Although Jiang Huaiyu felt that such behavior was somewhat impolite, she also knew Ling Mo's upright and honest character. She understood that once they left the room, he would never reveal their private affairs, so she didn't actually have too many worries.
After a while, the old woman brought over two bowls of steaming hot noodle soup.
This bowl of noodle soup didn't have many seasonings, but it exuded a rich wheat aroma. Jiang Huaiyu hadn't tasted hot soup for two days, and the aroma made her appetite increase. She held the bowl and buried her head in it, savoring the soup attentively.
Although she ate quickly, she maintained an elegant and composed demeanor, befitting a lady.
Ling Mo slowly savored the noodle soup, his curiosity towards her growing stronger.
After a hearty meal, the old woman thoughtfully brought hot water so that Jiang Huaiyu could soak her feet before resting, which would help relieve some of the swelling in her feet.
Jiang Huaiyu had just finished a comfortable foot bath and was about to lie down to rest when Ling Mo's calm and firm voice suddenly rang out in the room, "Have you forgotten what you promised me?"
She sat up helplessly, then said with a hint of mystery, "Alright, I'll tell you then, but don't be too surprised, because everything I say is true."
Ling Mo waited quietly for her to continue.
Jiang Huaiyu slowly spoke: "Actually, I met you in a dream."
Upon hearing this, Ling Mo stood up angrily, "How dare you mock me?"
Jiang Huaiyu responded innocently, "I clearly told the truth, why don't you believe me? Then tell me, if I hadn't seen you in my dream, how could I know you and be so familiar with all your private matters?"
"Who exactly are you?"
"The Jiang family of the capital is now the Bai Jiang family of Fushun Town. You can inquire about it; we have indeed never met. But I do know that you carved that jade plaque yourself, and it depicts a snow pine tree on a cliff. You wouldn't deny that, would you?"
Ling Mo stood there, stunned, his eyes filled with deep shock.
The jade pendant was indeed carved by his own hand, and he had never shown it to anyone. That's why he was so shocked when he received Jiang Huaiyu's letter, rushed to the Bai family to find him, and when he realized something was wrong, he followed them all the way here.
Besides, no one knew about his hidden birthmarks and moles except for his deceased master. How could this woman, who had never met him, know so much about them?
Could it really be as she said, that they met in a dream?
He had never heard of such an absurd thing, but Jiang Huaiyu spoke with such certainty that he had no choice but to believe it; otherwise, how could all this be explained?
Jiang Huaiyu noticed his wavering and said in a gentle tone, "Young Master Ling, I know you still have many doubts in your heart, but you wandered the world in your early years and must have heard of countless strange and bizarre things. Perhaps this is the turning point of our fates."
A turning point in fate?
Ling Mo gave a disdainful sneer, "You know me inside and out, but I know nothing about you. How can this be considered a turning point in fate?"
"So-called destiny is not just about how well we understand each other. Perhaps it is that you help me get out of danger, and I save your life at the critical moment."
What do you mean?
Jiang Huaiyu asked, "Young Master Ling, have you encountered anyone from Princess Songyi's residence coming to look for you?"
Ling Mo frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and nodded in response: "Before the New Year, someone did claim to be from the Princess's residence and sent me an invitation to paint. I declined and never contacted them again. Why is that?"
"The princess's residence will definitely extend another invitation this year, but if you refuse again, you will probably face annihilation."
Ling Mo scoffed at this, "I refuse to write for the powerful and wealthy, is that illegal?"
“Disrespecting the royal family is a crime.” Jiang Huaiyu said solemnly and seriously.
Ling Mo was stunned for a moment, and after a long silence, he slowly said, "I come from the martial world, and I am not a weak person who can be manipulated by others."
"Indeed, Your Excellency's martial arts are unparalleled, unmatched in the martial world. But the imperial court and the martial world are not comparable. The Princess's residence is equipped with five hundred guards according to regulations. Because Princess Songyi is the Emperor's younger sister, an additional three hundred are added. If these eight hundred elite soldiers were to attack you en masse, how would you cope? Such a large number of armed guards, relying solely on long-range archery, would be enough to drive you into a desperate situation. Are you really not willing to risk your life?"
Seeing her solemn expression, which didn't seem like a joke, Ling Mo immediately clenched his fist. "But I've done nothing wrong. Even if she's a royal princess, how can she disregard the law and act rashly?"
Jiang Huaiyu sighed, “Criminal law does not apply to the powerful and wealthy, and etiquette does not apply to commoners. If you repeatedly refuse the princess’s invitation, you are disrespecting the imperial authority and challenging the royal dignity. Based on this alone, you will find it difficult to escape your guilt.”
As the eastern sky gradually turned a pale white, the light inside the room also gradually brightened.
However, Ling Mo's eyes remained as deep as the night. After a long while, he slowly spoke: "I established the rule of not painting for the government because I do not want to be controlled by power."
He looked down at his hands and said, “Painting should be free. I use my brush to depict the mountains and rivers of this world, to record birds soaring and fish leaping, willows green and flowers red. I also depict women and children, capturing all the lovely and delightful moments in this world.”
My paintbrush will only depict what I love, and will never become a tool for others to pursue fame and fortune. Therefore, even if the people from the princess's residence come to me again, my answer will remain the same.
Jiang Huaiyu's eyes gleamed with admiration. He stood up abruptly and said solemnly, "Young Master Ling's demeanor is reminiscent of the ancient sages. It is truly a great blessing for the world to have someone like Young Master Ling. Your brilliance and your paintings will surely be immortalized and engraved in the hearts of future generations."
Ling Mo also stood up, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, and humbly replied, "I am unworthy of such praise. Besides, as you predicted, disaster is about to befall me..."
Faced with misfortune, how could he possibly pick up his brush again and create a masterpiece?
Jiang Huaiyu asked with a smile, "Since you knew disaster was coming, why not take precautions in advance?"
Ling Mo was slightly taken aback, then looked at Jiang Huaiyu with a firm gaze, "You know me so well, you can even foresee my future, do you already have a plan?"
Jiang Huaiyu slowly sat down and calmly said, "The best strategy would be to accept the princess's invitation, which would avert disaster. However, this is clearly contrary to your original intention."
She suddenly looked up at Ling Mo, "Of the thirty-six stratagems, avoidance is the best. Young Master Ling, you are quite famous. Princess Songyi invited you because she knows you are near the capital. If she cannot find you, she may give up the idea. Are you willing to leave your hometown and stay away from the strife in the capital?"
This is indeed a feasible solution.
However, Ling Mo still shook his head, "My brush is as free as I am. I am not a treacherous person. The world is vast, why should I hide? If I did that, how could I concentrate on creating art?"
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