Chapter 163: Generous Reward

Although the Grand Empress Dowager also felt that Fang Jifan’s gift was a bit stingy, she held a favorable view of Fang Jifan and did not truly take it to heart.

Zhu Houzhao had spoken those words in front of so many people, so the Grand Empress Dowager intended to smooth things over for Fang Jifan. She smiled and said, “The gift may be small, but the thought behind it is grand. The Crown Prince does not understand, so do not talk nonsense.”

Yet, Fang Jifan showed no trace of shame on his face. Instead, a bright smile spread across it as he said, “Your Highness, your subject was just about to explain this Glass Mirror. It is a grand gift that your subject put immense effort into preparing for Your Highness.”

Grand… gift…

As he spoke, Fang Jifan magically produced a wooden box from his sleeve, just slightly larger than a palm.

Was this the Glass Mirror? A palm-sized Glass Mirror? It probably did not even weigh a pound, did it?

Many people secretly shook their heads.

In the corner, Fang-shi could not help but worry about her nephew again, even though just moments ago she had shed tears of joy because he had brought honor to the family.

Even Emperor Hongzhi could not resist giving him a glare. They had produced over a thousand pounds of glass, which was used for building greenhouses. And here he was, presenting such a tiny amount in a small box?

Under the varied gazes of everyone present, Fang Jifan nonchalantly opened the box. Although the Grand Empress Dowager wore a smile, it was somewhat stiff. It was not that she truly coveted such a small gift, but she felt her dignity was a bit compromised.

Young people were so ignorant, not even knowing how to give a proper gift.

Then, they saw Fang Jifan take out a strange object from the box.

It was a pair of eyeglasses.

To be precise, it was a pair of reading glasses. With glass available, making reading glasses became much easier—it was merely a matter of polishing. Though manual polishing was time-consuming and laborious, it was manageable with enough effort. In fact, the first eyeglasses in the Central State originated in the late Ming Dynasty, from the Gu Su region. To ensure the precision of lens polishing, during the Chongzhen era, a man named Sun Yunqiu from Wu Jiang—who could be considered a half-fellow townsman of Tang Yin—created framed eyeglasses.

Not only that, but he also invented a lens grinding machine—the “Qián Tuó Chē.” This machine was operated by foot pedals and used mineral sand, white clay, brick dust, and other materials as grinding or polishing agents to shape the lenses into convex or concave forms, catering to different optical needs. Eventually, he mastered the “lens grinding” technique, using natural crystal to craft lenses. At the same time, he grasped the technique of “vision testing.” Based on a person’s age and varying eyesight, he developed lenses for presbyopia, myopia, hyperopia, and various optical powers. He also devised a primitive method for vision testing called “matching lenses to the eyes,” which allowed for custom-fitting eyeglasses. The results were impeccable, and the eyeglasses were comfortable and convenient to wear.

Fang Jifan used glass as the material for making the eyeglasses. As for the polishing method, he drew inspiration from Sun Yunqiu’s “Qián Tuó Chē,” and the resulting lenses were remarkably effective.

Of course, the biggest challenge was determining the correct lens power for the reading glasses. Fang Jifan had previously consulted Zhu Houzhao to get a rough idea of the Grand Empress Dowager’s prescription. However, when fitting the lenses, Fang Jifan was quite conservative. He only needed to ensure that the world appeared clearer to the Grand Empress Dowager, without the lenses having to perfectly match her prescription.

As for the future, they could always have a custom pair made later.

The frames of the eyeglasses were made of copper and wood. To keep them smooth, they were coated with a layer of lacquer, and two lenses were embedded in them, no different from modern eyeglasses.

Then, Fang Jifan announced, “This is the Longevity Lens.”

“…”

Turning glass into this made it a Longevity Lens?

This reminded Zhu Houzhao of the time when melons were grown in the greenhouse, and Fang Jifan insisted on calling them “melons nourished by heavenly treasures.”

The Grand Empress Dowager was old, having lived through four reigns. With age came a problem: her eyesight had deteriorated. She could not see nearby objects clearly, and even more frighteningly, as an elderly person, she could not move around much. Confined to the hall every day, her world was mostly a blur.

Fang Jifan said, “Grand Empress Dowager, may your subject be permitted to personally fit this Longevity Lens for Your Highness?”

“Audacious!” Emperor Hongzhi thought Fang Jifan had gone mad.

Personally fitting it? What did that mean? Had he no sense of propriety at all?

The Grand Empress Dowager, however, smiled tolerantly. This Fang Jifan was, after all, the Grandmaster Uncle of the Realized Master of Dharma Propagation. He was a good child, even if he was a bit stingy and cunning…

“Granted.”

Fang Jifan then looked pitifully at Emperor Hongzhi, as if to say, “Your Majesty, you see the Grand Empress Dowager has granted permission, so…”

Seeing Fang Jifan’s expression, the Grand Empress Dowager instantly understood: this good child had been frightened by the Emperor.

So, she coughed and glanced sternly at Emperor Hongzhi, as if to say, “Today is my grand birthday celebration. Why must you flaunt your authority as Emperor for no reason?”

Emperor Hongzhi was a bit confused, but above all, he did not want to displease his grandmother. Forcing a smile, he said, “Minister Fang, you may proceed.”

Fang Jifan did not hesitate. He stepped forward, stood beside the Grand Empress Dowager, and gently placed the Longevity Lens on the bridge of her nose.

The Grand Empress Dowager found it strange at first. The eyeglasses, resting on her nose and hooked over her ears, gave her an uncomfortable sensation. But in an instant…

The Grand Empress Dowager felt the world before her eyes transform completely.

The previously blurry world suddenly became crystal clear. The abrupt clarity made her slightly dizzy, but as she gradually adjusted, she could see clearly the person who had been a mere blur beside her. Fang Jifan’s features were now distinct—his sharp eyebrows, the edges of his hairline as if cut by a knife, and even the individual strands of his hair were vividly visible.

For someone accustomed to a blurry world—especially in that era, where it was the norm—suddenly witnessing such clarity instantly reminded the Grand Empress Dowager of her younger days. Her body trembled.

That tremble immediately made the many watching eyes grow fearful and anxious.

What… was there something wrong with the lens?

Emperor Hongzhi’s heart also skipped a beat, and a trace of worry appeared on his face.

Wearing the Longevity Lens, the Grand Empress Dowager suddenly turned her gaze, this time fixing it on Zhu Houzhao.

Her look at Zhu Houzhao was particularly peculiar.

This was her great-grandson—the dearest and most beloved. The Grand Empress Dowager had forgotten how long it had been since she last saw this child clearly. Now, seeing him so vividly, every strand of his hair, even the pimples on his face, seemed utterly adorable in her eyes.

From behind the lenses, a tear slipped down.

The Grand Empress Dowager’s body began to tremble. She reached out, wanting to call Zhu Houzhao closer so she could take a good, long look at her great-grandson. The more she looked, the more she adored him.

How could ordinary people understand or relate to such feelings?

But as that tear fell, many people shuddered.

Had… something gone wrong?

“Grandmother… Grandmother…” Emperor Hongzhi called out with concern.

Only then did the Grand Empress Dowager snap out of her daze. Yet, even so, she could hardly contain her excitement. After a long moment, she took a deep breath and said, “Fang Jifan.”

“Your subject is here,” Fang Jifan replied with a cheerful, somewhat cunning smile. Presbyopia and myopia were quite similar. In his previous life, Fang Jifan had been nearsighted. Without wearing glasses, those with normal vision could never understand how troublesome it was.

The Grand Empress Dowager gripped the armrests, struggling to stand up. Still wearing the reading glasses, she looked around and said, “This humble one has never received such a wonderful gift in her entire life. Today, on this grand birthday, even a Gold Mountain or a Silver Mountain could not compare to this Longevity Lens. You… went to great effort. You must be rewarded, generously rewarded!”

The Grand Empress Dowager was overjoyed.

What were gold and jewels worth? She had already enjoyed all the luxuries life had to offer. In her eyes, those treasures were merely pretty stones. Only this Longevity Lens seemed to bring light back into her life.

Staying in this hall every day, even with candles lit, her presbyopia made it nearly impossible to see. Now, suddenly regaining clear vision, how could she not reward him generously?

Women were emotional creatures, and even the Grand Empress Dowager was no exception.

She had already held Fang Jifan in high esteem, and now with such a grand gift, she spared no praise.

She glanced sideways at Emperor Hongzhi and asked, “Emperor, what do you think?”

Though he did not fully understand what had happened, seeing his grandmother so happy also delighted Emperor Hongzhi. He was about to speak when…

Fang Jifan said, “Your Highness, your subject does not wish for any reward.”

“No reward?” The Grand Empress Dowager slightly frowned.

Fang Jifan explained, “However, your subject has an aunt who married the second son of the Duke of Wei. She has been very kind to your subject since childhood. Your subject believes that being so clever and bright now is largely due to her excellent guidance…”

“…” At first, when Fang Jifan refused the reward, Emperor Hongzhi thought he had finally come to his senses. But then, the fellow started proudly calling himself clever and bright. Indeed… Fang Jifan was still the same Fang Jifan.

“This humble one understands,” said the still graceful Grand Empress Dowager, her eyes seeming to brighten behind the lenses. “You mean you wish for the Imperial Palace to reward your aunt instead.”

Fang Jifan truly did not care for any rewards from the palace. What could they possibly give? Ten thousand in gold… gold? It sounded delightful, but in reality, it was just copper. A promotion? Absolutely out of the question. The Great Ming had no precedent of promoting someone immediately for presenting a birthday gift. A title? Even less likely. Without being an Imperial Relative or having military achievements, hoping for a noble title was sheer fantasy.

Since his father was currently quite distressed, he thought, why not pass the benefits to his aunt? That would surely cheer his father up.

The Grand Empress Dowager smiled. “What a good child. This humble one was not mistaken about you. In that case, let her be honored as a Second Rank Lady. Emperor, what do you think?”

Second Rank Lady…

Fang Jifan was startled.

Fang-shi was startled.

Even Lady Mu turned pale with shock.

One must know that even Lady Mu was only a Third Rank Shuren.