Seven days later, in the Jinluan Hall.
The morning light pierced through the newly constructed glazed dome, casting down on the shining golden bricks.
The civil and military officials knelt in orderly fashion. Prince Shangwu and Peng Lie were at the forefront, yet both had their eyes closed, as if waiting for something.
"The late Emperor's testament—"
The sharp voice of the chief eunuch of ceremonies echoed throughout the hall, startling many officials who suddenly looked up.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees—"
The trembling voice resonated in the hall, as the five-claw golden dragon pattern on the bright yellow imperial edict in the eunuch's hand glistened in the morning light.
"The thirteenth prince, Lu Xumin, is endowed with intelligence, loves the people as his own children, is gentle and refined, self-disciplined and public-minded, benevolent and magnanimous... deeply loved by Us, will be immediately enthroned as the thirteenth prince, so decreed!"
