Chapter 373 - 347: Help from the Stepmother

Ronin walked out of Lurans’s room and let out a deep breath.

On the way here, he had been worried something would go wrong and Elron’s Magic wouldn’t be able to purify his grandfather’s Soul-Devouring Surge. Now, that weight was finally lifted from his shoulders.

"What were you and Grandpa talking about in there? You sounded so happy."

McKinney walked up and naturally took Ronin’s arm. "We haven’t heard Grandpa laugh so freely in a long time."

Kabil wanted to know, too.

It wasn’t just the laughter. He had also just felt a powerful aura and a ripple of Magic emanating from the room. His intuition told him it was far beyond what a Golden Knight or a Senior Mage could produce.

He couldn’t help but glance at Elron, who was standing nearby. ’Why would Ronin specifically bring a Light Attribute Mage here? Could it be...?’

Ronin just chuckled. According to the plan he and Lurans had just made, they would wait until Lurans broke through to the rank of Silver Moon Knight before publicly announcing his recovery.

So Ronin couldn’t very well reveal the details.

"We were just talking about some things I saw and heard in Golden Feather City. The old master is just easily amused."

He changed the subject. "Speaking of which, I have to properly thank you for the ten thousand people you sent me. They’ve been a huge help."

"It was nothing."

Kabil was tactful enough not to voice his suspicions. "If Wubei Territory runs into any more difficulties with its development, you can tell me or your sister. Hey, if Vitorino from Sharp Horn City can partner with you to build a port, surely we can find a project to manage together."

"Haha, I couldn’t ask for anything better."

The group chatted and laughed as they left the courtyard.

A short while later, Lurans walked out, habitually leaning on his cane, and went straight to the mountain behind the castle.

Surging Fighting Qi radiated from his body, and he moved like an untamed stallion, charging along the mountain path.

At the summit, sensing its master’s imposing aura, the Thunderbolt Wind Chasing Beast let out a piercing cry and charged down, crackling with thunder.

Lurans wasn’t fully recovered, but he needed to vent the emotions he had suppressed for so many years.

...

In the Great Hall of Wushan Castle, Dianey held a checklist, taking stock of the preparations for the upcoming banquet.

Ever since her last visit to her family, where she had a reality check, she had stopped voicing any opinions on the matter of inheritance. As an ordinary person, she had no place meddling in the conflicts of Transcendents.

Stepping away from her paranoia, her rationality returned, and her life seemed to become more relaxed as well.

Even Lurans seemed to hold less against her and was willing to entrust her with managing many of the castle’s internal and external affairs.

"Madam, Young Master Ronin wishes to see you," Holwart reported as he approached.

Dianey was taken aback for a moment. "Ronin’s back?"

Then, she grew puzzled. ’He’s never officially come to see me, his stepmother, before. This is the first time.’

She couldn’t help but wonder what he wanted to see her about.

"Take him to the adjacent side hall. I’ll be right there."

Dianey made a note on her checklist, gave some instructions to the maids, and then straightened her appearance before heading to the side hall.

"Ronin, welcome home. When did you arrive?"

"I just arrived, Madam."

Ronin stood up. From their last few encounters, he could sense a change in her attitude and disposition. He guessed they wouldn’t see a scene where Bretton was pressured to oppose him again.

That was something Lurans didn’t want to see. Fortunately, Ronin had no intention of doing so, and neither did Bretton.

"Bretton isn’t back yet, it seems?"

Dianey smiled and gestured for him to sit. "Bretton won’t be back until the morning after tomorrow. The academy organized a wilderness trial two months ago, and he’s been busy with it ever since."

Perhaps because she wasn’t used to speaking with Ronin, she couldn’t help but ask, "When Holwart said you were looking for me just now, I was a little surprised. As I recall, you’ve never sought me out on your own before."

Ronin gave an awkward smile. ’Seems we need to communicate more,’ he thought, ’so I’m not just showing up when I need something.’

"This time, I was hoping you could do me a favor."

As he spoke, he walked over to a nearby table and opened several wooden crates. Inside, one hundred stemware glasses were neatly arranged.

"What are these?"

Dianey looked puzzled and couldn’t resist picking one up. "This cup... is it earthenware?"

She shook her head slightly. ’Earthenware couldn’t possibly look like this.’

"This is Porcelain, a specialty product of Wubei Territory. I was hoping you would use this set of stemware at the upcoming banquet, so the guests can be introduced to this type of vessel."

Dianey understood at once. ’So he’s using the banquet to promote a product from Wubei Territory.’

She couldn’t help but examine the cup in her hand more closely.

It was not only small and delicate, but its surface was every bit as smooth as a finely polished silver vessel. The crucial part was the pattern on the cup; it didn’t look like it had been simply painted on.

"These cups are very distinctive. How much do you plan to sell them for?"

Ronin thought for a moment. "The price... well, it’s not set in stone yet. But it will definitely be more expensive than a typical earthenware cup. This particular set, however, won’t be as pricey as silver cups."

Long-distance trade and difficult transport were among the main reasons porcelain was so expensive in medieval Europe. While the transport conditions for Ronin weren’t great, they weren’t so bad as to make the price of porcelain exorbitant.

Of course, there was still plenty of room for improvement in the craftsmanship and luster of this batch of stemware.

Therefore, he provisionally priced them somewhere between earthenware and silver cups. This would offer a new option for nobles who couldn’t afford custom silver tableware but found earthenware too rustic.

Dianey studied it for a moment longer before placing the cup back. She smiled and said, "These cups should sell reasonably well. However, if the colors in the pattern were richer and the painting technique was more refined, I think you could command a much better price."

Ronin couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows. ’Looks like my stepmother has a good eye for merchandise; she pinpointed two key issues right away.’

"As for the pigments, we’re still researching them. They’re quite different from the ones used for regular painting, after all. And as for the painting technique, well, you know Wubei Territory is a poor, remote region. Being able to paint leaves even to this standard is already quite an achievement."

Dianey mused for a moment. "What if... I found you some people who are skilled at painting?"

She explained, "I enjoy gardening when I’m bored, and sometimes I go out sketching with friends."

In truth, Dianey knew that Ronin’s influence in Wushan Territory was growing ever stronger.

For one thing, the three Viscounts of Wushan Territory had all sent their sons to Wubei Territory to gain experience. This alone showed that his status was a far cry from what it once was.

Her own family, on the other hand...

When Bretton had first secured his inheritance rights, many nobles and Knights in Wushan Territory had, intentionally or not, gravitated toward Black Python City.

But after her father’s Cultivation was crippled by Lurans, combined with Ronin’s swift and powerful rise, Black Python City was now in danger of being isolated.

Therefore, whether for Bretton’s sake or her own, helping Ronin was by no means a bad thing.

Ronin hadn’t expected her to offer her help, but he certainly didn’t object.

The artwork on porcelain could be considered its own art form, possessing a unique aesthetic value. The skill, style, and subject matter of the painting would directly influence the porcelain’s overall beauty and artistic worth.

Generally speaking, porcelain with masterful artistry, a unique style, and a striking theme would naturally command a higher price.

Ronin needed people skilled in painting—and not just one, but a whole group of them.

"If I could have your help, Madam, it would be my honor!"

Dianey laughed. "But let me be clear, neither I nor my friends will be helping you for free."

"Hahaha, of course."

Ronin chuckled. ’Even close relatives should keep clear accounts,’ he thought. ’Relying on others’ charity isn’t a sustainable plan.’

The two of them discussed the matter in greater detail, essentially settling on a plan for Dianey to open a studio in Wushan City and train skilled artisans.

As for the profit-sharing, compensation, and other details of their future collaboration, Ronin would have Chahar set the rates based on the varying skill levels of the artwork.

Ronin hadn’t expected this. He had only come to ask Dianey for a small favor, but he’d ended up recruiting his stepmother to work for Wubei Territory—and in a skilled position, no less.

This was a truly pleasant surprise.

A short while later, Holwart knocked and entered. "Madam, Sir Omar and his son, Vasily, have arrived."

Dianey’s brow furrowed slightly. ’Just as I thought. Not a single member of the Hyde Clan’s main line has come this year.’

’She knew full well that Ossen and Barrington would never be able to let go of their resentment toward Lurans.’

’The relationship between the two families was now just a superficial peace. If any conflict arose in the future, her position as the person in the middle would be truly awkward.’

"I’ll be right there."

She excused herself to Ronin, then turned to leave. "Holwart, please take these cups Ronin brought. I plan to use them at the banquet."

"Yes, Madam."