A Good Country Wife-Chapter 590 - 584_1

With the Emperor intervening, Zhao Erhu only needed to delegate the task of heading south and did not need to go himself. Power was indeed a wonderful thing. The last time Erhu had to buy supplies, he had to do everything personally and watch out for being cheated into buying substandard goods. This time, he only had to hand over the matter to the person sent by the Emperor, specify what was needed and required, and then assign the task to the local officials. Someone would handle the procurement, and all he needed to do was to wait to take delivery. The goods were not only affordable but also immune to deception, and were the very best available, for who else but the fearless would dare to have other intentions when it came to the Emperor’s business?

"It’s better this way. You don’t have to supervise it personally, and you can spend more time at home. A few months from now, you’ll be setting sail again. You seem to be busier than ever, spending less and less time at home. Don’t forget about me and the children, will you? People say wealthy men tend to go astray. Don’t follow their example. If you start thinking about taking concubines, I won’t sit by silently. Then divorce would be the only path left," Lin Yue said, with full knowledge that Zhao Erhu harbored no such intentions. Yet given the covetous gazes from outsiders aimed at their wealth, it was necessary to sound a warning bell from time to time, to let Erhu know where she stood. If he wanted to continue their life together, he should not entertain the idea of enjoying the blessings of multiple women.

Erhu looked at Lin Yue with amusement. It was not the first time she had cautioned him, and he wondered where she had heard whatever she did. Although he was certain he held no such fickle heart, since his wife was making a serious point with her reminder, he naturally could not take it lightly and had to show his attitude.

"Wife, regardless of whatever you’ve heard, haven’t we been married for over two years now? Don’t you understand my character yet? I, Zhao Erhu, want only you in this life, and the next. If you don’t believe me, I can swear to the heavens that if I entertain even a bit of such thought, may I..."

Erhu hadn’t finished speaking when Lin Yue covered his mouth. Although she didn’t believe in oaths, Erhu’s seafaring business was inherently risky, and she was somewhat superstitious.

"That’s enough, no need for oaths. If someone does manage to bewitch you, what good would swearing do? Just stay alert. It’s not enough for you to simply not be tempted. Now that we’re wealthy, there will be those who eye our riches and may attempt lowly tactics to stick to us. Be extra careful, especially when drinking and socializing. Understand?"

"I understand. You just relax, wife. But you can’t just talk about me—you have to stay alert too. You’ve become more and more attractive, don’t think I haven’t noticed those men with ill intentions looking at you wrong. When I’m away, stay at home and go out less, especially since Xin’an City is now under Ceng Lu’s chaotic control, and that case hasn’t been settled yet. Even as things seem calmer now, it’s still worrying. Who knows if those involved might strike again?"

Erhu pulled his wife into his arms and stroked her smooth hair, while quietly plotting—in fairness, this was the perfect opportunity to turn the conversation away from himself. Otherwise, letting his wife continue with her suspicions would only lead to incessant pestering. Women could be relentless on these matters. Even if his wife was usually reasonable, this kind of topic, if not addressed correctly, could escalate into a major issue. Besides, he could turn the tables and use the same tactic on her. He wasn’t the only one who needed reminding. As far as he knew, Jiang Ziqi would soon be coming to Xin’an City, and although that fellow was fairly decent, Erhu didn’t like the idea of them socializing too much.

"Mm, I’ll be careful too," Lin Yue replied effortlessly, seeing how her husband deftly turned the tables.

Ever since those two glassmakers had arrived, Lin Yue had been visiting the glass workshop often, eager to produce glass as soon as possible. If they could manufacture a batch of glass bottles before Erhu’s next sea voyage, it would be even better.

The glassmakers were a master and his apprentice with top-notch skills in glassmaking but clashed relentlessly with a rival in the Imperial Household Department. The rival had recently become their manager and had gone to great lengths to oppress and persecute them. Master Xue knew staying on would mean not only a lack of prospects but also a threat to his life.

Even with a clear understanding of the situation, leaving the palace was not something Master Xue could decide for himself. While he was bothered and distressed, he learned of the need for glassmakers at Yongle Palace and volunteered for the job, without asking what the Princess Yongle had in mind for them or what the future held. Desperate to leave the palace, he did not regret his decision upon learning he would be working under a peasant woman. At least, he had saved his life, and even though the future might not hold greatness, it promised security without cutthroat scheming.

Master Xue only found out upon arrival at the Zhao Family village that their lady, Lin Yue, possessed the formula for making glass, and the Princess had sent them here precisely for that purpose. His emotions surged; after disappointment came a thrilling surprise. As a craftsman, who didn’t wish to achieve something in their field? If he managed to make glass using Madam’s formula, he would be the first in Dazhou to do so.

Although Master Xue had always been involved in glassmaking, he knew about the glass from the western lands, an item rarer and more precious than their own glass. Just a small piece could fetch a large sum, affordable only to the favored and high-status individuals in the palace.

Master Xue harbored ambitions and grew curious about Lin Yue’s true identity. Initially, he thought he would be serving a mere merchant with rural roots, but that could hardly be the case given her possession of a glass formula, which even the Emperor didn’t have, and her ability to enlist Princess assistance. He suspected there was more to the story than what appeared, but such details weren’t for a servant to inquire.

"Master Xue, I know you’ve come from the palace and are all highly skilled. Arriving at my humble place, it’s natural to feel some pride and dissatisfaction," Lin Yue paused, observing the crowd’s reaction before continuing.