Chapter 76: Crystal Ball

Returning to the office in Jingxing Fang, Wen Gu took out paper and drew a new sketch.

What he drew was not the full view of the long bridge, but this section of the flying bridge that spanned between the two wards.

After finishing the drawing, he set it aside and Wen Gu began to ponder the information he had gathered about the Pei Family.

Because Pei Jing had suffered a dangerous illness in his childhood, his physique was different from his brother's; he was not of the robust type. But he was not exactly frail either.

The Pei Family's genes were indeed strong; Pei Jing had survived the dangerous illness of his early years, and even if he was not strong enough, he was still stronger than the average scholar.

Outwardly, he looked at most like a delicate man of letters, but if his constitution were truly frail, he would not have lasted until now.

At the beginning of the chaotic times, the Pei Family was still in the Imperial Capital; that was the time of greatest pressure, and also a test of spirit and physique—only by enduring it could one survive.

He also truly had talent; after all, he had once intended to pursue the imperial examinations, and coming from a family of merit and nobility, his knowledge in culture and art was not comparable to that of an ordinary scholar.

Not bad, not bad!

Wen Gu looked at the sky outside; there was still some time before the ward gates closed, so he wrote a name card.

When Pei Jing had come to Jingxing Fang before, he had left an address.

Wen Gu had Chang Shun make a trip to the Pei Family.

The two sides were not yet very familiar, and it was a family of merit and nobility with certain formalities, so he first wrote a name card. It was just to set a time and see if it was convenient for the host.

Chang Shun was quick; he returned after just delivering the name card, his expression strange.

"What's wrong?" Wen Gu asked him.

Chang Shun looked around; there was no one else, so he lowered his voice and told him what he had seen and heard while going to the Pei Family.

"Patrol Guard Pei has returned..."

That was Pei Jing's older brother, Pei Jun, the chief official of the Patrol Guard Division; rumor had it he was a ruthless man.

To be able to become the chief official of the new military organization established by the Zhao Family not only showed that he was trusted, but also that he had great means.

"There was a sound of ghosts wailing and wolves howling inside, both men and women; it seemed like someone wanted to curse, but it was as if their mouths were quickly covered..."

"This servant didn't enter the courtyard and didn't dare to look too much, so I just delivered the card and came back. However, thinking back carefully, at the time, it seemed I heard a little... sound of fists and feet hitting flesh."

Wen Gu nodded secretly.

He really was a ruthless man.

It was just that, I'm afraid the time to go to the Pei Family would have to be postponed.

"The timing isn't right."

The Pei Family was clearly in a period of erupting family conflict; the next few days should not be suitable.

Just as he was thinking, someone from the Pei Family delivered Pei Jing's reply card.

Wen Gu had originally thought Pei Jing would set the time for several days later, but upon opening it:

"Tomorrow?"

The Pei Family's family conflict went from eruption to resolution so quickly?

The Pei Family's eldest is worthy of being someone who could become the chief official of the Patrol Guard Division at a young age; he is truly efficient!

I wonder how much of his older brother's skill Pei Jing has learned.

Wen Gu rubbed his hands together, filled with anticipation.

Recruit him, recruit him!

His status is sufficient, his learning is sufficient, he can withstand pressure; if he also has some means, he is just right!

Wen Gu ran to the storeroom to carefully select a set of small gifts, all related to books and paintings—

Several relatively rare pigments, a few bound notebooks convenient for recording, plus two charcoal pencils swiped from the Daoist Priest.

With the Pei Family's wealth, they were not lacking in good things. Novel things were instead more suitable.

It would also allow Young Master Pei to experience the cultural characteristics of their Jingqing Two Wards.

The next day, Wen Gu brought his accompanying staff and the carefully selected small gifts to pay a visit.

There were already servants waiting at the entrance of the Pei Residence.

Pei Jing had specifically sent people to wait here, and upon seeing Wen Gu, they led him directly to the courtyard where Pei Jing lived.

Today, the Pei Residence was extremely quiet.

The servants were all well-behaved, not daring to glance around, let alone whisper to each other.

Each courtyard was also quiet.

Throughout the entire residence, there seemed to be a lingering aura of fear.

Among the information Wen Gu had gathered, the Pei Family had more servants than this; looking so deserted now, perhaps they were honestly staying indoors, or perhaps... they had been cleared out.

Thinking of what Chang Shun said when he returned yesterday.

This situation must be the result of the Pei Family's eldest's violent rectification.

Pei Jing was in his own study at this time.

There was a piece of drawing paper spread out on the table, but it was only sketched with a few strokes and not continued.

Pei Jing sat by the table, playing with a crystal stone.

Hearing the movement outside, Pei Jing withdrew his focus, a polite smile appeared on his face, and he stood up to welcome him.

They exchanged a few pleasantries.

Pei Jing said: "My elder brother is busy with official business and went to the Outer City District early this morning; he is not at home. My father accidentally fell and broke his leg yesterday and still needs to rest."

Wen Gu also followed up by saying: "Then I won't disturb the old gentleman."

"I have been quite neglectful."

"You are too polite."

Today, the atmosphere of the entire Pei Residence was somewhat stiff, and Pei Jing seemed to be distracted by family matters, so Wen Gu did not bring up other topics.

"I came here today to seek Brother Pei's help!"

"Oh? I wonder what is troubling Brother Wen?"

The two walked into the study.

Inside the study, a charcoal brazier was placed, using high-quality Smokeless Charcoal.

The room was warmed up.

A portion of the skylights and windows used Bright Tile; although its light transmission was not as good as Glass, it was much better than window paper and could also block wind and rain.

This was also a luxury item, especially in the current chaotic times; without a certain level of wealth and status, one simply could not afford to use it.

Two of the windows used Window Gauze.

With Epidemic Qi rising everywhere, it was fine to close the windows when the weather was cold, but when it was hot, closing the windows felt truly stifling, yet one dared not open them often; thus, more and more people used expensive gauze fabrics to replace window paper, covering the windows. It allowed light and air to pass through while blocking strong winds.

Households with the means would add another layer of window shutters, which could be closed tightly when necessary.

Arriving at the desk, Wen Gu took out the drawing and let Pei Jing see the flying bridge he had drawn.

Regarding the architectural structure, there were professional craftsmen to analyze it; he had indeed come to see Pei Jing today to seek advice from an artistic perspective on what kind of modifications should be made.

Pei Jing listened as Wen Gu introduced some of the questionable parts of the drawing.

Hearing that the flying bridge would also require crystal-type decorations, Pei Jing had an attendant bring over a large wooden box; he opened it, and inside were Water Jade Crystal of various sizes, colors, and styles.

In a period when gold, silver, and jewelry were greatly devalued, these things, which many considered flashy and impractical, were indeed far less valuable than before, but those of high quality were still favored by the nobility.

Pei Jing let Wen Gu play with these crystals first while he took a closer look at the blueprints.

The study became quiet.

Wen Gu sat to one side, looking at the various crystal products in the box.

In this era, some people called things with pure qualities Glass, such as high-transparency Crystal, or even certain Glazed Ware.

"Striking the jade chime makes a sound through the forest, suddenly it makes the sound of Glass shattering on the ground." This might be referring to Crystal.

Pei Jing was someone who really liked Water Jade Crystal, that is, natural Crystal and similar gemstones.

Compared to those gemstones with richer colors, Pei Jing preferred the noble and elegant nature of Water Jade, which was like ice.

Wen Gu looked at the exquisite art pieces of this era in the box and couldn't help but marvel in his heart.

Natural Crystal mostly inevitably had flaws, such as deep or shallow color bands, associated minerals and inclusions, ice cracks, or cotton-like textures, and so on.

Some flaws were indeed flaws, but there were other flaws that, after being handled by craftsmen, became a part of the art just right.

Under conditions without high-precision professional equipment, the carving and polishing were so fine, the curves smooth, and the surfaces flat and bright; he had to admire the aesthetics and craftsmanship of the top-tier artisans.

He sincerely hoped that more of these artistic treasures of the era could be passed down to a thousand years later, allowing future generations to marvel at them.

Immediately, Wen Gu thought again that Pei Jing's outstanding artistic talent and the excellent aesthetics cultivated by a noble family would surely contribute to the development of the Jingqing Two Wards!

At the desk, while Pei Jing studied the blueprints, he also kept an eye on Wen Gu's movements.

Seeing that Wen Gu was merely appreciating the box of crystal treasures without being greedy, Pei Jing felt even more that this person, Wen Gu, possessed high integrity and a pure spirit.

Thus, he felt at ease to study the blueprints.

What Wen Gu had drawn was a section of a flying bridge.

Flying pavilions and Covered Walkway had existed since ancient times.

The Wanfu Garden building complex about to be constructed in Jingxing Fang also had flying bridges connecting the buildings; for the aristocratic families, they had seen plenty of them.

Spanning across two wards, however, was rare.

After looking at the design drawings, Pei Jing had a rough idea in his heart.

It was just that there were still some things on this drawing he couldn't understand, such as the side of this flying bridge, which didn't look like a railing.

He looked up, about to discuss it with Wen Gu, only to find that Wen Gu's attention was on a certain treasure, and he was extremely engrossed.

Wen Gu was originally looking at these treasures one by one with the eye of an appreciator of classical art.

Crystals of different transparencies had been made into all sorts of handicrafts.

There were also some simple crystal balls, ranging from various colored crystals full of unique textures to almost pure, transparent, colorless Crystal.

After being polished round by craftsmen, even just looking at them, one could feel that cool and delicate texture.

Thinking of what was being developed within Qingyun Fang, Wen Gu carefully selected from the pile of treasures those crystal products with high transparency and fewer cotton-like textures and inclusions.

Until he saw a crystal ball the size of a goose egg.

In this jewelry box, the owner had placed them in different positions according to their preferences.

Logically speaking, this crystal ball was large enough and clear, with no flocculent matter, cracks, or spots inside; compared to another slightly smaller crystal ball, it should have received more favor from the owner.

However, the reality was not so; its placement was in a corner easily overlooked.

That is to say, the owner did not often take it out to play with, and the degree of affection was limited.

The first moment Wen Gu saw it, he had a sense of familiarity, and his heart jumped violently.

Viewed alone, it was indeed clear and transparent enough, but when placed together with other colorless, transparent crystal products, one could feel a slight tint of color.

Wen Gu picked up this crystal ball to feel it carefully, then walked to the side.

Sunlight passed through the Window Gauze, casting a hazy golden light.

Wen Gu opened the window a crack to let the sunlight shine directly in.

He looked at the refracted light and colors before closing the window properly.

Seeing Pei Jing's questioning gaze looking over, Wen Gu asked:

"Brother Pei, would it be convenient to borrow some drawing paper?"

Pei Jing pulled out a sheet of paper: "Please, go ahead."

He also took out a brush and an Inkstone.

But Wen Gu did not use the brush provided by Pei Jing; instead, he took out the Charcoal Pencil he carried with him and drew a thin black line on the paper.

Pei Jing had seen Wen Gu use a Charcoal Pencil the first time he went to Jingxing Fang, so he was not surprised; he just didn't understand what Wen Gu was doing now.

Wen Gu drew the line, held the transparent crystal ball in his hand, placed it on the paper, and changed angles to look at the black line on the paper. Following that, he changed to another crystal ball from the box, repeated the previous action, and then picked up the first one again.

His gaze gradually grew fiery, scorching.

Wen Gu looked at the crystal-clear "Crystal" ball in his hand, feeling at this moment that it was so enchanting! So dazzling! It made his heart race!

The "race" of a pleasant surprise.

The "jump" of a disco dance.

Pei Jing was completely bewildered by this series of actions from Wen Gu; if Wen Gu truly liked this Crystal ball, he could simply give it to him.

Pei Jing had an impression of that Crystal ball; it had been presented by a servant, but his fondness for it was average, and he felt no reluctance to give it away.

Thinking this, Pei Jing spoke up: "Brother Wen? If you like this object..."

Wen Gu looked over, his eyes shining: "Friend, have you ever heard of the Birefringence of crystals?"

(End of this chapter)