Because rumors had spread that Shen Jingshu was pregnant, Emperor Xuanwu issued a decree to elevate her from side consort to main wife. This absurd yet undeniable fact sent shockwaves through the court, stirring undercurrents among the factions that had long been vying for influence.
However, Emperor Xuanwu's attitude regarding the matter was so unpredictable and inscrutable that even the most seasoned courtiers dared not act rashly.
The old foxes of the court proceeded cautiously, each probing with subtle tests. One day someone sent a minor official as a feeler, the next, another tried with a low-ranked envoy. There were no grand displays of defiance, but the waters were nonetheless thoroughly muddied.
Yun Shu occasionally cast glances toward the Imperial Study from afar and often saw high-ranking officials coming and going in a steady stream.
It was not until preparations for the Spring Plowing Ceremony reached their final stage—requiring every person of rank in both court and harem to accompany the procession beyond the city walls—that the tension began to ease.
Still, Yun Shu almost preferred the chattering ministers pestering Emperor Xuanwu.
At least when they crowded around him to argue, the convoy would be forced to stop and rest.
Who could understand her pain?
The site for the Spring Plowing Ceremony lay significantly closer to the palace than the autumn hunting grounds. It should have taken only two days by carriage.
Yet unlike the autumn hunt, this was not a leisurely event. The entire journey offered almost no reprieve.
Two days of relentless, jarring travel left Yun Shu pale and exhausted by the time they arrived. Even the usually oblivious Yun Chuhuan noticed and asked with concern, "Fifth Sister, are you certain you do not need the Imperial Physician?"
"There is no need."
It was only motion sickness. What good would a physician do?
By the time a decoction was prepared, her nausea would likely have passed on its own. Clutching her roiling stomach, Yun Shu crouched beneath a tree, listless and unwilling to speak.
But the Spring Plowing Ceremony was a meticulously planned affair, requiring not only detailed coordination but strict adherence to ritual timing.
She had hardly squatted for a moment before the auspicious hour arrived.
Dazed, Yun Shu was swept along with the crowd. She did not know how much time had passed when someone suddenly shoved a handful of seeds into her hand.
"Fifth Sister, it's time for us to go into the fields and begin planting!"
Yun Chuhuan gestured excitedly toward the paddies, oblivious to Yun Shu's bewildered expression.
"Father Emperor and Consort Mother have already started!"
Yun Shu stared at the rice seeds in her palm, flustered.
Don't bully her for never having planted before.
She might lack hands-on experience, but she had at least heard of rice transplanting.
This was clearly a water paddy. Why were they handing her seeds instead of seedlings?
She assumed it must have been a mistake. But when she looked again, even Emperor Xuanwu and the others held nothing but rice seeds. Could it be that the technique of transplanting seedlings had not yet been invented?
"What do you mean by 'not yet'?"
Yun Chuhuan, who was standing beside her, could not quite catch her mumbling.
"We've only just begun. It's not too late to join in!"
"…Mm."
No wonder food production was low in ancient times.
Not only were the grains themselves unrefined and low-yield, but directly sowing un-germinated seeds meant many would fail to sprout. The yield would naturally suffer.
She cast a glance toward the Crown Prince, who stood nearby with a benevolent expression as he conversed with an old farmer demonstrating how to sow the seeds.
Yun Shu slowly gathered her skirt, tied it up, then rolled her trouser legs. Taking up the handful of seeds again, she moved with Yun Chuhuan into the paddies, scattering as she edged closer to Emperor Xuanwu's side.
"Do you think these seeds will all grow into rice stalks?"
Yun Chuhuan, experiencing fieldwork for the first time, clearly did not know. He nodded vaguely.
"Maybe…"
"Certainly not."
The Crown Prince, who had overheard, raised his voice deliberately and smiled.
"Fifth Sister likely pays little attention to agricultural matters and may not realize that not all seeds will sprout. Though we sow many today, come autumn, if even fifty to sixty percent yield rice, it would already be an excellent harvest."
"Crown Prince Elder Brother is truly knowledgeable."
Already frustrated from the carriage ride, Yun Shu was further irked by the Crown Prince seizing this moment to grandstand. She turned to him with a look of admiration.
"Has Crown Prince Elder Brother studied this deeply in order to help the farmers solve this major issue?"
What? Solve this issue?
The Crown Prince had spoken loudly on purpose, hoping the nearby Emperor Xuanwu, high ministers, and even the farmers would hear just how ignorant Princess Sheng An—the Empire's first female official and head of the Grand Merchants' Association—truly was about the plight of the common folk.
But Yun Shu's innocent-sounding question cornered him unexpectedly.
All eyes fell upon him.
He could already imagine their disappointment if he denied any such intention.
His smile stiffened for a brief instant before he forced it back into place.
"Fifth Sister speaks truly. As Crown Prince, I naturally strive to share Father Emperor's burdens and resolve the hardships of our people. Agriculture is the lifeblood of the realm. Ensuring that all subjects can eat their fill is my foremost concern."
"Then it seems Crown Prince Elder Brother has given this much thought."
Yun Shu offered a sincere word of praise, then continued casually,
"Surely Crown Prince Elder Brother has already devised a solution?"
The Crown Prince: "?"
This had been the way of things for hundreds of years. What solution could there possibly be?
She was clearly trying to make a fool of him.
A flicker of shadow passed through his gaze. Yet he still forced a brotherly smile and shook his head as if indulging an ignorant younger sister.
"Fifth Sister must truly be unacquainted with farming. Increasing crop yields is no simple matter."
"Is it truly so difficult?"
Yun Shu looked thoughtfully at the remaining seeds in her hand, her voice full of childlike curiosity.
"Just now, you said that at best, only fifty to sixty percent of these seeds will survive?"
"At most. It is not something human hands can change."
The Crown Prince corrected her gently. Then a thought struck him. Perhaps this could be turned to his advantage.
He paused, then gave her a genial smile.
"But Fifth Sister has always been clever, brimming with unusual and innovative ideas. If you are willing, perhaps you might yet think of a way to aid the farmers of the realm."