Ever since learning from the Tian family that Wang Ji could blow glass, Lanqin had taken a liking to Wang Ji's glass ornaments. She'd frequently sent people there to buy some. And just then, a new glass lampshade from Wang Ji arrived. With this glass lampshade, she wouldn't have to worry about the summer wind when she lit a candle inside. Since candles were the only light source in this era, even the candles needed a maid to watch over them, otherwise, the room would be dark if the candle went out. Although there were lampshades made of paper and gauze, none were as transparent as glass. As someone who had traveled from another era, Lanqin immediately fell in love with this glass lampshade.
"Master, Wang Ji has sent five items in total. Should we bring them in now?" Lan Qi reported as she entered. She was currently in charge of the procurement of supplies for Lan Qin and didn't serve in the room much. However, Lan Qin relied on her quite a bit; besides Cui Niang and Nian Xue, Lan Qi was the only one she trusted.
"Okay, bring it in and let us take a look," Lanqin said.
"Auntie, what is this?" The Third Prince had almost finished eating and couldn't help but ask.
"You'll see in a bit. It's a rare item. I'll get you one too, okay?" Lanqin said.
When Lan Qi ordered several servants to place the lampshades that Wang Ji had brought into the mansion in front of Lan Qin, the Third Prince was immediately attracted by the things he had never seen before.
"Auntie, what are these made of? They're so beautiful!" Hongjun walked over and examined the lampshades held in the servant's hands. He saw that each lampshade was decorated with patterns, all blown from stained glass. Some depicted the Three Friends of Winter, others peonies, and still others an old man fishing. All were painted with remarkable realism, even the veins on the bamboo, the stamens of the peonies, and the old man's beard were clearly defined. Lanqin looked at them all and was also amazed by Wang Ji's superb glassblowing skills. This level of artistry was in no way inferior to the glass industry of later generations.
"Auntie, this thing is so beautiful! It's much better than those gauze lampshades!" The Third Prince watched excitedly as Nianxue placed the candles into the lampshades one by one. The light shining from inside immediately made the pictures on the lampshades look even more beautiful.
“Yes, take whichever one you like. Get one for the Fourth Prince too. Your aunt is planning to replace all the lampshades in the mansion with glass ones. That way, you won’t have to worry about poor lighting when you’re reading and writing, and it will hurt your eyes.” Lanqin also really liked these lampshades.
The Third Prince happily carried away the lampshades depicting an old man fishing and a rock and cricket scene. Lanqin quickly instructed the maids to put the three lampshades to use, and said to Lanqi, "Have Wangji make another batch according to this style, with more patterns and varied shapes. For example, rectangular ones, or even square ones. Find patterns that are childlike and playful from Tang and Song poems."
Meanwhile, the Third Prince, carrying two glass lampshades, ran all the way to the South Courtyard. He really wanted the Fourth Prince to see the wonderful things Lanqin had, because the Fourth Prince always looked down on his trips to the South Courtyard. He wanted to show the Fourth Prince that the concubines in the South Courtyard were truly wonderful.
"Hongshi, Hongshi~" The Third Prince handed the lampshade to his personal servant and then rushed towards Hongshi's room.
Hongshi was writing in his left side room. In the dim candlelight, beads of sweat had already appeared on the little man's smooth forehead.
"Oh dear, Third Prince, Fourth Prince is practicing calligraphy. He doesn't like to be disturbed when he's practicing. What are you doing?" The Fourth Prince's attendant was a servant in his twenties. Because the Fourth Prince was young, he needed an adult to serve him.
“I have something good to show him. He’ll definitely like it. Get out of my way!” Hongjun was very annoyed with Feng Liu for blocking his way. He pushed him aside and headed to the small side room on the left to find the Fourth Prince.
Seeing that he couldn't stop him, Feng Liu had no choice but to let the Third Prince in. There, he saw the Fourth Prince already holding a writing brush, looking directly at the Third Prince.
“Hongshi, I have something good to show you, I guarantee you’ve never seen anything like it before.” Hongjun said to Hongshi with great interest as he saw Hongshi’s little face staring at him.
"What?" Hongshi finally felt aroused by his own curiosity, which made the Third Prince very happy.
"Little Pizi, come in quickly, let the Fourth Prince take a look." Hongjun hurriedly said to Little Pizi, the follower standing outside.
Little Pizi walked in carrying two glass lampshades. Hongshi's eyes widened as soon as he saw what he was carrying.
"Well, haven't seen this before, have you? This thing is made of glass. It's much better than those lampshades made of paper and gauze. Take a look!" The Third Prince gestured for Xiao Pi to demonstrate it to Hongshi.
After Xiao Pizi replaced the lampshade with the rock and cricket picture on the Fourth Prince's desk, the light in front of his desk became much brighter.
Hongshi stared intently at the lampshade, while Hongjun said smugly, "How about it? Well, it's much brighter now!"
"Where did this come from?" Hongshi asked. He had to admit that this thing was indeed much better than the previous lampshade; it was both beautiful and did not affect the light.
“This was given to me by my aunt. She has many more. I asked you to come eat with me, but you won’t go!” Hongjun said.
Upon hearing that it was from Lanqin's side, Hongshi said, "Take it, I don't want it!"
Hongjun quickly said, "Why do you always dislike your aunt? Actually, your aunt is very good to us. She has been telling me to bring you over for a meal."
Hongshi was actually very conflicted. He was young, but he had to bear much more than other children his age. When he was with his wife, she often told him that Niohuru, a woman from the South Courtyard, was the murderer who killed his own mother, and that Niohuru was a seductive vixen who had bewitched the Fourth Prince.
“She’s not our mother, have you forgotten our mother?” Hongshi suddenly said.
Hongjun was momentarily speechless at Hongshi's words. In fact, he had never forgotten Li Shi, but after so many things, he had gradually buried Li Shi's affairs deep in his heart.
The Third Prince didn't want to bring up the events of the past—the deaths of the First Prince Honghui and Lady Li. But now, Hongshi's childish voice suddenly brought it up, and he realized that he had never forgotten those things.
“Anyway, I only acknowledge my legal mother as our mother, and I don’t want to acknowledge anyone else!” Hongshi continued.
Seeing Hongshi's small stature, Hongjun's words pierced Hongshi's most unwanted feelings like needles. Hongshi was somewhat at a loss, and finally turned and ran out of Hongshi's room. Xiaopizi hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to take the lampshade he had changed for Hongshi, but ultimately didn't, and quickly followed him out.
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