Chapter 318 Glory (First Update)
The palace, the moon hangs high in the sky.
The Crown Princess knelt on the floor, which exuded a faint woody fragrance. In front of her was a low, long table, on which a chessboard was prominently displayed.
The Crown Princess wasn't particularly fond of crowds, and the Eastern Palace was usually quite quiet, only becoming a bit noisy when Qin Chuyu was around. However, these past few days, Qin Chuyu had moved to the Emperor's Huaqing Palace.
The Eastern Palace was once again as tranquil as still water.
The palace servants stood guard beside the Crown Princess, keeping their eyes down and not making a sound.
Suddenly, with a snap, a chess piece landed on the chessboard, and the Crown Princess smiled with relief: "It's done."
Only then did the palace servants dare to look at her, and the lady-in-waiting who was serving her asked with a smile, "Your Highness, what's done?"
The Crown Princess smiled and said, "I have finally solved this game."
Which chess game did you solve?
The crown prince strode in.
The female official and the palace servants all curtsied and greeted the Crown Prince: "Your Highness!"
The Crown Princess was about to rise and pay her respects, but the Crown Prince quickly stepped forward and stopped her.
The prince took her hand, knelt down beside her, looked at the chessboard on the table, and said, "You're playing chess again?"
"I'm just playing casually since I have nothing else to do," the Crown Princess said.
The Crown Prince laughed and said, "I see you play chess every day. Do you really like playing chess that much? You spend more time in front of the chessboard than in front of me."
The Crown Princess said gently, "Your Highness is joking."
"I'm not joking, I'm genuinely jealous." The Crown Prince said this, but his eyes and actions towards the Crown Princess were full of affection. He held her hand tightly and asked her, "You haven't answered my question yet, what chess game did you solve?"
The Crown Prince wasn't really interested in playing chess, but he would pay close attention to anything related to the Crown Princess.
The Crown Princess pointed to the chessboard with her other finger, which he wasn't holding, and said, "This is it, the Kun game."
The Crown Prince was taken aback: "Kun Ju? Which Kun Ju? Master Meng's Kun Ju?"
In the world of chess, it seems that only Mr. Meng's game can be called a "Kun game".
Even if the crown prince didn't like playing chess, he had heard of the name of this old gentleman Meng, who was well-deserved to be called the chess saint of the six kingdoms.
He set up countless chess games throughout his life, among which the Eight Great Games were the most famous. Very few people could solve them, but the Crown Princess solved the first game when she was only thirteen years old.
In the following years, she solved five more games, an achievement that was extremely rare even among the six kingdoms, especially considering her young age.
It should be noted that the chess master of Jin was over forty years old and had solved six games, but he still couldn't solve the last two games, Gan and Kun.
The Crown Prince excitedly grasped her hand, gazing into her beautiful eyes: "Linlang, you have accomplished something no woman in the world has ever done! No, you have accomplished something no one in the world has ever done! Even men cannot match you!"
The Crown Princess lowered her head and smiled shyly: "During the time I was injured, I devoted myself to studying chess in the Eastern Palace. In a way, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise."
The Crown Prince said solemnly, "Where? Others could study it their whole lives and still not figure it out! No, I must report this exciting news to my father!"
True to his word, the Crown Prince immediately went to see the Emperor.
The emperor was diligent, working tirelessly day and night. Even now, late at night, he was still reviewing memorials in his study.
Seeing the Crown Prince approach, his expression didn't change much. He simply rubbed his tired brow and asked, "Why are you here so late?"
Behind the screen was a small couch for the emperor to rest on. At this moment, a soft, even snoring sound could be heard. It was Qin Chuyu who had fallen asleep on the couch after playing in the imperial study.
The Crown Prince withdrew his gaze and asked, "Father, should I take Xiao Qi back with me? So as not to disturb you."
That little snore is so rhythmic!
The emperor said, "No need. Speak, what is it?"
"That's right, Linlang just solved Master Meng's chess game," the Crown Prince said, unable to hide his pride. "It's a Kun game."
The emperor paused in his review of the memorials, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes: "Really?"
"Really! If Father doesn't believe me, you can summon Linlang." The Crown Prince chuckled and patted his head. "I left in such a hurry that I forgot to bring the chessboard. Someone! Go to the East Palace and fetch the Crown Princess's chessboard!"
"yes!"
Outside the Imperial Study, a eunuch responded.
The eunuch quickly retrieved the chessboard and presented it to the emperor's table with both hands.
The emperor's chess skills were far superior to the crown prince's. Looking at the chessboard, he immediately understood the profound meaning behind the game.
He couldn't hide the astonishment in his eyes: "So that's how it's solved... How come I didn't think of that?"
The Crown Prince smiled with pride and said, "Father is busy with many affairs of state and doesn't have much time for chess. Linlang has been recuperating in the Eastern Palace these days, and has spent her free time studying chess in detail."
This statement was both an attempt to exonerate the emperor and a subtle way of praising Wen Linlang's excellence—the reason she hadn't solved the problem before was because she didn't have time, but now that she had time, she naturally solved it.
Who else in the world is so smart?
Perhaps my deceased cousin is one of them.
My cousin solved Master Meng's first chess game when he was ten years old, but unfortunately he died young.
Even if he were alive, he might not be able to do as well as Linlang, who has already deciphered the Kun formation.
Not to mention that Linlang is a woman, and there is no woman in the world more outstanding than Linlang.
The emperor nodded in satisfaction.
He had some reservations about this daughter-in-law at first, after all, she had been engaged to Xiao Heng. However, the Crown Prince insisted on marrying her, and she herself was indeed quite talented. In addition, Empress Xiao also liked her very much, so the Emperor agreed to the marriage.
In the years following their marriage, the Crown Prince made rapid progress, transforming from a reckless and ignorant boy into a reserved and composed man, a feat largely attributed to the Crown Princess.
"Hmm." The Emperor could not hide his approval. "The Crown Princess did a good job."
"Father, this is the first person in the six kingdoms to do this, isn't it?" the Crown Prince asked tentatively.
The emperor smiled and nodded: "Of course, apart from Mr. Meng, your wife is the first person to decipher the Kun formation. I will write to all countries to announce this great news."
The Crown Prince cupped his hands and smiled, "Your subject congratulates Your Majesty!"
Scholarship knows no borders, nor does chess skill. This is not only an honor for the Crown Princess, but also an honor for the entire Zhao Kingdom.
The emperor was overjoyed: "I'll think about how to reward you. You've benefited from her again."
The Crown Prince straightened his back and said, "That's because I have good judgment and found a wife who will bring me good fortune!"
The emperor laughed.
He was clearly in a good mood. The memorial he had just received was related to the Eastern Palace—urging the Crown Prince to take in more concubines to ensure the continuation of the royal family.
But since the Crown Princess suddenly made him look good, the Emperor temporarily suppressed the memorial.
The following day, after sending Xiao Jingkong to the Imperial Academy, Gu Jiao went directly to the clinic.
She overheard the story of the Crown Princess solving the chess puzzle as she passed by the girls' school.
"Have you heard? The Crown Princess has solved Elder Meng's chess puzzle?"
"Didn't the Crown Princess already solve it?"
"Oh dear, it wasn't the sixth game, it was the seventh game, the Kun game!"
"Ah! She even solved the Kun formation? Wasn't it said that no one could solve the Qian and Kun formations?"
"So, the Crown Princess isn't human at all, she's a fairy!"
Of course, there are also those who still harbor resentment towards the Crown Princess because of the bridge collapse accident on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
"Let her solve it, what are you all so happy about? It's like you've solved a chess game. Besides, how do you know if she's really solved it or just pretending?"
"How could something like this be faked? Just wait and see, the imperial edict will be posted soon!"
"snort!"
Gu Jiao walked past the group of female students who were arguing, her expression indifferent.
She had no feelings for the Crown Princess, nor any interest in her glory and achievements.
She recently acquired some saltpeter and wanted to try making something with it. She had never done it before and was a bit rusty.
She poured out the saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal and placed them on the ground.
What she needed to make was gunpowder.
If she lacks martial prowess, she can make up for it with weapons. Before she regains her former strength, she desperately needs something powerful to protect herself.
If she had had gunpowder during the assassination attempt on the cliff last time, she wouldn't have been forced to almost fall off the cliff.
Gunpowder is one of the four great inventions of ancient China, but it seems that gunpowder had not yet appeared in this fictional dynasty.
With the raw materials she can currently find, she can only make black powder, which is less effective than yellow powder and is not a powerful explosive, but it is still much more powerful than silver needle darts.
Gu Jiao had a general idea of the raw materials, but she wasn't sure about the proportions. Even a slight difference in the dosage could lead to a huge decrease in the power of the gunpowder.
So she had to be patient and try.
Charcoal has almost no smell, and sulfur is tolerable, but this saltpeter...
The second son, covering his nose with his sleeve, came to Gu Jiao's courtyard: "Little Gu! You...you...what is this?"
"Saltite," Gu Jiao said, then, seeing that the second boss didn't seem to understand, she changed her wording, "Well, it's soil with bird droppings on it!"
Second boss: "..."
The second boss's lips twitched: "You, you, you... what do you need bird droppings for?"
Gu Jiao said, "Endure."
The second boss's lips twitched again as he looked at Gu Jiao, his expression indescribable: "...It's not the kind of 'boiling' I understand, is it? Boiling in a pot?"
Gu Jiao nodded: "Yes, we need to boil it to get saltpeter, and then filter it to make saltpeter. You've come at the right time, help me boil it."
The second boss was completely devastated.
You're such a young girl, why did you have to choose to cook bird droppings?
“The saltpeter is clean,” Gu Jiao said.
I don't care, I don't want to cook bird droppings!
Fifteen minutes later, the second landlord, looking utterly dejected, picked up a stick and began to boil bird droppings!
After boiling, skim off the white foam, filter it with gauze, wrap it up, and bury it in the wood ash.
The weather was hot, and the moisture evaporated quickly. By the afternoon, several heavy bags of saltpeter were ready.
The saltpeter made by Gu Jiao was crystal clear, with a faint white tint.
Gu Jiao was very satisfied. He glanced at the second boss, who looked disgusted, and said, "Saltpeter is actually a very good medicinal material."
Second boss: "Don't tell me you fed me."
"Hmm!" Gu Jiao nodded seriously. "You forgot the packet of white powder I gave you last time when you had indigestion?"
So, was he eating bird droppings?
Ah! Let him die right here!
...
The second boss was deeply affected and was carried back to his room by the third son to rest.
Gu Jiao had her maid clean up the scene and prepared a batch of gunpowder according to the ratio of 50% saltpeter, 30% sulfur, and 20% charcoal.
The little Dudu from last time still came in handy; she filled it with water, wrapped it in cloth, and made a simple version of an airbag.
She put on the airbag and helmet.
After ignition, it was found that the explosion effect was not ideal.
Gu Jiao increased the proportion of saltpeter and decreased the proportion of sulfur.
Then, she was blown away—
Marquis Xuanping rarely passes by here today, so he wanted to visit his daughter-in-law.
The main reason is that last time I went to Bishui Hutong to see my daughter-in-law, I ran into Xiao Jingkong and was so badly beaten that I forgot what I was there for.
Today he was smart; instead of going to Bishui Hutong, he came directly to the clinic.
That way, the little monk won't cause any trouble.
He walked through the passageway and came to Gu Jiao's courtyard, but what did he see?
On a lush tree branch, Gu Jiao was bound tightly with a bunch of strips of cloth, wrapped up like a small silkworm cocoon, hanging from a branch and swaying back and forth with a creaking sound.
Only her small head was visible, her expression indifferent.
Marquis Xuanping couldn't help but laugh!
Some people are just incorrigible. They come here to win people over, and they even rehearse their lines on the way. But when they see Gu Jiao's disheveled and indifferent appearance, they get the urge to bully her again.
Marquis Xuanping raised his head, a smirk playing on his lips: "Girl, do you want to get down? Call me father, and I'll put you down."
Gu Jiao ignored him.
She spun around and turned the back of her head to him!
Unfortunately, I used too much force, the circle spun too wide, and it spun back to its original position.
Marquis Xuanping looked at that indifferent little face and laughed until his body trembled.
If anyone else smiled like that, they would be so greasy that people would want to punch them, but Marquis Xuanping was naturally handsome, with no bad angles, so even when he smiled like that, it was still pleasing to the eye.
Gu Jiao looked at his handsome face, hesitated for a moment, her expression softened slightly, and she asked coldly, "What do you want me to call you?"
Marquis Xuanping raised an eyebrow: "Father."
Gu Jiao nodded: "Yes!"
Marquis Xuanping: "...!!"
(End of this chapter)
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