In the chamber, Xiao Ming and Fei Yue’er huddled together discussing dyeing techniques.
It was already night. The royal residence was dimly lit by lanterns casting a warm, yellow glow. For Xiao Ming, improving dyeing techniques was no problem, though reaching modern standards was impossible.
Still, he could raise Qingzhou’s dyeing level above the current highest in the Great Yu Empire.
“Madder (red), purple gromwell (purple), sappanwood (black), sappanwood bark (red), indigo (blue)…” Xiao Ming wrote down each natural dye carefully.
Chemical dyes were beyond his reach now; only natural dyes were available. His technology library contained over one hundred kinds.
These natural dyes could produce all the colors needed.
He also noted how mixing the seven basic colors could create others, ensuring Qingzhou’s textile workshop could produce garments in any color.
“Your Highness, so many?” Fei Yue’er looked at the densely written paper, both excited and surprised.
“That’s just a few. Most are tie-dye patterns,” Xiao Ming said.
Handmade tie-dye methods remained the same: fabric was tied into shapes, soaked in dye to create varied patterns.
Xiao Ming’s technology library combined many tie-dye patterns and tying techniques. Teaching these to the textile workshop would bring their craft near modern levels.
With all this detailed information drawn out, the next day Xiao Ming and Fei Yue’er went to the textile workshop to teach the tie-dye methods and natural dye preparation to the artisans.
Since the Sun family had been purged, the textile workshop now belonged to the prefecture office. Xiao Ming was not worried about artisans leaking secrets, as strict supervision was in place.
Because there were so many tie-dye patterns, the two stayed busy for days. Fei Yue’er also dyed some underwear in the process.
After her letter reached Chang’an, Princess Pingyang immediately sent a reply, expedited over 800 li. The letter said she had already left Chang’an and was heading to Qingzhou.
Hearing this, Fei Yue’er was ecstatic, spending her days imagining how to promote her designs to Pingyang and other noblewomen, many of whom would visit Qingzhou.
Four days later, a large entourage entered Qingzhou. Protected by golden-armored soldiers, it was Princess Pingyang.
“Aunt!”
After two years, Pingyang returned to Qingzhou. The last visit had been unpleasant due to an assassination attempt. This time, coming showed her determination.
The convoy stopped at the city gate. Pingyang lifted the pearl curtain and stepped down. Xiao Ming and Fei Yue’er waited.
“Nephew and princess consort, no need to greet me at the gate. It’s not my first time to Qingzhou,” Pingyang said kindly.
She wore a gentle, loving smile. This visit was different. Two years ago, Xiao Ming had been an insignificant vassal lord.
Now he was a crucial figure in the Great Yu Empire and close to Xiao Wenxuan.
Pingyang was smooth and worldly. She had been close to the King of Wei because of Xiao Wenxuan. Now, seeing the shift, she wanted to get closer to Xiao Ming.
But recalling past disputes, she feared Xiao Ming held grudges and didn’t know how to improve their relationship.
Fei Yue’er’s invitation helped, and Qingzhou’s new products interested her. She also wanted to mend ties with Xiao Ming.
This time in Qingzhou, she felt she had come to the right place.
Compared to two years ago, Qingzhou was bustling. Merchants crowded the official road, rivaling Chang’an. Even more surprising were the clean concrete roads.
Perhaps an illusion, but stepping onto the smooth road, she suddenly felt Qingzhou was no longer a frontier city but a place nobler than Chang’an.
“Aunt, don’t be so formal. No matter how many times you come, I will greet you personally,” Xiao Ming smiled.
He had matured. He would not push away a valuable ally because of old grievances. In this circle, there were no eternal enemies or friends, only eternal interests.
Clearly, cooperating with Xiao Ming was now far more beneficial than with the King of Wei.
Xiao Ming’s polite words made Pingyang smile. She took his hand and Fei Yue’er’s and entered the city, saying, “Among all my nephews, you’re the most considerate. Whatever new products Qingzhou launches, I will promote them for you.”
“Thank you, Aunt,” Xiao Ming said.
Fei Yue’er also said, “Thank you, Princess.”
Pingyang squeezed Fei Yue’er’s hand. “Why still call me Princess? You should call me Aunt.”
Fei Yue’er was startled, then shyly said, “Aunt.”
Pingyang nodded and asked about Fei Yue’er’s underwear designs. The two happily talked.
Originally Xiao Ming walked beside them, but as Pingyang and Fei Yue’er got more excited, he gradually fell behind.
Pingyang was accompanied by thirty noblewomen from Chang’an, each dressed magnificently with long gowns trailing the ground.
Perhaps due to underwear, Xiao Ming mischievously wondered if these noblewomen also went without panties under their skirts.
Shaking his head to dismiss the wicked thought, Xiao Ming led the group to the Wei family’s inn. He planned to lodge them there; his palace couldn’t hold so many guests.
When the group arrived, the noblewomen, chatting cheerfully, suddenly gasped in surprise.
Pingyang looked at the inn and asked Xiao Ming, “Ming’er, are those glass windows?”
“Aunt, the Wei family inn now has glass windows and doors,” Xiao Ming said. After ordering the establishment of a glass workshop, the first batch of glass windows had been installed here.
In no time, the inn’s windows were all replaced with glass and curtains hung inside.
The Wei family inn had basically become an antique-style modern inn.
“Spendthrift! Using such expensive glass for windows,” Pingyang said, feeling a sharp pang in her heart.