novelraw Chapter 94: Year-End Gifts
Chapter 94: Year-End Gifts
Chapter 94: Year-End Gifts
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Chapter 94: Year-End Gifts
Wengu presented the year-end gift he had prepared for Madam Shen.
It was in a wooden box, with two layers, each containing an item.
The top layer held a magnifying glass with its frame and handle inlaid with gemstones, exquisitely crafted.
Magnifying glasses were not uncommon among the upper class, and Madam Shen had heard of them, though she hadn't seen one before.
Previously, they were small objects made from polished, clear, natural colorless crystals, used by artisans and handled with fingertips.
However, the magnifying glass Wengu presented was much larger, yet its size was just right. Too large would seem cumbersome.
Madam Shen was delighted to receive this small item. She played with it for a moment before looking at the wooden box. "What about the bottom layer?"Wengu opened the partition, revealing a cloth bag. He took out a small, equally exquisite, circular object. At first glance, it looked like a pendant:
"This is a 'Duan Rong Mirror'," he said, opening the outer cover to reveal the mirror surface. "It can be hung on the head of a fan or tied to a handkerchief for easy carrying."
Madam Shen took it with curiosity.
The mirror's surface was bright and clear, superior even to a newly forged bronze mirror.
In the short moment she held it, Madam Shen's mind raced.
Having come from a merchant family and received education in the upper echelons of Xin Prefecture, she understood without Wengu's detailed explanation how to leverage this item for greater profit.
"You've worked hard!" Madam Shen said.
She knew Wengu had put considerable effort into creating these two items in Qingyun District, and now he had achieved such results.
Wengu said with some regret, "However, the current craftsmanship is still limited. The mirrors, with proper care, can only last a few months to a year. Mass production is also not feasible, and manufacturing is rather troublesome. Currently, only Qingyun Temple can refine them."
Madam Shen smiled, "It's fine."
For people of status, this was not a problem at all.
Using something for a few months before replacing it, and the exclusivity of "having what others don't," could further showcase their status and satisfy the vanity of rich households. Many of them also hoarded vast amounts of money and grain.
Wengu had also prepared gifts for his cousin and nephew, which Madam Shen would arrange to be sent.
Putting the matter of the mirrors aside, Madam Shen began discussing the Zhao family's New Year banquet with Wengu.
The New Year's Eve family reunion was secondary; the main event was the grand banquet on the first day of the New Year.
Many important figures, including nobles and wealthy households, would be invited for the New Year celebration.
These wealthy individuals, at home, used honeycomb coal stoves with copper pots, dipping food in sauces. When fresh wild rabbit meat was available, they would have it with their ‘Dianxia’ tribute.
Amidst the various epidemics outside, in such an environment, people of status increasingly favored hot food.
Regardless of the occasion, warm food provided them with a sense of security.
Hot pot was not a novelty for people of status. In the most prosperous streets of the Imperial Capital in the past, there were even shops specializing in such warm pots.
During winter or periods of widespread epidemics, people would set up a small warm pot at home to cook and eat vegetables.
For the current Zhao family banquet, being held in winter, hot pot and cooked food were naturally preferred.
Wengu had previously offered some suggestions, leading to the urgent crafting of a batch of charcoal-fired copper pots, which could be used for such large-scale banquets.
The food served at the banquet could not be too meager.
Although it was winter, vegetables still had to be prepared.
"Tang Hua" and "Nuan Shi" - greenhouse cultivation techniques had existed for a long time.
This past autumn and winter, Madam Shen had instructed people to cultivate vegetables in the greenhouse early. After the glass windows were installed, the greenhouse was immediately renovated, with stronger light permeability allowing the greenhouse vegetables to grow faster and become plumper.
Although the taste still couldn't compare to seasonal vegetables, it was an unprecedented advantage in winter!
This year would suffice; after supplying the banquet, personal consumption, and gifts, they could be consumed.
Next year, they could expand the scale and bring some to the market for sale.
Winter greenhouse vegetables would undoubtedly be expensive, affordable only to the wealthy.
Wengu had heard many rumors from the marketplace—
When some people first pledged allegiance to the Zhao family, they exchanged large amounts of supplies for Xin Prefecture Money Certificates. At that time, their intention was to offer tribute, and they never expected to spend all the money certificates they acquired.
They lacked nothing in terms of food and clothing, and with nowhere to spend, the large sums of money certificates they held were used to prop up table legs, as toilet paper, and rumor had it, a few fools even burned money certificates while drunk. Now, they regretted it deeply.
According to marketplace rumors, during the period when glass windows were first introduced, there were people being beaten at home, crying loudly.
Tietou entered the room with Wengu, holding a carrying case. When a maid came to take it, he avoided her.
It wasn't until Wengu finished his conversation with Madam Shen and received a message from his uncle's side asking him to come over that he handed the case to Tietou.
Wengu took the carrying case and said to Tietou, "You go back to the courtyard first."
They had a small courtyard in the Zhao Residence where they stayed overnight.
Madam Shen said, "Let him stay and keep me company for a while. I'll have someone take him back later. You go to your uncle's place first."
Madam Shen's gaze briefly lingered on the carrying case in Wengu's hand. Just as she was about to offer to have someone carry it for him, she met Wengu's eyes.
At this moment, a brief exchange passed between aunt and nephew.
Madam Shen didn't press further and changed the subject, asking a trusted female attendant to personally escort Wengu to the Zhao Family Head's courtyard.
Of course, Wengu knew the way; it was just that during the New Year period, there were many people coming and going, and it was to prevent any troublemakers from causing issues.
On the way to his uncle's, the female attendant informed Wengu that the inspections at the Family Head's residence had been stricter these past few days.
Upon entering the Family Head's courtyard, any dangerous weapons or carried gifts had to be handed over to the steward on the spot or inspected after being opened.
After escorting Wengu to his destination, the female attendant, unable to linger, quickly returned.
Wengu looked at the large courtyard, which he had visited a few times before.
Indeed, as the female attendant had said, the inspections were stricter, and security had been increased.
At such times, one truly couldn't underestimate human nature, and strengthening security was a good measure.
Wengu set down his "Cen Tai" sword, which he carried with him.
However, he showed no intention of relinquishing the carrying case in his hand.
He walked over and asked the steward responsible for reception, "Is Butler Fusheng here?"
He was inquiring about the trusted head steward by the Zhao Family Head's side.
Meanwhile, in the study of the courtyard, the Zhao Family Head was signing a document – appropriating funds to establish a branch of Centai Academy.
Old Master Hong had visited him a few days prior to discuss establishing the academy, with the nudge of that Wengu kid behind him.
He wasn't angry about this.
Glass and honeycomb coal stoves had greatly eased their burden of supporting the army, preventing him from holding a grudge against Wengu for such a matter.
He simply found the kid quite interesting and capable of causing trouble.
However, young people were sometimes too impetuous and needed a reminder. Not everyone living in Xin Prefecture City was of the same mind.
Drawing too much hatred made one prone to suffering losses.
"The tallest tree in the forest will be battered by the wind."
Wengu didn't have any other close elders, so as his uncle, he felt obligated to provide a reminder.
Therefore, upon learning that Wengu had arrived at the Zhao Residence, he had someone summon Wengu over for a chat.
He likely wouldn't have time for a private conversation in the coming days; he should take this chance to talk to the kid.
At this moment, someone approached and whispered something to Fusheng, who was nearby.
Fusheng's expression showed surprise.
"What is it?" the Zhao Family Head asked.
Fusheng quickly approached and whispered Wengu's request to the Family Head.
Upon hearing this, the Zhao Family Head raised his eyebrows. "No need for inspection. Let him come directly in."
He then signaled for the guards standing nearby to retreat further.
Soon after, Wengu arrived with the carrying case.
Wengu glanced around. Besides Butler Fusheng, there were no other outsiders.
Wengu smiled at the Zhao Family Head. "A New Year's gift for you. I'm sure you'll like it! I prepared it for a long time, and the kiln wasn't able to produce it. Fortunately, it's finally successful!"
The carrying case was somewhat large. As Wengu brought it over, the Zhao Family Head and Butler Fusheng, due to their ingrained perceptions, assumed the item inside was not heavy. However, when Wengu placed the case down, even with a gentle movement, the slight sound of the carrying case touching the wooden table signaled to the two insiders its weight.
The Zhao Family Head and Butler Fusheng shared the same thought: "We should have gone to receive it just now!"
Wengu placed the carrying case down and explained, "It's inconvenient to let others handle it, and it's not suitable for public display, so I brought it directly."
The topic the Zhao Family Head had prepared was temporarily set aside.
He knew that the kilns in Qingyun District were still firing glass, and the artisans were continuously studying and polishing glass.
Many of the gifts Wengu had given out this year were also glass items.
Originally, the Zhao Family Head expected Wengu's year-end gift this year to be some glass ornament. Now, judging by Wengu's demeanor, it was likely something more profound!
Wengu opened the box. "I wasn't sure if it could be made before, so I didn't mention it to you. Now it seems that experienced old craftsmen have steady hands! Coupled with some luck, we managed to complete it before the New Year!"
The carrying case was also divided into two layers. He opened the lid of the upper layer, revealing a long tube inside.
"What is this?" the Zhao Family Head asked.
"This item is called a 'Kui Tong', also known as a telescope or a long-distance telescope. During my travels..."
...
Young Master Zhao, after seeing off another group of guests, went to sit with Madam Shen. They were chatting about the magnifying glass and Duan Rong Mirror that Wengu had given Madam Shen.
Butler Fusheng approached and said that the Family Head had asked the Young Master to come over. He wore a suitable New Year's festive expression, showing no signs of abnormality.
However, his appearance at this moment indicated that there was another important matter involved.
Madam Shen asked no further questions, only inquiring, "Where is Wengu? Have him come back to chat with me."
Fusheng showed no unusual reaction and replied respectfully, "Young Master Biao is discussing some interesting stories from his travels with the Master. The Master said that the Young Master should also come and listen."
Madam Shen's heart was put at ease.
After Young Master Zhao left, she had someone send some pastries to Tietou. Wengu was likely to be in discussion for some time, and Tietou shouldn't go hungry.
Young Master Zhao hurried towards his father's courtyard and found it unusually quiet outside.
It wasn't that no one was there, but the guards seemed to have received orders not to let others approach and appeared unusually stern.
When Young Master Zhao arrived, his attendant was stopped a considerable distance away.
Young Master Zhao was puzzled.
He had left here just an hour ago, and it wasn't like this then.
He felt a sense of awe and had his attendant and guards wait outside.
Upon entering the courtyard, he was informed that the Family Head and Wengu were on the second floor of the study.
Young Master Zhao's confusion deepened.
Still upstairs?
He quickly went upstairs. Upon entering the room, he saw his father not in his wheelchair but pacing the room with his hands behind his back, breathing heavily.
Young Master Zhao's confusion intensified.
What was going on? Was something major happening?
But then he saw the other person sitting in the room... Wengu was leisurely sipping tea nearby.
That meant it wasn't bad news!
Young Master Zhao looked at his father.
As the head of Xin Prefecture, the Zhao Family Head's legs had been injured and were undergoing treatment, with gradual improvement. Normally, his father used a small wheelchair for mobility outside, and he minimized the use of his legs indoors, apart from rehabilitation exercises.
He would sit whenever possible, to protect his legs, and he avoided going upstairs.
Young Master Zhao had always thought his father's recovery was limited, but now, he appeared to be walking briskly and nimbly?!
What kind of medical miracle was this!
(End of Chapter)