[Dingbei Hou's voice held pride, and you caught a hint of showing off, too.]
[But you had no time to pay him any attention.]
[You lowered your head and looked at the four books in your hands, at a loss for words.]
[A middle-grade spirit tier spear technique could be considered a national treasure anywhere in Great Xia.]
[Yet Dingbei Hou had simply handed it over to you so casually.]
[You knew why: you were a subject of Great Xia, a genius blessed with exceptional talent, and a hope for securing a good placing in the Five Nations Martial Arts Tournament and bringing glory to Great Xia.]
[His gift came with expectations, but whatever his purpose, the gift itself was real.]
[You looked up at him and found the marquis smiling as he waited for your reaction, his expression plainly saying, "Well? Generous of me, wasn't it?"]
[You took a deep breath, put away the four books, and earnestly thanked him.]
[Dingbei Hou waved a hand, his tone utterly casual. "What's there to thank me for? Cultivate diligently and do Great Xia proud at the Five Nations Martial Arts Tournament. That would mean more than anything."
As he spoke, he seemed to think of something troublesome, and his brow suddenly creased slightly.
After a long silence, Dingbei Hou looked at you again, his expression solemn, without a trace of his earlier worry. "You've come at just the right time. I'm going to the palace to see His Majesty. Come with me."]
[You froze for a moment, then understood.]
[The Five Nations Martial Arts Tournament was the grandest event in the entire Northern Region. Naturally, to represent Great Xia, you had to pass muster with the emperor.]
[Understanding this, you did not refuse and nodded in agreement.]
[Seeing your calm expression without the slightest hint of fear, the appreciation in Dingbei Hou's eyes deepened. He rose, straightened his robes, and strode outside. "Let's go. The carriage is ready."]
[You followed him through corridor after corridor and out through the gates of the Marquis's Household. An entirely black carriage stood outside, its shafts carved with intricate beast patterns. Four fine horses snorted, their manes glossy.]
[Dingbei Hou climbed into the carriage first, and you followed close behind.]
[The carriage traveled smoothly down the long street, its interior very quiet.]
[Dingbei Hou leaned against the cushions with his eyes closed, resting, while you lifted the curtain and watched the street outside.]
[Shops lined both sides, and pedestrians streamed past like threads in a woven cloth. Hawkers' cries mingled with chatter and laughter, and everywhere brimmed with the bustle of everyday life. This was not your first glimpse of the Capital's prosperity, but it was your first time sitting in a carriage like this, leisurely looking down over it all.]
[With a touch of novelty, you turned your gaze elsewhere, only to meet a woman's eyes.]
[She was dressed simply and elegantly, her moon-white ruqun making her figure look slender. A few sprigs of orchids were embroidered in a subtle pattern at her collar, understated yet refined. One glance told you she came from a distinguished noble family.]
[Most importantly, her aura was powerful. She was definitely an expert of the Houtian Realm, perhaps even the Xiantian Realm.]
[Before you could think further, the carriage slowly rounded the corner, and that moon-white figure disappeared into the crowd. The scenery outside gradually changed. Shops and crowds were left far behind, the trees lining the road grew increasingly orderly, and even the air took on a hint of solemnity.]
[Before long, the carriage stopped before a vermilion palace gate. When the guards saw Dingbei Hou's carriage, they let it through without even inspecting it. The wheels rumbled dully over the flagstones, and the towering palace walls shut out the clamor outside completely.]
[Dingbei Hou straightened his robes and glanced at you. "When you see His Majesty shortly, there's no need to be nervous. Answer whatever he asks you. Don't say more than you should, but don't conceal anything either."]
[You acknowledged him, still having the leisure to examine the surroundings.]
[Your age and strength were plain to see, and you had Dingbei Hou's recommendation. Seeing the emperor would at most be a formality. There should not be any problems, so you felt quite at ease.]
[Seeing you like this, Dingbei Hou swallowed back all the reassuring words he had been about to say.]
[A moment later, you followed Dingbei Hou out of the carriage. Before you stood a majestic hall with sweeping eaves and bracketed supports. Bronze studs embedded in its vermilion doors gleamed darkly in the sunlight.]
[A palace attendant approached and bowed. "My lord, His Majesty is waiting in the Imperial Study."]
[Dingbei Hou nodded slightly and led you through one palace gate after another. At every gate, the guards lowered their heads and let you pass without so much as a question.]
[You inwardly clicked your tongue in wonder. It seemed relations between sovereign and subject in this world were much better than in the world of your previous life.]
[The Imperial Study was somewhat smaller than you had imagined, but its furnishings were exquisitely chosen. Red sandalwood bookshelves were filled with scrolls, and several memorials lay piled on a large desk. Beside them, ambergris incense burned in a celadon censer, smoke curling upward.]
[A middle-aged man in black informal robes stood by the window with his back to you both. He was tall and lean, his shoulders and back straight, his black hair bound beneath a golden crown. Though he merely stood there casually, he possessed an air of authority that needed no anger.]
["Your subject pays his respects to Your Majesty." Dingbei Hou lifted his robes and knelt, his voice steady. You knelt after him without a word.]
["Rise." The emperor turned around. His face was younger than you had imagined, around his early forties, with handsome, striking features.
His gaze lingered on you for a moment before settling on Dingbei Hou. After studying him briefly, he suddenly frowned and asked, "Where is the jade I bestowed upon you?"]
[Dingbei Hou clearly had not expected the emperor to ask about that first. But a sovereign was a sovereign, and a subject was a subject. After a moment of astonishment, his expression returned to normal, and he cupped his hands in reply. "Your Majesty, I must have left it at home in my haste to leave."]
[The emperor said nothing, merely looking at him, his expression so dark it seemed water might drip from it.]
[You inwardly broke into a cold sweat. Was this relationship between sovereign and subject really all right? Why was the emperor getting angry over a piece of jade?]
[Silence settled over the Imperial Study for a moment before the emperor suddenly smiled and waved a hand. "Never mind. It's only a piece of jade. Rise and speak."]
[Dingbei Hou thanked him for his grace and rose. You stood up after him and remained to one side, your hands lowered.]
[The emperor returned to the large desk and sat down, casually picking up a memorial and leafing through it. His tone regained its earlier casualness. "What brings you here this time?"]
[Dingbei Hou stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, I have entered the palace today regarding the Five Nations Martial Arts Tournament."]
[The emperor's gaze fell on you, looking you up and down. "This is the person you chose?"]
[Dingbei Hou nodded, a measure of pride in his voice. "Indeed. This young woman's name is Jiang Mi. She is sixteen and has reached the Houtian ninth level. I dare stake my life on this: if she participates in the Five Nations Martial Arts Tournament, she will certainly bring glory to Great Xia."]
[At this, the emperor's gaze lingered on you a little longer.]
[For some reason, you kept feeling that his gaze was not particularly friendly. Under his stare, you felt as though thorns were digging into your back.]
[Something was wrong.]
[You reached this conclusion inwardly. Dingbei Hou had described your appearance as "Heaven blessing Great Xia," but this emperor-you could not see the slightest surprise or delight on his face, and you even sensed a trace of agitation.]
Before you continue