Chapter 9: Ice Making

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After leaving the government office, Zhao Bin and his two companions walked along the street toward the prince’s residence. As soon as they entered the mansion, Zhao Bin began unbuttoning his clothes and undressing. It was late summer, and the weather remained oppressively hot. Zhao Bin felt sticky and sweaty all over. While taking off his clothes, he said to Ling’er, “Ling’er, arrange a bath.”

Ling’er was unfazed by this. Ever since leaving the capital, Zhao Bin had often gone bare-chested along the way, sometimes even ordering the guards to strip down during breaks to cool off, which scared the young maids into hiding inside the carriage. But over time, they had all grown accustomed to it. Ling’er acknowledged his order, took the clothes from Zhao Bin’s hands, and headed toward the backyard.

Zhao Bin entered the sitting room and sat down. Cui’er came out from the back hall carrying a teapot, poured him a cup of tea, then stood behind him with a small fan, gently fanning him. Zhao Bin took a sip, but the tea was too hot to drink, so he put down the cup and asked Cui’er, “Is there any ice in the mansion?”

Cui’er kept fanning without pause, eyes lowered, pouting helplessly as she shook her head. Zhao Bin turned and called out, “Chunxi, come here quickly!”

Hearing his name, Chunxi hurried into the hall and stood beside Zhao Bin. “Prince, I’m here.”

“Chunxi, have you ever seen white powder on the walls or courtyard walls?” Zhao Bin asked.

Chunxi thought for a moment and replied, “Prince, do you mean ‘dì shuāng’?”

“Yes, also called ‘dì shuāng.’ Go fetch some guards, have each take a broom and dustpan, and sweep up all the visible white powder inside and outside the mansion. I’ll need it after my bath.”

“Yes, right away,” Chunxi said and quickly left the hall. Soon, about ten people were seen sweeping around the mansion’s walls and corners, gathering the powder.

Xiao Chu entered the hall with a puzzled expression and a big question mark on his face: “Prince, what are you having them do?”

Wang Wu smiled and answered, “The prince wants them to sweep up the ‘dì shuāng.’”

Clearly, Xiao Chu wasn’t asking what they were sweeping but why. Zhao Bin said, “You’ll find out soon enough. Go fetch two basins, one large and one small, each filled more than halfway with clean water—drinkable water—and bring them here.”

In ancient times, most water was drinkable, unlike today’s standards. This also related to environmental differences, as many water sources are heavily polluted nowadays.

Seeing Wang Wu and Xiao Chu heading to the kitchen to find the basins, Zhao Bin turned to Cui’er and said, “Let’s go bathe.”

They entered a room in the backyard, where a large wooden tub was already filled halfway with warm water—neither cold nor hot, just right. Zhao Bin lay back in the tub, feeling much more comfortable. Ling’er and Cui’er changed into the semi-transparent short shirts only worn in the girls’ quarters, wrapped a cloth around their hands, and began to wash Zhao Bin.

After about half an hour, Zhao Bin emerged from the bathing room looking relaxed, with Ling’er and Cui’er following behind. They went to the front hall, where Chunxi, Wang Wu, and Xiao Chu were already waiting. On the table lay a dustpan of the white powder and two basins of water. Zhao Bin ordered Chunxi to close the door, then they gathered around the table.

Carefully, Zhao Bin placed the small basin inside the large one and evenly poured the collected white powder—potassium nitrate, or saltpeter—around the edge of the water in the large basin. This was his first time experimenting with ice-making using potassium nitrate; he wasn’t sure how much to use but figured he could just keep adding. After pouring in a portion, he covered the water’s surface with a white cloth.

“All done. Now, wait,” Zhao Bin said, slowly sitting back in his chair, signaling everyone to sit too. This was his rule: no standing during private discussions.

Suddenly, Zhao Bin asked, “Hey, where’s Xing’er? What’s she doing?”

“Prince, Xing’er is in the storeroom organizing things. I’ll go fetch her,” Chunxi replied.

“Go ahead,” Zhao Bin said.

Soon, Chunxi returned with Xing’er and closed the door behind them. Xing’er approached Zhao Bin, “Prince!”

Noticing everyone silently staring at the table at the white cloth covering the basin, Xing’er curiously asked, “Prince, what is this?”

“Don’t ask yet. You’ll see soon,” Zhao Bin said.

Xing’er said no more and took a seat to the side.

Half an hour later, Zhao Bin gently lifted the white cloth covering the basin. To everyone’s astonishment, the water in the two basins had solidified into ice. The crowd screamed in disbelief.

Ling’er exclaimed, “Prince, it’s ice, ice!”

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Xiao Chu: “Prince, do you know sorcery?”

Zhao Bin: “Get lost!”

Xiao Chu: “Oh!!!!!!!”

Wang Wu: “Prince, do you really know magic?”

Zhao Bin: “You damn—”

“This is called immortal art. Ever heard of turning stone into gold? This is turning water into ice.”

Ling’er: “Prince, how do you know immortal arts?”

Zhao Bin: “I dreamed about a white-bearded old immortal who taught me last night. Come to my room tonight; I’ll introduce you.”

Ling’er: “Really?”

Zhao Bin: “Really! You must come!”

Ling’er: “Okay.”

Cui’er: “Prince, I want to see too.”

Zhao Bin: “Then you come as well.”

Wang Wu and Chunxi: “Prince, we…”

“Shut up! Why would you guys come to my room and scare the immortal away?” Zhao Bin interrupted, sweating nervously before they could finish.

While everyone else was losing their composure, Xing’er remained calm and softly asked, “Prince, what’s really going on? How could it freeze at this time between summer and autumn? Could there be some kind of injustice?”

Zhao Bin said mysteriously, “The old immortal said that saltpeter, this ‘dì shuāng,’ when added to water, triggers a chemical reaction that cools the water. When the water gets cold, it freezes…”

Though they didn’t understand ‘chemical reaction,’ they generally got the point: this stuff makes water freeze.

“Go get someone to bring a knife,” Zhao Bin ordered.

“Clang!” Wang Wu drew his large broadsword from his waist.

“Damn, Old Wu, what the hell are you doing?” Zhao Bin shouted.

“Prince, didn’t you ask for a knife? This blade is sharp. Back in the battlefield, I cut down countless barbarians,” Wang Wu said proudly.

Zhao Bin gave him a deadpan look. “I said a kitchen knife. This ice is for eating; who’d dare eat it if you use that sword? Chunxi, go get a kitchen knife.”

“Yes, Prince,” Chunxi hurried off to the kitchen.

Soon Chunxi returned with a freshly washed kitchen knife and closed the door behind him. Zhao Bin took the knife and, with a flourish, struck a pose reminiscent of a master swordsman.

He lifted some ice from the small basin, chopped off a chunk, then painstakingly broke it into smaller pieces. Holding one up, he said to Ling’er, “Open your mouth.”

Obediently, Ling’er opened wide, slipped the ice in, and began sucking on it.

Zhao Bin asked, “How does it taste?”

Ling’er puckered her lips and mumbled, “Mom!”

Everyone gave her a blank stare. “Mom?”

Ling’er adjusted her tongue and said, “Cold.”

“Ha ha ha ha!”

“Come on, everyone, try some!”

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Each person took a small piece and put it in their mouth.

“Awesome, Prince!” Xiao Chu exclaimed in amazement.

“Refreshing, right? Nothing beats ice on a hot day,” Zhao Bin said.

“Go get a wooden tub and put that big chunk in water. Bring it to the brothers by the courtyard walls to quench their thirst,” Zhao Bin pointed to the remaining large ice chunk on the table.

“On behalf of my brothers, thank you, Prince!” Xiao Chu said, putting the ice back into the small basin and carrying it off to fetch water in the wooden tub.

“I’ll make the Prince a glass of iced water too,” Xing’er said with a smile.

“No need. You all share the rest to cool off. Now that we have this ice-making method, there will be plenty of ice in the future,” Zhao Bin said.

“Chunxi, later find another pot. Melt the ice and boil it dry. The saltpeter will reappear inside. Try to see if we can reuse it.”

“Yes, Prince. I’ll get right on it,” Chunxi replied happily.

“Also, this matter must not be leaked outside. Only those in the house should know. This concerns our big silver earnings next summer. If anyone dares to expose it, there will be no mercy.”

That night, Cui’er and Ling’er, filled with admiration for the immortal, came to Zhao Bin’s room. How to put it—they didn’t see the immortal but met a big tiger instead.

The next day, the two maids blushed deeply as they peeked out of the room. On their way, they met Wang Wu, who asked, “Ling’er, Cui’er, did you see the immortal last night?”

Unexpectedly, the two lowered their heads without a word and hurried back to their rooms, walking with an awkward gait.

Wang Wu watched their retreating backs, puzzled.

Back in the room, Xing’er was tidying up. She asked, “Has the Prince gotten up yet?”

The two stood silently at the door, not responding. Seeing their shy expressions, Xing’er teased, “What, didn’t see the immortal?”

“Big Sister Xing’er… Prince, the Prince bullied us,” Ling’er said, looking aggrieved.

“Don’t talk nonsense. How has the Prince treated you? You know better than anyone. Which lord is as kind and easygoing with his servants?” Xing’er chided.

“But the Prince…” Ling’er started but stopped mid-sentence.

Seeing this, Xing’er smiled softly and said, “We belong to the Prince. He’s grown up now, a man with his own desires. One day, I might even call you both princesses.”

Cui’er flushed deeply. “Big Sister Xing’er, please stop, you’re embarrassing me.”

Xing’er, being older by a year than Zhao Bin and having spent the most time in the palace, was well aware of such matters.

“All right, since you’re the Prince’s women now, you must serve him even more devotedly. Rest a little more; I’ll go attend to the Prince’s dressing and washing,” she said and left the room.

Carrying a basin, Xing’er entered Zhao Bin’s room. Seeing him still lying in bed behind the curtains, she said nothing, set down the basin, and gently pulled back the curtains.

Noticing Zhao Bin watching her, Xing’er smiled softly and said, “Prince, it’s time to get up. Let me help you dress.”

“All right!” Zhao Bin smiled.

Xing’er took a fresh outfit from the wardrobe and helped him dress. Halfway through, Zhao Bin pulled her close, teasing, “Xing’er, you smell so good.”

Xing’er gently pushed his hand away and continued tying his belt, saying, “Didn’t you enjoy yourself last night, Prince? Should I call the other two back?”

“They’re them, and you’re you. I’m not playing favorites,” Zhao Bin replied, reaching again to embrace her slender waist.

“Enough, Prince. No more teasing. There will be plenty of time later. I’m yours anytime, but don’t forget you have to go out of town today. Lord Cao has been waiting at the mansion since early morning,” Xing’er reminded him.

“All right, then at least one kiss,” Zhao Bin said, ignoring her protests, and kissed her forehead. Xing’er didn’t resist.