The elder couldn't resolve this matter himself and had to send someone to fetch his granddaughter.
Fu Xinci had nothing pressing to do and was standing by the window, basking in the sun.
The glorious spring sunshine was not to be wasted.
When she heard that Uncle Qi was surrounded by a group of women and couldn't move, she found it quite amusing.
However, she couldn't afford to laugh at this matter and told her brother-in-law.
"Brother-in-law, please relay a message back to those ladies. Tell them to gather at the entrance of our home in three days with enough silver. As long as they bring enough silver, they can have any pattern of glass they desire."
"Certainly, thank you, little sister Xin Ci."
Receiving the direct word from the main party, Xiao Linzi was overjoyed and quickly rode back to the Thousand Household Office to deliver the message and relieve their Thousand Household Commander.
The women were also ecstatic upon hearing this, and they happily left in groups, promising to be at the Meng family courtyard early in three days.
Qi Yuanshan had already broken out in a cold sweat from anxiety. Seeing that these troublesome guests had finally departed, he plopped down on a long bench, unwilling to move.
"These women, they're more noisy than five hundred ducks. Even all the soldiers in our office combined can't stir up as much trouble as they do."
"Indeed. That's why your subordinate went to the Meng family courtyard to ask little sister Xin Ci for a solution."
"Well, you're quick-witted. Otherwise, this official would have been driven mad by these women."
Xiao Linzi beamed with pride as the Thousand Household Commander praised him, while Wang Dabao secretly pouted and muttered.
Everyone knew it was about asking little sister Xin Ci to resolve the situation, but he just wasn't as fast as this young man.
That evening, Qi He received the news and secretly came to inquire, "Sister Fu, will so many people trouble you?"
"No."
"Really not?"
"Really not. Moreover, it can let Uncle Xu and Uncle Sun earn some silver. Why wouldn't I do it?"
"That's good." Qi He was relieved to see that Sister Fu wasn't troubled.
The next morning, Fu Xinci set off for Longcheng, welcoming the spring breeze.
Upon arriving at the courtyard where her companions lived, she discovered that Uncle Xu and Uncle Sun had created two new patterns: one was a carp leaping over the dragon gate, and the other was wealth from all directions.
"Oh my, these two patterns alone are bound to be a huge hit."
Hearing Xin Ci's words, Uncle Xu's mind became even more active. He called out, "Old Sun, I think I have another idea."
"Having ideas is good. If an idea is applied well, it can be exchanged for silver."
"Exactly, this is the most valuable truism."
Seeing that the two handsome uncles were about to start their research again, Fu Xinci quickly interrupted and then explained the purpose of her visit.
"Alright, we've made quite a few finished products these past few days. Xin Ci, please take them all with you."
"Okay, I'll take them all."
"Take them all," the two handsome uncles said, now beaming with joy. Who wouldn't want their creations to be recognized by everyone?
The thought of these glass pieces being sold throughout the Great Ming, and even in high demand, brought layers of smiles to their faces.
Fu Xinci, however, knew that this seemingly large quantity of glass might not satisfy the appetite of that Master Yan.
When he came in person, he would surely take away even more glass, otherwise, he wouldn't have come to their doorstep himself.
With this in mind, before leaving, she told Uncle Xu and the others that it would be great if they could produce more.
Uncle Xu understood Xin Ci's meaning. Without saying anything, he simply nodded with confidence.
In a good mood, the road ahead was filled with beautiful scenery. Even the small blades of grass sprouting by the roadside made her think of the vibrant, boundless spring.
When the designated day arrived, the female relatives of the Thousand Household Office's soldiers arrived at the Meng family courtyard in groups.
Before dawn, Fu Xinci quietly placed the wooden crates filled with glass pieces beside the bluestone path, so that those entering from outside could see them at a glance.
Today, Madam Zhong also came, bringing her two sons with her.
However, upon seeing so many patterned glass pieces, she regretted it.
The reason was simple: she had taken a liking to the pine and crane pattern, symbolizing longevity, while Jin Zhong had set his sights on the carp leaping over the dragon gate.
Mother and son were arguing fiercely, and Meng Yuluo felt a pang of sadness, as he hadn't even spoken about his fondness for the cluster of bamboo.
Fu Xinci didn't concern herself with their squabbles. She had initially said that each person would only get one piece of glass, but seeing the glass, all these people had changed their minds.
Ten taels of silver for a piece didn't seem expensive anymore.
Some even counted on their fingers and told Fu Xinci how many people there were in their families.
Wouldn't the elders' rooms need a piece of such glass? Wouldn't their own and their spouses' rooms also need one?
Then, wouldn't the children's rooms also need them? They couldn't give to some and not to others; they were all their own flesh and blood and couldn't be treated unfairly.
Fu Xinci: She usually found these women to be as coarse as their husbands, but who knew they could be so circuitous? She felt dizzy.
In the end, Fu Xinci had no choice but to grit her teeth and let them buy their favored pieces of glass.
Seeing that each family bought at least four or five pieces of glass, Fu Xinci muttered slyly: They are indeed rich.
Grandpa Meng had been sitting in the room and hadn't come out. Only after all the women had finished buying glass and left did he emerge from the room.
The elder carefully examined all the patterned glass pieces before giving his opinion.
"No wonder those women were acting so crazy earlier, arguing with you until their faces turned red. The patterns on this glass are truly beautiful. Even your grandfather finds it hard to choose."
"Grandfather, if you like a pattern, just keep it. Any of these glass patterns will be useful for Grandfather."
After hearing his granddaughter's words, the elder did not stand on ceremony. He asked Meng Qicheng to help him move the few pieces of glass he had chosen into the room.
When Qi He returned that evening, he was also quite surprised to see the remaining glass in the courtyard.
"I didn't expect the people in the Thousand Household Office to be so skilled at hiding things. They are all wealthy people."
"Brother Qi, anyone would be tempted by such good things." Yu'er had been squatting nearby watching for a long time after school. Even Ning'er pointed at the carp leaping over the dragon gate glass and shamelessly asked his sister for it.
Only after his sister agreed did the little fellow happily go to eat.
Qi He also agreed with Yu'er's words, but his gaze seemed to be asking, Sister Fu, which pattern did you choose?
Fu Xinci didn't say. She wanted to wait and see if the two handsome uncles could create any new patterns.
She had great confidence in the two uncles.
When Yan Yi arrived in Liaodong, riding his horse at full speed, dust-covered.
The Qi family's courtyard had already begun construction. Yan Yi first went to the Thousand Household Office but didn't see Qi Yuanshan, so he hurried to the Meng family courtyard.
Fu Xinci had already made preparations and placed the glass pieces in the east wing of the front courtyard. When Yan Yi arrived, his grandfather could take him to see them.