Qiao Zhizhi practices painting every day, and not only is she becoming more and more skilled, but she is also getting better and better at calligraphy, which is the foundation of her paintings. Now she writes beautiful characters. Of course, she can't compare with famous teachers, but she has surpassed many of her peers.
“You’ve already mastered simple compositions, which means you’ve laid a foundation. In the future, I’ll teach you to paint more complex pictures, including light and shadow, and layers. You need to learn all of that, and strive for perfection in every step,” Mr. Tan told her.
"Only in this way can you eventually create an impeccable painting, and even the corners that are most easily overlooked by viewers must be done to a very high degree."
"Yes, teacher, I've got it."
Qiao Zhizhi threw herself back into her arduous practice. She declined invitations to parties from aristocratic women, only spending time with her family and going out for a stroll.
For the past six months, Ponda has remained completely silent, as if he were dead.
Everything remained calm, and the imperial guards that the emperor had assigned to Mu Xinghe had long since withdrawn.
It's almost late autumn now. The leaves in the north have turned yellow, the maple leaves have turned red, and large swathes of withered yellow grass cover the plains. As far as the eye can see, there are different landscapes and scenery.
It's autumn harvest time again.
This year, the yield of grain in the fiefdoms is even higher, and the people are all smiles, and they are very enthusiastic about paying their grain taxes.
Qiao Lian'er was very generous and reduced everyone's tax by half a percent, so they only had to pay 25 percent.
This immediately garnered a huge wave of goodwill.
Everyone was extremely grateful, and whenever Qiao Lian'er appeared, they would bring her gifts.
The cloth woven at home, the smoked meat, the pickled vegetables, and the freshly harvested fruits and vegetables from the fields and gardens.
“Your Highness, you still need to recruit soldiers. I have five sons, and I’m willing to send two of them to your post,” an old woman said, holding her hand.
Her two sons, who had made up their minds, rubbed their hands together, nodded at Qiao Lian'er with bright eyes, full of sincerity.
Moreover, both of them are tall and strong, definitely soldier material.
In fact, the people did not object to sending their children to such garrisons to serve in the army. This was the capital region, and the army of the fiefdom would only be used as a last resort. It was a fairly safe place, and one could stay there for a lifetime without ever having to fight a war.
Moreover, the monthly salary is high and the benefits are good, making it a great job that you can be proud to talk about.
This wasn't the first time Qiao Lian'er had encountered something like this. She said, "I'm sorry, but my soldier quota is limited and I can't exceed it. That's the rule."
The two young men looked somewhat disappointed.
A procession passed by on the main road beside the fiefdom, and the general in the second rank stopped.
The entire group stopped in their tracks, and the leader turned around.
"Lieutenant Pang, why have you stopped?"
"Deputy General He, don't you think this fiefdom is too large?"
"It is indeed large, covering a radius of a hundred miles, and it is all good mountains and good land. Princess Dingxiang is really lucky. I don't know how she came up with those formations. How can a little girl have such ability?"
It must be said that Deputy General He's tone carried a hint of sourness.
Pang Da raised his chin: "The training here is almost entirely closed. If anyone were to harbor thoughts of treason and betray the Emperor's trust, I don't know how furious the Emperor would be."
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