The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

As the first rays of dawn of the new year struggled to pierce through the lingering chill and embers of war that still hung over Lin Yuan City at the end of the year.

It pierced through the towering, gilded dragon-carved eaves of the Zichen Hall, slanting into that spacious, solemn hall that symbolized the highest power of the empire.

After several days of silence, the palace finally welcomed the first and most special grand court assembly of the new dynasty.

At 3:45 AM, the sky was still a deep blue-black.

Outside the Meridian Gate, civil and military officials had already gathered, waiting to enter the court.

Everyone wore brand-new court robes befitting their rank, except that their outer robes were all changed to plain colors to show their sorrow for the late emperor.

Yes, the late emperor has passed away.

The biting wind whipped up the remaining snow, lashing against the solemn and tense faces of the officials.

No one spoke; only low coughs and the crunching of official boots on the snow could be heard.

The air was thick with a mixture of trepidation about the unknown, anticipation for the new dynasty, and a deeper, underlying tension.

However, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day, and policies cannot be left unresolved for a day.

Therefore, in accordance with the late emperor's will and the cabinet's deliberations, it was decided that today, the regent princess Yun Jin would preside over court in the Zichen Hall on behalf of the young emperor, listen to government affairs, and handle urgent state matters.

The female protagonist assumes the throne and exercises the emperor's power, a first in the history of the dynasty.

Despite the imperial edict, the merit of suppressing the rebellion, and the support of the military, this hurdle still looms large in the hearts of every official who steps into the Zichen Hall.

Especially those civil officials who devoted their lives to studying classics and took "rites and laws" as their lifeblood.

At the exact hour of Mao (5-7 AM), bells and drums sounded in unison.

The heavy central door slowly opened.

The officials, arranged in order of civil to military ranks, filed in single file, passing through the long and empty imperial road, and entered the majestic Zichen Hall.

The hall had already been prepared, but due to the special circumstances, everything was kept simple.

Above the imperial steps, the nine-dragon gilded throne hung in the air, with a slightly lower sandalwood armchair covered with a bright yellow brocade in front of it. This was the seat where the regent princess "listened to the government".

Below the imperial steps, officials stood solemnly according to their rank.

Marquis Weiyuan, Zhao Qingcang, stood at the front of the military officers' ranks, dressed in the official robes of a duke. His expression was calm, and his eyes were sharp as he scanned the ranks of civil officials.

Su Che changed into a brand-new scarlet robe, the kind worn by fourth-rank civil officials, with a silver belt around his waist and a black gauze hat. He stood at the front of the civil official ranks, but not in the most conspicuous position.

This was the first time he had appeared in court as a formal official.

He lowered his eyes slightly, his expression calm, as if the countless gazes around him, some bright and some dark, each with its own meaning, were irrelevant to him.

"Her Highness the Regent Princess has arrived!"

The high-pitched announcement from the eunuch in charge of ceremonies broke the almost stagnant silence in the hall.

All the officials, including Marquis Weiyuan and Su Che, bowed in unison, their gazes fixed on the open palace doors behind and to the side of the throne.

The first thing that catches the eye are four bodyguards dressed in black soft armor, standing with their hands on their swords; they are none other than Zhao Jianing and his elite troops.

Following them were two female officials in charge of ceremonies, each holding a golden seal and an imperial sword.

Finally, a slender yet upright figure walked out slowly.

Yun Jin was not wearing her usual clothes or her princess dress today, but rather a specially made "Regent's everyday clothes" with a black base and simple phoenix patterns embroidered in gold thread.

It is dignified without being overly extravagant.

Her long hair was all tied up, and she wore a small gold-threaded phoenix crown with pearls. She was not wearing any makeup, and her face was still pale from her injuries, even under the light of the countless candles in the hall. You could even see the faint blue shadows under her eyelids.

His left arm was still hanging at his side, clearly indicating that the injury had not yet healed.

However, when she raised her eyes, her gaze calmly swept over the sea of ​​officials below.

That natural, flowing aura—a blend of weathered composure, unquestionable authority, and a hint of superiority—instantly overwhelmed her physical weakness.

Everyone who looked at her felt a chill run down their spines.

Supported by two female officials, she slowly walked to the rosewood chair on the imperial steps, turned around, and sat down.

Qingdai and another palace maid stood behind the chair.

"Your subjects pay their respects to Her Highness the Regent Princess! Long live Your Highness! Long live Your Highness! Long live Your Highness!" All the officials bowed in unison, their shouts echoing through the spacious hall.

"My lords, rise." Yun Jin's voice rang out, clear and melodious with a hint of barely perceptible hoarseness, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Everyone stood up, hands at their sides, waiting for her to speak.

What will this young princess say on her first occasion as a court attendee?

Is it to appease people's hearts?

Is it announcing a policy agenda? Or... establishing authority?

Yun Jin's gaze slowly swept over the familiar and unfamiliar faces below.

She saw the Marquis of Weiyuan's calm gaze, Su Che's serene face, and the undisguised doubts, scrutiny, and even... subtle disdain in the eyes of many civil officials.

She knew that today's court assembly would not be peaceful.

"Today is the first grand court session of the new dynasty, and it is also an expedient measure taken out of necessity during the period of national mourning." Yun Jin spoke slowly, her tone calm, yet carrying an unquestionable tone.

"I have been entrusted with the heavy responsibility of governing the country by the late Emperor's last edict. I am filled with trepidation and feel as if I am walking on thin ice."

All of you here are pillars of the nation, and have received the nation's favor for generations.

At this time of national mourning, the new emperor's aging, and numerous internal and external troubles, I, the Empress Dowager, hope that you all will unite as one to overcome these difficult times, so as not to fail the late Emperor's trust or the people's high expectations.

She paused, then continued, "However, national affairs are numerous and complex."

With Uwei looming to the north, the border urgently needs to be reorganized.

There are remnants of rebel forces in the south, and the local area urgently needs to be pacified.

The national treasury is empty, and all industries are in need of development.

The administration of officials... also has deep-seated problems that need to be addressed.

I am young and inexperienced, and I am even more new to governing the country.

Today at court, I invite everyone to speak freely and express your opinions on the most pressing matters at hand.

"Any policy that benefits the country and its people will be humbly adopted and readily accepted by this Empress Dowager."

They adopted a humble attitude and spoke earnestly, placing themselves in the position of "learner" and "seeker of advice."

This first gave face to the court officials, and also silenced those who wanted to attack the "female emperor's ignorance".

Sure enough, the atmosphere in the hall eased slightly after she finished speaking. Some of the more pragmatic officials, or those who had already been inclined to support her, showed expressions of approval.

However, what is destined to happen will happen.