Chapter 312: Volume 1, Chapter 312 — Enshrining the Empress as the God of Wealth

Xiao Shen had little dealings with the Prince of Liang, but they were not on bad terms either; compared to the other princes, he still found the Prince of Liang a bit more pleasing to the eye.

Besides, although Prince Qi was doing a fine job with his duties at the Internal Court Office, the affairs of his own household had become a laughingstock in the capital — his primary consort and secondary consort bickered endlessly day after day, yet he never seemed anxious or bothered, truly making him impossible to read.

In any case, Xiao Shen simply did not like the look of Prince Qi.

Because of this matter, the couple suddenly became busy. Rong Luoge now also went to the Weaving Workshop during the day to oversee things. Kangkang still could not walk, so she could not bring her along. She left both Rong Xin and Que Cai behind, taking only Yuan Bao as well as Mu Ling and Xuan Hui with her.

The Empress running to the Weaving Workshop every day was known to everyone in the Hou Gong. The fact that Noble Consort Liu had also gone to the Weaving Workshop made Su Ying so angry she fell slightly ill. She had asked her aunt to intervene, but the Empress refused to agree, preferring to use a Noble Consort!

Su Ying also recalled His Majesty's attitude toward her the last time she saw him, and this time she truly felt a measure of genuine regret.

But what good was regret? Given her temperament, even if she could start over, she would still enter the palace. Only, if she could do it again, she would enter during the Dong Gong's consort selection, rather than waiting until after His Majesty ascended the throne, letting the opportunity slip away in vain.

It was a pity these things could only be imagined in her head. Everything had already happened — how could time ever flow backward?

As the Weaving Workshop worked day and night to finish the garments Rong Luoge had requested, Rong Luoge was very satisfied. She immediately had people distribute these clothes to the silk shops in the capital that sold the Weaving Workshop's fabrics, having their clerks and embroidery women wear them. Right after, the newly dyed cloth from the dye workshop was also sent to the major silk shops for sale.

With such a living advertisement, the colors dyed on this batch of cloth were vivid, and they even bore faint patterns that looked quite novel. The key was that the price was tempting — ordinary folk could afford it.

Rong Luoge was at the dye workshop discussing matters with Noble Consort Liu. The two of them looked over everything from the dyeing vats onward, and Noble Consort Liu introduced each thing to the Empress one by one.

Rong Luoge listened carefully and attentively. Noble Consort Liu was indeed a very clever person — the color-matching formulas she had been given, she could even improve upon herself, which showed she had truly put her heart into it.

The water temperature for dyeing cloth had also been tested by her time and time again. Rong Luoge noticed that on Noble Consort Liu's once fair and tender hands, there were several faint red scars — burns from carelessness.

After the two of them walked through once, they went to the hall to drink tea and rest their feet.

Dyeing cloth by hand was still somewhat slow. Thinking of the machine dyeing of later generations, Rong Luoge could not replicate it — after all, there was no electricity.

Electricity was something she could not manage with her own abilities either; after all, she had no expertise in that field.

Remembering the leftover flower residue from dyeing cloth that she had seen in the rear courtyard, she looked at Noble Consort Liu and said with a smile: "I saw the leftover flower residue from dyeing cloth again in the rear courtyard. It resembles rouge — the kind made from purple gromwell that can dye silk is top grade, and these are meant for the use of noble ladies. But although the residue made from safflower juice and mountain pomegranate juice is somewhat inferior in appearance, these flower residues can still be used once more."

Noble Consort Liu was taken aback, then said: "Your Majesty, it cannot be used anymore. If you dye with it a second time, the color will not look good."

Rong Luoge waved her hand and said with a smile: "That is not what I mean. I am talking about reusing waste. For example, this flower residue can be made into pigments for painting. The flower residue left from dyeing cloth, once dried, can be made into painting powder. Some people enjoy painting, but painting pigments are expensive, and not everyone can afford them. But this painting powder — we can include it as a free gift with the cloth we sell."

Noble Consort Liu's eyes went wide in astonishment — that could work too?

The Empress's idea was truly unconventional, but on closer thought, it might not be impossible. That flower residue was actually waste from the dye workshop — things meant to be thrown away.

But if they collected these things, dried and ground them into painting powder, and gave them to the common folk as a free gift with cloth purchases, then surely even more people would be willing to buy their cloth.

Noble Consort Liu's thoughts began racing at once, and a hint of excitement appeared on her face. After a moment's thought, she said: "Your Majesty, not all flower residue can be made into it. Let me try. Your idea is truly wonderful — I look at those things every day, how did I never think of it?"

Fortunately, they had not been thrown out yet, or else she would be heartbroken right now.

Rong Luoge smiled. Of course she did not know either — she had merely read it in a book.

Noble Consort Liu looked at the Empress and said: "This method absolutely must not be obtained by others, or would that not mean everyone would imitate it? As long as we keep it secret, those people will not know how our painting powder given as a free gift came to be. This will become a great weapon for our dye workshop, Your Majesty."

How much did a proper box of painting pigments cost?

The pigments used in the Hou Gong, for instance, cost dozens of taels of silver for a small box.

Yet now they were giving them away for free!

Noble Consort Liu was so excited her face was about to turn red. She wished she could enshrine the Empress as the God of Wealth.

Rong Luoge was also somewhat surprised to see Noble Consort Liu so excited. Only after she finished speaking did she realize that the value of the waste reuse she had proposed was even higher than she had anticipated.

In that case, these flower residues would indeed need to be transported out, and another location found to make the painting powder.

As for the location, she would need to find Han Xinglan for that.

Rong Luoge had Noble Consort Liu quietly collect all the flower residue first, so that no one would discover they had another use. She herself would go find Han Xinglan.

But Han Xinglan had gone to the Military Ordnance Bureau, and she did not find him.

It was not urgent in any case. Rong Luoge reflected that she still had some unfinished writing regarding the follow-up matters on the cannons. Rather than waiting idly, she might as well finish the work first.

So she returned to Fengyi Palace and went to see her son. The child who could not yet walk could only lie down, but he was now crawling quite nimbly. Seeing his mother arrive, he immediately crawled over wanting to be picked up.

Rong Luoge kissed her son. She felt guilty toward him, because there were too many things to attend to, and many times she could not stay by his side.

She carried her son for a stroll around the courtyard and amused the little one until he was happy, then handed him to the wet nurse and went to the study to continue working.

Ah, being an Empress was not easy either.

Work a little harder now, and when the child was a bit older and had his own thoughts, she would be able to spend proper time with him.

Once Rong Luoge got busy, she lost track of time. When she had written enough, she finally set down her brush to rest. She turned her head and saw that it was already getting dark.

She stood up to stretch. Outside, Rong Xin heard the movement and hurried in, looking at the Empress with a smile: "Your Majesty, you have been busy for so long — it is time to serve the meal."

"Serve it." Rong Luoge was indeed hungry. Han Xinglan had been busy with matters at the Military Ordnance Bureau lately and had no time to come back and keep her company.

She changed into comfortable casual clothes and washed her hands. Rong Xin had already led the palace attendants in setting the dishes on the table.

She did not like extravagance when eating alone. Her evening meals were generally simple — three dishes and one soup was enough. Though she enjoyed good food, she would not waste anything. Having dozens of bowls and plates laid out for a single meal like in television dramas was out of the question.

The rule of eating at most three bites from any single dish did not apply here either. She had a habit of liking soup — whether congee or various kinds of soup, all would do. Eating a meal without soup was like not having eaten at all.

Tonight's was a dried bamboo shoot and sliced meat soup — savory but not greasy. She liked it very much.

After she sat down, Que Cai first served the Empress a bowl of soup and placed it before her. Rong Luoge had just picked up her spoon and was about to drink when she heard the sound of kneeling and paying respects from outside. She paused, then looked up and out, and saw Han Xinglan striding in with large steps.