Seeing the situation, Consort Dan parted her rosy lips slightly and said with a faint smile, "Whether the gift is good or bad, let the Grand Tutor judge it himself. Next."
Watching Consort Dan brush the matter off so casually, Ye Dai was none too pleased but didn't argue. He offered a thin smile and retreated to his seat, seething inside.
Consort Dan may have looked fair, but she had already bailed Ye Rong out twice now. The thought gnawed at Ye Dai like countless tiny worms burrowing into his heart.
"Could it be that in Consort Dan's eyes, a bastard-born prince is more worthy of her protection than me, the First Prince of legitimate blood?"
Ye Dai refused to believe it—he absolutely refused to acknowledge it. "It must be that little brat Ye Rong, who's always been good at kissing up and keeping Consort Dan entertained. When it comes to vision, strategy, and noble heritage, she definitely favors me. The only reason she's making excuses for Ye Rong is out of some pity for the weak. But at the Grand Tutor's level, how could he possibly have that kind of soft-hearted sympathy? I, Ye Dai, am the most outstanding by every measure!"
Ye Dai reassured himself and rallied his spirits.
The little drama was swept aside by Consort Dan, and it didn't dampen the atmosphere that followed. The young nobles from each family displayed their talents, and quite a few impressive items were presented one after another.
Before long, all the gifts were laid out on the platform.
Consort Dan walked up to the Grand Tutor. "Grand Tutor, this year is rather unusual—every family has prepared gifts even for their attendants. The total number of gifts is a full two times what it was last year."
The Grand Tutor had kept his eyes half-closed the entire time, like an old monk deep in meditation. Only after hearing Consort Dan's words did he slowly open them.
"Let me see." The Grand Tutor spoke just three calm words.
Yet those three casual syllables carried a peculiar magnetism that sent a slight tremor through the hearts of everyone present.
They all knew that after the Grand Tutor inspected the gifts, he would single out the top three treasures.
Those three recipients would earn the right to ask the Grand Tutor a question in person and receive his personal guidance.
This was more than just a matter of prestige—it was a tangible reward. In the entire Tiangui Kingdom, the number of people who wanted the Grand Tutor's personal instruction could form a line stretching from the Royal Capital to the border.
Yet only a handful ever got the chance.
The princes had always received guidance from the Grand Tutor, but that was during group sessions where everyone learned the same things. He never played favorites or held private lessons for anyone.
This kind of one-on-one instruction was exactly that—a private lesson. Even among the princes, the competition for this honor was fierce.
First, it meant leaving a good impression on the Grand Tutor. Second, it was a way to prove to the King that one had earned special recognition from the Protector Spirit King.
The Grand Tutor walked slowly around the platform piled high with gifts. No matter which gift he examined, his expression remained unchanged—neither pleased nor displeased.
From his face alone, no one could tell whose gift had earned his approval and whose had drawn his scorn.
Still, Ye Dai felt relatively at ease. He was supremely confident that while the various families had brought impressive items this time, none could possibly rival his own.
The Yellow Dragon Observing Sea Diagram—whether in value or in quality—absolutely dwarfed every other gift.
Ye Rong's Saber-tooth Flying Fox cub was merely a pet, a plaything.
But his Yellow Dragon Observing Sea Diagram was a true treasure—one useful even to Spirit Realm powerhouses. Such things were impossible to come by!
Honestly, Ye Dai had agonized over whether to part with this treasure and had staked a great deal. All he wanted was to win the Grand Tutor's favor, earn his recognition, and secure the Grand Tutor's endorsement of him as the future Crown Prince and heir to the throne.
He knew that while the choice of Crown Prince was ultimately the King's and the ministers' decision, Grand Tutor Ye's opinion was absolutely critical. If he didn't give his approval, even the King wouldn't dare make a decision lightly.
In a sense, Grand Tutor Ye's authority in the Tiangui Kingdom surpassed even the King's.
The King could be replaced.
Grand Tutor Ye could not.
Consort Dan, meanwhile, had been faithfully following at the Grand Tutor's side with a pleasant smile, accompanying him as he examined each gift.
In truth, setting aside personal preferences, even she felt that the Yellow Dragon Observing Sea Diagram was unquestionably the grand finale—the one treasure none of the others could match.
But even Consort Dan couldn't read the Grand Tutor's mind.
Just as she was trying to divine his thoughts, the Grand Tutor suddenly sent a voice transmission: "Little Dan, which of these gifts do you think deserves to be the grand finale?"
The voice transmission ensured that no one below could overhear.
Consort Dan hesitated for a moment, then answered honestly. "In terms of quality, the Yellow Dragon Observing Sea Diagram should be the grand finale."
"Mm, Little Dan, you're not lying." The Grand Tutor gave a faint smile. "However, I won't choose it as the grand finale."
"Why not?" Consort Dan was taken aback. "If this one can't be the grand finale, then picking any of the others… wouldn't people feel it's unfair?"