"The item sent by the Crown Prince is called a 'thousand-mile mirror,' but it doesn't look like a mirror at all to me."
The Duke of Zhenguo stroked his long beard and spoke first.
"Maybe it's just because it sounds good. The Eastern Palace? His Highness the Crown Prince wouldn't harm us."
The prince played with the mirror tube, turning it around and around, his curiosity growing.
"This item is ranked first on the gift list, even ahead of the antique double-walled vase and the four-panel double-sided embroidered table screen from the previous dynasty."
The Duchess followed up with her words.
As soon as she finished speaking, the prince noticed the lens in front of the mirror tube.
"Was this photo taken from here?"
He brought the larger side closer to his eyes and examined it carefully.
To his surprise, he saw his father's figure shrink countless times in front of him.
The prince was taken aback, then quickly turned around and stared at the younger one.
Then, he was startled by his father's old face, which looked magnified countless times.
"This thing can make things bigger!"
"What nonsense are you talking about? This isn't some kind of magic or sorcery."
The Duke of Zhenguo didn't believe it, so he snatched the lens and brought it close to his face.
Immediately afterwards, a look of surprise appeared on his face.
"This thing can see far."
He was facing the doorway and immediately spotted a dragonfly perched on a red coral table across the yard.
The tiny dragonfly appeared as big as a cat in the mirror.
"A marvel! A marvel!"
"A telescope... So that's what it means! Dad, give it to me quickly, I want to see it too!"
The father and son were eager to play, but the Duchess was troubled.
How are we going to reciprocate with such a precious treasure?
In the end, the Duke of Zhenguo yielded and allowed the heir to take the telescope.
The Crown Prince happily took the telescope back to his residence and showed it to his wife like a precious treasure.
The Crown Prince's wife tried it herself, just like him, and found that she could indeed see into the distance, which surprised and amazed her.
"If the army had more of these telescopes, my father's war would be much easier."
What was said unintentionally may have been taken to heart by the listener.
The prince had originally thought it was just a treasure to play with, but upon hearing this, his heart suddenly stirred.
The Crown Prince wanted to contact General Xuanwei, and it was the Heir Apparent who acted as an intermediary. Naturally, he could guess the Crown Prince's intentions.
But General Xuanwei was his own father-in-law, so he couldn't possibly side with an outsider, could he? That's why the Crown Prince pretended not to know anything.
I thought the Crown Prince had given up, but I never expected him to give away such a precious treasure.
After pondering for a while, the prince decided to bring it directly to his father-in-law when he returned to his parents' home, and let him decide for himself.
For him, nothing was more important than what happened tonight.
A moment of spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold!
Meanwhile, in the village, the jeweler, following instructions, made a simple telescope, using brass instead of gold.
After receiving it, Song Xibai couldn't help but complain to Wei Hongfuliu.
"What kind of obsession does this craftsman have with gold? He didn't ask for gold, so he used brass, which is similar to gold."
Wei Hong covered her mouth and chuckled softly.
Without giving it much thought, Fu Liu casually replied, "Maybe he just likes gold."
Song Xibai thought about it and realized it made sense; who doesn't like gold?
“Then reward him with a gold ingot! Tell him to keep making them. The outer tube isn’t important; the key is these two lenses.”
Song Xibai tested the telescope and then handed it to Fuliu, asking her to deliver it to the front yard.
After taking it, Fu Liu asked, "Master, do you want him to continue making it?"
"Let's use this for now and wait for news from His Highness. But, there should still be some crystal left, right? Let's have the craftsman make some glasses!"
After thinking for a moment, Song Xibai said.
"Glasses?"
Both palace maids looked puzzled.
Song Xibai didn't offer much explanation, but instead found paper and pen and drew a simple picture.
"The only drawback of this thing is that it doesn't have small screws, so it can't be folded." Song Xibai twirled the pen and muttered softly, "But it's better than nothing."
Song Xibai thought of everyone she knew and found that none of them were nearsighted, so she marked the place on the paper as requiring a convex lens.
Okay, let's start with reading glasses. Glasses for nearsightedness are more difficult to make, so we'll study them slowly later.
After twirling his pen, Song Xibai suddenly had an idea and called out to Fuliu, who was about to leave.
"We'll ask the master later if he's willing to sign a long-term contract, something over ten years, with whatever salary he can ask for."
Fu Liu bent her knees slightly, took the things, and went out.
The master's surname was Luo.
After hesitating for two days, Master Luo finally agreed to sign the long-term contract, but he added one more requirement.
After hearing Fu Liu's account, Song Xibai's eyes widened in surprise.
"What? What did he say he wanted? Say it again?!"
Song Xibai doubted that she had misheard.
To everyone's surprise, Fu Liu repeated it firmly.
"Master Luo said he wants a caring wife."
Song Xibai's eye twitched.
Is this a way of assigning wives?
Fu Liu continued, "It doesn't matter if it's your first marriage or if you're widowed, and there are no age requirements, as long as you're not too old."
Song Xibai's lips twitched again, and she took a deep breath.
"What kind of conditions are these? Do you think I'm a matchmaker? Who just randomly picks people to marry?"
Fu Liu blinked, not understanding what was wrong.
"But in wealthy families, the masters arrange the marriages of maids and servants!"
Song Xibai got stuck.
She forgot that this kind of situation existed!
But she always felt strange about arranging marriages for others.
Just as Song Xibai was struggling with her decision, Granny Fangqi came in carrying food.
"The kitchen has prepared silver thread soup today. Would you like to try some, Master?"
After putting down the soup bowl, Granny Fangqi continued.
"As for the matter of Craftsman Luo, Master, you don't need to worry about it. Leave it to this old servant! Whether in the countryside or in the palace, there are many women who are past marriageable age or widowed. Just find a dutiful one to serve Craftsman Luo."
Song Xibai frowned slightly, not particularly fond of the word "serve".
"That's true, but it has to be something they're willing to do. Granny, you should pick out a few suitable people first, tell them about Master Luo's conditions, and if there are any willing ones, then have them come over to meet and get to know him."
"Why go through all that trouble? Few would refuse to marry outside the home and become a proper wife."
Granny Fangqi disagreed.
Song Xibai insisted on doing so, and even asked Granny Fangqi to find someone to inquire about Master Luo's past.
No matter how good your skills are, if he's a wife-beater or a gambling addict, it won't work!
Song Xibai's meticulousness and insistence on such trivial matters greatly surprised Granny Fangqi.
She didn't argue or try to dissuade her; she simply smiled and agreed.
With this matter handed over, Song Xibai was temporarily relieved.
Once Master Luo received confirmation, he became even more proactive in his work and even asked to be given a quiet room where he wouldn't be disturbed.
It's a good thing that he has requests; it shows that he really intends to stay.
Reading glasses aren't difficult to make; the only challenge is to carefully polish the lenses. But for Master Luo, who has already successfully made two telescopes, it's not too much trouble.
Two days later, he delivered the finished product.
Song Xibai pulled Fangqi Granny to let her try it on, but Fangqi Granny waved her hands repeatedly, saying she dared not.
Just as the two were at an impasse, Song Xibai suddenly received news that her elder brother was coming to visit.
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