"Well… in theory, it makes sense," Ye Qing'an said uncertainly, staring at the pieces of iron in Yun Shu's hand. "But these are iron... How do you expect a horse to wear them?"
"That part's simple!"
Yun Shu had someone lead Du Du into the rear courtyard. She handed the horseshoes to a stable hand and instructed, "Here, help me clean up Du Du's hooves and then nail these on."
"Nail them on?!" Tang Yuanlin nearly leapt in alarm. "If the horse feels pain, it could go mad!"
"Aren't hooves like fingernails?" Yun Shu tilted her head in confusion. "Trimming nails doesn't hurt, right?"
Tang Yuanlin: "?"
…Was that actually true?
While Tang Yuanlin remained unsure, Yun Shu had already started directing the stable hand. "Tie Du Du to that tree first… Yes, just there. Now look at this section—shave it down a bit so it's flat. And when you nail it in, angle the nail slightly outward. Yes, like that..."
At first, Tang Yuanlin and Ye Qing'an watched Du Du anxiously, ready to rush forward and pull Yun Shu away the moment the horse so much as twitched.
But after three horseshoes were nailed on, and Du Du was still contentedly munching on a carrot, they finally relaxed. Their attention shifted from the horse's mood to its hooves.
Thud, thud, thud.
The fourth and final horseshoe was nailed in without a hitch.
Yun Shu untied the reins from the tree, mounted Du Du, and trotted a few circles around the courtyard. Satisfied that there were no issues, she was just about to leave when Tang Yuanlin suddenly stepped forward and blocked her path.
"Your Highness, wait!"
"Grandfather?"
Yun Shu tugged the reins and stopped Du Du." What is it?"
"Your Highness, these iron plates… they are of great use!" Tang Yuanlin's eyes were wide with excitement as he leaned forward and urged, "When you return to the palace today, you must inform His Majesty. If His Majesty learns of this—"
"But by the time I get back, it'll be quite late." Yun Shu frowned and rejected the idea outright, her tone willful. "It's not so urgent, is it? If Grandfather truly thinks it's important, just submit a memorial tomorrow. But remember—don't mention my name. Otherwise Father Emperor will think I've nothing better to do and find more tasks to saddle me with."
"How could this old servant take credit for Your Highness's work? That would be—"
"Why would that be considered stealing credit?" Yun Shu leaned down from horseback and interrupted with a smile. "I'm offering it to you willingly. You must seize the opportunity."
Having said that, she didn't linger. She tugged the reins and maneuvered around Tang Yuanlin. "I'm heading back now. Grandfather, you should return home early too!"
"Ah…"
Watching Yun Shu ride off, Tang Yuanlin swallowed the words that had risen to his lips. With a sigh, he muttered, "Such a contribution is not something one simply gives away..."
"Her Highness's character truly places her far beyond the reach of us ordinary folk."
Ye Qing'an, who had silently observed everything, could no longer hold back his admiration. "I spent so long racking my brains for innovation, and yet Her Highness accomplishes it so casually—and without even caring for recognition."
For the Tian Sheng Dynasty to have a princess like her... it was truly the fortune of all under Heaven.
"Perhaps it is her youth and clarity of heart that grant her such insight," Tang Yuanlin said, stroking his trimmed beard with pride.
He turned to Ye Qing'an. "It's getting late. You should head home as well."
"You go on ahead, Lord Tang," Ye Qing'an quickly cupped his hands. "This humble servant wishes to stay and watch over the new paper until it has fully dried. I won't be returning tonight."
Tang Yuanlin: "?"
Ah well. Let the young people busy themselves as they wish.
The day young people stop striving—that's the day to truly worry.
By four the next morning, Yun Shu was already dozing off in the study hall with the ease of someone long accustomed to morning lessons.
Yun Chuhuan was nowhere to be seen—likely still recovering from the excitement of watching polo matches at the Southern Garden the day before.
Liu Ziming sat alone at his desk, bored and sketching a giant turtle.
Only Cen Yiyi was behaving as a model student, quietly reviewing the material Grand Preceptor Ye would be teaching today.
Yet if one looked closer, they would see something unusual: beneath her properly upright posture, there was no chair.
Cen Yiyi was trembling slightly as she held a deep squat.
To ensure her stance was perfectly correct, she had even balanced a small wooden bowl atop one knee.
Clatter!
The bowl fell and rolled to Yun Shu's feet.
Still half-asleep, Yun Shu reached out and gently patted Cen Yiyi's little head. "If you can't hold it, rest for a bit. No need to rush."
"...Princess."
Cen Yiyi tugged at Yun Shu's sleeve. "Grand Preceptor Ye is here."
"..."
That soon?
Grumbling inwardly, Yun Shu opened her eyes. In her peripheral vision, she saw a figure in green standing at her side.
She looked up—and met Ye Qing'an's eyes, lit with excitement.
"...It worked?" she asked.
"It worked!" Ye Qing'an nodded forcefully, his voice filled with exhilaration, a far cry from his usual calm and gentle demeanor. "I've tested one sheet already. There are no issues!"
"Good." Yun Shu nodded with practiced ease. "Since Grand Preceptor Ye has confirmed it, I won't need to test it myself. For now, keep this matter between us."
"As you command—"
"Keep what between you?"
Yun Chuhuan stepped into the study hall just in time to catch that last sentence. His second foot hadn't even crossed the threshold, and already his face was filled with suspicion.
He looked at Ye Qing'an, then at Yun Shu. "You're keeping secrets from me now?"
"It's a birthday gift for Father Emperor," Yun Shu said, propping her chin on one hand. She remained utterly unfazed. "Obviously, it wouldn't do for everyone to find out before the Wanshou Festival."
"You didn't tell me what you're giving Father Emperor either," she added smoothly.
Yun Chuhuan: "!!"
Wait a minute.
The way Fifth Sister phrased that... did she already know he was preparing a secret birthday gift?
Could it be...?
"Liu Ziming, you traitor! I told you it was a secret—especially not to tell Fifth Sister!"
"I didn't!" Liu Ziming nearly burst into tears under the weight of this unfair accusation. "I never said anything!"
"You're lying!"
Yun Chuhuan was livid. "You were the only one I told! If you didn't say anything, how would Fifth Sister know?"
"I didn't know before," Yun Shu said calmly, her voice taking on a quiet, pointed edge. "But now I do. So the gift you're preparing for Father Emperor is not only a secret—but one I especially wasn't supposed to know about."
She placed heavy emphasis on the word "especially."
Yun Chuhuan froze.
Then, as he replayed her earlier words in his mind, realization finally dawned.
He had misunderstood—and in his panic, he'd confessed everything himself.