Chapter 387: Volume 1, Chapter 387  Settlement of the Su Family

Rong Luoge wasn't really surprised about the Su family's matter; Han Xinglan hadn't acted because he still had a bit of sentiment toward the Empress Dowager.

But the Su family didn't know when to stop and kept leaping about, which wore away Han Xinglan's last bit of sentiment; whether or not the Empress Dowager's attitude has changed, he won't continue to tolerate them.

If a true settlement were to happen, the Su family has too many black marks—buying and selling offices, taking bribes, keeping private slaves, annexing land—any one of which is a major crime.

Rong Luoge doesn't want to get involved or inquire about the Su family; she only thinks of getting the workshop affairs sorted before she dies. Now the main framework is set, awaiting the first batch of workshops to officially open.

She had planned a grand opening ceremony, but since Han Xinglan is settling the Su family, she crossed that out. There was no fanfare, but on the day the first batch of workshops officially opened, they still set off many firecrackers for luck.

Immediately after, the shops of all trades—clothing, food, housing, transport—around the workshop opened, and that is what counts as bustling.

The workshop's opening means starting production, not formal sales, so the common folk aren't very interested; only the merchants traveling from north and south are.

But the shop openings are different; although the workshop is a bit remote, it still attracted many townsfolk, and it became lively, like celebrating the New Year.

Once popularity rises, everything forms a virtuous cycle; the worst case is having no popularity.

Rong Luoge listened as Kang Shufei described the situation there, nodding happily, "Now that's better."

Kang Shufei beamed, repeatedly saying, "Who could have imagined so many people? Now both sides of the main street have many stalls. The lady hasn't gone to see, it's truly especially lively."

Rong Luoge was a bit surprised, "People still set up stalls? That's really unexpected."

She said, "Speaking of this, the concubine still wants to ask the lady whether these stalls are permitted, because there are so many; if left unchecked, trouble might arise." Kang Shufei didn't quite understand, and Liu Taifei reminded her, as Liu Taifei's suggestion also came from Yang Yi.

Speaking of Yang Yi, Rong Luoge looked at Kang Shufei and asked, "Did Yang Yi give any suggestion?"

Anyone who raises a question should have a prepared answer.

Yang Yi is very clever; Rong Luoge thinks he wouldn't fail to prepare an answer.

"Yes, Yang Yi meant that the shops are opened by reputable families; now that they're just opened, these people seek festivity and may not react to the small stalls, but after a while, conflicts may arise and they might be driven away," Kang Shufei said.

Rong Luoge nodded; it made a lot of sense.

Kang Shufei looked at the lady, nodded, sighed slightly, and continued, "Yang Yi suggested carving out a separate plot, or allocating a street for them. He found that although these small vendors' stalls are tiny compared to the workshop, many people buy or browse there, especially children who love to go. When children go, adults have to leave home, bringing people. They may not make big money, but attracting visitors is good."

Rong Luoge was delighted; Yang Yi's observational skill was truly impressive—if placed in later times, he'd be a textbook market researcher.

"Alright, let's do that," Rong Luoge nodded. "I recall there's an unused street behind the workshop market; we can set it aside for this purpose."

"Would it be too large?" Kang Shufei thought of that street; it's not smaller than the front streets.

"No, the bigger it is, the more people come," Rong Luoge replied, knowing not to underestimate these stalls; many people enjoy browsing them, spending little yet finding a unique charm.

With the matter settled, Kang Shufei rose to take her leave; she also had many tasks to attend to.

The bustle and splendor of the Glazed Tile Workshop quickly spread throughout the capital; originally many thought the queen was acting foolishly, but now some regretted it and began inquiring how the shops there sold.

However, the shops there don't sell, they lease; after hearing this, many were amazed, thinking privately that the queen really knows how to make money.

If a shop is sold, you only get a one-time dead cash, but leasing is different—it brings yearly income. Some initially thought the queen's hoarding was improper, but later heard that the revenue was taken directly by the queen and His Majesty to the military industry bureau, so they fell silent.

Now, when mentioning the military industry bureau, who doesn't think twice? The current bureau has long surpassed the Imperial Works Office, becoming the capital's hottest place; many sharpen their minds hoping to get in, but it's too difficult.

While the workshop area buzzed and drew everyone's eyes, Han Xinglan of the court announced the charges against Chancellor Su, followed by the Ministry of Justice Minister presenting corroborating evidence. The proof was solid, and since Chancellor Su always believed the Empress Dowager's presence meant the emperor wouldn't turn cold, he hadn't concealed much; this time he was completely overturned.

The Su family's sentencing came too swiftly and harshly, leaving no leeway; after a brief gasp in the court, they watched Chancellor Su being seized on the spot, and many were still stunned.

In the Hou Gong, after Su Ying received the news, she went to request an audience with the Empress Dowager, but the Empress Dowager did not see her, and Su Ying knelt at the gate of Funing Palace, unable to rise.

Rong Luoge, knowing this, was not at all surprised that Su Ying would act so; such a person is always selfish, willing to endure a little more suffering if it serves their goal.

But she feared that truly angering the Empress Dowager might backfire, possibly blaming her and Han Xinglan, so she ordered Su Ying to be dragged back to Yongfu Palace and stationed guards at its gate. Su Ying was not allowed to step out of the palace.

Dragged away, Su Ying shouted hoarsely at Funing Palace, but its doors never opened.

Inside Funing Palace, the Empress Dowager leaned on a soft pillow, her complexion very grim.

She hadn't expected that, even after warning her brother, he still hadn't learned restraint.

Even if her brother merely put on a show, she could still plead before her son to give him a way out, but he didn't.

The Empress Dowager's already clouded eyes turned blood‑red as she looked up at Chengchen, suddenly recalling when she married, her mother had held her hand and said, "The Su family's glory rests on you."

At that time the Su family was already declining, but after she became queen, they rose to prominence again.

She always believed she had greatly contributed to the Su family's revival and took pride that, because of her, the Su family regained glory; thus supporting them became instinctual.

How could the Su family she lifted fall apart like this?

But now…

The Empress Dowager slowly closed her eyes.

She was wrong.