Chapter 95
A beaten loyal minister?
Xiao Yunzhou raised an eyebrow.
Listen, he still didn't seem to be completely devoted.
Watching Jiang Li's departing figure, Xiao Yunzhou suddenly felt that as the emperor, he still had a long way to go.
None of his ministers were truly devoted to him.
Thinking this, Xiao Yunzhou turned and walked into the Donghua Palace with his hands behind his back, his expression fluctuating.
Consort Min had gone to the kitchen to collect duck feathers.
Only Concubine Liu was allowing Qiu Li to fully experience wearing the first down coat.
"Your Ladyship, this is much lighter than cotton clothes. This servant feels like she's walking with much more ease."
"I feel so light, just like wearing summer clothes, without any weight at all."
"But it's so warm, this servant is starting to sweat."
Qiu Li's face was flushed from the heat of the brazier in the hall, with a thin layer of sweat.
Concubine Liu could no longer conceal the laughter in her eyes, "Really? Let Consort Min try it later."
It was unknown whether Consort Min, skilled with swords and spears, could move freely while wearing this winter coat.
If Consort Min also found it comfortable, then this down coat could be used by the soldiers guarding the borders in winter, couldn't it?
A glimmer flashed in Concubine Liu's eyes, "These few days, it must have been snowing heavily at the borders, with three feet of ice and snow."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jia, the wet nurse holding Xiao Chuchu, looked worried.
Her husband Pang Rusong had been promoted to Grand General of the Cavalry after contributing to suppressing the Liao King's rebellion. He had been sent by the emperor to Datong earlier.
A letter had arrived a few days ago saying he wouldn't be returning to the capital for the New Year.
The winter snow in Datong must be much colder than here.
She had heard that this year's military provisions were lacking, so their station was likely both cold and deprived.
"Zhang Jia, if Consort Min brings back the duck down later, you can make a coat for your husband too."
Concubine Liu had also thought of Pang Rusong.
Recalling her daughter had previously said that in the 'future', Pang Rusong was supposed to have died from a relapse of an old injury on his way back to the capital after the war, Concubine Liu felt that soldiers should be well-treated while still alive.
"If your husband also wears this down coat in Datong, I will ask the Ministry of Works to have a batch made and sent to the military camps on the emperor's behalf."
The more Concubine Liu thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.
[Wow, awesome Mom, you're even making down coats for the army!]
[They could be made into thin down coats to be worn under the soldiers' armor, not only not hindering movement but also providing warmth~]
[Great job Mom~]
Xiao Chuchu stared wide-eyed, babbling and grinning in Zhang Jia's arms.
Concubine Liu raised her tea cup to cover her smile at her daughter's amusement, "Little Princess will stay with me today, I'll keep her company while she naps. That way, you can make clothes for your husband tonight."
"Thank you Your Ladyship!"
"This servant has always been cared for by Your Ladyship, and now you are even concerned for this servant's family."
Zhang Jia was deeply moved. Her biggest worries in the palace were for her husband at the border and the soldiers there.
She was truly afraid that if they went to war, the soldiers wouldn't have enough food and clothes, affecting the outcome.
In that case, her husband Pang Rusong the general might not be able to return.
"Your Ladyship, this servant wishes she could serve Little Princess and Your Ladyship for life."
Concubine Liu's concern was not just empty words, but also followed by action, putting Zhang Jia completely at ease.
"Your Ladyship not only cares for the common people, but also the border soldiers. You are a model for us women!"
Zhang Jia had thought that as a married woman, her only use was to raise children.
Being able to enter the palace to serve Little Princess and earn silver for her family was already the pinnacle of achievement.
But seeing Concubine Liu, she realized that wasn't the case at all.
Women could be remarkable in many ways beyond raising children!
"Your Ladyship, this servant would like to help make these down coats too when there is free time while Little Princess is napping."
Zhang Jia sincerely knelt down.
"When this servant was a young lady at home, she was skilled in fine brush painting."
"Your Ladyship, please let this servant know if you need her assistance."
[Ding, Concubine Liu has gained a devoted follower.]
[Current progress 2/5.]
Xiao Chuchu was stunned.
So fast.
Her mother was too formidable, far outpacing her father the emperor, practically rocketing forward.
She thought to herself, repeatedly chiming in, [The wet nurse had never mentioned being able to paint before.]
[Wow, it seems that by truly caring for others, one can warm their hearts.]
Xiao Yunzhou, who had been standing outside and hadn't entered, was stunned upon hearing his daughter's thoughts.
Caring for others?
So the reason his ministers weren't devoted to him was because he hadn't cared for them enough?
Xiao Yunzhou was shaken.
For many years, the imperial education he had received from being the crown prince until now was about how to rule from above, not how to care for others.
That was why Jiang Li had only been beaten into fearing him, not truly being devoted to him.
Standing outside, watching Concubine Liu refusing to let Zhang Jia kneel, Xiao Yunzhou felt as if he had realized something.
Concubine Liu had always been kindhearted and soft.
Unlike him, who had been constantly scolding people recently.
"Ahem." Thinking this, Xiao Yunzhou cleared his throat.
Concubine Liu, who had just helped Zhang Jia up, was startled by the sound.
Looking up, she saw a pair of embroidered dragon silk boots standing outside!
Concubine Liu was stunned.
Xiao Yunzhou motioned to stop her from saluting, "I heard you've come up with another novel idea, a down coat, so I've come to take a look."
Concubine Liu quickly lowered her head. How long had the emperor been there?
She hoped she hadn't said anything improper due to Little Princess's thoughts.
"It wasn't really my idea, it was my elder brother who insisted I bring back a cartload of duck eggs and a few plucked ducks a couple of days ago."
"Consort Min ate too many at night, so she dragged me into kicking the shuttlecock, and we started thinking about staying warm in winter..."
Xiao Yunzhou's mouth twitched as he listened.
Consort Min, that foolish one sure had foolish luck, fortunately she lived with Concubine Liu!
Otherwise, she could have kicked five hundred shuttlecocks and it would've been for naught, never coming up with the idea of down coats.
"It's impressive that you could think to make clothes out of it." Xiao Yunzhou patted Concubine Liu's hand, noticing her fingers were pricked with needles and scratched.
Xiao Yunzhou gasped.
With a soft sigh, "I know you've been working hard recently."
Concubine Liu's current dedication to making clothes and weaving silk was akin to his own dedication to studying finance - no matter what she was doing, her mind was fully focused on that task.
That was how she went from duck feathers to conceiving the idea of down coats, wasn't it?
"Concubine Liu, I don't even know how to reward you anymore."
"I had previously promised that anyone who could earn me a hundred taels of silver, I would promote them."
Xiao Yunzhou looked at Concubine Liu with undisguised admiration.
"Your Majesty, this is not solely my achievement," Concubine Liu said humbly.
She was being modest.
If it weren't for her daughter, how could she have come up with so many ideas?
"Instead of rewarding me, you should reward the hard-working ministers from the Ministry of Works who participated in the research and development," Concubine Liu felt undeserving of the credit.
Xiao Yunzhou's eyes flashed.
He learned something new.
This emperor had learned another lesson.
No wonder Concubine Liu, a mere woman, had those around her pouring out their hearts and souls for her.
She did not claim credit, acknowledging the contributions of those around her!
"Hmm, I'm not consulting you," said Xiao Yunzhou, patting her hand.
"I've already made up my mind."
"Once I've spoken, it's as difficult to retract as a team of galloping horses. I shall promote you."
Concubine Liu opened her mouth.
Ah?
She was a palace lady, not allowed to meddle in state affairs!
How could she be an official?
"Your Majesty cannot possibly mean to make this servant a noble consort. I refuse!" In her daughter's words, a noble consort was an ill-omened wretch that brought ruin to the nation and its people!
Concubine Liu declined!
Xiao Yunzhou chuckled, "Being a noble consort would be a waste of your intellect."
"I want you to be an Imperial Advisor."
"???"
"From now on, you will tell me daily how you treat the palace ladies and eunuchs around you."
"You shall be my mirror!"
Concubine Liu's eyes widened.
Even Xiao Chuchu was so stunned she forgot to speak.
[Ding, side quest - Women's status significantly improved by 5%!]