Chu Chen had not expected such an accident to occur at Princess Xin Yue's birthday banquet. He surmised it was originally meant to be disrupted by Xue Yun's coup at this time, which was why it hadn't happened.
This matter could be treated as minor or major. As a minor issue, it would merely damage national prestige. As a major one, it could show other countries that Yun Yue Kingdom's national strength was inferior to theirs, prompting them to make their move.
Advanced silk production did not necessarily mean an abundance of food, but an abundance of food absolutely guaranteed advanced silk production.
Another representation of advanced silk was having ample grain, a large army, and vast territory.
"Enough!"
The Empress, seated regally above, could bear it no longer. She reprimanded, "This is the birthday banquet of my imperial daughter. How can you all quarrel and make such a scene?"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
The ministers, including the envoy from Chen Kingdom, all apologized. However, from the envoy's smug expression, it seemed as if they had achieved a great victory.
"Since you are here to offer gifts, place them properly and take your seats."
The Empress appeared outwardly unfazed, but inwardly, she wished she could kill the envoy from Chen Kingdom who had caused her such embarrassment.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The envoy from Chen Kingdom expressed his gratitude and then stated, "This humble official is here not only to offer gifts for Princess Xin Yue. Before departing, the King of Chen instructed me to request a few bolts of your esteemed country's silk upon our return journey, to broaden our horizons. May I ask if this is possible?"
"Presumptuous!"
The Empress could no longer contain herself. After being told to sit, he was still being aggressive. She angrily asked, "Envoy from Chen Kingdom, are you here to provoke us and instigate a war between our two nations?"
"This humble official dares not. This humble official is merely following the King of Chen's instructions, wishing to request a few bolts of silk for the return journey."
The envoy from Chen Kingdom wore an innocent expression but did not yield an inch. He was certain that the Empress would not dare to initiate a war with Chen Kingdom.
Just as the Empress found herself in a dilemma, Princess Xin Yue, who was beside her, spoke up, "Mother, what is so difficult about this? Why not simply give them some silk?"
The Empress's brow furrowed. Just as she was about to scold Princess Xin Yue, she saw her daughter glance at Chu Chen beside her, and she immediately fell silent.
"Is what Princess Xin Yue said true?" The envoy from Chen Kingdom was overjoyed. He planned to take the silk back and show it to the surrounding countries, allowing them to mock Yun Yue Kingdom and, at the same time, strengthen their alliances to see if they could annex Yun Yue Kingdom.
"Our Yun Yue Kingdom is vast and resourceful, with a prosperous populace. A mere few bolts of silk are naturally not an issue."
Having said this, Xin Yue's tone shifted, and she smiled, "However, since your esteemed country has sent someone to deliver silk with such sincerity, our Yun Yue Kingdom will naturally reciprocate. In ten days, we will arrange for an envoy to personally deliver our country's silk to the hands of your King."
"Uh~"
The envoy from Chen Kingdom was a little confused, not understanding what this was all about. However, since his objective had been achieved, there was no need to press further. The outcome was the same regardless.
"In that case, this humble official thanks Yun Yue Kingdom on behalf of the King of Chen."
After speaking, he returned to his seat, ate and drank, and said no more.
However, with this incident, the originally friendly and lively atmosphere was essentially ruined.
After a bland and uneventful round of drinks, the ministers each found excuses to return home, and the birthday banquet naturally concluded.
In Qingming Palace, Princess Xin Yue, holding Chu Chen's hand, asked somewhat uneasily, "I said what you taught me just now, is there really no problem? Are you sure you can produce such silk?"
"If you can't, be careful, or even I won't be able to protect you."
"Your subordinate is fearful, but please rest assured, Your Highness. Your subordinate dares to let the Princess say that because there is a solution."
Chu Chen patted Princess Xin Yue's wrist, reassuring her.
"Although I don't quite understand, from what you said earlier, I know that improvements in weaving technology take years. Our Yun Yue Kingdom has only just implemented the production increase plan. It's impossible to improve the technology in just over ten days, right?"
Princess Xin Yue was still a little uneasy, fearing that Chu Chen, who had boasted, would be beheaded by the Empress. She gritted her teeth slightly, "Perhaps when Mother asks, I'll take the blame for you. That way, you'll be safe, and I'll only receive a minor punishment."
"Your Highness, you really don't need to do that." Chu Chen felt a mix of amusement and emotion, and a touch of warmth in his heart.
Soon, the Empress sent someone to summon Chu Chen. To prevent Chu Chen from being beheaded by her mother for boasting, Princess Xin Yue also followed.
Upon arriving before the Empress, she sternly reprimanded, "You, girl, are usually not serious, but this is a matter of covert conflict between two nations. Why would you speak such nonsense? Are you not embarrassed enough for our Yun Yue Kingdom?"
"Mother~"
Princess Xin Yue affectionately pulled on the Empress's arm.
"Your Majesty, everything the Princess said earlier was taught by this subordinate."
"Oh? You taught her? I was wondering how that girl got so bold."
"Chu Chen, you have quite the audacity to teach the Princess to speak such nonsense in a covert conflict between two nations? Do you know your crime?"
The Empress looked at Chu Chen coldly, waiting to hear his excuse.
Chu Chen replied without fear, "Your Majesty, this subordinate is not speaking nonsense, but truly has a way to produce silk that is no worse than, or even better than, the silk from Chen Kingdom in over ten days."
Hearing this, the Empress recalled Chu Chen's previous actions, and her expression softened slightly, but she still asked sternly, "The technology for this silk, from mulberry cultivation, silkworm rearing, to weaving, none of these can be accomplished in just over ten days. What method do you have?"
"Your Majesty, grant this subordinate over ten days, and Your Majesty will naturally know."
Seeing Chu Chen's confidence, the Empress said trustingly, "Very well! Then I shall give you over ten days. If you fail to resolve the trouble you have caused, neither of you will leave the palace. You shall both remain here for three months and reflect on your actions."
She felt a slight anticipation for what surprise this eunuch would bring her this time.
"Phew~ You scared me to death, little Chenzi. I thought you were finished this time. I didn't expect Mother to trust you so much and actually give you time to make silk. But can you really make it? How will you do it?"
On the way back, Xin Yue breathed a sigh of relief, her heart filled with curiosity.
"This is difficult to explain in a short time. Tomorrow, I will find someone to try it, and you will know. Ten days is a conservative estimate; in reality, it won't take that long to finish."
"Really?"
The next day, before dawn, Princess Xin Yue woke Chu Chen, who was sleeping in the servants' quarters outside the hall, and dragged him to the weaving workshop with great haste.
Where would be the best place for weaving technology? Naturally, it would be the imperial weaving workshop of a country. This place gathered the best weaving technology in the entire imperial city, and even the entire country, dedicated to weaving silk for the royal family.
The workers were also highly skilled, consisting of palace maids with over ten years of experience, and they used the best and most advanced looms.