Chapter 2119

"From this day forth, should anyone question the queen's observance of ritual, they shall be punished for offending the queen, dismissed from office, and caned 50 times. "No need to report to me again," Benjamin announced. With that, he ignored the pale and panicked faces of the surrounding courtiers. Still holding Shannon's hand, he led her away with the palace servants trailing behind. As yesterday's event had just been a coming-of-age ceremony, few courtiers had attended, though many noblewomen had been present. In comparison to the overwhelming spectacle of phoenixes, Benjamin's "she stands as my equal" had largely been drowned out. Most of the noblewomen had forgotten to mention the detail after returning home. Coincidentally, it was the wife of the Minister of Rites who'd failed to bring this up upon returning home. Like him, some present today had simply not heard it, while others had and kept silent on purpose. They had meant to test Benjamin's boundaries, but now, the l