Tang Lu's arrival at the Kang City county yamen did indeed cause an uproar, for her looks, her standing, and the recent rumors about the Tang family made her a subject worth talking about. Regardless, Tang Lu paid it no mind and went straight in to stand with the other entrants. There were 132 people sitting the county trial, and Tang Lu was the only woman among them, so it was hardly surprising that she drew attention.

The trial was presided over not by the county magistrate but by an official sent down specially from the province to guard against fraud, which showed how seriously the Great Moon Divine Empire took the Divine Child Trial.

"The Kang City Divine Child Trial now formally begins. For the first step of the county trial, the participants must lift this stone lock that weighs...