Chapter 286: Volume 1 Chapter 286 The Emperor Is a Sentimental Fool

"I heard they're planning to build a Weaving Workshop," Song Huihe said.

"Weaving Workshop?" Su Ying was a bit puzzled, "You're kidding, right? Building a Weaving Workshop outside the Imperial City and moving the government offices away? Who would be so bold?"

"Who else could it be? Of course it's our Empress."

"Impossible. The Empress doesn't have that much power; she can't move the government offices," Su Ying said, absolutely not believing it; she leaned more toward thinking Song Huihe was deceiving her.

"The Empress can't, but the Emperor can," Song Huihe's smile faded, "I don't know what the Empress whispered to His Majesty, but he's willing to do this for her."

Su Ying tried to keep a calm expression, but her face still lost some color uncontrollably, "Is this really true?"

"It's natural, because many officials on the court have impeached the matter, yet His Majesty remains unmoved, insisting on moving the government offices and then building the Weaving Workshop. It's because the Empress wants to personally oversee this workshop; supposedly she wants to achieve some results to show the world."

"It's truly hard to believe; how could His Majesty agree?" Su Ying, although not often in contact with the Emperor's cousin, had seen him a few times, but in her impression His Majesty is always meticulous and measured, never making such a reckless decision.

"So I'm curious how exactly the Empress managed to persuade His Majesty," Song Huihe added, bewildered. "If she had Rong Luoge's skill, she wouldn't be the butt of jokes here, would she?"

"Do you think the Empress is serious? After all, the jacquard loom and the loom shuttle were both her ideas. If her Weaving Workshop truly succeeds, our future will only become more difficult," Su Ying said in a low voice, the matter more serious than she imagined, "Could it be that the Empress summoned Kang Shufei and Madam Qiongzhang just for this?"

Song Huihe couldn't be certain either; listening to Su Ying's words, she said, "Perhaps. The two of them aren't the key; what's important is how to handle this matter. In any case, the Weaving Workshop must not be completed smoothly."

"Yes, we must prevent her from completing it," Su Ying said, looking at Song Huihe, "Do you have any plan? This is not the time to hide motives; we should be frank with each other."

"Of course. If I weren't frank, how could I tell you about this?" Song Huihe's eyes flicked, "I have no better solution now, and you are the Empress Dowager's niece; at this moment we can only rely on the Empress Dowager to intervene, otherwise we both fail."

Su Ying would naturally turn to her aunt, but she didn't want to agree so easily with Song Huihe, so she sighed, "You've been in the palace for years, you know that the Empress Dowager is now devoted to mourning the Late Emperor, and she wouldn't intervene in former‑dynasty affairs; even if I were to speak, I doubt it would be effective."

Song Huihe didn't believe a single word; the Empress Dowager is not one to give up easily. If that were the case, the new Emperor's ascension wouldn't have caused so many incidents.

But she still put on a look of slight disappointment upon hearing that, "Then there's no good solution left."

Su Ying looked at Song Huihe, "Is there really no way outside the palace?"

"Can't we ask Marquis Anding for an idea?"

"What could be done outside the palace? My father, together with senior officials, submitted a memorial to His Majesty, but it was rejected. As for you, Virtuous Consort, you should ask Prime Minister Su how much effort he's actually putting in; with Prime Minister Su's connections at court, this shouldn't be difficult."

Su Ying didn't refuse outright, only saying, "I'll send a letter outward, but we still need to work together in unity."

Song Huihe immediately replied, "Of course. At a time like this, if we keep doubting each other, there's no need to cooperate; we can just watch the Empress revel in her triumph."

"Then it's settled," Su Ying said as she stood up, "I think the palace is too quiet; we should give the Empress something to do, lest she keeps reaching out. That's not good for either of us. Think about it: if the Empress truly makes the Weaving Workshop a great success, her reputation will soar, and later trying to pull her from the throne will be much harder."

"Everyone wants a solution, but Fengyi Palace is so tightly guarded that water can't even seep in; the palace staff there are handpicked by His Majesty one by one, making bribery impossible," Song Huihe hadn't considered this method, but even if it were feasible, it would risk alerting everyone.

Su Ying, having just entered the palace, naturally didn't know about this, and her complexion grew even worse upon hearing it, "How can His Majesty protect her so much? Back then, Consort Ming shone alone in the harem, and the Late Emperor didn't protect her like this!"

Song Huihe sneered, "The Empress is beyond our comparison; after her divorce she could still enter the Dong Gong, and once there she remained the sole favorite to this day. That kind of skill and maneuvering—if she doesn't fall, you and I will never have a chance to rise."

Su Ying's feelings were truly tangled at that moment as she looked at Song Huihe, "If you had acted back in the Dong Gong, we wouldn't have this serious internal trouble today."

Song Huihe almost rolled her eyes at the remark; Su Ying's comment was as simple as drinking water after a meal—far from easy. She said, "What's the difference between the Dong Gong and the Hou Gong? In the Dong Gong, our Empress is also unseen by anyone."

Su Ying: …

"Fine, she's impressive!"

"Others, once they become Empress, crave daily glory and flaunting; this one, however, is good—she stays out of sight."

"Just that alone, many people truly can't achieve."

Su Ying thought that if it were her, she would never be like the Empress.

She left Yunhua Palace, pondering Song Huihe's words, and her steps truly felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

"Weaving Workshop?" the Empress Dowager looked at her niece returning, her tone rising a few notches.

Su Ying nodded, "Yes, Aunt, His Majesty can go this far for the Empress—it's against palace regulations. Aunt, this matter isn't trivial; you should intervene, shouldn't you?"

The Empress Dowager looked at Su Ying, "Is this information accurate?"

"Song Huihe said it herself; I don't think she would speak recklessly about such a matter," Su Ying said.

The Empress Dowager's face turned ashen as she looked at Su Ying and said, "I understand. You may return and rest."

Su Ying rose to her feet; although she wanted her aunt's help, the aunt's expression was unfavorable, so she dared not speak further and obediently rose to take her leave.

"Aunt, though she is my aunt, she is also the Empress Dowager, and she cannot be offended lightly."

After Su Ying left, the Empress Dowager slapped the table hard, flicked the teacup onto the floor, and the tea spilt, soaking the floor mat.

Yan Yin hurried forward and pleaded, "Your Highness, please do not lose your temper; your health is paramount."

"Yan Yin, you actually heard that? I can't believe it—my son is still such a sentimental fool!" the Empress Dowager trembled with anger, "Go summon the Emperor here; I have something to say!"