"Why are you still standing there?"
Seeing that Yun Shu hadn't moved, Emperor Xuanwu spoke again, his tone clipped with a trace of urgency. "Can you not see where your place is?"
"I see it."
So it really was prepared just for her…
Yun Shu swallowed hard. "But, Father Emperor, why must I sit there?"
"Naturally to learn how to manage state affairs alongside Us."
Emperor Xuanwu spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You are now the Crown Princess. The empire of Tian Sheng shall one day pass into your hands. These memorials on Our desk will one day be yours to handle."
Yun Shu glanced at the three towering stacks of folded memorials, resembling miniature mountains. Her breath hitched.
"Is it not a bit too early for this?"
"Too early?"
Emperor Xuanwu cast her a sideways glance. "Did you not spend longer in the academy hall than others? Who can say how long it will take for you to fully grasp what is done here in the imperial study?"
Yun Shu was speechless.
Was she not still her Imperial Father's most beloved daughter? Why did it suddenly feel like he was stabbing her right in the heart?
She pouted. "But there are still matters I must see to. I need to make a trip to the Ministry of Works."
"What business do you have there?"
Emperor Xuanwu raised an eyebrow. He had already seen her prepare all the winter clothing and bedding. What more could she possibly want from the Ministry?
"I intend to fund the paving of the capital's main roads with concrete myself."
Yun Shu straightened her back, speaking proudly. "The capital lies at the foot of the Son of Heaven. It should reflect the grandeur of the imperial city.
At present, many of the bricks on the main road leading away from the palace are already damaged. The outer road is a muddy mess, hardly befitting the dignity of the capital.
This Princess is well aware that the Ministry of Revenue is in no condition to allocate funds for such work. But that is of no concern.
As Crown Princess, it is my duty to contribute to the prosperity of the Tian Sheng Dynasty and bring benefit to the people."
Emperor Xuanwu blinked.
Though her words were lofty and righteous — even impressive enough to startle him — he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
This rascal could be quite dependable when it counted, but she was far more often irreverent and unpredictable.
He narrowed his eyes, studying her. "Did you not say before that you intended to make money by building roads?"
"Whatever the case may be, this Princess will personally fund the repairs to the capital's streets!"
There were matters she could be candid about with her Imperial Father. But this wasn't one of them.
There was far too much silver involved.
Who knew if, once Emperor Xuanwu discovered her method of making money — especially given how she even tried to squeeze pocket money from Yun Chuhuan despite having a well-stocked private treasury — he might not turn around and use his imperial authority to take over the project himself?
Yun Shu blinked innocently, her expression pure and harmless. "Surely Father Emperor would not forbid even this?"
Emperor Xuanwu remained silent.
That much, at least, he would not do.
Since neither he nor the state treasury had to spend a single coin, what reason could there be to object?
He gave a solemn nod. "If your heart is thus set, then proceed."
"Many thanks, Father Emperor."
Yun Shu offered a respectful bow. "Then this Princess shall make her way to the Ministry of Works."
"Very well… Hold."
Just as Emperor Xuanwu nodded, he seemed to remember something. "There is one more matter upon which We would seek your opinion.
The Eastern Palace has now been vacated. Should you wish it, the moving of your belongings may begin today."
The former residence of the deposed Crown Prince…
Yun Shu's expression shifted subtly. "And if this Princess is unwilling?"
"If you find the original Eastern Palace unsatisfactory, it may be demolished and rebuilt."
Emperor Xuanwu was generous in his offer. "However, given the current state of the Ministry of Revenue, you will have to fund the construction yourself."
Yun Shu was silent.
So this was what it meant to be Crown Princess — even rebuilding the Eastern Palace required her own coin.
Could her Imperial Father not pay for it, just once, for the daughter he loved most?
Even in the modern age, families of modest means would still buy homes for their daughters.
She grumbled inwardly, but on the surface, she agreed at once. "Then this Princess shall have someone estimate the cost."
What choice did she have? This was part of her duty now.
Sooner or later, officials from the court would be seeking her counsel. Fengyang Palace, situated within the rear palace, was inaccessible to members of the front court.
Thus, she had no choice but to move.
It was only because she was still young and just beginning to touch the affairs of court that she had any time to rebuild.
Leaving the imperial study, thoughts of the hefty expenses ahead only strengthened Yun Shu's resolve to earn more silver.
The moment she left the palace, she went straight to Jiang Yuanbao.
Her maternal grandfather was still overseeing the warship project. Zheng Qiaozhang, since her last bit of guidance, had been consumed with thoughts of steam engines — dreaming of them even in his sleep.
That left only Jiang Yuanbao. The cement factory was now self-sustaining, freeing up his time.
When Yun Shu arrived, Jiang Yuanbao was frowning in concentration, cotton in hand, pondering something.
He looked up at the sound of her steps. The instant he saw her, his eyes lit up.
"This humble subject greets the Crown Princess."
"You may rise. What are you working on?"
"Replying to Your Highness — after seeing how you used this to create soft, warm winter garments, this subject wondered: if these strands could be spun into thread, could they not be woven into fabric just as comfortable?"
Jiang Yuanbao scratched his head, a bit sheepish. "Unfortunately, I've not had time to try it yet. Otherwise, I would have shown Your Highness the results."
"As it happens, you're in luck."
Yun Shu raised a brow, pulling a blueprint from her sleeve and handing it to him. "Take a look at this."
"This is…"
Jiang Yuanbao blinked, taking the paper and studying it closely. After a moment, his eyes gleamed even brighter.
"An improved spinning machine!
The changes are actually quite simple — replacing the single horizontal spindle with eight vertical ones. Yet this small change increases productivity eightfold!"
"The design seems promising, but this Princess has not tested it yet.
You may construct one prototype first. Use the Zhibei fruit fibers and see if they can be spun into thread.
If successful, produce as much thread as you can and then weave it into cloth. But remember — keep this confidential. No one outside must know."
"Understood."
Though Jiang Yuanbao did not know why the Crown Princess required such secrecy, he did not question her and accepted the task without hesitation.
"When would Your Highness require the finished cloth?"
"Within a month. Also…"
Yun Shu pulled out a stack of silver notes. "Take this. Instruct the cement factory to increase production. This Princess intends to pave the roads of the capital."