None of those present had expected Yun Shu to strike in such a way. Still less had they imagined that she held such precise knowledge of secrets from the court officials' pasts—some dating back decades, even to their childhoods.
After all, who could live decades of life without a single embarrassing incident?
And yet, here they stood each a high-ranking official of the court, having their long-buried blunders dragged into the light before their colleagues. How could their dignity possibly withstand such a blow?
Moments ago, the ministers had been impassioned, ready to argue with Yun Shu to the bitter end. Now, their fire was doused, banners lowered in quiet retreat.
Each avoided Yun Shu's gaze, their demeanor reminiscent of students in class when the teacher looked for someone to answer a difficult question.
Even the usually composed Right Prime Minister, when met with Yun Shu's eyes, lifted his head theatrically to study the rafters of the hall.
Only the unlucky Minister of Revenue, whom the Right Chancellor had already named, reacted with a flinch, as though by instinct. Then, remembering his duty, he forced himself to meet Yun Shu's eyes head-on.
He shifted his left leg, just about to step forward and speak, when Yun Shu suddenly turned away. She stepped forward and offered a proper salute to Emperor Xuanwu before the minister could utter a word.
"Father Emperor," Yun Shu said, voice clear, "while collecting anecdotes for the Capital Weekly, this daughter chanced upon several accounts from Your Majesty's court officials—tales from their youth, things once unknown to the public.
From these, this daughter came to understand that factors such as age, education, or noble lineage while often seen as crucial are not, in truth, reliable indicators of whether one is fit to serve as an official, or whether one can be a good official.
For instance, Grand Preceptor Cui, who once tutored both this daughter and the Sixth Prince. Though his scholarship was commendable, he was by no means suited to instruct royal children."
Emperor Xuanwu raised a brow. "There is some truth in your words."
He had thought he would spend this morning in the Xuan Zhen Hall watching the ministers soundly rebuke this unruly girl. He had only just begun to enjoy the show when she abruptly changed tack.
A hint of disappointment flashed through his heart, but he nodded anyway.
"Then according to you, what is the measure of one's fitness for office?"
"Naturally, it lies in whether the person can fulfill their duties effectively!" Yun Shu replied with calm confidence.
She held up three fingers.
"As things stand, the responsibilities of the President of the Merchants' Association can be summarized in three tasks.
First, to present the memorials submitted by local association leaders to Your Majesty, and to assist Your Majesty in addressing them impartially, without personal bias.
In this matter, This Princess dares say that none is better suited than I.
After all, I have spent my years secluded within the palace, know few people, and—as today clearly shows—do not seem to be particularly well liked. The noble clans, one way or another, all seem to find fault with me.
Thus, when it comes to impartiality and maintaining equally poor relations with all, none among you can rival This Princess.
As for managing affairs… with Father Emperor making the decisions, This Princess is merely assisting. What could be so difficult about that?"
The court went silent.
…How was she able to say such things without a flicker of shame?
Equally disliked by all, and proud of it?
"Second," Yun Shu continued, undisturbed by the bewildered looks around her, "the office must ensure that each year, the associations who contribute the highest tax revenue receive exclusive opportunities—unique business rights, if you will.
Given the speed with which This Princess developed low-cost paper and printing techniques, I daresay none here can match my results."
No one replied.
This, at least, was difficult to refute.
"And third," Yun Shu said, turning slowly as her eyes settled on the Minister of Revenue, "the most important task of all—auditing accounts."
She pointedly addressed him by name.
"This Princess cannot prove her skills with words alone. However, if I am able to surpass Lord Yan of the Ministry of Revenue, I believe the rest of you will have no further doubts."
"Naturally!" someone echoed from the crowd.
None had expected Yun Shu herself to raise the challenge, especially against such a seasoned official.
She was only a child. She had merely opened a restaurant and looked over a few ledgers, did she truly believe she could match the Minister of Revenue?
Such arrogance.
The Right Chancellor scoffed silently. He feared Emperor Xuanwu might protect his daughter and gloss over the matter, so he hurried to seal Yun Shu's fate.
"If Princess Sheng An truly possesses such skill, then appointing Her Highness as President would indeed be a worthy choice.
"But if she does not..."
"Then This Princess shall suffer public humiliation!" Yun Shu said, as if it were nothing.
The Right Prime Minister stiffened.
Did she think a light jest would spare her from consequences?
Naive.
He gave a disdainful snort, chin raised. "If the Princess fails to meet expectations, then she ought to relinquish the position to one more deserving."
"Very well!" Yun Shu agreed at once, utterly unbothered. "Shall we begin? Bring over a few ledgers and start the comparison?"
"Li Dehai," Emperor Xuanwu called.
He had not expected Yun Shu to offer such a bold challenge. While the royal study had included arithmetic in its curriculum, it had never been a focus.
If anything, she would have only touched the basics.
Nor had he ever heard anyone speak of Yun Shu showing remarkable talent in this area.
Could she really outperform Minister Yan?
Emperor Xuanwu felt a flutter of unease.
But the girl's tongue was too quick. Before he could intercede, she and the Right Chancellor had already reached a verbal agreement.
With so many officials bearing witness, it was too late to stop the matter now.
At this point, he could only hope she might show some competence. Even if she could not win, so long as she did not lose too badly, he could still find a way to smooth things over.
His gaze lingered on Yun Shu for two seconds before he sighed.
"Bring the ledgers and abacus."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Li Dehai responded and soon returned, holding several account books and two abacuses.
"This Princess has no need of the abacus," Yun Shu said casually.
She took one of the ledgers in hand, then walked over to the desk the emperor had prepared and sat down, her tone light and leisurely.
"This Princess respects the old and cherishes the young. It is only proper to give Lord Yan a head start."
"Your Highness speaks with undue arrogance," Minister Yan said, his tone sharp.
He already found the comparison demeaning, as if a seasoned general were being asked to duel a child barely three years old.
And now this child had the gall to toss aside her weapon and still claim she would win.
It was outright humiliation.