Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn - Chapter 40
"The reason? Zinuo has already told me. You two siblings are very close, and I can't be heartless. Besides, you're both doing things for me now," Shen Haoyu said understandingly.
“In that case, please pretend you don’t know anything, Your Highness, and let me continue to serve you as before, so I can take care of Zi Nuo,” I said.
“Okay.” Shen Haoyu answered readily.
Shen Haoyu naturally doesn't need to worry that I'll do anything to betray him. My life is tied to his; if he's not doing well, how can I be? That's for the best.
When I first entered the Prince's mansion, I was determined to make a name for myself and improve the lives of Zinuo and my aunt. I tried my best to perform well, hoping to be given important responsibilities. When we first moved to Qiufeng Garden, I was quite proactive, but the masters weren't interested. Although I didn't understand, I cooperated. Then my aunt's accident happened, and Zinuo moved into the mansion. Initially, they didn't treat Zinuo or me badly, but later they gradually discovered Zinuo's talent and began to cultivate her intentionally or unintentionally, while I remained suppressed. Thus, Zinuo and I were at different levels of influence. I gradually realized that they could only promote one of us while using the other to keep us in check. So, as they wished, besides tinkering with gadgets, I slowly became ordinary as others grew, becoming the person they wanted me to be. Now that my true gender has been revealed, it won't pose a significant threat to them. Staying here allows me to look after Zinuo and also gives them peace of mind to use her and let her achieve something. Wearing men's clothing will avoid much suspicion and trouble.
Having sorted things out, I resigned myself to letting them hold the reins, for Zinuo's sake and for my own.
Shen Haoyu instructed me to go to the Second Prince's residence at 1-3 PM to take over the surveillance duties. Someone else would relieve me at 5-7 PM, and I could return on my own.
I cupped my hands in acknowledgment, having not bowed to him so formally in a long time. He looked at me with slight surprise, and I turned and walked away.
Considering the time, three hours of work is quite easy. The master is not bad.
Seeing that it was still early, I went to the rare bird park, where the homing pigeons were kept. Zinuo should be there interacting with the pigeons right now.
From afar, the smell of bird droppings wafted over, and I couldn't help but frown, feeling sorry for Zinuo who often stayed in such an environment. Inside the pigeon coop, Zinuo was carefully tying small bamboo tubes to the legs of the homing pigeons, releasing them one by one as they were tied. I went over to help.
Zi Nuo asked with a smile, "Sister, are you fully recovered?"
I nodded and laughed, "It smells so bad here, but when you come to my place, I can't smell the stench on you."
"It was washed when I saw my sister."
Hearing this, I was deeply moved. Such a beautiful child was stuck in such a place.
Zinuo handed me a pigeon and a bamboo tube. I copied him and stuck it on the pigeon's leg, but I noticed that this pigeon was a little different from ordinary pigeons: it was smaller in size, but its wings were larger. I quickly asked Zinuo what was going on.
Zi Nuo told me that this was a new breed cultivated by a retainer of the Prince Qing's mansion. It could fly higher and farther, and was difficult to catch. It was exclusively used by the Prince Qing's mansion.
Good heavens! I'd heard long ago that Prince Qing's mansion had over a thousand retainers, each with unique abilities. Now it seems the rumors weren't entirely unfounded. Even their messenger pigeons are of superior breed. No wonder even the emperor is wary of Prince Qing's mansion. Why can't they be a little more discreet? Why do they have to arouse suspicion?
After a sigh, Zinuo and I sent out the remaining letters one by one. Looking at the pigeon feathers stuck to Zinuo's clothes, I couldn't help but complain about Shen Haoyu sending Zinuo to work in such a place. Zinuo just chuckled and said, "This proves he trusts me. So many secrets are passed around here!"
I shook my head, and Zinuo and I left the rare bird park, fetched some clean water, and washed ourselves briefly.
After I finished cleaning up, Zi Nuo asked me how my conversation with Shen Haoyu went. I said it was the same as before, and Zi Nuo remained silent.
I quickly asked, "What's wrong?"
Zi Nuo said, "Actually, I hope that my sister can take this opportunity to live a normal girl's life."
I laughed and said, "There's nothing wrong with that. To me, they're all the same. Besides, I want to be with you."
Zi Nuo looked at me, only called out "Sister", her eyes slightly red.
I chuckled to myself; this kid is quite easily moved.
After having lunch with Zinuo, it was almost noon. I said goodbye to Zinuo and went to the Second Prince's residence.
Shen Haoyu didn't tell me where the previous surveillance team was, who they were, or what handover procedures we were supposed to perform. Perhaps everyone's actions were independent. I walked around outside, wondering how I could stay outside the prince's residence for six hours without arousing suspicion. Looking at the rows of shops across the street, I frowned in worry.
Should we dress up as a street vendor and set up a stall here?
But in this way, I can only see what is happening in front of this one door. If the mysterious guest visits through other means, wouldn't I miss it?
We've gone in circles again. Let's find a high vantage point; that way, we can have a clear view of the entire mansion.
But where are there any high places around here?
After searching for a long time, I finally found the tallest tree within a two-mile radius. Even in this season, its branches and leaves were dense; I didn't know what kind of tree it was. Fortunately, this was a small alley with few people around. Seeing that no one was there, I quietly jumped onto the tree. Finding a stable branch, I looked around under the cover of the leaves.
Very good, very good. The situation at the Second Prince's residence is now completely clear. Unfortunately, the distance is too great. I can see the general situation, but I can't make out who is who. There are just distant figures coming and going. Isn't it a waste of time to look?
What a waste of such a prime location.
Frustrated, I jumped down and resigned myself to standing guard at a distance outside the gate of the Second Prince's residence.
As soon as the time came, I returned to Yixinzhai. I needed to solve my long-distance vision problem and really didn't want to give up that wonderful place.
After dinner, I called Zinuo over and explained the principle of a telescope to him, and also drew a diagram for him. After Zinuo understood, he took the diagram and we went to find Shen Haoyu together. On the way, I told Zinuo that if Shen Haoyu asked, he should say that it was his idea.
In the study, Zi Nuo explained to Shen Haoyu the uses of a telescope and how to make it. I provided supplementary explanations from the side, and Shen Haoyu listened with a mixture of belief and doubt.
Hmph, if glass weren't unavailable in this era, I wouldn't bother going to all this trouble explaining this to Shen Haoyu. Since there's no glass, other materials have to be used instead. After much thought, the only option seems to be this world's highly transparent special glass. However, this type of glass is extremely rare, and Zinuo and I have no way of obtaining it. We can only ask Shen Haoyu for help.
After repeated assurances, Shen Haoyu finally agreed to provide materials and craftsmen.
The next day, a master and apprentice arrived at Qiufeng Garden. It was said that they were also retainers of Prince Qing's mansion, skilled in mechanical devices and woodworking.
After handing them the blueprints, they took the materials and locked themselves in a room to work on it. After several improvements, the ancient version of the telescope was finally completed. I remember that after it was finished, Shen Haoyu carried the telescope around, looking at it with amazement.
Because glass is precious, this type of telescope cannot be widely used. At that moment, I regretted not studying science. Maybe I could have produced glass here, and then developed telescopes, reading glasses, nearsighted glasses... and how many patents would that have resulted in?
After the first telescope was made, it ended up in Shen Haoyu's pocket. Later, he had a change of heart and had another one made for me, saying, "Actually, you came up with this idea when you were spying on the Second Prince's residence, didn't you?"
I nodded blankly.
Do not lean against the west railing to lock in the clear autumn. Chapter 29 of the main text.
Chapter word count: 3530 Update time: 09-07-30 15:03
Every day, he would report to the Second Prince's residence on time and then report back to Shen Haoyu in detail about the people coming and going at the Second Prince's residence during that time period. Shen Haoyu frowned as he listened.