The twelve-year-old young emperor, dressed in a black and red dragon robe, sat behind a small desk, dozing off. The book he was copying in front of him was now filled with crooked, worm-like scribbles.

On the side of the study, the large imperial desk was piled high with memorials, and a female official was carefully organizing them nearby.

A woman, also dressed in a palace gown of red and black, sat upright at the desk, seriously reviewing a dossier just delivered by the Arrest Bureau that afternoon.

The woman was in her early twenties, with a gold hairpin slanted through her hair, eyes like red apricots, brows like crescent moons, and a graceful, curvaceous figure that already showed a hint of mature femininity.

Though she wore no makeup, the gentle beauty between her brows was in no way diminished, especially her cherry-red lips, which carried a touch of natural allure.

However, her gaze was as sharp as a sword; even without any movement, her innate air of authority was evident, making it impossible for outsiders to meet her eyes directly. Under the lamplight, her beautiful eyes appeared not the least bit gentle, but rather somewhat cold.

The woman who could have the emperor copying books beside her while she herself sat at the dragon desk reviewing memorials was, of course, Princess Longli, Olivia Clark.

Princess Longli was nearly twenty, which was already considered old for a maiden in these times. Because she needed to assist her young brother, she was in no hurry to marry.

But as a woman regent who was not the emperor’s birth mother, there was no precedent in history, nor did it conform to ritual law. The royal clan and court officials voiced many objections.

This search for a consort was a compromise forced by the overwhelming opinions from the royal clan.

Once married, she would become an outsider by surname, and by custom would have to leave the palace for her husband’s home, unable to remain in the palace and thus far from the center of power.

Princess Longli and the young emperor were siblings by blood, with a significant age gap, but a deep bond. How could she rest easy leaving her twelve-year-old brother alone in the palace, to be sidelined by the officials and the royal clan? She certainly did not wish to marry, and was now troubled by the matter of selecting a consort.

The blue lamp flickered on the imperial desk. By its light, Princess Longli looked at the dossier in her hand and, feeling a bit bored, rubbed her brow:

“These people really will stop at nothing.”

The female official Ethan Reed beside the imperial desk heard Princess Longli speak, put down the dossier in her hand, and asked curiously:

“Princess, what’s the matter?”

Princess Longli pushed the dossier in front of Ethan Reed, pointing at the writing on it:

“See for yourself.”

Ethan Reed picked up the dossier and saw that it described—today at noon, the legitimate son of the Zuo family from Qinghe County, Ryan Bennett, entered the capital for the first time. In Linhe Ward, he happened upon a rampaging beast. To protect the townspeople, he bravely fought the beast, unafraid of death.

The dossier was very detailed, fully describing Ryan Bennett’s resolve to “die for the country, duty-bound,” and even added that after his good deed, he was unwilling to reveal his name and was about to leave, but was recognized by a fellow townsman.

Ethan Reed read from beginning to end, and, not wanting to speak rashly, thought for a moment and said:

“This Ryan Bennett, if he truly is so chivalrous and righteous, is indeed worthy of praise.”

Princess Longli’s eyes showed a hint of disdain:

“As soon as the consort selection is announced, all these young heroes appear. David Thompson of Jintang County bravely rescued a drowning classmate on the Bailu River; Henry Wright of Beiya County risked his life to stop a panicked horse on Xinghua Street, and so on. Coincidentally, none of them care for fame, yet are recognized by those present and their deeds end up on my desk. Sigh…”

This light sigh seemed to suggest that even criticizing these young gentlemen for hypocrisy was a waste of words.

Ethan Reed curled her lips in amusement and teased, “To win the princess’s favor, these young men are really giving it their all. So far, Ryan Bennett seems the most sincere—he went to slay a beast. Whatever else, he certainly has courage.”

Princess Longli was long accustomed to such tactics from those below, and shook her head:

“Ryan Bennett is only seventeen, not a cultivator—how could he slay a beast? Grace Carter was also present today, and many from the Arrest Bureau went as well. The beast just happened to appear at the dock. I suspect Ryan Bennett had just landed when he ran into the Arrest Bureau besieging the beast, and conveniently had his name added to the report. The Zuo family is wealthy, and Minister Ethan Bennett is very well-connected. Pulling this off would be all too easy.”

Ethan Reed agreed, and seeing that Princess Longli had a negative view of the consort candidates, she said no more, changing the subject to official business:

“The report says the Slashing Steel Blade has malfunctioned again—this is the third time this year. And since last year, there have been beast disturbances in the capital, yet Qihuang Valley has not given a satisfactory explanation. Could it be, as the princess suspects, that something really has gone wrong in Qihuang Valley?”

Qihuang Valley was only thirty li from the capital, and, supported by the nation’s incense offerings, was naturally responsible for ensuring the prosperity and peace of the Dan Dynasty. Now that beasts were causing trouble even in the capital, it was as if mistakes were happening right under their noses. The princess did not believe that nothing was amiss in Qihuang Valley.

But the matter was complicated, and Princess Longli felt there was no point discussing it with a palace maid. She gave no reply, instead turning to look at the young emperor, who was sleeping sprawled out:

“Someone, the emperor is tired. Take him to rest.”

“Yes.”

The waiting matron outside entered at the sound, picked up the soundly sleeping young emperor, and carried him out.

Princess Longli closed the dossier and left the imperial study. She intended to return to her own chambers, but halfway there, she stopped in the corridor.

Ethan Reed followed behind, noticing Princess Longli looking out beyond the imperial city, and was slightly puzzled: