"Consort Mother said, if Fifth Elder Sister can enter the court, it would be a fine thing for women throughout the realm!"
In truth, Noble Consort Liu had said far more than just this one line. But most of her words had gone over Yun Chuhuan's head, so he naturally remembered only the gist.
Fortunately, even this simplified summary was enough for Yun Shu to piece together the truth.
"So, all those pieces I published in the Capital Weekly to awaken the women of Tian Sheng… ended up helping me after all?"
"What do you mean?" Yun Chuhuan blinked, confused. "What awakening? What does that have to do with the Capital Weekly?"
"It's nothing."
Yun Shu had just given his round little cheeks a pinch. They were still delightfully soft to the touch. Unable to resist, she reached out and gave his face another affectionate squeeze.
"I'm considering when I should make a proper visit to Yaohua Palace to thank your Consort Mother in person."
"My mother is doing just fine! She doesn't need any token of thanks from you!"
The moment he heard that, Yun Chuhuan's spirits lifted. He no longer even tried to dodge Yun Shu's hand, letting her pinch his cheeks at will as he beamed foolishly.
"Well, if you really do want to thank her, Fifth Elder Sister, you could always redirect that gratitude to me. I could really use it!"
"You?"
Yun Shu raised an eyebrow and let out a light scoff.
"Didn't I just give you five thousand taels of silver recently? You've already run out?"
"You don't understand, Fifth Elder Sister. Out of those five thousand taels, I only managed to give one hundred taels to Xiao Yuanzi. The remaining four thousand nine hundred were all taken by my Consort Mother!"
Just thinking about those silver notes—notes he had once clutched even in his sleep for fear of losing them—only to have them snatched away, made Yun Chuhuan grumble bitterly.
"Just two days ago, I wanted to tip a little eunuch and couldn't even produce a coin! Tell me, is there any prince in this realm poorer than me?"
"Probably not."
Yun Shu nodded solemnly in agreement.
"But hearing all this, it seems giving you more silver notes would be pointless. Your Consort Mother would just confiscate them again."
"I know! That's why I'm not asking you for silver this time!"
Yun Chuhuan's mood flipped faster than a palace curtain in a summer breeze. In the blink of an eye, the gloomy, sulky face turned into that of a fawning, eager puppy.
"Fifth Elder Sister, I heard the Spring Ploughing Ceremony requires all court officials to attend. Now that you're officially one of them, does that mean you're going too?"
"I am."
Yun Shu gave him a sideways glance, her tone mildly suspicious.
"And you're asking about this all of a sudden… don't tell me you want to go too?"
"This is why you're the one fit for office!"
Yun Chuhuan grinned and began circling around Yun Shu like a loyal attendant.
"Just think, all those other officials in court have beards longer than my arm. You can't possibly have anything in common with them, right? So why not take me along?"
"Very well."
"Fifth Elder Sister, you—huh? You agree?"
He had prepared a whole speech to plead his case, only to find she didn't need any convincing at all.
Yun Chuhuan's eyes widened in delight, his face glowing with joy.
"Then… you'll speak to Father Emperor for me?"
"I already have."
Yun Shu gave a placid nod.
"Father Emperor agreed."
"For real?!"
The good fortune hit him so suddenly he had trouble believing it.
"Fifth Elder Sister, you're not teasing me, are you?"
"What would I gain from that? In a little while, someone from Father Emperor's side will likely come to Yaohua Palace to inform you. If you don't believe me, you can go wait there yourself, or even ask Father Emperor directly."
"No need, no need, I believe you! Fifth Elder Sister is the best!"
Completely unaware that he was merely a bonus gift used by Emperor Xuanwu to placate Yun Shu, Yun Chuhuan skipped after her gleefully. After a few breathless compliments, he suddenly remembered something else.
"By the way, Fifth Elder Sister, the Crown Prince's wedding is in three days. Are you going?"
"Three days from now?"
She had already guessed yesterday that the Crown Prince was likely getting married soon. But three days felt rather abrupt.
"Father Emperor didn't mention it this morning. How do you know it's in three days?"
"Crown Prince sent invitations out this morning. Yours should've been delivered to Fengyang Palace by now."
Yun Chuhuan scratched his head and gave her a cautious look.
"But since it's only for a secondary consort, we don't need to attend in person. Just sending a gift should suffice for people of our status. If you're not going, I won't go either."
"Why wouldn't I go?"
Yun Shu disliked unnecessary trouble, but that didn't mean she would turn a blind eye when someone dared bring it to her doorstep.
The matter from the Tian Waitian Restaurant's opening was still fresh in her mind. The Crown Prince and Shen Jingshu had chosen that day to make their little scene, and she had not forgotten.
Even if it were only for the sake of balance, she ought to return the favor at their wedding.
She was not known for being magnanimous.
Throwing an arm around Yun Chuhuan's shoulder with all the flair of a capital scoundrel, she declared with a crooked grin completely unbefitting a princess,
"Not only am I going, I'm bringing a generous gift as well."
"…A generous gift?"
Even someone as dense as Yun Chuhuan sensed something was amiss.
"Fifth Elder Sister, what exactly do you mean by generous?"
"You'll see in three days."
Yun Shu tapped him twice on the head and lazily lifted her eyelids, her relaxed smile laced with the faintest touch of mockery.
"It ought to be quite the spectacle."
A spectacle?
That was exactly the kind of thing he loved!
Rubbing his hands in excitement, Yun Chuhuan asked eagerly,
"Then is there anything I can do to help?"
"You?"
Yun Shu tilted her head and gave him a sidelong glance.
"You… just be in charge of causing a little chaos."
"You don't mean you want me to tear down the Eastern Palace, do you?"
His enthusiasm collapsed in an instant. Yun Chuhuan waved his hands frantically.
"I can't do that! The moment I flip the first table, the Crown Prince will have me thrown out! Not to mention, the Censorate would impeach me, Father Emperor would punish me, and then—"
"Enough."
Yun Shu winced at the barrage of anxious complaints.
Tearing down the Eastern Palace?
Even she hadn't dared think that far. It was amazing he could leap to such conclusions.
With a click of her tongue, Yun Shu muttered under her breath,
"I meant, during the banquet, you should just casually wander in front of the Crown Prince and Shen Jingshu a few times. Be a little reckless in your movements. Startle them if you must. Just remember, no real harm must be done."