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Lu Man, worried that the others might accidentally drop the telescope, took it from them herself after letting Mama Wang, Liu Ya, Tao, and Xing have a look. As expected, they were startled, with Mama Wang even jolting her old back and needing support from Xing, asking what kind of magical tool it was.
With a smile, Lu Man didn’t explain and hurriedly went to the Crane Hall.
She confided in Princess Changting about the marvelous use of the telescope, emphasizing its military significance and urging her to keep it confidential for the time being. However, Princess Changting was skeptical, exclaiming, “What telescope? You’re talking about the Thousand-Mile Eye, a skill possessed only by the Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and celestial beings.” She glanced disdainfully at the long tube in Lu Man’s hands and remarked, “This tube as the Thousand-Mile Eye? Are you still half-asleep?”
Lu Man playfully led Princess Changting outside the Gate and pointed to a distant grove in the west, asking, “Grandmother, what do you see there?”
Princess Changting replied, “I see trees and a pavilion nearby.”
Lu Man then handed the telescope to Princess Changting, instructing her to close one eye and look through it. Princess Changting was astonished, exclaiming, “Oh my, Deyu and He are playing at that pavilion. Why do their heads look down and feet up? Could it be that I’m seeing things?”
She then moved away from the telescope to look around without it, seeing nothing clearly beyond the grove and the pavilion. Grabbing Lu Man’s hand, she looked through the telescope again for a while, still in disbelief. She then sent Guo to the pavilion to verify if Deyu and He were indeed there.
Just as Guo was probably reaching the pavilion, Lu Man encouraged Princess Changting to look again. To her surprise, in addition to the people she had initially spotted, Guo was also present in the pavilion.
Finally convinced, Princess Changting marveled, “Heavens, this thing truly is the Thousand-Mile Eye! It just shows people and objects upside down.”
Feeling a bit bewildered and surreal, she held Lu Man’s hand and rotated the telescope once more, finally accepting that the copper tube in her hand was indeed the Thousand-Mile Eye.
In a hushed tone, Lu Man explained, “Although things appear upside down when viewed through this, they are still clear. This tool is made for Third Young Master, aiding him in battles. However, it’s best if only you know about this for now, Grandmother, so let’s keep it a secret.”
Princess Changting found Lu Man’s caution unnecessary, unable to fathom why she would be foolish enough to disclose such information. She remarked, “Of course, we can’t reveal this treasure. If others found out, they might demand it from Zhanwei.” She then pondered, “How did granddaughter-in-law come by such a miraculous treasure?”
Lu Man explained, “I came across a method in a miscellaneous book when I was young and made it myself…”
Upon Guo’s return, Lu Man let Wang Qian and Guo each take a look through the telescope, which startled them both. Guo even exclaimed, “Oh my, thanks to the blessings of Princess Changting and the light from Third Young Madam, our family has become like divine beings!”
The grandmother and granddaughter returned to the main room, avoiding speaking to the old Marquis, fearing he might accidentally damage the telescope.
Princess Changting’s gaze towards Lu Man became more approving and affectionate, believing that Lu Man truly was a lucky star with intelligence and blessings beyond her imagination. The likelihood of her grandson’s safe return seemed even greater now…
In her joy, Princess Changting was generous and had Guo fetch a pair of floor lamps with glass covers from her private treasury to be sent directly to Donghui Courtyard. These lamps were usually reserved for major festivals or significant events.
Although Lu Man admired these modern lamps greatly, she hesitated to accept them.
Princess Changting reassured her, “Take them. These lamps are from my private treasury, not the public one.” She added, “I regret what you’ve been through. Zhanwei took you in for your grandfather’s sake, and you cured his illness and saved Zhanyan. It’s unfortunate that due to that muddled Hong, you had to endure separation and hardship. Despite being illegitimate children, Zhanwei’s siblings grew up in luxury. The tens of thousands of taels of silver may not last a lifetime, especially with so many to support. On the day you move, each of you will receive a generous red packet. Even though you’ve separated, I still have private funds and will distribute some to you before my passing. My private funds are substantial, but my sons are oblivious…”
Lu Man was astounded, tens of thousands of taels of silver were considered impoverished! Poverty truly limited her imagination.
On the nineteenth day of the month, Lu Man sent out invitations for the move the following day. Due to the lack of adult males at home and limited acquaintances, she only invited Lady Yang, Lady Min, and specifically sent an invitation to Song Mo for an important matter.
Since the end of last month, Lady Min hadn’t visited for medication or acupuncture from Lu Man. Lu Man suspected that Lady Min might be pregnant but didn’t want to announce it just yet.
In the early morning, Lu Man sent Liu Xin out of the city once again to deliver a message to Jiang Zhanwei. Along with the message, is the unique and precious telescope from the Dachun Dynasty, along with nineteen pairs of cotton boots and nineteen sets of undergarments. The number nineteen had a special meaning, as in the past, it was believed to signify longevity.
Jiang Zhanwei mentioned that by the end of the year, his battalion would head to the border, spending years on the road. He anticipated that his stay in the outskirts of the capital wouldn’t exceed ten days. Despite military orders being stringent, he expressed his determination to overcome all obstacles, return home, reconcile with Lu Man, and potentially have a child. However, with military duties looming large, his return before departure remained uncertain.
For many days now, Lu Man found herself thinking almost every night about Jiang Zhanwei, reflecting on his virtues and Princess Changting’s kindness. The more she contemplated his virtues, the more she regretted, realizing the hardships he had endured over the past nineteen years. His life had been devoid of sunlight, burdened with early plans for success and responsibilities for his siblings’ upbringing. Even when he ventured out, escaping familial control, it was due to Princess Changting’s guilt, the old Marquis’s coma, and Marquis Jiang’s lack of understanding of his true self. If not for the old Marquis’s coma, pressuring him to withdraw from his original engagement and marry a politically advantageous bride, one could only imagine the extent of his suppression.
The thought of him not returning before departing or worse, meeting his end in battle and never returning, sent shivers down Lu Man’s spine.
Reflecting on it, she realized she should have accepted him, even if remnants of hatred and resentment lingered. If he didn’t return, she could let those feelings fade away with longing. If he did return, she would find a way to reconcile…
In the evening, Orchid Pavilion was aglow with lights, and several large parcels were placed on the brick bed in the eastern wing. Most of Lu Man’s belongings and those of the younger siblings had already been moved to Donghui Courtyard, with only a few remaining items to be taken the next day.
Liu Xin also hurried back from the military camp.