He intuited that this should be a cold-hearted character.

But when Jiang Wang looked over, the person turned their head, responding with a radiant smile. It seemed they were not of the type to keep strangers at bay.

Jiang Wang smiled and nodded in greeting.

To Ji Zhaonan’s right stood the three competing for their place in the Outer Building,

from front to back in order: Bao Bozhao, Xie Baoshu, and Chao Yu.

Among them, Bao Bozhao was an acquaintance, and he looked much more proper than his younger brother Bao Zhongqing.

Xie Baoshu, whom he had just met... better left unmentioned.

Chao Yu, a general born from the Winter Silence army, surprisingly turned out to be a woman, which Jiang Wang hadn’t expected since her name sounded utterly masculine.

Her medium-length hair was tied into a single braid that hung straight behind her head. Her features were somewhat androgynous.

On the Cinnabar Steps above, sat the Emperor and Queen of Da Qi.

The position of the Phoenix Chair was slightly lower than that of the Dragon Throne.

Further down, past several steps,

were the positions for the princes and princesses.

Not many princes and princesses could attend such an occasion.

There were only four: Crown Prince Jiang Wuhua, Lord Yangxin Jiang Wuyou, Lord Huaying Jiang Wuji, and Lord Long Life Jiang Wuqi.

Jiang Wuhua sat at the upper left-hand position, Jiang Wuyou as the eldest sister, sat at the upper right-hand position.

Following them, were Jiang Wuji and Jiang Wuqi respectively.

Jiang Wuhua, in his Crown Prince’s formal attire, sat rigidly upright.

Jiang Wuyou was dressed in frost-colored martial attire, her head tilted as she surveyed the people on the plaza.

Jiang Wuji was casually draped in brocade robes, the most relaxed in demeanor, a smile lingering on his lips, occasionally picking a snow-patterned fruit (a type of fruit the size of a grape, with a thin skin reflecting snow, sweet-tasting and crisp) from the fruit plate in front and popping it into his mouth. If it were not in the presence of the Son of Heaven, where excessive libertine behavior was inappropriate, there might well have been beauties kneading his shoulders and legs right then. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Jiang Wuqi wrapped in white fox fur, his pale face smiling, also sat very upright.

Apart from Jiang Wuhua, the three other Lords all did not wear their ceremonial robes by agreement, which undeniably ranked lower than those of the Crown Prince; their attire seemed almost a reminder to others.

They were all intentionally downplaying this disparity.

It was uncertain if Jiang Wuhua was intentionally emphasizing this disparity.

After all, he always wore the correct attire for any occasion, never erring. Today, at this "Ceremony of Great Masters," wearing the Crown Prince’s official attire was also very appropriate.

Before the time arrived, the ritual officials were sprinkling the plaza with the purest water to wash away the dirt and erase hidden troubles, ensuring the fairness of the martial competition that would follow.

Emperor Qi suddenly spoke, "Wuqi, come here and talk."

While Jiang Wuhua smiled, Jiang Wuyou continued to observe the outstanding talents on the plaza, and Jiang Wuji continued to eat the snow-patterned fruit, as if none had heard the call.

Jiang Wuqi arose from his seat, unhurriedly ascending the steps and walking to the side of Emperor Qi’s Dragon Throne, bowing, "Imperial Father."

And to the Queen of Da Qi beside him, he bowed, "Imperial Mother."

Emperor Qi had nine daughters and seventeen sons, besides Crown Prince Jiang Wuhua, three others were seen as having the potential to compete for the position of Crown Prince.

But it was only Jiang Wuqi, at this very moment, who was called to his side to talk. This clearly showed extraordinary favoritism.

Queen He nodded with a smile in response.

Aside from the eunuch palace women standing by, everyone present on these cinnabar steps was a member of the royal family.

The Emperor of Da Qi behaved quite casually, "I will ask you, holding the ’Ceremony of the Master’ in front of The Imperial Ancestral Temple to determine the Champion of the nation, is a gathering of the strong. Why invite these elderly who can barely stand, and these ninety-nine households with no cultivation?"

"Cough, cough." Jiang Wuqi suppressed his cough and said with a composed smile, "Most people in this world are commoners when they are born. And before becoming a ’God Arrives,’ everyone will have their day of aging. Imperial Father, the people you’ve invited represent both the beginning and the end. No matter where we go or what positions we stand in, we should remember our origin and destination. This is true for individuals, as is for the nation."

The Emperor of Da Qi was clearly very pleased with this answer, even reaching out to gently pat his back, and said softly, "Are you alright?"

Jiang Wuqi softly replied, "It’s nothing serious."

The Emperor of Da Qi then instructed, "Bring a chair over, let Xiaoshi sit down, he cannot bear too much strain."

The red-robed eunuch Han Ling personally brought over a chair padded with cloud fleece, placing it to the right in front of the Dragon Throne.

Jiang Wuqi sat down, supporting himself on his knees.

Queen He said from the side, "There is an excellent stalk of dragon ginseng in my palace that might benefit you, I will have someone send it to Long Life Palace later."

Jiang Wuqi did not decline, and stood up to respectfully bow, "This son thanks Mother for her care."

Queen He smiled slightly, not saying anything further.

Once Jiang Wuqi sat down again, the Emperor of Da Qi suddenly raised his voice, with a teasing smile, "Hey, what are you looking at, Wuyou!"

The Son of Heaven’s authority was vast, rarely displaying emotions. Only at this moment, that hint of teasing smile seemed to momentarily bring him down from his supreme emperorship, restoring to him a bit of the genuine human nature of being a father.

Jiang Wuyou turned around, smiling grandly, "I am admiring my Da Qi’s Champion, Imperial Father!"

The Emperor of Da Qi slightly lifted his chin, making himself appear more serious, "What do you think about my earlier question?"

Jiang Wuyou thought briefly, then said, "To lead a nation with a myriad of citizens and hundreds of thousands of cultivators, what is the foundation? If a nation is like a high tower, the cultivators raise its height, while the common folk solidify its base. Without height, it cannot be proud among nations; without depth, it cannot withstand the years."

She originally intended to use a tower as an example, but changed it to a tower on her lips.

"Therefore, this prince believes, common people are the foundation of the nation, cultivators are the trunk, and both are indispensable. This is why our Da Qi establishes criminal laws, sets up the green standards, arrests the unlawful, exterminates the delusional! To let the citizens enjoy their professions, and cultivators thrive like grain. This is the achievement of virtue governance!"

These resounding words caused even Queen He to take a deeper look at her.

The Emperor of Da Qi smiled, "Indeed, my tiger daughter!"

He then turned to Jiang Wuji who was still eating a snow-patterned fruit, "Is it tasty?"

"A bit lacking in moisture!" Jiang Wuji laughed, "No need for Imperial Father to ask, this son will answer himself."

Possibly his nature being careless, he was the most relaxed and at ease among all the princes and princesses.

Laughingly said, "According to historical records, the source of Vitality is the essence of life. Without the essence of life nurturing, heaven and earth cannot generate Vitality. In today’s world, the essence of life is the spirit of humanity. Without sufficient human spirit, there is insufficient Vitality. For the constitution of a nation, human spirit is even more the source of official spirit. This is the fundamental reason nations compete and capture populations."

He picked up the last snow-patterned fruit and tossed it into his mouth, "Therefore, we should prioritize the people!"

The Emperor of Da Qi didn’t comment on whether this was good or bad, just pointed at him and requested, "Prepare another plate of fruits for this fellow, make sure it’s juicy!"

A palace maiden immediately brought over a jade plate.

Lastly, the Emperor turned to Jiang Wuhua and asked in a mild voice, "What does the Crown Prince think?"

Jiang Wuhua stood up, bowed properly, then said, "My royal brothers and sisters have all spoken well, I have nothing to add."

He smiled shyly, "I am quite delighted in my heart."