The attendant assigned by the Emperor to assist Yun Shu in gathering information outside the palace was none other than Eunuch Wang, who had once been responsible for overseeing the purchases within the imperial household.
Over the years, Eunuch Wang had come and gone from the palace countless times, and was familiar with every corner of the capital. It was only in recent years, as his strength began to wane with age and he found it harder to carry heavy goods, that he had gradually stepped back from his former duties. Thus, he just so happened to be available now.
Upon hearing that Yun Shu wanted to purchase a spacious estate at a modest price but had yet to find a suitable place, he volunteered to take Yun Shu and her brother to a humble estate in the southern outskirts of the capital.
"This way, Your Highnesses," he said respectfully.
"…What is this shabby place?" Yun Chuhuan muttered.
After enduring a bumpy carriage ride all the way here, Yun Chuhuan had imagined they might be visiting some imperial retreat or a hot spring villa. Yet, when he lifted the curtain and looked out, there was not a single carved beam or painted pillar in sight, not even a decorative pond or a small bridge.
The rows of buildings looked no different from the humble homes of commoners.
With just one glance, the Sixth Prince, proud and accustomed to luxury, furrowed his brows deeply.
"Are there truly no other estates available?"
"Your Highness, there are indeed other estates," Eunuch Wang explained respectfully, "but they are either too far from the capital, too small to accommodate Your Highness's plans, or priced exorbitantly."
"This overpriced one…"
"I think this one is just right."
Before Yun Chu Huan could finish voicing his luxurious preferences, Yun Shu cut him off without hesitation. One look at his extravagantly indifferent expression and she already knew what he was about to suggest.
"In the end, this estate is merely to serve as a slightly larger workshop. It's not meant for leisure or to house anyone permanently. Why should it be lavish?"
"…Fine, I suppose," Yun Chuhuan said reluctantly, mollified only by the assurance that he would not have to live here himself. "You all can continue inspecting the estate. I'll just stay in the carriage and finish that little booklet from earlier."
"No, you will not!"
What if he finished reading it and threw a tantrum, demanding she remove the second article? That particular piece had been included for a reason.
Grabbing him firmly by the collar, Yun Shu hauled him out of the carriage.
"What kind of founder doesn't even look at the future site of their own business? If you go around telling people that the Capital Weekly belongs to you, but someone asks you a question about the estate and you can't answer, won't they just assume you're bluffing?"
"Who would ask about this shabby place?"
Yun Chuhuan grumbled under his breath. Still, Yun Shu's words struck a nerve. He had thrown in ten thousand taels without batting an eye just so he could brag about owning the Capital Weekly. If some trivial matter like this made him look like a liar… he'd die of embarrassment.
Grumbling all the while, he let himself be dragged down, then lifted his chin and strode forward as if bestowing a favor.
"Fine, let's take a look then."
"Very good," Eunuch Wang said, bowing quickly now that the young prince was finally moving. He began leading them down the overgrown path. "This estate originally belonged to a merchant from outside the capital. He had hoped to bring his family's wine business to the capital, using this place as a brewing site.
However, it seems their wine failed to stand out among the capital's established names. Most folk still preferred the old and reputable brands. With little success, the merchant gave up and decided to sell the estate.
At present, only a few laborers remain here, just enough to maintain the property. Once Your Highness decides to purchase it, those workers can be replaced at your discretion."
"Temporary laborers?" Yun Shu blinked, pleasantly surprised.
"Then I assume they live in the nearby villages or city outskirts?"
"Yes," Eunuch Wang confirmed. "Some are from within the capital, others from neighboring settlements."
"That's perfect," Yun Shu smiled. "Eunuch Wang, please gather them here. I have something to say to them."
"At once, Your Highness."
Given the order, Eunuch Wang didn't dare delay. Before long, he returned with all the workers currently stationed on the estate.
There were about ten in total.
At first, the laborers had no idea who Yun Shu and Yun Chu Huan were. Still, seeing the way Eunuch Wang addressed them with that crisp palace-accented voice, and noting their extravagant clothing, they guessed these two must be nobles of considerable rank.
Even so, they didn't dare imagine anything too lofty.
That was, until Eunuch Wang announced in a high, formal tone, "Fifth Princess, Sixth Prince."
The moment the words fell, the group of workers dropped to their knees in unison.
"Th-this humble servant… humbly greets the Princess and Prince…"
These were simple folk, honest commoners. In their eyes, even a low-ranking official was someone beyond reach. To now find themselves face to face with an imperial princess and prince—people they'd only ever heard of in legends—they didn't even know how to address them properly. Terrified of saying the wrong thing, they pressed their foreheads to the ground, stammering in fear.
"Rise. There's no need to be so nervous."
Yun Shu's voice was calm and gentle, though she knew well that telling them not to be afraid was a futile effort. In times like these, reverence for the imperial family had long been etched into people's very bones.
So she skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point.
"I have heard that you are all residents of the nearby area. That happens to suit our plans. This estate will soon house a small workshop. We intend to hire a number of female workers. Each day, work will begin at the first hour after mid-morning and end at the first hour after dusk. That is four hours of labor per day. Meals will be provided, and each worker will earn one and a half taels of silver per month. The only requirements are good eyesight and attention to detail.
If there are women in your households or villages who are willing, they may come here to apply."
Female workers?
Only four hours of work a day?
With food included?
And a monthly wage of one and a half taels of silver?
One condition sounded more shocking than the last. Were it not for the authority carried by Yun Shu's title, these workers might have erupted with disbelief on the spot.
Why only women?
Surely… this couldn't be…
Someone, a bit bolder than the rest, hesitated for a long moment before finally mustering the courage to speak.
"May… may this humble one ask… what work will these women be doing, Your Highness?"
No one dared voice what they truly feared—that this might be some disreputable establishment. A brothel, perhaps. Yet the suspicion showed plainly on their faces.
Yun Shu glanced at them, her expression cooling at their unspoken doubts. She found the assumption distasteful, though she also understood. It was a symptom of the times.
In the end, she merely curled her lips into a cold, mocking smile.
"They will be printing books."