The Eldest Prince wore a dark expression as he drifted with the dispersing crowd, trying to melt into anonymity.
Yet just then, a light voice called out behind him.
"Eldest Brother, do wait a moment."
He froze.
Turning back, he saw Yun Shu approaching. The words "Fifth Sister" rose to his lips by habit, but he bit them back. Her title was no longer what it once had been. He straightened his posture and said with restraint:
"What does the Crown Princess wish to say?"
Yun Shu smiled sweetly, choosing not to acknowledge the displeasure flickering in his eyes.
"Did Eldest Brother not say just earlier that you had collected quite a number of Zhibei Bloom fruits to present as a birthday gift to This Princess?"
"Those..."
He blinked, baffled. Was she seriously asking for them?
Those things were bulky, useless, and took up space. He had only used them as a pretext, not expecting her to actually remember.
Still, the Eldest Prince kept his tone even.
"If the Crown Princess wishes them urgently, I shall have them delivered to the palace tomorrow."
"That will not be necessary," Yun Shu said, tilting her head slightly. "Send them to the Ministry of Works instead."
She offered a gracious nod. "Much obliged, Eldest Brother."
"It is only right."
As she turned and walked away, the Eldest Prince's brows furrowed tighter.
Send them to the Ministry of Works?
Could the Zhibei Bloom fruit truly have some practical use?
If so, then his plans...
Doubt and unease twisted in his chest, but Yun Shu neither noticed nor cared.
The very next morning, upon formally receiving her decree as Crown Princess, Yun Shu issued her first official order. In her name, a command went out:
All regional Merchants' Associations were to purchase Zhibei Bloom fruit without limit, at a fixed price of five copper coins per jin. The deadline to deliver all stock to the capital was three months.
More than that, she specified that the heads of each association must personally deliver the goods to the capital.
To ensure no one missed the news, Yun Shu also had it published in the next issue of the Capital Weekly.
Within days, a feverish rush to collect the fruits spread across Tian Sheng. The campaign was swift and enthusiastic.
Upon learning of this, the Grand General Wei Yuan, remembering the Eldest Prince's prior schemes, immediately sent out prearranged talking points. His men wasted no time. By the next morning court session, they were already leveling formal accusations:
That the Crown Princess was extravagant and self-indulgent, stirring the empire for her personal whims, and abusing her authority.
The Eldest Prince: "..."
Why had they acted now, of all times?
He did not need to look up to feel the weight of Emperor Xuanwu's gaze settle upon him, cold and pressing, like a blade at the nape.
He lowered his eyes and hid the bitterness that churned behind them, saying nothing.
At length, Emperor Xuanwu turned to Yun Shu and asked with quiet authority:
"Crown Princess, what say you?"
"In reply to Father Emperor, this daughter is deeply wronged."
Even before she became Crown Princess, Yun Shu had been known for her frank tongue. Now that she held the title, she had no intention of masking her nature behind the false image of a "perfect heir."
Why should she endure slander in silence, simply because others chose to accuse?
She straightened her back and spoke without shame.
"This daughter spent from her own purse and labored without complaint for the good of Tian Sheng's people. Lord Chen, as a Censor, is tasked with supervising officials, yet he relied on hearsay and idle speculation to craft a distorted report. That he would parade it before Father Emperor without evidence is a dereliction of duty at best, and deceit against the throne at worst."
"This humble official would not dare! Every word is true, Your Majesty!"
The Censor had not expected the Crown Princess to counterattack so swiftly. Most would have begun with a defense. Yun Shu, however, started by flinging accusations of her own.
Caught off guard, Lord Chen hurried to defend himself.
"The Crown Princess has mobilized regional Merchants' Associations to purchase, at great scale and expense, a fruit that serves no purpose other than aesthetic appeal. The entire realm knows of this. How could this humble subject have fabricated it?"
"And who told you that the fruit of the Zhibei Bloom has no other use?"
Yun Shu had anticipated such a confrontation. Her voice rang out, full of confidence.
"Father Emperor, this daughter has proof. The Zhibei Bloom fruit is of great benefit to the people."
"Oh?"
Emperor Xuanwu leaned forward, intrigued. He recalled that the Simulation Life Selection System had once suggested a solution to the people's winter hardships that would aid over ninety percent of households.
"What proof do you have?"
"The evidence waits outside."
Yun Shu gave a signal. A moment later, a young eunuch entered the hall, bearing a silver tray. He had received the tray from Ting Xue and now carried it reverently.
General Wei Yuan craned his neck to glimpse the tray as it passed.
"That's just an ordinary robe. What does that have to do with Zhibei Bloom fruit?"
"It has everything to do with it."
Yun Shu let out a short laugh. From the corner of the tray, she picked up a single Zhibei Bloom fruit and held it in front of the Eldest Prince.
"This batch was gathered by Eldest Brother on This Princess's behalf. Eldest Brother, may I trouble you to confirm whether this is indeed a Zhibei Bloom fruit?"
"...It is."
He recognized the familiar brown husk with white like fluff inside. There was no mistaking it.
"Then I ask all present to observe closely."
Yun Shu pulled apart the fruit, revealing the soft, snow-white fiber within.
"This fluff, when used as clothing filler, is both light and insulating."
"Light and warm?"
General Wei Yuan looked unconvinced.
"From this?"
"Does the Grand General doubt it?"
Yun Shu used one finger to lift the robe from the tray.
"Why not try it on yourself and see?"
"Very well, I shall."
He took the robe in one large hand. The moment he touched it, his eyes widened slightly.
It was thicker than a common single-layered robe, yet soft and pliable to the touch. Though it weighed more than thin clothing, it was still quite light overall.
Could it truly retain warmth, as she claimed?
If such garments existed, the soldiers stationed on the frontier would no longer suffer through bitter winters.
Realizing that this might be the very thing he had long dreamed of, the Grand General forgot all doubt. He quickly slipped the robe over his shoulders.