The following morning, as the ministers who were to attend the early court gathered at the palace gates, they all stood in silence. The memory of the palace coup that took place a few days prior cast a psychological shadow over them.
As the sound of the palace gate being pushed open echoed through the air, everyone's heart tensed even though the palace had been thoroughly cleansed. Yet an illusion persisted, as if blood covered everything.
Zhou Shuren had entered the palace many times by now, but the sensation hadn't lessened. Gazing down the long palace corridor, Zhou Shuren felt chills; this was the palace, the seat of power, and also a place built upon the dead.
In the great hall, the Emperor and the Crown Prince had arrived first, with the Crown Prince standing below the Dragon Throne.
Zhou Shuren glanced over once before withdrawing his gaze. Along with the other ministers, he entered the hall and, after the act of kneeling and paying respects was over, they all stood up.
