Emperor Jingming’s expression was stern as he surveyed his officials.

They stood motionless, like wooden chickens. Was this disapproval of his choice of the seventh prince?

“Ahem.” Emperor Jingming coughed, reminding the stunned officials of their decorum.

The officials awoke from their daze. One after another, they dropped to their knees with a series of thuds.

The heir apparent, the foundation of the nation, decided by the Emperor after just one night’s sleep?

Wasn’t this too impulsive, too rash, too irresponsible?

The kneeling officials stared at their reflections in the golden floor tiles, their faces flushed red.

To stand up and remonstrate or not – that was the question.

The imperial edict had been issued. To stand up in opposition would overstep the bounds of a subject’s duty.

As subjects, they shouldn’t meddle in the Emperor’s decision to appoint an heir. Such actions could easily lead to accusations of treasonous intent.

But if they didn’t stand up… They ate the Emperor’s food, so they should share his concerns. If the Emperor acted recklessly and they simply complied to curry favor, wouldn’t that make them sycophants?

There was also a more practical concern: if they opposed now, they would incur the wrath of Prince Yan.

If the Emperor changed his mind, so be it. But if he insisted, Prince Yan, upon becoming Crown Prince, would surely hold a grudge. When he ascended further, they would face retribution.

The officials’ hearts surged with conflicting emotions, caught in indecision.

To stand or not to stand, to stand or not to stand… If the officials had daisies in hand, many might have started plucking petals to decide.

Perhaps… Many officials secretly glanced around, coming to a decision.

Better to wait and see. If someone else stood up first, they could follow. The nail that sticks out gets hammered down; Prince Yan’s resentment would focus on whoever took the lead.

For a moment, a sea of people knelt in the great hall, enveloped in an eerie silence.

Emperor Jingming was bewildered.

What did it mean to kneel without speaking?

Was this meant to express protest or congratulations?

If that was the case, he would take their silence as congratulations.

Emperor Jingming stopped coughing and quickly glanced at Pan Hai.

Pan Hai cleared his throat and announced, “Court is dismissed!”

Emperor Jingming straightened his back, raised his head, and strode out with large steps.

The officials looked at each other in dismay. Someone whispered, “Are we just letting the Emperor leave like this?”

The crowd remained silent.

After a while, another voice said, “So the Crown Prince has been decided?”

Many officials covered their faces and wept.

They had been careless, waiting for others to take the lead. In the end, they were all like turtles hiding in their shells, and somehow let the Emperor slip away.

“Minister Dou, why are you crying?” a political rival asked with ill intent.

Minister Dou wiped his nose and replied earnestly, “Great Zhou finally has an heir apparent. I’m overcome with joy.”

Hmph, who couldn’t put on an act? Dream on if you think you can catch me out.

Many of the officials who were crying out of frustration echoed, “Tears of joy…”

Some quick-witted officials had already left the hall to congratulate Prince Yan at his residence.

Once the Imperial Astronomers chose an auspicious date for the formal investiture ceremony, Prince Yan would move into the Eastern Palace, making it less convenient to offer congratulations.

Realizing this, quite a few officials headed en masse towards Prince Yan’s residence.

Since Prince Xiang’s incident, Emperor Jingming had rarely summoned the princes to court. Today, the princes were still unaware of the situation.

When so many officials in their qilin robes suddenly arrived in Vermilion Bird Ward, the astute servants of each household hurried to inform their masters.

The Chief Steward of Prince Yan’s residence had been worried lately.

Prince Jin’s affair happened last April, the Crown Prince was deposed last September, Prince Xiang’s incident occurred in late spring this year, and then Prince Qi had his mishap… He sucked in a breath. If this continued, wouldn’t it be their lord’s turn next?

Thinking of how the stewards of his rivals had all met with misfortune along with their masters, he didn’t want to follow in their footsteps. At the very least, he couldn’t fall before that old bastard Dou from Prince Shu’s household.

Just as he was fretting, a servant came running to report: “Chief Steward, many officials have arrived!”

The old steward was stunned. “Many officials?”

“Yes, the officials seem to have just come from court. They’re still in their court robes, and they’re all heading to our Prince Yan’s residence.”

The old steward’s voice changed: “Go and see!”

Better safe than sorry – he was most afraid of unexpected situations now.

The old steward instructed someone to inform Yu Jin while he hurried to the main gate.

Outside the gate, a sea of qilin robes dazzled the old steward’s eyes.

“Gentlemen, what brings you here—” The old steward bowed with clasped hands, his heart pounding.

Generally speaking, shouldn’t they send a visiting card in advance to see the prince? What was going on?

The officials returned his greeting: “We’ve come to congratulate the Crown Prince.”

“Crown Prince?” The old steward looked up, his expression bewildered.

An official reminded him, “Doesn’t the steward know? Today at court, an imperial edict was read. The prince has been named Crown Prince—”

Before he could finish, the old steward collapsed. Fortunately, the quick-reflexed attendants behind him caught him before he fell.

The officials exchanged glances.

Judging by the steward’s reaction, Prince Yan hadn’t received any prior notice.

But of course, the appointment of an heir was no small matter. If the Emperor had kept even them in the dark, how could he have leaked information to a prince?

“Is the steward alright?”

The old steward looked up at the sky in a daze.

A golden sun hung in the eastern sky.

The sun hadn’t risen from the west, but their prince had become Crown Prince…

After who knows how long, the old steward suddenly pushed away the attendants and ran off like a streak of smoke, leaving the officials to look at each other in confusion.

Someone in the crowd whispered, “I always thought Prince Yan’s Chief Steward was quite a steady fellow, but this—”

Thinking of the hot-tempered Prince Yan who was quick to throw punches, there seemed to be only one explanation: like master, like a man.

Then, remembering that their prince was now their Crown Prince, the officials suddenly felt uncertain about the future.

Yu Jin was in the front courtyard study, pretending to read, when a young servant reported that many officials had arrived. He immediately put down his book and walked out, only to see the old steward rushing towards him.

“Your Highness—”

Yu Jin stepped aside, his face full of disgust. “Steward, compose yourself.”

What kind of behavior was it to throw oneself into his arms? So undignified for his age.

The old steward, after all, was getting on in years. Such a run left him panting: “, Your Highness, you’ve been appointed Crown Prince!”

“Oh, so those people have come to congratulate me?” Although Yu Jin was somewhat surprised by Emperor Jingming’s speed, he was prepared and appeared very calm.

What was so strange about him being appointed Crown Prince? If not him, who else?

The old steward, thinking Yu Jin hadn’t heard clearly, repeated: “Your Highness, you’ve been appointed Crown Prince!”

Yu Jin gave him a look and calmly replied with an “Mm.” He added, “Steward, you represent my image. You must remain composed. Don’t let others laugh at us.” With that, he walked past the steward and headed out.

The old steward stood there for a good while, unable to process what had happened.

Since when did he need the prince to remind him to be composed? Was he not a steady person?

But the prince had become Crown Prince!

The old steward felt his blood rushing to his head again and took a deep breath. “Stay calm, stay calm.”

Governess Ji, who had hurried to overhear the commotion, stopped and looked puzzled. “What are you muttering about, Steward?”

The old steward jumped up: “The prince has been appointed Crown Prince!”