Chapter 27

"Not finished yet. Please wait a moment, Brother Xuan Shi." After replying, Rong Xi assembled the objective and eyepiece according to the design.

Though crude, it could still be used to see into the distance.

Telescopes were nothing unusual to him and had little practical use in daily life, but if used in warfare, they would be a great help.

In a moment, he would go find Feng Shan and have him deliver the telescope to Prince Qin's residence in Shengjing.

Just as he was thinking this, Hu Yulin said, "I heard from the people at the yamen that the new county magistrate will soon take office. His Majesty has also ordered Prince Qin to lead several people from the Ministry of Works to Mengshan County to learn the craftsmen's skills. Haha."

Mengshan County was merely a remote county town. To be mentioned by His Majesty himself filled Hu Yulin with pride.

Rong Xi paused slightly at this, then the corners of his lips curved up faintly.

In that case, he would not need to seek out Feng Shan.

Author's note:

The V chapter updates at midnight tonight—ten thousand words! Little Xi and a certain someone from the Qin family are meeting again! There will be some sweet moments~ Please keep supporting me, cuties! Don't let it pile up unread, sob sob sob. Help push it up the per-thousand-word earnings ranking~ Muah muah muah!

PS: Please give my next sweet novel a favorite too~ Muah muah~

Modern rebirth BL: "My Nemesis Is Sweet and Clingy Again"

Shao Xian returned to when he was ten years old and picked up a pitiful little nemesis.

He had originally wanted to raise him personally, so that when he grew up, he would not oppose him at every turn.

But unexpectedly, once this little nemesis was cleaned up, he turned out to be sweet and clingy.

It was just that this little sweet cake was far too insecure and often shed golden beans.

Whenever he cried, Shao Xian had no way to deal with him. Naturally, he gave him whatever he wanted.

Rebirth

Black-bellied

Protective bottom vs obsessive, devoted, fake-crying top

Chapter 27

Outside Mengshan County, County Magistrate Shen Yi stood at the city gate with the yamen clerks, facing the wind.

The cold wind swept past, making everyone shiver.

Before long, a procession of carriages and horses approached from afar. Shen Yi's expression immediately turned solemn as he straightened up and stared ahead.

One man sat high upon horseback, dressed in dark casual robes with his hair bound beneath a jade crown. His features were strikingly handsome, but his expression was cold and severe, muting some of that beauty while making his imperial bearing all the more apparent.

Prince Qin's mother was the late emperor's elder sister and a cousin of the current emperor. Born of royal blood, his noble air and imposing dignity were naturally beyond comparison with ordinary people.

What was surprising was that besides the mounted attendant at his side, he was also leading another magnificent steed. It was white, and no less impressive than the crimson horse he rode.

Why was he leading an extra horse? Shen Yi did not understand Qin Ke's intentions and did not dare ask. He hurriedly led the clerks in a deep bow to show their respect.

Besides Prince Qin, several carriages followed behind, all carrying officials from the Ministry of Works.

The streets had been cleared by yamen runners. The commoners secretly hid in their homes to peek out, and upon seeing the prince's bearing, were instantly captivated.

Who would have thought that Great Wei's God of War would possess such exquisite looks?

Upon reaching the county yamen, Shen Yi let out a long breath. Though he had previously witnessed Prince Qin arrest County Magistrate Cao at the yamen, that occasion was not the same as this one.

That had been carried out in secret, whereas now the procession was orderly and imposing.

"Your Highness, honored sirs, please take your seats." It was Shen Yi's first time meeting several officials from the capital, and he was somewhat restrained.

The men took their seats in turn, with Qin Ke seated at the head.

"His Majesty sent us to Mengshan this time to learn the craftsmen's skills." Qin Ke took a light sip of tea. "Magistrate Shen should know where the Glass kiln is. We wish to go and observe it."

Shen Yi asked, "Your Highness and the honored sirs have traveled a long way. Would it not be better to go tomorrow?"

It was nearly the hour of the Monkey, and dinner was approaching. The kiln workers had all gone home, and the kiln was unattended, so there was no need to go now.

The people from the Ministry of Works nodded and all looked toward Qin Ke.

Qin Ke suddenly rose and said to them, "Then tomorrow. I have matters to attend to. You may have dinner together."

With that, he left his seat directly. Chen Chuangu naturally went with him.

The two rode side by side, leading the white magnificent steed as they headed toward Linxi.

"By the time we reach Rong Residence, Eldest Brother will surely have finished dinner," Chen Chuangu said with a hearty laugh. "When he sees these uninvited guests, his expression will definitely be quite amusing."

At this, Qin Ke thought of how Rong Xi was always calm and gentle. If he saw something he had once lost, his expression would surely be even more interesting.

A flicker of amusement flashed through his eyes. He raised his riding whip high, sending dust flying as he left Chen Chuangu far behind.

Rong Residence.

Dinner had just ended, and the lamps had only begun to glow.

A sudden knock sounded at the door. Liu He came to answer it and, through the dim evening light, recognized the two men outside. He hurriedly said, "So it is you two, young masters. Please come in!"

He stepped aside to let them pass and loudly instructed Liu Zishi in the courtyard, "Quickly go inform the young master."

Liu Zishi answered and hurried away.

The two arrived at the main hall. Rong Xi came quickly over, and upon seeing that it truly was them, looked slightly surprised. "Brother Sizhi, Brother Chen, why have you come so suddenly?"

Liu He served tea and set it on the table. Chen Chuangu smiled. "Eldest Brother, Brother Sizhi and I came to Mengshan only today, yet we came straight to find you without eating. Our stomachs are rumbling now. What should we do?"

What the two had done was highly improper. Yet it was precisely because they did not regard Rong Xi as an outsider that they could joke with him this way.

Upon hearing this, Rong Xi immediately stood. "Please wait a moment, brothers. Xi will wash his hands and prepare something."

Soon, two servings of food were brought to the table.

Qin Ke lowered his head to look. On the lacquer tray sat a steaming bowl of fresh soup noodles, so fragrant that it made his mouth water. The broth was made from marrow bones and had been simmering for an entire day, rich and fragrant. The noodles were springy yet soft, melting in the mouth.

Beside it, several shrimp cakes were arranged on a small plate, complementing the soup noodles perfectly.

"You two brothers came at just the right time. The bone broth has happened to simmer for a whole day," Rong Xi said with a smile. "Xi feared that Brother Sizhi and Brother Chen would have to wait too long, so he took the liberty of serving noodles. I hope you will forgive him."

Just as Qin Ke was about to respond, Chen Chuangu exclaimed dramatically, "Eldest Brother, this bowl of noodles and these few cakes are worth more than many expensive dishes. I truly love them!"

The moment Chen finished speaking, he felt a chill at his neck. He could not help turning to look at Qin Ke, only to see him silently eating noodles and biting into the cakes. Chen secretly sighed that he had been overthinking.

After they happily finished dinner, Liu He and his grandson cleared away the bowls and plates.

Qin Ke went into the courtyard and saw that all the doors and windows were made of Glass, truly clear and bright. He then said, "Tomorrow, I wish to lead several people from the Ministry of Works to the Glass kiln to learn the craft. Would Eldest Brother be willing to accompany us and answer our questions?"

"Brother Sizhi is too polite. It is only a small matter. Xi will naturally go."