"The renowned Tian Sheng Emperor of the Tian Sheng Dynasty, whose name would be honored for generations, was not someone a vile and dim-witted fruit like the Eldest Prince could hope to scheme against.
He had once plotted against the deposed Crown Prince. Now, he sought to target Xiao Wu.
That unfilial son, has he not the sense to look into a basin of water and examine what sort of man he truly is?
To think he dares force the court—and even Us, his Father—to yield to his petty manipulations. All to secure the Crown Prince title for himself, while casting a mountain of blame upon Xiao Wu?
Does he truly believe himself worthy?
Even if We were to pass the throne to the Sixth Prince, We would never hand it to such a disgrace."
Infuriated by the scenario he had imagined—the Eldest Prince succeeding in his schemes—Emperor Xuanwu slammed his palm against the table with a loud crack.
"Speak of the current situation. Now."
"Oh…"
"Father Emperor is so fierce."
Grumbling inwardly, Yun Shu obediently skipped over the initial part of the Eldest Prince's plot and went straight to the present circumstances.
"Earlier today, Your Daughter reacted swiftly. Before the rash appeared, I made a deliberate round through the capital, visible to all the common folk. I even approached the Eldest Brother face to face. With that, it would no longer be suitable for him to spread rumors that I have contracted smallpox.
After all, if Your Daughter truly were infected, then with today's events, Eldest Brother would not escape unscathed either.
So, half of his scheme has already collapsed. The rest hinges on whether he still dares to seek an opportunity to infect Your Daughter for real."
"Continue."
Emperor Xuanwu, finding her analysis and quick thinking satisfactory, nodded for her to proceed.
"How do you plan to respond?"
"That depends on Your Majesty's intention."
As she said this, Yun Shu slyly scratched her still unblemished cheek, subtly reminding the Emperor of the itching Dust incident. That same plot had involved General Wei Yuan delivering the substance intended to provoke a false appearance of illness.
"If Your Majesty wishes to deal with the matter lightly, then summon Eldest Brother now. Reprimand and punish him firmly enough that he will not dare take another step.
But if Your Majesty believes his actions have truly crossed all bounds, then it would be better to wait until the evidence is irrefutable before dealing him a blow he cannot recover from.
In that case, Your Daughter should simply remain still and unchanging, awaiting Eldest Brother's next move."
Emperor Xuanwu remained silent.
If only all of his children could be like her—transparent even in their cunning. Even when scheming, her eight hundred little thoughts were laid bare before him. Even her mischief was executed in the open.
Though vexed and amused by Yun Shu's audacity, Emperor Xuanwu found that her playful presence helped ease the cloud of gloom brought on by the Eldest Prince.
Lowering his gaze, he spoke in a calm tone.
"Handle it as you see fit."
He had few children. The Eldest was his firstborn son. If he could help it, he would not wish to see this child walk a path of no return.
But every man must bear the consequences of his own actions.
Besides… why should he wrong one child for the sake of a son so ruthless he would not spare even his own siblings?
Simply because Xiao Wu was clever, obedient, and considerate?
"We are not fools.
If We were to show favoritism, it should be toward Xiao Wu."
Raising his eyes, Emperor Xuanwu cast a glance at Yun Shu, who was still lingering before him. His brow arched sharply.
"Did you not say you planned to hide away from sight? If you are so reluctant to leave, then stay and review these memorials."
"Your Daughter shall take her leave immediately. Farewell!"
What kind of jest was this?
She had fought tooth and nail for this rare moment of respite. Who would choose to sit in the Imperial Study, covered in a rash, and review endless reports?
She refused to become a little bitter melon suffering in silence.
Without the slightest hesitation, Yun Shu spun on her heel and fled.
"The Imperial Physician said Your Daughter must apply medicine once the symptoms flare!"
…
Fortunately, the Eastern Palace, which she had recently paid from her own pocket to renovate, was already completed. Her daily commute between palace halls had been drastically shortened.
It took her no more than the time of one incense stick to return from the Imperial Study to her residence.
She promptly issued the order to tighten security around the Eastern Palace. Then, she dispatched Ting Xue to the Imperial Medical Bureau to retrieve the ointment that General Wei Yuan had earlier picked up.
For the first time in what felt like ages, Yun Shu enjoyed a carefree afternoon. She curled up in the villa space of the villa, sipping a rose-berry milk tea while watching the latest film with delight.
Meanwhile, an explosive rumor swept through the capital like a violent storm.
"Have you heard? The assassins who attacked Her Highness the Crown Princess at the Tian Waitian Restaurant were sent by Bei Xiang!"
"They were infected with smallpox when they arrived. Her Highness was so close to them, she must have caught it too!"
"What? Her Highness has smallpox? That is dire news! What are we to do?"
"I heard the Crown Princess has already dispatched all the imperial physicians to a manor outside the city to find a cure. There are even whispers of her using death row inmates to test medicines!"
"Wait a moment! If she was infected at the restaurant that day, then everyone else who dined there…"
"Where are you getting this from? I saw Her Highness just today. She rode out from the palace dressed in court attire, looking perfectly well!"
"But I heard smallpox can lie dormant. Sometimes, it doesn't show until days later!"
"Then how can you be sure she is infected?"
"I never said I was sure. I only said it's a possibility."
"If that's true, then is not the Eldest Prince also in danger? He was very close to Her Highness when they spoke today!"
"Not necessarily."
Someone, having just received their latest talking points, chimed in with an air of authority.
"I heard that the disease is not contagious before symptoms appear."
"That sounds made up. Why have I never heard that?"
"Oh, who knows anymore? As long as the Tian Waitian Restaurant is still safe, that's all I care about. You nearly gave me a heart attack just now. For a moment, I thought the entire capital was doomed!"
"Still, let us hope Her Highness remains unharmed. She has brought so many blessings to us common folk.
A person like her ought to live a long and prosperous life!"
…
Such whispers continued to spread.
Even officials within the court began to hear fragments of the story. Some, lacking clarity on the truth, sent urgent memorials to the palace that very day.
Of course, it was not that they truly believed Her Highness had smallpox.
What concerned them more was the sudden, baseless rumor that the assassins hailed from Bei Xiang.
They feared that some hidden hand was using this incident to incite conflict between two nations.