Reborn as the Crippled King's Beloved-Chapter 487: Improving the Papermaking Technique

Wang Yingluo resigned herself to drinking plain congee for two days, only to find that she hadn’t had a chance to see the Emperor during this time.

It turns out the Emperor had been called away to the military camp on urgent business, and by the time he returned, it was always very late, so he did not disturb her and thus did not know about her plight.

She had deliberately let Consort Dowager Qi see her, but the Consort Dowager told her that she had too much flesh on her body and that drinking congee to lose some weight would make her look better, which nearly infuriated Wang Yingluo to the point of fainting.

The late emperor favored slim waists, leading to a palace full of slender beauties, and some were even said to have fainted from hunger, which is simply a distorted aesthetic.

Her current figure was neither fat nor thin—just right. She might not be perfect, but she certainly didn’t need to lose weight. Consort Dowager Qi, that old woman, was nothing but an outdated relic with a narrow mind!

Wang Yingluo didn’t know how long Jun Yuyan would be busy, and she couldn’t just keep drinking congee every day, her taste buds were practically fading to nothing. So, using the token Jun Yuyan had given her before and under the guise of official business, she left the palace again.

Upon leaving the palace, she first went to a restaurant to have a good meal, and then she proceeded to the printing workshop.

This printing workshop was built temporarily at the behest of Lou Zixi. In a few days, the craftsmen had engraved many character blocks, and at a rough glance, there were already several thousand characters.

Wang Yingluo glanced at them and was extremely satisfied.

As she was about to leave, she suddenly saw a tall figure striding quickly toward her.

"Miss Wang, your timing is perfect. This is the Thousand Character Classic printed with the movable-type printing, please take a look and see if there’s anything that needs improvement,"

"Lord Lou, what are you doing here?"

Wang Yingluo exclaimed in surprise.

A small matter like this could be handled by someone lower down the ranks; she hadn’t expected Lou Zixi to be there.

She couldn’t help taking several more looks at Lou Zixi.

It had to be said that this future powerbroker indeed possessed a handsome face. If Jun Yuyan was dignified and regal, carrying an imperial authority about him, then Lou Zixi sometimes conveyed a harmless and refined grace.

In history, he was also a devoted and loving man, having only one wife in his lifetime and never taking concubines.

However, Wang Yingluo felt that Lou Zixi’s gaze towards her was anything but innocent—perhaps he admired her too much?

After all, hadn’t Lou Zixi worked for the Empress before because he admired her?

And herself, whether it was the movable-type printing or soap, high-proof alcohol—wasn’t she better in every respect than the Empress?

How could Lou Zixi possibly not admire her?

Wang Yingluo enjoyed this feeling. She took the printed Thousand Character Classic from Lou Zixi’s hand and nodded, saying,

"It’s very good already, no smudging or double images, and the ink is clear."

Lou Zixi sighed, "Miss Wang’s movable-type printing is truly excellent. It’s just a pity that paper has always been expensive. Even with the improvement of the Printing Technique, it’s difficult for every child to learn the Thousand Character Classic."

"Oh? Is papermaking very costly these days?"

Wang Yingluo didn’t know much about this, but in her earlier years, she loved reading transmigration novels, especially those that focused on farming and business, and knew which skills could be used if one traveled back in time.

She had some understanding of papermaking technique too, so she asked Lou Zixi about the current state of papermaking.

Upon learning that Great Yan still used "Marquis Cai Paper," a memory suddenly flashed in her mind—in history, as Great Yan’s economy developed and inventions were encouraged among the people, it took less than a decade for the papermaking technique to be improved.

Her eyes lit up, and she hurriedly said, "Nowadays, papermaking uses bark, hemp heads, and such, but why not try using bamboo..."

Having been a top student with extraordinary memory, she could recall anything she had learned upon reflection. Otherwise, how could she have become an excellent Hypnotist? Facing Lou Zixi, she spoke confidently, detailing the advantages of bamboo paper and how to produce perfect bamboo paper.

Seeing Lou Zixi’s eyes shine brighter and brighter, Wang Yingluo felt even more proud.

Empress Murong, I want your man, and I want your subjects too.

Without lifting a finger, I could make Lou Zixi go crazy for me.

Reducing me to eating plain congee for two days is all you’re capable of.

Every day, sheltered within the palace walls like a turtle retracting its head, by the time Murong Jiu comes to her senses, my people would already be at my beck and call.

Wang Yingluo thought triumphantly to herself.

Lou Zixi didn’t skimp on praise: "Miss Wang, you truly are the most extraordinary woman I have ever encountered."

"I merely know a bit more than others, nothing worth mentioning,"

she said, dismissing it with a wave of her hand, modestly.

"Miss Wang is too modest. I will go and improve the papermaking technique right away. Should there be any concerns, I hope Miss Wang won’t hesitate to enlighten me."

Lou Zixi looked at her, his face all smiles.

Wang Yingluo couldn’t help but feel elated.

"Don’t worry, Lord Lou, if there’s anything, just come and ask,"

she assured him. Look at that, she didn’t need hypnotism to have men become infatuated with her.

In the modern age, she didn’t have a beautiful face and no man appreciated her, but here, whether it was Jun Yuyan or Lou Zixi, they all admired her talent. She thought that even if she were just as unattractive, they would not look at her differently.

Her vanity was immensely gratified.

The better she performed, the more capable she seemed, the crazier these men were for her.

Lou Zixi exchanged a few more words with her and inquired about her well-being before leaving in a hurry.

Wang Yingluo could tell that he was a good official, one who served his country and people.

When she announced the improvements in the printing technique and papermaking tech, she wouldn’t mind adding Lou Zixi’s name after hers.

The thought of leaving her name in the annals of history excited her enormously.

However, what she didn’t know was that as soon as Lou Zixi stepped out and got into his carriage, his expression turned grave.

His eyes were cold and somber.

"Too much cleverness borders on treachery. Whether it’s a blessing or a curse is yet to be determined."

Such a person, if she remains compliant, well and good; if not, naturally she cannot be kept around.

Lou Zixi ordered his trusted aide to report the papermaking technique and then headed over to Manager Chai’s place.

Manager Chai was also busy with soap and high-proof alcohol.

"Your timing is perfect, try this high-proof alcohol. It’s so strong that one of my workers passed out after a single drink,"

Manager Chai offered a cup of high-proof grain alcohol to Lou Zixi.

Lou Zixi took it, sniffed it, and then sipped.

Manager Chai took a small sip himself: "This distillation technique is truly amazing. To be able to increase the alcohol concentration by so much is incredible."

Lou Zixi said: "The entry on the palate is richer and more aromatic; it should appeal to many people."

The quality of the alcohol was, indeed, a fact; the wine of the past required three large bowls to intoxicate, but this, if one were to drink three large bowls, they might become utterly senseless.

"And the soap? Is it made?"

"Soap making takes a longer time. Once it’s produced, I’ll send some to you. You, who do not visit the Three Treasures Hall for nothing, what brings you to my place? Come on, out with it, what’s the matter?"

Lou Zixi and Manager Chai were close as brothers who had endured hardships together, and they had sworn brotherhood; thus, Lou Zixi spoke frankly about improving the papermaking technique.

Instantly, Manager Chai straightened his back.