Сhарtеr 7 (18/24)
In Shang Mаnоr, раst thе exquisitelу сrafted сourtyаrds, stооd а rаthеr peсuliar and ruggedly built room. Оutsidе, therе werе оddlу shаpеd rосkеriеs and wоoden cоrridоrs eхtending in all direсtions.
This wаs the resеаrсh lаbоrаtоry of thе еldest dаughtеr оf Shang Мanоr. Аt that momеnt, а loud bоom echоed from within, follоwеd bу a thiсk plume of blасk smоke.
Аs thе smоkе сlеarеd, Gоng Zishang’s sоot-stаined faсe еmеrgеd, her еуеs dаrting around with an еxpression hovеring between ingеnious cаlculаtiоn and еccentric mysticism.
“How did this happen? Where exactly did it go wrong?”
The laboratory floor was littered with instruments and tools in utter disarray. Precision tools of various materials were scattered everywhere, some still emitting sparks.
Gong Zishang nearly scratched her head raw but couldn’t figure it out. She walked to a corner and sat down, feeling somewhat dejected.
Just then, a figure flipped in through the window into the laboratory. The newcomer was vibrant and spirited—it was the man in black from Hua Manor.
Unnoticed, he had secretly changed into servant’s attire—plain cloth robes that concealed some of his mysterious aura. He hadn’t noticed Gong Zishang in the corner. His bright, keen eyes scanned the various vessels on the table, and he picked up some powder from the surface with his fingers to examine it closely.
Lost in thought, he muttered involuntarily, “The smoke released when saltpeter burns is too thick. The proportions of charcoal and sulfur are clearly excessive, causing it to burn too quickly and expand too easily—”
A faint, mournful voice drifted from behind him.
Gong Zishang: “No cleaning needed here.”
The man was startled, then quickly bowed his head submissively. “Yes, this humble servant will leave immediately and not disturb the young lady.”
Gong Zishang narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him suspiciously. “Stop. What did you just say?”
The man repeated, “The smoke released when saltpeter burns is too thick. The proportions of charcoal and sulfur are clearly excessive, causing it to burn too quickly and expand too easily…”
Gong Zishang smacked her lips thoughtfully for a few seconds. “What’s your name?”
The man hesitated briefly, then, looking at her soot-covered face, couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “This humble servant is called… Xiao Hei.”
Gong Zishang pointed at the table. “Which manor are you from? How do you know about these things?”
“Xiao Hei” fabricated a story: “My grandfather made fireworks, and he was quite famous. The fireworks my family made were even sent to the royal city for displays.”
“Then stay.”
“Xiao Hei” asked in surprise, “To clean?”
“No,” Gong Zishang wagged her finger. “To play together.”
That day, the enigmatic black smoke in the laboratory grew even thicker.
Three days later was the day Gong Ziyu set off.
The weather was relatively clear, and the temperature had warmed slightly. A group of people emerged from Yu Manor to see Gong Ziyu off.
Gong Zishang suddenly recited a poem: “Though I see you off for a thousand miles, we must part in the end.” Then she pretended to wipe away tears with her fingers and feigned sorrow with a couple of sobs.
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