Yun Shu's thoughts were her own. None present in the court could possibly guess what calculations she was making.
The court officials had stood in unison to oppose the proposal, yet what puzzled them most was Emperor Xuanwu himself. Always protective of Yun Shu, he now seemed to have forgotten the dangers of the battlefield entirely. With barely a second thought, he issued a decree ordering Yun Shu to accompany the Great General Wei Yuan on his campaign to Annan.
The imperial edict, once passed, could not be revoked.
As the court dispersed, Great General Wei Yuan looked at Yun Shu several times, as though wanting to speak but hesitating each time. In the end, he merely sighed and gave a helpless shake of his head.
"Your Highness, if there is anything you need to prepare, you would do well to see to it quickly. Do not bring too much. If we depart before the third quarter of the si-hour, we should be able to reach the next city before nightfall.
We'll be riding hard to Qianzhou, then rallying reinforcements before heading to Yongzhou together.
You had best prepare yourself to endure hardship."
"This Princess understands."
The situation at the front was urgent. Every moment of delay brought greater risk. That she had even an hour to make her preparations was already a rare allowance.
Yun Shu did not linger to delay General Wei Yuan's departure. After offering a brief nod, she sent word to the Eastern Palace, instructing Ting Xue to begin packing her things.
Then, she turned and made her way toward the imperial study.
"You've come."
When Yun Shu entered, Emperor Xuanwu stood beside his desk, brush in hand, seemingly immersed in calligraphy practice.
Yun Shu craned her neck to peek, only to see two bold characters sweeping across the page — Ping An, meaning peace and safety. Her lips curved slightly as she stifled a smile.
"Your Daughter had thought Father Emperor was truly untroubled by her departure."
"This empire of Tian Sheng will one day be entrusted to you. If We do not worry for you, who else would We worry for?"
With a steady hand, Emperor Xuanwu placed the final stroke before lifting his gaze with a quiet hum.
"You, on the other hand. Your boldness truly exceeded Our expectations."
"You were the one who commanded it, Father Emperor."
For once, Yun Shu did not seize the moment to play coy or smug. Instead, she gave a quiet cough and admitted with slight unease,
"But it is still a real battlefield. It would be impossible for Your Daughter to claim she feels no fear at all."
"What do you mean?"
Emperor Xuanwu raised a brow.
"Surely you are not regretting your swift agreement during court?"
"Not quite regret," Yun Shu said, straightening her posture. After all, she was destined to rule as Empress someday. She could not afford to appear weak.
"Your Daughter merely wishes to bring an additional group of people to Yongzhou."
"You mean the Dragon Shadow Guard?"
Emperor Xuanwu hazarded a guess. Yet instead of denying her request, he nodded.
"This journey carries its share of dangers. We had already intended for you to bring a reserve unit of the Dragon Shadow Guard. Since you have raised it yourself, We shall grant you two active-duty members as well."
"Many thanks, Father Emperor!"
Yun Shu accepted the favor with a bright smile. But after a pause, she shook her head.
"I'll gladly accept the Dragon Shadow Guard, but that wasn't what I meant."
"Oh?"
Even after offering two elite guards, he had guessed wrong. Now Emperor Xuanwu's curiosity was fully piqued.
"Then who do you wish to bring?"
"Those from the Ministry of Works."
Yun Shu spoke earnestly.
"Your Daughter has never been to the frontlines. I don't know what true warfare between two armies looks like. But perhaps, once I am there, the military camp might inspire new ideas.
Should that happen, we may be able to design new weapons. But if no craftsmen are with me, even the best ideas in my mind would be utterly useless. There would be no one to bring them to life."
"I see."
Emperor Xuanwu nodded, his expression contemplative.
Indeed, the likelihood of Xiao Wu inventing a devastating new weapon at the frontlines was far greater than her revealing any innate brilliance as a battlefield commander.
If that were the case, then these craftsmen were not only needed — they were essential.
"You require only the people?"
Emperor Xuanwu followed up casually.
"What about materials?"
"As for materials…" Yun Shu's eyes lit up, as though struck by sudden inspiration.
"Could we send more of what's used for fireworks?
Your Daughter was thinking. Fireworks rise high into the sky and are visible for miles. Perhaps they could be used to signal the movements of our army.
We could designate different colors to different meanings, and rotate the codes frequently. That way, the enemy would never be able to decipher our signals."
"A clever notion. Discuss the details with General Wei Yuan. We shall see to the preparations. But know that these craftsmen and their supplies will reach the front slower than you will."
"Your Daughter understands!"
Time was short. Yun Shu did not linger in the imperial study. Once her purpose was fulfilled, she quickly returned to the Eastern Palace.
The moment she stepped into the hall, she found three large trunks stacked neatly by the entrance.
She blinked in surprise.
At that moment, Ting Xue was directing a group of young eunuchs to carry out yet another trunk.
Yun Shu quickly called out.
"You aren't telling me all of this is for This Princess, are you?"
"Your Highness!"
Ting Xue rushed to her side, anxiety etched across her face.
"Why would His Majesty suddenly order Your Highness to the battlefield? A place like that is so dangerous, and you…"
"Enough. This Princess is not about to raise a blade and charge the front lines."
Yun Shu cut in to soothe her worries, then circled back to the topic of her luggage.
"This Princess sent word earlier asking you to pack lightly. Why on earth did you prepare so much?"
"Yongzhou is far, and the region is poor." Ting Xue bit her lip, eyes full of concern. "Your Highness has never endured such hardship before. I could not rest easy."
"That may be so, but This Princess is not embarking on a pleasure tour."
Yun Shu eyed the mountain of luggage that stood taller than she was, and her mouth twitched.
"In less than an hour, This Princess must ride out of the capital at full speed alongside General Wei Yuan. Even if I wanted to, I cannot take all of this with me."
"Truly cannot?" Ting Xue's expression turned more distressed. She picked up a small bundle from the chair nearby, still reluctant.
"Your Highness, I did pack a simpler bag too, just in case. But… perhaps these things could be delivered later?"
"This will do perfectly!"
Yun Shu's eyes softened at the sight of the modest bundle. Despite her worry, Ting Xue had not forgotten to be thorough.
With a relieved sigh, Yun Shu took the bundle from her.
"As for the rest, put them back wherever they belong. This Princess has no use for them."