Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

West Garden.

Zhu Youjian was admiring the wedding attire with the Empress.

Looking at the dragon-patterned python robe and phoenix coronet and embroidered shawl made by the Imperial Wardrobe, Zhu Youjian nodded in satisfaction and praised:
"Not bad!"

"It not only meets the requirements of etiquette, but also has innovative features, making it more beautiful and elegant."

“The artisans who designed and made the items should be rewarded, and invitations should be sent to them to attend the celebration.”

The artisans who made the crowns and robes were allowed to see the costumes at the celebration.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yin, the head of the Imperial Wardrobe, hurriedly expressed his gratitude on their behalf.

This was a fairly competent eunuch. After experiencing the ups and downs of the Tianqi era, he respected the emperor's orders very much and carried them out without fail.

Especially after the Imperial Clothing Bureau's clothing workshops were acquired by the Imperial Household Bureau's Royal Weaving Group, he felt a sense of crisis and worried that the Imperial Household Bureau's businesses outside the palace would be taken over by the Imperial Household Bureau.

Therefore, the emperor took great care in order to make the wedding attire. He gathered almost all of the most skilled tailors from the Imperial Wardrobe.

Now that he had received the emperor's praise, Shen Yin smiled obsequiously and said:
"These garments were all made for His Majesty, but we didn't know how they would look, so we made them into dragon-patterned python robes first."

"What styles does Your Majesty prefer? I will instruct them to make them immediately."

The difference between a dragon-patterned python robe and a dragon robe is very small.

Even the dragon robe bestowed by the emperor could be worn as a dragon-patterned python robe with slight modifications.

Therefore, the styles of these python robes can also be used to make dragon robes.

Zhu Youjian himself didn't care much about clothing, but since he was with the Empress, he naturally had to respect her opinion. He asked:

"Has the Empress taken a liking to any of them?"

"My husband and I can also make several sets of matching outfits."

Empress Zhou had always followed the emperor's example of frugality and originally didn't care much about this.

However, upon hearing the emperor mention making matching outfits, he immediately became interested again.

She examined the clothes closely and found that they were indeed in pairs. Every aspect showed that the couple were united.

This made her quite happy, and she said shyly:

"Your Majesty, I will obey."

"Your Majesty may choose."

Zhu Youjian laughed heartily, pointed to a set of clothes he liked, and then forced the Empress to choose another set as their attire for attending ceremonies together.

He would also appear during the celebrations of the Holy Birthday, to rejoice with his subjects, and to bestow marriages upon newlyweds.

Upon seeing the Emperor and Empress's choices, Shen Yin immediately noted down the clothing numbers, intending to modify these two outfits. They would no longer be included in the wedding attire selection, becoming exclusive clothing for the Emperor and Empress.

Zhu Youjian specifically instructed:
"Designers receive a commission for every piece of clothing they design and sell."

"Since these two sets that I have chosen cannot be sold, I will award the designers a first-class honor."

"A plan must be established for how to reward the participants, so that these people do not suffer losses."

Shen Yin quickly wrote it down, saying there would be a reward.

Their Imperial Clothing Bureau has already established studios for outstanding designers, modeled after the Imperial Textile Bureau.

Many of the costumes in the palace today were designed by them.

Many of the so-called palace style and capital style originated from them.

Zhu Youjian nodded in approval upon hearing this, and then added his instructions:

"The Imperial Clothing Bureau is responsible for making clothing for the royal family. It must strictly control the quality and not produce low-quality or flawed clothing."

"The sale and rental of official robes will also be subject to qualification checks. At the very least, one must hold the status of a public servant to purchase clothing from the Imperial Clothing Bureau." "We must build the Imperial Clothing Bureau into the most high-end brand, one that people will give a thumbs up to upon hearing its name."

"This is my expectation of you. I do not want the clothing of the Imperial Wardrobe to be inferior to that of others."

As imperial clothing, the Imperial Clothing Bureau, backed by the emperor, was naturally more prestigious than other garments.

Especially in terms of official attire, the Imperial Clothing Bureau held a monopoly due to its special status.

Apart from those who dared to alter the official attire, everyone else had to be extremely cautious when making changes to it.

However, Zhu Youjian did not want them to lie around and do nothing, so he demanded that the Imperial Clothing Bureau actively produce clothing in addition to official robes and hats to compete with other clothing brands.

This was intended to stimulate the Imperial Clothing Bureau to make progress and prevent palace clothing from falling behind that of the common people.

He wanted people to think of the style of the palace as fashionable, just like the style of the previous Su.

We cannot let people think of the palace as old-fashioned or rigid, as that would not be in keeping with the dignity of the imperial family.

In particular, being rigid and old-fashioned is usually associated with conservatism, and Zhu Youjian, as an emperor who reformed the ritual system, did not want to give people this impression.

However, it also cannot be perceived as frivolous or lacking in composure and dignity.

This was a very high requirement, but Shen Yin could only agree repeatedly and try his best to fulfill it.

He then remembered something and asked:
"Your Majesty, quite a few businessmen are involved in this auction of wedding slots."

"Since they don't have the official title of Gongshi, should we prepare other official robes for them?"

According to the system changed by Zhu Youjian, ordinary citizens could only wear the official robes of a top scholar or a fifth-rank official's wife when they got married.

Only those of the rank of Gongshi or above are allowed to wear dragon-patterned python robes and six-dragon, three-phoenix crowns.

Nowadays, some merchants participating in the auction do not have the status of a "Gongshi" (a type of official), and it seems that they also need to prepare other clothing.

Zhu Youjian frowned upon hearing this, and said with great displeasure:
"The amount of donation for the public servant is only one thousand taels of silver."

"Are these merchants really that stingy? They won't even donate a minor degree for their children?"

"What are the current auction prices for wedding venues? How much are people willing to pay?"

Shen Yin sensed the emperor's displeasure, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and replied:
"Most of them are willing to pay 10,000 taels."

"Especially those imperial merchants, who are willing to serve the emperor."

“They have made a lot of money from the palace’s procurement over the years, and now it’s time for them to contribute.”

The implication of his words seemed to be that he wanted to extort money from the imperial merchant.

But this turned into charging fees to the imperial merchants. Zhu Youjian frowned and said:
"I know the loyalty of the imperial merchants, but the quota cannot be given to them all."

"In this way, give them three spots, give three spots to outsiders, and give the remaining four spots to the descendants of noble officials."

"The starting price for the auction is ten thousand taels of silver. The couple who qualify for the wedding will be granted the status of a nobleman."

"If the auction price exceeds 37,500 taels, then the hereditary knighthood shall be granted."

"In short, this matter must be handled well, and it may be a long-term project in the future."

"Weddings are big events, and we should develop industries around them."

In addition to making wedding dresses, the Imperial Clothing Bureau could also make custom-made clothing for elders, younger generations, and guests attending the wedding.

These garments should be suitable not only for weddings but also for celebrations. The goal is to ensure that people wear the clothing of the Imperial Wardrobe when they encounter joyous occasions.

The Imperial Clothing Bureau could develop a series of garments around wedding celebrations, just like the official robes.

These garments can be called formal attire, serving as the outer robes worn by officials and nobles, and the clothing worn by commoners on grand occasions. (End of Chapter)