The imperial physician stood silent.
Truth be told, he was starting to doubt his own medical skills.
"Could it be that I truly am nothing more than a useless quack?"
Meanwhile, within the villa, Yun Shu continued her diligent regimen.
She ran until she tired, then rested. Once rested, she ran again.
Those outside the illusion knew nothing of the connection between the villa and her physical body. All they saw was the Fifth Princess's temperature rising again and again, as if she were caught in a fevered cycle.
Even Emperor Xuanwu, who had initially remained calm thanks to the foresight granted by the Simulation Life Selection System, began to waver.
The system had indeed revealed that Yun Shu would cause his private treasury to exceed the national coffers within the next two years.
Did that not mean she would remain healthy for at least that long?
Surely it couldn't be... that she had only just started down this path, and hadn't even opened her restaurant yet, only to collapse before the real journey had begun?
"Your Majesty," came a soft voice.
Li Dehai stepped quietly into the chamber, lowering his voice respectfully.
"Minister Li of the Ministry of Rites has come seeking audience. He awaits in the outer hall of the imperial study."
"Mm."
Emperor Xuanwu gave a glance toward the still-unconscious Yun Shu, then turned to leave.
But just then, a cry rang out from behind.
"The Princess is awake! Physician, come quickly!"
It was Ting Xue.
Had she finally awoken?
Emperor Xuanwu halted mid-step and turned back.
Sure enough, his little one had opened her eyes, albeit weakly. She blinked in confusion as the physician checked her pulse.
"Father Emperor," she murmured.
Their gazes met, and the moment her eyes locked onto his, realization dawned. Her lips trembled, and she called out again with a pitiful pout.
Emperor Xuanwu let out a quiet sigh and turned to Li Dehai.
"We shall see the minister later."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Li Dehai bowed and departed.
Emperor Xuanwu returned to Yun Shu's bedside.
"How is the Princess now?"
"Your Majesty, the Princess's pulse is now steady. If her temperature does not rise again today, she should make a full recovery."
Given that she had only just awakened from her fever, the physician dared not speak with full confidence, even if her current pulse was remarkably stable. To maintain some sense of usefulness, he scribbled down another prescription—a harmless tonic that even a healthy person could safely take.
Fortunately, Emperor Xuanwu did not press him further. He noticed Yun Shu seemed to have something to say.
After confirming she was stable, he ordered the physician and the others to withdraw.
"Tell Us, how do you feel? Any lingering discomfort?"
"None," Yun Shu replied, half her face hidden beneath the blanket, her large, round eyes brimming with aggrieved innocence.
Then, with the straightforwardness only she could manage, she blurted out something no one else would dare say to the Emperor:
"Father Emperor, yesterday the Empress tried to win me over. She wants me to support Crown Prince Brother."
Emperor Xuanwu paused.
"Truly, as expected of her."
The power struggle among the princes was such a sensitive topic that even the boldest officials would tread carefully. Yet here she was, stating it plainly before him.
A tangle of emotion crossed his expression—amusement, exasperation, and a flicker of pride—strong enough to momentarily override his irritation with the Empress.
He pulled over a chair and sat by her bed.
"If she sought to win your support, how did she anger you so badly that you stopped calling her Empress Mother?"
"Perhaps deep down she looks down on me," Yun Shu huffed.
There was no need to sugarcoat it. She had no intention of pretending to be on good terms with the Empress, and she was fairly certain Emperor Xuanwu wouldn't mind.
With a childish pout, she continued her open complaint.
"She wanted to rope me in, but first had to put me in my place. Then she mocked and threatened me. She said I must not have been raised properly by my mother, and even hinted that she could interfere with Your Majesty's promise to let me choose my own marriage.
Only then did she so generously declare that if I supported Crown Prince Brother, the entire Right Prime Minister's household would back me."
"The Empress actually said such things?"
Emperor Xuanwu's eyes narrowed. His tone darkened.
"She dares challenge something We promised with Our own lips?"
"Well, that's what she said!"
Afraid he wouldn't believe her, Yun Shu repeated the entire conversation from the previous day in full detail. Once she finished, she poked her little hand out from under the blanket and tugged at his sleeve.
"Father Emperor, could you assign me some Dragon Shadow Guards? I'm scared."
"What are you afraid of? You are Our daughter. Even the Empress cannot touch you lightly."
Emperor Xuanwu pulled his sleeve free in frustration, his anger unclear in direction.
"Such cowardice."
"But I'm only thirteen!"
Yun Shu's voice was thick with grievance.
"My body is still weak. I only stood outside Fengyi Palace a bit longer than usual, and I collapsed the same evening. If Empress makes me stand there even longer next time, wouldn't I be completely done for?"
"Nonsense. The physician said you're in good health now."
His tone was stern, but after a pause, Emperor Xuanwu fixed her with a blank stare.
"If you were so afraid, why didn't you just agree to her request yesterday?"
"I was standing in the snow, not letting it melt into my brain."
Yun Shu muttered quietly.
"Who becomes the heir of the Tian Sheng Dynasty is up to Father Emperor, not me. Why would I stick my neck into such a messy affair? There's no real benefit if I win, but I'll definitely suffer if I lose. Even a dog wouldn't get involved in something so thankless."
Emperor Xuanwu blinked.
So be it. She was already thirteen. That sharp tongue of hers was probably here to stay.
So she lacked proper decorum? Let her.
At least this little one knew when to keep her head clear, unlike the Empress, who was so impeccably composed in front of him, yet bold enough to pursue anything behind his back.
He cast her a look filled with mixed exasperation and relief, then stood up.
"We shall speak to the Empress. You need only focus on recovering. Stop filling your head with nonsense and scaring yourself."
"Oh…"
Yun Shu propped herself up on one arm, sticking her head out from the blanket with hopeful eyes.
"Couldn't I still have a few Dragon Shadow Guards?"
"...Fine."
Emperor Xuanwu almost laughed from sheer disbelief.
"Cover yourself properly. Do you want to fall sick again?"
"I won't! I have floor heating in my room!"
Overjoyed at finally getting what she wanted, Yun Shu beamed.
"Father Emperor, remember to send me several guards!"
"You dream well."
This time, Emperor Xuanwu truly left without looking back.
"Four. No more. Take it or leave it."
"I'll take it!"
Yun Shu wriggled happily under her blanket.
"Four is perfect!"
===
The Ministry of Rites (礼部, lǐbù) was one of the key ministries within the central government of ancient China, responsible for a wide range of cultural, religious, diplomatic, and educational affairs. It played a crucial role in maintaining the traditional social order and ensuring that both the internal and external relations of the empire adhered to the Confucian ideals of propriety and respect.