Chapter 51: A Friend to Middle-Aged and Elderly Women

When she arrived at the Western Palace, Di Luoxi was reading a military report sent by Li Xiannan from Linjiang City.

The military report from Li Xiannan was first delivered to Daughter City for the Empress to review, and then passed on to Di Luoxi.

Each of the four princesses had her own responsibilities: Di Yuwei assisted the Empress with state affairs; Di Xingwan leaned toward literary studies and interrogations; Di Lingyi excelled at riding and archery, confronting the barbarians in the north; Di Luoxi was tasked with defending against Southern Liang in the south.

In the report, Li Xiannan stated that Shangguan Wei of the Tianwei Legion had recruited another three hundred thousand new soldiers, who were drilling at Caishi City, not far from Linjiang City. Their training was nearly complete. The Southern Liang Emperor, Li Chengdao, had issued an imperial edict to Shangguan Wei, commanding him to retake Linjiang City. Li Xiannan foresaw an inevitable great battle and requested that the Empress make preparations in advance.

After closing the report, Di Luoxi pondered her strategy.

In the last major battle, though they had nearly annihilated the two hundred thousand elite soldiers of the Tianwei Legion, Eastern Zhou had also suffered heavy losses.

The initial surprise attack had failed, costing Eastern Zhou more than seventy thousand of its finest troops.

Since then, Li Xiannan had been drilling troops in Linjiang City, while Di Luoxi was recruiting and training new soldiers outside Daughter City, but it still felt insufficient.

Now that Li Chengdao was determined to recapture Linjiang City, it was likely that more than just Shangguan Wei would come.

If Shangguan Wei, Shangguan Xiu, and Shangguan Mu—father and sons—marched together, Di Luoxi alone would not be able to handle them all.

Just as she was weighing how to respond to the shifting situation, Long Chen and Zhang Qian entered from outside, holding some peculiar objects in their hands.

"Your Highness, this is my latest creation. Please try it on," Long Chen said with a cheerful grin, presenting a red garment.

Di Luoxi, fiery by nature, looked even more commanding with the red covering.

She had never seen such a thing before and asked, "What is this?"

Long Chen, still smiling, walked behind Di Luoxi and deftly untied her sash—her movements practiced and unhurried.

Since entering the palace, if there was one thing she did most often, it was helping Di Luoxi change clothes. She'd dressed and undressed her in nearly every garment she owned.

"Ask Zhang Qian, Your Highness," Long Chen said, as she loosened Di Luoxi's sash and skirt, then began unfastening her top as well.

Since the palace was all women, there was nothing to be concerned about.

Zhang Qian, full of pride, said, "Please look, Your Highness."

With her fitted outer garment removed, Di Luoxi saw Zhang Qian wearing a pale blue piece that perfectly cupped her figure.

Not only that—it had a shaping effect. Zhang Qian's figure was already flawless, but with this added support, it seemed even more perfect.

"This is the lady's new invention," Zhang Qian said, spinning around.

Di Luoxi thought this new garment was simply perfect.

"Hurry, let me try it," she said, her confusion giving way to eager anticipation as she spread her arms for Long Chen to assist her.

The undergarment was set aside, and Long Chen skillfully dressed Di Luoxi in the new piece. Once it was on, she adjusted it with her hands and fastened the buttons. It fit perfectly—just the right size.

"I knew it! I would never get Your Highness's measurements wrong," Long Chen said, satisfied with her handiwork.

She was so familiar with Di Luoxi's figure she could sketch it with her eyes closed.

Di Luoxi walked to the bronze mirror and admired herself, clicking her tongue in approval. "Little Dragon, I ought to name you Friend of Women."

Zhang Qian added, "Your Highness, now when we fight, it won't bounce around at all."

Di Luoxi tried a few movements and found it was indeed steady.

"Perfect!" she exclaimed, pushing at it happily.

"Little Dragon, what do you call this garment?" she asked.

Long Chen thought for a moment. "It's called a women's breastplate—made especially for women."

Di Luoxi was pleased. "Excellent. Make a few for Xiannan as well; she needs them. Hers are far too large. Before every campaign, she has to bind herself with cloth, which is terribly uncomfortable."

Long Chen pictured Li Xiannan's figure—making her garments would take a lot of fabric.

"No problem," she agreed.

Xuan Yi and Qing Yue entered, curious to see Di Luoxi and Zhang Qian both wearing the new breastplates.

"Little Dragon, what have you come up with this time?" Xuan Yi asked.

Long Chen grinned. "Women's breastplates. I made some for you, too."

She hung up Xuan Yi's clothes, then picked up a pale blue breastplate and dressed her in it.

"Wow, it fits perfectly! Did you make this just for me?" Xuan Yi exclaimed, delighted.

"Of course. I know your measurements by heart," Long Chen replied, then helped Qing Yue into a delicate pink one—again, a flawless fit.

"These can be issued to the women’s army," Di Luoxi said. "Every woman should have two breastplates."

Long Chen added, "These breastplates aren't just for the women's army. Ordinary women can wear them too. Haven't you noticed how much better your figures look when you wear one?"

The women exchanged glances. "They do look better, but the difference isn’t dramatic," Di Luoxi said.

Long Chen examined them carefully and immediately saw why.

"That's because you don't sag; the change isn't obvious for you four," she explained.

She quickly found a palace maid with a generous but sagging figure.

With practiced hands, Long Chen had the maid undressed and quickly fitted her with a breastplate.

In moments, the previously drooping palace maid stood tall and proud.

Once dressed again, the maid took a few steps—what a difference it made.

"My lady, this breastplate is truly miraculous! May I keep it?" the maid asked, overjoyed.

Long Chen smiled. "Of course, it's yours."

The maid thanked her profusely.

"Well? Don't you think this women's breastplate could help countless women regain their confidence?" Long Chen chuckled.

Di Luoxi understood. "So this is your new idea—are you going to sell it through the Dragon Guild?"

Long Chen nodded. "Yes, it’s a new business. But there’s a problem. I can keep the recipe for Beautiful Drunk a secret, but I can’t keep this breastplate secret; the Brotherhood and common folk can all copy it, so profits won’t be high."

Di Luoxi slipped on her clothing. "That’s true. Anyone with some skill could make these."

Long Chen suddenly grinned mischievously.

Di Luoxi frowned. "Why are you grinning like a weasel? Just spit it out!"

If Long Chen was the weasel, Di Luoxi was the chicken.

Long Chen said, "Your Highness, we can establish a brand."

They had never heard the word before and looked at Long Chen in confusion.

"It’s like this," Long Chen explained. "Suppose you’re buying oranges. Southern Liang’s oranges are better than Eastern Zhou’s, so you’d choose Southern Liang’s. It’s the same with the breastplates. We make the best, the most exquisite ones, and build a brand. When people want to buy, the first thing they think of will be ours."

With that, the women understood.

Qing Yue put her clothes back on, gave herself a little squeeze, and remarked, "Little Dragon, I think middle-aged and older women will like this best. They sag the most. You’ll become the friend of all middle-aged women."

Pfft...

Long Chen almost coughed up blood. Friend of middle-aged women?

"No! I only want to be the friend of young ladies. The friendship of others isn’t pure—I refuse," she declared sternly.

Zhang Qian asked, "The breastplate is great, but how will you market it? Will you have the Dragon Guild do it?"