Page 45

The candlelight in the room shone brightly. Rong Xi's face was lit from one side, while the other remained hidden in shadow. In the hazy light, his handsome features stood out clearly.

Though he was still slightly plump, the peaceful, gentle aura around him made it easy for others to overlook his appearance.

Besides, Rong Dalang had never been unattractive to begin with.

Chen Chuangu suddenly burst out laughing. "Dalang, after only a few days apart, you've grown thinner again. Give it some time, and you'll surely become a handsome young gentleman who makes all the young ladies swoon."

Great Wei's customs were open-minded, and romantic tales such as carriages filled with fruit thrown by admirers were far from rare.

Rong Xi humbly replied, "Brother Chen jokes. If we are speaking of handsome looks, Brother Chen surpasses me by several degrees."

He did not quite dare to joke about Qin Ke, though Qin Ke's beauty was the finest he had ever seen in his life.

"Dalang wrote to me before and told me all about the horseshoe and Glass. I am deeply grateful," Qin Ke suddenly interrupted them, saying coolly, "I did not know what Dalang liked, so I took the liberty of selecting a horse for you to use when traveling."

The people of Wei loved horses and preferred riding them whenever they went out.

Yet horses commanded high prices, to say nothing of exceptional steeds. Few people had both the status and wealth needed to ride one.

Therefore, gifting a horse was a weighty gesture, showing that the giver thought highly of the recipient.

Rong Xi was flattered beyond measure. His eyes widened, and for a moment, he was speechless.

Seeing him like this, Chen Chuangu laughed without restraint. Qin Ke's lips also curved upward, his gaze softening.

"Dalang, the horse is outside the residence. Would you like to go have a look?"

Rong Xi came back to himself and said gratefully, "Thank you, Brother Sizhi, for the horse." He then left the residence with the two men and, by the light from within, saw a magnificent white steed.

In his previous life, men took pride in luxury cars. In Great Wei, men compared one another by their mounts.

Though Rong Xi knew little about horses, he could still tell that this one was an absolute rarity.

"Dalang, are you skilled in horsemanship?" Qin Ke suddenly asked.

He had observed Rong Xi's expression just now. Though Rong Xi was grateful and admiring, he showed no eagerness to give the horse a try.

Anyone skilled at riding would surely be unable to resist mounting such a fine horse for a ride.

"I am ashamed," Rong Xi said, seeming somewhat embarrassed. "I have never learned horsemanship."

Horsemanship was among the skills that children of noble families were required to learn, yet the original owner of this body truly had never studied it.

Rong Xi lowered his eyes. Memories surfaced in his mind, and a dark glint flashed through his gaze.

More precisely, the original owner had learned it once. But during that very lesson, someone had deliberately thrown him from the horse's back. He had been traumatized and never learned again.

The culprit had once again been Rong Fourth Brother.

Chen Chuangu was surprised. "The academy offers riding and archery lessons. Dalang, you truly never learned?"

"Since Brother Sizhi has generously given me such a magnificent steed, I will certainly work hard to learn horsemanship." Rong Xi smiled faintly, smoothly changing the subject.

Qin Ke studied his expression, thoughtful.

The night was deep, and the cold wind cut to the bone. Rong Xi suddenly shivered, tucking his slightly baby-fat chin into his collar, making his face appear even younger.

He was only sixteen, the same age as Si Wen.

Qin Ke's expression softened slightly. "It is cold. Go back inside."

With that, he mounted his horse neatly and departed with Chen Chuangu.

Rong Xi watched the two men disappear into the distance. Turning back, he found himself staring at the white horse, the two of them locking eyes. The white horse snorted aggrievedly.

He suddenly laughed aloud.

After leading the horse into the residence, Rong Xi instructed Liu He to prepare some premium feed the next day. His days of keeping a pet horse had begun.

"Brother, did guests visit the house just now?" Rong Lian suddenly approached. Upon seeing the white horse, he looked somewhat surprised.

He had been so absorbed in his studies that he had not known visitors had come. Only after taking a break and hearing Xi Yan's report did he learn about it, so he had come to ask.

"Old friends came to visit." A faint smile rested on Rong Xi's lips, making him seem especially gentle.

Seeing this, Rong Lian said no more and returned to his room of his own accord to continue studying.

The next day, the heavens were kind, and sunlight poured down everywhere.

Shen Yi personally led Qin Ke and the others to the Glass kiln outside the city. Rong Xi and Hu Yulin were already waiting outside.

When the carriages and horses arrived, Rong Xi raised his head into the sunlight and happened to meet Qin Ke's gaze.

The two froze for several breaths before both looking away.

At Shen Yi's meaningful glance, Rong Xi and Hu Yulin saluted the officials.

This time, the Ministry of Works had sent several people to Mengshan County to learn from their experience. Cheng Hao, Vice Minister of Works, was among them.

Since childhood, he had been passionate about making devices and had been unwilling to study. After being taught a lesson by the elders of his family, he had no choice but to set aside his interests and devote himself to his studies.

Later, he passed the imperial examinations and entered officialdom, relying on his own abilities to become an official in the Ministry of Works.

He should not have come on this trip to Mengshan County, but after pestering them relentlessly, Minister of Works Yang Qianmu had no choice but to give him a place.

"Your Highness, this is the kiln." Shen Yi explained from the side.

Qin Ke nodded coolly, then turned his gaze toward Rong Xi. "Since Young Master Rong is here, why not have you explain the method of making Glass to us?"

A clerk had prepared paper and brushes and recorded everything at the side.

Since the prince had spoken, the others naturally did not dare object. Yet they were puzzled as to why the prince knew an artisan.

They assumed Rong Xi was merely an artisan.

Rong Xi remained composed, showing no trace of nervousness. He led everyone inside. He had long prepared his remarks in his mind, and now he spoke with ease, his tone calm and his logic clear.

Qin Ke walked shoulder to shoulder with him, while the others followed behind them, listening attentively.

"Young Master Rong possesses a quick mind and ingenious skills that rival nature's own craftsmanship. They can benefit the people of the realm. If your honored father knew, he would surely be greatly comforted."

After the explanations were finished, Qin Ke suddenly praised him.

Including Rong Xi, everyone else was somewhat baffled.

Who did not know that Prince Qin was the cold-faced Yama? Yet now he was treating a mere young artisan with such courtesy and lavish praise. It was truly perplexing.

They were all important court officials and did not pay attention to gossip, so they had never imagined that Rong Xi was Minister Rong's son.

"Your Highness overpraises me." Rong Xi's eyes curved slightly, his lips red and teeth white. "The people's fortune is also my own fortune."

"Very good." Qin Ke's gaze rested on his cheek, complex and unreadable.

After touring the Glass kiln, they also visited the Jiang Family Ironworks.

The clerk recorded everything in detail on paper, awaiting further study once they returned to the capital.

No matter what, Rong, Hu, and Jiang would certainly receive rewards from the court.