A Good Country Wife-Chapter 592 - 586_1

Lin Yue was intently embroidering an opulent double-sided embroidery with different colors on each side, when she heard someone outside, too impatient to wait, already clamoring before entering. She didn’t initially register the question, "Has it been successful?" Upon seeing Master Xue enter the room, she instantly understood and her face broke into a surprised and joyous smile. She set aside the embroidery she had been working on, casually covering it with a piece of silk cloth.

"Master Xue, has the glass been successfully fired?" Lin Yue’s words brimmed with impatience.

"Madam, indeed it has. We’ve produced only a small piece, but it’s a success nonetheless. We just need to adjust the formula and methods a few more times, and we will definitely be able to fire larger and better pieces of glass. Look, this is the newly fired sample." While speaking, Master Xue passed a piece of glass the size of a chicken egg to Lin Yue. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

Lin Yue took the glass and inspected it carefully. Although it was just a small piece, it was already a groundbreaking progression, convincingly proving that the glass formula was correct. And even though the piece was small, the quality was already quite decent. It was only a bit smaller and thicker compared to the glass available in modern times. As long as they continued to invest efforts and conduct experiments with the firing, they were certain to overcome the current drawbacks and produce better results.

"Excellent! I’ve always said that if you all work hard, I will never fail to reward you. Master Xue, you’ve made distinguished contributions this time. Do you desire anything? Whether it concerns silver coins, daily life, or if there’s anyone at home you wish to bring over for support, as long as it’s within my power, I will definitely try my best to help you." As long as those below her performed well, Lin Yue was never stingy with rewards.

The moment Lin Yue spoke, Master Xue was momentarily stunned, at a loss for what to request. He hadn’t thought about it before, as he believed that being diligent was merely fulfilling his duty and not something to be rewarded for. Even though Lin Yue had made such promises, he had never taken them to heart.

Master Xue had such an attitude because he had seen much in his time. Previously, in the palace, without a significant background, his achievements were always claimed by others, which made him appear mediocre. Otherwise, even if he had wanted to leave the palace, Princess Yongle wouldn’t have easily given him away as a gift. Back then, achieving such tasks based on formulas was expected, and failure would have meant punishment.

"All I have done is my duty. The formula was provided by Lady, and even if it had been someone else, they could have managed to fire the glass, just perhaps taking more time. I dare not ask for Lady’s rewards," Master Xue said, though having grown to understand the Zhao Family and knowing the Lady to be kind, he declined out of caution and politeness.

"You needn’t feel anxious or doubtful, Master Xue. To reward achievements and punish failures is the rule I have set for everyone. If just anyone could succeed, I wouldn’t have bothered asking Princess Yongle for you. Moreover, your ability to achieve results in such a short time proves your capability. I was originally hoping to fire a batch of glass before the Master sets sail, fearing we wouldn’t make it in time, but now it seems there’s hope," Lin Yue said reassuringly.

"The Master’s voyage is still two months away. I will spare no effort to quickly produce the glassware Lady requires," Master Xue promised.

"Then I’ll have to trouble Master Xue. Regarding my earlier question, please feel free to express any desires you have for your reward. You’ve been here for a while and should have some understanding of me and this household. Don’t be reserved," Lin Yue encouraged.

"This... I haven’t thought it through yet. May I ask for some time to consider, Madam?" Master Xue was pacified by Lin Yue’s words, his heart steadied and devoid of suspicion. Yet, he hadn’t really decided. At the very start, he had indeed wanted to bring his family over, but even though his days in the Zhao household were stable, it was after all only for a short while. Master Xue hesitated in his heart, deciding to wait and see. After all, once his family was brought over, they would be inseparably tied to the Zhao family, with no backtracking.

Lin Yue, seeing the conflict in Master Xue, although unaware of his specific hesitations, didn’t intend to pressure him since it was meant to be a reward. "Then take your time to think about what you want. There’s no rush. Let me know when you’ve made up your mind."

"Thank you for your Ladyship’s grace. I’ll get back to my work and strive to produce large finished pieces as soon as possible." It wasn’t just Lin Yue’s orders that drove Master Xue’s dedication to the task of glassmaking; indeed, in this pursuit, he shared a similar trait with Liao Ruyan—the essence of a workaholic.

Speaking of the devil, just as Lin Yue thought about Liao Ruyan, the person herself arrived. She saw Master Xue exiting and didn’t inquire further. Liao Ruyan had always focused solely on her own matters, uninterested in others’ affairs. Moreover, to maintain confidentiality on certain items, Lin Yue had set a rule forbidding casual prying into matters outside of one’s responsibilities. Especially the production of glass by Master Xue and his apprentices, which was the family’s utmost secret, not to be disclosed. Aside from those in the Glaze Workshop, only Zhao Erhu, Lin Yue, and their trusted manager knew, while to others, even those who knew something thought Master Xue and his apprentices were contracted by Lin Yue for glassmaking.

"What kind of wind has blown our Manager Liao here?" Lin Yue teased, looking at Liao Ruyan. "Tell me, what is it that you need me to do this time? Surely you wouldn’t leave the workshop to come here without a reason." Lin Yue knew this woman was usually immersed in her workshop and would only emerge with definite purpose, either to discuss matters or to make requests, typically involving acquisitions for the workshop.

Liao Ruyan didn’t bother with small talk with Lin Yue. "Haha, Lady, you truly understand me. I’m running short on a few spices on my side and would like to ask you to help procure more. Besides, regarding the herbal soaps you mentioned last time with special effects, I’ve thought it through carefully. There are a few recipes I’m aware of, but given our current conditions, we can only make two. I’ve made some samples and brought them for you to try, Lady. You can see if they’re satisfactory."

"So it turns out you want me not only to gather spices for you but also to serve as your test subject for these soaps, to see if they work well? But are you sure your recipes are sound and won’t backfire on me?"

"Don’t worry, I’ve tested them myself. Though I can’t see effects this quickly, there shouldn’t be any other issues. Please make it a priority to collect the spices for me, otherwise, if they run out at my end, the workshop will have to halt operations."

"Alright, I’ll get the spices for you as soon as I can. Just make a list of what you need and hand it to me. Regarding the herbal soaps, I have some ideas myself; I’ll prepare a few more recipes for you to try later on."