"The kind of mud that no one can trample flat" quickly became the newest excuse for both Yun Shu and Yun Chuhuan to avoid doing their homework.
Ye Qing'an, though he couldn't immediately understand what value there was in "playing with mud," didn't dismiss the idea outright. Instead, he asked seriously,
"And what use might this... hardened mud have, once made?"
Yun Chuhuan froze. Could he really say it was meant to trip Imperial Father?
He turned to Yun Shu with a pleading look. She caught his silent signal and replied in an unhurried tone,
"It could be used to pave roads. Once hardened, no one would be able to crush it. Even when carriages pass over, it wouldn't leave behind ruts or potholes. With smooth roads, whether for merchants traveling or military supplies being transported, things would be far more convenient.
Moreover, it could possibly be used to pour into molds for building walls or houses."
These practical applications sounded entirely improvised. Yet as Ye Qing'an listened, his eyes grew brighter with each word. By the end, he appeared even more enthusiastic about this so-called 'cement' than Yun Chuhuan himself.
"Remarkable!"
Hearing Ye Qing'an grant permission to pause their studies while researching this material, Yun Chuhuan covertly gave Yun Shu a thumbs-up beneath the table.
"Fifth Sister, you really are something. I can't believe you talked him into it!"
Yun Shu could only sigh inwardly.
And he still wonders why Imperial Father calls him a fool. She had explained the true potential of cement in plain terms, yet Yun Chuhuan brushed it off like she was just making things up.
Shaking her head, she opened the scroll before her, ready to resume Ye Qing'an's usual lecture.
But the class hadn't even begun when Sun Fu, adopted son of Li Dehai and known widely as Eunuch Wang Fu, hurried in with his tiny, quick steps.
"By decree of His Majesty, this servant requests Princess Sheng An's presence at the Xuan Zheng Hall for an audience."
"Right now?"
Yun Shu blinked, puzzled. Why summon her so suddenly?
The regional merchants' guilds were still in the process of being established. As the head of the General Merchants' Association, she had no urgent matters to attend to.
She had only recently dispatched the Zhibei flower seeds to various provinces. Along with them, she had included a decree—made in the name of Princess Sheng An—that she would purchase the Zhibei flower fruits at five copper coins per jin, regardless of quantity.
Waterwheels and curved-beam ploughs had also already been widely distributed. With the tools and seeds in place, it was unlikely anyone would hesitate to start planting.
There truly shouldn't have been anything requiring her appearance at court.
Yet with confusion swirling in her heart, Yun Shu stepped into the Xuan Zheng Hall for the second time.
As she had been summoned from the study room without notice, she wore neither the official fifth-rank robes of a guild head nor the ceremonial regalia of a princess. Instead, her flowing gown of pale blue silk stood out sharply amid the sea of red and purple court attire.
Though more than a month had passed since she officially joined court, many officials still could not accept this new reality. No matter how they looked at her, they found her presence jarring.
And yet...
Members of the Right Prime Minister's faction rolled their eyes in secret while quietly observing the Crown Prince as he stepped forward to present a recommendation.
"Father Emperor, your son is ever willing to shoulder Your burdens. However, the examination scandal from three years past involved many and shook the court to its core.
Scholars across the empire, especially those from humble backgrounds, remain deeply aggrieved.
This year marks the first Spring Examinations since the scandal. If no one can truly earn the trust of these students, I fear unrest among them may compromise their performance. That could lead to the court overlooking true talent, which would not only harm the realm but disappoint Father Emperor as well."
"So,"
Emperor Xuanwu's tone remained flat as he studied the Crown Prince's impassioned expression.
"You summoned Sheng An here because you believe she is the one who can win over the hearts of the scholars?"
"Indeed!"
The Crown Prince did not hesitate in the slightest.
"Imperial Sister is clever and resourceful. Her inventions—quill pens, movable type printing—are beloved by scholars of modest means.
If she were to oversee this year's Spring Examinations, I believe it would put the minds of those scholars at ease and encourage them to give their best."
Yun Shu said nothing.
So this was what all the recent quiet had been leading up to.
The Spring Examinations were no light matter, especially not after the scandal three years ago. This year's exam was under scrutiny from all corners of the empire.
Every hopeful scholar across the realm was watching closely.
If anything went wrong under her watch, it would be her complete downfall.
The Crown Prince clearly meant to ruin her in one stroke. No wonder he had been so generous with praise lately.
"Sheng An."
While she silently cursed the Crown Prince in her heart, Emperor Xuanwu suddenly called her name.
"What do you think?"
"Your daughter believes it is unwise."
Yun Shu answered without hesitation.
"Though I hold office, it is only because my appointment bypassed the examinations through arithmetic merit. I am neither versed in the classics nor skilled in policy. I lack the scholarly prestige to command trust.
If tasked with overseeing the Spring Examinations, I fear the scholars will not accept it."
"Imperial Sister overthinks it."
The Crown Prince had expected her refusal and had already prepared a counter.
"Have you heard of the Jiangnan scholar by the name of Ma Laxiong?"
"…Ma who?"
"Ma Laxiong."
Yun Shu paused. This was supposed to be a serious political maneuver, yet she had to fight to keep from laughing.
After a moment's silence, she managed to keep a straight face and shook her head.
"Never heard of him."
The Crown Prince faltered. "If you haven't heard of him, why ask?"
Still, determined to push forward, he maintained a pleasant tone as he explained,
"This young man from Suzhou passed the regional exam with the top score at the age of eighteen. Through his talent and learning, he became well-known across Jiangnan and forged strong ties with many fellow scholars.
He arrived in the capital only recently, yet has already earned recognition among those preparing for the examinations."
"He does sound impressive," Yun Shu said with feigned curiosity.
"And what of it?"
"In recent days, many scholars gathered at teahouses to speculate on who would oversee this year's Spring Examinations. The students from humble backgrounds were especially worried, fearing a repeat of the corruption from three years past."
The Crown Prince turned to face Yun Shu directly. His lips curled faintly as if he could already envision her walking willingly into the trap he had set.
"At that moment, Ma Laxiong boldly declared that Princess Sheng An, by virtue of her noble station, would never stoop to accepting bribes. Moreover, her many efforts on behalf of underprivileged scholars—from the invention of the quill to printing techniques—had already earned their heartfelt gratitude.
If Princess Sheng An were to oversee the examinations, he said, all hearts would be calmed."