Chapter 252: Volume One – Chapter 252 Treasure Talent!

Volume One, Chapter 252 Treasure Talent!

The brocade technique requires specialized craftsmen to study it; Rong Luoge is just a half‑bottle of vinegar, but she can draw patterns. She draws the patterns in detail, then lets the craftsmen study the weaving method based on the patterns and the general directions she gives. Two half‑bottles of vinegar together make a full bottle.

The glazed tile kiln is to be fired in the next two days. When the first firing is completed, if it succeeds, her scheme with Han Xinglan will be half accomplished. If the brocade technique can be upgraded again, and the Ministry of Revenue's portion is also merged into the Glazed Tile Workshop market, it will become a new achievement to silence the court officials, which benefits Han Xinglan's further work.

Rong Luoge fills her mind with various ideas; wherever one occurs she jots it down, and will study them slowly when she has time.

"Madam, Xu Shuyuan requests an audience."

Rong Luoge looks up, "Invite her in." Then she looks at Rong Xin, "Take these to the study and don't let anyone touch them; I'll need them later."

Rong Xin hurriedly gathers the items and carries them to the study. The Madam's study is guarded by dedicated palace staff; she enters, places the items, instructs the guard to keep the door secure, and then leaves.

When she returns, Xu Shuyuan is already speaking with the Madam. She then goes to the tea room, brews tea, and places it on a pear‑flower wood lattice‑carved tray before bringing it in.

In the hall, Xu Shuyuan is discussing matters of the Inner Court Office: "Lord Jiang says, by Prince Qi's order, we must first organize the daily necessities of the Hou Gong, so a new register was sent. I, as a concubine, dare not decide, so I ask the Madam for guidance."

Rong Luoge did not expect Prince Qi's conduct to differ so much from before; whatever his motives, as long as he is temporarily on the same boat as Han Xinglan, it suffices. She takes the register, opens it, and reads it carefully from the beginning. After finishing, she remarks with some surprise, "This list is far more detailed than the one the Inner Court Office previously submitted."

Xu Shuyuan nods quickly, "Exactly. I don't fully understand the intricacies either. After inquiring, I learned that the offerings from various regions of Owl Kingdom are often of extremely limited supply. The Inner Court Office fears sending them into the palace because if a noble inside desires them, they will be demanded outright. These items are rare, some take a long time to produce, so to avoid being assigned difficult tasks later, the rare, time‑consuming, and technically demanding items are kept hidden within the Inner Court Office and not reported upward."

Rong Luoge: …

She had seen such a plot in TV dramas, but never expected it to unfold before her eyes now, so she thinks that even across time and dynasties, officials' thinking is similar; dealing with the emperor and the Hou Gong's mindset is much the same.

"These people really are clever, what about those earlier items?" Rong Luoge sneers and asks.

"They were all privately distributed," Xu Shuyuan replies.

Rong Luoge: …

Indeed, just so.

"Prince Qi can uncover a lot of evidence from this point, right? Offerings sent to the court from each region come with detailed lists, stamped and retained by local authorities. The Inner Court Office's accounts can be destroyed, but the archives of the local offices cannot be erased."

"Yes, I have heard that Prince Qi has already sent people out of the capital to search for evidence," Xu Shuyuan says.

Rong Luoge falls silent for a moment, then feels that Prince Qi's recent appointment seems to have changed him; his swift, unencumbered manner suggests that if he truly cooperates wholeheartedly with Han Xinglan, his future prospects will surely not be lacking.

It's too early to tell now; we'll have to watch as events unfold.

There are no eternal enemies nor eternal friends in this world. If, for personal gain, she were to manipulate Han Xinglan into eliminating Prince Qi, it could be done, but that would tarnish Han Xinglan's reputation, and for her, settling scores with Prince Qi and the former Empress would already be settled; there's no need to root them out completely to vent her hatred.

Conversely, if Prince Qi, who was the Late Emperor's greatest rival for the throne, can submit to the new emperor and serve him, it will be said that the new emperor is magnanimous and merit‑based, and even capable rivals will be employed. That would be the greatest boost to Han Xinglan's reputation.

Hmph, killing Prince Qi is easy, but getting Prince Qi to help Han Xinglan gain fame is not.

Rong Luoge may be a person who enjoys swift vengeance, but seated in this position, her thoughts and actions cannot be willful or reckless. Moreover, as long as she isn't the one being wronged, it doesn't matter.

"Since Jiang Yin has organized the register and sent it into the palace, you should ensure that the shortages in each palace during this period are replenished. With the New Year approaching, the New Year's expenses for each palace must be distributed in advance," Rong Luoge says, reading the register word for word. The Hou Gong's internal affairs are intricate; she reminds herself of each point, and now that she oversees the Hou Gong, she naturally cannot allow anyone to enjoy a spectacle.

"Yes, Madam, rest assured; I will arrange everything properly."

"I entrust this to you, so I am naturally at ease," Rong Luoge says with a smile, looking up at Xu Shuyuan, "These internal affairs have indeed been hard on you; I won't let your effort be in vain, rest assured."

Xu Shuyuan quickly says, "Your confidence in me is why I can undertake these tasks. I do not find it hard; serving the Madam is my honor."

Rong Luoge originally chose Xu Shuyuan because she admired her clarity, and after working together for so long they have developed some camaraderie. She says softly, "After next year's selection, the palace will inevitably undergo adjustments. Sister Shuyuan's hard work and achievements will be reported faithfully to His Majesty."

Xu Shuyuan's brow twitches; an adjustment means a promotion, then.

Indeed, next year His Majesty's selection marks the official end of the mourning period; new entrants will join the palace, and we elders will receive some favor. The amount of favor, of course, depends on His Majesty's will.

However, His Majesty is not familiar with the people of the Hou Gong, so he naturally must heed the Grand Consort's opinion. What was Xu Shuyuan's original resolve in aligning herself with the Grand Consort?

Isn't that exactly why?

She cannot rise by imperial favor; the alternative path she chose has indeed proven useful!

Xu Shuyuan stands and bows to the Grand Consort, "I thank you, Madam."

Rong Luoge laughs, "Is that thanks to me? Walk the road slowly, step by step, and what you desire will naturally come true as you wish."

Xu Shuyuan does not seek imperial favor, only to safeguard her position and her family's honor. The two have no conflict of interest, and Rong Luoge's cooperation with her is quite pleasant.

"By the way, I have another matter. I recall that Shuyuan's needlework is excellent; have you ever worked with a loom?" Rong Luoge asks Xu Shuyuan.

"Loom? Are you referring to the weaving loom, Madam?"

Rong Luoge nods, "Yes."

"When I was young I found it amusing and only used a plain loom—the kind where a strap is tied around the waist, the feet operate the loom, and the right hand holds a wooden heddle knife. This device is called a seated loom, also known as a waist loom," Xu Shuyuan says with a smile, "Madam, why are you suddenly interested in this? If you want to see it, I can have the Inner Court Office send one in."

Rong Luoge listens to Xu Shuyuan's detailed explanation and realizes it's not just a superficial knowledge; she never expected to have a treasure talent right beside her!