Chapter Forty-Five: Truly an Extraordinary Man

Master Luo simply asked, "When does Doctor Chu need it?"

Chu Yun replied, "The sooner, the better! How long do you think it will take?"

Master Luo answered, "This is very simple; we can have it ready in less than half an hour."

"Good. Please get started right away," said Chu Yun.

"Understood, Doctor Chu," both Master Luo and Luo Qi responded, and immediately set to work.

Afterward, Chu Yun returned to the living room.

Upon seeing him, Luo Lin couldn't help but ask, "Doctor Chu, is the task you gave the craftsmen completed?"

Chu Yun replied, "I've already sent them to take care of it. Now, please find someone who is skilled at needlework and have them come see me here in about half an hour. Also, gather some fabric—choose the lightest colors you can find, and the thinner the better."

"No problem, Doctor Chu," Luo Lin agreed, then gave instructions to the servants.

He picked up the tea set, intending to brew tea for Chu Yun again, but remembering that Chu Yun wasn't used to it, he let the idea go. He sat quietly, unsure of what to say.

Chu Yun, absorbed in his own thoughts, paid him no mind.

And so, the two of them sat together in awkward silence for half an hour, until Master Luo and Luo Qi returned, carrying a square wooden frame for a lantern.

Luo Lin's eyes lit up at the sight of the frame. "Doctor Chu, you had the craftsmen make this, and asked me to find someone good at needlework and prepare fabric. Are you planning to sew the fabric onto the wooden frame and then place an oil lamp inside? Is this central stick meant to hold the lamp?"

Chu Yun smiled and nodded. "Exactly."

Luo Lin slapped his forehead. "We've always been troubled by the smell of the oil lamp and the moths it attracts, never able to find a good way to separate them. Who would have thought the solution was so simple?"

"Sometimes," Chu Yun said, "the answer is just that straightforward."

Luo Qi, having listened to their conversation, interjected, "If we're going to place the oil lamp on this central stick, I think it should be improved a bit, to secure the lamp better. It would be even more stable if we added another stick, crossing over the first."

Luo Lin laughed in response. "That's a fine idea, Luo Qi. Go ahead and make the improvements."

However, Master Luo said, "Steward Luo, Doctor Chu, is it really safe to put an oil lamp inside this? If it falls over, wouldn't it be easy for a fire to start?"

Luo Qi immediately objected, "Master, with my improvements, the lamp won't fall over."

Master Luo pressed further, "But what if the wind blows the flame and sets the fabric alight?"

"Master, the fabric will block the wind from reaching the flame," Luo Qi replied.

Master Luo slapped his forehead, laughing. "Of course! Who could have imagined such a simple thing could be so ingenious?"

Luo Qi agreed enthusiastically. "Not only does it block the unpleasant smell and the moths, but it also keeps the wind from blowing out the lamp. I can't wait to finish it."

With that, he took the square lantern frame and set to work.

Seeing this, Luo Lin remarked to Master Luo, "Your apprentice is quite talented."

Master Luo was pleased to see his student perform so well. Chu Yun also nodded in approval, finding the young craftsman admirable.

Soon after, a middle-aged woman arrived carrying thin, light silk. Her name was Madam Luo San, reputed to be the most skilled seamstress in the household.

She inquired, "Steward Luo, is someone in need of new clothes?" She glanced at Chu Yun, puzzled. Why would a man need such pale, delicate fabric? Did he have some peculiar taste?

Luo Lin waved his hand. "Not for clothes, Madam Luo San. Wait here and follow Doctor Chu's instructions. You'll soon see what you're needed for."

She agreed and stood quietly aside, saying nothing more.

Before long, Master Luo and Luo Qi returned with the improved lantern frame. When Chu Yun saw it, he realized it was identical to the lantern frames his grandfather used to hang under the eaves during New Year in the countryside. He smiled with satisfaction, silently praising the craftsmen's skill.

He then said to Madam Luo San, "Please use the fabric you've brought to make a fitting cover for this frame."

She looked at the lantern in curiosity. "What is this?"

"It's a lantern. Place an oil lamp in the center, and it will block both the harsh smell and the moths," explained Chu Yun.

As soon as she heard this, Madam Luo San understood and couldn't help exclaiming, "The smell from the oil lamp and the moths have always been such a headache. And when the wind blows out the lamp, relighting it is a nuisance. Who would have thought such a simple solution could resolve it all? Why did no one ever think of this before?"

Everyone laughed at her words, but their admiration for Chu Yun grew. The lantern was indeed simple, but if it were so easy to invent, it would have existed long ago.

Madam Luo San set about her work with great care. Her needlework was truly superb—her hands moved like a sewing machine, and within half an hour she had the fabric cover ready and fitted onto the frame.

The moment the lantern was finished, Luo Lin, not waiting for Chu Yun to speak, personally fetched an oil lamp, placed it inside the lantern, and lit it.

The thin silk was nearly transparent and did not affect the brightness; in fact, since the fabric was white, the light seemed even more brilliant.

"There’s no smell anymore, and though there are still moths, at least they no longer trouble the flame. The wind can't blow the lamp out either. This lantern is simply marvelous!"

"Indeed, Doctor Chu is truly a remarkable man, to invent such a thing."

"The fabric on this lantern is rather plain. If there were more time, I could embroider it with patterns to make it even lovelier."

Luo Lin, Luo Qi, and Madam Luo San all gazed at the lantern, unable to hide their admiration.

You are reading the latest update of "Lord of the Humble House" by Jin Xixi. Please remember to bookmark this site so you can easily find the newest chapters next time!

Chapter Forty-Five: Truly a Remarkable Man.