Plenty of Central Plains folk traveled to the Northwest. As long as their business wasn't directed against the Prince of Zhenxi's Manor, the manor had no interest in meddling. Zhao Yingjie had merely asked on a whim because he had just crossed swords with them, not out of any real desire to investigate.
The group soon returned to the manor, where they happened upon craftsmen arriving to report good news.
"Your Highness!" Catching sight of Wang Yu, two craftsmen hurried over, their eyes gleaming with excitement. "It worked! Your Highness, it worked!"
Everyone wore blank looks. What had worked for the prince?
Wang Yu's eyes alone lit up. "You made it?"
The craftsman on the left said excitedly, "It's colorless and completely transparent! Unless you touch it, you can't see it at all!"
The craftsman on the right chimed in, "And we can add all sorts of pigments to create multi-colored vessels—glittering, translucent, and breathtakingly gorgeous!"
Wang Yu asked, "Did you bring any finished pieces?"
"Yes, yes, yes!" The two nodded vigorously. "We made several vessels and brought them all along for Your Highness to inspect!"
"Let's go!" Wang Yu waved a hand, leading the party inside.
The moment they entered the manor, Qianqian came over to meet them, wearing an aggrieved pout. "Brother Yu went out strolling through the markets without me."
Wang Yu chuckled heartily, taking her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "My fault entirely. I'll give you something wonderful in a moment."
Qianqian threw him a coquettish glance. Not minding in the least, Wang Yu led everyone and the two craftsmen straight to the front hall, then instructed Zhao Shan, who had followed inside, to fetch Li Yunxiu from the rear courtyard.
A short while later, Li Yunxiu arrived. She found everyone gathered curiously around the two craftsmen, who held a pair of wooden boxes in their hands.
Zhao Shan had already briefed her on the way. Naturally knowing that the project Wang Yu had been working on of late had succeeded, and seeing that everyone had waited for her before opening the boxes, she glanced at Wang Yu with a faint smile in her eyes.
"Open them quickly and let's see. It looks like everyone is eager," Li Yunxiu said with a smile.
Wang Yu nodded and said to the two craftsmen, "Show me the finished wares."
"Yes!" The craftsman on the left opened his wooden box. The crowd leaned in, only to see three colorless, transparent cups resting on a bed of dried straw.
The craftsman introduced them proudly, "This is the One Dragon, Two Phoenixes Cloud-Heaven Cups, which I crafted with my own hands. May Your Highness and the two consort-princesses enjoy countless generations of enduring blessings."
The vessels consisted of one large cup and two smaller ones. Coiled around the large one was a winding dragon, while perched upon the two smaller ones were phoenixes. The craftsmanship was intricate and exquisite, delicate down to the finest detail. Yet none of that was the true marvel. The true marvel was...
Colorless! Fully transparent!
"Is this cut crystal?" Yuan Feifei asked in astonishment before shaking her head. "No, it's clearer than crystal!"
Zhao Yingjie had known Wang Yu was experimenting with something new, but he had never imagined the finished product would be so breathtaking—capable of using sand, earth, and lime to achieve an effect rivaling precious jewels and crystal.
"This came out of our workshops?" Zhao Yingjie asked Wang Yu.
"This is called colorless liuli." Wang Yu lifted the dragon cup from the box to examine it, nodding in satisfaction. "Well done. No bubbles, no impurities. This can certainly be considered a success."
Qianqian also picked up one of the phoenix cups, turning it over in her hands, unable to put it down. "It's so beautiful!"
Li Yunxiu's eyes shone brightly. She had assumed Wang Yu was trying to produce something akin to famous porcelain, never expecting him to craft treasures resembling liuli.
She knew full well that his raw ingredients were nothing more than sand and lime. Yet the resulting pieces were this exquisite—the potential profit was simply unimaginable.
Seeing Wang Yu and the others captivated by the transparent liuli, the other craftsman could no longer contain his eagerness and opened his own wooden box, revealing six colored cups in red, pink, blue, green, purple, and yellow, entwined respectively with depictions of a tiger, a horse, an eagle, a crane, a turtle, and a fish.
Beneath the sunlight shining in from outside the hall, they radiated brilliant, multicolored luster.
Exclamations of wonder broke out. While these colored cups were not as shocking as the colorless, transparent ones, their vibrant hues were even more dazzling and lovely to look upon.
"Good, very good." Wang Yu nodded repeatedly. Even in modern times, these would count as delicate handicrafts. While they might lack the meticulous, hand-carved perfection of ancient master craftsmen, the revolutionary material alone was enough to fetch an exorbitant price.
Wang Yu had never underestimated the wisdom and craftsmanship of the ancients. When touring museums in his past life, he had witnessed the uncanny, godlike skills of ancient artisans firsthand. All he could contribute was better production methods. As for the finished pieces...
They were far better than he had imagined!
"Reward them!" Wang Yu waved his hand generously. "Fifty taels for every craftsman involved, and two hundred taels each for the master craftsmen."
Overjoyed, the two craftsmen bowed in profuse gratitude.
***
With the perfume and iron-smelting workshops as prior precedents, the liuli workshop only required standard oversight. Aside from granting the rewards, Wang Yu did not fret over anything else, merely keeping several of the liuli cups for himself.
With another lucrative enterprise secured, the entire manor rejoiced, and Wang Yu arranged an evening banquet.
During the feast, however, Meng Zixiao announced her departure.
"All good things must come to an end. My thanks to Brother Zhao for your hospitality these past days. Now that my injuries have healed, I shall take my leave tomorrow morning," Meng Zixiao said, clasping her hands. "Once I return from the Northwest, I shall visit again."
Wang Yu was taken aback by her farewell. Beside him, Yuan Feifei chimed in, "We ran into that flower-plucking thief in the streets only this morning. Is it truly safe for you to leave tomorrow, Miss Meng?"
Meng Zixiao gave a hearty laugh and shook her head. "Last time was merely a lapse in vigilance on my part. If we truly clash, he is no match for me!"
A gleam flashed in Li Yunxiu's eyes, and she said with a gentle smile, "Since Miss Meng is resolute, I will not stand in your way. Tomorrow I shall prepare some clothes and traveling funds for your journey."
Meng Zixiao clasped her fists in thanks. "Much obliged, Princess. I won't stand on ceremony!"
Qianqian also raised her cup toward Meng Zixiao. "I'll see you off tomorrow."
"Wonderful!" Meng Zixiao agreed with a laugh. Aside from healing and sparring with Wang Yu, she had spent most of her leisure time with Qianqian, developing quite a close bond.
Wang Yu glanced between them before saying to Meng Zixiao, "It just so happens that our liuli succeeded today. More would be cumbersome to carry, but take this Purple Cloud Crane and Jasper Water Turtle. If you run short on silver, you can sell them."
Meng Zixiao looked at Wang Yu, her eyes curving into beaming crescents. "Thank you, Brother Zhao. If I sell these two cups, I could buy an entire estate in Shuzhong."
Wang Yu burst out laughing. "Then you'd better sell them early. Wait too long, and they might not be worth as much."
Once the liuli workshop went into full operation, even if they restricted output to maintain value, the increasing supply would inevitably erode the initial premium.
***
When the banquet ended, everyone dispersed.
Returning to the main courtyard, Wang Yu was still wondering if Li Yunxiu and Qianqian had guessed wrong.
Rubbing his hands together, he clicked his tongue. "What a pity. If I'd taken the gamble, maybe I would've gotten what I wanted."
Zhao Zheng was dead, so what did that have to do with him, Wang Yu? Li Yunxiu and Qianqian both knew his true identity, so he had no obligation to observe any year-long mourning period.
Just as he was thinking this, he saw Meng Zixiao walking over, sword in hand.
"Once we part tomorrow, who knows when we'll meet again? The moonlight is lovely tonight, so I've come for one final bout with Brother Zhao." Meng Zixiao gave a light flick of her sword-like brows, her voice ringing clear.
A spark stirred in Wang Yu's heart, and he smiled. "Splendid!"
Wang Yu retrieved his sword from the room and stepped out into the courtyard. Meng Zixiao drew her blade, its tip gleaming with silver light beneath the bright moon as it thrust straight toward him.
Wang Yu drew his sword across to parry. Meng Zixiao reversed her grip, sweeping an arc that bloomed into three illusory sword shadows from the opposite flank.
*Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—*
The two sparred under the moonlight, yet their blades did not clash a single time. Two figures shifted and leaped across the courtyard, painting the open space with a tempest of sword shadows—like galloping white steeds, like silver dragons writhing.
After a few moments of sparring, Meng Zixiao suddenly lashed out with a kick. Wang Yu scooped his arm under it, tucking her leg beneath his armpit. Meng Zixiao made no move to follow through with her sword; instead, she raised an eyebrow and teased, "Are my legs pleasing to the eye?"
Only then did Wang Yu realize that Meng Zixiao wore form-fitting martial attire tonight. Beneath her hem, her legs were exceptionally long and straight, and he could feel their taut, supple smoothness.
Meng Zixiao abruptly snapped her leg back, thrusting her sword at Wang Yu once more before spinning around to deliver a sweeping upward kick. Both legs whipped through the air like the wind, unleashing a display of extraordinary kicking technique.
Wang Yu's eyes lit up, and he teased, "I knew it would be a waste not to train those legs of yours in martial arts. Who knew you were keeping it tucked away all this time, only showing it off tonight?"
Meng Zixiao laughed. "If Brother Zhao can withstand my leg techniques, I shall reward you tonight."
Having sparred for days, they already shared an unspoken rapport. With Meng Zixiao's change of attire and Wang Yu's flirtatious banter, each understood the other's mind perfectly.
Wang Yu took two steps back, chuckling. "I won't be satisfied with any ordinary reward."
Meng Zixiao swept forward, having already cast aside her sword. Her legs moved like paired whips, crisscrossing with the fury of a whirlwind as she closed in.
Wang Yu sheathed his blade as well. Not being versed in unarmed combat, he used his palms in place of a sword to parry. Yet the moment they made contact, he discovered her legs carried no force at all—as though she were simply waiting for him to seize her.
The next instant, Meng Zixiao threw herself into Wang Yu's embrace.
"Brother Zhao wins." Allowing Wang Yu to hold both her leg and her hand, Meng Zixiao's eyes suddenly took on a sultry allure. "Brother Zhao wouldn't settle for an ordinary reward, but what reward do you desire?"
Wang Yu arched an eyebrow with a grin. "What reward can you give me?"
Meng Zixiao gently rested her other hand against his abdomen, drifting slightly upward before trailing slowly down. "Brother Zhao is wed to two stunning princess-consorts, yet you can only look and not touch. It breaks my heart to see."
The corner of Wang Yu's mouth twitched. Meng Zixiao continued, "I must leave tomorrow, so tonight I shall reward myself to Brother Zhao. From here on, let us forget each other in the martial world, and think of me no more."
Meng Zixiao leaned close, letting out a soft, breathy sigh. "Brother Zhao, carry me into the bedroom."
By now, her legs were split almost completely wide, her body pressed flush against his as she breathed out fragrant, delicate sighs. Wang Yu felt as though he were catching fire. Sweeping his arms around her, he leaped straight into the main bedchamber.
Wang Yu tossed Meng Zixiao onto the bed, then pressed his body over hers, nuzzling against her ear.
No longer forced to meet his gaze, a flash of disgust and murderous intent crossed Meng Zixiao's eyes. Yet from her lips slipped a soft moan as her legs clamped tightly around his waist. Her right hand, wrapped behind him, suddenly straightened into sword-fingers, thrusting viciously toward the Lingtai acupoint on his back.
Yet the moment she made her move, a sudden numbness bloomed at her own Lingtai acupoint. Her strength drained in an instant, and her body went limp.
Meng Zixiao was startled, but her composure instantly returned. "Brother Zhao, what is the meaning of this?"
Wang Yu propped himself up and looked down at her, a wicked smirk playing on his lips. "Forgive me, sister Xiao, but I rather prefer it when they can't move. You just lie back and enjoy; no need to tire yourself out."
Meng Zixiao tried frantically to dissuade him. "Brother Zhao, seeing you like this frightens me. Why don't you unseal my acupoint first? I promise not to make any sudden moves."
Wang Yu shook his head. "No, no. You said you were rewarding yourself to me tonight, so naturally I call the shots."
Meng Zixiao's mind raced, her tone softening further. "Since this is our one night of passion, won't Brother Zhao let me keep a pleasant memory?"
Wang Yu gave a flat refusal, chuckling, "You'll have a perfect memory."
"Wait!" Meng Zixiao halted him once more, scrambling for another excuse. But Wang Yu had no intention of waiting, reaching down to tug at her collar.
Right then, two sharp knocks sounded at the door.
The door was pushed wide open, and Li Yunxiu strolled inside. Her voice remained gentle, but murder burned in her eyes. "Were you truly planning to sleep with her?"
The next instant, the window on the other side flew open as well, revealing Qianqian's lovely face in the moonlight, caught between amusement and pique. "Brother Yu, you really aren't picky at all, are you?"
Chapter 46