Perhaps it was because Yun Shu had once persuaded him with a similar argument — that one's lifestyle habits directly influenced their health — convincing him to delegate trivial matters to subordinates.
That very reasoning had even been acknowledged and endorsed by the Simulation Life Selection System.
Thus, Emperor Xuanwu recovered from his daze rather swiftly.
He cast a calm glance at the ministers below, those same old officials who never missed a chance to cite ancestral customs and ancient rules. He made no declaration of stance, merely posed a solemn question.
"Aiqing, what are your thoughts?"
"Replying to Your Majesty," Liu Daren, positioned in the front row, pondered for a moment before responding respectfully, "This subject believes... it would be prudent to summon the Imperial Physicians. Let them examine whether the medical theories presented in this book are accurate."
"After all, the timing of court matters directly concerns Your Majesty's divine health, and the welfare of all under Heaven is tied to Your Majesty's wellbeing.
It cannot be taken lightly."
"This subject concurs!"
"We concur!"
"In that case, someone summon the Imperial Physicians!"
Emperor Xuanwu issued the order. But the physicians would need time to arrive from the Imperial Medical Bureau.
In the meantime, he idly flipped through the medical volume Yun Shu had presented, speaking in a steady tone.
"According to the current schedule for court sessions, officials rise around the Yin hour, take a bit of tea and light fare, then proceed to the palace for court. This period before court does not typically involve handling state affairs.
Thus, whether or not daylight has broken makes little difference.
By the time court concludes and they return to their posts, the sun is already high in the sky.
But if the morning court is delayed by an hour or two, how shall that lost time be compensated?"
"If the court session is pushed later," Yun Shu replied without hesitation, "then the time to leave one's post should be extended accordingly, should it not?
Presently, Our officials finish their work far too early. At the beginning of the Shen hour, the sun still hangs high in the sky. Extending until the middle of the You hour is not unreasonable at all."
In modern times, few even enjoyed the luxury of getting off work by three in the afternoon.
To sleep longer in the morning and work until six — was that not a sweeter arrangement?
"Your Highness may not be aware,"
Perhaps it was Yun Shu's casual tone that made it sound all too reasonable, for yet another minister couldn't help but rise and speak.
"Though finishing duties at the beginning of the Shen hour may appear early on the surface…
The capital is vast, and many colleagues serve far from where they reside. After leaving their posts, it could take over half an hour merely to return home.
Once home, they must eat, digest, then cleanse themselves before they can retire for the night.
By that time, it is not early at all."
"If they're going to bed by the middle of Xu hour, then of course it doesn't feel early."
In the modern world, eight in the evening wasn't late by any standard. Plenty were still at work. Even sleeping at ten was not unreasonable.
Yun Shu turned toward him, calm and composed.
"Does Zhou Daren still recall the optimal hours for rest that This Princess mentioned earlier?"
Zhou Daren: "…"
He remembered, yes. But at the Xu hour… especially during the winter months, it was already pitch dark by the middle of the You hour.
What else was there to do but sleep?
"Zhou Daren is concerned about the darkness?"
Though Zhou Daren had not spoken the thought aloud, Yun Shu saw straight through him.
Fortunately, she had long prepared for this.
"Does Zhou Daren still remember the Hall of Linde?"
"But of course!"
That miraculous night of the Wanshou Festival — even now, the memory still filled him with awe.
If nothing else, Zhou Daren believed he would carry that memory all the way to his final breath.
But for Her Highness to mention it at this moment — could it be…
Zhou Daren's breath caught. His emotions surged with sudden intensity.
"Could it be that Your Highness intends to make other places like the Hall of Linde, where there is no more night?"
"There must still be night."
She certainly did not possess the power to halt the rotation of the Earth.
Besides, darkness played an essential role in both the natural order and human biology.
Yun Shu tilted her head slightly, calm as ever.
"This Princess merely intends to kindle a light in the darkness."
"If that is so, then retiring a bit later would indeed pose no hindrance!"
The thought of having his own estate illuminated as brilliantly as the Hall of Linde made Zhou Daren nearly burst with joy. He could hardly contain the delight flickering across his face.
Still, excitement did not cloud his concern for the Crown Princess.
"Your Highness, if the homes of every official in the capital were to be lit in this manner… would that not place too great a burden upon you?"
"Upon This Princess?"
"Heavens. Did Zhou Daren truly still believe those lights required some divine power to summon?"
Realizing the direction of his worry, Yun Shu couldn't help but chuckle.
"The cost is indeed considerable. That is why the lamps on the capital's main avenues will be constructed at the expense of the national treasury.
As for those within private residences — that shall be left to each Daren to decide.
Just like when the ground-heating pipes were laid in the past. Each official may purchase as many lamps as they wish."
"Lamps…?"
Zhou Daren looked puzzled.
"Does Your Highness mean lanterns?"
"This Princess believes Zhou Daren saw clearly enough that night during the Wanshou Festival, whether there were any lanterns inside the Hall of Linde."
Yun Shu arched an eyebrow. Seeing his continued confusion, the smile on her lips deepened further.
"As it happens, these lights are crafted using the principles of physics and chemistry."
To think they were made with physics and chemistry!
And to think he could buy them with silver!
Shock gave way to eager delight as Zhou Daren asked excitedly,
"Then may This Subject ask what price these lights might command?"
"Ahem."
Just as the Xuan Zheng Hall was about to devolve into a bustling marketplace — with a certain junior peddling her wares to the elder officials — Emperor Xuanwu finally gave a dry cough, cutting through the growing din.
"This medical theory has yet to be proven true or false. Is it not rather premature to be discussing trade and procurement?"
"Replying to Father Emperor," Yun Shu said with a sunny smile, turning back toward him. "Though candlelight at night is dim and flickering, even without health considerations, these generators and lights are still worthy of wider adoption.
Rest assured, Father Emperor. The entire first batch of lamps — every last one — shall be reserved for Your Majesty."
Emperor Xuanwu: "…"
"This little one spoke as though We would ever quarrel over lamps with a group of court officials.
Who cared about that?
Tch.
Still… could these so-called lights be fashioned into particular shapes?"
He rather fancied a dragon-shaped lamp.
Just as Yun Shu continued with her impassioned promotion, a figure finally crossed the threshold of the Xuan Zheng Hall.
The summoned Imperial Physician, elderly and breathless from the sprint through the palace grounds, dropped into a formal bow.
"This humble subject pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
Though he managed to recite the customary greetings, his voice betrayed his labored breath.
Clearly, he had rushed the entire way.
The little eunuch who fetched him had said nothing beyond "The Emperor summons you."
Now, the old physician was thoroughly rattled.