A Turning Point of Fate?

Early the next morning, before dawn, Chen Xiaoman set out with her baby on her back and a small basket in her hand.

Since the sanitation team hadn't specified work hours, Chen Xiaoman couldn't be sure of the timing and could only leave early.

Based on her husband's work experience, during busy farming seasons, they left at the yin hour.

Although people say ancient life was nine-to-five, that was for landlords. For ordinary people, it obviously wasn't that simple.

One person often had to tend several landlords' fields, leaving before dawn and returning after dark.

Only by overdrawing their life force this way could they barely maintain their family's livelihood.

Chen Xiaoman's basket contained only some simple food and small toys for the child.

Throughout this journey, Chen Xiaoman's mood kept fluctuating.

She was both filled with beautiful expectations for the future and anxious about the unknown factory life.

After walking for an unknown time, she could see other women on the road.

Many were carrying babies and traveling alone.

After briefly chatting, everyone realized they were going to the same place, all textile factory workers.

So they formed a group, and their conversation became more animated.

Several women chattering away suddenly realized something was wrong!

The textile factory was said to be in North City, but no one knew the exact location!

They had been walking along the main road for so long, but where exactly should they go?

Chen Xiaoman was also dumbfounded.

Everyone had gotten excited but actually didn't know where their destination was.

The atmosphere suddenly fell silent as the group continued forward.

But before long, something strange appeared by the roadside, a standing sign!

Chen Xiaoman hurried over to look. She saw several characters written on it with two pictures drawn below.

Someone asked, "Is anyone literate? Who knows what this says?"

A group of women looked at each other and shook their heads, all indicating they couldn't read.

Chen Xiaoman pointed at the pictures. "Look, doesn't this look like a loom? And this is a hand."

The women all crowded around the road sign to look.

There was indeed a loom and a hand pointing in a direction.

"Oh my, this is definitely a loom! This hand must be pointing toward the textile factory!"

Everyone immediately felt reassured!

This seemed to be the only explanation; otherwise, who would place such a sign by the roadside for no reason?

Everyone's mood brightened again as they happily continued forward. Soon they left the main road, but every two hundred meters they could see another such directional sign.

Following the signs, they quickly reached the main gate of Banshan Textile Factory.

At this moment, the gate was tightly closed, and quite a few women had already gathered outside.

Seeing another wave of people joining them, the area outside the gate erupted in chatter!

The sound of chatter filled the air.

Chen Xiaoman stood quietly outside the gate, looking up at the five unrecognizable large characters on the wooden gate, her eyes full of hope.

...

Fang Residence

At noon, Fang Zheng was groggily awakened by Xiao Tao.

Xiao Tao, slightly angry and coquettish, said, "Young Master! It's noon! Isn't the textile factory opening today?"

"The Crown Prince and our people are all waiting for you outside! You've already missed lunch!"

"Hmm? Opening?"

Fang Zheng rubbed his eyes. He'd spent all night studying textile factory matters, came back from morning court in a daze, and took a nap. He still hadn't come to his senses.

Xiao Tao sighed repeatedly. "I called you three times! You were even talking in your sleep! Hurry up and wash, let's go."

"What did I say?" Fang Zheng mumbled.

"You were mumbling about making noodles for the princess! Why noodles for the princess? Is it Xiao Bai? Why does she get noodles when I haven't even had any?" Xiao Tao pouted indignantly.

"Alright, alright... everyone will get noodles. Now hurry up and get ready, let's head out." Fang Zheng groaned as he reluctantly climbed out of bed.

On the way to the textile factory.

Xiao Tao sat in the carriage, looking kindly at Fang Zheng. "I want to eat noodles."

"There aren't any!"

"Then you can make noodles for me when we get back."

"......."

Fang Zheng closed his eyes and pretended to doze.

What the hell kind of dream did he have? How could he have no memory of it at all?

Making noodles for the princess was such an exciting thing, yet he forgot it after waking up.

The carriage swayed as they hurried along and finally reached the vicinity of Banshan Textile Factory.

By now, female workers were sitting all over the ground outside the gate. Everyone had gone from hopeful waiting to bored listlessness.

Finally, they got hungry and took out the food they'd brought, sitting on the ground to eat.

A group of children played and frolicked not far away.

Chen Xiaoman held her child, sitting in place and spacing out.

Seeing several carriages approaching in the distance, she suddenly stood up excitedly. "They're coming! Several carriages are coming!"

The women sitting and resting on the ground quickly called their children back and stood at attention, watching the approaching carriages.

When the carriages reached the gate.

Fang Zheng slowly emerged from the carriage.

Xiao Tao followed closely behind, saying, "This should be the first batch of three hundred female workers. It looks like not everyone came."

The number of female workers reached over a thousand. They were being brought in batches to avoid chaos during training. This batch of workers was the first.

Fang Zheng nodded. "We already considered this situation during recruitment. Even with people missing, it's enough."

Then he showed a smile to the large group of women and called out loudly, "Hello everyone! This official is Fang Zheng!"

"Ah! He's the legendary Master Fang?"

"Definitely him. We hear Master Fang's words in the newspaper every day. I never thought I'd see him in person today!"

"Why did Master Fang personally come to the textile factory!"

"Need you ask? The textile factory is run by Banshan District, so it's definitely related to Master Fang!"

The women collectively got excited, curtsying and replying in sweet voices, "Hello, Master Fang!"

"Good! Good! Good! Everyone, no need to be formal!"

Fang Zheng's face immediately lit up with joy.

Being admired by a group of young women, this feeling was quite enjoyable!

Seeing his lecherous expression, Xiao Tao beside him rolled her eyes dramatically.

Li Yuanzhao approached from behind, leaning close to Fang Zheng and whispering, "Exciting! Old Fang!"

"Even Imperial Father's harem doesn't have this many women. This feeling is pretty great!"

"Quite an eye-opener, right?" "Indeed, very enlightening!"

"Heh heh heh"

Both men started grinning foolishly with extremely lecherous expressions.

Chen Xiaoman looked at Fang Zheng with renewed hope shining in her eyes.

That was Fang Zheng, Master Fang! Today she finally saw him in person.

So young, with such a warm smile when he laughed, good-looking too, and appearing righteous.

Just like his name!

Fang Zheng coughed twice. "Sorry! Sorry for keeping everyone waiting!"

"Someone! Open the main gate! This official will personally give everyone a tour!"

As soon as he finished speaking, someone from behind Fang Zheng ran up to the gate and unlocked it with a key.

Then pulled open the gate.

The textile factory was now completely open to all the female workers present!

Chen Xiaoman looked at the buildings inside, her heart beginning to pound wildly.

Was her fate about to change starting from here?