Chapter 15: Bridal Chamber Right Before Their Eyes?!

On rough hemp paper, with just a few strokes, yet another exquisite mechanism was drawn.

This blueprint is slightly different from the previous ones.

The greatest peculiarity lies in that Taizong's water‑mill linkage erects the waterwheel, using the force of the water's height difference to drive the mill's operation.

But this new mechanism diagram lies flat, resembling a 'hub' with a long axle inserted, yet the hub bears many 'blades'.

(Water‑turn‑linked‑mill, schematic diagram:)

Everyone's expressions varied; they crowded forward to look, yet none knew where to begin.

Du Shanü patiently explained:

"In the southern lands the terrain is flat, the undercurrents lie below; if the waterwheel is erected, few blades touch the water, giving insufficient power to turn it."

"But with a slight modification—placing the whole wheel directly in the water, driven by the groundwater—it can pull the upper axle to turn, thus building a mill......"

"Within three days, whoever makes this workable will earn merit."

That night, the autumn wind howled.

It pierced the walls, sharp and piercing to the ear.

The house was a dilapidated thatched hut, the clothing old garments patched over the years.

There wasn't a decent seat in the house; to talk, the group could only spread a straw mat on the ground and sit cross‑legged on it.

Even Du Shanü did not produce any definite benefit.

Yet her lofty, ever‑increasing bestowal made everyone vaguely realize something——

Du Shanü had just said, 'Not only Taizong can rival the sun and moon,' and it seemed sincere.

Taizong the Emperor could build the water‑mill linkage; she could devise the water‑turn‑linked‑mill.

Even though she is a woman, capable of such craftsmanship and this clever, she will surely not go hungry, and perhaps even achieve wealth and prosperity—only lacking a bit of time and opportunity.

She said that recording merit would follow her, and surely good days would come.

Then, if this task isn't done well, will there be......

... also be punished?

Leitie's heart pounded; he didn't know what spell had possessed him, half‑struggling to accept the task for a try, half‑worried:

"...... I'm a blacksmith; woodworking isn't necessarily my forte."

Du Shanü had anticipated this; upon hearing it, she casually handed the hemp paper to the silent Liu Wenyan beside her, then said:

"I knew you were a blacksmith, not a carpenter; I have another task for you."

"As for the water‑turn‑linked‑mill, I'll have Scholar Liu oversee it; no matter your method, I want to see the result within three days. If funds are short, you may first take a deposit from Yu Baobao; after the carpenters finish, have them come to you, you write a statement of accounts, the carpenters leave their thumbprints, and Yu Baobao pays the money."

"When writing the statement, detail exactly when, where, how many workers each day, and the wages; if I inquire later, you'll produce it for me."

Liu Wenyan remained silent, yet he took the hemp paper in hand—clearly accepting the task.

Du Shanü then called Leitie forward, again doodling on the hemp paper and lowering her voice to give him some instructions.

Leitie started with a jolt, his hesitation growing more evident, but his gaze fell on the medicine Du Shanü had bought for him beside the straw mat; he finally nodded in agreement and then withdrew.

When the scholar and the blacksmith stepped back, the Ouyang father and son hurried forward on their knees.

Ouyang An's wet eyes brimmed with fervor and anticipation; Ouyang Yan's charm remained, as he covered his mouth and gazed at Du Shanü, his eyes hooked and strung, rippling like water......

Then Du Shanü assigned them the household's most 'important' task:

"Until the waterwheel is ready, everyone else in the household will still unite, making cooling ointment by hand to earn steady silver for two days."

Hearing this, the Ouyang father and son's lips instantly drooped, clearly feeling disappointed——

Yu Hen and A Chou were under Du Shanü's protection, while the scholar and blacksmith had been assigned work.

But making cooling ointment is different—it's extremely laborious; washing requires prolonged contact with water, so after a day swollen, wrinkled hands and feet are normal.

Du Shanü herself led the effort for two days, yet even she felt her lower abdomen vaguely chilled, unable to bear it.

However, if we want good days, we cannot complain of hardship or fatigue.

This ointment‑making craft hasn't spread yet; taking advantage of the last burst of autumn heat, each day it's like picking up money on the street—who could refuse such earnings?

Du Shanü also knew this allocation would make the burdened unwilling deep down, but since she herself rolled up her sleeves, no one dared to complain.

Du Shanü finally gave a few more instructions, then rose naturally, unfolded the newly bought bedding, and prepared to lie down......

Everything proceeded smoothly and effortlessly.

Of course, the premise is ignoring the little whining, coquettish monster in her arms.

Du Shanü: "Alright, then let's do that—everyone rest early—I have to go do something more important hehehe~~~ Finally I can get a nap, get a nap~(*^▽^*)? ~?"

Yu Hen was dazedly dragged onto the bed, feeling nothing, merely mimicking the tone and humming: "Oooohhh~~~"

These two—one eager to strike, the other eager to endure—were quite happy.

But to the onlookers' eyes, it was nothing short of a massive pupil dilation——

Everyone: "......"

A Chou: "......?!"

Wait, wait!

This, this won't be—are they preparing to consummate the marriage right before our eyes???

No way!

No way!

How could they do it in front of everyone......

No, even if not in front of the crowd, the master cannot be muddled into losing his virtue to a woman he's only known two days!

Back then he obeyed Taizong's order to guard the Young Emperor; now......

The master's chaste person shall be guarded by him!!!

A Chou's ugly visage twitched, his face momentarily revealing a ferocious mien; he thumped to his knees beside the bed, opening his mouth ready to wail.

Who would have thought that in the next instant, Du Shanü wrapped Yu Hen tightly in a blanket, placed him on the inside of the bed, and she herself wrapped herself in another blanket, laying down peacefully and steadily on the bamboo bed.

Everyone was momentarily stunned again, and when Du Shanü lifted her gaze, she saw a group of people under the bed staring at her in unison, and she said crossly:

"Sleeping! Didn't I say I wanted to sleep?"

"I was up almost all night last night, only dozing off at dawn, then I rushed to the town market right away—aren't you all tired?"

Sleep.

Oh, I see, you really are sleeping.

There was not the slightest lustful desire to share a good night; only an utterly exhausted person longs for peaceful sleep.

Furthermore, Du Shanü had not the slightest shyness about being a girl, nor any hidden hesitation, and she then invited:

"A Chou, are you feeling better today?"

"The floor is cold; if you're not feeling better, you can also lie down on the bed to sleep. This bed is a bit cramped and a bit broken, but it can barely accommodate three people."

In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures.

Now there isn't much silver at home, and we can't afford many things.

But Du Shanü is neither pretentious nor self-indulgent; she leads the group in earning silver, cares for the patients, and personally leads by example, genuinely winning people's hearts and minds.

A Chou stared blankly, his lips twitching awkwardly as he was about to babble, feigning ignorance to shrug off the matter so that his master would have a good place to rest.

But in the next instant, out of the corner of his eye he saw another figure swiftly grab the blankets and hop onto the bed.

Liu Wenyuan lay down nonchalantly:

"If he's unwilling, then I'll do it."

"Don't worry... I won't harm you; I'm coming to join you."

?? Happy New Year's Eve, babies~