The little eunuch dared not provoke Li Jue; he was so frightened that he wet himself on the spot.

However, before leaving, he left behind 500 imperial guards specifically to watch over Li Jue and prevent him from leaving the house.

Only then did Li Jue truly realize that Li Er's "reflection behind closed doors" was for real!

This infuriated Li Jue. If he wasn't allowed to go out, wouldn't that suffocate him?

When Li Jue tried various methods to get out but failed, he finally gave up and started to laze around at home.

Li Jue can't get out, but that doesn't mean others can't get in.

At the very least, the imperial guards sent by Li Er couldn't stop Li Tai, nor did they dare to.

As for Li Er's beloved daughter, Si Zi, she would visit Li Jue every day, practically living in his own backyard.

"Nephew, your grandfather told you to stay home, so just stay put. Why do you have to go out and run around?"

"Am I supposed to wander off?"

"I have a lot of things to do, so I have to go out!"

"Tell your aunt what you want to do, and she'll do it for you!"

"you?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jue immediately curled his lip in disdain.

"You should just forget about it!"

"I've only been gone for a year, and you almost ruined the business at Qujiang Pool. If you had continued like this, I'd probably have to close down all my businesses in Chang'an!"

Upon hearing this, Si Zi stuck out her tongue guiltily.

"It's not entirely my fault, is it?"

"His Majesty took more than half of the nobles and officials of the capital with him on this expedition. The rest of them are all people with strict family traditions, and none of them went to Qujiang Pool to spend money..."

Li Jue looked at Si Zi with confusion upon hearing this.

"Auntie, how did you come up with such a lame excuse?"

"I……"

"I only remembered it because I heard others complaining..."

"Little aunt, such words can only fool a naive girl like you. In fact, the business of Qujiangchi has never relied on these nobles, but on wealthy and powerful merchants!"

"However, you can't be entirely blamed. Last year, your father did take away a lot of high-spending people. In addition, I encouraged merchants to join the army, which led to the decline of Chang'an's economy."

Upon hearing this, Sizi finally found a reason for herself and immediately puffed out her chest in rebuttal.

"I told you, the lack of business at Qujiang Pool isn't entirely my fault!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jue nodded perfunctorily, deciding not to argue with Si Zi anymore, and turned to look at Li Tai, who was covered in sweat.

"Fourth Uncle, what brings you here?"

"Also, is it very hot outside?"

"hot!"

"It's so hot! Do you have an ice cellar here? Quickly, have someone get me some ice!"

"My family is so poor, how could we afford to dig an ice cellar!"

"However, if you just want some ice, we can make it even without an ice cellar!"

"oh?"

"You can even make ice?"

I guess so...

Li Jue ordered his men to bring two baskets of saltpeter, poured the saltpeter directly into the water vat at the entrance, and then placed a basin of clean water on top of the vat.

After finishing all that, Li Jue strolled back to catch up on his sleep, leaving Si Zi and Li Tai staring at the water vat with wide eyes.

"Fourth Brother, can this really conjure ice?"

"How should I know!"

“I always felt this guy was unreliable, but…”

As the two were talking, the water in the vat seemed to boil, making a gurgling sound. After a while, the water in the copper basin froze at a speed visible to the naked eye!

"this……"

"Li Juezhen knows how to make ice!"

Sizi was also shocked by what she saw and hurriedly asked.

"Fourth Brother, what's the principle behind this? How can the water in the copper basin freeze?"

"You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?!"

"It must be that bastard Li Jue's doing! Let's hurry and catch up with him and ask him!"

"oh!"

Upon hearing this, Si Zi hurriedly chased after him. As long as she mastered the ice-making technique, she wouldn't have to worry about Qujiang Pond not having business.

"Li Jue, wait a minute!"

"what!"

"Can you teach me how to make ice?"

Li Jue frowned upon hearing this.

Didn't I just teach you?

"I meant the spell for making ice!"

"What kind of spell?"

"If you just do as I just said, you can make ice too!"

"Me too?"

"Why don't you try it and you'll see?"

"However, be careful to control the amount of saltpeter added. If too much is added, it may cause an explosion."

"Oh oh oh..."

Si Zi immediately stopped bothering Li Jue and hurriedly ran off to conduct the experiment.

However, just as Li Jue had sent the ox away, Li Tai eagerly caught up with him.

"Nephew, can you explain the principle behind this to me?"

Li Jue treated Si Zi very perfunctorily, but he was very serious about Li Tai.

The reason is simple: Li Tai has a certain STEM mindset, and if you explain things to him patiently, he can actually understand.

"Fourth Uncle, this matter is very simple; it simply utilizes the principle that saltpeter absorbs heat when it dissolves in water."

"Heat absorption?"

"Yes!"

"If the water in the copper basin hadn't had its heat absorbed, how could it have turned into ice?"

"This is actually just a simple thermal energy conversion, a very simple physical phenomenon."

"Oh oh oh..."

Li Tai nodded thoughtfully, then pulled Li Jue to a pavilion.

"We'll talk about ice-making later. I mainly came here today to give you a heads-up!"

"What kind of gas?"

Do you know why your grandfather wants you to stay home and reflect on your mistakes?

"have no idea……"

"Because a dog died in the court, a mad dog that bit people indiscriminately!"

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!