Though the diplomatic Minister of Ceremonies, a man known for his smooth temperament and diplomatic skill, did his utmost to ease the tension, the verbal clash between both sides still ended in Tian Sheng's disfavor—at least on the surface.
After all, their opponent was none other than the Marquis of Wu'an, the very man who had once led troops to defeat Bei Xiang and forced them to pay tribute to Tian Sheng for more than twenty years.
That insult had festered in Bei Xiang's gut like a swallowed blade. To expect them to simply swallow it again was naive at best.
So along the way, the Bei Xiang delegation sought every opportunity to provoke.
But try as they might, the appearance of Tian Sheng's capital today—though still imperfect in the eyes of someone like Yun Shu, who hailed from a more advanced world—was a far cry ahead of the more backward Bei Xiang.
Even when the Eldest Prince and the heir of Prince Lian tried to find fault, they were forced to first consider their own standing. They strained to nitpick, resorting to the crooked angle of a tree by the roadside as an excuse to grumble with veiled barbs.
But truly, their words lacked any bite.
The Marquis of Wu'an and the others couldn't even be bothered to respond, which only made their accusers all the more vexed.
The entire Bei Xiang envoy was nursing that indignation until they finally laid eyes on the hiring notice posted in front of Tian Waitian Restaurant.
At last, their eyes lit up with visible excitement.
"Seeking kitchen apprentices, dishwashers, servers, senior attendants. Open to both men and women. No age restrictions. Must be quick, diligent, willing to work hard and eager to learn..."
Reading each word aloud, the Bei Xiang Eldest Prince was the first to let out a laugh.
"To think—Tian Sheng's women must now labor outside the home like men to support their families."
"Now this—this is truly something!"
Having finally caught hold of a true sore spot, the heir of Prince Lian immediately chimed in:
"This prince recalls how, years ago, Princess Baza grew curious about Tian Sheng and accompanied the delegation during their visit.
When she returned, she sulked for three days.
Why? Because the people of Tian Sheng were so rigid. The princess had worn our Bei Xiang attire and merely exposed part of her arm—yet one of Tian Sheng's uptight scholars scolded her for offending public decency.
Later, this prince learned that Tian Sheng women lived in pitiful subjugation.
They are regarded as a man's private property. Even a sliver of wrist may not be seen by others. When visiting a physician, they must even keep a cloth between their skin and the doctor's hand while having their pulse taken.
Worse still, they say that only when a household has no men left will a woman be permitted to go out and earn a living.
This prince once believed that in a capital city—under the feet of the Son of Heaven, in the most prosperous land of all—such things would surely not occur.
And yet..."
He sighed with mock sincerity, then turned toward the Third Prince with a look of grave concern.
"Third Prince, pray tell—what has happened to your great Tian Sheng these past few years? Have all your men... perished?"
His tone grew pointed on the last few words, and even a three-year-old could hear the malice dripping from his voice.
For the first time, the Tian Sheng delegation—Third Prince included—began to show visible signs of anger.
Though the words spoken by the Bei Xiang Eldest Prince and Prince Lian's heir were undeniably harsh, they touched on a sore spot that many in Tian Sheng's court harbored quietly.
The doctrines of female virtue and restraint had long been part of Tian Sheng's fabric, yet rarely spoken aloud.
And Tian Waitian, the restaurant behind this "disgraceful" hiring notice, was backed by none other than Emperor Xuanwu himself.
Because of that, even those discontent with the changes dared not voice opposition.
Now that the Bei Xiang delegation had mocked it so openly, they were both incensed and speechless.
In that moment, the balance between both sides shifted once again.
Prince Lian's heir, having swept away his earlier frustration, threw a smug glance at the Marquis of Wu'an and sighed with false pity.
"What a tragedy this is."
"Why is it a tragedy?"
Just then, the Marquis of Wu'an finally spoke. His tone was calm, almost indifferent.
"Judging by the words of Prince Lian's heir, it seems you too find our former treatment of women too harsh. Now that Tian Sheng has recognized this fault and is striving to change, is that not something to be praised?"
"Well said, Marquis of Wu'an!"
From above, a bright voice rang out like the clear sound of jade striking stone.
Yun Shu, who had not expected such gratifying words from the general, couldn't help laughing with delight.
Her voice floated down from the fourth floor of Tian Waitian, drawing every gaze upward.
The Marquis of Wu'an and his men followed the sound instinctively—and indeed, there she stood.
A slender, proud figure, framed by the window and draped in ink-dark hair.
"Your servants pay respects to the Princess!"
"Princess?"
The Bei Xiang Eldest Prince raised his brows and lifted his head, finding his gaze locked on the elegant young woman above. Her features had already begun to hint at breathtaking beauty.
Instinctively, he straightened, adjusting his posture to what he believed was most charming to women.
But Yun Shu did not spare him so much as a glance.
She smiled lightly and said clearly,
"This Princess has always believed that one who dares face their shortcomings and takes swift, noble steps to improve—such a person is the true measure of strength.
This holds true for individuals, and for nations.
Tian Sheng is a vast and bountiful realm. In the past, only men were allowed to contribute their strengths, and even so, Tian Sheng led its neighbors in prosperity.
Now, if women may also lend their talents to this great endeavor, then our workforce of ten million becomes twenty million.
What heights might Tian Sheng yet reach? This Princess can scarcely wait to see it."
Indeed—
If women could also work, then the empire's labor force would effectively double.
The court officials of Tian Sheng, many of whom had never considered the matter from this perspective, fell into sudden silence.
Yun Shu's words had struck at the very roots of long-held belief.
Even if most would not change their views overnight, in this moment, her argument served their side with undeniable strength.
"Absurd!"
The heir of Prince Lian, watching the tide turn yet again, burst out.
"How can women ever compare to men? Double the labor force? Utter nonsense!
This entire street of women wouldn't be enough to take on one hand of mine in a fight!"
"That, Prince Lian's heir, is where you are mistaken."
Yun Shu chuckled softly.
"Setting aside the fact that Tian Sheng is a land of propriety and decorum—are all tasks in this world settled through brute force alone?
In every society, people fulfill different roles. Just as our Grand Preceptor of the Court need not wrestle mountain bears, yet still serves the empire through diplomacy and governance,
Should we then criticize him for not besting wild beasts in the forest?"
"You dare compare this prince to a mountain bear? You insult me!"
The heir of Prince Lian was livid.
Even the Marquis of Wu'an had never insulted him so directly.
And now, a mere woman—one who likely couldn't even lift a blade—had dared speak so?
How dare she!