Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

Early the next morning, all the civil and military officials of Bei Li gathered in the Xuanzheng Hall, where the court assembly was being held. This included those who had been placed under house arrest. The atmosphere was very solemn.

At this moment, almost all the officials were trembling with fear and unease, unsure of their own and their families' fate.

Only a few dozen officials from prominent families and the Yao family line had a bit more confidence.

Because dynasties come and go, but powerful families remain constant—that has always been the case.

This is not just empty talk, but a fact.

Because every emperor needed to rely on powerful families and was inseparable from their resources.

Therefore, they firmly believed that no matter how the situation changed, the status of the aristocratic families would be difficult to shake, and thus their fear lessened.

However, what they did not know was that Lingyan was no different from the emperors of the past.

If Emperor Jingzhao were in charge here at this moment, things might actually turn out as they thought.

It's just a pity that Lingyan is now in charge here.

Those emperors of the past may not have known the dangers posed by powerful clans.

Or even if they knew about it, they had to appoint them for various reasons, treating them with high positions and generous salaries.

Over time, these aristocratic families lost sight of the emperor, the people, and even their patriotism.

All they could think about was how to make their families more prosperous and enduring.

This is a prominent family that has stood the test of time, its roots deep and strong.

They are deeply intertwined and closely connected, possessing a vast network of influence both in the imperial court and among the common people.

They controlled vast amounts of land, wealth, and human resources, like a giant malignant tumor deeply rooted in the body of the dynasty.

These prominent families, thanks to their family heritage and traditions, hold a pivotal position in culture and education.

Their children received a good education from a young age, becoming proficient in poetry, prose, classics, history, philosophy, and literature. When they grew up, they entered officialdom and occupied important positions.

They colluded with each other, formed cliques and factions, and were willing to sacrifice the interests of the country and the people for the benefit of their families.

Economically, powerful families owned vast tracts of land and numerous manors.

By annexing land, they caused a large number of farmers to lose their land and become tenant farmers or vagrants.

They also controlled commerce and trade, monopolized important channels for the distribution of goods, and amassed enormous wealth.

This wealth was not only used for the family's luxurious lifestyle, but also for expanding the family's power and training private soldiers, etc.

In politics, powerful families continuously expanded their sphere of influence through marriage alliances and recommendations.

Their family members are spread throughout various important departments of the imperial court, influencing the formulation and implementation of national policies.

They interfered with the emperor's decisions and even undermined the emperor's power, plunging the dynasty into chaos.

Therefore, they were a major cancer that threatened the dynasty, and this cancer had to be removed.

Therefore, the beautiful aspirations in these people's hearts are destined to be dashed.

At this time, these officials from prominent families were still immersed in their own beautiful aspirations.

They believed that they could rely on their family's power and status.

No matter who is in charge of this country, no one will dare to touch them easily; they will continue to live a life of extravagance.

Just as the officials were filled with unease, the soldiers who had been monitoring them in the hall suddenly knelt down and bowed respectfully towards the entrance of the hall, saying, "Greetings to the Crown Princess! Greetings to the Ninth Princess! Greetings to Princess Wenyi!"

Although the number of people was small, their shouts were incredibly powerful.

Those shouts seemed to penetrate the dome of the palace, creating ripples in the air.

After the officials realized what was happening, they hurriedly followed suit and bowed in greeting.

Their movements were somewhat hurried, and the rustling of their clothes was particularly clear in the silent hall.

Then, under the varied gazes of the crowd, they heard a gentle female voice say, "No need for formalities, please rise."

It was the voice of the Crown Princess of Da Zhao.

The voice was like a spring breeze, carrying a reassuring power.

After everyone stood up, some officials turned their curious gazes to the other two women beside Lingyan.

The two female war goddesses, now known throughout the world, were also the executioners who destroyed their Northern Li.

Their eyes were filled with complex emotions: fear, awe, resentment, and a hint of inexplicable curiosity.

The three ignored the officials' gazes, as if those eyes, filled with doubt, fear, or inquiry, simply did not exist.

Their expressions were calm and composed, like three snow lotuses blooming on a high cliff, pure and noble.

Every step he took was steady and firm, carrying an innate elegance and majesty.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, they stepped onto the stairs of the main hall and took their seats.

The crisp sound of footsteps echoed in the silent hall, like the drumbeat of fate, striking the hearts of everyone present.

Of course, they did not sit on the dragon throne in the very center, but rather on either side.

After all, one of the three was the Crown Princess, one was a princess, and one was a county princess.

Although he was not qualified or of the status to sit on the dragon throne, he could sit in the seat next to it, and he did so as if it were perfectly natural.

After that, Ling Yan waved her hand lightly. The seemingly casual gesture seemed to carry endless majesty and power.

In the next instant, the soldiers in the hall moved swiftly, like precisely controlled machines.

They marched with neat and powerful steps, the clanging of their armor echoing in the silent hall, as if the prelude to war was quietly beginning.

The soldiers' eyes were firm and cold; their goal was clear: to forcibly divide all the officers into three groups and make them stand in formation.

Their actions were decisive and resolute, without the slightest hesitation or doubt.

Every soldier knows their mission, and they work closely together like a highly efficient unit.

Under duress from the soldiers, the officials began to move slowly.

Some people looked terrified, their eyes filled with unease and confusion.

Some people appeared angry, seemingly dissatisfied with this coercive behavior.

Others remained silent, their expressions unreadable.

The soldiers' strength seemed irresistible; they gripped the officers' arms tightly and pushed them to their designated positions.

The officials' resistance was insignificant in the face of the soldiers' overwhelming strength, and they had no choice but to obey.

As the officials moved around, the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly tense.

The air seemed to freeze, making it difficult to breathe.

The heartbeats of everyone were clearly audible, as if they were beating for an unknown fate to come.

After the soldiers divided the officers into three groups, they stood quietly to the side, like silent guardians.

The hall fell silent, with only the faint breathing and heartbeats of the officials echoing in the air.

Everyone was waiting for the next instructions, unaware of what fate awaited them.

Their reactions varied, like a complex and ever-changing panorama of humanity slowly unfolding in the hall.

Some officials looked terrified; their eyes were filled with panic and unease, and their bodies trembled slightly.

Their hearts were filled with questions, yet they dared not ask them easily, and could only speculate in their hearts, fear following them like a shadow.