Volume One, Chapter 12: The Stunned Women of the Xiao Family

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, three days had gone by.

Mo Qingqing’s spinning and weaving machines were already completed. Xiao Yichen was full of praise—truly worthy of being a descendant of the Mo family.

The craftsmanship was impeccable.

Before long, all the women of the Xiao family arrived at Mo Qingqing’s small courtyard.

Xiao Yichen had summoned them.

He knew well that in their eyes, he was a useless playboy, but now he was determined to change their narrow-minded impressions.

"I used to lie low because I had the protection of my father and brothers, and I was too lazy to think. But now that the backing is gone, it’s time for you all to see the advantages of a time traveler."

“Shi Lang, isn’t this the machine blueprint you showed me before? Qingqing actually built it?” Zheng Ru Yue asked in surprise.

Xiao Yichen smiled. “That’s right. With the spinning and weaving machines I invented, your work efficiency will greatly improve.”

“Sis-in-law, Second Sister-in-law, if you don’t believe me, just give it a try.”

Zheng Ru Yue and Second Sister-in-law Zhou Mixuan exchanged a glance, then went back inside to get the raw materials. Although these machines were complicated and neither had much experience with them, after a little trial and error, they soon got the hang of it.

At first, the women of the Xiao family were merely watching for amusement.

Shi Lang is always irresponsible. What good could he possibly invent?

Besides, they all knew that Xiao Yichen had caused trouble at the Brocade Pavilion, driving away the workers, and now the shop was closed.

The backyard was piled high with fabrics and silk that needed dyeing.

Zhao Yaxuan had gone to several dye shops but hadn’t found any suitable workers, and she had even cried several times over it.

Xiao Yichen had essentially cut off the family’s financial lifeline, so even though he was the only male heir, these women had no hope for him.

Some even felt disdain, thinking Xiao Yichen was unlearned and incapable of supporting the family.

But once Zheng Ru Yue and Zhou Mixuan actually began operating the machines—

All the women were stunned!

How could it be so fast?

They had seen Zheng Ru Yue and Zhou Mixuan spin and weave before, but never at such a speed.

Zheng Ru Yue and Zhou Mixuan themselves were completely amazed.

This efficiency was at least several times faster than before. Zheng Ru Yue recalled what Xiao Yichen had said earlier.

With these spinning machines, one day’s work could equal five days' worth of output. It really was true.

Liu Jine’s face lit up with delight. She hadn’t expected her son to have such talents. “If such machines were used for large-scale production, I fear the Xiao family’s fortunes would greatly improve.”

At this, Zhao Yaxuan spoke up.

“Spinning and weaving faster is useless. In Liang Kingdom, colorful fabrics are preferred; few buy plain-colored cloth or garments.”

“The woven cloth is colorless, so it doesn’t sell well, and the price is low. It just gathers dust in the warehouse.”

The women’s faces fell upon hearing this.

Zhao Yaxuan was right—people in Liang Kingdom rarely liked plain clothes, preferring vibrant colors.

Moreover, the raw cloth produced was slightly yellowish, not pure white, making it even harder to sell without dyeing.

Xiao Yichen knew that Third Sister-in-law was still upset and was deliberately pouring cold water on him.

He also knew Zhao Yaxuan had been running around looking for a master dyer without success, so her bitterness was understandable.

He smiled and said, “Third Sister-in-law, have you forgotten what I told you? Leave the dyeing to me.”

“Look at this.”

He pulled out a piece of red cloth from his pocket and handed it over.

Zhao Yaxuan took it, and just one glance left her speechless. Though she didn’t know how to dye fabrics, she had been running the Brocade Pavilion for years and could tell good colors from bad.

The red on this cloth was brilliantly vivid and deep, unlike anything she had ever seen before.

The reds she had encountered before were thin and dull, but this one was lively and especially radiant in the sunlight.

Zhao Yaxuan was certain she had never seen such a red in any shop in the southern district.

It was stunningly beautiful.

Her breath quickened, and her voice trembled as she said, “Shi... Shi Lang, where did you get this cloth?”

“I dyed it myself. What do you think, Third Sister-in-law?” Xiao Yichen smiled.

“Don’t tease me. Have you found a master dyer? I’ve never seen such a red; it must be the work of a great artist.”

“If you know him, then bring him here quickly. Since no other shops have such colors, it means this master dyer hasn’t been hired yet. If we can get him, the Brocade Pavilion will be saved.”

Zhao Yaxuan’s face flushed with excitement.

The other women’s eyes sparkled when they saw the red cloth, and they hurriedly said,

“Yes, Shi Lang, how could you dye this? Don’t joke with us.”

“Quick, bring that master dyer here. We’ll negotiate the wages.”

“This red is so beautiful. How did you dye it?”

“...”

The women chattered excitedly, holding the red cloth and examining it again and again. Their noise was so loud it gave Xiao Yichen a headache. Now he understood why some said one woman was like 500 ducks.

This was more like tens of thousands of ducks all quacking at once; anyone’s head would ache.

“Enough, quiet down.”

Liu Jine took the red cloth in her hands. Once everyone quieted, she said, “Shi Lang, tell your mother who this master dyer is. I will personally go invite him.”

The women’s expressions changed slightly at her words.

Within the Xiao family, thanks to Xiao Zhantian’s status, Liu Jine’s position was second only to the matriarch.

Although Xiao Zhantian was dead, Xiao Yichen, as the male heir, still held the family’s future. Even if he was once considered useless, Liu Jine’s status remained unshaken.

Her going in person to invite an artisan was a great honor.

Xiao Yichen smiled wryly. “Mother, I really dyed this myself. If you don’t believe me, I can make the dye for you right now.”

With that, he walked toward the room, the women following behind.

He soon took out the raw materials and began working. After an hour, the red dye was prepared.

When the women saw the red dye, they all froze, finally convinced the red cloth was dyed by Xiao Yichen.

They looked at him in disbelief.

Was this still the same Shi Lang they knew, the so-called useless heir who had done nothing since becoming a ‘waste’?

Zhao Yaxuan was deeply shocked and suddenly felt ashamed. It turned out Xiao Yichen’s words were true—he really could do it.

She had been foolish to think he was just a troublemaker.

Liu Jine also looked at Xiao Yichen in astonishment.

Her son suddenly seemed unfamiliar—someone who could invent machines to improve spinning and weaving efficiency, and prepare such beautiful dyes.

All this happened after the broken engagement.

Could it be that the shock of the broken engagement had awakened him?

Tears welled in Liu Jine’s eyes. It was good that he had come to his senses. Her son was finally no longer a useless layabout!