"Does Father Emperor find the proposal improper?"
Seeing the flicker of reluctance in Emperor Xuanwu's eyes, Yun Shu, ever perceptive, promptly adjusted her suggestion.
"If the Imperial Garden is not suitable, then what say You to using Your daughter's Fengyang Palace instead? I had long intended to clear a plot in the rear courtyard to cultivate some Zhibei flowers, but have yet to find the time to do so."
"...Are you certain?"
Had she not said before that Zhibei flowers grow far taller than common blossoms, and thrive best with ample fertilization?
If such unsightly matters were forbidden in the Imperial Garden, would they be acceptable in the quarters of a princess?
Emperor Xuanwu hesitated briefly, then suddenly called out to Li Dehai.
"We recall that palace behind Fengyang Palace. Is it still unoccupied?"
"It is," Li Dehai replied softly. "As it happens, the Yihe Palace behind Fengyang Palace was once shared by Noble Lady Lan and several other selected maidens when she first entered the palace. After Noble Lady Lan moved to the Yufu Palace, the others gradually departed one by one, leaving Yihe Palace abandoned. It has remained vacant for more than a decade now."
Noble Lady Lan...
Emperor Xuanwu's expression turned faintly distant, concern rising within him at the thought that Xiao Wu might feel saddened upon hearing this. Yet, after a moment's contemplation, he still voiced his original thought.
"Would Xiao Wu be willing to reside in Yihe Palace?"
"Is Yihe Palace larger than Fengyang Palace?"
Yun Shu gave the matter little thought.
Had Emperor Xuanwu offered her Yufu Palace instead, she might have responded with a touch of sentiment. But Yihe Palace? From Eunuch Li's account, it was little more than a shared dormitory. There was no call for sentiment over such a place. Yun Shu, ever pragmatic, responded plainly.
"If it is significantly larger, then this daughter shall accept it. But if it is only comparable in size or but slightly larger, then I would prefer to remain in Fengyang Palace. It would spare the trouble of moving."
"We are not certain which is larger, Yihe Palace or Fengyang Palace," Emperor Xuanwu admitted.
The palace was vast, with numerous halls and residences. As Son of Heaven, how could he be expected to keep track of the square footage of a remote corner that had lain idle for over ten years?
He waved his sleeve with practiced ease.
"Did you not once complain that Fengyang Palace was too small? Yihe Palace is vacant regardless. You may as well use it to cultivate those Zhibei flowers you so desire."
A whole palace's distance should be enough to keep the smell at bay… should it not?
"Many thanks, Father Emperor!"
She had not expected such a sudden windfall. A palace gifted out of nowhere—of course Yun Shu would not decline. She promptly changed her tone.
"Then, let Us test the improved plow in Our Yihe Palace!"
"Very well."
Only then did Emperor Xuanwu flick his sleeve and clasp his hands behind his back.
"Let Us go and see."
…
Yihe Palace had indeed been long abandoned. The flowers and shrubs once grown there had long been choked out by rampant weeds.
Yet in preparation for the Emperor's visit to test the improved plow, Li Dehai had thoughtfully arranged for guards to arrive ahead of time and clear away the most unruly of the growth.
By the time Yun Shu and her entourage arrived, though the weeds were not entirely gone, they no longer posed any hindrance to the plow's use.
"Father Emperor, please look!"
It had not been convenient to explain the improvements to the curved-beam plow on the way over, but now that they had arrived, Yun Shu wasted no time stepping beside the tool and pointing it out with enthusiasm.
"The Third Prince and Xiao Yuanzi both mentioned in their letter that the key improvement in this new plow, compared to the traditional twin-plow used by farmers, lies in its adjustable beam. This allows the plow body to swivel during use, making it better suited for deep tilling. It is also lighter and more agile, easier to maneuver.
This component here is called the plow lever. Lift it upward, and the plowshare angles up, resulting in a shallow cut into the soil. Press it downward, and the share sinks deeper."
"Excellent."
Emperor Xuanwu was not some sovereign removed from worldly affairs who understood nothing of agricultural implements. He was familiar with how the twin-plow operated, which made him all the more aware of just how beneficial Yun Shu's described improvements could be for the Tian Sheng Dynasty's agricultural output.
He stepped forward himself and placed both hands upon the curved-beam plow.
Seeing this, Li Dehai quickly signaled to the two guards standing nearby.
The guards did not dare delay. They stepped forward, hoisted the hauling ropes, and began to pull with deliberate strength.
"It moves! Truly, it moves!"
As the plow slowly advanced, delight bloomed in Li Dehai's eyes.
"Your Majesty, this servant congratulates You! To gain such a divine implement is truly Heaven's blessing upon Our Tian Sheng Dynasty!"
"Indeed, it is commendable."
Emperor Xuanwu was already in fine spirits. Hearing Li Dehai's well-practiced flattery only delighted him further, and he laughed heartily.
Unlike Li Dehai, who had entered the palace since young and lacked deep knowledge of such matters, Emperor Xuanwu, with his hands on the plow, perceived even more.
He could now confirm without doubt that Yun Shu had not exaggerated. This curved-beam plow was truly a marvel that would benefit both the state and the common folk.
The more he examined it, the more pleased he became—and then he discovered another surprise.
"These two men seem to find the plow rather easy to pull. Why not try it with only one?"
The two guards exchanged glances. One released the rope and stepped back. The other pulled alone and the plow still moved smoothly.
Elated, Emperor Xuanwu next summoned Li Dehai to try it, and soon even Tingxue was called forth to pull the plow. Remarkably, not a single one of them failed.
Emperor Xuanwu's laughter rang louder still. In his joy, he could not resist teasing Yun Shu.
"And yet you claimed this plow required two people to operate. Were you merely blaming your own lack of strength?"
"…It was Third Brother and Xiao Yuanzi who said so, not me."
Yun Shu rubbed her nose, feigning innocence.
"And they were speaking of plowing paddy fields."
Everyone knew it took more effort to till wet fields than dry ones. Yet the truth was, most of Tian Sheng's farmland was dry fields.
After all, aside from rice, which must be planted in paddy fields, other crops like wheat and vegetables were all grown in dry soil.
After a moment's realization, Emperor Xuanwu narrowed his eyes at Yun Shu and laughed in mock scolding.
"You little rascal, was this deliberate? You never once mentioned 'paddy fields' just now."
"Was not my intent to surprise Father Emperor with another joy?"
Yun Shu sidled up, grinning.
"Moreover, Xiao Yuanzi is already working on solving the problem of requiring two people to pull the plow in paddy fields."
"Oh?"
After hearing the name "Xiao Yuanzi" from Yun Shu countless times, Emperor Xuanwu finally gave it proper heed.
"He already has a solution?"
"At present, one could say he has an idea, but whether it shall succeed remains to be seen."