Tianliangyuan

Chapter 219 It Can't Be Hidden from His Majesty

Wang Ruolan was very satisfied with this answer.

“We women should care about our reputation, but sometimes we don’t have to care too much about it. For example, when I married the Marquis and became pregnant, some people wanted him to take a concubine. I was heartbroken, but as the legal wife, I couldn’t bear the reputation of being jealous. So I could only swallow the bitter pill and magnanimously ask the Marquis for his opinion.”

Wang Ruolan's expression was somewhat complicated as she recalled the events of that year.

"Fortunately, I didn't marry the wrong man. The Marquis himself didn't want to take a concubine, and he personally rejected the old lady's good intentions in front of everyone. He would rather bear the reputation of being afraid of his wife than make things difficult for me."

Later, countless people tried every means to get the Marquis to take a concubine, hoping to drive a wedge between us. But the man was upright and resolute, and in the end, we, as husband and wife, have still managed to live together in harmony until now.

Zhang seemed to understand, but she was still somewhat uneasy.

After all, men like father-in-law are rare in the world.

“I watched An’er grow up, so I know his personality pretty well. As long as you don’t actively push him away, he won’t become distant from you. Your second uncle and aunt’s examples are right here, do you understand?”

In that instant, Zhang understood.

As long as she herself is unwilling to back down, her husband will surely feel sorry for her.

Just like the second wife, even though the second uncle later took two concubines, a few years later, didn't he still have a loving relationship with his second aunt?

Therefore, she herself cannot back down first; otherwise, it would be tantamount to opening a crack in a sturdy house for some petty people to stuff in some nobodies.

Thinking about it this way, it seems that everything becomes clear.

"Thank you for your advice, Mother. I will remember it. Rest assured, I will live a good life with my husband, carry on the family line, and take good care of Xiong'er as he grows up."

Wang Ruolan said with a relieved look, "It's best that you can figure it out."

At least her efforts weren't in vain.

As for her second son, she wasn't worried at all.

Princess Anhe appears to be a quiet and reserved person, but in reality, she is very decisive and ruthless when it comes to doing something, even more so than Zhang Shi, who is gentle and mild-mannered.

If it weren't for the fact that Princess Anhe married the second son, Wang Ruolan would have wanted her to manage the household.

However, Princess Anhe's personality is sometimes too domineering, unlike Zhang's gentleness. Looking at it this way, it seems that each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Xu Zhaozhao cleverly slipped away; her claim of personally overseeing the drug manufacturing was nothing but a fabrication.

She simply wanted to try something new in a different place.

The matter of the weaving workshop could not be kept secret any longer, nor was there any need to hide it any longer.

Moreover, this was a good thing that would allow women to demonstrate their greater value, so Xu Zhaozhao had long intended to offer the loom as a gift.

However, now that it has actually been presented to the Emperor, she still needs to think carefully about how the weaving workshop should proceed in the future.

The paper mill wasn't particularly eye-catching, mainly because its output wasn't outstanding. There was another Duke's mansion ahead of it, so it wouldn't attract much attention.

However, she needs to think carefully about the weaving workshop.

Logically speaking, she could have presented the loom herself and then presented it to the Empress, thus gaining some honor for herself.

However, with the princes constantly vying for power and no one knowing who the Emperor truly favors to inherit the throne, Xu Zhaozhao dared not gamble.

Whether it's Empress Qu or Consort Jiang, it's best for her to avoid provoking them if possible.

Of course, the Jiang family is different.

At the very least, Xu Zhaozhao will not let the Jiang family off the hook.

Dingxiang brought in several young women, who immediately knelt down and kowtowed with gratitude upon entering.

"We, your servants, greet you and wish you a long and healthy life."

After Xu Zhaozhao woke them up, she took a closer look at the group.

These are all pitiful people. Some lost their husbands at an early age, some were widows who had no choice but to marry, and two of them were brought back from Jizhou. They had their chastity ruined because they were hiding in a bandit's den and had no way to survive. They originally thought of ending it all by dying, but Xu Zhaozhao saved them.

This is equivalent to being reborn.

"I intend to send someone to Jizhou to acquire property. What do you ladies think?"

"We are willing to obey our master's orders."

“Gentlemen, there’s no need for this. We are all women, and we should help each other. It’s not easy being a woman in this world. If we’re jealous of each other and undermine each other, our situation will only become more difficult. You all have your own strengths now. I’m thinking of selecting four ladies to go to Jizhou together with the managers here. Does anyone here want to volunteer?”

Before he could finish speaking, two people stepped forward to express their willingness to go.

Then two slightly older women stepped forward and also expressed their willingness to go to Jizhou.

And so, the matter was settled.

"Besides building a weaving workshop in Jizhou, I also want to bring some delicacies from the capital with me, but I can't bring them all. I have already chosen the person in charge. You will all cooperate and help each other. I will not let you down. Anyone who is willing to go will receive ten strings of cash. In the future, I will set aside ten percent of the annual profits for you to share."

"Thank you, Master."

After Xu Zhaozhao made her stance clear, she ordered them to go and prepare.

Xu Zhaozhao had already decided on the people to go to Jizhou. Gao Da Kui was reliable and had experience dealing with many powerful people. With several capable managers and General Xie as a backer there, this matter would not be difficult.

The place Xu Zhaozhao truly wanted to establish was neither Jizhou nor the capital, but far away in Suizhou.

However, the people sent to Suizhou must not have any connection with her on the surface, and they must not let anyone suspect that she is the master behind the scenes. Otherwise, it will only arouse the suspicion of those in power.

Zhu Zi is still on the border of Nanzhao. It is estimated that he will be able to finish his business in about two months. When he returns, he will be responsible for handling the trivial matters in the capital.

If there's nothing wrong with Xu Degui, he can be transferred back.

Xu Zhaozhao is in the capital, so the location of the industry cannot be too far away.

However, the situation always changes faster than she anticipated.

Xu Zhaozhao was summoned to the palace by the emperor.

The matter of the loom could not be kept secret in the end.

Actually, this matter is easy to investigate.

The silent business battle between Xu Zhaozhao and Jiang Ning was well-known among the powerful and influential people in the capital.

The emperor at the time was also paying attention to this matter.

Some of the previous doubts have now been resolved.

At that time, Xu Zhaozhao must have already had something that could weave cloth faster, right?

Before the Emperor, Xu Zhaozhao dared not lie, but she still managed to be a little more flexible.

"Your Majesty, I dare not conceal the truth. The loom was indeed made long ago, but it was not quite the same as the one we use now. It was not as fast, and it produced more defective cloth. The shop only sells the good cloth; the majority of the defective cloth is sold to people in the countryside."