"If you are willing, and should you succeed in assisting the Third Prince with producing the improved plough, This Princess shall petition His Majesty to grant you leave from the palace, and secure for you a post within the Ministry of Works.
Though it is unlikely you would be granted a formal office immediately, the stipend shall not be meager."
Yun Shu paused for a moment, then added, "In addition to that, This Princess shall bestow upon you a modest courtyard residence, so you may settle yourself outside the palace."
"Your servant is deeply grateful for Your Highness's benevolence!"
Xiao Yuanzi had already fallen to his knees with a thud the moment Yun Shu mentioned the possibility of leaving the palace and even obtaining a post in the Ministry of Works.
Now, hearing that she would also grant him a residence, he was overwhelmed with gratitude.
"Your servant shall not disappoint Your Highness!"
…
With Yun Shu's promise in hand, Xiao Yuanzi who already eager in matters of craftsmanship, was more motivated than ever.
By the time they arrived at the Third Prince's residence, it was still rather early in the day.
Given the Third Prince's usual temperament, having no court duties and yet still arriving late even to informal engagements, there was every chance he had not yet risen from bed.
Yun Shu had already prepared herself for a long wait at the residence.
Yet no sooner had she stepped foot inside than she was met head-on by a figure with disheveled hair, charging toward her with arms spread wide like some escaped lunatic—his gait uncannily reminiscent of Donald Duck.
"Fifth Younger Sister, what brings you here? Have you missed your Third Brother after only a few days apart?"
"…?"
Yun Shu silently withdrew the leg she had almost kicked out in reflex.
She stood still for a moment, not yet uttering a word, when the Third Prince darted up to her and swept aside the unruly locks that veiled his brow. With an air of exaggerated secrecy, he lowered his voice.
"Or did someone ask you to bring a message to me on their behalf?"
"Third Royal Brother."
Yun Shu leaned conspicuously away from him, not bothering to conceal her look of distaste.
"Does your residence lack bronze mirrors? A pond, at least, you surely must have."
"What pond?"
Yun Chu He, clearly unused to being spoken to with such sarcasm, blinked, slow to comprehend.
"Fifth Younger Sister desires a bronze mirror? Why, your Third Brother has them in abundance!"
"Then perhaps you ought to use them more often."
Yun Shu tugged at the corner of her mouth.
"Looking as you do now, it would be a miracle if you didn't frighten young maidens to tears."
"Impossible!"
Yun Chu He instinctively adjusted his robe and stood tall.
"Your Third Brother may not excel at everything, but in terms of appearance…"
Before he could finish, the very lock of hair he had swept aside earlier fell back into his eyes, obstructing his view once more.
Yun Chuhe's voice faltered. Realizing something at last, he abruptly turned and dashed back the way he came.
Even as he ran, he called out behind him, "Fifth Younger Sister, make yourself comfortable in the main hall! Whatever you wish to eat or drink, just ask! Your Third Brother shall return at once!"
…
This Third Brother of hers was somewhat different from what she had imagined.
Yun Shu took Xiao Yuanzi and Ting Xue into the main hall and sat down to wait.
As expected, Yun Chu He soon returned, thoroughly refreshed and dressed to perfection.
And truth be told, compared to the Eldest Prince—more brawn than refinement; the Crown Prince—dignified but distant; the Fourth Prince—handsome yet dull in demeanor; and the still-young Sixth Prince Yun Chuhuan, whose features had not yet matured,
It was the Third Prince, with his foxlike eyes and fine features, who stood out as the most refined among the already well-favored imperial sons.
No wonder he held such confidence in his own appearance.
Raising an eyebrow, Yun Shu asked in feigned curiosity, "Where exactly had Third Royal Brother fled to in such disarray?"
"Fled? What nonsense!"
Noticing that she hadn't forgotten the sorry state in which he'd appeared earlier, Yun Chuhe awkwardly rubbed his nose.
"These past few days, I have thrown myself wholly into devising improvements for the plough, all for Fifth Younger Sister's sake! I've scarcely eaten or slept. If nothing else, even if you do not thank me, must you mock me?"
"Very well. Then allow me to express my gratitude in advance, Third Royal Brother."
Yun Shu, never one to linger on pleasantries, acknowledged his words with a nod, then promptly inquired, "So, has the improved plough been completed?"
"…"
Was she always this unlovable?
If improving the plough were truly so easy, would it not have been done long ago?
Yun Chuhe paced over to a chair beside Yun Shu and sat down with deliberate resignation. "Your Third Brother is truly pitiful! Toiling day and night for days on end without so much as a decent meal,
Only for Fifth Younger Sister to finally recall my existence—yet instead of sparing a thought for me, or inviting me to your esteemed restaurant for a meal, the first words from your lips concern the plough.
Am I worth less than a piece of farm equipment in your eyes?"
"A plough can till the fields. Can you?"
His intentions were written all too plainly on his face.
Yun Shu let out a dry chuckle, wholly unmoved.
"If you wish to dine at the Tian Waitian Restaurant, go on your own. But if you cannot even afford the meal, then I suggest you abandon such idle dreams."
"I…"
It wasn't that he lacked the coin.
It was that he didn't know how to conduct himself once he was there.
Miss Tang remained so polite and distant toward him—if he made no move, there would be no chance for progress.
Yet if he acted too forward, he feared he would startle her.
If only Fifth Younger Sister who shared such close ties with Miss Tang could accompany him…
Just as Yun Chuhe opened his mouth again, clearly unwilling to let the matter rest, Yun Shu preempted him, pointing toward the young eunuch she had brought with her.
"I came today not just to visit, but to deliver a talent to Third Royal Brother.
Do not say This Princess is unwilling to help. If even with Xiao Yuanzi's assistance you still fail to produce an improved plough, then perhaps the matter is better left untouched."
"To receive such praise from Fifth Younger Sister, his capabilities must indeed be exceptional."
That Yun Shu would go so far as to leave the palace just to bring him such a helper took Yun Chu He by surprise. He now found himself genuinely curious as to what skills this rather ordinary-looking eunuch might possess.
"Come now, follow this prince to the rear courtyard and let us have a look. Whether the plough is whole or reduced to scattered parts, this prince has them all.
If you truly can make something of them and help this prince construct a proper improved plough, you shall be handsomely rewarded!"
"Your servant thanks Your Highness, Third Prince!"
Xiao Yuanzi hastily bowed in gratitude and followed after Yun Chuhe and Yun Shu, making their way into the utter chaos that was the rear courtyard—
Yes, in the most literal sense: utter chaos.
Yun Shu even suspected that Yun Chuhe had not spent the past few days pondering mechanics, but rather learning how best to demolish his own residence.