Change and Purpose

After all, he thought, I took this throne through bloodshed. I killed their former emperor, a tyrant, but even so, loyalty isn't something that comes easily after a coup. Yet here they were, celebrating. Maybe… maybe things have changed more than I realized.

Arriving at the palace gates, Shen Bao was immediately struck by how different the palace appeared. What had once been a cold, austere structure was now vibrant, adorned with banners and decorations that shimmered in the sunlight. Even the guards stationed at the entrance seemed more relaxed, their postures less rigid than usual.