Volume One, Chapter Nine: The Great Qian Paper Mill

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Gong Yuyan remained silent for a long moment before finally shaking her head and saying, "Just take a look; there’s no need to go inside..."

There was a trace of warmth in her eyes.

Especially when she heard the sound of Xingyi’s voice coming from the courtyard, her expression softened even more.

Qingwei sighed. She understood the Empress’s feelings. If she went inside, she might really find it hard to leave.

Sometimes, her status simply did not permit her to do certain things. Even though the Empress concealed her face behind a veil and did not reveal her true identity, it still would not be appropriate.

As for the kitchen, Li Xian was wearing an apron, diligently stirring the dishes.

Tonight’s New Year’s Eve dinner was exceptionally lavish: a roasted goose already prepared, a steamed sea bass also on the table, along with mapo tofu and cold dishes, a small pot of nourishing black-bone chicken soup, and three bowls of fragrant rice—the staple food unique to this world, whose widespread promotion had helped countless common folk fill their bellies.

For one adult and two children, four dishes and one soup made for a sufficiently abundant New Year’s feast.

It wasn’t a matter of the more dishes the better; it depended on how many people there were.

If there were a dozen or so, naturally, more than ten dishes wouldn’t be excessive.

Gong Xingyi curiously watched her father serve the newest version of mapo tofu. She picked up a piece and tasted it, her eyes lighting up instantly!

Ignoring the fact that the tofu was hot, she began to eat hurriedly and clumsily.

Li Xian smiled and said, "Little glutton, eat slowly. Tomorrow morning we’ll have dumplings. Remember to get up early to welcome the New Year and pay New Year visits."

Of course, paying New Year visits was a must. For example, to Muramasa, or to Li Family Village here—some of Li Xian’s former relatives needed to be visited one by one; it was a matter of propriety.

Perhaps after this year’s New Year visits, it would be time for him to leave.

Now that he had a daughter, Li Xian was pondering what kind of occupation would be best. After this New Year, when the weather improved, he would naturally begin to take action.

Gong Xingyi nodded but found her thoughts drifting to her mother. What was her mother having for her New Year’s Eve dinner?

At this moment, Gong Yuyan was still gazing at the lights flickering in every household of Li Family Village, unwilling to leave.

She had been here for a full half hour, and now she could no longer hear Xingyi’s voice. Presumably, Xingyi had gone inside to eat the New Year’s Eve dinner.

In the past, there was always Xingyi accompanying her during the New Year. Although there were few people, she never felt alone.

But this year, with the late Emperor having passed away and her mother unseen in the palace, she had no family at all and was profoundly lonely.

She did have some relatives who had fled, but she had no idea where they were now—especially the former Crown Prince Gong Xiao, who probably hated her with a passion.

Her mother in the palace was ill and might not have much time left.

The only family she seemed to have in her heart was her daughter in Li Family Village outside the Great Qian imperial city.

Surely, they must be living happily now.

A gentle breeze stirred, causing Gong Yuyan’s dark hair to flutter by her ears.

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Qingwei sighed, clearly able to see that His Majesty was reluctant to leave.

She even thought the Emperor should go inside for a while and chat with Li Xian about the matter of xuan paper. After all, it was a legitimate endeavor, wasn’t it?

Li Xian was no ordinary man; that much had been clear even before the New Year.

In fact, she was quite curious about him—how he conceived of such a complicated and intricate paper-making process.

And not just one kind, but three types of xuan paper, ranging from difficult to easy!

Such xuan paper was not something an ordinary person could produce.

Aside from the paper itself, the principles Li Xian taught the princess were unique and profound, containing deep truths, making her think Li Xian was no ordinary man; he might even be a person of great wisdom.

Truly deserving of the title "Sir."

Perhaps... Li Xian should teach at the Imperial Academy?

Though entering the Imperial Academy was no simple matter.

Of course, if Li Xian had the ambition, it might be possible.

After all, positions at the Imperial Academy were official posts within the court hierarchy. If Li Xian earned a degree, the Emperor could easily appoint him to a powerless position there.

A man like Li Xian ought to be of great use to Great Qian, becoming a man of the Emperor rather than living in seclusion in a small village.

Did he perhaps harbor feelings of unrecognized talent, which is why he was willing to live a carefree, hermit-like existence here?

Gong Yuyan shook her head softly and said, "I just came to have a look. There’s no need to go inside. It’s time to leave..."

She then prepared to depart.

But in the next moment—

She suddenly stopped, staring in surprise at the small house behind her...

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

"Bang!"

One firecracker after another soared into the air, bursting with brilliant sparks against the night sky.

Gong Yuyan looked at the scene, her face full of astonishment.

Even Qingwei beside her stared blankly at the occasional bursts of firecrackers lighting up the front courtyard.

The sound of firecrackers on New Year’s Eve had never before echoed through the Great Qian night sky!

...

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...

Great Qian, Imperial Palace.

Gong Yuyan’s eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at the finished sheets of paper before her.

Though the papermaking process was extremely complicated and the materials complex, once the Emperor wished to see the paper, all obstacles were cleared away. In less than a few days, three kinds of xuan paper, each with different tones and ranging from difficult to easy, had all been laid out on the table.

Though she did not fully control the court, doing such things was already considered a major undertaking.

As for the maker of the paper, he had long since been detained somewhere, forbidden to leave.

This was currently Gong Yuyan’s greatest secret!

Apart from Li Xian, the founder of Li Family Village, no one was allowed to leak even the slightest hint of this secret—any violator would be executed!

Though those men had not yet been killed, they were imprisoned for future use, ensuring the source was not exhausted.

Naturally, they had not resisted. Being sensible, they understood that if the Empress wanted them to leave, it might well be the moment their heads rolled. So it was better to stay locked up, with food and shelter—a great honor to be employed by the Empress.

Gong Yuyan took the three kinds of paper, examining and carefully feeling their textures, her expression deeply moved.

Finally, she began to write.

After a while, she looked at the notes on the three sheets of paper, a sharp glint flashing through her eyes.

This was the very paper Li Xian had sent—its tone and texture matched perfectly!

"Qingwei."

Gong Yuyan called softly.

"Your Majesty."

Qingwei appeared beside her.

Since the Empress ascended the throne, the eunuch position had become nearly obsolete. During the late Emperor’s reign, the eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonies had been influential, even able to sway court affairs. But now, they were marginal and almost invisible, handling only minor chores within the palace, much like palace maids.

The Empress entrusted Qingwei with many private matters; Qingwei was effectively her chief executive.

Though only a warrior, Qingwei handled things efficiently and meticulously.

"I intend to establish the Great Qian Papermaking Workshop. What do you think?"

The Empress looked at Qingwei, her eyes shining brightly.