The Sixth Prince, generous as ever, had promised to cover all expenses for Yun Shu's outing from the palace. He had no intention of going back on his word.
Yun Shu, while never intending to splurge, could not help her curiosity when it came to the depths of a rich man's pockets. She asked casually, "How much did you bring?"
"Not much, truly!" Yun Chuhuan replied, looking slightly embarrassed. "I didn't expect you to also buy gifts for Father Emperor, so I only brought ten thousand taels in silver notes."
Yun Shu blinked. "What?"
She truly regretted opening her mouth. Why had she even asked? With her heart now thoroughly stabbed by that number, she held out her hand with righteous indignation.
"Give me five taels."
Yun Chuhuan looked puzzled. "Five taels? What could you even buy with that?"
Nonetheless, curiosity getting the better of him, he handed the silver over. What he witnessed next was beyond comprehension. His Fifth Sister used those five taels to buy back an entire basket of what looked like utter junk.
Yun Chuhuan stared in disbelief. He refused to believe Imperial Father would not be upset after receiving such... gifts. Once Imperial Father was displeased, Yun Chuhuan would offer his own more thoughtful present. Compared side by side, maybe Imperial Father would punish Yun Shu with two hundred taels of gold, then reward him instead.
...
Unaware that a certain mischievous prince was already grinning with anticipation at her imagined punishment, Yun Shu returned to the palace with the basket of gifts just before the gates closed. However, instead of delivering the gifts right away, she went to Fengyang Palace and spent the entire night by candlelight.
By the time the sun began to rise, she had finally fallen asleep, slumped over her writing desk.
That morning, after court, Emperor Xuanwu returned to his study only to hear a strange report from the Dragon Shadow Guard. His daughter, the one who had invented printing just to avoid copying texts by hand, had spent all night writing.
"What kind of writing could possibly be worthy of her personal attention for an entire night?"
Just then, Li Dehai came in to announce that the Fifth Princess was asking for an audience.
Emperor Xuanwu waved his hand eagerly. "Let her in."
"Father Emperor!"
Her cheerful voice arrived before she did.
In any other household, this would be seen as lacking decorum, but Emperor Xuanwu found his daughter's unique vivacity charming. He even leaned forward slightly, as though trying to catch a glimpse of her sooner.
What he saw first, however, was not his daughter's face, but a basket.
"What is this..."
"So heavy!" Yun Shu puffed, carrying the basket forward with great effort. She placed it in the center of the imperial study, where it looked terribly out of place.
"These," Yun Shu declared proudly, "are all gifts I chose for Father Emperor!"
She pulled out a chubby clay figurine and held it up beside her own face, smiling brightly. "Doesn't it look just like I did when I was little?"
It was a direct strike to the heart.
If the Simulation Life Selection System hadn't reminded him of Yun Shu half a month ago, Emperor Xuanwu might have forgotten he had such a daughter. How could he possibly remember what she looked like as a child?
Ashamed, he took the figurine from her, a rare pang of guilt stirring within him.
"You can place it on your desk," Yun Shu offered cheerfully, already digging into the basket again. "That way, it'll be like I'm always here with you!"
Next came a handmade peace-knot. "I learned to make this from an old granny yesterday. It's for Father Emperor too, to wish you health and peace."
The knot was a little rough, but the sincerity behind it made it all the more precious.
Emperor Xuanwu, his heart warm, immediately removed the priceless dragon-carved jade pendant from his belt and replaced it with Yun Shu's peace-knot, which had cost a mere five copper coins.
One after another, Yun Shu presented over twenty little gifts. Though they amounted to only a few taels of silver, each one struck a chord.
The Emperor was thoroughly pleased. So much so that he nearly forgot what he had been most curious about before her arrival.
Finally, Yun Shu retrieved the last item: a booklet.
The Emperor instantly understood. This must be what she had been writing all night.
"Capital Weekly?" he read aloud, raising a brow in interest as he flipped it open.
"Have a look, Father Emperor," Yun Shu grinned. "It's very amusing."
"Oh? Let us see just how amusing it can be."
The Emperor flipped to the first page and read the headline:
"Shocking! A Man Leaps from Lianxin Zhai's Second Floor!"
He blinked, reading on. Apparently, the young master of the Tang family had leapt down from the second floor of Lianxin Zhai to save a child who had nearly been trampled by a horse.
There was even a drawing in the corner. Crude, childlike, barely passable as art—yet it captured the moment vividly.
If only Emperor Xuanwu knew the modern term "soulful artist," he would have wholeheartedly agreed.
Page two:
"Inside the Lavish Carriage of the Sixth Prince!"
The Emperor frowned. So his sixth son used night pearls the size of fists for lighting? Was he living more extravagantly than his own father?
Just wait, that boy was in for a scolding.
Page three:
"Capital's Most Devoted Husband: Young Master Cao Loves Deeply!"
The Emperor choked.
What was this nonsense?
A husband caring for his wife was something to boast about?
Buying medicine for a sick wife was basic duty, not headline-worthy news.
Why had his daughter written about this? She was only thirteen. Did she already dream of marrying?
Page after page, his emotions rose and fell with each article.
Until finally, the last story:
"Why is this only half-finished?" he asked. "After the princess marries, what happens? Does the consort love her truly?"