Ye Qianning’s eyes were wide, her small hand clutching a pastry that she was nibbling on.

She tilted her head slightly, staring openly at Xiliu Yuan. He was only thirteen, but he already looked like a grown man.

’He’s incredibly perceptive; he’s already noticed me a few times. But I’m only six, and I look more like a four- or five-year-old, given my size. So what if he’s noticed me?’

After about half a minute, everyone’s vision began to clear. The sudden dimness of the hall felt almost oppressive.

"Truly a treasure from the East Sea. Its appearance has made everything else seem dim in comparison." It was the first time the Beili Emperor had ever seen something so radiant.

It was far more brilliant than any Luminous Pearl.

"I never imagined such a miraculous object existed in this world."

"This has truly been an eye-opening experience today..."

Once their vision cleared, the officials below couldn’t stop praising the gift. Rumor had it that the East Sea was the abode of deities, its islands hiding countless treasures.

The envoys from East Shu and Nanyuan exchanged glances. With Xi Yan presenting such a priceless tribute, how could they possibly follow it? Nothing they had could outshine the Everlasting Lamp.

They weren’t as wealthy as Xi Yan, so their gifts were slightly less impressive, though still considered worldly treasures.

"East Shu has prepared a Red Jadeite Buddha Statue for the Emperor," Chu Qing, the Fifth Prince of East Shu, announced as he rose to his feet.

As he finished speaking, four guards carried the tribute into the hall. It stood over a meter tall and was draped in a red cloth.

The guards set the tribute down. Chu Qing stepped forward and, with a flourish, pulled off the red cloth.

The sight was astounding. Buddha statues were typically made of gold or white jade, but this one was a brilliant, fiery red. It was obviously a treasure of immense value.

The Everlasting Lamp hadn’t shocked Ye Qianning, but this Red Jadeite Buddha Statue did. Her eyes went wide. ’Now *this* is extravagant,’ she thought. ’Truly, an unbelievable display of wealth.’

She could tell at a glance that the quality of the red jadeite was exceptional. She estimated the statue stood about 1.3 meters tall, and there were no seams anywhere on its body—it had been carved from a single, solid piece of red jadeite. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

’Red jadeite is priceless in any era. A piece this large is unbelievably rare.’

’In the modern world, a single bracelet of this quality would be worth tens of millions. I can’t even imagine how many bracelets could be carved from this one piece...’

"You like it?" Dean Chen noticed her expression.

"It’s very valuable."

’A piece of red jadeite like this must be astronomically expensive.’

"Haha, I didn’t realize you were such a little money-lover," Dean Chen chuckled.

"My family has no money." And she herself was very short on cash.

"I have some personal savings. I’ll give them to you when we get back." It was true; the General’s estate was quite poor.

"I don’t want to live off of you, Master. In the future, I’m going to make lots and lots of money."

"Then consider me an early investor. When you make it big, you’ll have to give your master a dividend."

Ye Qianning thought for a moment, then nodded. "Deal."

Dean Chen raised his hand and stroked her little head. To him, no treasure in the world was as precious as his little disciple.

"While this Red Jadeite Buddha Statue may not compare to the Everlasting Lamp, it is a rarity in its own right. My Imperial Father commissioned it three years ago, and its carving was only recently completed, all so it could be presented to the Bei Emperor," Chu Qing’s voice rang out.

"Excellent, excellent, excellent." The Beili Emperor was greatly pleased.

"May East Shu and Beili enjoy a century of friendship," said Chu Qing.

"Indeed. That is my wish as well."

"Bei Emperor, why is the Eighth Prince not present at today’s banquet?" Chu Qing asked casually.

The joyful expression on the Beili Emperor’s face stiffened slightly. He gave a dry laugh. "The Eighth Prince has been feeling unwell lately and must avoid exposure to the elements, so he did not attend."

"I see. Before I left, my Imperial Father specifically instructed my younger sister to pay a visit to the Eighth Prince. I was unaware that he had fallen ill. Would it be possible for my sister to go see him?"