Rebirth of the Princess Pearl

The morning sun shines on the courtyard of the Western Region Brocade Workshop. The brocade hanging out to dry gleams with colorful light in the sun, like a gorgeous painting. In the workshop, the craftsmen have begun to get busy. The sound of the loom rings rhythmically, and the silk threads shuttle through their hands like smart elves. Xiaoyanzi, Ziwei, Erkang, Qing'er and Xiaojian come to the workshop to help as usual.

Xiaoyanzi jumped into the workshop, her eyes full of curiosity and excitement. She saw Wanqing instructing the craftsmen to weave brocade, so she ran over and said, "Miss Wanqing, what new patterns do you have today?" Xiaoyanzi put her hands behind her back, leaned forward slightly, and looked at Wanqing with sparkling eyes.

Wanqing smiled and said, "Princess Huanzhu, today we are going to try a new color combination. This color combination will make the brocade look more gorgeous." As Wanqing spoke, she picked up several silk threads of different colors and showed them to Xiaoyanzi.

Ziwei and Qing'er also came over. Ziwei said gently, "Miss Wanqing, you always come up with so many novel ideas." Ziwei's eyes were full of appreciation, and she gently stroked a piece of brocade that had been woven.

Qing'er nodded and said, "Yes, since Miss Wanqing came, our workshop has been getting better and better." Qing'er had a gentle smile on her face and looked at the busy craftsmen in the workshop.

At this moment, a little maid ran in and said to Wanqing, "Miss Wanqing, there are several concubines from the palace who want to see you."

Wanqing frowned slightly and said in confusion: "Concubines? Why are they here?" Wanqing put down the silk thread in her hand, straightened her clothes, and prepared to go out to greet them.

Xiaoyanzi and the others also felt very strange, so they followed Wanqing out.

Outside the workshop, several concubines in gorgeous clothes were standing there. When they saw Wanqing coming out, they had an arrogant look on their faces. One of the concubines said, "Are you Wanqing? The one from the Western Regions?" Her voice was filled with a hint of disdain as she looked Wanqing up and down.

Wanqing bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, I am Wanqing. I wonder what brings you here today?" Wanqing's eyes were calm, but also a little wary.

The concubine snorted and said, "We heard that you were very close to Princess Huanzhu and the others in this workshop. You are from the Western Regions, don't think you can do whatever you want in this capital."

Wanqing said doubtfully: "Your Majesty, I don't understand what you mean. I am just cooperating with Princess Huanzhu and others to open a workshop to promote exchanges between the Western Regions and the Central Plains." Wanqing raised her head slightly and looked directly into the concubine's eyes.

Another concubine stepped forward and said viciously: "Stop pretending here. We warn you not to help Xiaoyanzi and the others too much, otherwise you will suffer the consequences." She pointed at Wanqing, her eyes full of threats.

Wanqing frowned and said firmly: "Your Majesty, I only do what I think is right. Princess Huanzhu and the others are very friendly to me, and I will not do anything to hurt them." Wanqing stood straight with her hands clasped tightly at both sides.

Several concubines did not expect Wanqing to answer like this, and they were all a little angry. One of the concubines shouted: "You ungrateful Western Region woman, if you don't listen to us, we will not let you go easily." Her face was a little red because of anger, and her eyes were wide open.

Wanqing took a deep breath and said, "My ladies, I respect you as the ladies of the palace, but I will not be threatened and go against my conscience."

Xiaoyanzi couldn't stand it anymore. She walked forward, put her hands on her hips and said angrily: "How can you ladies threaten Miss Wanqing like this? Miss Wanqing is doing good things." Xiaoyanzi's eyes were burning with fire and her body was shaking slightly with anger.

Ziwei also stepped forward and said softly: "My ladies, we are all in the same palace, we should tolerate and support each other instead of threatening others without reason." Although Ziwei's voice was soft, it also carried an unquestionable firmness.

The concubines looked even uglier when they saw Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei come out to talk. But they couldn't continue to argue outside the workshop, so they left angrily.

Wanqing looked at Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei with gratitude and said, "Princess Huanzhu, Princess Ziwei, thank you for speaking for me. I don't want to cause trouble for you, but I really can't do what they ask." Wanqing's eyes were sparkling with tears of emotion, and she bowed deeply to Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei.

Xiaoyanzi took Wanqing's hand and said, "Miss Wanqing, don't be afraid. We are here. If they dare to make trouble again, we will tell the emperor." Xiaoyanzi's eyes were full of a sense of justice. She held Wanqing's hand tightly to give her strength.

Ziwei also said: "Miss Wanqing, we have to think of a solution together. We can't let them act so recklessly." Ziwei's expression was serious, she was thinking about the strategy to deal with it.

Wanqing thought for a moment and said, "Girls, I think we should tell the Queen about this. The Queen holds a high position in the palace. If she can uphold justice, those concubines will not dare to do this again."

Xiaoyanzi said hesitantly, "Will the Queen help us? She is usually not very enthusiastic towards us." Xiaoyanzi frowned, with a hint of worry in her eyes.

Ziwei thought for a while and said, "I think Miss Wanqing's idea is good. Although the Queen is sometimes strict with us, she always pays attention to the rules of the palace. Those concubines did something wrong in this matter, and the Queen should handle it fairly."

Qing'er also nodded and said, "Yes, let's give it a try. It's better than doing nothing." There was a hint of expectation in Qing'er's eyes. She hoped that this matter could be properly resolved.

So Wanqing, Xiaoyanzi, Ziwei, Erkang and Xiaojian went to the Queen's palace together.

The Queen's palace was filled with a faint scent of incense. The maids stood quietly by, and the palace was decorated elegantly and solemnly. The Queen was sitting on a chair, reading a book in her hand.

Seeing them come in, the Queen Mother put down the book and said, "Why did so many of you come here? Is there something going on?" There was a hint of doubt in the Queen Mother's eyes as she looked at everyone.

Wanqing walked forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to report to you." Wanqing's voice was a little nervous, and her hands unconsciously pinched the corner of her clothes.

The Queen looked at Wanqing and said, "Go ahead."

Wanqing took a deep breath and said, "Empress, several concubines came to the workshop today. They threatened me and asked me not to help Princess Huanzhu and the others. I think this is unfair and goes against the harmony in the palace, so I came to report to you." There was sincerity in Wanqing's eyes. She hoped that the Empress could understand her situation.

The Queen Mother frowned and said, "Is this true? Why would they do this?" The Queen Mother's voice became serious and she sat up straight.

Wanqing hesitated for a moment and said, "I'm not too sure, but I think they are doing this to disrupt the normal operation of the workshop and to embarrass Princess Huanzhu and the others."

Xiaoyanzi also stepped forward and said, "Empress, what Miss Wanqing said is true. Those concubines were very fierce and even threatened Miss Wanqing." As Xiaoyanzi spoke, she imitated the concubines' expressions and movements at the time, her eyes wide open and gesturing with her fingers in the air.

Ziwei added: "Empress, we hope you can do justice. Miss Wanqing came from the Western Regions to promote exchanges between the Western Regions and the Central Plains. She is doing good things. It is really wrong for those concubines to threaten her without reason like this." Ziwei's voice was soft but firm. She saluted to the Empress to show her respect.

The Queen Mother pondered for a while and said, "I will investigate this matter thoroughly. If it is true as you said, those concubines really went too far. What the palace needs is harmony, not this kind of unwarranted disputes."

Erkang said: "The Queen is wise. I believe that the Queen will handle this matter well." Erkang clasped his fists and saluted, with a hint of respect in his eyes.

Xiao Jian also said: "Empress, we also hope that this matter can be resolved as soon as possible and not affect the development of the workshop and the relationship between the Western Regions and the Central Plains." Xiao Jian's expression was serious. He stood straight, looking at the Empress.

The Queen nodded and said, "You can go back first. I will deal with this matter as soon as possible."

After paying their respects, Xiaoyanzi and the others left the Queen's palace.

After returning to the workshop, Xiaoyanzi breathed a sigh of relief and said, "I hope the Queen can solve this matter quickly." Xiaoyanzi sat on a chair and picked up a kitten, which meowed in her arms.

Ziwei said, "I believe the Queen will handle this fairly. However, we also have to be careful that the concubines may come up with other ways to cause trouble." Ziwei sat at the table, picked up a piece of brocade, and looked at it thoughtfully.

Qing'er nodded and said, "Ziwei is right. We still need to remain vigilant. Miss Wanqing, you should also be careful during this period of time." Qing'er walked to Wanqing and patted her shoulder gently.

Wanqing said gratefully: "Thank you for your concern, ladies. I will be careful." There was determination in Wanqing's eyes, she would not be intimidated by those threats.

A few days later, the Queen Mother sent someone to call Xiaoyanzi and the others to the palace.

The Queen Mother sat on the chair and said with a serious expression: "I have already investigated it clearly. Those concubines are indeed jealous of the success of your workshop and want to take the opportunity to embarrass Princess Huanzhu. I have already punished them, and they will not harass you again in the future."

Xiaoyanzi said happily: "Thank you, Queen. You are so fair." Xiaoyanzi jumped up excitedly, her face filled with joy.

Ziwei also said: "Empress, your handling makes us feel at ease. We will work harder to run the workshop better." Ziwei's eyes were filled with gratitude, and she bowed to the Empress.

Wanqing walked forward, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, thank you for doing justice for me. I will run the workshop more diligently in the future and make greater contributions to the exchanges between the Western Regions and the Central Plains." Wanqing had a gratified smile on her face, and she was full of respect for the Queen.

The Queen nodded slightly and said, "You all may go down. I hope you will not disappoint me."

After Xiaoyanzi and the others left the Queen's palace, they returned to the workshop.

In the workshop, the craftsmen were busy and gathered around when they saw Xiaoyanzi and the others coming back.

One of the craftsmen asked, "Girls, is the matter resolved?"

Xiaoyanzi smiled and said, "It's solved. No one will come to make trouble in the future. We can work with peace of mind." Xiaoyanzi's voice was full of joy and her eyes were shining with excitement.

The craftsmen all cheered and the workshop was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

As time went by, the brocade workshops in the Western Regions became more and more prosperous. The brocade produced by the workshops was not only popular in the Central Plains, but also became a hot commodity in the Western Regions.

Xiaoyanzi and her friends often discuss the development direction of the workshop with Wanqing.

One day, Xiaoyanzi, Ziwei, Erkang, Qing'er and Xiaojian came to the workshop again.

Xiaoyanzi said to Wanqing excitedly, "Miss Wanqing, our workshop is so successful now, we can consider expanding it." As Xiaoyanzi spoke, she walked back and forth in the workshop, her eyes full of longing for the future.

Wanqing thought for a while and said, "Princess Huanzhu, expanding the scale is a good idea. But we need more funds, craftsmen and raw materials. These issues need to be carefully considered." Wanqing sat on a chair, holding an account book in her hand, looking at it carefully.