Previously, it was known that Yun Shu was clever, always able to come up with novel ideas.
Now, it became clear that even when handling matters of governance, she remained just as agile-minded. The solutions she offered, strange as they seemed, were undeniably effective. Emperor Xuanwu, never one to overlook such talent lightly, naturally took notice.
He had intended to offer a few words of concern and leave shortly afterward. Instead, he ended up spending the entire afternoon in Fengyang Palace.
The visit lasted so long that the Crown Prince, who had stationed people to monitor the situation closely, nearly convinced himself that Yun Shu had indeed been poisoned by something insidious, and even the Imperial Physicians were at a loss.
Yet she passed the night in high spirits.
And by the following day, the shocking news arrived: not only was Yun Shu perfectly unharmed, but she had also received an imperial edict from His Majesty. She was to lead a force of three thousand troops from the Capital Garrison and assist in evacuating civilians trapped within the flooded areas of the city.
The Crown Prince could hardly bear it.
"Three thousand men may be but a fraction, but troops are still troops! Even the smallest sliver of military power is still military power!
Father Emperor has handed her the authority over the Capital Garrison!
The Capital Garrison! Even We, as Crown Prince, have never dared to so much as lay a hand upon that command. And yet Father Emperor bestowed it upon her without hesitation.
Then what of Our title? If it pleases Father Emperor, will he strip Us of the Crown Prince's seal as well and place it in her hands?"
A courtier tried to offer counsel, "Your Highness, His Majesty did not decree that the three thousand soldiers now fall under Princess Sheng An's permanent command. Perhaps it is merely a temporary arrangement for this relief effort—"
"Spare Us your hollow justifications!
It is always the same. You all have a way of crafting words to soothe Us, to paint over the truth.
But what is the reality?
We have watched Yun Shu rise, step by step, until now she stands above Our head!"
With a violent sweep of his arms, the Crown Prince knocked everything from the desk onto the floor. His hands pressed down hard against the now-empty table, fingertips pale from the force, eyes bloodshot with fury.
He clenched his jaw. It was clear he had made up his mind.
"Send word to the Right Prime Minister's Manor. Tell Grandfather We must see him—immediately."
"Your Highness!" the Preceptor cried, seemingly realizing what the Crown Prince intended. He lifted his head abruptly, about to speak further.
But the Crown Prince would hear no more.
He shoved aside his chair and bellowed, "Go at once!"
"...Yes, Your Highness!"
…
Elsewhere, far removed from the chaos in the Eastern Palace, Yun Shu had already entered the city in the pouring rain, bringing with her three thousand soldiers she had personally led.
She had no idea what had just occurred in the palace.
Of course, even if she had, she would hardly have had the time to care.
Along the route into the city, she felt for herself the truth behind Emperor Xuanwu's words—the tension between the army and the people was no mere fiction.
It was raining heavily, and there were hardly any pedestrians on the streets.
The rare figure glimpsed in the distance would flee in terror the moment they saw the soldiers at Yun Shu's back, scrambling away in a frantic tumble.
As their procession moved down the avenues, the shutters and doors that had been ajar snapped shut one after another, as though in choreographed unison.
Even though Yun Shu had sent people ahead to call out to the citizens, announcing that they had come to aid and would not harm them in the slightest, it did nothing to ease the fear.
Watching the way people fled, like rats sensing a prowling cat, Yun Shu couldn't help but feel that she had brought troops not to aid the city, but to storm it.
"Tch. This Princess has never felt so unwelcome before."
She turned to the deputy general riding beside her and let out a sigh.
"Is it always like this for you?"
Zhuo Fengxin hesitated.
"...This subordinate apologizes for bringing shame upon the unit."
"Shame? Is this truly a matter of shame?" Yun Shu was visibly disheartened.
"This is not how things should be. You are soldiers who protect the nation and its people. Your presence here should be met with cheers and celebration, with crowds lining the streets to welcome you."
Crowds lining the streets? That was a reception reserved for victorious armies returning from war.
Zhuo Fengxin froze for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile.
"Your Highness jests. That would be impossible."
"Impossible?" Yun Shu retorted sharply.
Back at the Capital Garrison, she had only managed to inform them of the two rules: they were not to harm any civilians, and there would be silver rewards distributed afterward.
She had yet to properly outline the bigger picture.
Now was the perfect time for a little reeducation.
Yun Shu lifted her chin with certainty.
"Mark my words. If every one of you follows orders as This Princess outlined before departure, maintains strict discipline, and does not act without command, it won't be long before these citizens come to see you in a new light."
"Let us hope so."
Zhuo Fengxin gave a noncommittal reply. His tone betrayed his doubts.
How could something so deeply rooted in history be changed so easily?
Princess Sheng An was still young, and her thoughts were too naive.
Zhuo Fengxin thought little of it, but Yun Shu caught the look on his face and could easily guess his thoughts.
Still, she said nothing more. Time would prove her right.
They rode on in silence, steadily approaching the disaster zone.
By the time the full company of three thousand soldiers reached the flooded area, the sun was already high in the sky.
Yun Shu knew her knowledge was largely theoretical. When it came to commanding three thousand men in a real emergency, she still had much to learn.
So she simply handed over command to Zhuo Fengxin and stood by quietly, listening.
Only once orders had been given and the operation began in earnest did she step forward and approach one of the small boats.
"Your Highness, please wait!"
Zhuo Fengxin had just been silently praising Princess Sheng An's restraint—how she knew her limits and did not interfere where she lacked experience.
But when he turned around, he saw her preparing to board a boat without a word.
He was so startled that he cried out at once, "We are still unclear about the situation within. If we encounter swift currents or unstable conditions, there could be danger. For the sake of Your Highness's safety, it would be best to remain here."
"Do you think This Princess is foolish enough to jump in and start saving people herself? Or that I am so idle I simply want to sightsee?" If she could have stayed here comfortably and watched from afar, why would she risk her life for no reason?
Yun Shu nodded toward the tightly shut windows and doors they had passed earlier. "This Princess is going in to vouch for you, to give the trapped civilians a reason to trust you and follow your lead."
"But..."
Zhuo Fengxin faltered.
He wanted to argue that it was far too dangerous no matter what, and if the civilians refused to come willingly, they could always be escorted out by force.
But doing so would almost certainly lead to conflict and unnecessary losses.
That would run counter to His Majesty's orders and the Princess's decree.
"Enough. Father Emperor has already sent men to protect me in secret. You need not worry about my safety."
One look at Zhuo Fengxin's face told Yun Shu all she needed to know. If she left the rescue entirely to them, it would surely descend into chaos.
She waved him off and stepped onto the nearest boat without hesitation.