Chapter 38
Liu Ju turned and left, keeping his achievements and fame hidden.
Of course, he knew what it meant to keep his word. He would do what he promised. He would give away the remaining glasses if he promised to.
But some comments reminded people that he had some thoughts on who to give it to.
First, choose those with a similar degree, and then try to choose those who are not wealthy enough to make glass; or those who are big-mouthed and like to show off.
It would be fine if no one had it. But some people have it, others don't. And if some people keep jumping around and getting in your way, how can you not be upset? So what can we do? We can only work harder to develop glass.
Perfect.
Liu Ju was delighted and didn't need to worry about the rest of the things. He just waited for the result. He turned around and happily went to discuss the construction of Bowang Garden with the Shaofu. He was completely unaware of the repercussions of his casual actions.
Magnolia Pavilion.
The maidservant accompanied Liu Hong to play on the flat ground in front of the palace. Inside the house, Wang Dalang and his wife chatted.
Wang Dalang glanced out the window and sighed, "It's been a while since we last met. The Second Prince has grown taller and can now run on his own, quite steadily. He even called me 'Uncle' just now, speaking clearly and articulately. I heard he can now recognize words?"
Mrs. Wang chuckled, "Just a few simple words."
"The Second Prince is barely a year old, and to be able to demonstrate this level of performance is truly remarkable. The Crown Prince is known as a child prodigy, but when he was this age..."
He was halfway through his words when he realized something was wrong and closed his mouth in disappointment.
But Mrs. Wang understood that when Liu Ju was that age, he couldn't walk as fast as Liu Hong, couldn't speak as fast as Liu Hong, let alone recognize words.
"Hong'er is incredibly intelligent, and I'm both happy and worried."
Wang Dalang was bewildered. He was glad he understood. After all, who wouldn't want a clever child? And His Majesty disliked the foolish. Only the intelligent could earn His favor. But why was he worried? Could intelligence be a disadvantage?
Madam Wang sighed, "Brother, I think the Queen's family might not mind the birth of another prince in the palace. But that only applies to mediocre princes. What if this prince is exceptionally intelligent?"
"There are only two heirs to the throne in the palace right now: the Crown Prince and Hong'er. The better Hong'er performs, the more attention he draws. If it were my brother, what would he do?
"Should I take a gamble and do nothing, confident that even when Hong'er grows up, he won't be as good as me and won't become a threat? Or should I take advantage of Hong'er's youth and prevent him from growing up to stifle all possibilities and eliminate any hidden dangers?"
Wang Dalang's expression suddenly changed.
Madam Wang continued, "The Empress is known for her gentleness and virtue, but a woman who has managed to escape unscathed from the numerous difficulties posed by the deposed Empress, stand out in the treacherous harem, and retain a place in His Majesty's heart for over a decade, even if she is truly virtuous, how much more virtuous can she be?"
"I risked my life to give birth to Hong'er, and I have high hopes for him. He is my life. I dare not gamble, and I cannot gamble. So, I want to keep Hong'er's intelligence to myself. Brother, please don't spread it around."
Wang Dalang nodded to show that he understood.
After the small talk, Madam Wang asked about the real business: "Brother, are you here today for Liuli?"
"Yes. I also copied the prince's bamboo slips that day. Everyone in my family has seen it, but they don't know whether they should do it. Today I heard a piece of news that the magic of the glasses has been known to everyone, and everyone wants a pair, some even offering tens of thousands of coins for them."
Tens of thousands of dollars is not an ordinary number.
Madam Wang raised her eyebrows: "Brother, do you want to try it?"
Wang Dalang was tempted, yet hesitant. "I'd like to discuss this with my sister. You're always by His Majesty's side, have you heard anything? Will the bamboo slip method work?"
"I don't know if the bamboo slip method will work, but it's certainly worth a try." Madam Wang thought for a moment and said, "Your Majesty attaches great importance to the colorless, clear, and transparent glass mentioned by the Crown Prince. I suspect that glass may have other uses beyond just solving the glasses problem."
She took a deep breath and said, "This is a great opportunity."
Once they succeed, they will be favored by His Majesty. High positions and generous salaries are not a problem, and His Majesty will remember them. This will give them the capital for promotion and the foundation for their ascension to the top.
Wang Dalang, however, had other concerns: "Glassmaking has always been difficult, and such an experiment would probably be quite expensive."
Although the Wang family is not poor and has made a lot of money over the years thanks to Mrs. Wang, their foundation is weak after all and cannot compare with the big families with rich resources. They may not be able to afford it.
"We don't have it, but others do." Madam Wang's lips curled slightly. "Let's go find the Tian and Wang families. We're actually related to the Wang family. They'll definitely try to deal with the Liuli matter, so why don't we all work together?"
The Empress Dowager's biological mother had been married twice. Her first marriage was to the Wang family, and she gave birth to Wang Xin and the Empress Dowager. Her second marriage was to the Tian family, and she gave birth to Tian Fen and Tian Sheng.
The Tian and Wang families were referring to these two. It was the Queen Mother who initially made the decision, claiming they were related to the Wang family on the grounds that they shared the surname Wang. Now, they also publicly addressed Gai Hou and Wang Xin as uncles. But they weren't blood relatives, and the Tian and Wang families had their own financial resources. Why would they want them to interfere?
Madam Wang chuckled, "When the Queen Mother was alive, the Tian and Wang families were at their peak. Tian Fen even became Prime Minister, bringing the family to its peak of prosperity."
"With the passing of Tian Fen and the passing of the Queen Mother, now, apart from Wang Xin, who holds the title of Marquis Gai, who else can you see who can match his status? Even His Majesty's treatment of him is far less than before. Do you know the Queen Mother's last wishes before her death?"
Wang Dalang didn't know this.
Madam Wang continued, "The Empress Dowager was concerned about her children when she was dying. Your Majesty is already an emperor, and Pingyang, Longli, and Nangong are all princesses. They have power and status in their hands, so there is no need to worry.
"Only Xiucheng Jun does not have the imperial surname. He was born to a commoner husband before entering the palace, so he is still a generation away from Your Majesty. The Queen Mother implores Your Majesty to treat Xiucheng Jun and his children well.
"Also, the Queen Mother suspected that the Tian and Wang families would decline after her passing. Therefore, in order to maintain the dignity of her family, she requested a marriage from Your Majesty. She asked Your Majesty to choose a princess to marry into her family in the future to maintain their wealth and prosperity.
"As for whether it's the Tian family or the Wang family, or which young master. The Queen Mother didn't mention it, so she gave Your Majesty room for consideration.
"The Queen Mother's words were sincere and her tears were heartfelt. These were not excessive requests. How could Your Majesty refuse? However, the princesses were still young at the time, so they did not publicize it."
Wang Dalang was surprised.
Madam Wang stood up and walked to the table. She opened one of the boxes and slowly unpacked the jewels. "This was recently sent by the Wang family. Seeing that Wei Chang, E Yi, and other Yi have grown up and are of marriageable age, the Wang family naturally wants to settle the matter as soon as possible."
Wang Dalang's eyes rolled: "Then this princess..."
"The current generation of the Tian and Wang families is very old, and the young are very young. The only one who is a match in age is Wang Chong'er. Wang Chong'er has neither the talent of a general nor the looks of Song Yu. The Wang family's current status is just that. They want a legitimate princess, but how can the queen agree?"
In other words, it can only be Eyi. But even if it is Eyi, she is also the emperor's daughter, with fiefdoms and fiefdoms. The Wang family is not at a loss.
Madam Wang curled her lips. "So, you only need to boldly ask the Wang family for cooperation. They will definitely agree. And by the way, tell them that I have granted their request. It's just that the Empress Dowager has passed away for several years, and His Majesty hasn't taken the initiative to bring up this matter. I'm unsure of His Majesty's attitude. I need to find an opportunity to sound out the situation first, and then proceed slowly."
It was too easy to do, which didn't show her importance in this alliance.
Wang Dalang understood and said with a smile, "I know what to do."
********
The first corner of the north gate is Zhao’s house.
Zhao Yingqi also held a bamboo slip copied from the Eastern Palace in his hand. He did not understand it well and could not understand it very well, but when he saw the clear and neatly arranged items on it, and even the annotations and supplements in the important places, he knew that the prince had put a lot of effort into it and it was not just written casually.
Looking at the table beside him, there was a magnifying glass, a compass, a set of horse harness, and another bamboo slip record next to it.
The first things listed in the records are naturally pig slaughtering and chicken farming in dark rooms, followed by new tables and chairs and snacks, and below them are polo and lion dancing.
A trusted attendant couldn't help but sigh, "The Han Crown Prince is truly capable of making a name for himself. He always manages to make a name for himself. Food, drink, and entertainment aside, things like compasses and horse harnesses are of inestimable value and are of paramount importance."
"He's only a few years old. How can he have so many ideas at such a young age? Many talented and capable people can't do what he's come up with. But he can do it. He just has the ability.
"With such an outstanding son, it's no wonder His Majesty dotes on him and loves him so much. Not only did he receive various rewards, but he was also given the opportunity to visit Shanglin Garden and Bowang Garden was built specifically for him."
The attendant was genuinely curious and admired.
Zhao Yingqi's feelings were a bit complicated, however. He admired him, but besides admiration, he also felt a bit of envy and jealousy, and a bit of regret. He couldn't help but feel a bit sad: "Your Majesty is really lucky."
He was so lucky that not only did he own a vast territory, control the world, and be rich, but he also gave birth to such a brilliant heir.
Liu Ju had achieved such success at the age of only six or seven, so his future development cannot be underestimated.
He also had sons, several of them, but they were all ordinary people, not stupid, but not smart either. Whether they were good at reading and writing, riding and shooting, or entertainment, they were all mediocre.
To be honest, the one who is most capable is Liu Fan, who is not sure whether he is his blood relative.
Thinking of this, Zhao Yingqi paused and turned to ask his attendant, "Is there any new progress in Nanyue?"
"Not yet. But when Young Master Fan wrote to me last time, he said he had gathered our remaining forces, drawn up a plan, and made arrangements in the palace, and was just waiting for the right time to act. Now it seems that it should be soon."
Zhao Yingqi nodded.
Liu Fan was only about ten years old and had been in Vietnam alone for only half a year. To have achieved this level of success was already quite remarkable. He hadn't quite believed the letter that had set a one-year deadline for his return.
But looking at the current development, what Liu Fan has done actually has great potential and will be realized in the near future.
This kind of mentality and means may not be comparable to Liu Ju's, but he is still a leader among the crowd, much better than his other sons. However...
Zhao Yingqi's eyes were deep as he asked quietly, "Tell me, is he really my son?"
The attendant was stunned, not knowing how to answer, and felt extremely speechless.
You were the one who was having sex with Liu Ling and saying sweet words to him. You don't know whether the son is yours or not, and you ask me? How could I possibly know!
The attendant hesitated for a long time, and after much deliberation, he finally managed to find the right words: "Young Master Fan's eyes are very similar to yours."
This was the truth, but it was only in the eyes. So whether it was true or not could only be determined by Zhao Yingqi's own conscience.
Zhao Yingqi sighed, thinking, perhaps. After all, Liu Ling had been catching many men like a fish, but besides himself, it seemed that the only one who had been truly involved with him was Zhang Cigong.
Liu Ling was a proud woman, and not just anyone was worthy of bearing her child. Even if the child was her own, she would never compromise on the child's father. This person had to be of high status, of high rank, and of noble descent.
Zhang Cigong is not qualified, and Liu Ling hooked up with Zhang Cigong in recent years, so the timing doesn't match.
From this perspective, it is highly likely that the child is his or her own.
But with Liu Ling's personality, who knows if she has other men?
There was no deep affection between them, just a fleeting romance, each seeking stimulation and fulfillment. He didn't know everything about her dirty deeds, but rather many more. For example, he was completely unaware of the rebellion until it was exposed.
Otherwise, was he dissatisfied that South Vietnam was not dying fast enough, or that he was dying too long?
So he really couldn't be sure whether the child was his.
After much thought, Zhao Yingqi decided not to rush and to wait and see.
But in view of Liu Fan's outstanding performance, Zhao Yingqi's heart still unconsciously tilted a little. He put down the bamboo slips and ordered: "Send these things to Nanyue and hand them over to Fan'er."
"promise."
********
Nanyue, the capital.
The things that were placed in front of Zhao Yingqi that day are now spread out next to Liu Fan.
Sang Zhi's expression was heavy. "We've only been away from the Central Plains for over half a year, and yet the Han Dynasty has undergone so many changes. This Highness is truly a capable man."
"Now we should call him the Crown Prince instead of His Highness." Liu Fan pointed to the letter sent by Zhao Yingqi, which clearly stated that Liu Ju was named the Crown Prince.
Sang Zhi nodded in agreement, but didn't care. Whether Liu Ju was the Crown Prince or the Grand Prince didn't matter. What mattered was the things Liu Ju had created, their effects and achievements had far-reaching impact.
Liu Fan tapped his fingers on the table: "It won't be just these."
Sang Zhi was stunned: "What do you mean, young master?"
"Putting everything else aside, what do you think of the compass and the harness, Auntie?"
After asking, he didn't wait for Sangzhi to speak before asking himself another question and answering, "Both of these can be used in warfare. If I were Your Majesty, I would keep it secret and use it unexpectedly on the battlefield one day, catching the enemy off guard."
Sangzhi thought for a moment, then frowned and said, "Not necessarily. This item can be used in warfare, but it's not limited to warfare. If it's kept secret, it won't be released to the public, which means it's giving up its other uses."
"Warfare is rare. If there's no fighting for a year or two, or even two or three, will harness and compass become useless? Furthermore, even if they were to be used in battle, only the first battle would offer a surprise attack. The enemy would know about the rest, and their surprise would be lost.
"More importantly, the horse harnesses need to be coordinated with the training. Once the entire cavalry is equipped with them, the movements will be too large and it will be difficult to achieve airtightness, and there will always be wind blowing.
"When two armies battle, while tools and compasses are important, the key lies in our own military strength and the talent of our officers and men. Therefore, it would not be wise to bury these two items for several years for a single battle and to abandon the others."
Liu Fan nodded. "That's true, but I always feel that things are more complicated than that. My mother mentioned that she saw something ascend to heaven in Chang'an.
"What exactly it was or how it was done, my mother didn't know. Later, when I asked, no one knew or noticed, as if the scene that day had never happened.
"It would be fine if this situation wasn't in the capital, but Chang'an is the emperor's capital. Mother also said that the object seemed to be floating from the direction of Weiyang Palace. Isn't this a bit unusual?"
Sang Zhi's heart tightened, and she asked doubtfully, "Young Master, do you suspect that the court has something truly secret besides these? Are you just guessing based on what the princess said? But the princess only mentioned it briefly, and later said that she might have been mistaken."
I saw it wrong...
It's possible, but is it really just a misunderstanding?
Liu Fan's eyes swept over the items on the table, finally landing on the bamboo slips: "It's not just the doubtful point mentioned by mother, there's also the glass.
"The prince says that the material used for magnifying glasses is not glass, but he also says that glass can solve the problem of the material used for magnifying glasses. If it is not glass, how can it be solved? And what exactly are magnifying glasses made of?
"Based on the news from Chang'an, the current atmosphere in the court, and the attitudes of the Emperor and the Crown Prince, Liuli is merely a luxury item. Even if it could solve the glasses issue, how could it possibly attract the Emperor and the Crown Prince's attention?"
Sangzhi stood there in a daze.
Indeed, how could a piece of glass be so important, unless it had other uses? Or perhaps there were other mysteries behind the glass and the materials used to make glasses.
Sang Zhi frowned. "It's a pity that with the passing of the princess, the power of the Huainan lineage has been completely uprooted. The spies we planted in the capital in the early years have all been eliminated. It won't be easy to cultivate new ones."
Liu Fan pondered for a moment and then ordered, "I have now established a firm foothold in Nanyue and do not need so many people to protect me. Send someone to the Central Plains to secretly search for anyone who escaped and bring them back to reorganize the group.
"Also, send a message to the Crown Prince of Nanyue. He's in Chang'an. Ask him to pay more attention to it. It's more convenient for him than for us. Nanyue is a small nation and cannot rival the Han. It could pay tribute to the Han, but he certainly doesn't want to continue to be threatened by the Minyue to the east."
There are many small countries south of the Han Dynasty, and the most powerful one at present is Minyue.
If the Minyue had not attacked Nanyue, Nanyue would not have been forced to seek aid from the Han. Although the threat from the Minyue was temporarily resolved after the request for aid, it attracted the summons of the Han angels. The Nanyue King, Zhao Hu, was unwilling to go to the capital, so he sent Zhao Yingqi to Chang'an.
It can be said that Nanyue and Minyue were not on good terms, and Zhao Yingqi hated them deeply.
If the Han Dynasty truly had something beneficial to Nanyue, Zhao Yingqi would certainly want to obtain it to strengthen his own national strength. Zhao Yingqi had no disloyalty to the Han Dynasty, but that didn't mean he didn't want to defeat Minyue, avenge his previous humiliation, and strive to become the most powerful country in the south.
After a moment's thought, Liu Fan added, "More than half of the year has passed. We should also find an opportunity to take action in Nanyue. The sooner things are done, the better. Zhao Yingqi has been in Chang'an for over ten years. He must have some troops and arrangements. If he returns, he will definitely not return to Chang'an. We can seize this opportunity to take over these troops."
Mulberry branches were speechless.
After arriving in Nanyue, Liu Fan gathered Zhao Yingqi's former subordinates and secretly used his status as Zhao Yingqi's son to recruit some of them for his own use. Now, he's targeting his people in Chang'an? Is this a way to exploit Zhao Yingqi?
Liu Fan sneered, "Aunt, why do you think Mother took me to recognize my father? Since he's my father, what's wrong with giving me something? His other sons aren't very good, and it's rare for him to have someone as smart, clever, and capable as me. If he doesn't give it to me, who else would he give it to? Why should he make such a clear distinction between father and son?"
Give me something? The tone of voice was more than just wanting a little.
Sang Zhi heard the hidden meaning in his words, and her pupils trembled. She suddenly realized, but she was even more confused and uncertain: "The princess arranged Zhao Yingqi as a retreat, sent the young master to Nanyue, and left a capable person in Nanyue. Is she planning to let the young master replace him when necessary?"
Liu Fan chuckled. "What if it's not? Aunt, do you think that Mother wants me to live a life of inferiority and linger here? Or do you think that simply by being the son of Zhao Yingqi, I can live a good life in Nanyue?"
Sangzhi was speechless. This was indeed not the princess's character. But if that was the case, another question arose.
"Then here in the Central Plains..."
Sangzhi seemed to want to say something but stopped, his words were cut off, but his meaning was clear.
Liu Fan did not answer, but asked: "Aunt, what did mother tell you when she was alive?"
"The princess ordered me to take good care of the young master and assist him. Everything is subject to his arrangements."
Liu Fan nodded. "That's it. Mother made no other requests of you, nor of me. She knew that Nanyue was a small nation, vastly outmatched in strength by the Han. After her defeat, our influence in the Central Plains would be completely wiped out, making it even more difficult to pursue our ambitions."
"But she also knew that in life, many things aren't judged solely by success or failure. So by saying nothing, by not explaining anything, she was placing the choice in my hands, letting me make it myself.
"If I don't want to take risks, I can just call it a day and take the throne of Nanyue, where I can live a carefree life. If I have bigger plans, although Nanyue cannot rival the Han Dynasty, it still has a lot to offer."
Sangzhi's heart was pounding: "Which path does the young master want to choose?"
Liu Fan paused, a trace of confusion flashed across his eyes. He unconsciously curled his hands into fists, then slowly unclenched them. "Mother believes that life should be exciting and vigorous. Regardless of winning or losing, we should strive for our dreams with all our might, even if it means risking everything. But I... I..."
Liu Fan took a deep breath and said with a wry smile, "After all, I don't have her courage."
Like a moth to a flame, he is not afraid of life or death. But he can't do it.
"But aunt, my mother's body is still in Chang'an. I don't know if anyone has collected it or if it has been destroyed." Liu Fan looked towards the north, "I have to go back eventually.
"Even if our great cause is hopeless, it doesn't mean we can't do anything. My mother is dead, but why are the enemies who harmed her getting better and better?"
His eyes swept across the message sent from Beijing, with tears and infinite hatred hidden in his eyes.
Liu Che and Liu Ju. One was the one who pushed my mother to her doom, the other was the source of my mother's conspiracy.
He lost his loving mother, so how come this father and son can live happily together, full of laughter and joy, with the father being loving and the son being filial!
********
Changling Town. Qi family.
Qi Yuanniang carefully studied the bamboo slips she had copied, circled the important parts, compared them one by one with the information she had collected and summarized before, and then carefully considered and reorganized them.
This was a very tedious task, and Qi Yuanniang did it very seriously and patiently.
She was busy from early morning to night, and from night to early morning. The golden sun set in the west and rose in the east, and the sky turned pale again. When she finished writing the last word, she finally raised her head from the desk, stretched, and a happy smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.
Yin Liu pushed open the door and entered, carrying breakfast. As she set the table, she advised, "I know you're concerned about Liuli, but you should prioritize your health. How can you be so busy that you can't even take care of food or sleep? How can you handle this?"
Qi Yuanniang smiled and said, "I can forget about it. I will pay more attention to it in the future."
Yinliu was helpless. It was always like this. She would agree with her words, but she might not be able to do it next time. She could only let out a heavy sigh.
Qi Yuanniang held her hand and said, "I know you care about me and want good for me. But the Qi family is in turmoil right now. A son murdered his father. Even if I have been doing good deeds everywhere in the past few months, there is only so much I can do to restore our reputation."
"The Qi family has lost its ancestral glory, and now even its noble status is in jeopardy. As a daughter of the Qi family, in charge of its affairs, how can I allow it to decline? It is my responsibility to shoulder this heavy burden and support the Qi family."
Yin Liu was puzzled: "Don't we still have Baishan? Baishan is no longer the same as before. He is valued by the prince. With him around, outsiders will give the Qi family some face."
Qi Yuanniang shook her head: "But I don't want to rely on Baishan all the time."
Yinliu was stunned.
Qi Yuanniang continued, "I understand Baishan's affection for me. He accompanied me during my most difficult times, encouraged me, helped me, and gave so much for me. I love him and am grateful to him.
"But I can't always rely on him. Yin Liu, there were many people who liked me and wanted to marry me back then. Do you know why I resolutely chose the then-unknown Baishan?"
Yin Liu tilted her head: "Because you two are in love with each other?"
"Yes, but not entirely." Qi Yuanniang shook her head, "It's also because I found that he can understand me, comprehend me, and support me.
"He will not block my progress, will not become an obstacle to my growth, will not try to break my wings and turn me into a fragile flower, and then protect me under his wings in the name of love."
Qi Yuanniang stood up and looked at the blue sky where birds were flying.
"Yinliu, I hope that when people talk about me in the future, they will not only refer to me as my husband's wife, but also as the daughter of the Qi family, Qi Yuanniang. My name is Qi Yuanniang, and I will always be Qi Yuanniang, whether I am married or not. I don't want to become a certain clan or family name, and I don't want to lose my name."
Yin Liu was stunned on the spot.
How many women can be remembered by their names after they get married? From then on, she took her husband's family name and no longer had a given name.
The lady just wanted to keep her name, what a simple thought. But men don't have to do anything, they are born with it; the lady, on the other hand, has to put in a thousand times more effort, and still may not get what she wants.
Thinking of this, Yin Liu felt five parts sadness, three parts confusion, and two parts of something hard to describe scratching in her heart, like a trapped beast in shackles, trying to break out of the cage; or like a seed hidden deep in the soil, trying to break out of the ground.
"Baishan is willing to help me unconditionally and support the Qi family now, but who knows what will happen in the future?"
Yin Liu was surprised, and Qi Yuanniang chuckled. "It's not that I don't trust Bai Shan, but the world is unpredictable and life is unpredictable. I can trust him, but I can't rely on him too much. I don't want to be just a lark following behind the eagle, I also want to have my own piece of the sky.
"Baishan is increasingly valued by the Crown Prince. He has a promising future and his status will continue to rise. With him, the Qi family will surely weather the storm and maintain its current prestige.
"But if it continues like this, will the Qi family still be called Qi? Not only am I dependent on Baishan for my existence, but so is the Qi family as well. Is that still the Qi family I'm familiar with, the Qi family I want?
"No, that's not it. If that were the case, I wouldn't be saving the Qi family from ruin, but instead plunging them into the abyss. I would become the Qi family's sinner.
"Yinliu, this shouldn't be the case. I shouldn't be like this, and neither should the Qi family. Therefore, I must have the ability and means to stand firm on my own. Even without Baishan, I can still make the Qi family stand tall in the world.
"I hope that my husband and I can complement each other and help each other; I hope that together we can be like a thousand mountains, and apart we can be like towering trees; I hope that our children will be proud of their father and mother as well;
"I hope my children who bear my surname won't feel inferior, self-pitying, or depressed because of it. I want to tell them that the surname Qi is glorious and honorable. This surname should bring them joy and pride, not shame and sadness."
These were some heartfelt words, and Yin Liu was deeply shocked.
She seemed to suddenly understand Qi Yuanniang's choice, and also suddenly understood why she gave up the easier road and took a more difficult and narrow path.
Yin Liu couldn't help but stand up and kneel down on the ground. "Yin Liu may not have much talent, but I am willing to sacrifice my life to help you, my lady."
Qi Yuanniang helped her up and said, "You and I are sisters, not master and servant. Why do we need to perform such a grand ceremony?"
Yin Liu responded with a smile on her face, but she knew in her heart that ever since Qi Yuanniang picked her up on the roadside and rescued her, she had already recognized her as her master and decided to follow her for the rest of her life and never betray her, even if it meant going through fire and water.
Qi Yuanniang also understood what she was thinking. She patted her hand gently and shook her head helplessly.
She felt that Yinliu had just suffered a great change, with all her relatives wiped out, and she was confused and didn't know where to go. She regarded herself, who appeared in the most desperate and difficult times, as the light of life.
She didn't know what she wanted, nor did she know how to proceed.
In that case, why not keep her by my side and let her follow me first? Things will take their time in the future; there's no need to rush. She'll eventually find a new direction in life.
Qi Yuanniang pulled her to sit down again and said, "Let's eat first. After that, we'll go to the Liuli Kiln."
Yin Liu was stunned for a moment, then turned to joy: "Have you figured out the production direction?"
"What the prince gave me is very good. Combining our previous experience with firing and all the information we've collected, I have some ideas, but I still need to try them out."
This made her feel a little relieved, and Yinliu was very happy.
Qi Yuanniang's eyes fell on the bamboo slips copied from the Eastern Palace. She knew that Liuli alone would not be enough for her to establish her own family and achieve her goal. But it could be a stepping stone, a stone that would help her establish her position as a member of the Crown Prince's family.
She had to make the prince see her value before she could talk about anything else.
Therefore, she must seize this opportunity and must gnaw on this stone.
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