Ming Capital

"Spirit Martial Town has always been a breeding ground for ministers and warrior generals in the Ming Capital. Though many capable officials hail from there, the assessment standards must not be lowered on that account." Clad in a yellow robe and radiating a magnificent righteous aura, his face had shed its former youthful innocence. The figure seated high above was none other than the current Emperor, Zhu Youcheng.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. This year, General Yang Su has been assigned to assess Spirit Martial Town. General Yang is known for his integrity, cautious conduct, and staunch opposition to corruption. He is the perfect choice as the chief examiner." The speaker was Xie Qian, the Emperor's teacher.

"Since my teacher recommended him, I naturally trust him," Zhu Youcheng nodded. On the nanmu wood table before him lay a document drafted by the Minister of Personnel, concerning this year's Capital assessment. "By the way, I've heard General Yang Su excels at managing troops. Is that true?"

"In reply to Your Majesty, yes. General Yang Su maintains strict discipline and order. His soldiers are all top-notch fighters."

"Teacher, I wish to have General Yang Su handle another matter en route to the assessment. Is that feasible?"

"Your Majesty's command is law; you need only give the order. However, this old minister wishes to know what task you intend for him."

Zhu Youcheng added a line at the bottom of the document and ticked it. "It's nothing major. I've heard the area near Tahang Mountain has been restless lately, with rampant bandits. Local troops are helpless against them. If government soldiers can't handle them, they must be highly skilled fighters. To deal with such fighters, we need someone equally skilled. General Yang is an excellent commander and the chief examiner for Spirit Martial Town. Few generals in the Capital are available to send. Since Tahang Mountain and Spirit Martial Town lie on the same route, I'll trouble him with this extra task." Zhu Youcheng closed the document. "Teacher, tell him I will reward him handsomely upon his return. Ensure he harbors no resentment."

Originally, Yang Su was assigned one task; now it was two. Zhu Youcheng worried the general might resent the burden.

"How dare he resent Your Majesty's command?" Xie Qian replied. "This old minister will convey your words."

"Your Majesty, Princess Taikang requests an audience." A eunuch entered from outside the door.

"This little girl runs to me whether she has business or not. Does she truly think my palace is her playground?" Zhu Youcheng shook his head with a wry smile. "Ah well, let her in."

"Yes."

"Your Majesty truly dotes on Princess Taikang," Xie Qian said, with several emphasized tones that Zhu Youcheng immediately understood.

"Teacher, you're blaming me for spoiling Taikang too much, aren't you?"

"How dare this old minister."

As they spoke, a mischievous little girl bounced in. "Taikang greets Chancellor Xie," she curtsied before Xie Qian, then immediately switched tone. "Grandpa Xie, Grandpa Xie! I heard you chose the chief examiner for the Spirit Martial Town assessment?"

Xie Qian wasn't used to being called that during serious discussions; it made him feel tense all over. "Princess, we are still on duty, you—" In truth, not only Zhu Youcheng doted on her; the entire court adored Princess Taikang. With her mischievous charm and lively spirit, she was everyone's favorite.

"Grandpa Xie, Grandpa Xie, please ask Father Emperor to let me go too~" Taikang tugged at Xie Qian's sleeve, wheedling persistently.

"Well..." Xie Qian glanced at Zhu Youcheng, who shook his head.

As Xie Qian looked at Zhu Youcheng, Taikang followed his gaze and saw the Emperor shaking his head. "Grandpa Xie, you're conspiring with Father Emperor to fool me! I just want to leave the Imperial Palace to relieve my boredom. Nothing will happen."

"Nonsense! Outside the palace, many covet my empire. If word of your departure leaks and they kidnap you, what would I do?" Zhu Youcheng turned his hands behind his back. "Stop troubling Chancellor Xie."

"Father Emperor, my birthday is soon. I don't want any other gift; I just wish to visit Spirit Martial Town. Is that not allowed?" The girl spoke pitifully, her expression hard to refuse.

"It's just a recruitment assessment. What business do you have there?" Zhu Youcheng asked.

"Well... Taikang is embarrassed to say." Her cheeks flushed slightly.

"Embarrassed to say?" Zhu Youcheng found it amusing. "If you tell me and it sounds reasonable, I'll naturally let you go with Yang Su. But if you don't say, how can I allow you to go?"

"Then Taikang will speak, Father Emperor. You mustn't laugh at me."

"No laughing, no laughing. Who in or out of the palace would dare laugh at our Taikang?" Zhu Youcheng and Xie Qian exchanged smiles.

"I've heard there's a young man named Yi Xiuran in Spirit Martial Town..."

"Yi Xiuran?" Zhu Youcheng felt the name was familiar.

"Your Majesty, this person is the son of Yi Aimin, the martial arts champion of his year. Yi Aimin was once a rising star in the Five Armies Camp. However, during a battle against the Mongol Cavalry, he was injured in the waist, damaging his central meridian, and could no longer activate his War God Imprint. He then became a civil official and now serves as the county magistrate in Spirit Martial Town's government office." Xie Qian replied. "The late Emperor admired Yi Aimin greatly. This old minister recalls that Your Majesty once consulted him on martial arts matters."

"Is that so?" Zhu Youcheng nodded. "No wonder the name felt familiar; it was the surname I recognized." He glanced at Taikang, seeing her rosy cheeks, and a smile touched his lips. "Taikang has reached that age too."

"Father Emperor teases me."

"However, since you wish to meet this Yi Xiuran, I can summon him to the palace. You need not travel to Spirit Martial Town yourself. After all, you are my princess; how can you lower yourself to visit the son of a county magistrate?"

"Father Emperor, Taikang doesn't want to give that young man the impression that she's spoiled because of her royal birth. I wish to meet him in person, disguised, to test his character."

Zhu Youcheng felt it was a bit early for Taikang to marry, but since she had someone in mind, letting them meet to understand each other might be good. "That reason is acceptable. However, this time Yang Su isn't just going for the assessment; he also has to suppress bandits along the way for me."

"Taikang believes that since Father Emperor entrusted Yang Su with the chief examiner position, he must have exceptional skills. A few mere bandits can't harm him."

"True. Teacher, what do you think?" Zhu Youcheng always left the toughest decisions to Xie Qian. If Xie Qian said no now, Zhu Youcheng would follow his advice—that's what he truly wanted. But then Taikang would surely pester Xie Qian endlessly. If he said yes, he still worried about Princess Taikang's safety.

"This old minister thinks that if Princess Taikang insists on going, it would be better to send additional guards."

With this, Xie Qian had effectively agreed. "Mm, additional guards are necessary," Zhu Youcheng nodded. "Alright then, Taikang, you may go with General Yang. But we must agree: on the journey, don't trouble General Yang, and don't act like a princess, understand?"

"Taikang understands."

"Look at you, look at you. When you need something from me, you act all demure. When there's no business, you cling to me like a little sprite. You might as well not be called Princess Taikang; just call yourself Taikang Little Sprite."

"Whatever Father Emperor wants to call me, I'll answer to it. Taikang Big Sprite is fine too~" Taikang said happily.

"You..." Zhu Youcheng and Xie Qian exchanged another smile. No one in the court could handle this little sprite. Who could scold or punish someone so endearing? So they could only spoil her.

"Success! Finally, I can get out. Stuck in the Ming Capital all day, I was dying of boredom!" Back at the Princess Manor, Taikang hugged her personal maid. "Xiner, your plan was brilliant! Father Emperor was refusing at first, but as soon as I mentioned Yi Xiuran, he agreed!"

"Yi Xiuran's reputation as a talented scholar is well-known throughout the Capital. The teacher at Spirit Martial Academy was once a Grand Scholar. Finding official duties in the Capital too tiring, he resigned and became a teacher in Spirit Martial Town. Yi Xiuran is his top student. It's said he's already at the third level of the First Rank in the War God Imprint. The Emperor must have heard of him, so naturally he agreed to let you go, Princess." Xiner helped Taikang change clothes. "But truthfully, it's our Princess's acting skills that are superb. During rehearsals, you even frightened this maid."

"You're too sweet," Taikang changed into casual clothes. "Xiner, you come with me. I need one or two maids to attend me on the trip. I won't bring many; just you will suffice."

"Thank you, Princess."

"Don't thank me; I should thank you! If not for your idea, Father Emperor would never have agreed to let me out. Having you by my side is truly wonderful~" Taikang hugged Xiner again. "Come, let this big shot give you a kiss~"

"Princess, don't be silly!"

"How is that silly~? This big shot genuinely wants to kiss you~" Taikang planted a flurry of kisses on Xiner's cheeks. "Oh, by the way," Taikang seemed to recall something suddenly. "Now that I've said this, Father Emperor might plan to marry me to Yi Xiuran. So this time, I must also take a good look at what kind of person Yi Xiuran is."

"Princess, don't you plan to refuse?"

"Refuse what? Even if I refuse this one now, there will be many, many more Yi Xuirans coming to Father Emperor to propose later. It's better to settle on one now. If he's good, I'll win him over, and we'll have lots and lots of children to make Father Emperor happy."