I slaughtered my way through the border at the start, I am the Great Ming's Night Raider!

She didn't finish her sentence, but Chen Yuan understood perfectly.

Some people are born into this position; they have no choice.

Just like him, born as the son of the King of Zhao and the Grand Princess, he was destined to be drawn into this vortex.

"Your Highness," Chen Yuan said slowly, "Although I am dull-witted, I have something to say."

"explain."

"Power is a poison, but it is also an antidote."

"Without power, one cannot protect those one wishes to protect. Your Highness, if you hadn't held such great power all these years, you probably would have..."

He didn't finish speaking, but his meaning was clear.

The Grand Princess looked at him, tears welling in her eyes: "You...you are so much like your father. He said something similar too."

She walked over and gently patted Chen Yuan's shoulder: "Go on, get some rest. Tomorrow... there's still a tough battle to fight."

Chen Yuan bowed and withdrew.

When I came out of the back hall, the snow had lessened, but the wind had picked up, making the palace lanterns sway unsteadily.

The sound of a wooden clapper could be heard in the distance; it was past midnight.

Chen Yuan did not return to the side hall, but instead went to the courtyard of Yongshou Palace.

His footprints were left in the snow, deep and heavy.

Tomorrow will be a pivotal day that will determine the future of the Ming Dynasty.

With seven people assisting in governance, the system of checks and balances seemed secure, but in reality, it harbored hidden dangers.

Those seven people each had their own thoughts and their own plans.

What he had to do was to stay by the Grand Princess's side, protect her safety, and safeguard the balance of power.

This is not easy.

But he will do it.

Because this is the path he chose.

Just then, I heard footsteps behind me.

Chen Jin walked over, holding a cloak in her hand: "Brother Yuan, it's cold."

Chen Yuan took the cloak: "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"I can't sleep," Chen Jin said. "So many things happened in the palace today... The Emperor passed away, Cao Jixiang committed suicide, the Crown Prince moved to another palace... My mind is in turmoil."

"You'll get used to it eventually," Chen Yuan said. "There's never a peaceful day in this palace."

"Brother Yuan," Chen Jin looked at him, "Do you think... we can win?"

Chen Yuan laughed. "What constitutes winning? Does bringing down Cao Jixiang count as winning? Does having your own people on the list of regents count as winning? Or... does it mean you have to actually sit in that position to win?"

Chen Jin was stunned.

Chen Yuan patted him on the shoulder: "Chen Jin, remember, there are no eternal winners in this palace. The one who wins today may lose tomorrow. All we can do is our best and leave the rest to fate."

"Then... what about our grudge? The Chen family's grudge..."

"Revenge must be taken, but not now," Chen Yuan said. "The most important thing now is to stabilize the court and prevent the Ming Dynasty from falling into chaos. What's the point of taking revenge if the Ming Dynasty is in chaos?"

Chen Jin seemed to understand, but nodded nonetheless.

The two brothers stood in the snow, looking at the night sky.

The snow stopped, the clouds dispersed, and a cold moon was revealed.

The cool moonlight shone on the glazed tiles of the palace, reflecting a deep blue light.

It was beautiful, but also very cold.

Just like power, it is tempting, but it can also be harmful.

But there are always those who follow in their footsteps.

Because this is the human world.

The 18th day of the twelfth lunar month, at the hour of Chen (7-9 AM).

The atmosphere in Fengtian Hall was even more somber than yesterday.

All the officials wore mourning clothes, knelt facing north, and mourned the late emperor.

The wailing was deafening, but everyone was listening intently—today's funeral meeting was the real event.

After the mourning ceremony, the seven regents remained in the palace, while the other officials withdrew.

The palace gates closed, and the guards retreated ten paces away, leaving only Chen Yuan with a squad of Imperial Guards to stand guard at the entrance—this was a special permission granted by the Grand Princess.

Inside the hall, seven people sat in different places.

At the head of the table was the Grand Princess, with three chairs on each side. The first person on the left was Yang Rong, the Grand Secretary, who was over sixty years old with white hair and beard, but bright eyes; the second was Wang Ji, the Minister of War, who was over fifty years old with a resolute face and was a veteran general of the Yongle era; the third was Hu Ying, the Minister of Rites, who was refined and cultured, but had deep eyes.

The first on the right is Zhang Fu, Duke of Yingguo. Although he has retired, he still retains the dignity of a duke. The second is Liu Mian, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He is in his early forties and is capable and efficient. The third is Jin Ying, the newly appointed Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. He has a fair complexion and keeps his eyes down.

Seven people, seven tigers.

"Let's begin," the Grand Princess said first, her voice calm. "Let's discuss the posthumous title and temple name of the late Emperor."

As the Minister of Rites, Hu Ying readily agreed: "I have proposed a few, please consider them, Your Highness and the other officials." He unfolded the memorial, "Posthumous title: 'Following Heaven and Establishing the Way, Benevolent, Wise, Sincere, Respectful, Illustrious, Civil, Model, Martial, Supreme Virtue, and Filial Piety,' Temple name... 'Xuanzong.'"

There was a moment of silence in the hall.

"Emperor Xuanzong..." Yang Rong said slowly, "The Book of Posthumous Titles says: 'Xuan means sagacious and well-known.' The late emperor reigned for ten years, and was benevolent and loved his people. This temple name is appropriate."

Wang Ji nodded: "I second that suggestion."

"I second that opinion," Zhang Fu, Liu Mian, and Jin Ying said in turn.

The Grand Princess looked at Hu Ying: "Minister Hu, you've gone to great lengths. Draft the decree accordingly and proclaim it to the world."

"Yes."

The first thing went smoothly, but everyone knows that was just the appetizer.

Sure enough, as soon as Hu Ying sat down, Yang Rong spoke up: "Your Highness, it is time to discuss the details of the regency rules. Your Highness's proposal yesterday of a 'seven-person unanimity' system, I believe... is open to discussion."

The Grand Princess remained calm and asked, "What insightful opinion does Grand Secretary Yang have?"

"I dare not presume to offer such a profound opinion," Yang Rong stroked his beard. "I merely feel that political affairs are complex and numerous. If every matter requires the unanimous consent of all seven officials, it would likely lead to inefficiency and delays in national affairs. I suggest that routine government matters be drafted by the Cabinet, approved by the Directorate of Ceremonial, and carried out according to established practice. Major matters should then be submitted to the Council of Regents for discussion."

These words sound grand and noble, but the meaning is very clear—he wants to regain the cabinet's power to draft proposals.

The Grand Princess smiled: "Grand Secretary Yang is right. Political affairs are complex and efficiency is indeed necessary. But I would like to ask: Cao Jixiang has only been in power for a day, and his cronies have not yet been purged. Is it appropriate to rush to restore old practices now?"

Yang Rong's expression changed: "Your Highness, do you doubt the Cabinet?"

"I have no doubts about anyone," the Grand Princess said. "I just want to remind you all that extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures. Although the seven-person unanimous decision-making system is less efficient, it can prevent one person from wielding absolute power and can also gather wisdom from all sides. It's not too late to change it once the court situation has stabilized."

"But..."

"Grand Secretary Yang," Minister of War Wang Ji suddenly spoke up, "Your Highness is right. The situation at court is unstable, and the borders are not peaceful either—we just received an urgent report that the Tatars have made another move. At a time like this, it's best to be cautious."

Yang Rong glanced at Wang Ji, his expression complex.

Wang Ji was the Minister of War, in charge of military power, and his words carried great weight.

"Minister Wang is right," said Duke Zhang Fu of Yingguo slowly. "Although I have retired, my old subordinates in the army still come to me from time to time to complain. They all say that the current situation cannot be allowed to deteriorate further. The seven of them are in agreement...that's good, at least no one can cause any trouble."

That puts it more bluntly.

Although Zhang Fu had retired, he held extremely high prestige in the army, and even Wang Ji had to consider his words carefully.

Yang Rong remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Since everyone thinks so... then I have no objection."

In the first round, the Grand Princess won.

Next, a few trivial matters were discussed: the funeral rites, the date of the new emperor's ascension to the throne, the scope of the amnesty... all of which were passed without incident. But Chen Yuan, who was outside the hall, could hear clearly that everyone's words contained hidden veiled meaning, and every statement was calculated.

This is the imperial court.

It's bloodless, but more dangerous than a battlefield.

Halfway through the meeting, the eunuchs served tea and refreshments.

Taking advantage of the lull, the Grand Princess suddenly asked, "Eunuch Jin, how are Cao Jixiang's funeral arrangements going?"

Jin Ying put down his teacup, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, it has been handled according to the rules. The body has been cremated, and the ashes... have been scattered."

"Spilled?" Yang Rong frowned. "Isn't that against the rules? Cao Jixiang was, after all, the former Grand Secretary of the Directorate of Ceremonial..."

"Grand Secretary Yang," the Grand Princess interrupted him, "Cao Jixiang is a criminal, guilty of forging imperial edicts, corruption, and framing loyal officials. He deserves to die. His body is unworthy of burial. Eunuch Jin did the right thing."

Yang Rong opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

Jin Ying continued, "In addition, I investigated Cao Jixiang's residence and found some... things."