HRPM – Chapter 296 The Empress Refuses to Give Up (3)

And they were especially stubborn. Jin Luoluo truly feared dealing with people like them. No matter how much she said, it was useless. She might as well save her breath.

“Fine, whatever you say,” Jin Luoluo replied perfunctorily. As if I’d waste my precious youth on a jinx like him.

“Luoluo, there’s something I’d like to ask your help with,” the Empress suddenly said, changing the subject.

Jin Luoluo fell silent.

“…”

Someone as capable as the Empress asking for her assistance definitely meant it wasn’t a simple matter. Before understanding the details, she certainly couldn’t agree carelessly. What if it turned out to be a thankless task that required enormous effort and brought in no money? That would be a tremendous loss.

From beneath the table, Xiao Yu kicked Jin Luoluo lightly.

Mother Empress is making a request, and you dare refuse?

Jin Luoluo glared fiercely at him. Though unwilling, she turned back to the Empress with a sweet smile.

“Your Majesty, whatever help you need from me, I will certainly do my utmost and go through fire and water without hesitation.”

“It’s not anything particularly difficult. In a month’s time, the goodwill delegation from Jialan Kingdom will arrive in the capital. In previous years, I have always prepared gifts for them. This year, I wish to present each member of the delegation with a set of clothing as a symbol of the brotherly friendship and enduring goodwill between our two nations. As for the palace maids’ uniforms, I feel that they have remained unchanged for far too many years. The styles have become outdated. I’d like to have new garments made for them as well, to bring a fresh atmosphere to the palace.”

Ever since Jialan Kingdom and Chuyun Kingdom had signed their ceasefire agreement, the two countries had exchanged goodwill delegations every year. They would visit one another, trade sarcastic remarks, flaunt their wealth, and then find fault with each other’s shortcomings.

Although they no longer fought wars, generations of hostility had already taken root in people’s hearts and could not easily be erased.

Nevertheless, the proper diplomatic appearances still had to be maintained.

The Empress held Jin Luoluo’s hands expectantly.

“I’ve heard that the clothing produced by your Xiangluo’er shop is exceptional, both in craftsmanship and design. Therefore, I’d like to entrust this matter to you.”

“Of course there’s no problem with that. But regarding this matter, shouldn’t there be some kind of… gesture…” Jin Luoluo said with a beaming smile, rubbing her fingers together in a blatant hint that she expected payment. After all, she couldn’t possibly work for free.

“What sort of gesture?” the Empress asked in confusion.

Could it be that she actually expects me, Jin Luoluo, to work without compensation? Jin Luoluo fumed inwardly. The palace clothing budget is funded by the national treasury. Why is the head of the nation being so stingy?

“What I mean is…” Jin Luoluo decided to be straightforward about it.

Before she could finish, Xiao Yu kicked her again under the table.

She immediately fell silent.

The corner of Xiao Yu’s eye twitched.

This Jin Luoluo’s thick skin was truly on another level.