ARTTEDSBGT Chapter 98
Imperial Palace, Verdant Splendor Palace.
“Before each stroke is laid on the canvas, there is already a rough image in the mind. Painting is merely the process of presenting it stroke by stroke, bringing the painting on paper closer to the one in the heart…”
Li Zhizhi explained delicately, and Concubine Rong scratched her chin, pointing at the drawing she had just completed, with a puzzled expression. “But when I paint, I’m clearly thinking of a cute little cat, not this ugly thing.”
Li Zhizhi:…
She tried to simplify her explanation: “For example, if Your Ladyship were to paint a butterfly, what scene would it be?”
Concubine Rong thought for a moment and said, “The butterfly would be fluttering around a branch of peach blossoms, flying here and there.”
After hearing this, Li Zhizhi didn’t hesitate and began to sketch on the paper. With just a few strokes, she outlined a gracefully dancing butterfly. Concubine Rong leaned in, astonished, and exclaimed, “You’re so talented! If only I were as clever as you.”
Li Zhizhi chuckled and said, “If Your Ladyship practices diligently, you will surely paint better than me.”
Concubine Rong, however, grinned and said, “I am well aware of my own abilities. I dare not harbor such extravagant hopes.”
She propped her chin with one hand, her expression carrying a hint of girlish innocence. She winked at Li Zhizhi and whispered, “Do you know why the Emperor taught me painting?”
Li Zhizhi shook her head, and Concubine Rong leaned slightly closer, speaking softly, “It’s because I don’t know how to paint.”
“If I understand everything, why would the Emperor pay attention to me?”
Concubine Rong smiled with a hint of pride, saying, “Even if I can’t learn it for a while, the emperor will not be angry, because he knows that I am stupid, but even so, he will still come to inquire and admonish me every few days.”
Li Zhizhi seemed to grasp something, and rather than seeing this as Concubine Rong’s secret to maintaining favor, it was more about her deep understanding of Emperor Jing Ming. With his supreme power and stern demeanor, who would think of such a method? If not careful, one might provoke the wrath of the Emperor and lose their position.
Only Concubine Rong dared to take such a unique approach and think outside the box.
“I mentioned earlier that the Emperor seems to like you,” Concubine Rong, holding a sheep-hair brush, lightly tapped Li Zhizhi and said with a playful smile, “He has always been lenient and tolerant towards his own people, even granting them certain privileges.”
Li Zhizhi looked at her with surprise and hesitation. “But…”
Seeing her expression revealing a hint of confusion, Concubine Rong couldn’t help but cover her mouth and laugh. She said, “Don’t think too much. The Emperor probably doesn’t have that kind of intention.”
Li Zhizhi: …
With a smile, Concubine Rong continued, “In any case, this is a good thing. You should seize the opportunity. It’s something many people can’t obtain, like the one in Chonghua Palace; she might be jealous to the point of turning green.”
Chonghua Palace housed the Pure Consort, and Li Zhizhi was skeptical about Concubine Rong’s words. Nevertheless, she obediently replied, “This humble servant understands. Thank you, Your Ladyship, for your guidance.”
“Speaking of which,” Concubine Rong recalled something and asked, “When do you plan to expose Xiao Man’s lies to the Emperor? Don’t tell me, you’re not thinking of letting her off so easily, are you? I won’t agree.”
Upon hearing this, Li Zhizhi blushed and smiled, saying, “Your Majesty works hard to plan for this humble servant, and I dare not disappoint your intentions. It’s just that I feel the timing is not right yet.”
Concubine Rong, curious, asked, “What do you mean by that?”
Li Zhizhi said, “Does Your Majesty think about the risky move County Princess made in claiming that painting? Naturally, it’s to win the Emperor’s favor and gain some rewards.”
“Did she succeed?”
Concubine Rong shook her head, showing disdain. She said, “On that day, Grand Princess Yong Ning happened to come to court, and the Emperor didn’t mention any rewards for her. He just sent her away. I imagine she must be very dissatisfied in her heart, right?”
“More than that,” Li Zhizhi smiled slightly, saying, “I’m afraid her heart is about to shatter into pieces. Despite all her efforts and meticulous planning, she still hasn’t obtained what she wants.”
Wait a little longer, and she’ll probably be desperate, right?
Unlike Li Suwan, Xiao Man is not foolish. On the contrary, she is very cunning, patient, and meticulous in her thinking, always calculating behind others’ backs, seeking benefits like a greedy and cunning snake.
If we can’t hit her weak point in one stroke, there will likely be endless troubles later.
So Li Zhizhi needs to be more cautious and careful than her. She doesn’t know Emperor Jing Ming as well as Concubine Rong. In Li Zhizhi’s view, Xiao Man is Emperor Jing Ming’s niece no matter what. Will the emperor really punish her for the incident of forging a painting? If he just picks it up and puts it down without further action, what then?
Li Zhizhi is always vigilant. Even though she is now titled as a Princess, she is aware of her identity – just an adopted daughter of the Grand Princess, while Xiao Man, after all, bears the surname Xiao.
For Emperor Jing Ming, which is more important? A misstep could complicate things, and Li Zhizhi doesn’t want to alert the Emperor prematurely. She patiently lurks, waiting for the perfect opportunity.
…
When Li Zhizhi leaves the imperial palace, she sees a familiar figure standing tall. A guard waits by the carriage, holding a small booklet, flipping through it. Upon noticing her, he immediately puts the booklet away and respectfully greets, “This subordinate has seen the Princess.”
“Xu Tingfeng,” Li Zhizhi calls his name, somewhat curious, “what were you looking at just now?”
Xu Tingfeng honestly replies, “It’s some routine matters I need to report to His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Li Zhizhi nods, then smiles faintly. Her brows resemble the mountains in spring, and her eyes are like clear water as she says, “These days, you’ve worked hard.”
Xu Tingfeng immediately responds, “Serving the Princess is my honor.”
As Li Zhizhi rides the carriage back to the Grand Princess’s residence, passing Mingyuan, she suddenly remembers something. She had made plans with Su Tangyu to meet Song Lingyun tomorrow, and in her busy days, she nearly forgot about it.
Li Zhizhi pondered for a moment, lifted the curtain, and leaned out to ask the guard driving the carriage, “Xu Tingfeng, you’ve been following the Crown Prince all along. Do you happen to know someone skilled in eloquence?”
Xu Tingfeng looked somewhat surprised, thought for a moment, and said, “I do know someone who is quite skilled in this art.”
Li Zhizhi smiled, “Could I trouble you to take me to visit them?”
Xu Tingfeng replied, “Certainly.”
He didn’t know why Li Zhizhi wanted to find someone skilled in eloquence, but he faithfully led her to meet the person. The skilled individual lived in the northern part of the city, quite far from their current location, and usually performed in teahouses and taverns to earn some extra money.
After witnessing the person’s talent, Li Zhizhi was very satisfied. She immediately took out a silver ingot and said, “I have a good show tomorrow; I would appreciate your assistance, sir.”
The eloquent person, upon hearing this, happily agreed, saying, “I will follow the young lady’s orders.”
After setting a time, Li Zhizhi rode back in the carriage. The wind caused the curtain to sway lightly, and she noticed the guard driving the carriage taking out a pen and jotting something down in a small booklet. Curious, she asked, “Do you need to write that down too?”
Xu Tingfeng, caught off guard by her sudden question, slightly surprised, put away the booklet and replied with a composed tone, “It’s part of my duties.”
Li Zhizhi was curious about what he had written in the small booklet and asked, “Can I take a look?”
Upon hearing this, Xu Tingfeng, with a slightly troubled expression, replied, “This is my responsibility.”
Li Zhizhi, seeing his hesitation, smiled and said, “Forget it, I just asked casually. Don’t worry about it.”
Xu Tingfeng immediately breathed a sigh of relief and continued driving the carriage forward.
…
Meanwhile, Song Lingyun had finished his studies at the Imperial Academy and returned to his family mansion. The gatekeeper handed him a letter, respectfully saying, “Young Master, someone has sent a letter for you.”
Song Lingyun casually took the letter, opened the envelope, and pulled out a thin red paper emitting a faint fragrance. The elegant ink characters surprised him as he glanced at the contents.
The curious pageboy beside him asked, “Young Master, whose letter is it?”
Song Lingyun looked somewhat pleased and replied, “It’s from my cousin. She’s inviting me to meet her at the Azure Sea Tower tomorrow to discuss something.”
“Are you going?” the pageboy inquired.
Song Lingyun, holding the scented letter close to his nose, sniffed the delicate fragrance and replied nonchalantly, “When a beautiful woman invites you, of course, you must go.”
“But…” The pageboy hesitated and reminded, “Miss Su also invited you for tomorrow, didn’t she?”
“So what?” Song Lingyun’s expression showed a hint of indifference. He said, “It’s just a brief delay. A little sweet talk, and Ah Yu won’t be upset.”