Jiang Yuechu quietly looked at the old man.
There was no fury, no interrogation.
Even the slight disappointment she originally felt was completely suppressed.
Given her current methods.
As the Grand Princess of Great Tang, and possessing the cultivation of the Zhonglian Realm.
There were simply too many ways to pry open the mouth of a mortal old man.
But, since he wanted to take that secret to his grave, then so be it.
The reason she didn't use drastic measures.
If you don't speak, I won't force you.
From now on.
You are the Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince of Great Tang.
I am Grand Princess Zhaoyue of Great Tang.
The sixteen years of nurturing grace shall be counted against the unexecuted interrogation, settling the score between us.
As for that secret... was it really that important?
Perhaps for the original Jiang Yuechu, it was a monumental matter concerning her origin and fate.
But for the current her.
As long as she was strong enough.
Even if the truth behind Consort Ming's death was earth-shattering, even if it involved gods, buddhas, demons, or devils.
By then.
She would simply smash it with one punch.
Why bother begging a dying old man for that pitiful shred of truth?
After a long while.
She retracted her gaze and slowly stood up.
Then she turned around.
She swept her wide sleeve, like severing the vast ocean.
"Since that is the case... take care."
Jiang Xun's body trembled violently, as if he wanted to reach out and grasp the bright moon in the sky.
But his hand froze mid-air for a long moment before finally drooping down powerlessly.
"Respectfully seeing off... Your Highness."
Deep in the alleyway, the wind and snow intensified.
Jiang Xun stood by the threshold for a long time.
Until the long procession completely melted into the swirling snow, leaving no trace behind.
Only then did he slowly exhale a breath of stale air, moving step by step through the desolate corridor.
He pushed open the study in the back courtyard that had been tightly shut all year round.
The room's light was dim.
Just as he was about to light the lamp.
Snap.
Before he could touch it.
A tiny lamp wick, no bigger than a bean, quietly lit up behind the desk.
Jiang Xun's body suddenly stiffened.
He saw that on the chair where only he usually sat, an old man was currently seated upright.
The old man wore a very ordinary long robe, his eyes slightly closed, as if his spirit was wandering the great void.
Although he wore no Dragon Robe and his face was uncovered by an Imperial Crown.
His innate bearing, however, could not be hidden.
Thud.
Jiang Xun's knees went soft, and he knelt down heavily.
"Your old servant, Jiang Xun..."
"Greets Your Majesty."
...The 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, Minor New Year.
The wind and snow seemed to know it was a festive day, stopping by noon.
The long-awaited sun broke through the clouds.
Several young Palace Maids were standing on their toes, pasting exquisite paper-cuts onto the windows.
The bright red 'Fu' Character (Blessing/Fortune), set against the white snow and red plum blossoms outside the window, looked exceptionally beautiful.
Jiang Yuechu was half-reclining on a soft couch, idly flipping through a book, but her thoughts were drifting.
These past two days in the palace.
Aside from that nominal Imperial Brother who occasionally came to check on her well-being.
It was just the Wei Family girl occasionally entering the palace to relieve boredom.
Life was quite comfortable.
However, two days of rest was enough.
It was time to attend to serious business.
"Someone."
Jiang Yuechu closed the book and called out.
The Chief Eunuch who had been waiting outside immediately bowed and entered.
"Your Highness, what are your orders?"
"Where is Imperial Brother right now?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, His Majesty just finished court and is currently reviewing memorials in the Zichen Hall."
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly, stood up, and straightened her collar.
"Prepare the carriage for Zichen Hall."
Inside Zichen Hall.
The Emperor rubbed his throbbing temples, looking at the mountain of memorials piled on his desk, feeling a headache coming on.
With the New Year approaching, the memorials sent from various regions were several times more numerous than usual.
Either one place suffered snow disaster and needed funds and grain, or another needed appropriations to reinforce city defenses.
In short, it was all about one thing—money!
"These old fogeys, they're never this proactive normally, but come year's end, they know how to reach out!"
Just as he was speaking.
A report came from outside the door.
"Grand Princess Zhaoyue has arrived—"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's worried expression immediately cleared by more than half, and he quickly straightened up.
"Quick! Announce her in!"
Before his voice faded.
Jiang Yuechu had already stepped inside.
"Greetings, Imperial Brother."
"Oh, I've told you countless times, there's no need for formalities between us privately."
The Emperor quickly stood up, walked around the desk, and grabbed her hand.
"Why did you come over now? Did the servants in the palace not attend to you properly?"
"If any fool dared to displease you, I'll have him dragged out and executed immediately!"
Jiang Yuechu somewhat helplessly pulled her hand back.
"Imperial Brother worries too much, everything in the palace is fine."
She paused, then got straight to the point: "I came today because I have a request."
"A request?"
The Emperor feigned displeasure and put on a stern face.
"Between you and me, siblings, why use the word 'request'?"
Jiang Yuechu pursed her lips: "I want to visit the Imperial Secret Vault to see what Martial Arts are there."
The Emperor was stunned.
He clearly hadn't expected her special trip to be for this reason.
"I thought it was some major issue."
The Emperor waved his wide sleeve, full of heroic spirit.
"What's so difficult about that?"
"I'll immediately have someone move all the Martial Arts Cultivation Techniques from the Secret Vault to your Golden Jade Palace!"
"So you can read them lying down, sitting up, however you want!"
"There's no need for such a massive effort."
Said Jiang Yuechu.
"I'll just go look, and if there's anything I like, I'll make a copy."
Seeing her insistence, the Emperor no longer pressed the matter.
He immediately untied a Dragon Coiled Jade Pendant from his waist and handed it to the Old Eunuch beside him.
"You personally lead the way and take Her Highness to the Tianlu Pavilion."
"Deliver my verbal decree: all texts in the Pavilion, except for secrets concerning the fate of the nation, may be freely perused by Her Highness."
...Tianlu Pavilion.
Located in the northwest corner of the Imperial City, it is the Great Tang Imperial Family's most important library.
The building is nine stories high, with upturned eaves and bracket sets, majestic in Aura.
The surroundings were heavily guarded by soldiers, and many powerful Auras lay dormant in the shadows.
The Old Eunuch led Jiang Yuechu, passing through without obstruction.
Upon reaching the Pavilion gates.
Two guards clad in golden armor stepped forward to verify the jade pendant before jointly pushing open the two heavy bronze doors.
Rumble—
Following the dull sound.
A scent of aged ink, mixed with a faint aroma of sandalwood, wafted toward them.
Jiang Yuechu stepped inside.
Even though she had been mentally prepared, she was still slightly stunned by the sight before her.
Inside the vast hall.
Rows upon rows of tall bookshelves stood like a forest, stretching as far as the eye could see.
Every shelf was densely packed with all kinds of texts.
"Your Highness."
The Old Eunuch bowed and softly introduced the surroundings.
"The first floor of the Tianlu Pavilion houses classics, histories, philosophical works, and literature from across the world."
"The second floor contains local records, travelogues, and rare copies of various miscellaneous studies."
"It is only from the third floor upwards..."
The Old Eunuch pointed above them.
"...that you will find the Martial Arts texts that Your Highness wishes to see."
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly.
She immediately ascended to the third floor.
"Your Highness, the third floor mainly stores Cultivation Techniques for the Hearing the String and the Minggu Realm. While not top-tier, they are all high-quality items."
Jiang Yuechu casually picked up a book and flipped through it.
*Heart-Shattering Palm*, *Seven Fiend Fist*, *Flowing Cloud Sword Technique*... these were indeed decent Martial Arts.
But they were merely decent.
For her, who was already in the Zhonglian Realm, these things were no longer worth a second glance.