Chapter 140.1: Jing Wan's Big Move

Because of Luo Pei Shan's special protection, rumors regarding Jing Wan temporarily settled down. However, it was just temporarily. In fact, it was just the calm before the storm. Unless they can perfectly resolve Jing Wan's marriage, letting all sides have nothing to say, otherwise, the crisis appended onto Jing Wan won't be considered eliminated.

At the same time, Luo Rong Ping finally received Kang Qinwang's favor. For Luo Rong Ping, it was too late yet also not late. The so called 'too late' was because he'd already turned to Rui Qinwang, so no matter how highly regarded he was right now with Kang Qinwang, it was all to no avail. And the so called 'not late' was because at the time, when he casted himself to Rui Qinwang, he'd said he would become a spy planted in Kang Qinwang's faction for him. Even if as a spy, if one isn't put in an important position, unable to touch the core, one wouldn't be too much of use either. To want to pledge his loyalty, the opportunity just came.

The first time being summoned by Kang Qinwang, the treatment he received was unprecedented, truly making Luo Rong Ping fearful in reverence. However, fortunately he didn't lose his head, knowing that right now he had no way of breaking away from Rui Qinwang.

Kang Qinwang also let Sun Yi Lin arrange a meeting with Luo Jing Bo. Sun Yi Lin agreed, and Luo Jing Bo also agreed.

Originally, when Sun Yi Lin went to invite Luo Jing Bo, he just told him, regardless of what Kang Qinwang says, just one objective———impromptu comic relief[1]. In any case, just don't agree to anything, and further don't leave material for gossip.

Truthfully speaking, when hearing this from Sun Yi Lin, Luo Jing Bo was actually quite surprised. Even if he married Yi Jia, the Ding Duke Manor's position was displayed there. The nature of the political marriage between him and Yi Jia really wasn't that strong.

Sun Yi Lin didn't over explain anything. It was true that he's someone of the Ding Duke Manor, but in the past, he's always been yielding to Sun Yi Bin. Even if he was deeply favored by the Emperor, he still never participated in politics. Afterwards, he thoroughly had a falling out with Sun Yi Bin, entering the imperial court as an official. However, he still hardly participated in the struggle between factions. Towards many things, he all didn't understand, and didn't want to understand.

However, after Luo Jing Bo met with Kang Qinwang, Sun Yi Lin discovered, his worries were completely excessive. It was true that this younger brother-in-law's personality was straightforward and casual, but it wasn't that he was a fool that didn't have schemes and didn't understand the ways of the world. In any case, Sun Yi Lin as the accompanying guest, not long after, couldn't help but sigh. As expected of someone instructed by Head Minister Luo. The situation appeared as if Kang Qinwang was leading the conversation, but in actuality, it was Luo Jing Bo leading the other party by the nose the whole time, yet Li Hong Yi was completely unaware.

Luo Jing Bo's candidness, that was still something that depended on the target.

Actually, Luo Jing Bo was already being relatively obvious. Replaced with anyone else, how would they not notice something wrong. That's why, Kang Qinwang's IQ, that was just a glaring flaw. Perhaps his IQ was just average like an ordinary person, but unfortunately the people he came in contact with were all seasoned foxes, so it made him imperceptibly appear somewhat stupid.

Just when Sun Yi Lin was preparing to leave, unexpectedly, Kang Qinwang let someone fetch the brothel's qingguan[2] to accompany them. Sun Yi Lin's complexion naturally was somewhat dark. But even though Li Hong Yi was his older cousin, he(LHY) still wouldn't allow him to comment on his decisions. Just, the matters afterwards truly made him somewhat astonished. Because when that beautiful qingguan approached, just when she wanted to cuddle into Luo Jing Bo's embrace, unexpectedly, Luo Jing Bo sneezed several times in a row, "What's this smell on miss, why is it this pungent?"

That qingguan was dumbstruck, and afterwards, appeared very helpless, her tears condensing in her eyes.

Kang Qinwang's face darkened, waving his hand letting the person get lost.

"This commoner was discourteous, please forgive my offense wangye." He even instinctively rubbed his nose.

"Nothing to do with you."

Thus, in the end, although they seemingly appeared to have discussed many things, in reality, there weren't the slightest substance at all. And the person Kang Qinwang had prepared to give was returned before even approaching.

Luo Jing Bo and Sun Yi Lin left at the same time. Seeing Luo Jing Bo refreshed and carefree, not having the least bit of worry, Sun Yi Lin's gaze became increasingly strange, "Brother-in-law, you were being deliberate, right?"

Luo Jing Bo smiled at Sun Yi Lin, the especially harmless kind, "What is elder brother-in-law referring to?"

Alright, no need to ask anymore. Sun Yi Lin was already certain that he was being deliberate. Sure acted real well, even he was deceived by him. "Can't judge a person by appearances." Sun Yi Lin once again deeply experienced this phrase's meaning.

Luo Jing Bo still just smiled, pretending to be a fool.

Sun Yi Lin also didn't continue asking. It was also good for this brother-in-law to have this intention. Right now, he was even more popular than him.

After Luo Jing Bo returned to the Luo Manor, he directly went to see his precious younger sister first.

Although he knew that she didn't really have the matters outside taken to heart, sometimes, he still couldn't help worrying for her.

Just, she seemingly was fiddling with something, and after asking, he didn't get any answers at all.

That day, after Luo Pei Shan returned from the yamen[3], Jing Wan took her things and went to go find him.

Jing Wan frequently entered and exited the front study, so everyone was already used to it.

"This is looking for grandfather for something?" Luo Pei Shan looked to the things in Jing Wan's hand.

Jing Wan didn't say anything and just had the things handed to Luo Pei Shan.

Luo Pei Shan first fiddled with that long tube-shaped thing, somewhat unclear of its purpose. Thus, he had his attention shifted to those two sheets of paper. On the one on top was an exceptionally detailed blueprint. "This thing, is a 'thousand mile eye'[4]?"

Jing Wan went around the desk and walked to Luo Pei Shan's side, telling him how to use it.

In Luo Pei Shan's eyes, even the farthest tree leaves outside the study all instantly appeared as if they were right before his eyes. Luo Pei Shan was endlessly amazed. Thousand mile eye, thousand mile eye, this name although was somewhat exaggerated, but was indeed able to see very far away.

Jing Wan didn't disturb him either, freely allowing Luo Pei Shan to play with it. The lens used in the telescope[5] were white crystals of the highest transparency degree, so the effect was still slightly inferior than glass. However, the final outcome, Jing Wan was quite satisfied with.

Luo Pei Shan finally saw enough, but ultimately, that kind of experience, aside from feeling quite novel, he temporarily was unable to think of other uses for it, "Wan Wan, this object although is exquisite, but.........."

"How about when marching out to war? The enemy can't see me, but I can see them."

Luo Pei Shan's eyes immediately lit up, "Indeed brilliant!" Luo Pei Shan although has never been on the battlefield before, that kind of situation can be imagined. How was this just a clever plaything, clearly a treasure of great use.

Luo Pei Shan had his gaze shifted to that blueprint again. He more or less was able to understand it, and the specifics can be directly handed over to the Ministry of Works's military tools division. Since there was already a finished product, and the blueprints also very detailed, if they still can't figure it out, then the entire military tools division can all run home.

Luo Pei Shan looked it over again and again, finally placing down the blueprint, then picking up the other sheet of paper. It was similarly a blueprint, and on it was a crossbow. But it was different from commonly used crossbows. Instead, it was an improved crossbow that fired arrows consecutively. Because there wasn't a finished product, Luo Pei Shan wasn't able to make out this crossbow's good and bad. However, just based on its ability to fire arrows consecutively, once successfully forged, it will definitely be more powerful than the current crossbow.

Luo Pei Shan solemnly had the things put away.

"Third girl, having these things bought here at this time, what do you wish to gain?" This very clearly was something to be presented before the Emperor. It was precisely an unusual period of time given the current state of affairs. Luo Pei Shan knew, she probably had her calculations.

"Grandfather, do you think it's possible to ask for Jin Qinwang's di consort (wangfei) position?"

[1] The original idiom comes from traditional chinese opera where comic gestures and remarks are added into the performance as comic relief. Overall meaning is roughly to just fool around.

[2] Qingguan - Beautiful female entertainers that work in brothels but only sell their talent not their bodies. They are usually skilled in the four arts and have received somewhat of a scholarly education. You have to understand that in ancient times, a majority of the commoner class were illiterate because only the wealthy could afford an education, so scholarly talent was a very valuable asset.

[3] Name for governmental office in ancient times

[4] It's a telescope but the modern chinese word for telescope is different from the archaic word used for it in ancient times, so this name is a literal translation of the name for telescope in ancient times.

[5] The modern word for telescope was used here. In chinese the modern word for telescope literally translates to 'gaze far away lens'.