"But, this would make my older brother feel wronged."

Song Xibai bit her lower lip.

Song Xinian chuckled: "Where can one not suffer grievances? When I was exiled to the north, I was used to the coldness and warmth of human relationships. If I couldn't even bear this, how could I have survived until now? Besides, this is not only for you, but also for our family."

"For a physician, becoming an imperial physician is the highest one can achieve. But look at a father who is an imperial physician—what's so great about that? He's implicated innocently, wrongfully punished, and utterly powerless to resist. He can save others, but he can't save his own family..."

A hint of resentment and anger flashed in Song Xinian's eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.

"That's how it is for people without power or influence. If they're lucky, they can have a peaceful end. If they're unlucky, they can only become tools and scapegoats in other people's struggles."

Song Xibai fell silent.

She knew that her sister-in-law's death was a deep-seated hatred in her brother's heart.

Song Xinian took a deep breath before continuing.

“I didn’t want to tell you, but after thinking it over, I realized that this family needs everyone’s collective wisdom and efforts to reach a higher level. My second brother is as simple-minded as Father, but you, my little sister, have been exceptionally intelligent since childhood.”

"So, I won't hide it from you anymore, brother. I want to take advantage of your current momentum to earn some credit for the Song family!"

Song Xibai looked up abruptly, staring intently at him.

Merit?

What else could the credit that my elder brother is talking about be?

The only way to achieve this is through meritorious service.

Song Xibai pursed her lips.

She didn't think there was anything wrong with her elder brother's idea. However, given the Song family's background, even if they had contributed to the rise of the new emperor, they could at most be granted a noble title, just like the Zhu family, the Empress Dowager's family, and the Shu family, the Imperial Concubine's family.

It is extremely difficult to truly squeeze into the circle of the powerful and wealthy.

It will take at least three generations to pass.

Because what the eldest brother wanted was clearly not the status of a third-rate nobleman living off titles and stipends; he wanted genuine power.

Song Xibai looked at her brother for a long time with a complicated expression, but in the end she didn't say anything to persuade him. Instead, she asked.

"So, what exactly are your plans, brother?"

"Given your status, siding with the Crown Prince is the first step, and contacting the Song family of Jiangyin is the second. I believe that if they knew your identity, they would not refuse to join our clan."

"As for what comes next, if we help the Crown Prince ascend the throne and receive a title, and then form a marriage alliance with a powerful family, we should be able to stabilize the situation for the time being."

Song Xibai was dumbfounded.

"You've even made plans for your wedding?"

Song Xinian gave a self-deprecating laugh: "After your sister-in-law passed away, I originally intended to remain unmarried for the rest of my life, but if I can exchange this for benefits, it is still worthwhile. I just hope that when I see your sister-in-law again after my death, she can forgive me."

Song Xibai didn't know how to advise him.

After a long while, he finally let out a sigh.

"As long as you don't regret it, brother."

He paused, then added a sentence.

"If the new wife doesn't like Qianqian in the future, then send her to the palace."

This will also prevent the eldest brother from being caught in the middle.

However, Song Xibai did not expect that the precautions he had made now would not be needed in the future.

Song Xibai invited his elder brother to stay for a meal and arranged for him to rest in a side room, planning to send him back to the capital the next day.

Song Xinian took a stroll around the estate and even made a special trip to see Master Luo.

Master Luo was short, not even as tall as Song Xibai. He was stocky and had a wrinkled face; anyone who didn't know him would think he was an old farmer.

But once you've seen his hands, you'll know that's not the case.

Master Luo's skillful hands are a natural gift; his five fingers are slender and incredibly flexible, making even the most delicate work a piece of cake.

Song Xibai finally met the craftsman.

Then she understood why the master had made that strange request earlier.

He's short, has an average or even ugly appearance, and looks old... most women wouldn't be interested in him!

Song Xibai covered her face and decided to talk to the nanny when she got back and ask her to relax the requirements a bit.

When Master Luo first met his owner, he rubbed his hands together and nervously stepped forward.

After asking a few questions and giving him a few pointers, Song Xinian stunned Master Luo, who then unwittingly doubled the contract term.

Song Xibai was shocked once again.

When did my brother become such a shrewd businessman?

Twenty years!

When the time comes, we don't even know if Master Luo will still be alive.

He's over forty now!

Song Xinian remained calm. After finishing knocking, he took out a gold leaf and threw it on the table.

Master Luo beamed with joy as he presented the gold leaf with his thanks.

After leaving, Song Xibai couldn't help but glance at her older brother.

Song Xinian felt uncomfortable under her gaze.

What are you looking at?

"Big brother has really changed a lot," Song Xibai muttered.

“Contacting those cunning merchants day and night, if I hadn’t become more astute, I would have been ripped off long ago. Actually, I originally wanted him to sign a contract of servitude. After all, it concerns a telescope, and currently only he knows how to make it. But it feels a bit wrong to turn a free person into a slave.”

Song Xibai was speechless again.

Does this mean the older brother still has a conscience?

With a slight twitch of his lips, Song Xibai decided not to delve too deeply into the matter.

The next day, after seeing Song Xinian off, Song Xibai suddenly remembered something on his way back to the backyard and immediately called Qingxi over.

"Go to Master Luo's room later and tell him that the telescope can see distant scenery and also make nearby things look bigger. He can try to make a more detailed one himself, so that he won't have to squint and get so close when using it to see small things."

When Song Xibai visited yesterday, she noticed that Master Luo was nearsighted, his eyes were always squinting, and his head was very low when he worked.

It's a pity there's no way to measure my prescription, otherwise I could just get a pair of glasses.

Craftsmen in this era are not as respected as they were in her previous life. Many of them are destitute in their old age, living in poverty and dying tragically.

Which of those highly skilled embroiderers doesn't have eye problems?

Making jewelry is probably the same.

Song Xibai shook his head and returned to the backyard.

Meanwhile, Master Luo, who was busy at work, hurriedly got up when he saw Qingxi.

"Young steward, what brings you here?"

"The lady ordered me to deliver a message."

Qingxi, with a straight face, touched the fake mustache on his lips, repeated Song Xibai's words word by word, and then turned and left.

Master Luo stood there for a long time, then suddenly raised his hand and wiped his eyes.

The reason he signed the long-term contract without much hesitation was partly due to his own selfish motives.

His eyesight has become increasingly blurry in recent years. Jewelry making requires a lot of eyesight; his master's eyesight deteriorated when he was in his forties, and he was dismissed by a wealthy family, which forced him to come out and pass on his skills.

Master Luo was always worried that he would end up like his master.

Unexpectedly, the lady of the house noticed her problem but did not fire her. Instead, she came up with a way to help her see things more clearly.

Such hosts are truly rare!

Master Luo rubbed his eyes and grinned broadly, looking very happy.