Great Tang, Chang'an, North City.
The Princess Zhaoyues Residence was situated at the end of Vermilion Bird Street.
When this residence was being built, it caused quite a stir.
The Ministry of Works mobilized over three thousand artisans, who lived and ate within the construction site.
To give Jiang Yuechu a surprise, the Your Majesty specifically dispatched a unit of the Imperial Guard to seal off the surrounding hundred zhang, strictly forbidding unauthorized personnel from approaching.
News spread throughout the city; the commoners only knew a residence was being built there, but they did not know its inner secrets.
Today, the mystery of this mansion was finally unveiled.
Upturned eaves and rafters, carved beams and painted pillars.
A building every five steps, a pavilion every ten.
The main gate stood three zhang high, carved entirely from red Millennium Fire Agarwood, with door studs made from top-grade South Sea pearls.
The two stone lions guarding the house were no ordinary stone, but whole pieces of Heavenly Accomplishment warm jade Spirit Stones, faintly emitting a gentle white light.
Looking inside...
Water was drawn into the garden, flowing in winding streams for drinking games.
The floor tiles, paved with white jade, were as smooth as mirrors; between the winding corridors, rare flowers and exotic grasses, hard to find even for a fortune elsewhere, were planted in an orderly fashion.
Atop the main hall's roof, top-grade glazed tiles were used; as the morning light hit, the entire mansion shimmered, dazzling the eyes.
This was no mere mortal residence.
Even bringing a celestial palace down to the mortal realm would likely be nothing more than this.
More and more Chang'an citizens gathered to watch, and the long street became completely congested.
The sound of people gasping in awe rose and fell.
Such imperial favor was unheard of since ancient times.
There was an unwritten old custom in the Great Tang.
Moving into a new home required warming the house.
Regardless of the host's status, friends and family would gather to add some human presence and suppress the cold, raw energy of the new residence.
This was originally a joyous occasion.
Coupled with the collapse of the Golden Jade Palace last night...
The Your Majesty was afraid Jiang Yuechu would feel uneasy.
Just as the sky began to brighten, he dispatched eunuchs and Palace Maids to move things into the Princess Mansion in a grand procession.
Inside the mansion, the main courtyard was spacious and open.
The sounds of silk and bamboo instruments drifted through the flower garden.
On this day...
Jiang Yuechu rarely did not wear her black robes, instead changing into a set of dark red casual attire.
Wide sleeves and a cinched waist, with gold thread edging.
It complemented her exceptionally clear and beautiful face.
She sat in the seat of honor, holding a cup of tea, letting the people outside make their noisy commotion.
Actually, this kind of mundane bustle... she didn't dislike it.
On the contrary...
Sometimes she even found it quite comfortable.
"Nickname!"
A crisp female voice pierced through the noise.
Wei Qing lifted her skirt and ran through the corridor without any ladylike grace, jogging all the way into the front hall.
Before Jiang Yuechu could speak, Wei Qing turned to look around, clicking her tongue in amazement: "This residence of yours is more than a hundred times more luxurious than the Wei Residence... When I entered the door just now, I didn't even dare to step forward, afraid I'd cause some trouble..."
Jiang Yuechu put down her teacup and reached out to pinch Wei Qing's cheek.
It felt smooth and tender.
"If you like it, come and stay often."
Her tone was steady as she said softly, "There are many rooms here anyway... I don't usually stay here much, so you can help me look after the house."
"Really?"
Hearing this...
Wei Qing's face lit up with joy, somewhat unable to believe it.
"Of course it's true..."
As the two were talking, a very harsh argument came from outside the hall.
"You clumsy fool! For Your Highness's housewarming, you brought a broken bone as a gift? You're intentionally trying to bring bad luck to the host!"
The Old Scarlet Flood Dragon was spitting as he shouted, pointing at Running Ox's nose.
Since seeing Running Ox again...
The Old Scarlet Flood Dragon had been harboring a belly full of resentment.
This black ox went out for a trip and actually let Your Highness bring back a tiger demon to steal his livelihood.
Stupid to the core...
Running Ox stared with his large ox eyes, tightly clutching a crystal-clear beast bone in his hand.
This was a treasure given by Big Sister... It was said to have been pulled from a Great Demon Emperor, and was extremely precious.
To think it would be mocked as a broken bone.
"What do you know, you loathsome loach..."
Tiger Cuihua shrank back, his face full of bitterness.
"Brothers, please calm down. We all serve Your Highness, so why distinguish between us? As the ancients said, harmony brings wealth. On this joyous day, why don't I compose a poem to liven things up..."
"Get lost!"
The ox and the flood dragon spoke in unison, their shout sending Tiger Cuihua back three steps, his face showing a bitter expression.
To the side...
Wang Ziyu wore oversized Daoist robes, his small hands tucked into his sleeves.
He also watched this scene helplessly.
Why did it feel like this girl was always picking up demons and monsters? Could it be she wanted to raise them as pets?
Just as he was thinking this...
He suddenly heard footsteps and couldn't help but look up.
He saw Jiang Yuechu had already stopped on the steps in the distance.
As soon as these demons saw the master arrive, they all retracted their arrogance.
The Old Scarlet Flood Dragon immediately ran over with a flattering face.
"Oh my~ Your Highness, Your Highness, you've come! This old servant missed you so much..."
...
On the other side...
The Your Majesty had his hands behind his back, with the civil and military officials following behind him in an orderly manner.
None dared to overstep by half a pace.
"My dear ministers, look closely."
"With such specifications, aside from the palace, if you can find another like it in the entire Great Tang, I will admit defeat."
The Your Majesty turned around.
Looking at the civil and military officials below.
"In all the years since the Great Tang was founded, the Ministry of Works has finally done something beautiful."
"Only this residence is worthy of Eldest Princess's status."
The Minister of Works hurriedly kowtowed: "It is all thanks to Your Majesty's boundless fortune; this Old Minister was merely following imperial orders."
The officials chimed in one after another, the sounds of flattery unending.
The regulations of this Princess Zhaoyues Residence were not just high.
They had simply exceeded the limits of ritual law.
Yet, no one dared to step forward and remonstrate.
Whether it was Jiang Yuechu's strength or the things she had done... who would dare to court disaster?
While the Your Majesty was secretly enjoying himself, the Old Eunuch suddenly leaned in and said, "Your Majesty... the time has come."
"Uh... what time?"
The Your Majesty frowned, somewhat confused.
He was busy with state affairs all day; how could he remember these minor rules?
"Replying to Your Majesty, it is the auspicious hour for warming the house."
Fearing the explanation wasn't thorough enough, the Old Eunuch continued, "In our Great Tang, moving into a new residence emphasizes starting with good fortune at an auspicious hour."
"At the third mark of the hour of Wu, the Yang fire is at its peak. The host must personally light the courtyard brazier. This act is called drawing Yang Qi into the courtyard. New residences are often cold and secluded, with the earth's energy being chilly. Crossing this brazier can suppress evil spirits from all directions to ensure the peace of the household and that everything goes well."
The Your Majesty suddenly understood and clapped his hands.
"Yes, yes, yes, there is also this procedure... This is a rule passed down by the Old Ancestors and cannot be neglected. Quickly, go and prepare!"
The Old Eunuch took the order and withdrew, bowing as he went to the backyard to arrange the brazier and fire-starting tools.
Once he had walked away...
The Your Majesty slowly withdrew the smile from his face.
He looked indifferently at the officials.
A breeze blew through the corridor, swaying the exotic flowers planted nearby.
The civil and military officials all lowered their eyes submissively; no one dared to make a sound.
After several breaths...
The Your Majesty's voice suddenly rang out.
"My dear ministers."
The officials all bowed in unison.
The Your Majesty paced slowly for two steps before continuing, "Eldest Princess was lost abroad for many years and suffered greatly. Whenever I think of it, I cannot sleep... Now she has finally returned to her roots and has performed great service for the Great Tang. This residence is a small gift from me, her elder brother, to make up for it."
"You all are the pillars of my Great Tang. Usually, you say that when the monarch is insulted, the officials die, and when the monarch is worried, the officials toil."
"Presumably..."
"Presumably, all of you have prepared gifts today to add to the joy of Eldest Princess's new residence, right?"
As soon as these words were spoken...
The officials' spines stiffened in unison.
A minister in the front row gathered his courage and said, "Old Minister... this Old Minister has immense admiration for the Grand Princess Your Highness, and naturally prepared a small gift. It's just that I came in a hurry today and have not yet..."
"How can it be a small gift!"
The Your Majesty unceremoniously interrupted him: "What is Eldest Princess's status? She is my direct sister, the stabilizing pillar of our Great Tang. What use are ordinary scraps of metal or common paintings and calligraphy?"
The Your Majesty pointed his finger at the officials below, his words full of warning.
"I'll say the unpleasant things first."
"Eldest Princess went out for a trip a few days ago and emptied the treasury of Wuxiang Mountain."
"You know Wuxiang Mountain, right? It's at the level of a Dao Lineage..."
...