As Lián Xù instructed the eunuch to store the gifts in the treasury, the court buzzed with suspicion, eyes narrowing, voices tight with mistrust. No one believed the Vermillion envoy's offerings were truly harmless.
Gu Feng, the Vermillion River Crown Prince, was infamous for cunning and ruthlessness. No one gifted freely without expecting a return. Not a single minister dared trust the gesture outright.
"Your Majesty," one whispered sharply, "who knows what treachery hides in these gifts? Gu Feng is clever—he may mask poison or spies within the offerings!"
General Xu stepped forward, calm and measured, a sharp contrast to the anxious murmurs surrounding him.
"Your Majesty, ministers," he said smoothly, deliberately, "these gifts come directly from His Highness, the Crown Prince. They are drawn from his personal coffers, not the treasury of Vermillion River itself. The intent is simple: congratulations and pleasantries. Nothing more."
A few ministers exchanged skeptical glances. Doubt lingered like smoke, thick and stubborn.
Lián Xù's lips curved into a patient, effortless smile. He raised a hand, silencing the murmurs before they could escalate.
"Now, now, ministers," he said, voice calm, honeyed with authority, "let us not judge the envoy or the Vermillion Crown Prince's intentions too harshly. There is wisdom in viewing matters with harmony and goodwill, rather than suspicion."
The words barely settled when an uproar erupted.
"But Your Majesty!" cried Shu Rong, Minister of War, eyes blazing. "Other kingdoms are plotting against us even as we speak! How can we trust gifts from a kingdom whose prince may mask schemes behind polished gold?"
Other ministers joined in, voices overlapping, urgent and alarmed.
"Is that so? Hmmm… that is concerning…" Lián Xù inclined his head slowly, deliberate, polite yet distant, a faint, unassuming smile playing on his lips. "Regent, is there a way to verify this?" he asked Lian Wei, his tone calm, almost casual, as if simply curious rather than commanding.
Lian Wei's frown softened slightly as he nodded. "There is, Your Majesty. But the process requires both time… and resources."
"Oh? What kind of resources?" Lián Xù prompted, tilting his head with innocent interest.
"High-rank spirit stones. Lots of them," Lian Wei replied, steady, emphasizing the word lots, underlining the difficulty.
The emphasis landed like a bell in Lián Xù's mind. His eyes flickered with comprehension. Leaning back slightly, a faint glimmer of amusement crossed his expression. Thoughtfully, he spoke, tone sweetly authoritative:
"Then we shall simply accept these gifts and store them safely, without consuming a single one. End of discussion. The court may be dismissed."
Lián Xù immediately turned his attention elsewhere.
General Xu shook his head almost imperceptibly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips—amused at the naive brilliance of the boy-turned-emperor.
The room had become a chaotic tide of panic, crashing against the calm center: Lián Xù.
Internally, he was already immersed in the System interface, swiping through the intricate details of his newly acquired rewards: Divine-ranked generals, Heaven-ranked secret guards, their cultivation levels, loyalty ratings, and special abilities.
Each piece of information made his heart race with quiet excitement. Loyal, unstoppable warriors bound to him—this was power, real power, without the sweat, blood, or danger most rulers had to endure.
The court, on the other hand, remained in a storm of dissatisfaction.
"Your Majesty!" bellowed Shu Rong, veins bulging. "Are you mocking the threats we face? Other kingdoms circle us like wolves! Every second of inattention is a dagger at our throat!"
Other ministers joined, voices overlapping:
"Yes, Your Majesty! We cannot trust these gifts—they could be poisoned, cursed, or traps!"
"The Vermillion River Kingdom is not known for generosity!"
"Your Majesty, your life—and the kingdom—could be in danger if we ignore this!"
Absentmindedly, Lián Xù flicked to the next page. To the courtiers, it looked like a dismissive wave—a blatant snub.
Murmurs persisted; the ministers were agitated at the emperor's apparent lack of care for the kingdom's safety and his own.
To him, their frantic energy was mere background noise, static beneath the current of opportunity as points accumulated in his mind.
A faint smile tugged at his lips as he addressed the System silently.
"System," he thought, "tell me again the capabilities of these Divine Generals. How loyal, how strong?"
[Divine Rank Generals: Minimum cultivation rank Spirit Domain Realm. Extremely powerful. Absolute loyalty to Host.]
Lián Xù's eyes glimmered with quiet delight. "Excellent," he murmured, swiping to reveal more. Each answer unveiled another advantage, another unseen layer of potential.
Yet to the court, it looked as if he had waved them off, dismissed their pleas with a casual flick of his hand. Outrage redoubled. Heads shook. Some ministers threw their hands in the air, muttering curses under their breath. Others leaned forward, eyes wide, hoping to catch a flicker of acknowledgment. None came.
Reluctantly, everyone filed out of the throne room, leaving only the Regent, Lian Wei, behind.
"Your Majesty, if I may offer counsel…" Lian Wei began, his voice calm but steady.
Lián Xù, lost in his own world, didn't seem to hear the Regent's words. He was absorbed, eyes flicking across the floating System interface, mind racing with calculations and possibilities.
Seeing his nephew so distracted, Lian Wei fell silent, watching. Every subtle twitch, every fleeting expression was noted. The slight furrow of Lián Xù's brow, the way his lips pressed together in thought—small gestures that revealed far more than words ever could.
He is weighing the predicament he's in, Lian Wei realized. There is worry behind that mask of calm.Truly… The hidden dangers pressing against the kingdom… against him… must be causing him strain.
A soft, almost imperceptible sigh escaped Lian Wei. It was time for me to step in properly, to guide the boy who bore the weight of an empire on his shoulders.
From within the folds of his sleeve, Lian Wei withdrew a Cultivation Manual. Quietly, deliberately, he walked toward Lián Xù, every step measured, ready to offer the guidance his nephew would need—even if Lián Xù didn't yet know he sought it.
Lian Xu was jolted back to reality by the sudden chime of the system.
Ding!
[Substantial misjudgment points accumulated.
+100 points
Source: Lian Wei]
At that moment, he noticed his uncle approaching, a weary smile etched across the handsome features of Lian Wei. In his hand, he carried a book, its cover worn but meticulously kept.
"Uncle! Just in time. I wanted to talk to you. Could you spare me a moment?" Lian Xu asked, a smile tugging at his lips, though his heart raced.
"If Your Majesty requires, I am always at your service," Lian Wei replied smoothly, bowing slightly.
"Great…" Lian Xu hesitated, the words sticking in his throat. What do I even say? I can't just ask outright if something is wrong… that would be intrusive… and what if he thinks I'm prying? He bit the inside of his cheek, mind racing.
Lian Xu's hesitation did not escape Lian Wei's keen gaze. The Regent's sharp eyes softened, perceiving in his nephew's posture a quiet plea for guidance.
"Your Majesty," he said gently, "there is no need for formality. Speak freely—whatever weighs on your mind, I am listening."
Ding!
+50 Misjudgement Points
Huh, again? Lian Xu blinked. What has my uncle thought of me that earns me points?!
He cleared his throat, trying to steady his voice. "Err… Uncle… is there… something troubling you? Something that weighs on your mind?"
Lian Wei paused, slightly taken aback by the candor, but he nodded gravely.
"There is… Your Majesty. And… it concerns you. I believe it's time to be honest."
"What?!" he blurted, almost toppling forward in shock, eyes wide, disbelief written across every inch of his face.
The words struck Lian Xu like lightning. His grip on the armrests tightened. For a moment, he could feel his heartbeat thundering in his ears, the dragon throne beneath him suddenly feeling impossibly high.
Don't tell me…Oh no…
He noticed.
He knows. He knows that I'm not truly his nephew!
Ding!
[Misjudgment detected from host.
-100 points]