"Your Majesty," the Minister of Rites, an arrogant, heavy-set man who had been sweating profusely since Heena walked in, suddenly stepped forward. He couldn't take the psychological pressure anymore. "Since the Madam brought it up, the Ministry of Rites officially protests the Vanguard adoption! It is a complete mockery of imperial law!"
"A mockery?" Heena gasped, placing a hand over her heart in mock offense. "How dare you! I followed the Emperor's Edict to the exact letter!"
"You adopted a thirty-year-old man!" the Minister of Rites shrieked, his voice cracking violently. "He is older than you! He has a full beard! He took the imperial exams five years ago! How can he legally be considered a child of the Vanguard house?!"
