Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots
Chapter 1200 - 109 Entering the Palace (Third Watch)

Chapter 1200: 109 Entering the Palace (Third Watch)

Lin Yuan chuckled and shook her head, planning to return to her courtyard to draw out the blueprint for the new store. Yet, before she took a few steps, a maid called out to her.

It turned out Xia Zheng had arrived.

Perfect, Lin Yuan also wanted to ask him about recruiting people and the matter concerning Glaze, so she turned around and headed to the front courtyard.

"You’re here!"

Today, Xia Zheng was exceptionally spirited, which made Lin Yuan somewhat puzzled. Seeing that there was no one else in the living room, Lin Yuan didn’t hold back and directly asked, "Why are you so happy? Did you manage to get the Glaze?"

At the mention of Glaze, Xia Zheng’s face slightly changed color, and Lin Yuan guessed it right away.

Sure enough, Xia Zheng said, "Well, about the Glaze, there was a bit of a problem along the way, but don’t worry, I’ve already sent someone to handle it. In no more than ten days, it will definitely be delivered to the capital city."

Ten days!

Lin Yuan silently calculated in her heart. Ten days isn’t too long; it’s perfectly enough to arrive before Tian Hui’s grand wedding.

If it wasn’t for the Glaze that made Xia Zheng so happy, then what was it?

Seeing Lin Yuan puzzled, Xia Zheng grinned, leaned in closer, and with a hint of mystery, asked, "Haven’t you always wanted to hang the signboard at the entrance? Now there’s an excellent opportunity. What do you think, do you want it?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuan felt a slight sinking feeling in her heart. Previously, Xia Zheng had mentioned giving her a special signboard, and she originally thought it was the Third Prince’s calligraphy. However, after what the Third Prince mentioned that day, she realized that the person Xia Zheng was referring to might not be the Third Prince but his father, the current Emperor.

Having the calligraphy of the current Emperor would certainly be wonderful, but let alone asking for his calligraphy, she felt nervous even thinking about meeting the Emperor.

Recalling what Xia Zheng had quietly told her that day, Lin Yuan swallowed and asked, "What? Does he have time to meet me now?"

Xia Zheng nodded, raised his eyebrows and smiled, "Do you remember the method of movable type printing you mentioned before? It’s soon the beginning of the first lunar month, and as schools across the country are about to start, there is a scarcity of books. The old man remembered me, and thus remembered you!"

So that was it.

Lin Yuan suddenly understood, but the matter of printing books with movable type was already last year’s news; why had it suddenly been brought up again?

However, Xia Zheng clearly did not intend to explain this matter to her and merely instructed her to dress formally. He would come over early tomorrow morning to take her to the palace.

Watching Xia Zheng hurriedly leave, Lin Yuan frowned in confusion, but the thought of entering the palace tomorrow suddenly made her feel somewhat uneasy.

Her first reaction was to seek Lady Liu, but thinking of Lady Liu’s temper, she decided against it. After much deliberation, she had no choice but to go to Sister Chang, who, after all, was a veteran in the palace for many years, and she was definitely right in seeking advice from her.

As expected, just as she mentioned the matter of entering the palace, Sister Chang looked at her curiously. After all, it was rare for women to enter the palace, and those who did were usually invited by the Empress or a Concubine. Who would have direct access to see the Emperor?

Lin Yuan felt uncomfortable under her gaze, so she shared her thoughts about the moveable-type printing, hoping to dispel Sister Chang’s suspicions, but it only made her more surprised.

"Moveable-type printing?" Sister Chang widened her eyes incredulously as she looked at her. "Are you talking about the method that uses individual little blocks to print books? Is that your idea?"

This time, it was Lin Yuan who became curious. Sister Chang was of such an advanced age, yet she knew about the process of moveable-type printing? Still, she nodded, "Yes, that’s the method. Sister, how do you know about it? Could it be that you’ve seen it before?"

Seeing Lin Yuan’s naive expression, Sister Chang, rarely amused by her, laughed and shook her head. "You, this moveable-type printing has been all the rage in the Capital City. Only you, this young girl, seemed to be unaware!"

All the rage? Lin Yuan blinked in surprise. Indeed, she did not know. She had only discussed it with Xia Zheng and then left it to Xia Zheng and the Master of the Ma family to handle.

Could it be that news of the method had already reached the Capital City?

Today, Sister Chang was in a very good mood. She sat down at the table, poured two cups of tea, and gestured for Lin Yuan to sit down as well. She smiled and said, "Miss, you’ve recently arrived in the capital and might not know, but I, having been in the Capital City for so many years, am aware of everything. Last year, since your method emerged, the price of all books in the city has dropped by more than half, allowing many students from poor families to afford them."

After taking a sip of tea, Sister Chang’s smile broadened, and her eyes lit up as she looked at Lin Yuan, "Miss, do you realize how much benefit your method has brought to the Imperial Court? I come from a poor background, so I naturally understand how important education is for the poor. In the past, our village often had smart children, but because they had no money and no books, their talents were wasted. Either they stayed in the village to farm or they worked for wealthy families to support themselves."

Lin Yuan was very much aware of what Sister Chang was saying, which was why she initially worked so hard to earn money to support her sisters’ education. But now, although her sisters had not been studying for long, they already knew quite a bit and still read whenever they had time. Especially Xiao Linshuang, who really enjoyed reading.

Even Xiao Yongyan, though only a little over a year old, often had books read to him by Lin Jiaxin while being held. The little fellow’s bright eyes stared at the book, neither crying nor fussing, as if he really could understand it.

"Sister, I don’t understand all these things you are saying." Lin Yuan smiled slightly, not boasting despite her praise. "I just came up with this method because of our family’s mooncake mold, it’s not as grand as you describe it."

Seeing her modesty, Sister Chang liked her even more, laughing, "Miss, the Emperor has summoned you to enter the palace tomorrow, and he surely intends to commend you. You must adhere to the proper etiquette when you are there, and most importantly, remember, never become arrogant because of favoritism."

Lin Yuan was already aware of these words, but she was very grateful to hear Sister Chang teach her so earnestly.

Sister Chang then told Lin Yuan about the palace etiquette she must follow, even went to Lin Yuan’s courtyard to help her choose what clothes, shoes, and accessories to wear the next day, even deciding on makeup and earrings.

At that time, the formal, splendid robes sent by Princess Anle were all put to use. It seemed that Princess Anle had anticipated Lin Yuan’s entry into the palace and had prepared these robes in advance.

Fearing that Lady Liu would worry, Lin Yuan did not tell her about her facing the Emperor, and she didn’t tell Xiao Linshuang and the others either. The next morning, she simply told Lady Liu that she was going to see Princess Anle and then left.