"Your Majesty, this is illogical! The woman you have brought back… If you wish to confer upon her the title of consort, I have no objections. However, how can an unknown woman so brazenly take residence in the Yining Palace, reserved for the queens of past dynasties? Moreover, she lacks any official title!"
"Every queen throughout history has been a paragon of virtue and grace, a model of maternal dignity. That woman is clearly from a foreign land; allowing her to oversee the six seals of the harem… Your Majesty, those who are not of our kind may harbor different intentions!"
"What does this do to the dignity of the royal family and the legacy of our queens?!"
A middle-aged man with graying temples stood up, his face filled with indignation as he bowed deeply while clutching an ivory tablet, his deep voice tinged with urgency—
"I dare to implore Your Majesty to reconsider. This is truly an unprecedented absurdity!"
"Oh? you wish for me to reconsider… then pray tell, what should I contemplate? What makes this such an egregious absurdity?" Sebastian leaned back against the dragon throne, a mocking laugh escaping his lips as his languid gaze fell upon the middle-aged man, who remained bent in deep reverence.
The man's expression shifted slightly, but after a brief hesitation, he continued with a composed tone, "I would never presume to dictate Your Majesty's thoughts… Yet, Your Majesty must at least consider the perceptions of the outside world. If you disregard the rules, how can you expect others to obey? How can we act with integrity in public?"
"Your words are misguided."
Sebastian regarded him with a smile, "You've said so much, merely to accuse me of acting outside the established norms without informing you in advance, correct?"
The man was taken aback, gritted his teeth, and hesitantly bowed again, saying, "I do not dare to accuse Your Majesty; I only offer counsel."
"If Your Majesty is unwilling to heed counsel, then I shall refrain from offering it!"
Sebastian raised an eyebrow, "Since it is counsel, I am not a tyrant; I shall certainly consider it."
With that, he curled his lips into a smile, gazing at the now-relieved man, then turned his attention to the other solemn ministers standing by, his eyes growing cold. "What are the opinions of the rest of you?"
Behind the middle-aged man, the other ministers exchanged glances, and after a brief, silent communication, they felt a chill in their hearts and wisely chose to remain silent.
Only one minister, who had always maintained a close relationship with the middle-aged man, stepped forward and bowed, "I believe, Your Majesty, that this action is indeed illogical and requires further contemplation."
Sebastian glanced at him before lazily surveying the other ministers, "Is there anyone else who wishes to speak? Come forth and let me see how many of you disregard propriety."
At this statement, the ministers, already sensing something amiss, dared not step forward again—
Even though they harbored dissatisfaction regarding the sudden elevation of a woman to the position of queen, none were willing to gamble their futures.
Moreover, their discontent stemmed primarily from a desire to elevate their own daughters or relatives to positions of power in the harem for personal gain.
But given the current demeanor of the sovereign… it was evident he was not inclined to entertain their grievances!
They likely awaited a purge!
Thus, everyone lowered their heads, pretending to be mere wooden figures, hearing nothing and saying nothing.
In that moment of silence, the opulent hall fell into a heavy stillness, the atmosphere oppressive.
The two ministers standing in the center of the hall were drenched in cold sweat, bowing deeply, afraid to utter another sound.
The minister who had spoken in support could not help but inwardly resent the middle-aged man who had led the charge—
Truly, were benefits so easily obtained?! Were it not for their intertwined interests, he would not have stepped forward to share the blame!
"Then it is just the two of you."
Sebastian narrowed his phoenix eyes, slightly tilting his head, casting a half-smile as he scrutinized the two ministers standing with bowed
Sebastian narrowed his phoenix eyes, slightly tilting his head, and cast a half-smile at the two ministers standing with bowed heads in the grand hall. "Is there anything else you wish to say? I am prepared to hear everything at once."
"Your servant… has already said all that needs to be said," the middle-aged man replied, mustering his courage.
"Then it is my turn to speak."
Sebastian repressed his smile and spoke coldly, "This realm belongs to me. If it is contrary to reason… then let me make it clear—
In this world, I am the very definition of reason."
With that, the young man rose from the expansive dragon chair, his black robe adorned with golden patterns billowing slightly, as he languidly surveyed the multitude of heads that suddenly bowed in submission before him, letting out a soft snort before turning to leave.
"Dismiss the court————"
A chief eunuch hastily called out.
On the other side,
Lu stood by the edge of the vast hot spring, her small face etched with seriousness.
Just moments ago, she had sent away the maidens who sought to attend to her closely, leaving her alone as she prepared to joyfully transform back into her mermaid form and plunge into the pool for a refreshing swim, only to discover—
The human bathing pool was, astonishingly, filled with hot water?!
Lu puffed out her cheeks and tentatively dipped a toe into the steaming water, immediately retracting it with a soft hiss.
…How unbearably hot!
…Why would humans enjoy such a temperature??
After a moment's hesitation, she stubbornly settled herself at the edge of the white jade pool, her cerulean round eyes wide open, staring in frustration at the beautiful pool before her that she could only gaze at, unable to swim in.
Wasn't the icy coolness more comfortable?!
Wasn't she afraid of fainting from the heat?!
The little mermaid rested her chin on her hands, pondering her predicament, when suddenly, faint sounds drifted in from outside the hall.
Lu paused, turning her head toward the entrance—though the ornately decorated doors were firmly shut, they did not hinder her from hearing the conversation.
"...Is the person the Emperor brought in there?"
"Yes, Your Highness Yun."
"Ha, she hasn't even been officially conferred a title yet, yet she is already using the items of the Yining Palace as if it were her right."
"This… was all commanded by the Emperor, treating her as the mistress of Yining Palace."
"What did you say?! How is that possible?! Just because… just because of her?!"
"This…"
"No, the Emperor has not set foot in the harem for years; how could he suddenly bring someone back?! She must be some kind of enchantress who has bewitched him! I demand to see her—she must be inside, right?!"
"Your Highness Yun, please wait. Your Highness! Your Highness!!"
Lu blinked slowly, her curiosity piqued by the escalating commotion outside.
Was someone coming to confront her?
Just as well, she was feeling a bit bored and wondered what the human outside looked like.