The emperor noticed the expectant gazes of the court officials and gave them a cold glance.

The court officials immediately straightened up.

The emperor said coldly, “Have you grasped the loopholes? Have you analyzed the details to find leverage?”

The court officials looked down at the blank bamboo slips: Oh no, we were so engrossed in the gossip that we completely forgot to write down the details.

The emperor’s eyes sharpened, and his voice grew softer, “What are you waiting for? Write.”

The court officials began writing on the bamboo slips with a “swish, swish, swish.” At first, they were worried they wouldn’t remember, but perhaps because the plot was too dramatic, as soon as they started writing, various details flooded their minds, and they instantly came up with countless exploitable schemes.

The court officials wrote with increasing enthusiasm, their brushes moving as if guided by divine inspiration.

…

Yuan Ruan: [Wait. The love polygon in Shu is too complicated; my brain can’t process it right now… No rush, I kind of want to go in and see the gossip master first.]

The empress was also listening with great interest, her face flushed.

She never expected the outside court to be so thrilling!

She had originally planned to leave after delivering the message, but after hearing this juicy gossip, you know how it is—once you hear such a dramatic and scandalous story, you really want to meet the gossip master.

Unable to resist, the empress picked up Yuan Ruan and walked with her. At the first corner, they coincidentally ran into the emperor and his entourage.

The empress was momentarily stunned, then quickly noticed the evasive glances of many court officials.

The empress instantly understood: this group had probably been secretly enjoying the gossip here for a while.

“Your Majesty,” the empress greeted the emperor first.

Yuan Ruan cheerfully babbled a few sounds to greet the emperor.

At the same time, she glanced around in surprise: [Da Xia really values the national preceptors of other countries. The emperor, crown prince, important court officials, and generals are all here. Such courtesy.]

System: [Yes, perhaps because Da Xia is weak, they show such respect.]

The court officials’ expressions stiffened: No, no, no, originally only the officials from the Ministry of Rites were supposed to receive the foreign guests. They came along just to see if the system could read the gossip of foreigners, and if so, whether they could gather some clues.

The emperor coughed lightly and helped the empress up, “Thank you for coming all this way.”

Then the emperor picked up Yuan Ruan and bounced her slightly, “Hmm. She seems a bit lighter. We can’t let our little national preceptor go hungry.”

Just then, Yuan Ruan let out a small burp from being bounced.

During the slight awkward silence, Prime Minister Li offered an awkward yet polite smile, “Your Majesty is absolutely right. When people are too hungry, their qi rises, and they might burp.”

Prime Minister Wang rolled his eyes: Ugh! Bootlicker!

…

At this moment, the three national preceptors in the side hall heard the commotion outside and came out one by one.

Seeing so many people outside, they all showed a hint of surprise. The national preceptor of Chen even flashed a subtle look of understanding and arrogance.

The three national preceptors bowed to the emperor in unison, “Greetings to the Emperor of Da Xia. May Your Majesty be blessed with peace and prosperity.”

The emperor: “Hmm. No need for formalities, esteemed preceptors.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” The three stood up.

The emperor bounced Yuan Ruan slightly and said, “This is the national preceptor of Da Xia.”

Yuan Ruan glanced around. The grand preceptor of Chu looked at her with friendly eyes, the national preceptor of Chen only gave her a brief glance with a hint of disdain, and the national preceptor of Shu didn’t even look at her, seemingly lost in thought.

But Yuan Ruan didn’t mind. She couldn’t help but whisper to the system: [The national preceptor of Shu, wow, up close he’s so tall, probably over six feet. System, is he really the bottom? Can he even reach?]

The court officials’ gazes unconsciously fell on the lower half of the national preceptor of Shu.

The national preceptor of Shu immediately became alert, one hand covering his front and the other his back.

The court officials: ?

System: [Haha, I’m dying of laughter. What’s with the national preceptor of Shu? Why is he covering… Could it be he’s not fully awake and thinks he’s still in Shu?]

Yuan Ruan: [Huh? What’s with this posture? Could it be that he’s the filling in a sandwich?]

System: [I’m a proper system; I don’t gossip about others’ details.]

Yuan Ruan’s eyes curved into crescents: [Oh…]

The empress also showed the same crescent-eyed expression.

Seeing this, the emperor coughed lightly and continued, “In a few days, it will be the Spring Sacrifice. I ask the esteemed preceptors to cooperate with our national preceptor of Da Xia to jointly conduct the ceremony to worship the God of Agriculture.”

Yuan Ruan snapped out of her thoughts: Huh?

No competition?

The three national preceptors: Huh?

The national preceptor of Shu frowned. He had the most fiery temper and asked, “Your Majesty, shouldn’t we, the four national preceptors, first engage in a debate and competition before deciding in which country the Spring Sacrifice will be held?”

The national preceptor of Chen also sneered sarcastically, “So this is the so-called genius who can control thunder and lightning? How come you don’t even dare to compete with fellow preceptors? Could it be that it’s all a sham…” He wanted to say more but was pulled back by the grand preceptor of Chu.

The grand preceptor of Chu stepped forward and bowed respectfully, “Respected Your Majesty. The Spring Sacrifice is a joint ceremony of the four countries. Each time, the four national preceptors gather at the main sacrificial site to pray for a bountiful spring. This year, the national preceptor of Xia is young, so it should be up to us…”

Before he could finish, the emperor waved his hand dismissively.

The palace guards waiting nearby, along with over thirty guards, drew their swords in unison.

Everyone: !!!

Yes, everyone—not just the three foreign national preceptors were surprised, but even the crown prince and the court officials of Da Xia were taken aback.

Because the emperor hadn’t informed them beforehand.

The emperor said coldly, “Any more questions?”

This non-threatening statement made the hairs on the necks of the national preceptors of Chen and Shu stand on end.

The emperor then added indifferently, “Cooperate well with the Spring Sacrifice of Da Xia, and then leave peacefully. If you have any doubts, consult the Minister of Rites privately.”

With that, the emperor left with Yuan Ruan in his arms.

Yuan Ruan: ?

Yuan Ruan whispered: [What? Just one meeting and that’s it? But big brother was unexpectedly cool.]

System: [Yeah. I was originally thinking about how you could win the competition without wasting your new divine power. I didn’t expect the emperor to directly assert dominance. Truly befitting a tyrant, so domineering.]

The emperor smiled inwardly and walked even more briskly.

After the emperor left, the crown prince and some important officials exchanged glances and followed suit.

Leaving the three national preceptors even more bewildered.

They were already dissatisfied with the emperor’s words, and now seeing the court officials of Da Xia only briefly observing them before leaving, they felt even more displeased.

The national preceptor of Chen even wanted to roar: He was a national preceptor, a person of high status. What was wrong with Da Xia, treating him so disrespectfully?!

But he didn’t dare to say it.

So, the national preceptor of Chen turned to the grand preceptor of Chu and said, “Ah, this… this is disrespectful to you, Grand Preceptor.”

The grand preceptor of Chu smiled faintly, not taking the provocation to heart, and said, “The Dao follows nature; let it be.”

The national preceptor of Chen was speechless.

At this moment, the national preceptor of Shu also sneered, “You really think others are fools. If you’re so angry, go and say it yourself.”

“What does it have to do with you…”

“Boom!” “Boom!” “Boom!” Suddenly, a series of explosions from a furnace came from nearby.

The three national preceptors looked over in surprise and saw black smoke rising from a side hall not far away. Soon, several men in dirty Daoist robes walked out, holding bamboo slips and discussing animatedly.

The national preceptor of Chen looked even more disdainful and muttered, “The Daoists in the Da Xia palace are constantly blowing up their furnaces. Da Xia is truly a wasteland for Daoism. I wonder if the Shenxiao Sect has been bewitched.”

The other two national preceptors remained silent.

At this moment, the Minister of Rites, and others strode forward with warm smiles.

The national preceptor of Chen straightened his attire but sneered inwardly: What’s the use of flattering us now…

Before he could finish his thought, he saw a group of people “swarming” towards the national preceptor of Shu, enthusiastically inviting him to chat next door.

The other two national preceptors: ?

The national preceptor of Chen was even more furious: Why? Am I not as good as a bare-chested savage? You look down on me so much?! Fine, I’ll write a letter to prevent the Longhu Temple from conducting the divine summoning ceremony. Let’s see how you perform the Spring Sacrifice with an empty shell!

At this moment, another official from the Ministry of Rites stepped forward and said gently, “Esteemed Preceptor, please come this way.”

The national preceptor of Chen remained unmoved and sneered: Too late, and only one person came. Let’s see how I handle this…

After a few attempts to persuade him, the official suddenly whispered, “There’s a piece of information we’d like to verify with you, Esteemed Preceptor. Are you the son of Daoist Zhao in the blue robe?”

The national preceptor of Chen’s expression froze: …

Sweating profusely.