The next day, Tang Feiliu donned a high-collared shirt adorned with luxurious lace, a lace bow tie, and a black jacket. He obediently pulled on black trousers that reached his calves, neatly paired with long socks worn over his legs, and finished the ensemble with soft sheepskin shoesâheaven knew how long it had been since heâd dressed with such meticulous care. This time, the Duke himself had personally overseen his attire. The Duke had evidently realized through the previous incident that young Mr. Lance was far too casualâotherwise, he wouldnât have had his shirt torn off by a cow, exposing his back. The Duke had resolved that no matter how busy he was, he would personally ensure Lance dressed according to gentlemanly standards, with his shirt and waistcoat properly worn at all times.
Then Tang Feiliu nearly jumped out of his skin when he spotted Ivan. His close friend was harnessed to an oxcart, clearly having gone without sleep all night alongside his ox. Both man and beast looked utterly exhausted. When they saw him, their eyes flashed with accusation and pitiful reproach.
"...What were you two doing yesterday? Stealing apples?!" Tang Feiliu asked blankly.
"...I had a talk with Xiaohei yesterday," Ivan thought for a moment before replying earnestly. "I lectured him about not eating random things off the ground. Otherwise, I'd chop off his legs and stew them with radishes!"
"Is that so?" Tang Feiliu climbed onto the cart and said to Yivans, "...You and Xiaohei really are like father and son. Poor Xiaohei, you've been wronged."
As he spoke, Tang Feiliu gently stroked Xiaohei. The dog let out a pitiful whimper and trotted out of the castle.
Seeing Ivans's pouting expression beside him, Tang Feiliu suppressed a chuckle before bursting into laughter. He hugged Ivans close and rubbed against him, calling out, "Alright, alright! Sorry, my friend! I didn't know he was so petty! You could've sent someone to notify me!"
"Notify you about what?!" Having spent so much time with Tang Feiliu, Yivansi had developed a close friendship with him. They'd explored every corner together, long past any awkwardness. She glanced at his high-collared shirt, then lowered her voice as if afraid the duke might hear, whispering, "If I'd notified you back then, I'd have been in even worse trouble!"
"Alright, I'm truly, truly sorry... so..." Tang Feiliu pulled a waxed paper bag from his coat pocket and whispered, "To show my apology, I got up early this morning and made someone's favorite thing..."
"Oh my god! Is it Queen's Bread?!" Ivan's eyes lit up as he stared at Tang Feiliu, blurting out, "Loaded with garlic sauce and butter, topped with bacon and cucumber slices, stuffed with fried potato patties and beef patties... Oh my god, I forgive you! It's just staying up late grinding flour with Xiaohei, right?!" Oh my gosh, there are two! I'll always, always be your most loyal friend, Little Lance!"
Ivans solemnly mimicked a knight's oath of allegiance, making Tang Feiliu laugh so hard she could barely stand. Only then did she pull out one of Tang Feiliu's special bread sandwiches, took a bite, and let out a cheerful, exaggerated cry of delight.
The oxcart clattered steadily down the hillside toward the bustling city under construction. Gold coins flowed out like water, only to return to the castle once more. By the first midsummer, during the grape harvest season, Lily and the chosen women entered the garment factory, securing their very first jobs.
Unbeknownst to everyone, a brand called Black Duke emerged from the factories of Black Swan City. Machinery was transported in vast quantities from distant lands, churning out endless piles of cheap ready-to-wear garments that began to pile up in stockpiles. Meanwhile, Mr. Allen, basking in marital bliss, invested his own funds to build a canning factory for the pampered Mr. Rogers Parr. To thank Tang Feiliu for sharing the glass canning technique, he granted her a ten percent profit share.
That year, after paying their taxes, the people of York found themselves with surplus income. Even the most frugal housewives began contemplating new purchases. Just then, merchants began delivering new batches of ready-made garments to the countryside. These affordable dresses, though two pence pricier than before, featured colorful fabric accents that made them both vibrant and flattering. The merchants touted them as the latest fashionâthe very style worn by Queen Josephine!
Indeed, Empress Josephine had worn them and adored this new style. Yet the same craftsmanship that graced her garments produced layered peacock-feather skirts for the empress, with cat's eye stones embroidered for the bird's eyes. When worn, they radiated dazzling brillianceâa birthday gift from Edward to Josephine that even the emperor marveled at for its ingenious design.
Lily and three skilled girls spent nearly half the summer sewing Empress Josephine's dress, working day and night without rest. Meanwhile, other women mass-produced simpler styles by cutting fabric and sewing on machines. This was Tang Feiliu's plan. Once Empress Josephine wore the peacock gown crafted by "the former royal seamstress of Duke Edward," these dresses, touted as the latest fashion, spread through the city like a virus. Not only that, but orders from merchants began pouring in like snowflakes. When the first residents moved into the inner city, though mud still covered the streets and the cement outside awaited drying... the city's taverns and inns were already operating around the clock.
They had no choice but to open. In previous years, even during tax season, Black Swan saw constant traffic of carriages and people, but most stayed within the castle wallsâlargely the Duke's subordinates. Occasionally, those who performed well might even gain an audience with Duke Edward. While some nobles paid little heed to these local administrators, Edward was a diligent ruler. He knew precisely what each part of his domain produced, the exact figures of annual taxes, and could adjust policies promptly... This level of governance certainly wasn't achieved through wine and banquets alone.
In truth, Edward himself had never hosted a single banquet. Rumors spread that Black Swan Castle had been transformed by Edward into a paradise, yet no one had ever truly set foot within its walls. Instead, many were turning to a gentleman named Allen. This charming fellow was said to possess the Duke's secret formula for renovations, which he offered to the nobility. Upon hearing of the luxurious amenities, most aristocrats were deeply tempted. Once the nobles of York began remodeling their own homes, the young gentlemen's wealth and learning ceased to be the most important factors in the social circles when young ladies went on dates. Young ladies no longer wished to marry into families clinging to outdated traditions and refusing to embrace modern bathing facilities.
The traditionalists were, in truth, devout supporters of the Temple. While they dared not openly defy His Grace the Duke, they gathered in private, their faces etched with worry, fearing the new bathing facilities would bring disaster upon the city.
Fortunately, this sentiment hadn't truly permeated the upper nobility. The Temple's indoctrination was most severe among the nobility; many were devout believers. The Temple placed great importance on those born into wealth, and their families, having been Temple adherents for generations, instilled even more deeply rooted convictions.
This was especially true for nobles and royalty. Without being devout believers, it was nearly impossible to secure one's own wealthâfor instance, without the Temple's coronation, an emperor's position would not be recognized by the gods, rendering him illegitimate.
This situation is highly nuanced. While the Temple could influence imperial succession in every nation, emperors might genuinely believe in God. But did they truly believe in the Pope?
That was far from certain.
Fortunately, communication was difficult in this era, and people weren't as sharp as those raised in the information explosion. They mostly just disdained each otherâthose who bathed thought the unwashed were savages, while devout believers saw them as bewitched by demons, already fallen into demonic corruption.
The most steadfast, old-guard gentlemen were already relocating to areas under the Temple's jurisdiction. All this was rather troublesomeâtaxes, the turmoil caused by rumors, and the departure of the nobility would unsettle the common freemen, enough to make people anxious.
But this year, everything was changing rapidly, and no one noticedâbecause in every thriving town, handsome knights arrived in carriages, bringing long processions bearing news of bountiful harvests and tax reductions.
Everyone would soon have enough to eat! Lord Lance, the Duke's administrator, had uncovered the secret to bountiful harvests! People rejoiced. With taxes reduced, this year's wheat harvest would yield more than enough to sustain them. Moreover, anyone strong and naturally capable could join the selection process to become part of the patrol force formed by the knights upon their arrival...
These announcements skillfully masked what should have been intense conflict.
The people had no interest in discussing other matters. The rivalries among nobles felt distant to them. Their desire was simple: to eat their fill. The Duke had given them hope, bringing high-yield crops from the golden lands overseas. These were now planted in vast fields, carrying all the farmers' dreams of bountiful harvests.
Tang Feiliu, the man quietly celebrated for this achievement, remained utterly unaware of the outside world. He was currently examining the new designs Lily presented to him, engaging in constant discussion about ways to refine the garments.
"Narrow the waist a bit more, and reduce the hem size," Tang Feiliu said earnestly, examining the sample garment. "The puffed sleeves could also be made slimmer. This collection is for working womenâpracticality is paramount, though aesthetics mustnât be neglected."
"But if we make it any narrower, might it be too..." Lily blushed. Though already a mother of two, she still spoke with considerable shyness. Unable to hold back, Koukou interjected, "Mr. Lance, Lily means some women might feel self-conscious... You know, we've never worn such figure-hugging clothes before."
"Would you find it beautiful?" Tang Feiliu asked the bold and enthusiastic Koukou with a smile. Koukou laughed and replied, "To be honest, I'd love to wear it right now!"
"And Lily, do you think this dress is pretty?" Tang Feiliu then asked Lily.
Seeing Lily nod despite her blush, Tang Feiliu relaxed. He said, "Then starting with this batch, let's make it this way! Next batch, bring it over for us to see. Is this dress the one with the silk neckline?"
Tang Feiliu examined each design in turn, discussing the dresses' patterns with Lily and Koukou. He deliberately guided the two women, prompting them to consider the balance between fashionable beauty and durable value, helping them grasp the significance of their current work.
If profit were his sole goal, Tang Feiliu should have focused solely on high-end clients. After all, they were already overwhelmed with large orders, and the profit margin on a single dress could have allowed him to live in luxury. Yet he refused to abandon these simple, beautiful, affordable dresses. Because Tang Feiliu didn't just want to make money; he wanted to do something for everyone.
In an otherwise monotonous world, adding people who wear beautiful clothes and walk with their heads held high was the most fulfilling and gentle thing he could do.
Moreover, only by maintaining a steady flow of orders and production could the business expand continuously. This expansion allowed for more hiring, brought in more customers, and provided jobs to women who previously held little status. It quietly elevated their standing, especially for those born with weaker constitutions. If they possessed skilled hands, they could earn their own income, thereby avoiding the fate of being sold by their fathers or men.
This approach proved remarkably effective. Not only did the women gain greater financial independenceâoccasionally even daring to speak up to their husbandsâbut merchant traffic surged. With Black Swan City now half-built, taverns and inns sprang up to accommodate the constant flow of traders. They typically arrived by horse-drawn carriage, requiring places to park and stay. Savvy merchants quickly snapped up plots of land, working overtime and hiring villagers to rush construction, aiming to be the first to open. Lately, they've been raking in profits.
Meanwhile, news of Black Swan City spread among the struggling locals through the merchants' travels. Countless people who had lost hope in life began flocking to the city.
Lily's household welcomed her own relatives: her two nieces, her widowed sister-in-law, and their elderly parents.
The last time Lily had seen her family, she'd returned to Black Swan City with a face full of sorrow after learning of her second brother's death and her father's broken leg. This time, however, she had cleaned the house spotless and greeted her parents, sister-in-law, and nieces with a smile.
The two elderly parents and the widow, accompanied by a half-grown girl in a tattered skirt, looked utterly wretched. Upon closer inspection, the precious belongings they clutched carefully were still the very items Lily had brought back with her last time. The scene was heartbreaking.
Yet, the family was reunited. That they could start anew in this place, that Lily had secured her husband's consent and found the means to aid her desperate kinâin this cruel era, such circumstances were truly rare.
Author's Note:
Almost forgot...