Volume One, Chapter Thirteen: The Irresponsible Father Seeks Help!
Wang Caiwei listened to the straightforward praise, and her fair neck instantly flushed pink, the color spreading upward until her cheeks were tinged with blush as well. In her eyes, a fleeting shyness appeared.
She quickly regained her composure and smiled, saying, “Young Master Qin, you do know how to jest.”
Qin Bao waved his hand. “Princess, please.”
Wang Caiwei nodded and entered the hall to take a seat with Qin Bao.
Qin Bao asked, “Princess, is there something you wish to discuss?”
Wang Caiwei replied, “I was thinking about ways to earn money, and suddenly recalled the Qin family business you mentioned.”
“Whether it’s the dye workshop or the Rain Silk Brocade, both originate from the craftsmanship of Chen Liuyuan.”
“Is it possible to recruit him?”
“If I have Master Chen Liuyuan overseeing the dyeing and weaving of brocade, I, too, could run a brocade business.”
Her expression was full of anticipation as she asked, “What do you think, Young Master Qin?”
Qin Bao said, “Princess, you intend to establish your own weaving and dye workshops?”
“Yes!” Wang Caiwei responded immediately.
She was eager to make money; the more she earned, the more she could ease her father’s burdens and alleviate the troubles of Liang Kingdom.
In her eyes, Liang was never a land of barbarians.
The people of Liang neither steal nor rob; they live by the labor of their own hands, no less than the people of Zhou.
The people of Liang have their own dignity.
Qin Bao said, “I agree with your proposal, Princess. You could try acquiring ordinary weaving and dyeing workshops, while I look for the right moment to speak with Master Chen.”
Wang Caiwei’s delight was evident as she nodded, “I knew Young Master Qin would not disappoint me.”
Qin Bao replied modestly, “You flatter me, Princess.”
With the matter of earning money settled, Wang Caiwei felt relieved and rose to take her leave.
Before departing, she reminded Qin Bao to hurry with his writing, hoping to finish the manuscript before the Four Kingdoms Literary Gathering.
After seeing Wang Caiwei off, Qin Bao returned to his study to contemplate the matter of Chen Liuyuan.
Everyone wants to make more money.
Especially since, in his mind, he possesses the techniques for weaving Cloud Brocade and the designs for a new Jacquard loom, along with detailed materials; with Master Chen Liuyuan, they could surely produce Cloud Brocade.
Rain Silk Brocade was fine, but compared to Cloud Brocade—the foremost of the Four Famous Brocades—it was worlds apart.
Cloud Brocade, renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and splendid patterns, was hailed as the “crown of brocades,” reserved for imperial use in the Central Lands, its worth measured by the inch.
It was certain to yield immense profits.
With Cloud Brocade, the trade routes between Zhou Dynasty and Southern Chen could be opened, making it one of Liang’s largest sources of revenue.
Qin Bao searched his memory and began to slowly draft the techniques for producing Cloud Brocade and the necessary machinery.
...
Changping Marquis’s Residence, evening.
Qin Sheng sat in his study, pondering his strategy. He realized that his only option was to stubbornly deny, never admitting the Qin family possessed such wealth.
The steward entered the study to report, “Master, Duke Rong Dou Zheng and Duke An Li Gan have come together to visit.”
Swish!
Qin Sheng’s expression changed dramatically.
Duke Rong Dou Zheng and Duke An Li Gan had arrived—not a friendly visit.
He summoned all his energy and personally went to the gate to greet them, smiling, “Duke Rong and Duke An visiting together brings honor to my humble home. Please, come in!”
Dou Zheng, in his early forties, had a broad forehead, bristling mustache, thick brows, and large eyes—a typical man of the northwest.
He glanced at Qin Sheng, snorted, and strode inside.
Li Gan, nearly fifty, was plump and fair, with three short whiskers beneath his chin—a picture of wealth. His sister was the Imperial Dowager and greatly favored by the retired emperor.
Li Gan walked with his hands behind his back, saying as he entered, “Marquis Changping, you’re not being honest.”
Qin Sheng’s heart sank, but he could only keep a smiling face.
In the hall, host and guests were seated.
With a bitter expression, Qin Sheng began to complain, “Duke Rong, Duke An, my residence truly suffers.”
Dou Zheng mocked, “A mere marquisate, yet you easily produced one hundred thousand taels of silver. What hardship? Last time, when asked to donate for the retired emperor’s birthday, you grudgingly gave only a few hundred taels. How generous!”
Li Gan added, “My Duke An’s residence truly has no money, but it seems you are well-off.”
“The retired emperor is our venerable ancestor. If he prospers, so do we.”
“When it came to building a temple for the retired emperor, you were stingy as well.”
“Now the emperor is in power—a new ruler, new ministers. You certainly know how to curry favor, lavishly offering one hundred thousand taels at once.”
Li Gan said leisurely, “Such boldness, Marquis. Such loyalty!”
Qin Sheng’s face burned, feeling as though he was being roasted alive. He hurried to explain, “You both misunderstand.”
“Ah, it’s all misfortune within the family.”
“My second son, Qin Youde, offended Princess Changle at Yunhua Pavilion and was sent to the magistrate for punishment.”
“I went to the princess’s residence to plead, but she refused. I had no choice but to pay one hundred thousand taels to redeem him.”
“That silver was gathered by selling assets and property, exhausting all our savings to scrape together such a sum.”
Looking desperate, Qin Sheng sighed, “My children’s unfilial conduct has dragged down the marquisate, and I, as the head of the family, cannot turn a blind eye. The emperor received the money, giving it another pretext.”
Li Gan was half convinced, thinking it over.
Dou Zheng stroked his mustache in contemplation.
Qin Sheng swore, “Every word I say is true. If there is any falsehood, may heaven strike me down.”
Li Gan considered for a moment and said sternly, “Regardless of your explanation, the deed is done. The retired emperor is displeased. Changping Marquis’s Residence must show an attitude.”
Dou Zheng pressed, “Qin Sheng, how much will you donate to the retired emperor?”
“I truly have no money left.” Qin Sheng replied with a mournful expression, “To save Qin Youde, I am utterly spent. Where would I find more?”
“How ungrateful!” Dou Zheng shot up and barked, “You have three days to prepare fifty thousand taels, or the retired emperor will be furious.”
Li Gan also strode out, admonishing, “Conduct yourself wisely.”
Qin Sheng continued his lament, and after seeing the two guests off, he dragged his weary body back to the hall. He was furious—Dou Zheng demanded fifty thousand taels outright, his appetite insatiable.
It wasn’t that Qin Sheng couldn’t produce the money.
The problem was that giving fifty thousand taels today would confirm the rumor that the Qin family was both foolish and wealthy, inviting countless people to borrow and exploit them.
Worst of all, the Qin family was a hollow shell with no powerful backing, unable to safeguard their wealth.
Damn Qin Bao.
It was all the fault of that troublesome child.
...
Qin Sheng cursed for a while, then suddenly thought of Qin Bao—let the one who tied the knot untie it.
Since Qin Bao caused this mess, let him step forward and ask the princess to clarify the matter of the one hundred thousand taels.
The emperor had issued a decree, claiming he had donated one hundred thousand taels to the court, and the nobles all believed he was flush with idle riches.
If the princess spoke out and explained, the nobles would know the money was raised to save his son, and that he had no other funds.
Most importantly, if the princess clarified matters personally, it would show their close relationship.
Leverage the princess’s influence.
Leverage the emperor’s authority.
Let everyone know that his son and Princess Changle were close, that the princess would speak on his behalf.
“Yes, having the princess speak up is the simplest and most effective solution.”
Having formed his plan, Qin Sheng braved the night and hurried to Emerald Garden, where he found Qin Bao and pleaded, “Bao’er, I beg you to save the Qin family.”
Qin Bao asked, “What has happened to the Qin family?”
Qin Sheng explained the emperor’s reward and the extortion by Dou Zheng and Li Gan, concluding, “Everyone thinks the Qin family is foolish and rich, and countless nobles are watching us.”
“You and the princess are close—please ask her to explain the matter of the one hundred thousand taels.”
“If not, the Qin family is doomed.”
In closing, Qin Sheng deliberately tried to draw kinship, “You are the son I cherish most, the true heir to the marquisate. I only acknowledge you.”
Qin Bao eyed the shameless Qin Sheng and felt disgust.
Cherished son?
Heir to the marquisate?
The original Qin Bao never felt any paternal love, only endless suppression. Now, upon realizing Qin Bao’s usefulness, Qin Sheng suddenly discovered belated affection.
Qin Bao’s thoughts turned. He feigned a moved expression and asked, “Are Father’s words true?”
“Of course!” Qin Sheng replied stoutly.
He thought to himself, this troublemaker is still young, still my son, and perfect for exploitation. He’s close to the princess—flatter him now, and discard him after squeezing out his worth.
He would never let Qin Bao become heir, not in his lifetime. Seeing that face, so like his mother’s, was always unpleasant.
Qin Bao, acting unaware of Qin Sheng’s intentions, smiled, “Father, leave it to me. You wait here—I’ll go see the princess right away.”
“Good, good!” Qin Sheng was delighted, nodding, “My son is wonderful.”
Qin Bao ordered Wang Shisan to prepare a carriage and, likewise, hurried to the princess’s residence that night.
The night was deep; Wang Caiwei had already retired. Hearing that Qin Bao sought an audience, she donned a thin gauze dress and stepped out.
The weather had grown warm; the gauze dress was airy and revealed her fair skin and swan-like neck, accentuating Wang Caiwei’s graceful figure.
Qin Bao, upon seeing Wang Caiwei, couldn’t help but feel his heart stir.
The princess’s charm was truly overwhelming.
Wang Caiwei smiled, “Young Master Qin, what brings you here so late?”
Qin Bao composed himself and quickly replied, “Princess, do you want a husband—no, do you want to make a fortune? Easy money awaits—don’t miss the opportunity!”