Qin Gui was very busy for the coming days, working on the compound bow 2.0.
The craftsmen were arranged by Empress Wei. originally, when she was living in the palace, Qin Gui only needed to send the drawings to the craftsmen and let them work out the changes themselves. But now that she was out of the palace and had the token that Empress Wei gave her, she simply went in and out of the Ministry of Works to discuss with the craftsmen face to face.
The Ministry of Works had been instructed by the emperor early on that they were not to discuss of this in private.
By the time the new composite bow was made, it was already five days after.
Compared with the one taken away by the emperor, this new compound bow was obviously much more refined. Both the axis of the pulley and the string distance were adjusted.
The different axis and bowstring distances had different effects on the accuracy and speed of the compound bow. The craftsmen worked day and night on fifty to sixty before they found one which they felt had the best stability and accuracy. However, it was still a far cry from the ones made in the future.
Qin Gui took the compound bow with her and came out of the Ministry of Works in a good mood.
The carriage was parked right near the alleyway to the Ministry of Works. She had just turned out of the alleyway and was about to get into the carriage when she ran into Qin Zhun, the Zhongyi Marqui, who was walking this way.
When Qin Zhun saw her, he was stunned for a moment before he recognized her.
His niece had been back for so long and he had never even taken a good look at her.
In Qin Zhun’s impression, Qin Gui was a wild and uncouth country girl. But now, in just a month, she had undergone a transformation to become an elegant young woman. At first glance, she was no different from the other noble girls in the capital.
“Second Uncle.” Qin Gui bowed in a standard gesture and smiled at him.
Qin Zhun casually asked, “Why are you here?”
“Just out for a stroll.” Since he was only asking casually, she answered back even more casually.
Qin Zhun nodded and admonished her with the airs of an elder. “A girl like you should go out less often if you don’t have anything to do.”
Qin Gui smiled and said innocently. “Second Sister was grounded but I wasn’t.”
Qin Zhun, “…”
This girl really is irritating!
She doesn’t even stop to think that none of all this nonsense would have happened if she hadn’t returned! Would the Qin family had to be forced into such a state by her? And now he just asked her to go out less and not make a fool of herself, and this girl even dared to talk back to her uncle like this!
“If Second Uncle has nothing else to talk about, Niece will head back first.” Qin Gui assumed he had nothing else to speak with her about and got onto the carriage by herself with Du Ruo following closely behind.
Only then did Qin Zhun notice Du Ruo holding something that was wrapped tightly in cloth. From the outer shape, it seemed to be a bow…What is this girl doing with a bow?
Without waiting for him to ask the question, the carriage had already begun to move and he could only watch as it drove away.
Qin Zhun’s eyes darkened. Without saying anything, he walked into a wine house across the street and went straight up to a seat on the second floor.
At the table, Second Prince Gu Jing and Yelu Luan had just withdrawn their gazes from the window. Gu Jing greeted Qin Zhun with a smile. “Uncle, please sit.”
“Your Highness.” Qin Zhun quickly bowed to Gu Jing first, followed by Yelu Luan.
Since Qin Xin was reduced to a concubine by Empress Dowager Liu, Qin Zhun had not seen Gu Jing since.
He was a proper marquis but ended up being reduced to a concubine’s “father”. He really didn’t know how to face Gu Jing. But unexpectedly, Gu Jing was still happy to call him Uncle.
Gu Jing’s regard towards him was evident, so Qin Zhun who had been depressed for a few days was able to feel a little better.
After Qin Zhun sat down and they exchanged some pleasantries, Gu Jing mentioned, seemingly unintentionally, “I just saw Third Young Mistress Qin down there. Did she just come out from the Ministry of Works?” While speaking, he glanced out the window again.
Qin Zhun followed Gu Jing’s gaze out of the window. Straight into the alley she came out from was the Ministry of Works.
Qin Zhun said in disbelief, “Your Highness, that girl was just coming out for a stroll.” How could she possibly be visiting the Ministry of Works!”
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