One stood as the leader of all civil officials. The other, though only of fifth rank, was the Emperor's own daughter.
When these two suddenly clashed in open court, the tension grew so thick the gathered ministers instinctively quieted their breath.
At last, Emperor Xuanwu cleared his throat lightly, breaking the charged silence.
"Xiao Wu is not mistaken. She has, indeed, fulfilled all expectations.
The original intent behind establishing the Merchants' Association was precisely to curb the growing problem of land annexation.
Beyond that, the matters of long-distance irrigation and the shortage of draft oxen have likewise been resolved. Once court is dismissed, the Minister of Works shall attend Us in the imperial study. We must ensure these two marvelous inventions are disseminated among the common people before the spring planting."
"Your servant obeys."
The Minister of Works promptly stepped forward to accept the decree.
Yet by this time, no one was paying him any heed.
All eyes were fixed on the two items the Emperor himself had dubbed "marvels," and the young Princess Sheng An, rumored to be behind their creation.
"Does the Right Prime Minister have further doubts?"
Unfazed by the stares bearing down upon her, Yun Shu tilted her head slightly, her tone boldly provocative.
The Right Prime Minister's expression remained taut. He made a perfunctory cupped-hands salute.
"The Princess possesses great talent. To resolve these longstanding issues is worthy of the highest admiration.
Yet this old official must repeat what he has said. When we first discussed these matters, the Princess had not yet entered court. Now that Your Highness has taken up such duties, as a woman in court, your very presence invites scrutiny.
Should Your Highness continue to act without restraint, the rumors will only multiply. In time, even you may find the weight of them too much to bear."
"Why would there be so many rumors?"
Princess Sheng An's youthful features twisted in indignation.
Whether driven by pride or some deeper irritation, she spoke without thinking.
"Did they not say the Zhibei flowers will, after blooming, bear white, fluffy fruit like clouds? If so, what if This Princess simply bought them all?"
All of them?
Clearly still young, this impulsive princess had blurted out such a rash idea in front of the entire court.
The Right Prime Minister scoffed, unimpressed.
"If the farmers growing Zhibei flowers may profit, then naturally, Your Highness would not be seen as squandering the treasury.
However, Your Highness would do well to consider carefully. The five hundred dan of Zhibei seeds planted will yield a harvest far exceeding that amount.
If Your Highness intends to purchase them all, the sum required will be astronomical."
"Does the Right Prime Minister fear This Princess lacks silver?"
Yun Shu met him head-on.
"If so, then your concerns are truly unnecessary."
"This old official only meant to offer a word of guidance, given Your Highness' youth."
If she wished to squander her wealth, what did that matter to him?
Let her flaunt her calculations. A spoiled princess, easily provoked and lacking restraint, would never amount to much.
Whatever flicker of apprehension he'd felt toward Yun Shu earlier dissipated without him noticing. Looking wholly at ease, the Right Prime Minister gripped his ivory tablet and said no more.
And so, Yun Shu's first time attending morning court concluded amidst a swirl of mixed expressions.
She flicked her sleeves, mingling with the departing officials.
She had barely taken two steps when Li Dehai came scurrying over.
"Princess, please wait. His Majesty requests your presence in the imperial study."
"Did Father Emperor not already summon the Minister of Works?"
What did laborers hate most?
Working.
And worse than that?
Thinking the day was over, only to be told there was overtime.
That was the agony Yun Shu now faced.
Her face fell.
"Those inventions weren't even made by This Princess. Why must I be dragged along to the spectacle?"
"Your Highness jests."
Li Dehai offered a polite smile.
"The Emperor has decreed it. This servant is but the messenger."
Yun Shu fell silent.
Right. She had almost forgotten. Her superior was the Emperor himself. If he said work overtime, then she had no right to refuse.
Wearing an undisguised scowl, Yun Shu made her way to the imperial study like a well-trained but resentful court official.
To her surprise, Emperor Xuanwu did not include her in the discussion with the Minister of Works.
Only after the minister departed with the blueprints did the Emperor finally turn his gaze to his daughter, who had all but faded into the background.
"Why the sour face?"
He gave her a once-over, amusement tugging at his brows.
"Who has ruffled your feathers this time?"
"No one."
Yun Shu pouted, then muttered, clearly even more displeased.
"It's just... This feels like being forced to go to school when you don't want to."
Ah, he understood now. She was afflicted with laziness.
But he was not inclined to indulge it.
Emperor Xuanwu let out a low chuckle, his gaze sharpening ever so slightly.
"So it was laziness that kept you from revealing your talent in calculation before now?"
"Not exactly."
Yun Shu lowered her head, fiddling with her sleeves. She began to deliver the explanation she had prepared long ago.
"This so-called talent of mine has limits."
"What do you mean?"
"To perform mental arithmetic quickly, I have to focus all my attention, to the point of exhaustion. It is mentally draining."
As she spoke, her words grew more offhanded, drifting into casual fabrication.
"Father Emperor saw how I nearly nodded off after going through those three ledgers in court, didn't you? That was the fatigue from intense focus. Even now, all I want is to return to Fengyang Palace and sleep."
Emperor Xuanwu said nothing.
It did not sound entirely truthful.
But perhaps, there was a sliver of truth within the exaggeration.
After a brief silence, he let the subject drop.
"You are aware of the Spring Ploughing Ceremony are you not?"
"Just now I overheard Your Majesty mention it to Wang daren."
She did not know why the topic had shifted so suddenly, but since he was no longer pressing her about her astounding gift, she considered it a welcome change.
Yun Shu nodded obediently.
"There's still a month left, isn't there?
"The construction of the curved-beam plough and waterwheel is simple enough. As long as the method is shared, that should be ample time for the farmers who need them."
"That is not Our concern."
Emperor Xuanwu looked up.
"What We mean is this: this year, you shall attend the Spring Ploughing Ceremony as well."