"No wonder those young advanced scholars speak of the East Study with such longing and daydreams..."
Zhang Jian noticed the gazes of the palace maids and, besides a slight smile in his heart, he also sensed that the atmosphere here was indeed vastly different.
In comparison, the government office, filled only with men, and old ones at that, made this place feel like an immortal realm.
Zhang Jian suppressed the strange thought that abruptly emerged in his mind.
His steps were light as he headed straight in the direction of the East Study.
Zhang Jian’s appearance at this time also brought a novel experience to many palace maids inside the inner palace.
The officials of the Sports and Arts College had many complaints about the single-gender environment there, and many palace maids, dwelling in a place with only one man, felt similar helplessness and harbored various expectations for the outside world.
Seeing other men for the first time, it was inevitably intriguing!
Especially Zhang Jian, who was so handsome and otherworldly.
Outside the East Study, Zhang Jian also noticed that many palace maids were sneaking behind him along the way. They were quite daring, almost following him, and a few older ones were even smiling as they discussed Zhang Jian’s identity.
In front of the East Study, Zhang Jian took out his access token, and the two burly Imperial Guards at the entrance exchanged a glance and immediately stepped aside to make way.
Entering the East Study on his own, Zhang Jian’s eyes swept over and instantly brightened.
This indeed was the Imperial, exclusive Imperial Scripture Repository, not only vast in its collection of ancient texts, but their quality far surpassed that of the other two book rooms.
And the environment.
It was exquisitely arranged inside, with individual reading spaces and female officials dedicated to serving tea.
The scent of books complemented by the fragrance of red sleeves.
At this moment, there were no other readers in the East Study. The six female officials serving tea were all sweeping the floor and, seeing Zhang Jian entering in the morning light, one of them gracefully stepped forward.
She first saluted and then guided Zhang Jian to a desk to register his entry.
Obviously, entering this place involved different rules than the other two book rooms.
"So it’s Assistant Reader Zhang, I’m Zhou Yinyin. Do you require me to serve tea?"
Upon seeing Zhang Jian’s registered title, the female official’s demeanor subtly changed, her charming eyes becoming more respectful.
"No, thank you. I prefer not to be disturbed while reading. If I need you, I will call."
Zhang Jian nonchalantly refused.
He came to the East Study to ’sweep the shelves,’ not for the ’charming addition of red sleeves.’
Upon seeing this, the female official surnamed Zhou gave a slight bow and retreated to the side.
Zhang Jian then started from the first row of the bookshelf, borrowing several ancient texts and entering a private chamber to read.
Among these texts, one was a set of the "Taiyin Scripture of the World"!
At first glance, he had spotted this classic, likely plundered from a Heterodox Sect after the Daqian Court had eradicated them, and it contained some teachings written in runes, which were quite profound.
It elaborated on the connections between all sorts of Yin and Yang and the Taiyin Star, with many secret phrases that could mobilize the Taiyin Spiritual Mechanism.
After studying the "Taiyin Scripture of the World," Zhang Jian successfully grasped a set of the Taiyin Refining Form Technique!
This was a method for strengthening the Yin Spirit, enhancing the efficiency of absorbing and refining the Taiyin Spiritual Mechanism.
Its power was quite impressive.
In the elegant chamber, a dense stream of Taiyin Moonlight Spiritual Mechanism was drawn by Zhang Jian, manifesting in daylight and transforming into a torrent of Taiyin Starlight absorbed into his body.
This was accomplished without his Yin Spirit Emergence; if it emerged, he could consolidate a Taiyin Dharma Aspect on his own, further enhancing the absorption of the Taiyin Spiritual Mechanism.
A moment later, Zhang Jian ceased his study.
After all, this was the Imperial Palace, where too much commotion would cause trouble.
Having benefited from this volume of "Taiyin Scripture of the World," Zhang Jian’s enthusiasm for the East Study increased.
After leaving the private chamber, he returned the classics and proceeded to exchange for several more volumes.
Just then, he heard multiple footsteps coming from the entrance, accompanied by two voices!
One was charming and melodious, the other innocent and pure.
In an instant, Zhang Jian saw a tall, beautifully dressed woman entering from the door of the East Study, accompanied by a very lavishly dressed little boy, and followed by more than ten female attendants, female officials, and old women.
"We servants greet Lady De!"
"You may rise."
This tall woman in palace attire, stepping into the study, possessed a dignified, noble presence, with an aura as refreshing as a spring breeze, yet her brows did not lack authority.
"That is Consort Lande!"
Zhang Jian’s gaze swept over the palace-dressed beauty and the boy she was holding.
Emperor Jingwu had never established an empress, but his rear court had no shortage of concubines, and his offspring were quite plentiful.
Currently, there were Four Consorts and Nine Concubines, alongside various wives, beauties, and others.
The court was essentially at full capacity.
The Four Consorts included the Noble Consort, Pure Consort, Consort De, and Consort Xian.
In the absence of an empress, the Noble Consort held the highest position, equaling that of the Vice Empress, temporarily maintaining palace order.
As for the Pure Consort, Consort De, and Consort Xian, none were considered superior, but Consort De was particularly favored.
Because she raised the Third Prince, Wei Cheng.
At this point, seeing Consort Lande notice his presence, Zhang Jian slightly bowed.
"Who are you?"
Consort Lande also noticed Zhang Jian, her eyebrows furrowing slightly, and she turned to sternly question the female officials beside her.
"Why is there an outsider man in the East Study?"
The leading Zhou Yinyin dared not neglect her, immediately lowering her head and speaking softly, "Reporting to Lady, this is Assistant Reader Zhang, personally granted permission by Your Majesty to freely enter and exit the East Study!"
"Assistant Reader Zhang?"
Consort Lande, upon hearing this, directed her charming gaze toward Zhang Jian, assessing him up and down, with scrutiny in her eyes, while a female official beside her fetched the registration book.