NOVGO.NET Chapter 857 - 19: I Really Must Thank Them
Chapter 857: Chapter 19: I Really Must Thank Them
The emperor was currently standing in front of an immense mirror, tidying up his appearance.
Sun Kui stood behind the emperor, watching as the emperor occasionally touched his chin, raised his eyebrows, and patted his face, exclaiming in admiration every now and then.
"I never realized I was this handsome."
"Your Majesty, you are the most handsome under heaven," Sun Kui flattered, albeit somewhat perfunctorily. Ever since Prince Han sent this large mirror, the emperor had been admiring himself every day before court, praising his looks.
How had he not noticed before just how... as Prince Han once put it, how vain the emperor was?
Even after court, the emperor would come to preen before the mirror. No, any free time he had, he spent admiring his own beauty in front of the mirror.
Right, there was also a large mirror like this in the Imperial Study. The emperor specifically commissioned it so he could admire his own beauty while in the Imperial Study.
Still appreciating his own beauty in the mirror, the emperor remarked, "This brat, Xiao Shi, really outdid himself with this mirror; it reflects my perfect face so clearly."
"Prince Han is really remarkable to have made such a clear mirror." Recently, the glass and mirrors sent back by Prince Han had been... nothing short of a sensation throughout the capital.
That glass was more brilliant and exquisite than glaze, more vibrant in color. The first time he saw it, he couldn’t believe his eyes.
Even before going to Lingnan, Prince Han had created many astonishing things; it was unexpected that after going there, the things he made were even more impressive. Indeed, Prince Han had once said he would make things that would astound people. Now, Prince Han had achieved just that.
Some time ago, the emperor rewarded some officials with glass, which delighted them no end, and left them both jaw-dropped and eyes widened.
The entire court knew of Prince Han’s talent for crafting things, but they never expected him to produce glass more exquisite than glaze, or a mirror akin to a Demon Mirror. How does Prince Han’s mind work, to create miraculous things every time?
Due to the glass and mirrors, Zhao Yao, seemingly banished to Lingnan by the emperor, became a sensation in the capital. Originally esteemed by the people for the new salt he developed, Zhao Yao’s standing had now soared even higher.
Whenever officials or common people mentioned Zhao Yao, they were full of praise, especially for his talent.
Zhao Yao himself hadn’t expected it; although he had previously invented new paper, a new loom, and the curved plow, none of these had won the officials over. Neither did his creation of new salt earn him much adulation. But the glass and mirrors? Those had completely won over the officials to his talent.
On hearing this, Zhao Yao simply said, "What the hell." Glass and mirrors were mere everyday items, whereas the new salt and new loom he created were truly beneficial for the country and people, yet the officials showed no regard. Zhao Yao was utterly baffled.
"Uncle, what on earth are these officials thinking?" Zhao Yao was quite exasperated.
He Lianfang looked at the fuming Zhao Yao and said with amusement, "Your talents are finally recognized by the officials; shouldn’t you be happy? What’s there to be angry about now?"
Zhao Yao laughed angrily, "Well, I really must thank them for recognizing my talent." Just after saying that, he sarcastically added, "It’s truly my honor, a great honor!"
"What’s there to be angry about?" He Lianfang asked, puzzled, as he looked at the livid Zhao Yao, "Don’t you not care about what the officials think of you?"
"I don’t care, but I’m still mad." Zhao Yao said indignantly, "I’ve created so many things beneficial to the country and the people, but to them, it was nothing; they never acknowledged the talent of the tenth prince. And now, because of the glass and mirrors, they suddenly see me in a new light. Can you believe that?"
"It’s simple, the glass and mirrors you made align more with what the officials find agreeable," He Lianfang said in a calm tone, "whereas the things you made before didn’t suit their tastes."