"Truly ingenious."
Zheng Qiaozhang echoed the sentiment, nodding with deep admiration.
"It has long been said that Princess Sheng An possesses a rare intellect—one that grants her insights even seasoned scholars may never reach in a lifetime."
"To witness it today is to understand that Her Highness's brilliance far surpasses anything we might have imagined."
"It is ingenious indeed, but…"
From within the crowd, a voice hesitated. The speaker was a tribute scholar as well, someone who held Princess Sheng An in high regard, yet whose thinking remained bound by tradition. Unable to restrain himself, he finally spoke his thoughts aloud.
"What purpose does it serve to fashion a door in such a way?"
Would lifting a hand to push open a door differ so greatly from lifting a hand to strike a stone? If Princess Sheng An truly possessed such talent, why squander it on what seemed like frivolous mechanical tricks rather than putting it toward a proper path?
"This is exactly why I say I cannot stand these bookworms who have read themselves into stupidity."
In a shadowed corner, Ji Yongtian had been thoroughly engrossed in contemplating how he might install such a marvelous door in his own courtyard. He was caught completely off guard by this dour remark, which immediately spoiled his mood.
He couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "No better than my father and elder brother. Dull as ditchwater, the lot of them."
"Indeed, utterly dull."
Yun Shu nodded in agreement. She gestured subtly toward a few individuals who had just spoken and turned to Ji Yongtian.
"You once claimed that no matter how well someone disguised themselves—be it behind a mask or under a cloak—if you had seen them even once, you could still recognize them."
She paused. "Then tell me, these few… do you know them?"
"More or less. Except for two, I can recognize all of them."
Ji Yongtian had been praised by Yun Shu before for this exact talent, so he was more than happy to show off a little more. He quickly pointed out each person Yun Shu had indicated—everyone except for Zheng Qiaozhang and the one who had questioned the door's purpose.
Once he had finished, he belatedly turned to ask, "Why do you want to know?"
"Nothing much. Just taking note."
Yun Shu casually swept aside her cloak, removed her mask, and stepped forward toward the crowd without the slightest trace of hesitation.
"Innovation," she said calmly, "exists for the sake of progress."
"Pro—Princess Sheng An!"
Amid the murmurs of the gathered men, a girl's clear voice suddenly rang out.
All heads turned in unison, following the direction of the voice. The moment they saw Yun Shu's face—still partially hidden beneath the mask—a few among them visibly panicked.
"Greetings to Princess Sheng An!"
"Prin—"
Ji Yongtian, who had reached out instinctively to stop her, bit his own tongue in the shock of recognition. Clutching his mouth, eyes wide with alarm, he looked from Yun Shu to the boy still standing beside him.
"You… you two—"
"What's the matter? Why the panic?"
Yun Chuhuan grinned, and in a voice only Ji Yongtian could hear, offered a not-so-reassuring reassurance.
"It's not like you did anything terrible. You merely stood before my Fifth Sister and spoke all manner of rude things about her. And you called This Prince a little brat."
He flashed another grin. "No big deal. We're not exactly known for our generosity. At most, you'll be caned to death."
Ji Yongtian: "!!!"
"S—"
"Shhh."
Yun Chuhuan raised a hand to silence his protest and continued in a deliberately ominous tone.
"If you say another word, we'll cut you down where you stand."
Ji Yongtian instantly clamped both hands over his mouth, eyes bulging in terror. He looked ready to suffocate himself on the spot.
The cause of all this chaos, meanwhile, had already turned her attention elsewhere, entirely unbothered.
Yun Shu walked calmly to the tribute scholar who had earlier questioned her. Her gaze was relaxed as she lifted her eyes to meet his.
"May This Princess pose a few questions?"
"Princess Sheng An need not ask permission!"
Though he could not quite grasp the purpose of such an 'automatic door', Yu Bingtian, as a scholar from humble roots, held deep respect and gratitude toward Yun Shu. He quickly bowed.
"I shall answer without reservation."
"Very well. The first question."
Yun Shu raised a finger.
"Clothing. Was it something that existed since the beginning of the heavens and earth?"
"Naturally… it was not."
Yu Bingtian paused, startled by the question.
"Clothing is crafted from fabric, which in turn is woven from threads…"
"Second question."
Yun Shu nodded slightly.
"Would the earliest garments be the same as the clothes you wear now?"
"Certainly not."
Yu Bingtian looked thoughtful, as though he had begun to grasp her intent.
"Clothing today is undoubtedly more convenient and comfortable than before."
"Third question."
She flicked a corner of her robe between two fingers, arching a brow.
"The robe you wear—how does it compare to mine?"
"It cannot compare at all."
Yu Bingtian bowed again, his voice earnest.
"Your Highness is saying that the difference between this door and an ordinary one is like the difference between fine silk and coarse hemp, is it not?"
"That is a fair interpretation."
Releasing the fabric in her hand, Yun Shu gave a faint nod.
"The Grand Preceptor once told me something I have never forgotten."
She looked toward the crowd.
"He said he joined court to serve the people of the realm, but he struggled for many years to determine what task existed that only he could do for them."
"A task that only he could do…?"
Within the crowd, more than a few young scholars—those with genuine ambitions to serve the people, like Ye Qing'an—grew thoughtful at her words.
"And did the Grand Preceptor ever find his answer?"
"He did."
Yun Shu's gaze swept across the gathered faces, pausing meaningfully.
"The Grand Preceptor said that the purpose of study is not only to understand principles and draw wisdom from the ancients, nor merely to find spiritual fulfillment. It also cultivates virtue, broadens one's horizons, fosters reflection, and drives innovation.
In the present era of the Tian Sheng Dynasty, what we lack most is innovation.
Perhaps the true task he was meant to fulfill was to apply his knowledge in ways that would truly benefit the common people—creating things like the curved plow and the printing press, inventions that could change lives."
The Tian Sheng Dynasty remained far too stagnant.
Since she had chosen this path—since she had resolved to become a true Empress—then she would give her all to usher in a new age of flourishing prosperity.
Even if this era lacked the mindset for innovation, she could cultivate it. Bit by bit. Step by step.
And she would begin with these scholars standing before her—those who would soon enter the court.
Most of them might never come to understand. That was all right. In every era, it was only a rare few who pushed the boundaries of history and technology.
She noticed that Tang Muzhi, Zheng Qiaozhang, and Yu Bingtian, who stood at the front, all seemed deep in thought. Even Emperor Xuanwu had glanced her way with rare attentiveness.
Yun Shu's expression stilled for a moment. Then she smiled once more—soft and unthreatening.
"Since there are no further questions about this automatic door…"
She turned back toward the crowd.
"Let the poetry gathering resume."