Chapter 81: The Inhabitants of the Library Pavilion

As soon as noon passed, the Empress Dowager issued another decree, instructing the two investigators to search the Archive Pavilion and record their findings. Snow Ze was puzzled by this, and unwilling to comply. Mortal affairs were tedious, with endless rules, only wasting her time. So, she discussed with Gao Hai and decided to let him go alone.

Unexpectedly, Gao Hai was stopped at the door by Eunuch Li.

“Why are you stopping me?” Gao Hai glared furiously, but received a cold stare in return.

Eunuch Li smiled, “Some people shouldn’t be clever. The Empress Dowager has many eyes, and I am not foolish either. If you want to impersonate someone, you’d best invite those skilled in disguise!”

Gao Hai was stunned, surprised that their plan had been exposed so easily.

“What exactly do you want?”

“I only wish to follow orders, to escort the young lady to the Archive Pavilion. I hope you, sir, won’t interfere. Otherwise, the Empress Dowager may hear of some strange happenings—and if the bond between the Emperor and the Empress Dowager is damaged, don’t blame me!”

“You!” Gao Hai was so furious he wanted to draw his sword. He had long detested this Eunuch Li.

As the Empress Dowager’s favorite, Eunuch Li was ruthless, cunning, and opportunistic—the most troublesome figure in the Northern Hua Palace. After Eunuch Liu retired due to illness, Eunuch Li assumed the role of Grand Chamberlain, growing ever more arrogant and self-indulgent.

“Well? What is your decision, sir?”

Gao Hai clenched his fists, seething: Eunuch Li was becoming more audacious! Why insist on taking the young lady to the Archive Pavilion? How could he explain this to the Emperor? His disguises had never failed before, but now he was so easily discovered—were there secret watchers following him?

“Well? Have you decided?” Eunuch Li patted Gao Hai’s shoulder. “Should I announce myself, or shall I go find her myself?”

Gao Hai shot Eunuch Li a glare and turned away. “Wait here!”

When he found Snow Ze, she was writing a letter, so Gao Hai waited a moment.

Snow Ze’s magical abilities were shallow, so she couldn’t use spell-letters—she had to finish writing and send it by feathered pigeon. Seeing Gao Hai, she had already guessed half the situation.

“Miss, I—”

“No matter, I’ll go.”

Gao Hai paused, ashamed, and lowered his head as he glanced at Snow Ze.

Snow Ze smiled, walked to his side, and accompanied him out. “I wonder what awaits me in the Archive Pavilion? Even though it holds countless books, none are the one I seek. Isn’t this a needless bother?”

“No need to worry, Miss—merely browsing records and writing notes. As long as you recount truthfully, nothing else matters. If you wish to make further inquiries elsewhere, you may wait until the sun sets to avoid the heat.”

“Very well, I’ll go and see this Archive Pavilion.”

When they reached the main hall, Eunuch Li greeted Snow Ze with a smile, then said to Gao Hai, “You need not accompany us. You may go investigate elsewhere. Such literary tasks are best left to the lady.”

Gao Hai glared at Eunuch Li, “Don’t try any tricks!”

“Rest assured, I act on the Empress Dowager’s orders. How could I slight either of you?”

Snow Ze glanced at Gao Hai and spoke gently, “Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon.”

With that, Snow Ze followed Eunuch Li outside, surprised to see a sedan chair waiting at the entrance.

“This…?”

Eunuch Li smiled, “Please, Miss.”

“I… I can walk,” Snow Ze tried to decline, but two palace maids approached, clearly prepared to escort her into the chair.

Eunuch Li cast Snow Ze a brief look and stepped aside. “Please, Miss, board the sedan.”

Snow Ze felt a touch of suspicion, but after a moment’s thought, she stepped forward. “Could there be hidden motives in this?”

Inside the sedan, Snow Ze sensed nothing amiss—everything was calm and peaceful, causing her thoughts to wander…

“The Archive Pavilion is not far from here—why use a sedan? There was no such courtesy before; perhaps something unusual awaits me there? Eunuch Li seems at odds with Young Master Gao—so what of the Emperor and Empress Dowager’s relationship? Mortal affairs are truly perplexing. Better not dwell on them now—what does Master’s letter mean?”

Opening her master’s letter, she read:

Through your blessings, the lotus seed has awakened; you need not worry, all await your early return. Your last letter surprised me greatly. According to your descriptions, the item resembles a person, yet has lain dormant for ten thousand years and remains sealed. It is feared that calamity will befall the mortal world, and even the Heavenly Mountain may not be spared. Investigate all doubts, and eventually there will be conclusions. Whether the result is ordinary or not, finish the case swiftly. If this matter does not involve Heavenly Mountain, we shall not interfere further—the truth will reveal itself in time!

“Master means the case is complex, unlikely to yield the truth easily, and prefers not to meddle. Yet, if it truly involves Heavenly Mountain, can we simply stand by? I hope the outcome arrives soon, neither troubling the mortal world nor entangling Heavenly Mountain.”

Snow Ze was resting her eyes when suddenly the sedan stopped. Eunuch Li called from outside, “Miss, we have arrived at the Archive Pavilion. Please!”

Calming herself, Snow Ze alighted and examined the building before her.

It was tranquil, the structure large; inner chambers and outer courtyard, two-story book tower with a sealed roof. Majestic, yet refined—truly fit for storing books.

“Miss, the case records are on the second floor. This maid will guide you.”

Snow Ze nodded, “Thank you.”

A palace maid approached, leading Snow Ze toward the pavilion.

Passing through a courtyard filled with flowers and plants, they entered the book tower, where numerous scrolls could be seen—ancient and new, all exuding an air of elegance.

Ascending to the second floor, Snow Ze found it deserted, much to her satisfaction.

“Miss, the records you need are on the desk. I shall take my leave.”

With that, the maid departed, her steps as light as feathers, as if unwilling to disturb the quiet atmosphere.

Snow Ze glanced at the books on the shelves, feeling some delight, but thought it best to finish her task first. She sat at the desk, opened a record, and found its contents useless. So she flipped to the end and added her own note.

After finishing, she set the scroll aside. Noticing a pile of scholars’ works in a corner, she felt no interest in those pedantic tomes.

“Books may delight the mind, but reading them is less…”

Snow Ze wandered among the shelves, carefully examining the books but found none to her liking. She wondered—did they not collect folk tales here?

She only enjoyed curious stories, not ornate, thought-provoking works—yet that was all these shelves held.

“Does the palace library only accept these kinds of books?” Snow Ze sighed, surveying the room. “Indeed, they aim to cultivate reason and wisdom, to regulate conduct through literature. The air here is as oppressive as the palace itself—not a place for me to linger.”

“This vast Archive Pavilion cannot retain you. What sort of book does Miss seek?”

Hearing a gentle male voice behind her, Snow Ze was startled. She thought the place was empty—how did someone appear so suddenly?

“I was merely expressing a biased opinion, not worth troubling you for understanding.”

“What bias? These books truly do not suit palace dwellers—they impart only a sense of heaviness, making readers feel even more stifled. However, the second floor is meant for gravity; the first floor houses many lighter books. Did you not notice?”

“I arrived in haste, and did not pause below. I fear I have disturbed your peace, so I shall take my leave.”

Snow Ze touched the veil on her face, gathered her courage, and turned. A young man stood there, watching her gently.

He wore simple, elegant attire, with a hint of scholarly grace. Holding a book, he stood like an immortal official. Though within the palace, such serenity and leisure were rare—almost as though this entire palace was built for him alone.

His features were handsome, his eyes soft, yet he seemed detached from worldly matters. This was why Snow Ze could not discern his identity at first glance. Like Liu Li, he was striking, but carried a certain indifference and reserve, making others hesitant to approach or speak.

Snow Ze withdrew her gaze and headed for the stairs. “Please continue, sir. I shall not disturb you further.”

The young man smiled softly, “Miss, you have only just arrived and are already bidding farewell to ten thousand scrolls. Is that not a pity?”