Font Size:
Lu Man never expected that her younger brother was secretly treating people with difficult and incurable illnesses. She was greatly pleased by his diligence, finding him hardworking and sensible. While reminding him to take care of his health, she would also make nourishing tonics to replenish him.
On the afternoon of April 12th, Lu Man sat alone in the study trying to read but couldn’t focus. The continuous spring rain had been falling since the day before yesterday, persisting for two days and nights without pause.
Early in the morning, the Princess sent word to Lu Man, advising her not to go to Crane Hall to pay respects and to rest at home instead. She mentioned receiving news that the Emperor had urgently sent something to the border overnight.
Eight days ago, the Emperor received urgent news from the border, where the Xie family’s army had just won a significant battle, greatly boosting morale. This victory was largely due to Jiang Zhanwei’s outstanding performance. Leading the Black Furry Camp, he maneuvered behind the enemy’s vanguard, launching a surprise attack on their flanks, catching them off guard. Additionally, General Xie requested the Emperor to purchase existing reading glasses to be turned into telescopes for the border, a “treasure” for winning battles. He also asked the Ministry of Works to produce a thousand sets of “camouflage uniforms” for soldiers on special missions, designed by Jiang Zhanwei to effectively confuse enemy sightings.
Naturally, telescopes were classified military secrets, known only to the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and a few others including Prime Minister Zhang, Duke Anguo, Xie Elders, and Minister Zhou.
The Emperor immediately issued a decree that any family possessing reading glasses should present them to the court, as they were of great use. Of course, the court wouldn’t take them for free and would symbolically pay two hundred taels of silver.
In a few days, the court received nine pairs of reading glasses, all donated by individuals who understood the situation and weren’t short on money, refusing the silver. Among these donors were Princess Changting and Princess He. The Emperor also offered his own pair of reading glasses, making it a total of ten.
The Emperor tasked the Crown Prince to personally deliver the ten pairs of reading glasses to Princess Changting’s residence and inform her and Lu Man about the matter. The Crown Prince first praised Jiang Zhanwei’s wisdom and strategy, then looked at Lu Man with satisfaction, commending her “ice-cold intelligence” and “extreme cleverness”, acknowledging her remarkable contribution to the court by creating such a miraculous tool.
Lu Man inwardly scoffed, thinking that Jiang Zhanwei was not a gentleman and is shameless. Claiming that he designed the camouflage uniforms, how audacious! If she had shared how to make the telescope with him earlier, he would probably shamelessly attribute its design to himself as well.
However, Lu Man truly had no intention of showcasing any more “extreme cleverness” outside the medical field. She quickly smiled and said, “Your Highness, you overpraise me. I don’t have many other talents, but I have an exceptional memory and hardly forget anything I see. I happened to come across the idea of a telescope in a miscellaneous book in my childhood. When I saw the reading glasses from the foreign lands recently, it triggered my memory of that book. I thought I’d give it a try, never expecting it would actually work out.”
The Crown Prince laughed heartily, “Having an exceptional memory is indeed a great skill. I will credit your contribution to Jiang Zhanwei, further advancing his future.”
While Lu Man smiled outwardly, inside she was silently criticizing. Ancient customs revolved around the idea of husband’s glory and wife’s honor, attributing a wife’s accomplishments to her husband in hopes of his promotion and wealth accumulation to benefit the entire family.
There’s an ancient saying, “Regret teaching your husband to seek titles and positions”. Another one goes, “Promote to riches, and the wife will suffer”. Both phrases convey the same message: the higher the husband climbs, the less pleasant the wife’s life becomes. The stark difference in ideology between ancient and modern times on this matter surprisingly aligns, showcasing the universal truth of this principle.
Where is the justice in not rewarding the wife for her achievements but instead crediting them to the husband? Even a gesture of rewarding her with some gold, silver, or jewelry could have filled her pockets. It’s truly exasperating!
The Crown Prince’s actions hinted at a close relationship with Jiang Zhanwei in private, seizing every opportunity to elevate his status…
Lu Man pondered these thoughts but dared not voice them, even when intoxicated, and had to express gratitude to the Crown Prince for his care towards Jiang Zhanwei. Princess Changting was delighted and, after the Crown Prince’s departure, presented Lu Man with two sets of gem-encrusted jade headpieces, four pieces of embroidered satin, and a small sandalwood and jade low table.
Upon returning to Donghui Courtyard, Lu Man immediately instructed Liu Xin to secretly make ten copper tubes. Only yesterday afternoon, the ten telescopes were completed and taken to Crane Hall. Princess Changting personally delivered them to the palace that afternoon despite the rain.
Princess Changting returned in the evening. Concerned about Lu Man venturing out in the rain with her pregnant belly, she visited Donghui Courtyard specifically. Her eyes gleamed with laughter as she recounted the scene of the Emperor and several senior officials examining the telescopes, mimicking their expressions, “Haha, Old Man Xie nearly threw out his back, Duke Anguo and Minister Zhou were speechless. They all said with these miraculous tools in the Dachun army, defeating the enemy was imminent. The Emperor was overjoyed, it’s been years since I’ve seen him laugh so heartily…”
Both the Princess and Lu Man knew that if General Xie discovered the telescope in Jiang Zhanwei’s possession, he would undoubtedly seize it without hesitation. Hence, the elderly lady specifically informed the Emperor that one pair of the ten telescopes must be given to Jiang Zhanwei.
Due to the Emperor’s happiness, he rewarded Lu Man with two large carriages of various items, including utensils, ornaments, and brocades, all sent to Donghui Courtyard by Princess Changting.
Lu Man estimated the value of these items to be over a thousand taels of silver. While not materialistic, she knew that some expenses would be required for the expansion of Tongren Hall. Items with markings could not be sold, but those without markings could still be traded.
Lu Man set aside her medical book and walked to the window, watching the fine raindrops falling from the sky, landing on trees and the cobblestone path. The rain trickled down the leaves and eaves, forming small puddles, mingling with the vibrant red hues and fallen leaves in the courtyard. The spring breeze carried the fragrant scent of flowers and grass, creating a moist atmosphere.
Pondering the slightly pale complexion of the Crown Prince, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he might have some hidden ailment. She wondered if he was aware of it or undergoing secretive treatment.
In the presence of Princess Changting, she suppressed the urge to speak out. If the Crown Prince was unaware and she revealed it, she might gain recognition. However, if the Crown Prince, the Emperor, and the Empress were already aware but wished to keep it confidential, interfering might bring misfortune upon herself.
Suddenly, she felt discomfort in her abdomen, sensing something stirring inside. Furrowing her brow, she realized – it must be fetal movements!
Experiencing her child’s first movements, she was overwhelmed with excitement, tears welling up in her eyes. She gently caressed her belly, wanting to relish once more in that magical and exciting sensation.