155: Chapter 66 The Empress's Summoning

On the third day after Imperial Concubine Hui married into the Imperial Palace, Empress Su Wanqing sent someone to invite her to Kunning Palace for "tea."

When the news reached Qianning Palace, Imperial Concubine Hui was reviewing the list of accountants her father had brought with her as part of her dowry.

She set down the register in her hand, looked at the palace maid who had delivered the message, and smiled slightly: "Her Majesty the Empress is certainly in a hurry; I was just preparing to pay her a visit. Please tell Her Majesty that I will go as soon as I change my clothes."

The maid acknowledged the order and withdrew, but Imperial Concubine Hui remained seated at her vanity without moving.

She looked at her still-youthful face in the mirror, slowly calculating in her mind.

An audience with the Empress might be nominally for "tea," but in reality, it was likely an attempt to sound her out.

This was the most common drama in the inner palace.

Although she had only been married for three days, she had spent her life struggling in the business world alongside her father and had seen more of the ways of the world than most women would in a lifetime.

She knew what to do—she must neither be too sharp and prominent nor appear weak and easy to bully.

A sense of proportion was the first principle of survival in the inner palace.

She changed into a moon-white long dress, covered by a pale green vest, and wore only a white jade hairpin in her hair, looking elegant in her simplicity.

She did not wear those heavy gold and jade ornaments, nor did she intentionally apply heavy makeup—since the Empress wanted tea, she would go with the attitude of having tea.

The furnishings in Kunning Palace were grander than those in Qianning Palace, revealing the Empress's dignity everywhere.

In the main hall, the floor heating was warm, several pots of autumn chrysanthemums in full bloom were placed on the windowsill, and the air was filled with the faint fragrance of tea.

Empress Su Wanqing sat in the main seat, wearing a light purple casual dress, her hair simply tied in a bun, her face devoid of makeup, yet she possessed a calm and serene demeanor.

Seeing Imperial Concubine Hui enter, she set down her teacup and took the initiative to stand up and greet her.

"Sister, you have come. Please, sit." Empress Su Wanqing took Imperial Concubine Hui's hand and had her sit on the chair beside her.

"Have you been getting used to living in the palace these past few days? If you lack anything or need anything, just tell me."

Imperial Concubine Hui bowed slightly: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Everything is fine; Li Ling has made very thoughtful arrangements.

The furnishings in Qianning Palace are arranged in the style of the Jiangnan region, filled with ingenuity, and I like them very much."

"That is good." Empress Su Wanqing smiled, returned to the main seat, and personally poured a cup of tea for Imperial Concubine Hui.

"Come, taste this tea. This is the batch of Longjing that Li Ling drank in Hangzhou this spring, and he specifically had a jin set aside for me."

Imperial Concubine Hui took the teacup with both hands, first observing the color, then smelling the aroma, and finally tasting it—her movements were as standard as if she had received specialized tea ceremony training.

She took a sip; the tea was clear and sweet, with a lingering aftertaste.

It was indeed high-quality pre-Qingming Longjing.

"Good tea." She set down the teacup and sighed in genuine admiration, "It is even better than the Longjing we drank at home in the south."

"Of course." Empress Su Wanqing smiled. "How could things used by the Imperial household be anything but the best?"

She paused, shifted the topic, and said in a casual yet serious tone, "Sister, I called you here today not for anything major, but simply because I wanted to have a private talk with you."

Imperial Concubine Hui nodded: "Please speak, Your Majesty; I am listening attentively."

"We have both married Li Ling, so we are family." Empress Su Wanqing set down her teacup and said solemnly, "I do not want to engage in those convoluted games.

I want to ask you a truthful question—did you marry Li Ling purely because of your family's wishes, or are you also willing?"

This question was direct, but Imperial Concubine Hui was not surprised.

She was silent for two breaths, met Empress Su Wanqing's gaze calmly, and replied: "In response to Your Majesty, it was indeed my father's intention at first.

I was born into a merchant family and have known since childhood that I could not decide my own marriage, which would likely be used for a political alliance.

However, in the few days since entering the palace, I have observed Li Ling handling state affairs and have spoken with him a few times, and I feel... that marrying such a person is no grievance."

Imperial Concubine Hui paused, her tone becoming more sincere: "Moreover, I can feel that Li Ling truly wants to make this country better.

I have followed my father in bookkeeping and traveling trade routes since I was young, and I have seen too many people unable to feed themselves.

If I can help Li Ling accomplish this, I am willing.

This is not polite talk; it is what I truly feel."

Empress Su Wanqing listened quietly, the scrutiny in her eyes slowly turning into warmth.

She had originally been worried that this "Imperial Concubine Hui" might be an arrogant young lady or a formidable character who only knew how to play tricks.

But Imperial Concubine Hui's words showed her a clear-headed, sensible girl—one who knew where her position was, knew what she wanted, and knew how to obtain it.

"I am relieved that you think this way." Empress Su Wanqing gently held Imperial Concubine Hui's hand.

"I have no other sisters in the palace; in the future, if you have anything, feel free to come to me.

Although Li Ling is busy, he is a man who values affection and righteousness.

As long as you treat him with sincerity, he will certainly treat you well."

Imperial Concubine Hui's eyes warmed slightly, and she nodded vigorously: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will remember that."

The two chatted about everyday life for a while.

Empress Su Wanqing asked about the status of the Lin family's business, and Imperial Concubine Hui shared some interesting anecdotes—such as when she was twelve and went to Guangzhou on her father's behalf to negotiate a silk deal, only to be teased by the local broker as a "little adult," but in the end, she used her abacus skills to make him admire her completely.

Empress Su Wanqing listened with great interest, laughing from time to time.

"Sister, you are truly no ordinary woman." Empress Su Wanqing laughed. "To be able to negotiate business alone at twelve is something ordinary families would never dream of.

Your father was quite bold."

"Father often said that the daughters of the Lin family cannot only know how to embroider." Imperial Concubine Hui also laughed.

"He said that money will not shortchange you a single cent because you are a woman, and enemies will not be half as polite to you because you are a woman.

So, since I was young, he made me learn bookkeeping, how to judge people, and how to negotiate business.

Thinking back now, although it was hard then, it was a wealth that has benefited me for a lifetime."

Empress Su Wanqing nodded thoughtfully: "Your father is indeed a sensible man."

She paused, then suddenly asked, "By the way, when you said you went to Guangzhou at twelve, did you go to the Thirteen Factories?"

"I have." Imperial Concubine Hui's eyes lit up. "Does Your Majesty also know about the Thirteen Factories?"

"I heard Li Ling mention it." Empress Su Wanqing said, "He said it is a very good port that could be developed into a trade center for the south in the future."

"Li Ling has foresight." Imperial Concubine Hui said earnestly, "Although the conditions at the Thirteen Factories currently cannot compare to the Pearl River Estuary, it has the advantage of deep water, shelter from the wind, and open terrain.

If it were expanded, it could fully accommodate ten-thousand-ton ocean-going cargo ships.

My father has a small pier there; if Li Ling intends to expand it, the Lin family is willing to invest."

Empress Su Wanqing looked at her, a flash of approval crossing her eyes.

This girl was not here to be a vase; she truly wanted to get things done.

The two chatted more and more congenially, from the port construction at the Thirteen Factories to the fluctuations in grain prices in the south, from grain price fluctuations to the supply chain of cotton in the north, and then from the supply chain to the planning of future railway lines.

Although Empress Su Wanqing did not have a high background, these years of being influenced by Li Ling had given her a considerable understanding of military, political, and economic affairs, and the two were surprisingly on the same page.

Just as they were speaking, footsteps were heard outside the door.

Li Ling walked in with large strides, wearing a slightly worn casual outfit, followed by a clerk from the Grand Council holding files.

Seeing the two women huddled together chatting animatedly, he was stunned for a moment, then chuckled: "Yo, you two are having a lively chat? What are you talking about?"

Empress Su Wanqing looked up and smiled at him: "We were talking about how to help Li Ling make money."

"Make money?" Li Ling walked between them, casually grabbed a piece of osmanthus cake from the table, took a bite, and said indistinctly, "Then you must talk well.

I am currently worrying about money; the mines in the northwest need to be opened, the railways need to be built, and the arsenals need to be expanded—everywhere needs silver.

If you can help me think of a way to make money, I will grant you great merit."

Imperial Concubine Hui smiled, took a thin booklet from her sleeve, and said: "Li Ling, I stayed up late last night to organize a detailed map of the southern trade routes, marking the freight volume, tax potential, and potential resource development points for each route.

If you are interested, you can take a look first."

Li Ling took the booklet and flipped through a few pages, his gaze gradually fixing.

The booklet contained a detailed map of trade routes, marking twelve main trade routes, each with dense data—freight volume, profit margins, tax potential, competitors, and even detailed fees for checkpoints along the way.

More importantly, she had circled five special areas in red ink, labeled "Potential Mineral Development Points" next to them, with small text below saying, "According to local merchants, there are signs of iron ore in the mountains here; exploration is recommended."

Li Ling closed the booklet and took a deep breath.

He looked up at Imperial Concubine Hui, his eyes showing a touch more seriousness: "How long did it take you to draw this map?"

"Three days." Imperial Concubine Hui said honestly. "Before I entered the palace, my father had people collect information on trade routes across the south, and I just organized them.

However, those 'Potential Mineral Development Points' were things I heard from locals when I was young and traveling with my father on business; I remembered them at the time, and now they are just in time to be used."

Li Ling carefully tucked the booklet into his breast pocket and patted it: "Good, good stuff. I will go back and study it carefully.

If we can really open a mine, your Lin family will be one of the founders of the Tang Country's industry."

"Li Ling, you speak too seriously." Imperial Concubine Hui shook her head slightly. "I only did a little bit of what I could.

As for the founder, Li Ling is the true founder of the Tang Country."

Just as Li Ling was about to say something, his eyes caught a string of sandalwood prayer beads on Imperial Concubine Hui's wrist, so he asked casually: "Do you believe in Buddha?"

Imperial Concubine Hui looked down at the prayer beads and gently rubbed them: "I do.

But I do not worship Buddha to seek wealth; I do it for peace of mind.

Father often said that those in business must have a calm heart; if your heart is not calm, you will miscalculate accounts, and if you miscalculate accounts, you will lose money.

All these years, whenever I encountered major issues and could not make up my mind, I would go to the Buddha hall and sit for a while.

After sitting, my heart would be clear, and I would know what to do."

Empress Su Wanqing smiled on the side without interrupting.

She watched the exchange between Li Ling and Imperial Concubine Hui without any ripples in her heart.

She had long since understood—Li Ling's heart held the entire world; he would not stay too long for any one woman, but he would treat everyone who was willing to help him with sincerity.

And Imperial Concubine Hui was clearly that kind of "person who can help."

After the serious business was finished, Li Ling, under the urging of the two, ate another half plate of osmanthus cake, drank a cup of tea, and was then pushed away by Empress Su Wanqing to review memorials.

Before leaving, he suddenly turned back and said: "By the way, Wanqing—"

He called out, and both women looked up at the same time.

Li Ling was stunned for a moment, then scratched his head: "Uh... I meant the Empress.

If you have anything on your side, just discuss it with the Empress.

I will come to see you tonight."

He turned and left, and Empress Su Wanqing and Imperial Concubine Hui looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh at the same time.

"Another 'Wanqing' has been added." Empress Su Wanqing teased. "If Li Ling calls out in the future, I am afraid all three women will answer."

"Then I shall be called 'Little Wanqing' from now on." Imperial Concubine Hui laughed. "I dare not compete with Your Majesty for the name."

"No need." Empress Su Wanqing waved her hand. "I am a few years older than you; you can just call me sister.

As for the name... Li Ling will figure it out himself.

If he cannot even tell a few women apart, he cannot be a good emperor."

The two chatted for a while longer until the sky darkened, and Imperial Concubine Hui rose to take her leave.

Empress Su Wanqing saw her to the palace gate, and as she watched her figure disappear into the night, the smile on her face slowly faded a little.

She turned and walked back into the hall, looked at the tea set on the table, and was silent for a moment.

"Someone come." She suddenly said.

A palace maid walked in silently.

"Go check if the latest military reports from the northwest border have been delivered to Li Ling's desk."

"In response to Your Majesty, the military intelligence from the northwest has already been sent.

However, it is just a routine border patrol report, and there is nothing unusual."

Empress Su Wanqing nodded and did not ask again.

But she always felt a faint sense of unease in her heart—in recent days, Li Ling's eyes had become increasingly grave when looking at maps, and he was even distracted while eating.

She understood him; that was the state he would only be in before a major war.

Outside the window, the starry sky of the autumn night was exceptionally clear.

Empress Su Wanqing looked up at the north, where an exceptionally bright star was flickering alone in the night sky.

She prayed silently: May everything be safe.