The massive doors of the Throne Room opened and the servant with the scepter, as well as several attendants and guards went inside.

The one carrying the scepter carefully wrapped in a luxurious green cloth was a young woman, who was blushing and tried her best to keep her gaze away from the Empress sitting on the throne with her usual appearance and Wu Long standing beside, leisurely leaning on the backrest of the Imperial seat of authority.

The two spent the entire previous day and night inside the room, and the dress that the Empress wore was a different one from when they saw her the day before, so it did not take a genius to realize what happened. In fact, it was the hottest palace gossip from the moment they were left alone in the room.

Nie Xiwang did not mind these gazes and expressions, as she couldn’t care less what these people thought of her or her actions.

She was too proud to be bothered with such things as long as no one dared to confront her about it or disrespect her where she could hear it, as she would not tolerate such impertinence.

The Blade Empress stretched out her hand and the servant respectfully handed her the scepter, which heavy lower end struck the floor a moment later, shocking the latter.

A small array circle activated under the place she struck, and the entire floor of the Throne Room lit up with glowing patterns.

The deep and low sounds of horns resounded throughout the palace, which was only just waking up at this early hour, as people all across its halls and corridors widened their eyes in shock at the sounds, raising their heads, some people half-rising in their beds.

The stationary guards with half-closed eyes that were waiting for their shift to be almost over, nearly jumped in fear, frantically looking around to check if anyone saw them dozing off, and only then recognizing the sound’s meaning, only to open their mouths wide at the realization in the next moment.

The General Imperial Council.

It could only be issued by the sitting Emperor or Empress, and must be attended not only by the main representatives of all branches of the Nie Imperial Family, but also by the Imperial Ancestor and all the Elders, figures that could be hardly seen even once in a century.

And… it was the very first time that Nie Xiwang used that authority.

The tranquil and still sleepy palace that was quietly buzzing with gossips only in hushed tones and hidden places instantly transformed to resemble a disturbed hornets nest after this rude awakening.

However, despite the frenzy, the delegations of Imperial members only started leaving their residences two hours later, proceeding toward the Main Palace with leisurely gait, as well as spending time to greet others and stop to have small talk with very audible laughs that could be heard by everyone around on the way.

This was one of the main reasons Nie Xiwang never issued the assembly of the General Imperial Council, even just after ascending the throne as was the custom, since she knew her rule would weaken after her authority was disrespected.

After all, some of the most important aspects of the politics of an Empire were tied to perceptions.

And she could not do anything about them, because of certain limitations she faced throughout her rule, thus choosing to rather face ridicule for not holding the council than calling it with such disastrous results.

Her opponents, which included almost all of her extended family, were waiting for this opportunity with bated breaths for the whole time.

Their current faces had expressions of arrogance, defiance, and glee, that is, until they saw the open doors of the Throne Room from afar, through which they could not see the desired effect of their behavior at all.

Far from seeing a face full of indignation, humiliation, and frustration, perhaps if they were lucky, outright fury.

What they saw was Nie Xiwang talking with Wu Long, an amused look in her eyes and a light smile on her lips, occasionally raising her hand in elegant manner to cover her mouth when a tinkling laughter made tiny cute wrinkles appear around her eyes.

There were already some members of less influential branches of the Nie Family inside the Throne Room, who were completely ignored, their disgruntled looks making it apparent that this was not a temporary state but has been going on for as long as they arrived.

Wu Long soon also noticed a familiar face, as a certain muscular man on whom Imperial Robes looked quite ridiculous, entered the room, taking his spot at the back of the crowd with a rather bored expression, but after circling the room with a gaze and stumbling upon the former, froze on the spot.

But at that moment…

“Heh! How indecent, bringing some gigolo to-…”, as one of the more senior members of the Imperial Council entered the room, she covered her mouth with one hand from the side and spoke in a ‘hushed’ tone to another senior member.

However, she did not get to finish her sentence, as a golden sword was freed of its sheathe embedded in the throne and flew with a speed none of them could even see, the sharp tip of the blade stopping barely a centimeter away from the old woman’s throat.

“””…!”””

“Nie Xiwang! You dare!”

“This is going overboard!”

“Thi-…”

“Silence!”

As an uproar immediately rose from the action, eyes filling with the expression that could be summed by the word ‘finally!’, the Blade Empress struck the floor with the golden scepter, a powerful ripple of Spiritual Qi sweeping most of the Imperial members off their feet and sending them a few meters away, instantly silencing the squalor.

“””…!!!”””

The hundreds of round eyes filled with shock and disbelief looked at the heavenly beauty who slowly and gracefully stood up from the throne, her head raised high with a cold gaze circling the crowd below the podium, the other 11 swords flying up and making her iconic image of spread wings behind her back.

Wu Long stood to the side with an amused gaze, assuming a carefree pose and preparing to watch the spectacle.

“This Empress will not tolerate you acting as you please!

It is fine to take time as you arrive, but you will not insult this Empress or my man in this room, or anywhere I can hear without repercussions!

Grand-Aunt! For the crime of blaspheming the sitting Monarch of the country, you are hereby confined to the Private Imperial Penitentiary for 100 years with minimal sustenance.

And you…!”

She then turned to the middle-aged man who called her by her name in the middle of the previous mess, causing him to shrivel as he half-sat on the floor.

“Khum-uncle-khum”

The servant who was previously carrying the scepter made a cough as Nie Xiwang’s pause became a bit long.

“…Uncle, you are given the same punishment with the sentence of 50 years!”

As her voice fell the man’s face elongated as disbelief appeared in his eyes, as well as the eyes of the others who were present.

“Y-you cannot do this to me!

I am a Senior member of the Imperial Council! freewbn𝐨𝘃𝐞𝗹.𝗰𝚘𝗺

Not only that, who said I insulted you! I want to see who will testify against this old woman!”

The woman’s face distorted into a grin as she said the last words.

“I don’t need witnesses, evidence, or to convince anyone in the first place. Your punishment is already decided”

However, her attempt was splashed with cold water as they realized Nie Xiwang did no intend to have anyone agree with her actions.

‘This woman has gone crazy!!! It’s as if she doesn’t give two flying **s about anything anymore!’

The old woman’s eyes were filled with disbelief that the usual strategy of using the absolute unity of the Imperial Family against the Blade Empress did not seem to work.

Not only that, there was absolute disregard for the consequences in the beauty’s actions and very demeanor.

“This is tyranny!”

“Have you gone out of your mind?!”

Two other senior members of the Imperial Council raised their voices the latter pointing his finger at the beauty, but the cold stare of gray eyes with a sprinkle of gold in them made them pale and involuntarily take a step back.

“You two are given 50 years as well!”

She spoke without any hesitation, not bothering to wait for another confirmation of their identity.

“Cannot!”

An old voice suddenly resounded in the room, and after a moment of realization, the frightened and bewildered gazes started to turn into ones of glee and anticipation.

Seven old men and women went through the giant open doors, some supporting themselves with canes, some still walking straight, but with difficulty.