The Golden Sparrow Country, Quejing, Imperial Palace Celestial Saint City, Jinluan Great Hall.
The Civil Servants stood to the left, the Military Officers to the right, and the Eunuchs in their own row. The dragon throne in the center of the hall was empty, with the Empress Dowager ruling from behind a curtain in the rear.
It was still time for morning court.
However, the atmosphere in the court was anything but solemn. The assembled officials were chattering amongst themselves. Some muttered about military affairs at the border, some gossiped about household trifles, some were busy flattering each other, and one was even hawking watches!
Behind the pearl curtain, the Empress Dowager sighed.
