Chapter 47

Rong Xi smiled, raised the Telescope to his eyes, and suddenly said, "With the thing in my hand, you can see the bird's nest in the tree clearly."

Something so miraculous?

Qin Ke prided himself on having sharp eyesight. Even he could not make out whether there was a bird's nest in that tree, yet this mere tube could reveal it clearly?

Seeing the change in his expression, Rong Xi handed him the Telescope. "Look through this."

Qin Ke did as told and held the Telescope to his eyes. He truly saw the bird's nest in the distant mountain tree. Shock flooded his heart. He switched eyes and looked for a long while before finally lowering the Telescope, light blazing in his brows and eyes.

"Rong Dalang," he said in a deep voice, his gaze unfathomable, "just how many more ingenious ideas do you possess?"

"Do you know the merit of this object?"

Rong Xi smiled faintly. "Then do you know why I gave it to you?"

The youth's gaze was sincere, his bearing unhurried. To him, such a miraculous object seemed no more remarkable than a gentle breeze and bright moon, than rivers flowing into the sea.

"The Wei Kingdom's territory has been defended by soldiers bathing in blood and fighting with all their strength. How could my merit compare with yours?"

The youth's heartfelt words made Qin Ke's heart suddenly pound. Its violent beating nearly burst from his chest.

He gripped the Telescope, his gaze trembling without end.

Only after a long time did it settle. Then he suddenly smiled. "Is there anything you want?"

Qin Ke believed that a horse and a few rewards from the imperial court were nowhere near enough to measure Rong Xi's contribution.

He had personally experienced countless battlefields and knew full well what the Telescope could accomplish. Precisely because of that, he wished to give Rong Xi more.

Rong Xi froze. What did he want? Perhaps even he himself did not know.

"Nothing. I only seek peace and joy, and a smooth life."

That alone was the greatest blessing.

Qin Ke looked deeply at him. "If you wish it, I will ensure you remain safe for the rest of your life."

So long as he lived, Rong Dalang would be under his protection.

"This object is called the Telescope. If it is useful to you, I can write down its method of manufacture." Rong Xi knew that the Telescope would benefit warfare. One was certainly not enough.

If this object was classified as military equipment, there could be no one more suitable than Qin Ke to receive it.

Qin Ke did not refuse. Secretly praising Rong Xi's generosity and open-mindedness, he said, "I will engrave Eldest Brother's friendship upon my heart."

When he finished speaking, the two suddenly looked at each other and smiled.

At the hour of Shen, the two returned home and happened to run into Rong Lian.

Rong Lian had seen Qin Ke several times in Shengjing. Qin Ke's face was one that ordinary people could never forget. Thus, seeing Qin Ke at the Rong residence greatly shocked Rong Lian. After staring blankly for a moment, he hurriedly offered a solemn salute.

"Second Young Master Rong need not stand on ceremony." Qin Ke was somewhat aloof toward others.

Yet to Rong Lian, Prince Qin's manner was already considered gentle.

How did his elder brother know Prince Qin? And they even seemed exceedingly familiar with each other.

With an honored guest at the residence, Rong Xi had Rong Lian keep him company while he went into the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Rong Lian and Qin Ke sat in the main hall, where the atmosphere was frigid.

After a long while, Rong Lian gathered his courage and asked, "May I ask why Your Highness sought my elder brother?"

He feared it was because of Liang Siwen.

Because of Liang Siwen, Qin Ke had some impression of Rong Lian, though it had only been a vague one. Looking at him more closely now, he saw that Rong Lian's appearance and bearing were indeed outstanding, enough to be considered a friend.

"His Majesty heard of the glass and ordered me to lead several people from the Ministry of Works here to learn the craft. Eldest Brother was the one who first created it, so naturally I had to seek him out."

He glossed over the important parts, and Rong Lian did not notice. He only felt that this was as it should be.

His elder brother's craft would benefit generations to come. Now that it had caught His Majesty's eye, he truly felt happy for his elder brother.

Once the topic ended, silence again descended upon the hall.

One wore a stern expression and disliked talking. The other was quiet by nature and cowed by a certain Qin's imposing aura, not daring to say much.

Seeing Rong Lian's faint unease, and recalling that he was Rong Xi's younger brother, Qin Ke's expression softened somewhat. He found a topic to discuss. "Si Wen has been friends with you for many years, and you two share a deep bond. Yet a few days ago, he publicly beat Fourth Brother Rong. It was indeed impulsive, though there was a reason for it. I hope the two of you will not develop a rift because of this."

Rong Lian was flattered and hurriedly said, "It was my younger brother who was at fault first. Brother Liang was innocently dragged into it, so it was only natural for him to grow angry and strike out. It is only a pity that my elder brother's item was thrown away by Fourth Brother and lost."

"It was not," Qin Ke suddenly said.

Rong Lian looked at him in confusion.

Qin Ke lowered his eyes and sipped his tea, secretly feeling as if he were seeking credit and showing off. He swiftly changed the subject. "He beat someone in the street. Whether or not he had a reason, he should not have done so. I have already punished him with ten lashes."

"What?" Rong Lian cried out in alarm.

Realizing afterward that he had lost his composure, he hurriedly straightened his posture. Yet he was truly worried, and asked, "How is he?"

Qin Ke was about to answer when he saw Rong Xi outside the door and stopped speaking.

"Brother Sizhi, Second Brother."

Rong Lian no longer asked.

The Liu Clan grandmother and grandson, along with Xi Yan, carried the dishes to the table before withdrawing.

The three ate quietly, with only the sounds of bowls and chopsticks remaining in the room.

After the meal, Qin Ke took his leave. Under Rong Xi and Rong Lian's watchful eyes, he mounted his horse and departed.

Looking at the white horse in the courtyard, Rong Lian suddenly asked, "Elder Brother, was this horse a gift from Prince Qin?"

Prince Qin seemed rather gentle and approachable toward his elder brother, and besides Prince Qin, there was no one else who could afford such a magnificent steed.

Rong Xi smiled and nodded. "When we returned just now, I heard Brother Sizhi mention that Young Master Liang was punished with ten lashes. It is rather pitiful. Since Second Brother has always been close to him, why not write him a letter to show your concern?"

He offered the suggestion sincerely.

As for tragic romance and the like, he truly could not bear to see it!

After Qin Ke returned to his office, a sturdy servant came to report that Cheng Hao, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, requested an audience.

After he nodded in agreement, Cheng Hao entered in a hurry. Before he had even steadied himself, he said, "This subordinate greets Your Highness. May I ask when Your Highness intends to return to the capital?"

"What does Vice Minister Cheng think?" Knowing his temperament, Qin Ke tossed the question back to him.

Cheng Hao looked apprehensive, yet he still answered, "Your Highness, this subordinate believes that merely taking a cursory look for one day will not allow us to grasp the essence. This subordinate wishes to remain for several more days and personally make items such as glass together with the craftsmen. Only then will we not fail His Majesty's command."

His hands were truly itching to try.

The room fell silent for a long time. Just as Cheng Hao thought Qin Ke would not agree, Qin Ke suddenly said, "Very well."