Chapter 187: Still Can’t Win You Over? (2 / 2)

Huang Long smiled, “Especially those windows. To think they are made from single, unbroken sheets of glass! Such wealth is beyond even the Dou family’s reach. It fills one with envy.”

Xu Yanmiao turned his head to glance at the glass windows. His subconscious reaction: [Huh? They’re not floor-to-ceiling windows? My bad. Hearing about an entire sheet of glass, I reflexively assumed they’d be large floor-to-ceiling ones.]

[But that makes sense. Even using glass for small windows like these must already be very expensive. Knocking down the walls and replacing them with full glass panels would certainly brighten the room, but it’d bankrupt the household. Plus, it would lose that traditional charm.]

Huang Long’s smile nearly faltered.

He wanted to find evidence that Xu Yanmiao was just pretending to be unfazed by the wealth, but from his expression to his inner thoughts… this person genuinely regarded Prince Fu’s glass windows as mere “small trinkets,” unworthy of mention?!

Though Xu Yanmiao’s mind was racing with thoughts, his face maintained a polite, socially appropriate smile. “It’s indeed admirable. The glass appears to have been polished to a remarkable clarity—undoubtedly a painstaking effort.”

Huang Long: “…”

The other officials who overheard: “…”

Listening to you, there’s no hint of actual envy.

And why is your focus on how clear the glass is? It feels like Xu Lang is marveling more at the craftsmanship than the outrageous expense.

Even Liu Changshi couldn’t help but notice Xu Yanmiao’s indifference to the room’s opulence.

“Fine, if wealth can’t captivate you, what about entertainment?”

There was even a tinge of regret.

“If only it were June. During the summer heat, an endless supply of ice blocks would surely astonish him.”

After dinner, Xu Yanmiao heard that they had prepared an entertainment activity called the “Ao Mountain Lantern.”

Liu Changshi explained, “This lantern display is traditionally showcased during the Lantern Festival, but now it is already April. However, tonight’s beautiful moonlight makes it perfect to light the display.”

The Ao Mountain Lantern was not a single lantern but a massive arrangement of thousands of colorful lanterns stacked together, resembling both a mountain and the mythical ao (giant turtle) from afar.

The previously dark and somber venue was suddenly illuminated in brilliant splendor. The radiant lights flickered and shimmered, and the arrangement of countless ornate lanterns created an atmosphere of unmatched opulence.

[Flaming trees and silver flowers—so beautiful.]

Hearing Xu Yanmiao’s admiring sigh, the Vice Minister of Justice, Huang Long, smiled faintly.@@novelbin@@

As expected, there is something that can impress you.

He nodded subtly toward Liu Changshi.

Continue! Focus your efforts here! Make him experience the luxurious grandeur of Prince Fu’s estate!

And then, the massive Ao Mountain Lantern began to move.

Exclamations of amazement erupted among the officials present.

As the mechanisms turned, the thousands of lanterns seemed to come alive. Twin dragons played with pearls, swaying their heads and tails as they exhaled streams of luminous stars. A phoenix with fiery red tail feathers trailed a long, radiant sash that swirled in layers of vibrant colors.

“This lantern display stands thirteen levels high,” Liu Changshi declared proudly. “And it is climbable!”

The admiration in the room grew even stronger.

Liu Changshi raised an eyebrow and turned his gaze toward Xu Yanmiao.

This time, surely…

His thoughts stalled. All he saw in Xu Yanmiao’s eyes was simple appreciation, devoid of envy. It was as if… this was merely a performance to him—stunning in the moment, but soon forgotten.

Liu Changshi: “…”

Are young people these days really this composed?

The officials present: “…”

They could clearly hear Xu Yanmiao’s inner thoughts: [It’s stunning, truly beautiful. These light and shadow effects are incredible! It’s like watching 3D!]

Though none of them understood what this “three-dee” referred to, even fools could tell that Xu Yanmiao had seen similar spectacles countless times before.

Now, he was simply appreciating it for what it was.

Liu Changshi and the Vice Minister of Justice huddled in secret.

“You’re his colleague. Tell me, what does he actually like? Everyone has a weakness. If we cater to his preferences, I refuse to believe he won’t be moved!”

The Vice Minister of Justice thought for a moment and, with some difficulty, said, “He seems quite down-to-earth—perhaps he prefers simpler things?”

Liu Changshi could barely contain his excitement. “Got it!”

Xu Yanmiao was invited to stay overnight at the estate. Unable to refuse their hospitality, he accepted.

—Mainly because many of his colleagues were also staying, and the estate was close to the court. This way, he could sleep in a bit longer the next morning.

In the evening, a servant came by and asked, “My lord, would you like to wash your face and feet?”

Xu Yanmiao nodded.

The servant then asked, “Would you like a full face wash or a light face wash? A full foot wash or a light foot wash?”

A full face wash involved washing up to the shoulders and neck, while a light face wash only included the face. Similarly, a full foot wash included washing up to the knees and thighs, whereas a light foot wash only reached the ankles.

The servant added, “No need to worry, my lord. We have plenty of firewood, and there is no shortage of hot water.”

Xu Yanmiao, who was merely debating whether to wash his shoulders and thighs, was left baffled:

[Does this even need to be pointed out?]

The servant continued, “Additionally, my lord has specially prepared a personal set of towels for each of you, which I was instructed to inform you about.”

Xu Yanmiao was even more bewildered.

[Wait… is sharing towels with others even a thing here?]

Meanwhile, in another room, Liu Changshi smacked his forehead. “Ah! I forgot to tell the servants to inform Xu Yanmiao that he can take a bath tonight if he wants! And that he can request as much water as he needs!”

Allowing Xu Yanmiao to wash his face freely earlier had likely already amazed him. If he were told he could bathe as he pleased, his impression of the estate would surely improve!

To put things into perspective: even a prime minister could only bathe every other day, typically using only three dan of water (approximately 40–60 liters). And even that could be criticized as excessive indulgence.

Bathing multiple times a day was called “water excess.”

In short, Liu Changshi’s eyes lit up with determination.

Being able to bathe daily! Such luxury—surely it would awaken Xu Yanmiao’s taste for indulgence!

In the neighboring room, Xu Yanmiao—who had been visiting the public bathhouse once every three days during winter and otherwise boiled water for his own daily baths, face washes, and foot soaks—didn’t even register this as an extravagant act.

Calmly, he informed the servant, “Thank you. A full face wash and a full foot wash will do.”

Xu:

Today is another day I wish I could return to modern times.

The Uncle’s Faction noted:

Pu Gong had the practice of full face washes, light face washes, full foot washes, light foot washes, full baths, and light baths. He would wash his face and feet twice daily and bathe every other day.

A light face wash used one change of hot water, required two people, and only involved the face.

A full face wash used three changes of hot water, required five people, and included the shoulders and neck.

A light foot wash used one change of hot water, required two people, and only involved the ankles.

A full foot wash used three changes of hot water, required four people, and included the knees and thighs.

A light bath used three dan of water and required five or six people.

A full bath used five dan of water and required eight or nine people.

Following the bath, there would be scented oils, facial creams, incense burners, and exquisite fragrances, all applied in an orderly manner. Though labor-intensive, Pu Gong never found it burdensome.

— “Talks with Teachers and Friends”

[In ancient times, washing one’s face or bathing was truly a hassle.]

The Song statesman Pu Chuanzheng had distinct practices for washing. He washed his face and feet twice daily, bathed lightly every other day, and fully bathed every four days. These habits involved an extensive use of water and labor.

— “Anecdotes of Song Officials”

[Even officials couldn’t bathe daily.]

“He was so obsessed with cleanliness that he refused to share towels or washbasins with others.”

— “History of the Song Dynasty”

[Refusing to share towels or washbasins was considered obsessive cleanliness back then.]