Chapter 332: Volume 1, Chapter 332 — Isn

Rong Luoge looked at Kang Shufei, smiled, and said to her, "I'm surprised; I didn't expect you to do this."

"Empress, don't say you couldn't imagine it; not long ago I myself could barely believe it. I have carefully tended my hands since childhood—who could have thought they could not only record accounts swiftly, but also reconcile ledgers of shipments and receipts? They're a bit rough now, but I'm pleased."

"I have always thought that, as a woman, marrying a husband of equal standing is a life's joy, and meeting someone who knows, understands, and pities me is an even greater blessing. But now I no longer think that way. Even if I never marry in this lifetime, I can still live well."

Kang Shufei laughed as she spoke, looking at the Empress. She knew her thoughts were influenced by the Empress, who often said that even as a daughter one must be self‑reliant; relying on others in this life is never that easy or lasting—only oneself can be one's own support.

She had once thought those words were said too lightly, that it couldn't be so easy to achieve, but now she knows it can be done.

As long as you are like the Empress—taking one step at a time, not fearing hardship, not fearing others' scornful gazes—pursuing what you wish to do will indeed be fulfilling.

Rong Luoge looked at Kang Shufei, this time genuinely laughing from the heart, "His Majesty is enlightened, with a heart to create a flourishing age. Kang Shufei, you must believe in yourself; your path will only broaden. Though I perhaps should not say this, I hope you will think carefully—not only for yourself, but also for the future of the Kang family and the Kang clan."

Kang Shufei looked at the Empress's serious expression, her heart tightening, and she couldn't help but give a wry smile, "Empress, you truly have keen insight; you saw all of this?"

Rong Luoge shook her head, "I saw nothing in you; I merely showed you the Song family's cautionary tale. You must believe that the Suizhou His Majesty will certainly subdue them. I think you would not want the Kang family to meet the same fate as the Song family of Suizhou."

"Empress, what do you mean?" Kang Shufei's heart leapt.

Rong Luoge shook her head, "Some words can only be understood, not spoken. But I believe that, with Kang Shufei's wisdom, you can grasp it."

Rong Luoge could only remind her so much; saying more would be impossible, as some things cannot pass through her mouth.

"Tomorrow I will give you a day to return home and visit your family," Rong Luoge smiled at Kang Shufei, then lifted her foot and walked toward the dye workshop.

When there are many craft households, the dye workshop will certainly need to add workers; Liu Taifei, being clever, has surely already been holding a little notebook waiting for herself.

Rong Luoge was right; as soon as she saw Liu Taifei, she immediately came forward, "Empress, we have been waiting for you."

Rong Luoge liked talking with Liu Taifei, and said, "Then I have kept you waiting, Taifei; that is my fault."

Liu Taifei was originally about the same age as Rong Luoge; now that she is out working, her spirit is completely different, vibrant as a withered tree meeting spring.

Liu Taifei invited the Empress inside and said directly, "Empress, I have heard about the craft households. I don't need much here; at least give me ten households."

"Is that not much? You should know that currently only about fifty households are registered," Rong Luoge laughed.

Liu Taifei laughed, "Don't flatter me; these are only the ones that have arrived in the capital so far. I have heard that more are coming later. Empress, you are truly remarkable—this move is something I never imagined could be done. Still, that's good; those aristocratic families devour people without remorse, forcing skilled craft households into black status, trapping entire families—how pitiful."

Rong Luoge understood Liu Taifei's meaning; some black households are indeed forced into that status out of desperation, having nowhere to go. Such helplessness is man‑made; human hearts can be so petty and vicious.

"Everything will improve later," Rong Luoge said cheerfully, "I can allocate ten households to you first; what do you plan to do?"

Speaking of that, Liu Taifei perked up, "Empress, didn't you ask me to consider how to dye patterns onto hemp garments? I know you wish the common folk could wear colorful clothes, but printing on hemp is difficult; solid colors are easier, yet applying patterns requires repeated dyeing, and because hemp fabric is coarse, even if the dye succeeds it fades after a few washes. I have been thinking that if the hemp threads could be spun finer into cloth, it would be better, so I am planning to try that, but I need more hands."

Rong Luoge pondered; hemp garments were worn by the lower classes in ancient times because their fibers are coarse, uncomfortable to wear, and thus priced very low, affordable to the common people.

But hemp garments are indeed not very attractive; improving them requires a process.

Liu Taifei said that dyeing cloth is a tough problem, and the coarseness of the hemp thread she mentioned is also a major issue.

However, if the hemp thread could be made finer, developing that technique would be ideal. She currently has no time for it, and she did not expect Liu Taifei to even consider it, let alone plan to experiment hands‑on.

That is a good thing; the proactive attitude of the subordinate staff gives her a strong sense of achievement, and it must be strongly supported.

Thus, Rong Luoge looked at Liu Taifei and said, "I will first allocate fifteen households to you, and try to find older children at home who can learn alongside, so it's like a father bringing a son; the backup manpower will also be prepared."

The reason craft households have a craft register is that skills are passed from father to son, son to grandson, generation after generation. Since some techniques are family secrets never shared outside, such craft households hold a relatively high status among the craft families.

Therefore, when a family's boys are a bit older, they follow their fathers to the workshop to work and learn the craft; these children have a solid foundation and are the most favored by the workshops.

Liu Taifei indeed rejoiced, "Then thank you, Empress; this is truly good news."

"It is Liu Taifei who cares and works hard for the people's clothing; once successful, this palace will also spread your name."

Liu Taifei was startled, "Like the Empress's cloth?"

Rong Luoge nodded, "Yes. As long as anyone in our workshop can devise a unique skill, they will later have their own glory."

That is the later era's exclusive intellectual property for inventions, which should be deserved.

Liu Taifei felt it was like a dream; if it truly succeeds, won't she become renowned across the seas thereafter?

Seeing Liu Taifei's expression, Rong Luoge felt a pang of sorrow; she knew ancient laws differ from modern ones, but she could start reforming slowly, and these craft households should also have their own glory.

As long as one success is achieved, craft households across the realm will hear the news and inevitably flock to the capital.

If Han Xinglan possesses the realm's top‑most craft households, what would he not dare to do?