One month remained until the millennium celebration. Imperial Capital, within the imperial palace, in the Eastern Palace.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, this is the list of tribute items to be used in the side halls during the millennium celebration. Please see if anything needs adjusting."
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, this is the roster of imperial relatives and nobles attending the celebration. Some people may need to be removed. Please see who would be best to exclude."
"These are rare medicinal herbs presented by the Liu Family, the greatest power in the South Desert Region. It is said they have already vanished from the outside world. They were specially brought out as a gift for Your Highness."
Palace maids and eunuchs bustled in and out. A young man sat at the head of the room, rapidly reading through the jade slips in his hands.
Ordinarily, as Crown Prince, he did not have much to do. He could spend most of his time in secluded cultivation without issue.
But with the millennium celebration imminent, the entire cultivation world was watching. Many matters required the Crown Prince's personal attention, and this also served to lay the groundwork for his future succession to the throne.
Suddenly, the Crown Prince's movements paused slightly. His lowered eyes rippled, wave after wave of patterns emerging within them. Yet they vanished in a flash, and no one besides him noticed anything unusual.
Suppressing the excitement in his heart, the Crown Prince rubbed his brow and waved his hand. "You may all leave. I'm somewhat tired and need to rest for a while. Anything else can wait until tomorrow."
"Yes!" Everyone bowed respectfully and withdrew from the room.
After everyone had left, a voice abruptly sounded beside the Crown Prince. "We haven't seen each other for