My Daughter is the Empire’s Lucky Charm

It was not difficult for Emperor Xuanwu to picture the sequence of events in his mind.

Most likely, Yun Shu had spoken plainly from the start, asking that Liu Ziming help her purchase radishes and find craftsmen. But that useless Sixth Prince had been too focused on food, so Yun Shu must have casually mentioned fried radish balls just to appease him.

Then, of course, the Sixth Prince ran off to Yun Shu's palace to feast on radish balls. After eating, the little brats probably gathered to chat, and perhaps the Sixth Prince had offhandedly asked whether radish carving would actually work.

Which led to Yun Shu teaching them how to carve radish flowers.

And after that, the fool of a Sixth Prince, unwilling to admit defeat, must have secretly instructed Liu Ziming to have the craftsmen outside the palace carve some flashy designs for Yun Shu to see.

So when the radishes Yun Shu had requested finally entered the palace, the Dragon Shadow Guard he had dispatched could only report what they saw on top—dragons, phoenixes, and other elaborate designs. They never saw the words carved beneath.

Now it all made sense. Every piece fit together.

So, in truth, the reason nothing substantial had come from his ten-day investigation was simply because that foolish Sixth Prince had been busy stirring the pot.

"Very well. Then this time, Yun Shu's reward shall be drawn from the Sixth Prince's purse."

With a cold snort, Emperor Xuanwu turned toward Li Dehai and said, "Li Dehai, do you recall whether the Sixth Prince led with his left or right foot when he rose to greet Us earlier?"

"…This…"

Li Dehai broke out into a nervous sweat. He had no idea why His Majesty would suddenly ask such an odd question. Had he done something to anger the Emperor? Was His Majesty looking for an excuse to punish him?

As panic rose in his chest, Li Dehai scrambled to recall every detail, then cautiously ventured,"Your Majesty, forgive this servant. I was focused on attending to Your instructions and did not notice. But judging by where the Sixth Prince is now standing, it may have been… his left foot?"

"The left?"

Emperor Xuanwu's expression darkened at once. "In our dynasty, the right is honored. How dare the Sixth Prince lead with his left? Do you regard Us, your own father and sovereign, as unworthy of your respect?"

"Father Emperor, I have been wronged!"

Yun Chuhuan stood there completely dumbfounded. How had he gone from watching a bit of drama to being scolded? And for what? For leading with the wrong foot? Who in their right mind paid attention to such a thing?

Face full of grievance, Yun Chuhuan was about to defend himself when Emperor Xuanwu raised a hand and sternly declared,

"This being your first offense, you shall be fined one hundred taels of gold. If there is a next time, We will not be so lenient."

"…Your son obeys."

(╥╯^╰╥)

Li Dehai, who had been holding his breath until now, finally relaxed.

"So the one who angered His Majesty was not me but the Sixth Prince. Thank heavens!"

But even after settling the matter of Yun Chuhuan, the Emperor's displeasure clearly had not run its course.

With another sharp snort, he turned to glare at Grand Preceptor Cui.

"We have heard that last time, after We pardoned the Fifth Princess from copying the Doctrine of the Mean nine times, you immediately assigned her twenty more copies of the Great Learning instead. Tell Us, Grand Preceptor Cui, are you dissatisfied with Our decision, or simply displeased with Our daughter?"

"Your Majesty, this old subject is afraid!"

No matter what Grand Preceptor Cui truly thought in his heart, he could not dare respond otherwise. At the Emperor's rebuke, he dropped to his knees with a loud thud.

"This old subject merely believed that the princess had become lax in her studies. She had yet to grasp the Doctrine of the Mean or the Great Learning. Once the first was resolved, it was only natural to assign the next, and so…"

"So you decided to double the punishment for the Great Learning?"

Emperor Xuanwu slammed his palm against the table and barked,

"And what next? Shall she also copy the Analects and the Mencius? After the Four Books, will you have her copy the Five Classics as well? Must I remind you that teaching is not merely punishment? If this is what it means to be a Grand Preceptor in our dynasty, then what need have We of you?"

"Your Majesty, calm your fury!"

Grand Preceptor Cui kowtowed in panic. "It was… it was this old subject's error in judgment…"

"We do not believe this was simply haste. You, Grand Preceptor Cui, are unworthy of your station!

As a subject of Tian Sheng, you care only for the interests of noble families and disregard the common folk. As a teacher to princes and princesses, you act solely according to your own bias, without care or conscience.

How can such a man guide Our heirs? How can such a man assist in ruling the realm?"

With a look of disdain, the Emperor gave his final judgment.

"Grand Preceptor Cui, you had best reflect in your own estate. Return only when you have truly repented."

Grand Preceptor Cui shuddered. Though unwilling, he could only bow once more and respond in a trembling voice, "This old subject… obeys."

It had been only a few short exchanges, yet Grand Preceptor Cui seemed to have aged a full decade.

He knew he was finished.

With the Emperor having denounced him in such strong terms, the other court officials who had always opposed him would surely seize this chance to strike. He would retreat now, and never return.

Eyes closed, forehead pressed to the floor, Grand Preceptor Cui did not rise until the Emperor had departed with a sweep of his sleeve. When he finally stood, he swayed, then staggered out, defeated.

The study hall fell so silent one could hear a pin drop, until Yun Chuhuan finally let out a shocked cry,

"By the stars! Fifth Sister, you are truly incredible! I used to cry to my mother when Grand Preceptor Cui punished me, and even that didn't help. But the moment you stepped in, he was sent packing!"

"What has it to do with me?" Yun Shu immediately denied it.

"Grand Preceptor Cui merely offended Father Emperor and was dismissed. I only filed my complaint days ago, and His Majesty took no action then."

She, Yun Shu, was nothing more than a pitiful, helpless girl who just wanted to be left alone. Hopefully, none of those sly old foxes from Grand Preceptor Cui's faction would take this incident as an excuse to come after her.

She tidied her bookcase with all due modesty, then turned and invited with an innocent tone,"There won't be a new Grand Preceptor today. Since there's still time left… shall we have cake?"

"Cake?"

Another new word from Yun Shu's lips. At once, Yun Chuhuan forgot all about Grand Preceptor Cui and his fate.

He kicked his bookcase toward Liu Ziming and asked excitedly, "What is that?"

"It is a delightful pastry. Sweet, soft, and utterly irresistible."

With a solemn expression, Yun Shu added, "They say that, in certain moments, it carries special significance."

"For instance… to celebrate the early retirement of old man Cui."

Yes, perhaps she would even send a piece to Father Emperor later. She decided to forgive him for today's betrayal.

Truly, Father Emperor… reliable!

Hee hee!

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