There was silence after Chu Yun took his seat on the throne.
He could almost hear the sound of the gears in the Ministers' heads turning. They didn't expect to see him so soon. Either because they assumed the pregnancy would be too debilitating, or because even if it wasn't, Chu Yun wouldn't want to risk it.
In short, they had written him off as someone of no concern.
So maybe, it was for the best that he hadn't been accompanying Xiao Zai to court recently -- or there would have been an arrow aimed at him too.
The Queen Dowager cleared her throat, "well, since his Royal Highness is here I'm going to retreat back to my rooms, and rest," she said breezily, climbing off her chair as if she had been discussing road repairs with the ministers.
Some of them looked like they wanted to protest her departure, looking between her and Chu Yun as if trying to determine which of them would better serve their goals.
