Chapter 347: Amicable Separation

Princess Zhaoqing heard her mother's words and said, "You said you wanted to invite me out for tea—so should I go or not?"

Ming Taifei had actually regretted it long ago; she had been clever all her life and always felt her days were exhausting and hard, so after having a daughter she inevitably wanted her to live more comfortably. If the Late Emperor had lived longer, her thinking would naturally have been correct.

But…

So now her daughter's temperament inevitably worries her; she is too lacking in scheming.

"Then do you yourself want to go?" Ming Taifei asked, looking at her daughter.

Princess Zhaoqing felt a little uneasy; she looked at her mother and said, "I actually do want to go. I haven't left the house in a long time and want to see the outside. Besides, my relationship with Chang An is still good, so nothing should happen."

Ming Taifei looked at her daughter and said, "Back when you were in the palace, Chang An was technically your sister, but most of the time she was more like your little follower. Do you really think she'll treat you as a sister?"

Princess Zhaoqing naturally knew it might not be so, but couldn't help saying, "Then the two of us princesses can't just stop seeing each other."

"Did her letter mention what it was for?" Ming Taifei asked, looking at her daughter.

Princess Zhaoqing shook her head, "It only said to invite me out for tea and to watch a performance, nothing else."

Ming Taifei met her daughter's eager gaze, felt a softening in her heart, sighed lightly, "You may go if you wish, but you must follow my arrangements and not be willful."

After the Late Emperor's death and all this time, Princess Zhaoqing had come to understand the fickleness of hearts; she readily agreed, "Alright, I'll obey Mother."

Being able to go out made her very happy.

Having sent her daughter away, Ming Taifei looked at Bai Zhuo and said, "Send someone to inquire what's happening at the Shou Shou Prince's Mansion's Mansion lately; if nothing, then find out who Chang An has been getting close to recently."

"Yes, old servant will see to it right away." Bai Zhuo replied and immediately rose to leave.

After Bai Zhuo left, Ming Taifei rubbed her forehead, sighed softly for a while, and thought that while she had imagined leaving the palace, actually being out was not as carefree as she had thought.

After Ningyuan Hou went to Suizhou, Rong Luoge knew the war would end soon, so she quickened her steps and sent out printed hemp cloth—not only to the capital but also to places beyond, first stocking the populous prefectures and counties, spreading the news of artisans flocking to the court at the fastest speed.

Additionally, she had people quietly promote that whether it was the Empress's cloth or the current printed hemp cloth, both owed their success to these defecting artisans.

Those defecting artisans not only had houses and household registrations, but also generous monthly salaries; this news spread rapidly along with the distribution regions of the Empress's cloth and the printed hemp cloth.

If one sold those high‑price fabrics, the common folk could never afford them, and no one would even ask. But these affordable fabrics are different; wherever they go, the people love them, being able to buy beautiful material for little money—who wouldn't like that?

Once the people are willing to buy the cloth, they naturally hear the sellers mention its origin, and Rong Luoge's advertising to win the populace's favor advances another step.

Previously she only publicized how artisans defected to the court, but now everyone can see the fabrics with their own eyes, making the experience far more tangible.

Those artisans who returned to the capital truly live better.

Moreover, with the Suizhou war, even those who remained in noble families as black households now can't help but waver in their thoughts.

Rong Luoge knows that once Ningyuan Hou truly leads the Song family to formally submit to the court, those last wavering black households will certainly take their steps.

When that time comes, it will truly be a convergence of heaven, earth, and people.

Coordinating Han Xinglan's moves in the court, the day when the aristocratic families fully submit to the court is not far off.

"The Weaving Workshop is short of workers; it's already day and night rush work. The artisans not only bring themselves but also bring any children who can help, so you haven't seen how bustling it is." Kang Shufei laughed as she spoke to the Empress, "Everyone is now waiting for the workshop to finish early so we can move there; the current place is indeed getting cramped."

Rong Luoge thought for a moment and said, "The workshop should be almost done. So, first transfer a portion of the craftsmen there, get the processes running smoothly, and when everything is moved, we can start right away."

Kang Shufei thought that was a good plan, "Your suggestion, Empress, is excellent; this way everything will proceed more smoothly. Neither side will be delayed, and we can also set up the other set of frames in the large workshop over there."

Over there, whether it's dye vats or various machines, it cannot be just a single procedure; it must be scaled up, so now it's like training troops.

Kang Shufei had discussed with the Empress how many workers to assign to that workshop, how many machines and dye vats to add, all the way until Xu Xianfei arrived and hadn't finished speaking.

When Xu Xianfei saw Kang Shufei, she smiled and greeted her; by now the two were familiar, because some matters in the Weaving Workshop required the Inner Court Office's assistance, and matters of the Inner Court Office must be handled by Xu Xianfei, so they now have many issues to negotiate, and they have become quite acquainted.

"Since Sister Xianfei has arrived, I, the concubine, will take my leave now; once the matters over there are settled, I'll report back to the Empress." Kang Shufei rose immediately to depart; she has always been a sensible person.

Rong Luoge nodded, "The Ministry of Works has already produced some machines; have people transport them, and just tell the Ministry how many are still lacking."

After Suizhou fell, the six ministries in the capital are now easy to deal with, unlike before when edicts were issued and the lower offices would stall and push back for days, which was very irritating.

Kang Shufei smiled and left; after she departed, Xu Xianfei spoke, "Empress, today in the Inner Court Office I saw Princess Consort Shou, and her complexion really didn't look good."

Princess Consort Shou?

Rong Luoge steadied herself and recalled that Princess Consort Shou is He Wan, daughter of Grand Scholar He Gang. She had little interaction with He Wan before, unlike her some private dealings with Ling Yuying; after He Wan became Empress, she only saw her from a distance at royal banquets.

In her impression, He Wan was a person with almost no presence, since everyone knew the most about the Shou Shou Prince's Mansion's favored concubine, Ruan Shi.

She knew Xu Xianfei would not bring up Princess Consort Shou without reason, so she looked at her and said, "Just tell me directly, what's going on."

Xu Xianfei sighed lightly, "Before I entered the palace I had some contact with Princess Consort Shou, though not a close friendship. She went to great lengths in the Inner Court Office just to see me once, hoping I would convey a message to the Empress on her behalf. She wants the Empress to grant her justice; she wishes to separate amicably from the Shou Shou Prince's Mansion."