At this point in the original story, the great flood that would drown the capital was set to happen next month. Lives were at stake, and Yun Shu dared not delay.
At first light the following day, she arrived at the Waterworks Bureau under the Ministry of Works.
But perhaps because she had not sent word ahead, the usually spacious bureau was all but deserted. Aside from two drowsy-looking clerks nodding off at the gates, there wasn't a single soul in sight.
The two doorkeepers had tried to sneak off, likely to alert someone of her arrival, but Yun Shu had her guards block their path.
Expressionless, she made a circuit around the bureau herself.
Then, she deliberately requested the bureau's records detailing flood prevention efforts in the capital over recent years and studied them closely.
By the time the sun had risen high and the city clocks struck the hour of the serpent, nearly half the morning had passed. Still, not one proper official had shown up. Yun Shu finally set down the scroll in her hands and ordered her guards to bring the two gatekeepers inside.
"Th-this humble one pays respects to Her Highness the Princess… May Your Highness live a thousand years…"
"That will do," Yun Shu cut in coldly. "Even if This Princess truly could live a thousand years, it would not be spent wasting time here in idleness."
She was already burdened with the lives of tens of thousands. To find the entire Waterworks Bureau steeped in such apathy infuriated her.
She had no patience left for hollow flattery. There was only one thing she needed to know.
"Where is everyone from the Waterworks Bureau? All dead?"
The two clerks broke out in cold sweat.
The Waterworks Bureau had always been a quiet post—only busy for a short season each year. Worse still, the bureau's Water Division Assistant Director, Tang Daren, had long made a habit of arriving late and leaving early. Naturally, those beneath him followed suit.
Only one man among them could be called a true clean stream—industrious, diligent, and never shirking his duties. If he were here, at least someone could have stepped forward to greet Princess Sheng An.
But it so happened that this man had been making frequent trips outside the city in recent days, supposedly to inspect the riverbanks. So today, even he was absent.
With the entire bureau empty, and Princess Sheng An left waiting for hours, her fury had clearly reached its peak. If they told the truth now...
"Wan Dachong! Niu Shouquan! Where did you two run off to? Hiding out to slack off?"
Before the two clerks could stammer out a response, a commotion rose suddenly from outside the building.
Yun Shu lifted her gaze slightly. A perceptive guard moved to open the main doors.
The noise outside halted at once.
The man at the front of the group was dressed in an old, patched official's robe—two faded mends at the elbows gave him the look of a simple, honest official. He glanced into the hall, stunned at first, then hastily lifted his robes and rushed in to kneel with a bow.
"This humble official was unaware of Your Highness's presence. I failed to greet you properly and beg Your Highness's forgiveness."
He was an aging man, his hair already showing streaks of white. His entire bearing was that of a modest and upright official, one whose sleeves bore no hidden treasures and whose heart held only the people.
Yun Shu arched an eyebrow slightly. Her gaze held a flicker of interest.
"And you are?"
"This humble official is Tang Bingfu, Assistant Director of the Water Division."
Realizing he had forgotten to introduce himself, Tang Bingfu quickly bowed again, this time deliberately revealing the mud stains on his hands—accidental, of course, but timed with calculated precision.
Naturally, Yun Shu noticed.
Tilting her head, she let her gaze move past Tang Bingfu, resting on the group of officials behind him. Some had trousers rolled up, others wore straw hats. All bore the look of men freshly returned from fieldwork.
The corners of her lips lifted faintly.
"Where have you returned from, Tang Daren?"
"Forgive us for the state we are in, Your Highness."
Tang Bingfu laughed awkwardly, tugging his sleeves in to hide his dirty hands.
"Your Highness may not be aware, but with summer fast approaching, rainfall increases everywhere, and the capital is no exception.
As Assistant Director of the Water Division, it is my duty to lead inspections and oversee reinforcement of the outer embankments every year at this time, so that even if heavy rains strike, the capital will suffer no major harm."
"I see. Tang Daren, it seems your efforts are no small matter."
Yun Shu nodded thoughtfully.
"Then may I ask, is the work on the embankments already complete?"
"Your Highness, the work is nearly finished."
Tang Bingfu straightened his back slightly.
"In fact, today's inspection was meant to verify that very progress."
"Already completed…"
A trace of regret passed over Yun Shu's face.
"Then might This Princess accompany you to see it with her own eyes?"
"This... may not be advisable."
Clearly unprepared for such a request, Tang Bingfu was momentarily taken aback. His earlier sincerity faltered, a faint stiffness creeping into his smile.
"The road beyond the city is rough to begin with. The embankments were just reinforced, and much of the area remains untidy. It is hardly fitting for someone of Your Highness's noble stature…"
"A noble stature must go regardless." Yun Shu interrupted him without hesitation, her tone firm. "Father Emperor has entrusted This Princess with overseeing the Waterworks Bureau. No doubt he will have questions for This Princess upon her return to the palace.
If This Princess cannot answer a single one, that would not do."
"His Majesty sent Your Highness to... take up a post here at the Waterworks Bureau?"
This time, Tang Bingfu was genuinely stunned. His voice was cautious and uncertain.
"Is Your Highness not the head of the Merchants' Association?"
"Indeed I am. But Father Emperor finds the post too leisurely. He does not approve."
Yun Shu leaned back comfortably into the chair, brows lifting ever so slightly.
"What now? Is Tang Daren not pleased to have This Princess here? Shall I send you to persuade Father Emperor instead, ask him to rescind his decree and stop finding work for This Princess?"
"Your Highness jests. Your presence at the Waterworks Bureau is a great honor to us all. This humble official could never dare voice objection."
Who did he think he was, to advise His Majesty? That was as good as asking to die.
Tang Bingfu waved both hands in swift denial.
"I merely wondered—what post is Your Highness to assume within the bureau?"
"That, This Princess is not sure of either."
Yun Shu gave a helpless shrug.
"Father Emperor only said it would be a light post, but which one exactly, he did not specify."
She looked every bit the image of a reluctant princess forced into duty, feigning innocence and ignorance as though she were only here to pass the time.
Tang Bingfu felt a small measure of relief.
"Then perhaps Your Highness might rest here for the time being. When His Majesty's decree arrives, this humble official shall guide Your Highness through the duties of the bureau."
"No."
Yun Shu rejected the idea immediately.
"Father Emperor made it clear. Upon returning to the palace today, he will question This Princess. I must see the embankments with my own eyes. If Tang Daren is weary and unwilling, This Princess shall go alone."
"Your Highness must not!"
Seeing Yun Shu's resolve, Tang Bingfu could only yield.
"If Your Highness insists, allow this humble official to accompany you."