Volume One, Chapter 20: Casual Gesture
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“In that case, why not let me sound him out personally? He has been serving in the Ministry of Works for some time, so he must know about the Great Yellow River Bridge. If he truly believes he can build it, then he must have a certain measure of confidence.”
The Third Prince spoke suddenly.
“You are going?”
The Qian Emperor did not agree at once. Instead, he hesitated.
“Yes, I am. As it happens, I want to ask him to make a diamond necklace for my mother.”
The Third Prince nodded. His mother was not Empress Changsun, but Consort Xiang.
Nevertheless, every prince and princess had to address the empress as “Mother Empress.”
“It seems that the scarf-style diamond necklace Song Chenfei made for the empress has an even greater appeal to women than I expected. Indeed, it is an extraordinary work of art.”
Clearly, the emperor had seen the diamond necklace adorning Empress Changsun’s neck.
He also knew that Song Chenfei had designed it casually, almost on a whim. For that very reason, the emperor’s expectations of Song Chenfei’s craftsmanship were exceedingly high.
“Very well. Go and sound him out on my behalf. But I have one condition: do not reveal your identity. I do not think the time is right yet.”
The Qian Emperor had his own reasons for concealing his identity.
“Yes, Father. I will bear it in mind.”
The Third Prince cupped his hands, then took his leave of the palace.
Jianghu Tower was the most renowned restaurant in the capital.
Those who could afford to dine there were all either wealthy or noble.
The building had seven stories and was the tallest structure in the capital aside from the imperial palace. From the top floor, one could overlook more than half of the Great Qian Empire.
The place was practically a tourist attraction in its own right, famous far and wide.
For an ordinary person, dining there even once was enough to boast about for an entire lifetime.
At that moment, on the seventh floor, Song Chenfei and the Third Prince sat facing each other.
“This truly is a splendid view,” Song Chenfei said. “‘If you would fain command a thousand-mile view, ascend another floor.’ Standing atop this lofty tower, I truly feel as though I have reached the summit and can see all the surrounding mountains made small.”
The Third Prince’s eyes lit up upon hearing this.
“What exquisite poetry! I never imagined that, besides possessing astonishing talent as an artisan, Brother Song would also be so gifted in literature.”
“It is nothing. I was merely moved by the scenery.”
Song Chenfei lifted his wine cup and took a sip.
“Fine wine. But a wine this good cannot be offered for nothing, can it? Tell me—what do you want from me?”
“Since you have spoken so directly, Brother Song, I shall be frank as well.”
“I like people who get straight to the point.”
The Third Prince said, “A few days ago, you made a scarf-style necklace for the empress. Yes, that is what it is called—a scarf-style necklace. That necklace has caused quite a sensation. The style has spread throughout the capital’s aristocratic circles, and countless people are imitating it and clamoring to possess one.”
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“So my mother would also like a scarf-style diamond necklace, though its style must be different from the empress’s.”
Song Chenfei looked the Third Prince up and down, his expression strange.
“Isn’t Empress Changsun your mother?”
“You have misunderstood. Although I may respectfully address her as Mother Empress, she is not my birth mother. My mother is someone else.”
The Third Prince could not say that he was the son of Consort Xiang, so he could only put it that way.
Song Chenfei looked thoughtful.
“That explains it. I was wondering why you look nothing like the son of the Qian Emperor and Empress Changsun. So that is how it is—she is not your mother. But you do not look much like the Qian Emperor either!”
The Third Prince’s expression grew awkward.
You really know how to speak, he thought bitterly. Who says things like that to someone’s face? Who says I do not resemble the Qian Emperor? I think I look exactly like my father.
In truth, Song Chenfei was not wrong. The Qian Emperor had dark skin, a rather short build, and decidedly ordinary features. By contrast, the Third Prince before him had a face as flawless as jade and was an exceptionally handsome man.
“In any case, I must trouble you to design a scarf-style necklace for my mother, with a romantic aesthetic. As for your fee, name your price.”
The Third Prince cupped his hands, his manner sincere.
“Given our relationship, if you have asked, naturally I would not need a fee,” Song Chenfei said.
The Third Prince smiled.
Indeed. With my standing, once I spoke, who knew how many people would scramble to design a diamond necklace for my mother, Consort Xiang?
But then Song Chenfei continued, “However, since you have offered a fee, refusing it would be disrespectful to you. Very well—give me this much, and that will do.”
Song Chenfei raised one finger.
“One thousand taels? Agreed!” the Third Prince answered without hesitation.
Song Chenfei shook his head.
“Could it be ten thousand taels? You really are asking for the moon. Still, for my mother—and for the reputation of the Young King of Craftsmen—I shall accept it.”
Yet Song Chenfei continued to shake his head.
“I said one hundred thousand taels of silver!”
Pfft!
The Third Prince had just raised his cup to drink when he suddenly spat out the wine. He coughed violently, choking on it.
“One hundred thousand taels of silver? Are you joking?”
“I will take care of everything besides the design, including the diamonds. You know I serve in the Ministry of Works. There are countless skilled craftsmen there, and I will find the finest among them to make it for you. If they cannot do it, I will take up the tools myself. I guarantee you the most romantic diamond necklace imaginable.”
Song Chenfei spread his hands, wearing an expression that suggested this was an entirely fair price.
“Impossible. Do you think I run a silver bank? Even a silver banker could not charge such an outrageous sum,” the Third Prince said irritably.
Song Chenfei considered the matter and admitted that the price was indeed rather steep.
“But I need the money because I want to buy a residence. Living in an inn all the time is truly inconvenient.”
“That is easily settled. I own a residence in the capital. Both its location and the house itself are of the finest quality. If you do me this favor, I shall give it to you.”
Song Chenfei pondered briefly before nodding at once.
“Prepare brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone. I will design it for you now. Let us see whether you are satisfied.”
“Now?”
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The Third Prince was startled. Then he recalled the rumors that Song Chenfei had designed the necklace for the empress on the spot, completing it with effortless ease.
“Someone, bring brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone!”
Song Chenfei took up a brush and began to draw, stroke by stroke, across the pristine rice paper.
In only a short while, a design for a romantic diamond necklace had come into being.
It was vividly lifelike.
This romantic necklace was also a scarf-style necklace, one Song Chenfei had once seen online.
It was the celebrated work of a renowned European designer.
The moment the Third Prince saw it, he was captivated. He could not help drawing a deep breath.
“As expected of the Young King of Craftsmen. This scarf-style diamond necklace is entirely different from the empress’s. Its lines are soft and fluid, like a murmuring stream; the diamonds are set in a graceful, varied arrangement, like scattered stars; and the overall design is light and airy, resembling ribbons dancing gently in the breeze. It is so romantic that it leaves one utterly intoxicated.”
“Judging by your reaction, you like it,” Song Chenfei said.
“My mother will certainly love it. I truly chose the right person by coming to you. It is astonishing that you could produce, at a moment’s notice, a design that ought to have taken a person countless hours of painstaking thought.”
This time, the Third Prince was genuinely left in awe. No wonder his father held Song Chenfei’s skills as a craftsman in such high regard.
Perhaps he really could do it.
The Third Prince had not forgotten the true purpose of his visit.
“My father asked me to inquire about your opinion of the Great Yellow River Bridge,” he said directly.
After what he had witnessed, the Third Prince could no longer regard Song Chenfei merely as the Young King of Craftsmen.
“The Great Yellow River Bridge is indeed a sound strategy. It is a magnificent undertaking that would carry the destiny of the empire. Once completed, it would bring immense benefits to Great Qian.
“First, it would promote flourishing commerce, allowing goods to flow freely and ushering in economic prosperity. Second, it would facilitate the rapid movement of the military, enabling troops and commanders to be deployed swiftly and ensuring the security of the frontier.
“Third, it would unite the hearts of the people. With the entire nation joining forces to build it, a profound sense of national pride would naturally arise. Fourth, it would strengthen the central government’s authority, allowing it to control and govern the provinces while securing political stability as firm as a mountain.
“If this bridge is completed, it will be a blessing for Great Qian and a boon to its people.”
Every word Song Chenfei spoke was precious.
The Third Prince nodded in deep agreement.
“Everyone knows the enormous benefits the Great Yellow River Bridge would bring. The problem is that building a bridge a thousand meters long across the Great Yellow River is practically an act of defying heaven. It is simply too difficult.”
“That is why your three attempts have all failed.”
Everyone in the Ministry of Works knew about those matters.
“Exactly. I had nearly lost all hope. Many people say it is impossible. After three failures, the people have been overburdened, the treasury has suffered enormous losses, and Great Qian can no longer afford to continue.”
“That is because your methods are too primitive. If I were to do it, things would be different,” Song Chenfei said bluntly.