I was chased by my sickly junior brother who had two lives

Since the successful firing of glazed tiles, and the glassware launched by the workshop has been widely praised and in short supply, Chen Jia's mind has been growing like a new bud breaking through the soil in spring, without stopping for a moment. One day, she sat under the wisteria trellis in the backyard of the workshop, holding a strange book from the Western Regions in her hand. The book describes the customs and customs of foreign countries, and the exquisite accessories and illustrations firmly attracted her attention. Especially the glass necklace, glass bracelet and glass ring, which sparkled with a dreamlike light in the painting, made Chen Jia fascinated.

Chen Jue came in after finishing the accounts of the workshop. Seeing Chen Jia's obsessed face, he smiled and joked: "My wife, what book has you so engrossed? Have you found some new treasures?" Chen Jia raised her head, her eyes full of excitement: "My husband, you came at the right time! I saw the colored glass jewelry in this book, it is exquisite. Since we have the skills to make colored glass, why don't we try to make it? If we succeed, it will definitely take our workshop's business to a higher level, and we can also show the beauty of colored glass to the world in a more exquisite way."

Chen Jue took the book and carefully examined the jewelry pictures, with a gleam in his eyes: "My lady, what you said is very true, but these colored glaze jewelry are small and exquisite, and the production process is probably more sophisticated and complicated than utensils, and the quality requirements of the raw materials must be higher." Chen Jia nodded and said: "I have also thought of this. We have to find some purer quartz sand, and we have to spend some time on color matching to make a color as gorgeous and elegant as the one in the book."

Chen Jue did what he said. The next day, he went to the mines around the capital to select quartz sand himself. He took several experienced craftsmen with him to carefully identify and examine the ore piece by piece in the mine. One craftsman was a little puzzled: "My Lord, the quartz sand we used before was also very good, why do we have to go to such great lengths?" Chen Jue patiently explained: "The colored glaze used to make jewelry is like dressing up a beauty, and it cannot be sloppy at all. Only quartz sand with higher purity can burn colored glaze with high transparency and less impurities, and the jewelry made will be more eye-catching." After several days of running around, they finally found a batch of high-quality quartz sand and returned home with a full load.

Chen Jia was busy studying color matching in the workshop. She carefully mixed various mineral pigments and metal powders, put them into the small furnace again and again, and observed the color changes. One day, a female worker saw Chen Jia's red eyes and advised her distressedly: "Madam, you haven't slept for a few days, take a break, this color can't be adjusted in a short time." Chen Jia smiled and shook her head: "Azhen, I'm anxious. If this color is not adjusted well, the jewelry will lose its soul. You see, this pink is too bright, and the blue is too dark, it's always a little bit lacking."

Just when Chen Jia was worried about the color, Chen Jue brought back good news. On his way back to the city, he met an old painter who traveled around the country. After hearing about their problem, the old painter taught them a unique skill of color mixing: using cinnabar to add color, using lapis lazuli powder to mix blue, and then using fine silver powder to brighten it. Chen Jia tried it according to the method and really fired a dreamy light blue colored glaze, just like the clear sky, beautiful enough to make people intoxicated.

After the raw material and color issues were resolved, making the mold became the key. Chen Jia and the craftsmen sat together all day, carving wooden molds. Chen Jia held a small carving knife and carefully outlined the pattern on the wood, muttering: "The pattern of this bracelet should be delicate, like a vine; the pattern of the ring should be simple and generous, highlighting the nobility..." A young craftsman scratched his head: "Madam, this mold is too difficult to carve. If you are not careful, the pattern will be messed up." Chen Jia encouraged: "Don't be afraid, let's practice a few more times, and slow work will produce fine work. Think about how beautiful the finished product will look when it is worn on the hands of girls, and you will be motivated."

The mold was finished, and it was finally time for the firing phase. Chen Jia personally stood by the kiln, her eyes fixed on the temperature. "Preheat with a low flame first, so that the raw materials can blend slowly, and don't rush to increase the temperature..." She gently reminded the craftsmen. As the temperature rose, the colored glaze gradually took shape in the mold, and Chen Jia's heart rose to her throat.

When the kiln was opened, everyone gathered around, nervous and expectant. When the first glass necklace was taken out, there was a burst of exclamation in the workshop. The necklace was like a flowing galaxy, with round and translucent light blue glass beads, separated by fine crystals strung with gold and silver threads, sparkling with colorful light in the sun, so exquisite that people could not take their eyes away.

"It's so beautiful!" Chen Jia's eyes were red with excitement, "We succeeded!" The craftsmen cheered and several female workers couldn't wait to pick up the necklaces and try them on, their faces filled with pride and joy.

The news spread quickly, and the noble ladies in the capital were the first to be unable to contain themselves. One day, several ladies from prominent families came to the workshop together, and as soon as they entered the door, they were attracted by the glass jewelry on the display stand. A lady in a goose yellow silk dress picked up a glass bracelet. The flower shape on the bracelet was lifelike, and the edges of the petals were shining with golden light. She exclaimed: "This bracelet is simply a work of art! I have never seen such exquisite jewelry. Wearing it on my hand will definitely make me the focus at the banquet."

Another girl in emerald green tried on a glass ring. The ring was inlaid with a pink glass main stone and surrounded by fine white glass, just like a blooming water lily. She loved it so much that she said, "Mrs. Chen, how much is this ring? I'll buy it! I'm going to wear it to the poetry meeting. My sisters will be very envious."

Chen Jia stepped forward with a smile and introduced: "Ladies, this glass jewelry is not only beautiful, but also hard and not easy to wear. Each piece is carefully made by us and is one-of-a-kind." The ladies selected their favorite items one after another and ordered a number of new models before leaving.

As her reputation spread, news came from the palace. The Crown Princess heard that the colored glass jewelry was exquisite and invited Chen Jia to the palace to show it. Chen Jia brought several carefully selected pieces of jewelry to the palace and met the Crown Princess in the East Palace. The Crown Princess sat on a carved chair, surrounded by a group of palace maids. When she saw the colored glass jewelry, her eyes were full of amazement: "Madam Chen, these jewelry are really treasures! This colored glass necklace with the palace dress will definitely make me shine on the festive day."

Chen Jia said respectfully, "Your Highness is too kind. I just wanted to incorporate the beauty of glass into jewelry to add some grace to you ladies." The Crown Princess immediately selected several pieces and rewarded Chen Jia with many precious silks.

Since then, Chen Jia and Chen Jue's workshop has become increasingly busy, with orders coming in like snowflakes. In order to meet demand, they recruited more craftsmen and taught them skills. Chen Jia gave guidance in the workshop every day, and she felt a sense of accomplishment watching each piece of glass jewelry being born from her hands and delivered to thousands of households. With the efforts of her and Chen Jue, glass jewelry has become a new fashion favorite in Qing. Whether it is an ordinary woman on the streets or a rich lady from a wealthy family, they are all proud to own a piece of glass jewelry.