Chapter 273: Such a Painting, I Have Seen Before

Qianqiu had been doing more than just managing the household. She also had to deal with her mother-in-law and uncles, and with her husband being away all year round, she had become completely worn dow...>> 。When she had finished her breakfast and the maidservant A-Li returned from buying snacks at the auspicious shop, she brought back a piece of news:"While I was queuing at the auspicious shop, I overheard two people in front of me discussing that an official of the sixth rank from the Ministry of Justice had been dismissed and would be moving out of the capital in a few days. However, his wife still owed money outside! The other person asked if it was the Madam She replied, 'No, it's a concubine from the Yu family, but she puts on airs and likes people to call her Mrs. Yu.'" 。In the business world, to make money, one would also follow her wishes. Two flattering words, "Mrs. Yu," and she'd be happy to buy more. 。When it was almost my turn to buy some snacks, I heard that the Yu family from the auspicious shop also owed money to the shop. These two debts had to be collected quickly. 。I have heard that the Yú family came to our house and made a scene before, so I wanted to inform you. 。" I'm glad to hear that," said Ye Wen. "Do you know which two families are involved in the gossip" "I know one of them is the Liu family who runs Wanfulou on Shun Street. The debt is probably owed to Wanfulou." 。" Ye Wen thought for a while before remembering that Wanfulou was a jewelry shop in the inner city. It wasn't the best, usually serving families of officials ranked five to six, at most four." 。She made a note of this and when she was about to leave, she said to her nanny, "Nanny, you will go to Wanfu Building later and inquire about the debt owed by the Yu family." 。If we could ask for more, we would ask who else they owe money to besides Wanfoulou and Jixiangpu. 。“Very well,” Granny nodded. “This old slave will go right away. I’ll find out and then go to the Minister of War’s residence to pick up my young lady.” 。" A group of people split up into several paths, with some taking over the outer city. Old Madam Ji went along the main street, while Ye Wenyan took Zhu'er and a half cart full of prepared gifts to Shangshu's Mansion. " 。The reconstruction of the inner city was very fast, the court didn't skimp on funds, and the outer city craftsmen were all dedicated, doing their work professionally and energetically. 。In just a few days, the main streets of the inner city had been repaired, and more than half of the street-front shops had also been completed. 。The Ministry of History's building wasn't very large to begin with, and after a little bit of repair, it looks almost the same as it did before. 。When she arrived, Jiang Feng was not yet back from court. Mrs. Jiang and Jiang Wanting were both at home. 。Upon hearing her arrival, the two became very excited. Madam Jiang immediately ordered the kitchen to prepare a meal, ensuring everything was ready for her to eat after lunch before leaving. 。Ye Wen pushed several times but couldn't push past, and if he refused more strongly, it would seem impolite. So he could only agree to stay and then told Jiang Wanting to get someone to move the things from the car outside. 。Jiang Wanting said to her, "Why bring gifts when you come to our house! You've been here so many times before, I've never seen you be so distant." 。 。" She laughed, "It's not worth much, just some snacks from the Lucky Shop. Don't you want to try them" "I do!" Jiang Wanting was delighted, "If that's all you're giving, then I'm happy to accept this gift." 。As for the rest, you better take it back the same way you got it. We really don't need that between us. 。"

Ye Wenyan shook his head. "It was Uncle Xie Jiang who helped our family in this matter at the Yu family's house. If it wasn't for the Ministry of Punishment's assistance, it wouldn't have been so easy to resolve this matter smoothly. We would have had to spend many more times dealing with the Yu family." 。I don't really care, the main issue is my older brother. He's such a person who has never gone through these kinds of tough experiences. 。Upon hearing her mention her elder brother, Jiang Wanting's mood turned sour. She no longer cared about the gifts or lack thereof and even neglected the snacks that servants had brought in from the auspicious shop. She simply sat listlessly on a chair, deep in thought. 。Mrs. Jiang sighed when she saw this, but she couldn't say anything, so she could only make arrangements for Ye Wenyan to drink tea and eat some snacks. 。Instead, Ye Wen took a long rectangular box from Zhu'er's hand and gave it to his wife: "This time I came here thanks to Uncle Jiang's help, but I really didn't bring anything for Uncle Jiang." 。"I brought a good thing for Auntie Lan. Would Auntie Lan like to see it" Mrs. Jiang's given name is Lan Meiyu, and Ye Wenyan has always called her Auntie Lan. 。Hearing that there was something good, I became interested and immediately asked: “What is it Of course, I want to see...” 。" Night Wen smiled and handed the box forward, "Aunt Lan, please open it yourself. Although this is a gift for Aunt Lan, I think Uncle Jiang would be the happiest to see it. So my gift can be considered half for each person, so as not to offend anyone." 。The mystique of the gift had been fully aroused, and Mrs. Jiang couldn't wait to open the box. Inside lay a painting scroll, seemingly made of silk but of a quality far superior to anything she had ever seen before. 。Whether in terms of thickness or the density of its silk weaving, it is refined many times over. Even the materials used by the imperial concubines are not as fine as those used in this painting. 。Madam Jiang was truly astonished. "Is this silk Why is it unlike any silk I've ever seen before It's like silk, yet not quite silk; like gauze, yet not gauze either. It's so thin, yet it can be painted on..." 。"Is this a painting What is it"

"Aunt Lan opened it and knew at once" 。Mrs. Jiang immediately took out the scroll, and even Jiang Wanting, who was listlessly sullen, was drawn in, immediately stepping forward to carefully help unfurl it. 。At the moment the scroll unfurled, both of them were stunned. Even the maidservants beside them couldn't help but lean forward, their faces full of astonishment. 。Zhuier was also curious and went to take a look. Then she widened her eyes and stared at her elder sister, the meaning was very clear: Sister, when did you draw this I haven't seen you draw this before!Think about it again, something is wrong, Zhuier didn't hear that the Fourth Sister knew how to paint! Although she used to wipe ash in the mistress's room, after all, the Fourth Sister was the mistress's daughter, so she naturally came and went often. 。For so many years, I've never seen Fourth Sister paint, nor have I heard that our family ever hired a painting teacher for her. 。Besides martial arts, she is also proficient in calligraphy, painting, playing the qin (a Chinese zither), and chess. 。How did this painting suddenly appear It's a portrait of Lady Jiang, isn't it If she remembers correctly, this is her attire from the New Year's Eve banquet at the palace.This painting is too realistic, with a sense of life force infused into it. Even if it weren't by an ancient artist, people from later generations would be amazed. 。The three-dimensional effect that goes far beyond what ancient people knew, is exactly what makes the figures in the painting seem to walk out and come alive. 。 Mrs. Jiang was so frightened that she couldn't speak. Jiang Wanting recovered faster and asked Ye Wenyan with a terrified face, "You, you can't eat some worldly things all night, right This, isn't it scary" She was stunned for a moment, “What, what do you mean Is this painting scary” She also walked over, “It’s not scary, it's just Aunt Lan! Look at her eyebrows, eyes and features, aren't they just like a real person I worked hard for several days to paint it” 。“ Zhuai'er silently lowered her head, thinking to herself, “Sister Xin, isn't this a bit too much When did you ever draw anything I don't remember seeing it. " Thinking about it further, such an outlandish painting could only be the work of Yan Huagong. ” 。Well, it's probably given by the Emperor. Then there's no difference between her working hard and relying on that. 。Then the girl perked up, nodding vigorously. "Yes, yes, my sister painted it for a long time!"Jiang Wanting twitched the corner of her mouth. "I don't care about your brother's business. Wasn't it just last night This is called painting for a long time"Ye Wenyan patted her arm. "Don't rush to question, hear me out and I'll give you a justification..." 。"What do you want me to do" Let me explain... 。“She wiped the sweat from her brow. “Actually, I had already started painting it before. I got the idea on New Year’s Eve, and then after that it was a constant back-and-forth, like turning over an earth dragon or something. Anyway, it was an on-and-off process until this morning when I finally finished it.” 。I guarantee this thing is definitely from the human world. You can rest assured and take it, it won't be haunted, won't bring bad luck, and it can even ward off evil spirits. 。" Come on! Haven't you heard about my mother using charms to ward off evil There's nothing you wouldn't dare " 。“Jiang Wanting laughed at herself, “I just think your painting is so strange. It’s a painting, but why does it look just like a real person No, it's even more real than a real person. The moment I opened it, I almost thought another woman walked out of the painting…” 。"This is too scary, what kind of painter could create such a lifelike painting Alvin, is this really your work" "Of course it's mine." 。" I never knew you could draw! " "Didn't you know I could Huo Fengwu either!" "That's exactly it! Why are there so many things about you that I don't know How did we agree to do things before To be honest with each other, not hiding anything..." 。"It's only me who is honest with you, aren't you hiding things from me" Ye Wenxin felt uneasy. He wanted to forget about it and quickly comforted her: "Don't be angry, please don't hold a grudge against me because of this." 。All these skills I have learned from my grandfather who secretly went to find a master and had him teach me when he was carrying everyone on his back. 。Many times I sneak out of bed in the middle of the night to go to class with my teacher. My grandfather won't let me follow anyone else, what can I do You know how stubborn he is. When he's around, there's no arguing with him. I wouldn't dare fight back. 。Once explained like this, Jiang Wanting felt that she was right too, and she felt that the old general was truly farsighted. 。Just because Ye Ji is now targeting Ye Wenyan and the eldest family again and again, luckily the old general left a life-saving method for his most beloved granddaughter. Otherwise, this would be a never-ending fall, it's uncertain if she could even get back up. 。So she patted Ye Wen's hand in understanding and chirped, "This painting would be best hung in my father's study. Since he's always working there, Mother and I never go to bother him, but he definitely thinks of us! Sending him a painting of his mother will cheer him up and ease his longing." 。Draw me one too, and I'll hang mine up. 。"

Ye Wen nodded, "That's no problem"

Then, looking at Madam Jiang, she was still staring fixedly at the portrait. 。After half an hour passed, Madam Jiang suddenly blurted out: "This painting... I seem to have... seen it before." 。" Night Wind was greatly surprised!ecause he was afraid of angering foreigners Was it the Regent King who was too arrogant, or Su Yuan who was too arrogant, or were they both arrogant, and only Quan Qingcheng was a soft persimmon...