Princess Sheng An's proposal was, in truth, perfectly reasonable. Right Prime Minister and Minister Yan exchanged glances, their expressions turning grave.
Although neither of them quite believed that Yun Shu's so-called "glance-and-answer" approach was genuine, her unnervingly calm demeanor throughout had not gone unnoticed. To say they felt no apprehension would have been a lie.
But the situation had already reached this point. To retreat now would be to lose face—and with the Emperor seated upon the dragon throne, such a withdrawal would never be permitted.
After taking a silent breath to steel himself, Minister Yan cupped his hands in acceptance.
"Your Highness is gracious in offering Your instruction. This humble servant is profoundly grateful. However, this matter now falls upon Right Prime Minister."
"It is but the matter of posing a question. Hardly a troublesome task," the Right Prime Minister replied indifferently.
He cast a glance at Yun Shu, then paused to ponder. Once he saw that Minister Yan had prepared his abacus, ink, and brush, he finally spoke:
"A certain merchant house dealt in textiles last year. They hired one thousand three hundred twenty-six workers to weave cloth. Among them, nine hundred eighty-five were paid ten taels and eight hundred wen, while the rest received eleven taels and two hundred thirty-one wen.
As for dyeing costs… thirteen thousand sixty-nine bolts of cloth were shipped by water to Jiangnan, and five thousand seven hundred twenty-one bolts were transported by land to Jiangdong.
Water freight amounted to… costs of the various storefronts were as follows…"
Evidently intent on testing Yun Shu, the Right Prime Minister had deliberately crafted a problem of considerable complexity. The figures were not only numerous but scattered across multiple categories, and none were trivial sums.
What he failed to realize, however, was that his difficulty tested not Yun Shu, but Minister Yan.
Where complex multiplications could be solved in an instant by Yun Shu—simply by speaking the numbers aloud and receiving the answer from her Excel spreadsheet—Minister Yan was left furiously clattering his abacus beads, sparks nearly flying from the effort.
Yun Shu, meanwhile, rested her chin in one palm, her eyes seemingly glazed over in boredom.
The Right Prime Minister, misreading her languid posture, believed he had finally flustered her into a stupor.
But just as he finished speaking, and asked:
"How much profit did this merchant house earn over the course of the year?"
A crisp voice rang out almost instantly.
"Five hundred thirty-six thousand, seven hundred twenty-one taels and nine hundred eighteen wen."
The Right Prime Minister's face froze. Across from Yun Shu, Minister Yan's head shot up, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Why does Minister Yan regard This Princess so?" Yun Shu stood, balancing on tiptoe to peek at his paper. "Could it be your result differs from mine?
If so, This Princess suggests you recalculate. After all, This Princess cannot be wrong."
"…Your Highness jests."
Only now recovering from his daze, Minister Yan realized his lapse in composure. With an awkward smile, he said, "This servant simply did not expect Your Highness to compute so quickly. I have yet to complete my own calculation."
"Then Minister Yan had best complete it properly," Yun Shu replied with mock concern.
"Otherwise, should anyone question whether Minister Yan is truly fit for the position of Minister of Revenue, you may find yourself—like This Princess—compelled to prove your worth before the court."
"Your Highness speaks wisely."
Forcing a strained laugh, Minister Yan lowered his head again, returning to his abacus. Yet now that his composure had been shaken, his fingers no longer moved with their former fluidity.
He even miscalculated twice, though he managed to correct himself each time.
Clack. Clack.
With the final bead's sharp snap, Minister Yan sat motionless at the desk, stunned into silence.
The Right Prime Minister felt a rising dread. Before he could decide how to salvage the situation, Yun Shu once again leaned in curiously.
"Minister Yan, what is your answer? Or does it truly differ from This Princess'?"
"…No, quite the opposite," Minister Yan muttered hoarsely. It took great effort before he finally forced the words from his throat.
"Five hundred thirty-six thousand, seven hundred twenty-one taels and nine hundred eighteen wen. This servant's answer… is exactly the same as Her Highness'."
A murmur swept through the hall.
Even Emperor Xuanwu's gaze brightened with mirth as he burst into laughter.
"Excellent! Princess Sheng An is extraordinarily gifted. In the realm of mathematics, she possesses divine talent. Truly, Heaven has bestowed upon Us the most fitting candidate to lead the Merchants' Association—none could compare!
Sheng An, hear Our decree!"
"Your daughter is present."
"Our fifth daughter Yun Shu, endowed with rare brilliance, has shown herself capable of wise governance and noble duty. In recognition of such talent, We hereby appoint her as President of the Merchants' Association. She shall henceforth hold this esteemed post, entrusted with full authority over all commercial affairs within the court. May she not disappoint Our expectations."
"Your daughter receives the decree with gratitude. Long live Father Emperor!"
Before the court officials had fully recovered from their astonishment, father and daughter had already concluded the matter. With the imperial edict declared, Yun Shu's new title was firmly established.
There was no time left for protest.
The Right Prime Minister opened his mouth as though to speak, but could only force a polite congratulation. He would have to seek another opportunity if he wished to challenge her authority.
"…Since Princess Sheng An is now a court official, certain matters must no longer be pursued," he began.
"Oh?" Yun Shu raised a brow. "And what matters might the Right Prime Minister be referring to?"
"Why, the absurd plan of planting Zhibei blossoms across all of Tian Sheng," he declared, with a flick of his sleeve. "When Her Highness was merely a princess, young and impetuous, such indulgence could be excused.
But court officials must hold the empire in their hearts—His Majesty, the people of Tian Sheng, the realm itself.
If Her Highness continues in this reckless course, this old servant shall be the first to oppose it."
"So the Right Prime Minister intends to go back on his word?" Yun Shu asked, tilting her head.
She had yet to receive her official robe and tablet, but even without them, she stood with hands tucked into her sleeves, a curious fusion of obedience and impudence that somehow suited her perfectly.
"After demanding so many trials of This Princess, now you say it no longer counts? Such capricious conduct will make it difficult for the Right Prime Minister to command respect in the future."
"This servant acts only in Her Highness' interest," the Right Prime Minister replied haughtily, brushing off her challenge. "Now that Her Highness holds office, where shall you find the time to pursue such matters?
Rather than wasting your energy, it is best to abandon the endeavor altogether."
"But This Princess has already completed it."
Yun Shu's words came quick as lightning.
The Right Prime Minister's response was reflexive.
"Impossible!"
"How so?"
"It simply cannot be!"