ARTTEDSBGT Chapter 88
“Did you really paint this?”
Concubine Rong showed a slight surprise on her face, a hint of something different flickering in those beautiful eyes. However, it quickly returned to normal, covered by a smile, leaving Xiao Man feeling a sense of unease instinctively.
But she didn’t know where this unease came from. As she pondered anxiously, Concubine Rong laughed and said, “County Princess is truly talented and beautiful, both inside and out. To produce such a good painting, even the Emperor couldn’t stop praising.”
Xiao Man immediately humbly replied, “Your Majesty is too kind.”
Concubine Rong, playing with a silver spoon, said with a smile, “The Emperor mentioned wanting to meet the artist before. It’s a coincidence; there’s no time like the present. I happen to be free, so I’ll take you to meet the Emperor.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Man felt ecstatic but managed to control herself from getting too excited. She kept her head down, trying hard to keep her voice calm and respectful, saying, “Wouldn’t it trouble Your Majesty too much?”
Her tone still had a hint of instability, revealing some joy. Concubine Rong, however, smiled and said, “What trouble is there? I’m free anyway.”
As she spoke, she mentioned changing attire and asked someone to escort Xiao Man outside to wait. The palace hall became quiet again. The maids carefully helped her change clothes, expressing their doubts, “Your Majesty, she was clearly lying just now. Wasn’t that painting done by Miss Li? Why are you still taking her to meet the Emperor? Isn’t this deceiving the Emperor…”
At this point, she fell silent, but Concubine Rong lazily said, “The one deceiving the emperor is her, what does it have to do with me? She presented the stolen painting to me, and I merely gave her a small lesson, isn’t that justified? Besides, if Xiao Man didn’t have malicious intentions, impersonating others and falling into this trap wouldn’t have happened. It can only be said that she reaps what she sows, creating her own misfortune and cannot blame others.”
In the end, Concubine Rong smiled again and said, “Furthermore, if Xiao Man didn’t have those wicked thoughts, taking someone else’s place, she wouldn’t have fallen into this pit. It can only be said that she is getting her just desserts, self-inflicted, and can’t live a good life.”
Afterward, Concubine Rong took Xiao Man to meet the Emperor. Emperor Jing Ming was in his study reviewing doc.u.ments. Upon hearing the report from the palace maid, he asked, “What has been said?”
The palace maid replied, “The Concubine said that she has brought the artist responsible for the Cold Sparrow Peeking at Plum Blossoms painting that Your Majesty inquired about before.”
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing Ming thought for a moment before saying, “Let her come in.”
The palace maid left, and soon after, she led Concubine Rong in. Concubine Rong greeted Emperor Jing Ming with a smiling and graceful manner. Emperor Jing Ming looked behind her and saw a young girl in a bright red dress, looking somewhat familiar. After a brief thought, he said, “So it’s you.”
Xiao Man hurriedly knelt down and paid her respects, “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Jing Ming paused for a moment, put down his brush, and said, “Rise.”
Following his command, Xiao Man stood up, respectfully lowering her eyes. Emperor Jing Ming examined her for a moment and remarked, “You do bear some resemblance to your father.”
Unprepared for him to bring up Prince Sheng so suddenly, Xiao Man was immediately alarmed. Her voice slightly nervous, she replied, “Reporting to Your Majesty, when my father left, I was too young to remember. I don’t recall what he looks like.”
After hearing these words, Emperor Jing Ming seemed to be lost in thought. The air became quiet, and Xiao Man dared not make a sound, fearing to offend the imperial might. She knew that the Emperor was suspicious by nature, p.r.o.ne to conjecture, and began to worry that he might recall the cause of her father’s death.
In the midst of Xiao Man’s uneasy moments, she heard Emperor Jing Ming say, “You’re seventeen this year, aren’t you?”
Xiao Man respectfully replied, “In response to Your Majesty, this humble servant just turned seventeen this spring.”
Emperor Jing Ming made a thoughtful sound, his gaze falling on her. Emperors were always serious, and when they scrutinized someone, it carried a sense of evaluation and examination. Xiao Man became even more nervous until now; she truly felt what it meant to accompany the Emperor like facing a tiger.
Emperor Jing Ming asked her again, “Did you paint this picture?”
Next to the imperial case were two huangyang wood bookshelves, with a framed painting hanging above them. It was the picture of a sparrow peeking at plum blossoms. Faced with the majestic gaze of the Emperor, Xiao Man hesitated to speak for a moment. Nervous, her heart raced, and she felt sweat in her hands. She regretted being too hasty earlier, but now it was too late to say anything; she was already in a difficult situation.
Concubine Rong reminded softly from the side, “County Princess, the Emperor asked you a question.”
Xiao Man could only grit her teeth and say, “In response to Your Majesty, it was painted by this humble servant.”
“Hmm,” Emperor Jing Ming continued, “The poem on it is quite exquisite, complementing the painting. Did you also write it?”
Xiao Man’s fingernails tightly pinched the palm of her hand, trying hard to appear calm. She replied in a soft voice, “Yes.”
“Does this poem have a following line?” Emperor Jing Ming inquired.
Unexpectedly, he asked about this, and Xiao Man couldn’t help but be startled. How would she know if there was a next line? The poetry book was not written by her, and she felt a bit fl.u.s.tered. She lowered her head and said, “In response to Your Majesty, when this humble servant was painting, due to the rush of time, only this line of poetry was composed, and there is no subsequent line.”
Emperor Jing Ming nodded slightly, his face still expressionless, revealing no hint of what he was thinking. At that moment, a palace maid entered and reported that Grand Princess Yong Ning had arrived.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Jing Ming said, “Please let her in.”
Shortly after, Grand Princess Yong Ning was escorted into the study by a palace maid. She greeted Emperor Jing Ming and he waved his hand, asking, “Why do you have the leisure to come to the palace today? Have I disturbed you and Concubine Rong?”
“It’s not a disturbance,” Concubine Rong chuckled, covering her mouth. “I just arrived as well. It’s no bother. The Grand Princess’s matters are more important.”
Grand Princess Yong Ning’s gaze then fell on Xiao Man. With a slightly surprised expression, she said, “Man, you’re here too.”
Xiao Man hurriedly bowed and greeted her, addressing her as aunt. Grand Princess Yong Ning smiled and said, “It’s been quite some time, Man. You’ve grown into a young lady.”
The Grand Princess came to discuss matters with Emperor Jing Ming, and Concubine Rong, with her discerning eyes, took Xiao Man and excused herself. As they left the study, Concubine Rong subtly glanced at Xiao Man. Seeing her lowering her head with a slightly gloomy expression, Concubine Rong couldn’t help but feel that she was in a difficult situation. After daring to take credit for someone else’s work, she ended up without any rewards. It was truly a case of trying to hatch ducklings from chicken eggs, a futile effort.
Inside the study, Grand Princess Yong Ning and Emperor Jing Ming continued their conversation, “Summoning Man into the palace, is it…”
“It was not she whom I summoned,” Emperor Jing Ming picked up the doc.u.ments on the side, his tone indifferent. “Concubine Rong brought her.”
Grand Princess Yong Ning glanced at him and said, “Speaking of which, Man’er has indeed had a hard time. Lady Sheng is ill, and the entire palace relies on her alone to support it. She seems to be about seventeen now, and it’s time to discuss marriage, isn’t it?”
In the capital, it was indeed customary for a seventeen-year-old maiden to consider marriage. However, considering Xiao Man’s background, it posed some difficulties. Emperor Jing Ming only said, “Concerning Sheng w.a.n.g, I have done my utmost benevolence.”
Sheng w.a.n.g had committed treason in the past, but he did not harm his wife and children. Emperor Jing Ming had indeed done his utmost benevolence. With that said, Grand Princess Yong Ning did not dare to say more, fearing that the Emperor might be displeased.
Emperor Jing Ming asked Princess Chang, “Speaking of the matter of t.i.tles, what t.i.tle do you think we should give Li Zhizhi?”
Grand Princess Yong Ning smiled and said, “I think the name ‘Bao Xiang’ is quite auspicious. A treasure tree with a thousand flowers, radiating auspicious light— the meaning is very good and suitable for her. What does Your Majesty think?”
Emperor Jing Ming:
He picked up the doc.u.ments he had just put down, looked at Grand Princess Yong Ning, and said, “Bao Xiang Princess?”
Grand Princess Yong Ning also repeated it, very satisfied, and said, “It sounds smooth, and it’s auspicious. It sounds very fortunate.”
Emperor Jing Ming fell silent and said, “Let me think about it.”
Grand Princess Yong Ning, belatedly realizing the Emperor probably wasn’t too pleased with this t.i.tle, asked, “What does Your Majesty think, then?”
Emperor Jing Ming pondered for a moment, picked up a vermilion brush, and wrote two characters on the silk paper: Zhao Hua.
…
As Grand Princess Yong Ning entered the palace to pay respects, Xiao Yan didn’t know what to do. Xiao Rulei was left with Li Zhizhi. Seeing that the weather was good today, the two of them went out together, enjoying food and drinks, and then went to a teahouse for a leisurely time.
Xiao Rulei leaned on the railing on the second floor, listening to the storyteller downstairs. She was completely engrossed in the story. Li Zhizhi had originally wanted to leave but couldn’t bear to disturb her, so she patiently accompanied her. After drinking two more cups of tea, Li Zhizhi began to feel drowsy.
Unable to hold back a yawn, she suddenly caught a glimpse of an unexpected figure downstairs. The person had a slender figure, like green bamboo, wearing a lead-white robe and sitting in a corner of the hall.
With just one glance at him, the entire noisy teahouse seemed to quiet down. The external clamor and excitement seemed unrelated to him, even though the storyteller on stage was pa.s.sionately narrating a thrilling story, receiving thunderous applause. However, this person remained unaffected.
Li Zhizhi was surprised to unexpectedly encounter Su Qingshang in such a place.
Perhaps sensing her gaze, the young man moved slightly, looked up, and met Li Zhizhi’s eyes. He paused for a moment, then smiled faintly and stood up.
Li Zhizhi, chin in hand, observed him. Even his walking and ascending the stairs were unhurried, like a leisurely stroll in a courtyard. He seemed more suitable for a study than this bustling market. However, when he was amidst the commotion, he appeared composed and natural, without any awkwardness.
“Miss Li Zhizhi.”
Even the voice was calm and unhurried. Li Zhizhi looked up, smiled, and said, “Second Young Master.”
Xiao Rulei regained her senses, and she even remembered Su Qingshang, pointing at him and saying, “Oh, it’s you! The brother who sent the rabbit.”
She didn’t know Su Qingshang’s name, only remembering that he had sent a little rabbit to Li Zhizhi.
Speaking in childish language, innocent and cute, Li Zhizhi couldn’t help but laugh and echoed, “Yes, A’yang’s memory is really good.”
With that, she looked at Su Qingshang again, a bit curious, and asked, “Why is the Second Young Master here?”
“Surprised?” Su Qingshang smiled slightly and said, “Staying in the mansion all day can be boring, so I come here every day to sit around and look around.”
There was a sudden noise downstairs, but it was the storyteller waking up the wooden clapper, saying, “To know the rest of the story, listen to the next installment.”
“Ah,” Xiao Rulei exclaimed softly, very disappointed, “He didn’t finish this story.”
Li Zhizhi comforted her, “It’s okay, we can come back tomorrow to continue listening.”
Xiao Rulei pouted unhappily and said, “But I won’t remember today’s story tomorrow.”
She did know that she had a bad memory but asked Li Zhizhi with antic.i.p.ation, “Sister, did the little fox and the scholar get married? She’s so beautiful, the scholar must like her a lot and will marry her, right?”
Li Zhizhi had never heard this story, but seeing her eagerly curious expression, she nodded and was about to come up with a good ending to comfort her. However, Su Qingshang on the side said, “They didn’t get married. The scholar later believed the words of the Taoist, and while the fox was sleeping at night, he hid her clothes. The fox could no longer transform into a human, escaped into the mountains, and was eventually shot by a hunter, brought back, and eaten.”
Li Zhizhi:…
Xiao Rulei:…
Thinking that she didn’t believe it, Su Qingshang said in a gentle and confident tone, “I’ve heard this story three times, and I haven’t remembered it wrong.”
Xiao Rulei pursed her lips, and her eyes quickly turned red.