The imperial palace.
Inside the Princess's hall.
"How are your preparations for tomorrow's spring examination?"
The Princess calmly extended her fair fingers, lightly dipped them in the water beside her for a moment, then took out a towel and gently dried them.
Zeng Anmin blinked.
"Your Highness summoned me here just to ask about the spring examination?"
Zeng Anmin's words were very direct.
He raised his head and glanced at the sky.
It was already past the second watch.
The stars overhead were blinking.
The Princess slowly lifted her head and looked at Zeng Anmin, her voice revealing neither pleasure nor anger.
"Can't I?"
Her tone was very flat.
Yet Zeng Anmin heard a thorny edge in it.
"Uh, as long as you're happy, I'm fine with anything."
Zeng Anmin scratched his head and answered with a smile.
The Princess walked to a chair and slowly sat down. She extended her fair hand and pointed to the chair beside her.
"Sit."
After Zeng Anmin sat down.
The Princess's faint voice sounded.
"Do you know about the talismanic diagram the Xiangliu Demon Emperor summoned before his death that day?"
Zeng Anmin's gaze tightened slightly.
Then it immediately returned to normal.
He looked at the Princess in bewilderment. "I know. What about it?"
The Princess drew in a light breath, a trace of cold beauty showing on her exquisite face.
"I suspect that diagram was one of the long-lost Heavenly Dao Diagrams—the Xi Huang Diagram."
Zeng Anmin pursed his lips.
She was right.
But not entirely right.
It was indeed a Heavenly Dao Diagram.
But unfortunately, it was not the Xi Huang Diagram.
"You mean..."
Zeng Anmin leaned his neck forward, moving a little closer to the Princess as he lowered his voice.
The Princess stared intently at Zeng Anmin.
"Tell