Yunqiao was a formidable opponent. Since our final declaration of war, she had been taking action, frequently contacting people from the Cen Taizai faction. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Personnel under her management had made several impressive reforms, gradually increasing support for the Second Princess’s faction.
I chose to get closer to Liu Hua. Liu Hua was in her early thirties, shrewd and decisive. From a commoner background, she had risen to her current high position in just ten years through her own talent and wit, without relying on family background or flattery.
If Cen Taizai’s son became empress, Cen’s power would be further consolidated, which would be greatly disadvantageous to her.
The conflict between the two factions was becoming increasingly intense. At this moment, Cen Taizai brought up an old matter, submitting a petition that since the Wujin Token had returned, the trial for the Great Princess should no longer be delayed and should be conducted early to prove her identity.
Chapter Sixty-Nine: Knowing People, Knowing Faces
The people of Nanrui firmly believed in the divine right of royal power, using the phoenix as their totem, believing the Son of Heaven was a phoenix reincarnate, blessed by divine spirits. The Wujin Token, the sacred object for Nanrui’s celestial worship, was precisely the token proving the royal bloodline. The so-called trial was to prove two points to all of Nanrui: first, that I was indeed Princess Xuan’s daughter and a legitimate royal descendant; second, that I was the heir chosen by the phoenix divine bird, the heaven-ordained monarch.
It could be said that if I passed this trial, no matter how excellent Jiang Yunqiao was, she would find it difficult to compete for the heir’s position. However, the fact that this was initiated by Cen Taizai from Yunqiao’s side could only mean they were well-prepared, determined to make me fail the trial.
Once I lost my qualification to succeed in front of the entire world, even if Emperor Hong wanted to pass the throne to me, he would have to give up due to public opinion.
