The next day, the morning light, like strands of gold, gently and delicately spread across the magnificent glazed tiles of the palace, reflecting a dazzling and radiant glow.

The morning bell tolled, its melodious toll echoing throughout the palace, like an ancient melody resounding from the depths of time.

Each sound contained a solemn and dignified rhythm, as if reminding everyone of the majesty and responsibility of the court.

The officials, dressed in magnificent and orderly court robes, with solemn and dignified expressions, entered the court one by one, like a well-ordered torrent, with neat and steady steps.

The morning court session had just begun when Qin Qianluo stood in the court hall, her posture upright like a pine tree, resolute and composed.

She narrowed her eyes slightly, a sharp glint flashing in her deep eyes, like a cold star twinkling in the night sky.

Immediately afterwards, her inner voice rang out from the court: "Colleagues, after the morning court session, the two prime ministers and I intend to test Crown Prince Xiao in the Imperial Study."

Please return to your residences as soon as possible after court and attend to your official duties. Do not visit the Imperial Study for the time being, lest you cause unnecessary disturbance and create further complications.

In the imperial court, the discussions initially rose like a clamorous tide, one wave after another, surging and weaving into a complex and chaotic sea of ​​sound.

The court officials expressed their opinions freely, sometimes passionately and sometimes in hushed tones, creating a lively atmosphere that seemed to ignite the entire court.

However, the moment Qin Qianluo finished speaking, the surging sound seemed to be quietly suppressed by a mysterious and powerful force, gradually calming down.

The voice grew softer and softer until it became a gentle whisper.

After hearing those words, the officials maintained their usual composure and dignity in the court.

Their expressions remained unchanged; they merely nodded slightly, their movements slow and orderly, like well-trained soldiers.

There was not a trace of anything unusual on his face; every expression and every movement was perfectly executed.

It was as if this was just an ordinary exchange among thousands of exchanges in the imperial court, nothing to be surprised about.

However, beneath this seemingly calm surface lies a subtle tension and nuance that is not easily detected.

Such subtle changes were like ripples suddenly appearing on a calm lake to the perceptive Ning Yuancheng, instantly arousing his alertness.

Ning Yuancheng was listening intently to the court officials' reports, his gaze sweeping over them, sometimes lost in thought, sometimes nodding slightly.

It seemed as if his entire mind was immersed in discussing state affairs.

But in that instant, he seemed to sense something extremely subtle yet full of danger, a feeling that made his hair stand on end instinctively.

After the ministers nodded, he raised his head suddenly and nimbly, like a cheetah sensing danger.

His gaze was sharp as a hawk's, carrying an innate majesty and scrutiny, sweeping over the ministers below who seemed to be focused on the meeting.

That gaze was like a beam of light piercing through the fog, trying to see through the thoughts and secrets hidden deep within everyone's heart.

Every minister who caught his gaze would tremble slightly without realizing it, but with the composure honed over years of experience in the court, they would pretend not to notice.

They continued to maintain their serious demeanor, their expressions calm and composed, as if they were completely unaware of the watchful gaze directed at them.

Finally, his gaze, as if drawn by an invisible magnetic force, settled on Qin Qianluo.

Qin Qianlu kept her head down the entire time, her posture as if she had fallen into a deep dream in this solemn and dignified court.

She leaned slightly forward, her head lowered, and her hair fell loosely on both sides of her face, giving her an unguarded appearance.

Viewed from the side, her expression was calm, as if she were oblivious to the heated court debates around her.

Ning Yuancheng's eyes instantly filled with intense inquiry; his deep eyes were like two still lakes, concealing endless doubts and thoughts.

Just a moment ago, he clearly felt his heart clench suddenly, and the intense palpitation felt like being struck by a heavy hammer.

The feeling was exactly the same as every time I was about to face the danger of exposure in the past—profound and unsettling.

He always had absolute faith in his intuition, which was like a guiding light as he groped his way forward in the dark.

Since that unforgettable failure, it has become like a sharp blade honed countless times, becoming increasingly keen and precise.

To be able to sound the alarm for him at the last moment before danger strikes.

Back then, in order to bring him to justice, the emperor mobilized almost the entire Chengxiao City. Soldiers were stationed in every street and alley to search for him, like a net that stretched from heaven to earth.

Back then, with each approaching danger, he skillfully avoided one deadly crisis after another, relying on his keen intuition.