

He unrolled the edict, displaying it to everyone, saying solemnly: “The late Emperor left his will as early as the winter month, abdicating to Crown Princess Her Highness.”

The quickest to react, Qi You immediately knelt, acknowledging the edict.

Ministers fell in dark masses.

Inside the hall, Chi Xue wept with joy, leading palace servants in prostration.

At this moment, she understood Her Highness’s earlier words.

And understood why she never showed concern.

Because Her Highness truly never worried.

Her powerful confidence came from those roads traveled, deeds done, every trace left behind.

Hot blood never cools, heroes’ aspirations.