The weak scholar in the end of ancient times

Chapter 76 Crystal Ball

Back at the office in Jingxingfang, Wen Gu took out a piece of paper and drew a new sketch.

The painting does not show the entire bridge, but the section of the flying bridge that spans the middle of the two blocks.

After finishing the painting, he put it aside and thought about the news he had heard about the Pei family.

Because Pei Jing had a serious illness when he was young, his physique was different from his brother's. He was not as strong as him, but he was not weak either.

The Pei family's genes are indeed very strong. Pei Jing survived a serious illness in his childhood. Even though he is not strong enough, he is still stronger than ordinary scholars.

He looks like a handsome scholar at best, but if he was really weak, he wouldn't have survived until now.

In the early days of the world's turmoil, the Pei family was still in the imperial capital. That was the time of greatest pressure, and it was also a test of both mental and physical strength. Only by enduring it could one survive.

He was indeed talented. After all, he had planned to take the imperial examination and came from a noble family. His knowledge of culture and art was incomparable to that of ordinary scholars.

Not bad!

Wen Gu looked at the sky outside and saw that there was still some time before the gate closed, so he wrote a visiting card.

Pei Jing left his address when he came to Jingxingfang before.

Wen Gu asked Chang Shun to go to Pei's house.

The two parties were not very familiar with each other yet, and since they were from a noble family, they were a little particular, so they wrote a name card in advance to arrange a time to see if the host family was convenient.

Chang Shun moved quickly and just returned the business card with a strange look on his face.

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

Chang Shun looked around and saw no one else, so he whispered what he saw and heard on his way to the Pei family.

"Pei Patrol Guard is back..."

It was Pei Jing's elder brother Pei Jun, the chief officer of the Patrol Guard Department, who was rumored to be a ruthless man.

The Zhao family's newly established military organization was able to become the chief officer of the Patrol Guard Department, which not only showed that it was trusted, but also that it was very capable.

"There was a burst of ghostly howling inside, both men and women. It seemed like someone wanted to curse, but it seemed like their mouth was quickly blocked..."

"I didn't go into the courtyard, nor did I dare to look around. I just delivered the post and came back. But thinking back carefully, I seemed to hear some... sounds of fists and feet hitting flesh."

Wen Gu nodded secretly.

He really is a ruthless person.

However, I'm afraid the time to go to Pei's house will have to be postponed.

"It's not the right time."

The Pei family is clearly in a period of family conflict, so things might not be going well in the next few days.

Just as he was thinking about it, someone from the Pei family delivered Pei Jing's reply.

Wen Gu originally thought Pei Jing's appointment was for a few days later, but when he opened it, he saw:
"tomorrow?"

How could it be so short for the Pei family's family conflict to break out and be resolved?
The eldest son of the Pei family is worthy of being the chief officer of the Patrol Department at such a young age. He is so capable!

I wonder how much Pei Jing has learned from his brother.

I am eager to review the past and look forward to it.

Get it here, get it here!

He has enough status, knowledge, and the ability to withstand pressure. If he also has some tricks up his sleeve, then he's just right!

Wen Gu ran to the storeroom and carefully selected a set of small gifts, all related to calligraphy and painting——

Several rare pigments, a few bound notebooks for easy recording, and two charcoal pencils snatched from the Taoist priest.

With the Pei family's wealth, they have no shortage of good things. Novelty things are more suitable.

It can also allow Pei Xiaolangjun to experience the cultural characteristics of their Jingqing and Liangfang.

The next day, Wen Gu came to the door with his entourage and carefully selected small gifts.

There was already a servant waiting at the door of Pei's house.

Pei Jing sent someone to wait here specifically. When he saw Wen Gu, he led him directly to the courtyard where Pei Jing lived.

The Pei residence is extremely quiet today.

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

Each courtyard is quiet.

There seemed to be a lingering aura of fear in the entire house.

According to the information Wen Gu had heard, the Pei family had more than just these servants. Now they looked deserted, perhaps they were staying indoors obediently, or maybe... they had been cleaned up.

Thinking of what Chang Shun said when he returned yesterday.

This situation should be the result of the violent rectification by the head of the Pei family.

Pei Jing was in his own study at this time.

There was a piece of drawing paper spread out on the table, but he only made a few hasty strokes and didn't continue.

Pei Jing sat at the table, playing with a crystal.

Pei Jing regained his composure when he heard the noise outside. He put on a polite smile and stood up to greet them.

Exchange a few pleasantries.

Pei Jing said, "My brother is busy with work and has gone to the outer city this morning. He is not at home. My father accidentally broke his leg yesterday and needs to rest."

Wen Gu also said: "Then let's not bother the old man."

"There's been a lot of neglect."

"you are welcome."

The atmosphere in the entire Pei residence was a bit tense today. Pei Jing seemed to be distracted by family affairs, so he didn't talk about other topics.

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

"Oh? I wonder what bothers Brother Wen?"

The two walked into the study.

There is a charcoal stove in the study, which uses the best smokeless charcoal.
The house was warm.

Some skylights and windows are made of exposed tiles. Although their light transmittance is not as good as glass, it is much better than window paper and can also prevent wind and rain.

This is also a precious item, especially in today's chaotic world. Without a certain level of financial resources and status, you can't afford it at all.

Two of the windows were covered with screens. With the epidemic spreading, closing the windows was fine in cold weather, but in hot weather, it felt stuffy, and people didn't dare open them often. So, more and more people used expensive gauze instead of window paper, covering their windows. It allowed light and air to pass through, while also blocking strong drafts.

Homes that have the means will add another layer of window panels so that the windows can be closed tightly when necessary.

Coming to the desk, Wen Gu took out the painting and showed Pei Jing the flying bridge he had drawn.

There are professional craftsmen to analyze the architectural structure. He came to Pei Jing today to ask for advice from an artistic perspective on what kind of modifications should be made.

Pei Jing listened to Wen Gu's introduction to some questionable parts of the painting.

Hearing that crystals would also be used for decoration on the flying bridge, Pei Jing asked his followers to bring over a large wooden box. When he opened it, it was filled with water jade crystals of various sizes, colors and styles.

In a period when the value of gold, silver and jewelry has greatly depreciated, these things that are considered flashy and superficial by many people are indeed far less valuable than before, but those of good quality are still loved by the nobles.

Pei Jing asked Wen Gu to play with the crystals first while he took a closer look at the drawings.

The study became quiet.

Wen Gu sat aside, looking at the various crystal products in the box.

In this era, some people call things with pure qualities glass, such as highly transparent crystal and even certain colored glass.

The sound of a jade chime echoing through the forest suddenly becomes the sound of glass breaking on the ground. This may be referring to crystal.

Pei Jing is a person who likes water jade crystal very much, which is natural crystal and similar gems.

Compared to those gems with richer colors, Pei Jing prefers the noble elegance of water jade like ice.

Wen Gu looked at the exquisite works of art of this era in the box and was filled with admiration.

Most natural crystals will inevitably have defects, such as dark and light color bands, associated minerals and inclusions, ice cracks or cotton wool, etc.

Some flaws are indeed flaws, but some flaws are handled by craftsmen and become part of the art just right.

Without any sophisticated professional equipment, the carving and polishing were so fine, with smooth curves, and a smooth and bright surface. He had to admire the aesthetics and craftsmanship of the top craftsmen.

I sincerely hope that the art treasures of these times can be passed down for thousands of years to come, allowing future generations to marvel at them.

Then he thought again that Pei Jing's outstanding artistic talent and the excellent aesthetic taste cultivated by his noble family would definitely contribute to the development of Jingqing and Liangfang!

At the desk, Pei Jing was studying the blueprints while also paying attention to Wen Gu's movements.

When Wen Gu saw the box of crystal treasures, he just admired them without being greedy. Pei Jing felt that Wen Gu was a man of high moral integrity.

So I studied the drawings with confidence.

Wen Gu painted a flying bridge.

Flying pavilions and corridors have existed since ancient times.

The Wanfu Garden complex that is about to be built in Jingxingfang will have flying bridges connecting the buildings, which is something that the nobles from aristocratic families have seen many times.

It is rare to see a bridge spanning two blocks.

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

But there were still some things he couldn't understand on the picture, such as the side of the flying bridge, which didn't look like a railing.

I looked up and was about to discuss it with Wen Gu, but I found that Wen Gu was paying attention to a certain treasure and was extremely absorbed in it.

Wen Gu originally appreciated these treasures one by one with the same eyes as he appreciated classical works of art.

Crystals of different transparencies are made into a variety of handicrafts.

There are also some simple crystal balls, ranging from colorful crystals full of unique textures to almost pure and transparent colorless crystals.

After being polished by craftsmen, you can feel the cool and delicate texture even just by looking at it.

Thinking of what was being developed in Qingyunfang, Wen Gu carefully selected crystal products with high transparency and less cotton wool and inclusions from a pile of treasures.

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

In this gem box, the owner placed them in different positions according to his preferences.

Logically speaking, this crystal ball is big enough and clear, without any flocs or cracks inside. Compared with another slightly smaller crystal ball, it should be more favored by the owner.

However, this is not the case. It is placed in a corner that is easily overlooked.

In other words, the owner does not often take it out to play with it, and his love for it is limited.

When I saw it for the first time, I felt a sense of familiarity and my heart skipped a beat.

It is indeed clear enough when viewed alone, but when placed together with other colorless and transparent crystal products, a slight color can be felt.

Wen Gu picked up the crystal ball and felt it carefully, then walked aside.

The sunlight shines through the window screen, casting a hazy golden light.

Wen Gu opened the window a little to let the sunlight in.

After looking at the reflected light, he closed the window.

Seeing Pei Jing's puzzled look, Wen Gu asked:

"Brother Pei, could you please lend me some drawing paper?"

Pei Jing pulled out a piece of paper: "Please do as you please."

He also took out a brush and 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 using charcoal the first time he went to Jingxingfang, and he was not surprised. He just didn't understand what Wen Gu was doing now.

Wen Gu drew the line, placed the transparent crystal ball on the paper, and looked at the black line from different angles. He then switched to another crystal ball in the box, repeated the same process, and then picked up the previous one again.

His eyes gradually became hot and burning.

Looking at the crystal ball in my hand, I felt that it was so charming, so dazzling, and so thrilling!

Surprise surprise.

Dancing in a disco.

Pei Jing was confused by Wen Gu's series of actions. If Wen Gu really liked this crystal ball, he could just give it to him.

Pei Jing remembered the crystal ball, which was presented to him by a servant, but he didn't like it very much and didn't feel reluctant to give it away.

Thinking of this, Pei Jing said, "Brother Wen? If you like this..."

Wen Gu looked over, his eyes sparkling. "Friend, have you heard of birefringence in crystals?"

(End of this chapter)