The emperor sat upon his golden throne, the weight of his crown light compared to the burden of ruling an empire on the brink of unrest. Yet, as he observed the young woman before him. poised, unyielding, and bearing the undeniable mark of the Feng bloodline, he felt a rare spark of satisfaction.
Feng Jiao Xue had not only returned, but she had returned with strength, intellect, and a sharpness that the court had not expected. In his eyes, she was no longer just the neglected pitiful miss of the Feng Clan but a formidable force standing beside his favored son, Liang Feng.
His gaze swept across the grand hall, taking in the divided expressions of the nobles. Some still reeled from the power shift in the court, while others, particularly those from the old noble factions, eyed Feng Jiao Xue warily, recognizing the threat she now posed to their schemes.
Slowly, the emperor leaned forward, the flickering candlelight casting long shadows across his regal face.
