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Jiang Weiping hurriedly stopped him, saying bashfully, "Eldest Brother, there is no need to spend so much. You previously gave me the iron-smelting method—that was already a great kindness. I was just about to discuss this matter with you."

He took a sheet of paper from his robes and spread it across the table.

Rong Xi examined it carefully, a faint crease forming between his brows. Only after a long while did he say, "Brother Shouyuan, I am deeply honored and grateful for this, but it would not be appropriate."

"What is inappropriate about it?" Thinking Rong Xi meant to refuse, Jiang Weiping hastily said, "Without Eldest Brother's ingenious method, I could never have made this cauldron. Eldest Brother deserves tremendous credit."

He wished to share the profits with Rong Xi.

Rong Xi shook his head and sighed. "Brother Shouyuan, though this method is ingenious, Great Wei operates salt and iron as state monopolies. Sooner or later, others will learn of your technique. When the authorities intervene, the iron-smelting method will belong to the court."

That was true, and Jiang Weiping knew it as well. Yet he was unwilling—not for himself, but for Rong Xi.

Eldest Brother was exceptionally brilliant, his clever ideas surging like a tide, yet he lived in poverty and suffered the scorn of others. He truly should not have to endure such things.

"Brother Shouyuan, why not wait until the period of national mourning has passed, then present this method to the authorities?" Rong Xi suggested.

Great Wei had laws stating that if commoners acquired ingenious methods and rendered meritorious service, the court would grant rewards. Though the sums were meager, the fame would spread far and wide, benefiting the Jiang Clan as well.

Jiang Weiping could only nod. Secretly, he decided that every coin of the reward should go to Eldest Brother. Still, confusion lingered in his heart.

"Why does Eldest Brother not wish to make a name for himself through this?"

The moment the words left his mouth, he felt foolish beyond measure.

Eldest Brother was the son of a court official. Even if he wished to gain fame, it would be for his learning. How could he possibly value the reputation of a craftsman?

Unaware of Jiang Weiping's self-reproach, Rong Xi said casually, "My reputation is already in tatters. If my name were spread, I fear the people would spit on it and the authorities would loathe it. That would do no good."

To him, reputation was not important.

Hearing this, Jiang Weiping was deeply stirred. Heat welled into his eyes. He drank tea to hide them, tilted his head back to force the tears to recede, then gave a long sigh. "Eldest Brother's breadth of heart truly commands my admiration!"

The two spoke at length, and it was not until precisely mid-afternoon that Jiang Weiping reluctantly departed.

In the guest room, the Chen Clan master and servants sat or stood about.

Chen Chuangu picked up a sazi and chewed as he said, "Why do I keep feeling that Rong Dalang is rather suspicious?"

When the matter of being overnourished had been mentioned earlier, Rong Dalang had been surprised, but not shocked. Could it be that he had known all along?

"That he does not match the rumors is suspicious enough." Chen Dalang reclined against the bed, holding a book as he smiled. "And regarding what you said of his condition—if he is clever, he must have known long ago."

Chen Erlang could not help adding, "From my careful observation, Rong Dalang possesses considerable talent and intelligence. In Shengjing, he must have been concealing his abilities. Now that he has come to Linxi and must make a living, naturally he has revealed his talents. That is why he differs from before."

It had to be said that such reasoning was highly logical.

Who could clearly explain matters within the inner household? Few stepmothers were kind. Rong Dalang had left Shengjing and settled peacefully in Linxi; he was, in fact, living freely and at ease.

Yet for a man of great ambition, being unable to establish merit and build a career would be a lifelong regret. One wondered what choice Rong Dalang would make.

"What Second Young Master says is very true." Chen Chuangu smiled as he flattered him. "But in my view, this Rong Dalang may be even more remarkable than we imagine. What we have seen is merely the tip of the iceberg."

Chen Dalang closed his book and set it on the table. "Why do you say that?"

Thinking of the item in that strong man's hands, Chen Chuangu frowned. "Honeycomb coal briquettes and coal stoves—we had never seen either before, yet they were all gathered within the Rong Residence. Now there is another new thing. It is truly baffling."

Having said that, he described the object he had seen to the two of them.

Chen Erlang glanced at the sturdy servant behind him. The servant understood at once and immediately left the room. Shortly afterward, he returned and replied, "Old Liu did not hide anything. He said directly that it was a new-style iron cauldron, capable of pan-frying dishes."

"Pan-frying?" Chen Chuangu froze. "What is pan-frying?"

"Old Liu does not know," the sturdy servant said helplessly. "He said it was Young Master Rong's instruction."

Upon hearing this, Chen Chuangu's heart itched unbearably. He nearly sprang from his seat and rushed to Rong Xi's quarters to get to the bottom of it.

"So many capable people have emerged—this is truly Great Wei's blessing." Chen Erlang sighed, seeming to share in the honor.

Chen Dalang, however, considered matters more deeply. In surprise, he said, "If that truly is a new-style thin cauldron, it shows that the blacksmith's skill is extraordinary. Yet the ironworking techniques of the authorities seem far inferior to this, do they not?"

At these words, Chen Erlang was instantly stunned. He turned to look at Chen Dalang. After a moment, he broke into a clear laugh. "This trip to Linxi has been most meaningful."

Chen Chuangu raised an eyebrow and set down his teacup. "The skill belongs to someone else. You would not resort to seizing it by force, would you?"

"Great Wei has laws, and the people ought to follow them. Besides, the court will grant rewards, bringing both fame and profit. How can that be called seizure?"

Chen Chuangu did not bother arguing with these two nobles. He merely muttered under his breath, "The reward money is pitifully small, and commoners disdain it. If so, who would be willing to research and create?"

Yet Chen Dalang's hearing was keen. Catching his words, his swordlike brows furrowed faintly. Still, the situation in Shengjing was the more pressing concern. It was not convenient to say more about such matters now.

"Chuangu, my leg injury has healed. Can we travel the day after tomorrow?"

Chen Chuangu cast him a sidelong glance and sighed. "We can."

If not for the duties resting on his shoulders, he truly wished to live carefree in the Rong Residence for the rest of his life. Delicious food surrounded him, and Eldest Brother's marvelous words were there for company. It was blissful beyond compare.

But Shengjing was a dragon's pool and a tiger's den, filled with flashing blades and shadows of swords. One careless step, and one's little life would be lost.

At noon the next day, Chen Chuangu came to find Rong Xi. He handed him the prescription and informed him that they would be leaving the residence.

Rong Xi nodded with a smile and solemnly thanked him.

A full day and night had passed, and the thin cauldron was ready for use. Tonight, it would be fitting to prepare fresh dishes as a farewell feast for them.

Fresh river delicacies, poultry, and other ingredients were prepared. Rong Xi instructed Liu He and his grandfather to assist nearby, arranging the various seasonings evenly.

He removed the meat's sinews, membrane, skin, and bones, then sliced it into shreds and soaked it briefly in sauce and wine.

The stove fire burned fiercely, and the thin cauldron heated with remarkable speed. Mere moments after the oil entered the pan, white smoke turned bluish. The instant the shredded meat was poured onto the bottom of the cauldron, there came a sharp sizzle, startling Liu He and his grandfather.

Rong Xi kept stir-frying without pause. The fragrance of meat gradually filled the kitchen, even drifting out into the courtyard.

The Chen Clan's two sturdy servants were standing guard beneath the corridor. Catching the scent, they immediately began to salivate, their stomachs growling again and again.

Soon after, steamed flour, vinegar, sugar, and other ingredients were added to the cauldron, then sprinkled with the white portions of scallions. The aroma became even more enticing, making one's fingers twitch with appetite.

Liu He and his grandfather watched with their own eyes and were completely convinced. They had never imagined that the art of stir-frying could conjure such exquisite dishes.