Chapter 68 Report

Marriage is a major event, and for nearly a month, everyone in the mansion has been busy preparing for it.

Amidst her busy schedule, Shang Yuji was thinking about carving characters on clay. Geng Zhi informed her that the first batch of clay blanks was ready, and she took some time to take Tian Yi and Zhao Er to write the characters in relief and reverse.

The master had informed them in advance that Lord Shang had something to discuss with them. Knowing what they were to do, they practiced writing in both positive and negative characters beforehand, using twigs to practice writing on the sand. Only when they had written the characters well enough did they try writing them on paper.

Although Master Shang promised that they could use paper and pen freely, out of thrift and to avoid making Master Shang spend money, the two usually practiced on the sand first before testing their results on paper.

Once the clay was made, the purpose of the clay that Geng Zhi had been concerned about for so long was finally revealed.

The clay is baked hard, then coated with a chemical agent, baked and flattened, then brushed with ink. Paper is placed on it, and with gentle pressure, the ink characters are clearly printed on the paper.

Geng Zhi stared wide-eyed, following Shang Yuji's instructions step by step. After some time, he finally saw the ink characters printed on the paper.

Tian Yi and Zhao Er were overjoyed that they had lived up to Lord Shang's expectations and successfully printed the ink characters, but what Geng Zhi saw was a completely different scene.

Having spent many years working with tools, he understands best that while some tools are good because they save time and effort in production, others are enough to defy common sense...

The clay character is convenient and can be reused. For now, only one is made. As more and more clay characters are made, enough to be pieced together to create any book that needs to be printed, and as the number and quantity of books in the world increase, will the collections of books in the houses of noble families still be unique?

Or rather, will their position remain secure?

The deeper she thought about it, the more cold sweat broke out. Miss Shang understood the implications behind it all.

No wonder he was told not to reveal it. Ordinary people would only be satisfied with the convenience of clay tablet printing, but for those with ulterior motives, it is a double-edged sword.

However, none of this concerned him; Miss Shang had promised not to involve him.

Geng Zhi calmed his breathing, suppressed his turbulent emotions, and silently continued with his work, seemingly without the slightest curiosity about the object.

Shang Yuji was focused on the printed product on paper and therefore did not notice Geng Zhi's mistake.

The ink is a bit faint; it seems the formula for the topical medicine still needs to be adjusted.

She suggested the idea, and after the group adjusted the medicine, they tried it again, and the effect was significantly better than the first time.

"We'll find the best medicine formula later."

Shang Yuji picked up a piece of paper and briefly taught Tian Yi and Zhao Er how to record experiments, but Geng Zhi, who had been listening intently, overheard the conversation.

Experimental records? Comparative analysis? What are these?

After hearing her explanation, Geng Zhi silently understood it as recording the proportions of ink separately to observe which one had the best effect.

As for the symbols she wrote, which he had never seen before, he only understood their meaning after a few words of explanation from her.

Use a different symbol for arithmetic...

Although the symbols have strange patterns, they are easier to use and understand than counting rods.

After explaining the method, Shang Yuji didn't say much more. The teachers in Nuan'anju taught literacy, and they were confused by these strange symbols since they were new to them.

She doesn't force it; it's enough to understand the reasons behind it. You can't expect children to fly when they've just learned to crawl.

She explained it to them in detail again and again, and when she saw that they really understood, Shang Yuji stopped talking, thinking that she had been out for quite a while and it was time to go back.

The work wasn't too difficult; just note down the differences in ink and how long it took for the clay to wear out...

Hearing this with great enthusiasm, Geng Zhi was reluctant to let the person go. As a craftsman, he understood the importance of these experimental methods better than anyone else!

If he integrates the mistakes he makes while developing new products, avoids the reasons for the previous errors, and can use this to clarify how to proceed next, he can save a lot of energy in the development process.

Why did she stop talking?

These two blockheads, how could they possibly understand him?

Geng Zhi wished he could push past Tian Yi and Zhao Er and then voice his questions. Rather than the senior's willingness to ask questions, he was more interested in whether there were any even more novel experimental methods!

After enduring a few more moments, Shang Yuji was about to get up and leave when Old Geng suddenly called out, "What you said about the experimental comparison... could you please explain it to me in more detail?"

Shang Yuji, who was puzzled, was stunned for a moment, then sat down and explained the transformation method and the equivalent substitution method to him. After a brief explanation, Geng Zhi nodded repeatedly and suddenly understood.

On the other side of the city's western mansion, Yi Ning hurried in and asked Old Chen after entering, "Is Miss Shang at home?"

Old Chen shook his head and pointed towards the backyard: "The young lady has been traveling around a lot lately, and I'm not sure where she is right now. If Miss Yi is in a hurry, she can go to the backyard to look for Jiang Langjun. He will definitely know where she is."

"Okay, thank you, Mr. Chen!"

Yi Ning took two steps in three, traversing the many covered corridors, and stepped into the backyard. A sharp gust of wind pierced through, and then, a neatly cut half of a bamboo leaf fell at the gate.

"I have something important to ask Jiang Langjun." Yi Ning raised her hand, and the people in the courtyard stopped what they were doing. Jiang Xi went to put away his long sword and looked over.

She quickly stated her purpose, and Jiang Xi slowly turned his head to face the south of the city. He said, "Yunxiao is at Old Geng's workshop in the south of the city..."

"I'll go now..."

Before Yi Ning could finish speaking, Jiang Xi suddenly called out to her, "Wait a moment."

"?" She paused, waiting for him to continue.

Jiang Xi added, "She has returned to her residence; you don't need to look for her anymore."

Speechless for a moment, Yi Ning was filled with surprise: He was clearly in the same place as her, so how did he know that Miss Shang had returned to the mansion?

Perhaps because her expression was too obvious, Yi Sha smiled and said, "He is most familiar with Shang Yatou's aura. Just listen to anything related to Shang Yatou."

If you want to find your apprentice's wife, and she is in the same room as your apprentice, you can find her wherever his gaze falls.

Or perhaps the two were not in the same place. The apprentice was very familiar with Shang Yatou's gait and figure, and could pinpoint her location accurately from several miles away.

If it's further away, Shang Yatou will tell her apprentice where she's going before she leaves, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, Xiao Shang will always appear at the place she mentioned.

The people in the manor were used to it, and if they really couldn't find Miss Shang, then Young Master Jiang was the first person to know where she was.

Upon hearing what Old Lady Yi said, and seeing his disciple's absent-minded appearance, Xiang Fengyun simply waved his hand and said, "You've learned enough for today."

The long sword emitted a dull thud, revealing the turbulent emotions of the wielder.

Jiang Xi lowered her eyes and said, "Disciple will take his leave first."

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned around, put down his long sword, and rushed out the door. In the blink of an eye, he disappeared into the backyard.

Yi Sha raised her head and pointed in the direction he left: "Miss Yi, hurry up and follow him. If you follow him, you will see the Shang girl you are looking for."

Once she realized what was happening, Yi Ning turned and left, dashing out of the backyard and hurrying after Jiang Xi.

Yi Sha was always amazed by his apprentice's eagerness.

Oh, the passionate and pure love of young people!

She loves this type of storybook the most.

Seeing it makes one feel a few years younger.

Shang Yuji, dragging her heavy steps, leaned against the wall to support herself as she entered the lobby.

Before they could even sit down on the mahogany benches in the hall to rest, a person came running from afar. His long black hair fluttered behind his head, and his long robe swayed in the wind, vaguely revealing his graceful figure.

His face, which had been filled with joy, turned to worry when he saw Shang Yuji's fatigue. He even quickened his pace, almost causing Yi Ning, who was following behind, to lose track of him.

"Cloud sales! Cloud sales—"

He called out loudly, ran to her side and stopped, breathing heavily, but steadily supported her, slowly leading her to sit down on the mahogany bench in the lobby.

After confirming that the tea in the lobby was still warm, he carefully and quickly poured her some tea, held it to her face, and said worriedly, "Yunxiao, have a cup of tea to calm your nerves?"

Following his gesture of raising his glass, Shang Yuji drank half a glass, finally relieving the dryness in her throat.

She waved her hand, signaling him to take the teacup away, then couldn't help but pinch her temple to calm her thoughts.

With a soft click, the teacup was placed on the table. Jiang Xi obediently squatted down, placing his hands on the armrests of the mahogany stool she was sitting on, his eyes filled with longing.

"Yunxiao... did something happen at the workshop?"

She shook her head slightly: "No, it's for another reason. Don't worry, it's nothing serious."

It was just that he was caught by Old Geng, who was obsessed with the experimental method, and almost failed to escape from the workshop.

He racked his brains and entrusted his knowledge of experimental methods to others.

But she had graduated for many years, and this kind of explanation was like forcing her brain to start working, which had exhausted her energy for quite some time!

Seeing the lingering worry in his eyes, Shang Yuji could only rub his cheeks: "You still don't trust me?"

"Don't worry." With difficulty, he managed to squeeze out the words from his face, which was rubbed and mangled beyond recognition.

As soon as Shang Yuji let go, taking advantage of her sitting on the mahogany stool and his half-lying position on the ground, Jiang Xi withdrew her hands from the armrests of the stool, supported herself on her knee with one hand, and then rested her head on her raised thigh.

His face was turned toward her, and his eyes were full of smiles as he looked up.

Her smile was enchanting.

She looked down and saw him resting his head on her lap. He wasn't heavy, but the fluffy head that was placed right next to her felt so good that she followed her instincts and tugged at his long hair.

When Yi Ning ran into the hall, she was already used to Jiang Langjun's shameless clinging. Since their wedding date was set, Jiang Langjun had become increasingly unrestrained, thanks to Shang's indulgence. Otherwise, the current outrageous situation would not have occurred.

In a different setting, it would resemble a male prostitute using every trick in the book to please a man.

In broad daylight, under the clear sky!

The two acted too naturally, without any intimacy, as if it were the natural thing to do, making it difficult for others to intervene.

Yi Ning ignored him and stated the purpose of her visit.

"Good news from Yangcheng! The Xianbei have suffered a great defeat! Soon, the Princess will present His Majesty with the head of the Xianbei's eldest prince to signify the victory!"

"The Khan has sent a letter of surrender, expressing his willingness to acknowledge Da'an as the superior nation!"

"Moreover, the letter said that the one who beheaded the eldest prince was a young general named Rakar."

"General Lin and a group of generals from Yangcheng returned to the capital together to receive their rewards."

"The Princess mentioned that Miss Shang would also receive a reward. Is there anything you would like to receive?"