Chapter 157 – Apology

At the Forbidden Palace’s West Garden, the Hundred Crafts Hall.

On the roads, artisans and eunuchs bustled about, and there were also many servants from wealthy families and merchants coming over to purchase and order goods intended for the outside market.

Fan Mukun’s face still bore some bruising as he followed behind Su Huaibai, somewhat puzzled as to why His Majesty had asked Eunuch Su to bring him here.

Su Huaibai led him around a workshop and into a backyard, where jars and vases were scattered about. An attendant carefully escorted Su Huaibai inside, entering an inner chamber. Behind a screen, Su Huaibai motioned for him to take a seat.

Fan Mukun could already hear voices beyond the screen. A man with an odd accent said, “Miss Helan, your intention is to have boxes and handkerchiefs with emblems custom-made for packaging?”

Upon hearing the word ‘Helan,’ Fan Mukun focused his attention. Peering through the glass and carved lattice on the other side of the screen, he saw a woman sitting across from a foreigner in the hall. The foreigner had deep-set eyes, a high nose bridge, thin lips, and pale skin, his features somewhat strange, yet he could speak Chinese fluently. The woman wore a simple blue dress and skirt, yet her delicate features outshone even the most beautiful peaches and plums.

She took out a handkerchief from a brocade box on the table and unfolded it, revealing supple and graceful hibiscus branches. The queen’s golden hair and green eyes shone brilliantly under her crown. She smiled gently. “Mr. Wright, please look at this. This is the emblem of your queen that I roughly embroidered these past few days. Unfortunately, I can’t personally witness the splendor of your queen. If I could see her, I could embroider her more realistically.”

She turned the porcelain on the table to show it alongside the handkerchief. The porcelain was elegant and jade-like, while the silk embroidery was placed next to it, achieving perfection.

Wright stepped forward to take a closer look, marveling, “In just a few days, you could create such exquisite craftsmanship? Truly remarkable!”

Helan Baoshi smiled. “A skilled embroiderer would be even faster than me. This set is specifically designed for the queen’s gift. If Mr. Wright brings back orders next time, I can arrange for embroiderers to be recruited, keeping the patterns consistent with those on the porcelain. Once the embroidery is completed, they will be packed in the brocade boxes, serving as an accompaniment. I believe your queen would be even more satisfied.”

Wright said, “Miss Helan has a heart like orchid and a spirit like the cymbidium. Such gifts are indeed more complete. I’ll be setting sail back to the Lion Piano Kingdom in a few days. Thank you for rushing to perfect my gifts.”

Helan Baoshi laughed. “Business partners share in each other’s glory. In these past few days, Mr. Wright’s use of idioms has become even more proficient.” After saying this, she repeated the phrase in Lion Piano language.

Wright also responded in Lion Piano language with a smile, then continued, “Miss Helan is the smartest woman I’ve ever met. In just a month, you’ve already mastered our daily conversational phrases.”

Helan Baoshi smiled. “If so, does Mr. Wright think I could now converse in your country if I were to go there? Could you take me back with you on this return journey?”

Wright looked surprised. “Miss Helan, you’re leaving this time? Didn’t you agree with Minister Xu before that once I bring back orders, I’d find a way to organize a fleet and open up the sea route, then invite you?”

Helan Baoshi explained, “My brother will return to the battlefield after the New Year. I would be alone in the capital, with nothing to do, and it would worry my brother. Since all the goods are fully prepared, I thought I might as well accompany Mr. Wright to your country. With me introducing you, we could open up sales channels and gain a better understanding of your needs.”

Wright said, “The weather is cold and the journey long. Long-distance sailing isn’t like taking a pleasure boat to enjoy flowers and scenery; the conditions are quite harsh.”

Helan Baoshi replied, “It’s alright. Some hardships are worth enduring.” She smiled charmingly and said in Lion Piano language, “Without suffering, there is no gain.”

Wright said, “The number of accompanying personnel can’t be too large, since I’m also traveling with a merchant ship this time and am not the shipowner.”

Helan Baoshi said, “That’s fine. The Duchess of Jing and Master Jiang Mei have already inquired about the owner of your merchant ship this time and have paid the fee for accompanying personnel. At the same time, we’ve brought some goods to promote ourselves. The shipowner is delighted. As for accompanying personnel, my brother and the Duchess of Jing have made proper arrangements.”

Wright happily said, “The Duchess of Jing is the most capable woman I’ve ever met. No wonder the Crown Prince of Jing is so outstanding; he has such a wise and excellent mother. I heard that the Crown Prince of Jing has already rushed to the maritime borders to serve the country. Hopefully, when I come again, I’ll have the opportunity to meet him.”

Helan Baoshi said, “I consider myself fortunate to have met the Duchess of Jing and the Crown Prince of Jing. It’s also fortunate for me to have met Mr. Wright, who patiently taught me.”

Wright said, “No need for formality. Miss Helan mentioned earlier that business partners share in each other’s glory.”

Helan Baoshi smiled and stood up, saying, “Then it’s settled. We’ll set sail in three days, and I’ll meet you at the Tianhai Port ahead of time.”

Wright said, “Agreed.”

Helan Baoshi stood up to escort Wright out, but An Yannian, standing nearby, smiled and said, “Please allow Miss Helan to remain. There’s another guest who wishes to see Miss Helan. I’ll escort Mr. Wright out.”

Helan Baoshi was somewhat surprised but still smiled as she bowed to Wright. “Then I won’t see you off far.”

Wright similarly removed his hat and bowed slightly, then retreated.

Only then did Su Huaibai lead Fan Mukun out from behind the screen. Helan Baoshi didn’t recognize them, but seeing Su Huaibai dressed in purple eunuch robes, she knew he was a very high-ranking palace eunuch and bowed slightly. “Is there something this senior eunuch needs from this young woman?”

At the sight of Fan Mukun’s swollen, bruised face, she guessed that this must be the renowned scholar from a distinguished family, but she merely gazed intently without speaking.

Su Huaibai smiled. “This humble servant is the chief eunuch in charge of the imperial seal, Su Huaibai. Following His Majesty’s verbal command, I’m here to have Fan Mukun apologize to Miss Helan. His Majesty’s words: Fan Mukun has narrow-minded eyes and crude knowledge, unworthy of Miss Helan. Miss Helan has a broad vision, her aspirations reaching the four seas; don’t waste your time on foolish things.”

Fan Mukun was filled with shame, deeply bowing, unable to raise his head.

Helan Baoshi was surprised and laughed. “His Majesty is exaggerating. His Majesty’s words are gold and jade, bestowing grace upon the entire Helan family. How dare this subject defy? Scholar Fan is both talented and handsome; this subject is coarse and crude, not daring to aspire to him.”

Fan Mukun said softly, “Miss Helan has a heart like orchid and a spirit like the cymbidium, aiming for distant horizons. Fan Mukun was presumptuous, rashly seeking marriage, disgracing Miss Helan. Please forgive me, Miss Helan.”

Helan Baoshi carefully studied Fan Mukun for a moment, laughing. “So the renowned scholar, who is famous throughout the land, is like this. It seems I misunderstood before, thinking it was His Majesty’s intention, or that you deliberately insulted me. Now it seems you genuinely sought marriage?”

“The scholar thought this was a blessing, a salvation. That’s not wrong. A courtesan fallen into the dust, now even if her name is cleared, marrying a renowned scholar who is famous throughout the land is indeed a good outcome. What can a woman do if she doesn’t marry?”

Fan Mukun’s face flushed slightly as he sincerely said, “I was shallow. Only today did I realize that Miss Helan has her own career.”

Helan Baoshi fell silent for a moment and said, “If Scholar Fan truly sought marriage a month ago, I might have agreed.” But what crazy things she would have done in the inner quarters to seek revenge, she herself didn’t know. At that time, her heart was filled with poison, but someone pointed her down another path.

She felt a mix of emotions, glancing at Su Huaibai, who had been smiling silently the whole time. “I didn’t expect that without His Majesty’s consent, Prince Xu would dare to engage in such a business as the Imperial Kiln. It turns out His Majesty’s boundless grace gave this subject the opportunity.”

Su Huaibai said, “Indeed, the matter of firing powdered color porcelain at the Imperial Kiln was approved by Prince Xu, and this humble servant handled it. But regarding this matter, it was solely Prince Xu’s suggestion; His Majesty wouldn’t bother with such details. His Majesty said that, looking at Prince Xu’s face, Miss Helan should be able to lessen her anger somewhat.”

Helan Baoshi understood in her heart that Fan Mukun’s proposal of marriage indeed wasn’t the will of the higher-ups. And His Majesty specially having Su Huaibai bring Fan Mukun here to apologize and reveal his intentions honestly naturally had deeper meaning.

Firstly, he didn’t want there to be any lingering resentment in her brother’s heart toward His Majesty or the Fan family. After all, her brother would soon be heading to the border, and His Majesty had to remove this thorn; otherwise, mutual suspicion between the emperor and the general would lead to unrest at the border.

Secondly, it was also a subtle warning. The Imperial Kiln business of Prince Xu naturally came from the emperor’s grace. If they insisted on making trouble for the Fan family’s only descendant, as their cousins, His Majesty would naturally be caught in a difficult position. By laying everything out clearly here, intelligent people would naturally know how to choose.

Mercy and authority combined, open and aboveboard—this was what her brother privately told her about the current emperor’s character. She didn’t expect to have a firsthand experience of it herself one day.

However, this proved that she still had value. Perhaps it was to win over her brother, perhaps to curry favor with Prince Xu Chun of Jing, but perhaps one day, she could also make a name for herself, earning the emperor’s attention.

Helan Baoshi smiled warmly. “If Scholar Fan is sincere, then my brother and I misunderstood. Please don’t hold a grudge against my brother’s rudeness, Scholar Fan.”

Fan Mukun said softly, “I dare not. General Helan’s reprimand was justified.”

Helan Baoshi said, “Since we’re both serving His Majesty, there’s no talk of reprimands. Scholar Fan should think thrice before acting in the future. I won’t say that we can laugh away our grievances, but it’s simply that the wide road leads to heaven, and each walks their own path. Soon, I’ll set sail. This joke will probably only be a topic of laughter among the high-class families in the capital, fading quickly.”

Fan Mukun deeply bowed, but Helan Baoshi smiled and bowed to Su Huaibai before gracefully leaving.

Only then did Fan Mukun straighten up. Su Huaibai smiled. “Scholar, you may return home. This humble servant will report back to the palace.”

Fan Mukun said to Su Huaibai, “Thank you for your hard work, Senior Eunuch. Please report to His Majesty that I understand His Majesty’s intentions. Indeed, I’m not Xu Chun’s match, and not only that, I now lack the ambition compared to Miss Helan.”

“I’ve taken His Majesty’s teachings to heart. Tomorrow, I’ll return to my post and henceforth stay away from the imperial temple. The aspirations I expressed at the imperial banquet were indeed the original intentions of this minister. I won’t dare say anything more; I’ll just focus on doing my job well first, then in the future, I’ll dare to say I’m serving His Majesty.”

Su Huaibai smiled. “This humble servant will remember it all and convey it to His Majesty on Minister Fan’s behalf.”

They exchanged bows and took their leave.

Su Huaibai returned to the palace and reported the day’s events to Xie Yi. Xie Yi said, “Helan Baoshi is actually going to set sail? Indeed, people don’t have such aspirations unless they’ve experienced setbacks.”

Su Huaibai said, “I saw that Scholar Fan was genuinely ashamed, and he should also regret involving His Majesty. His Majesty went through so much to win over General Helan, granting pardons and clearing names. It was almost ruined by his single proposal.”

Xie Yi said, “It’s good that he could understand. Truly, it takes effort. I teach Xu Chun, but it’s not this tiring.”

Su Huaibai noticed the words written on the jade hall paper on the table and knew that Xie Yi had finished writing the letter to the prince. He smiled. “How many people are as naturally perceptive as Prince Xu? According to this humble servant’s limited understanding, every three years, there are three top scholars, but how many of them are remembered in history?”

“Although they’re all sons of the Son of Heaven, His Majesty’s cultivation of Prince Xu is indeed different.”

Xie Yi’s eyes narrowed slightly, pleased, though he complained, “His wings have hardened. Now, he makes decisions on his own, bold enough to do whatever he wants, relying on My favor to commit acts of treason. Does he think a few sweet words can control Me?”