Morning light like blood pierced the heavy clouds over the Forbidden City, dyeing the glazed tiles of the Hall of Supreme Harmony a dark red. Gu Jinghong stood below the imperial terrace, the python pattern on his black Flying Fish Robe rising and falling with his breath, appearing and fading in the light and shadow. His Xiuchun Saber swayed gently at his waist as he walked, making a crisp, cold sound. He looked up at the plaque reading "Justice and Brightness" hanging high above the Golden Luan Hall, a fleeting, cold sneer touching the corner of his mouth. Shen Mingyue's pale face as she lay unconscious three days ago, the Gu Poison writhing and twisting beneath her skin, scorched his heart like a branding iron at this moment, reminding him that the alliance between the Second Prince and the Blood Fiend Alliance had driven them to a desperate impasse. If they did not strike first, nothing awaited them but certain death.
As the piercing cry of "State your business if you have any; if none, court is dismissed" cut through the vast sky, the ministers in the imperial court stepped forward one by one to report on state affairs. When the final official stepped back, Gu Jinghong stepped forward, his tall and upright figure casting a fine shadow as his black hem swept across the cold white jade steps with a faint scratching sound. His voice was clear yet laden with a chilling majesty: "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to submit. Recently, Your Minister has uncovered numerous signs o…
Chapter 29