Please Grant Father Emperor's Permission

Because Tribute Scholars already held official registration, unless they committed a crime, even the Emperor could not dismiss a Tribute Scholar without cause. At most, he could demote him to the very last rank.

And even Presented Scholars could wait to be assigned an office; no matter how lowly, they would still become magistrates of small counties.

Therefore, the official robes of Tribute Scholars were those of Subordinate Seventh Rank officials.

They were plain red robes, without embroidered patterns or ornamentation, paired with equally simple black official hats.

Yet even such attire, which could be called crude and simple, gave entirely different impressions depending on who wore it.

Some people were misshapen and lacked a straight bearing. Wearing these clothes only made them look uglier than usual. Not everyone could carry off such a style.

For a youth like Su Ziji, tall and straight-backed, this outfit made his face seem like jade beneath a crown, his heroic bearing crisp and dashing, full of vigor.

Set off by those of ordinary appearance, he was simply a crane standing among chickens. It was impossible not to notice him at first glance.

Once they met the Emperor, the roll call ended, and he earned First Class Presented Scholar status, another official robe would be bestowed upon him. Wearing that, he would probably be even more dazzling to the eye.

At that moment, quite a few people in the crowd could not help feeling sour, especially when they recalled Su Ziji's arrogance in walking away without speaking to them. They felt all the more that he belonged to a world entirely different from theirs.

Su Ziji's five senses were keen, so naturally he could sense gazes resting on him—gazes carrying jealousy, envy, or even simple dislike.

But his mind was heavy with worries. When