Chapter 7: Never Leave Without Results

The business at Chaojin Workshop was thriving, with brocade in such high demand that even after recruiting as many weavers as possible, they still could not keep up with the merchants flocking from all corners of the country.

"Who could have imagined we’d see a day like this? Whenever I think of those merchants today, waving their bank notes just for a single bolt of silk, I feel so proud."

"It is truly glorious."

Li Xia sighed with deep emotion, looking at Yan Chaonian as if she were some priceless treasure. "Why don't we slow down on the new designs? The weavers are reaching their limits."

Yan Chaonian smiled and said, "Standing still won't do. It’s not just us; every house in the city is striving for the new and the luxurious. We must go see the new cotton that Uncle mentioned, and we must also find a solution for the weavers."

"I have an idea I’d like to run by you both."

It was becoming difficult to find skilled weavers in Rong City who weren't already employed, so they had to look further afield. "Finding experienced hands is ideal, but if we can't, it doesn't matter. Think of all the villages outside the city and the clever young girls living there. We can recruit them as apprentices."

"We shall open a weaving academy to teach these girls how to weave and create brocade for free. However, they must sign a contract upon entry; for ten years after completing their training, they may not work elsewhere if Chaojin Workshop requires their services. Of course, their wages will be paid in full throughout those ten years—not a single coin less than what anyone else would receive."

"What do you think, Uncles? Is this feasible?"

Li Chun and Li Xia exchanged a glance. After a brief moment of consideration, they realized it was a sound plan. The city already had institutions for training weavers, but they were difficult to enter and expensive. Once trained, those weavers were sent to various workshops, which then had to pay fees to the institutions. Furthermore, their skill levels varied, and they often required additional training upon arrival at the workshops.

It was so much trouble that it was better to train them themselves.

Since it was hard to recruit apprentices in the city, they would simply open academies in other towns. In the Southwest, weavers earned their living through their craft. It was said that as long as a household had one skilled weaver, their life would not be too difficult. If a girl could weave or held a position at a brocade workshop, even if the dowry requirements were high, there were always many families willing to seek her hand in marriage. They would have no trouble recruiting apprentices at all.

"I think it's settled then. We’ll draft the details later. We have the master craftsmen ourselves, and we certainly don't lack the capital. We can get it up and running very quickly."

Li Chun made the final decision. They then discussed pigments, but Yan Chaonian had no real solution for that, so she could only urge the dyeing workshop to find a way.

Having agreed to inspect the looms tomorrow, the two were about to leave when Mother Yan emerged holding her grandson to insist they stay for a meal. Li Chun declined, saying, "Everything is prepared at home, and the old master is waiting for the good news. If we return late, he’ll lose his temper again."

The elder Mr. Li had a fiery temper, and even Mother Yan had to be cautious around him. "Then you must go quickly; I won't hold you back."

Li Xia laughed. "Sister, you are truly blunt—not even a polite attempt to keep us?"

Mother Yan smiled. "Shall I keep you then? Will you stay and eat?"

Yan Chaonian turned and ordered the staff to bolt the gates. "Watch the main gate well; don't let a single one of them leave!"

"You mother and daughter are trying to be the death of us!"

Li Xia grabbed Li Chun and ran, terrified that if the gate closed too quickly, they wouldn't get out and the old master would break their legs.

Yan Chaonian laughed joyfully. The little boy reached out, wanting her to hold him, and soon the laughter of mother and son filled the courtyard, while Mother Yan watched with a smile in her eyes.

Jiang Wencheng’s men had spent a long time inquiring but found nothing. Seeing it was getting late, they had no choice but to return to the inn. Meanwhile, Jiang Chongyuan was weeping while copying books, all because Jiang Wencheng felt his son was full of faults. Previously, protected by his grandmother and coddled by his stepmother, he was rarely home, and Jiang Wencheng had not truly understood his eldest son until now—only to realize he was a complete failure.

He was less sensible than his three-year-old brother.

Aside from eating, drinking, and buying trinkets, he knew nothing, and his studies were a complete mess.

"You must memorize what you have copied. You will sleep only when you can recite it."

"There is no grandmother here, nor is there your mother. Don't expect anyone to come and protect you."

Seeing his men return, Jiang Wencheng left the room, ignoring the fact that Jiang Chongyuan's tears were soaking the pages.

"Master, we asked many people, but no one knows the name of the owner of Chaojin Workshop. They say she always arrives by carriage and leaves through the back door; no one knows where she resides."

"Chaojin Workshop, as we previously gathered, was originally the Li Family Brocade Workshop. The Li family members were hot-tempered and offended many people; the patterns they wove were mediocre, and business was quite poor."

"Later, it was transferred to the current owner. She bought many new looms, and the designs suddenly became abundant. Within less than six months of taking over, business improved, and last year, they took top honors at the Brocade Competition. Suddenly, customers were pouring in."

"Rumor has it that she has officials backing her, but we have yet to find out exactly who."

The situation was more complex than imagined, and things were not proceeding as smoothly as hoped. Jiang Wencheng grew irritable. For now, he could only instruct them to keep digging. Since he had come this far, he would absolutely not leave empty-handed.

"Did anyone come looking for me today?"

He had not forgotten that Yan Chaonian was supposed to come and apologize. His men shook their heads. Jiang Wencheng’s face soured; he felt Yan Chaonian was being far too haughty. He would have to give her a piece of his mind when she finally showed up, otherwise, she would be nothing but trouble when they returned to the estate.

That night, Jiang Chongyuan did not sleep, his eyes red and swollen as he recited his books all night long. Yan Chaonian, on the other hand, slept comfortably with her son until broad daylight; had the little one not needed to relieve himself, she would have slept even longer.

Perhaps it was because of those years in the Bo estate, where she had to rise before dawn to attend to formalities and never allowed herself a peaceful night's rest, but now Yan Chaonian felt a need to indulge herself. As long as Yuan Shen was not around, she insisted on sleeping until she woke up naturally.

"My darling, did you sleep well last night?"

After using the pot, the little boy lay on the bed playing with his toes, his smile melting Yan Chaonian's heart.

Hearing the movement in the room, Mother Yan pushed the door open. Seeing her precious grandson, her face lit up with a smile. "Little Xun has woken up! Did you miss Grandma?"

"Missed."

The little boy was quite charming, nimbly flipping over to sit up and opening his arms for Mother Yan to hold him. Yan Chaonian felt a pang of jealousy from the side. "So, you see Grandma and forget all about your mother."

"Look, Xun's mother is jealous."

Mother Yan held her grandson with one arm, using her other hand to guide his chubby little palm to stroke Yan Chaonian's hand. "Let's be embarrassed for her."

The little boy happily lunged at Yan Chaonian and leaned in to kiss her face, making her beam with delight. "My Xun is the only one who loves me; you really are Mother's greatest treasure."

Mother and son shared another round of laughter. Mother Yan took the boy, telling Yan Chaonian to wash up and get ready. By the time she stepped out of the room, the sun was already high in the sky.

"Are you going out again today?"

"To see the looms."

While eating breakfast, Yan Chaonian explained the upcoming arrangements for the workshop. "Most matters are handled by my two uncles, but as the nominal master of the workshop, I must be present in person. Otherwise, I would have to trouble you, our grandmaster."

Yan Chaonian’s weaving skills were inherited from Mother Yan. Both mother and daughter were experts, and the brocade that won top honors for Chaojin Workshop last year was the work of Mother Yan’s own hands. However, ever since Yan Chaonian gave birth to her son, Yuan Jing—little Xun—Mother Yan had no desire to touch a loom again, wishing only to dote on her grandson.

Mother Yan cautioned, "Go pay your respects to the Bodhisattva before you leave."

"Huh?"

Yan Chaonian was puzzled. "I don't have anything to ask of the Bodhisattva."

Mother Yan rolled her eyes at her. "Pray that the Bodhisattva protects you from meeting people you shouldn't."