Those concubines were quite capable in front of Old Master Wei and Wei Jingnian, but as soon as they saw Wei Rongchang, they all turned pale and dared not flaunt their charms anymore.
"You might as well not eat this meal!" Old Master Wei shouted, his eyes wide with anger, glaring like copper bells.
Suddenly, a cold laugh broke out on Old Master Wei's face. "Unfilial son, let me ask you something. You neither get close to beautiful women nor frequent brothels. Your father is so worthless in your eyes. Then tell me, has the Wei family made any progress under your leadership?"
Wei Rongchang was startled. He understood the unspoken meaning in Old Master Wei's words and knew that although Old Master Wei had retired to the inner quarters in recent years and handed over all the affairs of the Wei family to him, he was still sharp-witted and knew everything about the handover of the Wei family's affairs.
These days, things haven't been peaceful for the Wei family in the business world, otherwise he wouldn't have been in such a hurry to send Wei Jingnian to find skilled craftsmen to turn the tide.
"Can't answer, is that it?" Old Master Wei pressed on relentlessly, his imposing manner already overwhelming Wei Rongchang. "Then let me tell you, Master Chef Chen Laowu, who has worked in the Wei family workshop for thirty years, was poached more than two months ago. Such a big thing, and you dare to keep it a secret from him!"
Wei Rongchang's face grew increasingly grim as he retorted, "That Chen Laowu abuses his power for personal gain, constantly scheming with the accounts, and even controlling the spinning girls in the workshop. What use is there for such a person to keep!"
"What are you doing!" Old Master Wei's face turned red with anger. "Do you even know how the Wei family managed to gain a foothold in your father's hands and become the number one family in Pingnan City? Chen Laowu may make a mistake occasionally, but he is clear-headed and as clear-headed as a mirror."
“The Wei family has four kinds of cloth, all of which were made by him. Now that Chen Laowu is gone, do you think you can ask the Heavenly King himself to conjure up these five kinds of cloth for you?” Old Master Wei knew the pros and cons well and was also familiar with his son’s temperament.
Wei Rongchang nodded and said confidently, "There's no need for Father to worry. Now that the Wei family has been passed down to me, it will naturally not collapse! Besides, I have already sent Jingnian to find a solution. If you don't believe me, Father can ask this Miss Sun. The clothes that Shuhua wore when she came home last time were made by Miss Sun. I am planning to cooperate with Miss Sun."
Upon hearing this, the concubines exchanged glances and began to whisper among themselves.
"It was her?"
"How could an unmarried girl have such skills?"
Sun Miao'er instantly became the focus of attention, and even Yunniang showed an incredulous expression.
Yunniang initially thought this girl was just studious and talented, but she never expected that she would also have her own expertise in dyeing.
"Did you make that dress?" Old Master Wei walked up to Sun Miao'er and looked her over carefully. Although the material of Shuhua's dress was very ordinary, just common fine gauze, the color and cut were ingenious and different from the rigid techniques of ordinary tailors.
Sun Miao'er humbly replied, "Yes."
"To have such attainments at such a young age is truly remarkable." Old Master Wei stroked his beard and paced back and forth.
Sun Miao'er's next words caught everyone off guard. She said, "The expert is in the inner quarters of the Wei family. Why does Master Wei need to come looking for me?"
Yunniang was startled and gripped the handkerchief even tighter with both hands.
Sun Miao'er could tell that Yunniang was unwilling to stay in the inner quarters and compete with a group of women for favors all day long. Now that there was an opportunity, she was willing to repay Yunniang for teaching her skills.
"Miss Sun, what do you mean by that?" Wei Rongchang asked, puzzled.
Sun Miao'er replied calmly, "To be honest, the reason I came to the Wei family this time is because I have a problem with weaving that I urgently need to solve. Young Master Wei said that the old master's fifth concubine is an expert in weaving, so I came here specifically to ask for her advice. Doesn't Master Wei know this?"
Wei Rongchang was stunned; he truly didn't know.
He didn't care about these concubines at all; he felt disgusted just looking at them. At most, he would learn about their backgrounds to prevent anyone with ill intentions from infiltrating the mansion. For example, he knew that the fifth concubine was originally a spinner.
However, he was unaware of how skilled he was.
Old Master Wei's smile was malicious, though Wei Rongchang was unaware of it all.
Sun Miao'er guessed that Old Master Wei knew Yunniang was capable, and his purpose in doing so was to keep Yunniang under his watchful eye. If such a person fell into the hands of others, it would be a loss for him.
By keeping Yunniang, he had essentially secured a trump card.
Sun Miao'er guessed that, let alone Yunniang, each of the women in this house was probably more than they appeared on the surface.
However, due to their gender disadvantage, they could not stand alone in this conservative and feudal society, or they had unspeakable difficulties, and had no choice but to become Mr. Wei's caged birds.
"Fifth Aunt, it seems I underestimated you!"
Wei Rongchang looked at Yunniang and said through gritted teeth, word by word.
As the sun sets, wiping away its last rays, the crescent moon rises high above the treetops.
Yunniang bowed and said softly, "Master, you flatter me. I am unworthy of such praise. The Wei family has many spinneries, and there are many who are better at spinning than I am."
"Fifth brother, you're being too modest."
Old Master Wei's emotions calmed down considerably. He was not a purely lecherous man, nor was he exactly upright in his conduct, and he could not be accepted by his respectful and law-abiding son.
But all his actions were for the sake of the Wei family's future. Back then, he could see that Yunniang was exceptionally talented and had superb skills. He also wanted to overcome all opposition and let Yunniang support the Wei family's workshop.
However, the clan was stubborn, and most of the workers in the workshop were villagers from Dahuai Village. The rumors were even more rampant. Once Yunniang became the master craftswoman in the workshop, the gossip in the neighborhood would be enough to crush the Wei family.
So he went all the way and took Yunniang into his room. Since the sharp blade had no chance to be drawn, it should be shelved to avoid its sharpness harming him.
As everyone fell silent, Sun Miao'er said, "Master Wei, didn't you want to know the techniques of weaving and dyeing? If you can let Yunniang take charge of the Wei family's weaving, I will keep all the weaving and dyeing techniques. When we work together, are we afraid of being inferior to others?"
Yunniang helped her, and she was determined to repay that kindness.
She knew Yunniang's feelings and understood Yunniang's ambitions.
Wei Rongchang hesitated. The workshop really needed someone who could turn the tide, but unfortunately Yunniang was a woman, and her father's fifth concubine at that...
If he makes this decision, how will the Wei family view him, and how will he establish authority among the workers?
“I know what Master Wei is wary of. Ability is not something that can be talked about in vain. As for Yunniang’s skills, you can let the workers in the workshop see for themselves and convince them.”
Sun Miao'er voiced Wei Rongchang's concerns, expressing her confidence in Yunniang's culinary skills, based on her own observations—if Yunniang were willing.
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