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Chapter 389 - A Gift of Trouble, Wrapped in Praise

Yun Shu had concealed her plans so well that not even a whisper of it had leaked out in advance.

The court officials were wholly unprepared. Caught entirely off guard, they were left stunned by the coordinated strike from Yun Shu and Emperor Xuanwu. Before anyone could react, the new policy had already been decreed and set into motion, without room for objection.

By the time court was dismissed, aside from a rare few officials like Tang Yuanlin—who supported Yun Shu no matter what—the rest were ashen-faced, each one darker than the bottom of a soot-stained cauldron.

And Yun Shu, as though completely unaware of the chaos she had just stirred, stepped forward with perfect composure. She walked directly to Wu Daren, the one who had been the most vocal in opposing her mere moments ago. Her expression was solemn, her eyes sincere, as she paid him lofty tribute.

"This Princess truly had not expected that Wu Daren shared the same heartfelt concern for the common people as This Princess. Not only are you unfazed by the additional levies required under the joint taxation reform, but you have also voluntarily pledged to pay twenty years' worth of taxes in advance.

The righteousness of Wu Daren moves This Princess deeply.

Please rest assured. What transpired in court today, This Princess shall have faithfully recorded and published in the Tian Sheng Weekly, so that the people may bear witness to your noble deed!"

"Your Highness flatters me unduly," Wu Daren replied stiffly, though his face twitched the moment he heard her words. Every fiber of him screamed to lash out, to curse aloud—

—but he dared not. Let alone speak ill in Yun Shu's presence, he didn't even have the courage to let his displeasure show on his face.

With a strained smile stretched across his cheeks, he forced a polite reply.

"Your Highness has set the example. This old official merely followed suit out of shame and awakening. It is a trivial matter, not worthy of taking space in the Tian Sheng Weekly."

"It is worthy indeed," Yun Shu said brightly.

"To Wu Daren, it may seem a minor affair. But in the eyes of the people, this is proof that you, a dignified official of the imperial court, still hold the welfare of the common folk close to heart."

Wu Daren: "..."

So no matter how she put it, she had no intention of letting him off the hook, did she?

The common folk might be unlettered, but they were not fools. If the court dialogue were published in full, would they not hear the underlying tones of dissent in his words?

Had he known things would play out this way, he never would have raised his voice today.

Now it was too late. His words were out. His opposition had been noted. Her Highness clearly bore him ill will. The people were sure to scorn him, and even his fellow officials would likely hold this against him.

After all, the entire court knew that the Crown Princess had personally led by example, paying ten years of tax in advance.

Whether Wu Daren had intended it or not, the moment he agreed to twenty years, the deed was done. If the rest of the court failed to follow, would the people not point fingers at them?

The answer was self-evident.

So while the others in court surely saw that he had been ensnared by the Crown Princess' trap and forced into giving twenty years of tax up front, they would still resent him for it. They dared not provoke Her Highness, but that resentment had to fall somewhere—so it fell on him.

Seeing this all too clearly, yet powerless to resist, Wu Daren departed the palace with a face drawn long and heavy with gloom.

Yun Shu, on the other hand, hummed a pleased little tune. Her petty revenge complete, she turned back toward the Eastern Palace with light steps. But upon arrival, she raised a surprised brow.

Yun Chuhuan was already waiting there.

"You're on break today?" she asked, puzzled.

"I heard Fifth Sister was going to Third Brother's residence to visit Third Sister-in-law and Little Doubao. So I asked Father Emperor for leave, saying I wanted to see them too. He approved."

Yun Chuhuan had grown considerably this past year and now nearly matched Yun Shu in height.

A moment ago, he had been sitting quietly in the chamber, cradling Fufu in his arms and gently stroking the little cat's fur. From a distance, he already bore faint resemblance to a young nobleman from a tale, poised on the brink of blooming into a fine youth.

But the moment he looked up and opened his mouth, that illusion shattered.

"I went to see Little Doubao when he was just one month old. I only held him for a moment and he peed all over me!

Third Brother even mocked me, saying I must not know how to hold a child, and that's why Little Doubao felt uncomfortable.

So this past while, I found a nursemaid experienced with infants to teach me. I even practiced with a pillow for quite a while.

This time, there's no way I'll mess it up!"

As he spoke, he lifted the fluffy Fufu in his arms proudly.

"Look, Fifth Sister. I can even hold your little tabby just fine!"

Yun Shu: "..."

Could it be, she wondered, that Little Doubao had simply been too young to hold it in?

She couldn't help but laugh as she shook her head.

"Little Doubao is only just over three months old. Babies fall ill easily, especially in this cold weather. He definitely won't be attending the New Year's banquet tomorrow.

And you, going to visit as his little uncle, surely aren't planning to go empty-handed. Don't tell me you didn't even prepare a red envelope?"

"I did, I did!" Yun Chuhuan patted the spot on his chest where his silver notes were tucked away. He looked genuinely pained.

"Consort Mother made a point to remind me not to forget. I spent all year saving up just a little silver, and now it's all going to that little rascal!

If I had known babies could earn this much silver, I'd have—"

"What?" Yun Shu interjected, already amused. "Are you saying you want a baby of your own?"

"I can't have one now, obviously," Yun Chuhuan said with a pout.

"But I can find someone in advance, get engaged. Once I'm old enough, I'll marry her and start having children right away. If I have a dozen or two, I won't have to worry about money at all!"

Yun Shu: "?"

"Hold on."

She had only been teasing before, but now she looked at Yun Chuhuan oddly.

"How many did you say you were planning to have?"

"A dozen or two!" he answered, without the slightest shame. "That way, I can rake in the red envelopes every year."

He scratched his head, a little puzzled by the look Fifth Sister was giving him.

Then suddenly, he seemed to realize something.

"Oh! Fifth Sister, do you want one too?"

Without hesitation, he thumped his chest, speaking with utmost loyalty.

"Don't worry, Fifth Sister. Once I have enough children, I'll gift you one or two!"

Yun Shu: "..."

Does he think children are piglets, to be handed out at will?

She shot him a glare, unable to hold back her snort.

"From what you're saying, you must plan to marry a whole flock of delicate wives and pretty concubines, huh?"

"A whole flock?"

Yun Chuhuan blinked. Clearly, he hadn't thought that far.

Now faced with the question, he frowned in contemplation.

"I guess... maybe I don't need that many?"

"Then who's going to bear all those children for you?" Yun Shu arched a brow. "Don't tell me you expect your future Prince Consort alone to produce that many."

Yun Chuhuan: "..."

Right. That... might be a bit much.

===

"A dozen or two!" Σ(□_□)

"Once I have enough children, I'll gift you one or two!" (・_・;)

"A whole flock?" 〣( ºΔº )〣

I really speechless like... = _ =

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