His Highness Prince Qi has been having some troubles lately.
This time, when he went to the palace to attend a family banquet, he couldn't hold back anymore.
It was a family dinner, and everyone present was family, so he spoke without any reservations.
"Your Majesty, my brother, could you please stop sending beauties to my residence? Last time you sent eight, and this time you sent twelve more. I simply cannot bear it..."
The Empress turned to Zhao Changheng in confusion: "Your Majesty, where did you get this beauty?"
Zhao Changheng quickly took her hand and said with a smile, "They were all sent by neighboring countries. The envoys all said that their countries are rich in beautiful women, and they have to bring a few along with them every time they pay tribute. I thought it wouldn't be appropriate to keep them in the palace. Wouldn't you feel annoyed if you saw them? So I gave them all to the Prince of Qi."
The Empress laughed and said, "If His Majesty likes them, it wouldn't be a problem to keep a few in the palace to serve him. But if you send them all away at once, wouldn't that make me seem jealous and intolerant?"
Zhao Changheng shook his head: "Of course not. I have an empress, sons and daughters, that's enough for me. I'm getting old, and I just want some peace and quiet."
Prince Qi, Zhao Changyi, hurriedly flattered, "Your Majesty is not old at all; you are in your prime, full of vigor and vitality..."
Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Changheng glared at him fiercely.
"In my heart, there is only the Empress."
King Qi couldn't help but shrink back.
Hey, I was only about 70-80% full at the palace banquet, but this dog food made me feel stuffed.
However, he also felt wronged.
With a drooping face, she mustered her courage to argue, "Your Majesty, you are well aware of my situation. I haven't even married my princess yet, and you've already sent twenty beauties to my residence. If word gets out, my reputation won't be good. What if some uninformed passerby makes up a story about me being indulging in lust? Wouldn't that ruin my chances of marriage?"
The emperor and empress exchanged a glance.
After thinking about it, they realized that it was indeed the case.
King Qi, being of humble origin, would naturally have to think more carefully when choosing a marriage partner.
This is a point that Zhao Changheng overlooked.
"Your Majesty, I've kept all those beauties in a separate courtyard and haven't dared to touch them. Why don't you give them away to others?"
Who do you want to give it to?
“There are quite a few members of the royal family; a few for each person will suffice. Fourth Brother doesn’t have any concubines yet…”
King Zhao Changqing of Yue's gaze was like a knife, piercing through him.
King Qi was suddenly jolted awake.
He Youyou was sitting next to Zhao Changqing at this moment. When she heard him say this, she smiled and looked at Zhao Changqing: "Hanzhang, just say what you want. It's not that I can't grant your wish."
Divorce is not a difficult thing.
Leaving is even easier.
"Youyou is the only one in my heart."
Zhao Changqing gripped his wife's hand tightly, not daring to loosen his grip even for a moment.
Are you kidding me? Would he dare make even the slightest mistake?
If He Youyou really wanted to run away, he would never be able to find her again.
King Qi's face froze.
He coughed lightly a few times.
She continued, "The Crown Prince and the Second Prince are both grown up; it's not impossible..."
Crown Prince Zhao Wenyi straightened his expression and said, "As the Crown Prince, I must conduct myself with integrity."
Second Prince Zhao Wenqi: "Seventh Uncle, what are you thinking? I'm a model young man who has received a modern education. How can I follow those feudal customs? It's so disrespectful to women! Besides, I'm too busy tinkering with my machines every day, where would I find the energy to deal with women?"
King Qi had no choice but to change his approach.
"It can also be awarded to meritorious officials."
Before the emperor could speak, the crown prince made his stance clear: "With beauties in the household, how can the ministers concentrate on state affairs?"
It would be absolutely unacceptable to let it affect one's work performance.
Ultimately, the heavy burden of this dynasty will fall on my shoulders.
If your mind isn't on your work, it's hard to lead a team.
King Qi was in despair: "Then how can you bear to push your own brother into the fire?"
The royal family members present all lowered their heads and remained silent, avoiding the question.
Seeing this, He Youyou felt a little sorry for her.
"King Qi, how about I give you an idea?"
As if grasping at a straw, Zhao Changyi rushed over and got close to He Youyou.
Zhao Changqing's face darkened, and he grabbed him by the back of the collar, pulling him away a bit.
"Speak freely, but stay away from your sister-in-law."
Doesn't this brat know how to avoid suspicion?
Zhao Changyi smiled broadly: "Hehe, I was just too excited. I didn't realize it for a moment. I'm sorry, sister-in-law."
He Youyou, however, didn't care that much.
“King Qi, if you don’t want to take those women into your own courtyard, that’s easy to do.”
"What should I do? Please teach me, sister-in-law."
"Why don't you organize them together, get them into production, and set up a women's workshop? Research the market and see what's profitable right now, then make something from that. I see that the market for clothing and jewelry is pretty good lately. Find a few skilled women to guide them. If it works out, they'll have a skill to rely on, and you'll make money too."
King Qi was overjoyed.
"As expected of Fourth Sister-in-law, she's suddenly gone from me supporting them to them supporting me, hehe."
He Youyou said seriously, "They've come all the way to a foreign country, so don't just be a heartless capitalist. You should also take care of your employees so that these girls can settle down and make a living in Dajia."
King Qi repeatedly agreed: "That's right, that's right, I would never do anything to mistreat my employees, sister-in-law, don't worry."
Not long after, a special workshop appeared in the capital – the Women's Workshop.
This workshop has a unique feature: it only hires female employees.
The workshop has several departments, such as embroidery, clothing making, and jewelry making, which are all skill areas that are relatively easy for women to master.
Initially, the workshop had only about twenty employees, but as time went on, the news gradually spread.
Some girls from poor families heard that working here could not only earn money, but also pay quite well, so they inquired everywhere, hoping to come and work here.
He Youyou is the major shareholder of this workshop.
The main reason was that King Qi couldn't deal with these women every day, so he specially allocated shares to He Youyou.
He Youyou personally took charge and meticulously planned and formulated a comprehensive recruitment system.
Any woman interested in working in the workshop must pass a series of rigorous tests to qualify for employment.
This recruitment process ensures that the workshop can recruit truly capable and promising employees, while also guaranteeing the overall quality and reputation of the workshop.
From then on, a new phenomenon emerged in the capital—more and more women were able to support their families.
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