Emperor Xuanwu had left in a sudden fit of fury, and the gathered officials were left stunned, racking their brains in vain to determine what could have provoked such a storm.
After much murmuring and silent exchanges, they reached a unanimous conclusion: this entire debacle could be laid squarely at the feet of Minister Yan, who had refused to part with those seven million taels of silver.
At once, all eyes turned toward Yan Daren, their expressions tinged with reproach and disappointment.
"Minister Yan, why must you be so obstinate?" one of them chided. "Ye Daren already made it clear that once the railway is operational, it will bring in an annual profit of ten million taels."
"In seven years at most, every coin invested will be recouped. What more could you possibly want?"
"Exactly! Can you truly not see the power of the railway, Minister Yan? Setting aside everything else, just imagine: if ever we were to go to war, regardless of the enemy's strategy or formations, our reinforcements would arrive at once. With such swift deployment, victory would be all but assured."
"And yet you still opposed it. What were you thinking?"
"Minister Yan, truly, this is baffling! You were always known for being frugal, but now the national treasury is not wanting for seven million. Back when Tian Sheng Academy needed several million despite yielding no income, you readily approved the funds. And now, when the sum will bring prosperity to the nation and the people alike, why are you suddenly so tight-fisted?"
Yun Shu blinked. "...?"
"Fine, scold Minister Yan if you must, but what did Tian Sheng Academy have to do with this?"
She found their words increasingly irksome. Without another thought, Yun Shu turned to leave.
But Minister Yan, already besieged on all sides, hurriedly stepped forward and blocked her path with a flustered expression.
"Your Highness, please wait!"
"What is it, Minister Yan?"
She raised a brow in polite inquiry, only to find him wringing his hands, his expression pleading.
"Well… If Your Highness is headed to the Imperial Study to see His Majesty, might this old official humbly ask a favor? Perhaps Your Highness might say a kind word on my behalf?
This official has merely grown accustomed to thrift over the years. The sum of seven million taels was, admittedly, difficult to accept at first. But I have since seen the error in my judgment. His Majesty's health must not be troubled by such matters..."
"Very well."
"If Your Highness is unwilling, this old official understands and shall— What…?"
He had already prepared a full defense in anticipation of refusal, only to be completely stunned by her ready agreement.
"Your Highness… agreed?"
"Does Minister Yan not wish for This Princess to agree?"
Yun Shu's tone remained mild.
"No, no! Of course not!"
He bowed swiftly, beaming with gratitude.
"This Princess is indeed kind and magnanimous…"
"Enough flattery."
If she were truly that kind in his eyes, then perhaps next time she requested funding, he might grant it without dragging his heels. Words meant nothing if his purse remained sealed.
With a faint scoff, Yun Shu turned and left without waiting for further praise.
"This Princess simply does not wish for Father Emperor to fall ill from rage on your account."
"Yes, yes… all this is this old official's fault…"
From the Imperial Garden to the Imperial Study, Yun Shu arrived just in time to find that Emperor Xuanwu had already dispatched a secret letter — one carrying orders for the total annihilation of the Wa Kingdom— to be hand-delivered to their lands by the Dragon Shadow Guard.
Perhaps because of this, the emperor now appeared far calmer than before.
As Yun Shu stepped inside, his gaze lifted, and he saw her staring at his hand. Wordlessly, she took out a handkerchief and began wiping her hands, her movements deliberate.
"What are you looking at?" he asked.
"This Daughter was merely concerned for the hand Your Majesty used to strike the tree."
Yun Shu was not one to mince words.
"On the way here, I summoned the Imperial Physician. He's just outside. Perhaps Your Majesty would allow him to tend your hand with medicine?"
Emperor Xuanwu let out a quiet sigh.
What did she mean by struck the tree…
Admittedly, that was the truth, but why did it sound so undignified when she said it?
With an irritable flick, he tossed the handkerchief aside.
"Summon him."
Outside, Imperial Physician Chen received the summons and entered quickly, carrying his medicine chest.
Upon seeing the Emperor's hand up close, his heart leapt in alarm.
His Majesty had clearly struck the tree with full force — splinters and bark had embedded themselves deep into the skin. Such a grievous wound from barehanded fury... How enraged must he have been?
And now, if His Majesty were to feel any pain during treatment and turn that anger on him…
Trying to steady his hands, Imperial Physician Chen retrieved a pair of tweezers, held them over the flame for sterilization, and prepared to remove the splinters. A few tiny fragments, yet enough to make his forehead break into a cold sweat.
To his immense relief, Emperor Xuanwu did not flinch. He made no sound, showed no sign of discomfort. With his uninjured hand, he even opened a memorial and calmly resumed reading.
Imperial Physician Chen exhaled quietly and called for clean water. Once the splinters were removed, he began to rinse the wound, drying it carefully before preparing to apply ointment.
But just then, a voice broke the silence.
"Hold."
"Y-Your Highness?"
Startled, his hand trembled, nearly knocking over the medicine chest.
Even Emperor Xuanwu looked up with a puzzled glance.
"What is it?"
"This Princess is merely curious," Yun Shu replied, pointing to the untreated hand as she addressed the physician. "Do you intend to apply the medicine directly? Without first disinfecting the wound?"
"Disinfect…?"
It was a term he had never heard before. Caught off guard, Imperial Physician Chen stammered an explanation.
"His Majesty is not poisoned…"
"That is not what This Princess meant," Yun Shu said with a sigh. "Disinfection is akin to what you did earlier, heating the tweezers over the flame. That is a simple form of disinfection."
She tapped her own forehead lightly.
"This Princess had been preoccupied when Tian Sheng Academy was founded, and entrusted the medical curriculum to you and the Imperial Hospital's physicians. It seems I neglected to explain the importance of disinfection."
She paused. "Perhaps later—"
"There is no need to wait."
Emperor Xuanwu had been listening intently. Though he had yet to grasp the full meaning of this term, he could tell how seriously Xiao Wu regarded it. That alone made him speak up.
"Explain it here and now. We are listening. Why must wounds be disinfected?"
"Very well."
Since even Emperor Xuanwu did not mind her lecture delaying his reviews, what concern could she possibly have?
Yun Shu nodded and began her explanation.
"Disinfection serves chiefly to prevent inflammation and infection. Should a wound go uncleansed, it may fester, grow inflamed, and ultimately fail to heal."
She glanced at Imperial Physician Chen.
"A seasoned physician such as yourself has surely encountered such cases—wounds that appeared trivial at first, yet worsened due to careless or improper treatment."
"Indeed, Your Highness!" he replied with fervent nods. "It is just as Your Highness says. The deeper the wound, the greater the risk of infection. Even seemingly minor injuries can worsen without care."
===
Quick Reminder! Don't forget to check out "The Webnovel Handbook" on my profile!
Ever wondered what it means when someone is called a "King of Scrolls", or when characters are just "Eating Melon"? What about the subtle power plays behind "Tea Art"? This guide explains all that fun slang and miscellaneous knowledge Chinese authors love to use!
The entries are growing, so add it to your library to get all the future updates on hidden gems like these!