"Father Emperor, please do not be angry. Anger harms the body, and that wretch Tang Bingfu is not worth it."
Yun Shu, fully aware that Emperor Xuanwu's rage stemmed from more than just Tang Bingfu, deliberately omitted the Crown Prince's name and feigned innocence while loudly blaming only Tang Bingfu. Of course, by doing so, she dragged the Crown Prince through the mud all the same.
After finishing her scolding, she did not forget to claim a bit of credit.
"Look at this, Father Emperor. After discovering that man named Tang was unreliable, this daughter went to find Xiao Yuanzi and together we developed something new. It is called 'cement.' Once it hardens…"
Yun Shu cleared her throat and added in a meaningful tone, "Your Majesty should have seen it by now."
Emperor Xuanwu fell silent.
Seen it? He had been tripped by it.
Even now, he could still hear Yun Chuhuan outside, hammering away at the blasted stuff.
Though he had already witnessed cement in its hardened form, he had yet to see its initial state. With his expression softening slightly, Emperor Xuanwu leaned forward and unsealed the wine jar to inspect the contents. His gaze sharpened.
"We have heard this cement can be used for dam construction and paving roads?"
"Exactly. And it is not expensive either."
Yun Shu nodded rapidly.
"Before coming here, this daughter even asked Grandfather to help calculate the cost. If cement is used for rebuilding the dikes, including the time needed to make the cement, the entire project could be completed in twenty days. The total expense would be no more than eighty thousand taels.
Father Emperor, if you confiscate Tang Bingfu's estate, just the silver he embezzled this time will be enough to cover it."
"Hmm."
Emperor Xuanwu's anger had not fully dissipated, especially with both the Crown Prince and Tang Bingfu implicated. Even hearing such favorable news did little to lift his mood.
He gave only a faint reply. "In that case, We entrust this matter to you."
"...Entrust what to this daughter?"
Yun Shu froze. She tilted her head in confusion and cautiously asked, "Do you mean the reconstruction of the dike, or… the confiscation of Tang Bingfu's estate?"
"Both."
Emperor Xuanwu's gaze passed over her and fell on the doorway.
"Li Dehai."
"This servant is here!"
"Assign a unit of the Imperial Guards to Princess Sheng An. She is to take them to Tang Bingfu's residence."
"As you command!"
Yun Shu blinked. "?"
Wait. That was it? Just like that?
No discussion? No asking her opinion?
Completely bewildered, Yun Shu blurted out, "Father Emperor, this daughter has never confiscated anyone's property before! Should we not first investigate thoroughly before issuing such an order?"
"You have already investigated, have you not?"
Emperor Xuanwu cut her off without hesitation.
"As for the matter of confiscations, it is not difficult. With enough practice, one gains experience."
Practice?
Why did that sound as if he intended for her to ransack many more homes?
"Then…" Yun Shu hesitated. "What of the people in the Tang household?"
"Imprison them all."
Emperor Xuanwu gave the order casually.
"Li Dehai is meticulous. He will select a team with prior experience in household confiscations. If there is anything you do not understand, simply consult the commander."
"...Yes."
Still dazed, Yun Shu stumbled out of the imperial study, uncertain how what began as a routine report had ended with her personally leading a team to raid someone's estate.
Before she had time to collect her thoughts, Yun Chuhuan tossed aside his hammer and clutched her sleeve with urgency.
"Fifth Sister, if you are going to confiscate someone's home, you must take me with you!"
"What would I bring you for?" Yun Shu twitched at the corners of her mouth and cast a glance at the ground, where the mini cement wall remained unscathed. "Did Father Emperor not order you to clear that thing away by the end of the day?"
"He did, but he never said I had to use a hammer. He said to think of a solution myself, did he not?" Yun Chuhuan's voice rose in protest. Then, remembering they were still outside the imperial study, he quickly lowered his tone and leaned in.
"I thought it over. Using an iron hammer is useless. Even if I camped out here, I would not make progress. I must leave the palace and ask Xiao Yuanzi if he has any other ideas.
If that fails, maybe during your confiscation, we can sneak a few things. Just enough to last me a couple more days."
"..."
Unbelievable. At such a young age, he was already trying to line his pockets.
She had been assigned to confiscate property because of Tang Bingfu's embezzlement. And now she would bring Yun Chuhuan along so he could do the same?
This little troublemaker had nerves of steel.
With a look of deep exasperation, Yun Shu narrowed her eyes and whispered back, "Have you forgotten that the Dragon Shadow Guard follows me?"
Still unaware that Emperor Xuanwu had officially assigned the Dragon Shadow Guard to his Fifth Daughter, Yun Chuhuan assumed they were only temporarily lent to her and might be recalled at any moment.
"...Right."
If the Dragon Shadow Guard caught him sneaking anything into his sleeves, Father Emperor would probably double his punishment.
Crushed, Yun Chuhuan gave up the idea, though he only moped for a few seconds before brightening again. "Even if we cannot take anything, I still want to go. I have never seen a confiscation before. I hear it is fascinating!"
"What could possibly be fascinating about that? All you will hear are cries and begging, noisy enough to split a person's head."
While they spoke, Li Dehai returned, leading a squad of Imperial Guards.
It was the same group that had accompanied Yun Shu to inspect the Spring Examinations, familiar faces all around. This time, however, they were joined by a new face—a young man who looked more like a scholar than a soldier.
"This humble commander, Ye Yunhu, greets Princess Sheng An and Sixth Prince."
"Commander Ye, there is no need for such formality."
Yun Shu gave him a quick once-over, curiosity piqued. She wondered if he was the same type as Tang Muzhi—refined, capable in both civil and martial arts.
Out loud, she remained composed.
"Father Emperor mentioned that Commander Ye is experienced in such matters. If there are any procedures This Princess does not understand, I hope you will offer your guidance."
"I dare not speak of guidance. It is merely part of this humble one's duty."
Perhaps owing to his straightforward nature as a military man, Ye Yunhu did not linger on pleasantries. He simply raised a hand and gestured.
"Your Highness, please."
"..."
With a full escort of Imperial Guards—and Yun Chuhuan trailing behind like an unwanted shadow—Yun Shu made her way out of the palace.
As fate would have it, she encountered the Crown Prince along the path, being led by a eunuch toward the imperial study.
Their gazes met. Yun Shu looked away at once, unwilling to spare even a token greeting. She acted as if she had not seen him at all.
The Crown Prince's eyes flickered with cold malice. Beneath his anger, unease stirred.
Why had Imperial Father suddenly summoned him?
And why, at such a critical moment, was Yun Shu leading a squad of Imperial Guards out of the palace?
Had something happened behind his back?