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

Something so miraculous?

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

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

Qin Ke did as told and raised the telescope to his eyes. Sure enough, he saw the bird's nest in a tree on the distant mountain. He was profoundly shocked. He switched eyes and looked for a long while before finally lowering the telescope, his eyes shining brightly.

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

"Do you know what merits this object holds?"

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

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

"The territory of the Wei Kingdom is defended by soldiers who shed blood and fight with all their strength. How could my merits compare to yours?"

The young man's heartfelt words made Qin Ke's heart suddenly pound. His heartbeat was so fierce that it nearly burst from his chest.

He gripped the telescope, his eyes trembling.

Only after a long while did he calm down. Then he suddenly smiled. "Is there anything you want?"

Qin Ke felt that a horse and some rewards from the court were simply not enough to measure Rong Xi's contribution.

He had experienced countless battlefields and understood the telescope's value well. That was precisely why he wanted to give Rong Xi more.

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

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

That alone would be the greatest fortune.

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

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

"This is called a telescope. If it is useful to you, I can write down how to make it." Rong Xi knew that telescopes were beneficial in warfare. One would certainly not be enough.

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

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

After saying that, the two suddenly exchanged smiles.

At around three in the afternoon, the two returned home and happened to run into Rong Lian.

Rong Lian had seen Qin Ke several times in Shengjing. Qin Ke's appearance was one that ordinary people could never forget. Thus, seeing Qin Ke at the Rong residence left Rong Lian greatly shocked. After staring blankly for a moment, he quickly bowed solemnly.

"Second Young Master Rong, there is no need for such formality." Qin Ke was somewhat aloof toward others.

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

How had his elder brother come to know Prince Qin? And they even seemed extremely familiar with one another.

With a distinguished guest in the house, Rong Xi had Rong Lian keep him company while he went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Rong Lian and Qin Ke sat in the main hall, where the atmosphere was exceedingly cold and tense.

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 vague. Looking at him closely now, he saw that Rong Lian's appearance and bearing were indeed exceptional. He was worthy of being a friend.

"His Majesty heard of the Glass matter and ordered me to bring several people from the Ministry of Works here to learn the craft. Eldest Brother was the first to create it, so naturally I had to seek him out."

He deliberately glossed over the important parts, and Rong Lian did not notice. He merely 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 attention, he was truly happy for his elder brother.

Once the topic ended, the hall fell silent again.

One man looked stern and disliked speaking. The other was naturally quiet and was intimidated by a certain Qin's imposing presence, not daring to say much.

Seeing Rong Lian's slight unease and remembering that he was Rong Xi's younger brother, Qin Ke's expression softened somewhat. He found a topic to discuss. "Siwen has been friends with you for many years, and the bond between you is deep. However, he publicly beat Rong Fourth Young Master a few days ago. It was indeed impulsive, though there was a reason for it. I hope the two of you will not let this create a rift between you."

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

"It was not." Qin Ke suddenly spoke.

Rong Lian looked at him in confusion.

Qin Ke lowered his eyes and drank his tea, secretly feeling as if he were claiming 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 quickly straightened his posture. Yet he truly was worried, so he 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 did not ask again.

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 the prince?"

Prince Qin seemed quite gentle and amiable toward his elder brother, and aside from Prince Qin, there was no one else who could afford such a magnificent steed.

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

He offered the suggestion sincerely.

He truly could not bear this kind of tortured romance!

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

After nodding his permission, he saw Cheng Hao hurry in from outside with an anxious expression. Before he had even steadied himself, he said, "This subordinate greets Your Highness. May I ask when Your Highness plans to return to the capital?"

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

Cheng Hao looked uneasy, but 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 glass and other items together with the craftsmen. Only then will we not fail His Majesty's command."

His hands were truly itching to try.

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