Free Web NovelChapter 277: Chapter 278: Mirror
’Silver powder?’ Bai Jinglie wondered. ’Can glass be turned into jewelry?’
As it happened, he also owned jewelry shops, so he sent a subordinate to fetch his entire existing stock.
Pointing to a small, palm-sized jar of silver powder, he asked, "Brother Wen Heng, this is all I have for now. Is it enough?"
Gu Wenheng just wanted to demonstrate the effect; the amount of raw material didn’t matter.
"It’s enough. I already had someone prepare a few things. They’re waiting in the carriage outside, so let’s go."
The carriage headed straight for a nearby glass workshop. As soon as they arrived, Bai Jinglie led Gu Wenheng to a courtyard in a corner, which had clearly been set aside as a resting area.
Using the materials at hand, Gu Wenheng created a transparent adhesive right in front of Bai Jinglie.
Once the substance was ready, he took some and mixed it evenly with the silver powder, then brushed a layer onto a thin, square piece of glass they had prepared.
(PS: Mirrors can be made with mercury, but I don’t know about silver powder. Please don’t take this too seriously—just treat it as entertainment.)
"That’s it?" Bai Jinglie didn’t see anything special.
"We have to wait a moment," Gu Wenheng said. "It will be ready once the adhesive dries."
"But the cost is rather high. What exactly are we making?"
Gu Wenheng didn’t keep him in suspense. "A mirror even clearer than a copper mirror.
There is another, more cost-effective method, but I don’t think you’d adopt it."
Bai Jinglie...
"Mercury."
"What’s mercury?" Bai Jinglie asked.
Gu Wenheng knew that Daoist Temples had mercury at this time. "Daoists in the temples who practice Alchemy will have it.
However, it’s inherently toxic. No matter how good the results, I wouldn’t recommend using it."
The moment Bai Jinglie heard it was toxic, he abandoned the thought. But this only made him more curious about the mirror Gu Wenheng mentioned, one clearer than a copper mirror.
He waited patiently for a long time. When Gu Wenheng finally said it was ready, he eagerly picked up the mirror to take a look.
His features were perfectly clear in the reflection. He then turned the mirror toward Gu Wenheng to confirm the reflection was an exact match, before cradling it in his hands like a precious treasure.
’With this item, business, which had finally quieted down, will probably boom again.’
"Brother Wen Heng, you’re a true genius! I can’t believe you came up with this." He was absolutely ecstatic.
He could already imagine it. This item wouldn’t just have a market in the Rong Dynasty; women all over the world would go mad for it.
"It took me two years of trial and error to figure this out. The hardships and dangers were unimaginable..." Gu Wenheng began to lament, and Bai Jinglie listened intently.
"Brother Wen Heng, did you really experiment with that toxic mercury? You can’t be so reckless next time.
If you’re going to do something this dangerous again, you have to let me know first. I’ll send people over to assist you."
Gu Wenheng’s importance rose another level in Bai Jinglie’s mind.
’Look at him. He’s not just aiming for scholarly honors; he’s also a tireless innovator. We can’t afford to lose a talent like him. More importantly, he can bring us immense wealth.’
The more he thought about it, the more excited he became. The sky had already darkened and the palace gates were locked, but he still wished he could go inside to show it off.
Completely unaware of all this, Hua Shunming was sitting across from Empress Zhou.
"Empress, what brings you to my chambers at this hour?" ’Shouldn’t she be busy "disciplining"—no, wait—"guiding" the harem women through their health exercises right now?’
Empress Zhou replied, "Holy Emperor, I am busy with palace affairs every day and must also tend to the health of the women in the harem. But I must find a moment in my busy schedule to come and show my concern for you."
Hua Shunming was silent. ’Don’t tell me she wants me to run and jump around the rear garden with them!’
Hua Shunming quickly cleared his throat. "Thank you for your concern, Empress. You help me manage the harem so perfectly, for which I am very pleased. How could I dare trouble you any further?
As it happens, the Heir of Marquis Wu’an recently sent over some curious little things. I will have Le San deliver them to you later."
Empress Zhou quickly rose to kneel in thanks, but Hua Shunming hurried to help her up. "It’s just the two of us here. There’s no need for such formalities."
Empress Zhou stood. "I came today because I have a favor to ask."
Hua Shunming secretly breathed a sigh of relief. ’As long as it’s not about tormenting me, it’s fine.’ His expression changed immediately. "Go on, let’s hear it."
Empress Zhou looked at Hua Shunming. "Holy Emperor, you asked me to find an Heir’s wife for the Heir of Marquis Wu’an. I have already compiled a list of all the eligible young ladies from noble families in Shangjing.
However, it reminded me of my elder brother, who has been all alone in the border city with no one to look after him. The thought weighs heavily on my heart. Sometimes, it keeps me awake all night." fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
An awkward expression crossed Hua Shunming’s face. He had genuinely forgotten that his brother-in-law, who was already thirty, was still unmarried.
But he couldn’t really be blamed. The national mourning period, on top of several other family mourning periods, had simply delayed the matter until now.
"Empress, what do you suggest? Would you like me to arrange a marriage?" he asked, while thinking, ’My brother-in-law is getting on in years and is always stationed at the border. I can’t imagine any young lady from a good family would be willing to go suffer with him out there.’
Empress Zhou sighed. "All the young ladies from the various families seem wonderful, but I’ve been separated from my brother for so many years. His visits are always so rushed; I don’t even know what kind of wife he would like.
As you know, Holy Emperor, he is my only full brother. If I fail to see him settled, I will have failed our late parents."
"Then what do you propose, Empress?" ’After all that preamble, just spit it out,’ he thought.
’The Empress has picked up some bad habits from the other women in the harem. She never used to be this roundabout.’
Empress Zhou hesitated. "...I would like my brother to return for a period of rest, so that we may resolve this great matter of his life and ensure the continuation of the Zhou Family bloodline."
Hua Shunming awkwardly rubbed his nose. The Royal Family was, in fact, indebted to the Zhou Family.
Years ago, the Empress’s grandfather and father had followed the late Emperor through countless campaigns, fighting hard to establish this new dynasty.
The Zhou family had barely enjoyed a few days of Shangjing’s prosperity before unrest on the border forced them to hastily leave the capital and assume command there.
This was why Empress Zhou rarely saw her family, and their reunions were brief. Now, she didn’t even know her own brother’s hobbies.
Later, after several wars, two generations of the Zhou Family had given their lives on the border, leaving only this single heir.
The more he thought about it, the guiltier he felt. Hua Shunming cleared his throat. "What you say is reasonable, Empress. I will issue a decree shortly to have General Zhou return and attend to this important personal matter."
Empress Zhou’s face lit up with a smile. She stood and performed a Fuli. "Thank you for your immense grace, Holy Emperor!
There is one more matter. Previously, Holy Emperor, you asked me to help Prince Bai find a Princess Consort. I have investigated a few candidates. Should we arrange the marriage directly, or should we consult Marquis Bai?"
"Consult Marquis Wu’an?" Hua Shunming sneered. "He probably wouldn’t approve of a single one of them.
Give me the list. Tomorrow, I’ll let that boy, Bai Jinglie, decide for himself.
However, as the mother of the nation, your duties extend beyond the harem. You should also take some of the court ladies to task regarding their virtue and conduct."
Empress Zhou knew at once who he meant. "As you command."
