Chapter Eighty-Three: The Magnifying Glass

In response to Fulai’s flattery, Li Yuechen merely smiled. “Let’s discuss this further when we return,” she said.

Then, turning back to the craftsman before her, she smiled warmly. “Well done! The next task is to remove the bubbles from within, and then shape it into a particular form.”

At this, Li Yuechen asked, “Bring me paper and brush.”

Fulai, ever attentive, quickly fetched them and placed them respectfully on the table.

Li Yuechen sketched a rough drawing of a magnifying glass and explained, “The handle here—speak to the carpenters in the Office of Crafts about it. As for the size, I have no special requirements; let it be about as large as in this drawing.”

After inspecting the design, the craftsman nodded slightly. “Your Highness, this isn’t difficult, but as for the bubbles…we are not sure how to remove them.”

“That’s simple!” Li Yuechen waved her hand dismissively. “Just stir it after it’s fired.”

“Stir…stir it?” The craftsman seemed taken aback, his expression questioning whether he had misheard.

Li Yuechen nodded. “Yes! Stirring will remove the bubbles, and if it does not, simply come and report back to me.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Seeing that everything was in order, Li Yuechen gave a few more instructions, then took the square piece of glass, intending to boast about it to Li Zhi.

Initially, she had planned to wait until the magnifying glass was finished, but on second thought, creating transparent glass was too momentous to keep secret.

So, she decided that the glory of announcing it should be hers.

With Fulai in tow, Li Yuechen made her way to the Hall of Benevolent Longevity. From afar, she saw Zhang Chengxin leading Zhong Cong out of the hall.

Spotting a little girl in bright red, her high ponytail bobbing, her features as delicate as a porcelain doll, Zhong Cong turned curiously, intending to ask who she was.

Before he could speak, Zhang Chengxin bowed low. “Your Highness!”

Realizing at once, Zhong Cong thought, So this is Princess Taiping. He too bowed. “Zhong Cong greets Your Highness, the Princess!”

“You may rise,” Li Yuechen replied with a smile. “You haven’t left yet?”

“Uh…” The question made Zhong Cong’s otherwise handsome face show a hint of embarrassment. “No, not yet…”

Li Yuechen grinned. “I hope you enjoy your stay in Great Tang!”

With that, she swept Fulai along and entered the hall.

Seeing the princess need no announcement to see the emperor, Zhong Cong thought to himself that the rumors were true—this princess was greatly favored.

In fact, before the delegation formally entered Great Tang, spies long embedded in the region had already sent back much intelligence, including recent events.

Zhong Cong knew well that not long ago, this princess had survived an assassination attempt, escaped along the Luo River, and was finally brought back by the emperor himself.

Most telling of all, many had seen with their own eyes the emperor cradling the princess in his arms, wrapped in his own imperial robe, as he bore her home.

Leaving the palace, Zhong Cong turned and bowed. “Eunuch Zhang, please, no need to see me off.”

“Very well, then we’ll return first. Safe travels, envoy!” Zhang Chengxin replied, returning the bow before departing.

As Zhong Cong turned back, his smile vanished. He boarded his carriage.

The carriage began its slow journey toward the guesthouse reserved for foreign envoys, but Zhong Cong sat silently, deep in thought.

At present, the Tibetan kingdom’s strength was burgeoning, and though the current Zanpu was not as brilliant as Songtsen Gampo, he was nonetheless diligent and capable.

Yet, Tibet absolutely could not hope to wage true war against Great Tang. On their own land, perhaps, but to descend from the plateau and invade Tang—Tibet simply lacked the means. Now was not the time to make an enemy of Tang.

But if the Zanpu could marry Princess Taiping, it would be a prime opportunity to rest, recuperate, and strengthen the nation further.

With this in mind, Zhong Cong resolved to propose the idea to the Zanpu upon his return. There was no rush; Princess Taiping was only seven or eight years old, so there was time to discuss it fully.

…

Meanwhile, Li Yuechen hurried into the Hall of Benevolent Longevity, leaping over the table to stand before Li Zhi. “Father, Mother, are you both well? Did the foreign envoy cause either of you any displeasure?”

Li Zhi chuckled. “That envoy isn’t someone who fails to understand propriety—why would he offend me?”

Empress Wu, seated nearby, glanced at the tea brewing in the pot and looked up. “Chen’er, what brings you here today?”

Li Yuechen settled cross-legged beside her and grinned. “Why not make a guess, Mother?”

Empress Wu knew her daughter well. “Seeing the joy on your face, I’d wager it’s good news.”

Li Yuechen flung an arm around her neck, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Mother, you are indeed clever!”

“Have you invented something new again?” Li Zhi asked, rolling the health balls in his palm and smiling.

Li Yuechen snuggled into Empress Wu’s embrace. “Yes! I’ve succeeded in making crystal glass!”

Li Zhi burst into laughter. “Chen’er, crystal glass is hardly a rare thing!”

“Is that so?” Li Yuechen replied with a mysterious smile, waving to Fulai. “Then what does Father think of this glass?”

Fulai stepped forward, revealing the square of glass from his sleeve and presenting it with great respect.

As soon as the cloth was lifted from the glass, both Li Zhi and Empress Wu displayed utter astonishment.

Transparent glass did exist in this era, but it was so rare as to be considered a priceless treasure.

And the piece in Fulai’s hands was of such size and clarity as to be entirely unprecedented.

If not for a few bubbles here and there, their amazement would have been even greater.

Li Zhi set down his health balls and took the glass, holding it before his face to examine it closely.

Empress Wu gazed at the rainbow light refracted onto the table, unable to suppress her wonder.

After a time, Li Zhi passed the glass to Empress Wu, admiration written plainly on his face. “Remarkable!”

While her mother examined it, Li Yuechen went to Li Zhi’s side. “Well, Father, what do you think?”

“Excellent, Chen’er!” Li Zhi praised sincerely.

To craft such entirely transparent glass in this era was indeed extraordinary.

Li Yuechen spread her arms wide. “Then give me a hug!”

“Of course!” Li Zhi replied, embracing his daughter.

Li Yuechen then turned her face toward him. “A kiss, too!”

Li Zhi seemed a little embarrassed, but nonetheless touched his lips to her smooth cheek and laughed.

Then she ran to Empress Wu and offered the other cheek. “Mother, your turn.”

“Go on!” Empress Wu tried to push her away, but failed.

Resigned, she bent down and kissed her daughter.

“So, what do you think of my crystal glass?” Li Yuechen asked.

Li Zhi nodded. “Chen’er, did you truly master the method for making this transparent glass, or was it a happy accident?”

Li Yuechen smiled. “Father, just wait. In a few days, I have another gift for you both.”

“Very well, then your mother and I shall await your surprise,” Li Zhi said with a laugh.

…

Even after Li Yuechen had left, Empress Wu’s face still showed her astonishment. “Zhinu, this…”

“I never expected… Chen’er could make such a treasure,” Li Zhi said, his expression full of appreciation. “It seems my idea was correct.”

Empress Wu knew well what her husband had been pondering of late, but still hesitated. “Do you truly wish for Chen’er to enter court as an official?”

“Why not?” Li Zhi replied, twirling the health balls with ease.

“If Chen’er really does enter court, how much turmoil would it cause? And if, after her, another talented woman appears, what then?” Empress Wu asked, somewhat worried.

Li Zhi smiled. “If another such woman arises, she too may enter court. Since I’ve decided to open this door, I will see it through.”

Empress Wu’s expression was conflicted. “I’ll reserve my opinion for now; something about it still feels amiss.”

“No rush,” Li Zhi said lightly. “Chen’er’s talent will not end here.”

Empress Wu nodded—this much she could believe. Her daughter had not spoken until she was three, yet was born brilliant, brimming with clever ideas, as if knowledge came to her by nature.

Her very existence was an omen of good fortune; had she been born male, Empress Wu thought she might have petitioned for her to be named crown prince.

Li Zhi, for his part, believed that with such a daughter, the lifelong ambitions he harbored might finally be fulfilled.

If only he could surpass the former emperor, he could die content.

…

Time passed swiftly. Two days later, Li Yuechen returned to the glass workshop to check on progress.

No sooner had she entered the courtyard than the Assistant Supervisor of the Palace Treasury rushed over, beaming. “Your Highness, wonderful news! Wonderful news!”

Seeing his excitement, Li Yuechen smiled knowingly. “It’s done?”

“Yes, it’s done!” the Assistant Supervisor nodded eagerly. “Please, Your Highness, come with me!”

Inside the courtyard, several craftsmen were carefully polishing convex lenses, while nearby carpenters fitted finished wooden handles and glued them in place with fish glue.

The convex lenses in their hands were nearly perfectly transparent, with not a single bubble visible—crystal clear!

Through this transparent glass, everything appeared magnified, sharper and clearer.

When Li Yuechen approached, the craftsmen respectfully saluted her. “Greetings, Your Highness, the Princess!”

As they bowed, the craftsmen who had personally overseen the work could not help but show a hint of admiration.

“At ease!” Li Yuechen said, extending her hand. “Let me see.”

“Please inspect, Your Highness!” One craftsman presented a finished magnifying glass with both hands.

Li Yuechen took it and examined it, finding it almost indistinguishable from the magnifying glasses of the future.

The only shortcoming, perhaps, was that those future magnifiers gleamed more brilliantly, with a higher luster.

But it mattered little—being able to craft such a thing in this era was remarkable enough. With this, the dream of making a telescope was no longer out of reach.

In truth, Li Yuechen had hoped to make a pair of spectacles for Li Zhi, but she could neither adjust the lens strength nor knew how to grind the lenses. It would have to be made in one go, an exceedingly difficult task.

Still, achieving this much was cause for joy.

Li Yuechen waved her hand, and Fulai stepped forward, gathering the Assistant Supervisor and all the craftsmen responsible. Each was given a gold bean the size of a soybean.

Small as these gold beans were, in this era they represented a handsome sum!

Fortunately, with the strong sales of canned food and soap, Li Yuechen was wealthy, and the startup funds Li Zhi had provided remained ample. Such rewards were well within her means.

Receiving their rewards, the Assistant Supervisor and craftsmen bowed respectfully. “Thank you for Your Highness’s generosity!”

Li Yuechen waved it off, then gathered the twenty-odd finished magnifying glasses into a bag, ready to leave.

Behind her, Fulai lowered his voice. “You must all remember: this is the result of Her Highness’s painstaking effort. If this formula is leaked, beware for your heads!”

“Rest assured, sir, we understand!” the Assistant Supervisor quickly replied, leading the craftsmen in agreement.

Only then did Fulai nod and follow after Li Yuechen, taking the bag from her hand.

Passing through the Hall of Origin, Li Yuechen spotted several carriages by the West Flower Gate—her brothers’.

Perfect. Since they were all here, she would not have to deliver the gifts one by one.

At the entrance to the Hall of Benevolent Longevity, Zhang Chengxin called out, “Your Highness, the emperor just sent for you and the lords Yiyang and Xuancheng.”

“Oh? What does Father want?” Li Yuechen asked.

“Nothing in particular—he simply wishes the princes and princesses to come for tea,” Zhang Chengxin replied.

Li Yuechen nodded. “I see.”

Inside, she found her two sisters and four brothers already gathered.

“Chen’er, we just sent for you, only to learn you were at the glass workshop. Have you finished your invention?” Li Zhi asked.

Li Yuechen sat beside him with her bag. “Father, you’re so clever!”

She took out a magnifying glass and handed it to him. “This is it! It’s called a magnifying glass. Your eyes aren’t what they once were—this will make things easier for you.”

As she spoke, she handed out more to her mother and each sibling.

No further explanation was needed; everyone soon figured out how to use it and were amazed, turning the device this way and that to examine things.

Li Zhi inspected his, unable to hide his astonishment, a smile breaking through. “Truly marvelous!”

“Yes,” Empress Wu, usually so stern, even smiled a little, pleased for her daughter and delighted by this new marvel. “Who would have thought that transparent glass could have such a use?”

Her brothers and sisters nodded in agreement, eagerly searching for things to examine.

Li Yuechen smiled faintly. “Mother, this is not the only use for it!”

“Oh?” Empress Wu was intrigued. “What else can it do?”

Seizing her chance to impress, Li Yuechen took a sheet of paper and walked to the window, glanced up at the sun, and gave her parents a profound, knowing smile. “Father, Mother, watch closely!”