All the ministers who had resigned were escorted to prison by the Imperial Guard.
The hall fell utterly silent.
Save for the clatter of armor outside, there was no other sound.
「A quarter of an hour later.」
Lu Mingyuan, who had occupied the Chief Minister's seat, tore his gaze from the empty Dragon Throne. He rose to his feet and faced the remaining ministers, his eyes sharp as he declared:
"Do any of you have any objections?"
His cold tone made it clear this was not a negotiation.
The ministers exchanged glances. Though their hearts seethed with a thousand complaints, none dared to voice an objection.
They were afraid the Crown Prince would order them to be dragged out of the hall right then and there.
A new official always makes a show of force upon taking office.
To say nothing of a Crown Prince assuming power?
Lu Mingyuan's gaze swept across the court. Seeing that no one dared to meet his eyes, he declared with a flick of his wide sleeve:
