Xiao Yun's Choice of Fief

"According to imperial law, a newly appointed Earl may be granted one fief and choose it freely." Xue Qinghe paused. "But while that sounds simple, it is somewhat troublesome in practice."

"Oh? I'd like to hear the details." Xiao Yun lifted his teacup, his expression calm.

Xue Qinghe sighed. "The Heaven Dou Plain around Heaven Dou City is the empire's most prosperous region. Its fertile fields stretch for thousands of miles, and its waterways crisscross the land. Cities, villages, and towns of all sizes have long since been divided among the nobles of successive generations. Not to mention a city—even a town or a plot of farmland already has an owner. If Brother Xiao wishes to choose land nearby, I fear you can only pick a few scattered villages. Their area would be small and their population sparse, hardly worthy of your status."

Xiao Yun nodded thoughtfully, not rushing to state his position.

Xue Qinghe glanced at him and continued, "If you want a sufficiently large fief, you can only look farther away. For example—"

He slightly emphasized his next words.

"Snow Spirit Province."

The moment those words left his mouth, the atmosphere in the study seemed to shift subtly.

Xue Qinghe's gaze fell upon Xiao Yun's face, carrying a measure of scrutiny, probing, and inscrutable meaning.

Others might not have known about what had happened in Snow Spirit City some time ago, but how could he, the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, not know?

Yet Xiao Yun's expression did not change in the slightest. He merely smiled faintly. "Snow Spirit Province truly is a good place."

A strange glint flashed through Xue Qinghe's eyes before he smiled. "What Brother Xiao may not know is that although Snow Spirit Province is prosperous, its local powers are intricately entangled.