Chapter 97 I bought all those paintings, and not a single one of them fell into the hands of others.
Even someone as smart as Su Ying was at a loss for a moment when faced with Yuan Song's string of words that sounded like pearls falling on a jade plate.
Yuan Song sighed, and couldn't bear to see her suffer, so he gently helped her sit down.
"As everyone knows, our Emperor was betrothed to the Imperial Concubine when he was still a prince. At that time, the Emperor was merely a prince raised by the Empress Dowager, his mother's origins unknown, and the Imperial Concubine's status was naturally not prominent. Her father was a mere general from the common people who rose to prominence on the frontier through ruthlessness and reckless abandon. Everyone said this marriage was orchestrated by the Empress Dowager, allowing the Emperor to stabilize the frontier for the deposed Crown Prince and help him ascend to the throne in the future."
"Let's not discuss how His Majesty finally ascended the throne. This Imperial Concubine is naturally generous and enjoys the daily life of the people. She often sends people out of the palace to search for local snacks and interesting things. After every festival, she loves to send people to the Nanfang Painting Market to pick out the painters' paintings of the people having fun. She says that seeing the lively atmosphere is soothing and relieves worries."
Su Ying's expression turned from suspicion to shock. Seeing this, Yuan Song softened his tone and said soothingly, "Don't worry, I bought all those paintings. Not a single one has fallen into the hands of others."
While the Imperial Concubine's hobby wasn't exactly a household name, it was a well-known secret among those who adored painting. Consequently, the Nanfang Art Market was always bustling, especially after festive occasions, when paintings flooded in. Painters displayed their own lantern scenes, hoping to be selected by a palace maid and, if so, to be sent to the palace, their fame would be undeniable.
He had never expected that, upon entering the art market that day, he would recognize her in the painting at first sight. After three years, she had lost her childish innocence, but her eyes, eyebrows, every frown and smile, which had been engraved in his heart, still made it easy for him to recognize her.
"This painting, I want it!"
The painter said, "Sir, can you please look at something else? This one is unsaleable."
Yuan Song glanced at him sideways: "Stop talking nonsense, how much silver is it?"
The painter apologized, "Sir, you have a good eye, but this painting has already been ordered by the palace."
Yuan Song snorted, "If it really had been decided in the palace, why would you still be hanging there? Tell me, how much silver do you want?"
The painter said, "Sir, I am an insider, but this painting has indeed been favored by a eunuch in the palace. However, he still needs to look at other houses, so the two have not yet been settled."
Yuan Song said, "There are so many art studios in this art market, and yours is just the first one. The deeper you go, the more dazzling it becomes. Who would even remember yours? I want all the lantern festival scenes you have in your studio."
Of course, he wouldn't tell Su Ying that he had carefully and thoroughly visited every studio that day. Fortunately, when these painters painted the scene, they were in different places. If they painted this one, no one else would paint the same scene. Otherwise, a carriage wouldn't be enough for Yuan Song to pull it back home.
"Before I went to the capital, I knew you had arrived as well, so I set off as fast as I could before the New Year, only to be scolded by my mother. I had originally planned to ask my aunt to send a formal invitation after the Lantern Festival, but I never expected to see your and Du Heng's paintings at the art market."
He knew Ying'er had gone to the Du residence, but he didn't know what the situation was. So he sent someone to investigate. The news he found out was that the Du family only had one male heir, the previous top scorer in the imperial examination. Because of mourning for his father, he missed the spring imperial examination. For three years, he stayed indoors, adhering to filial piety. Everyone who mentioned him praised him as a gentleman.
So, he patiently took part in the literary appreciation meeting, which he usually disliked the most, in order to see if the person in the painting was the Du Heng that everyone praised.
At the literary appreciation meeting, he targeted Yuan Song with every word and pressed him with every sentence. Du Heng saw that he was targeting him intentionally, so he remained calm and responded calmly. Finally, with Yuan Song's words: "A gentleman is open and honest," Yuan Song felt a little relieved.
But who would have thought that when I went to Xu's house today on behalf of my uncle, I found that Du Heng was just a facade, always looking for more. What did he think of Ying'er, the treasure in his heart?
Thinking of this, Yuan Song couldn't help but look at Su Ying and said, "Do you know where Du Heng went today?"
"The residence of Xu Chongnian, the Minister of Rites!"
"Du Heng may seem like a top scholar, but he's actually lacking in potential. With his current status, becoming the Shangshu is a perfect choice. My uncle has a close relationship with Shangshu Xu, and I know what the Xu family is up to. Ying'er, if you and him aren't destined for a lifetime of love, break up the relationship and find someone who truly loves you."
Yuan Song was extremely cautious when he said this, fearing that something he said might be too harsh and hurt Ying'er's budding love. He was also afraid that something he said might be too light and Ying'er might not realize the underlying meaning.
After all, he was the provincial champion, and just a few words from the heart were enough to make him sweat profusely.
At this time, Ying'er lowered her head and remained silent, as if she was in deep thought.
Yuan Song didn't dare to urge her and just stood aside, but his eager and expectant eyes betrayed his anxiety at the moment.
Unexpectedly, Ying'er hesitated for a moment before looking up at him and saying, "Yuan Song, can you give me the painting?"
Yuan Song was like a leaking sack. Originally brimming with anger, he was deflated by Ying'er's words. "Didn't you understand what I said? Aside from me, the Xu family has never invited any young men to their home. Now Du Heng has come, and although he hasn't said so explicitly, he's definitely looking for a date. When I went there today, Aunt Xu and Du Heng's mother were having a lively conversation. They reached the Chuihua Gate and chatted endlessly, refusing to leave. This matter is probably settled, Ying'er, do you understand?"
Su Ying's eyes were filled with tears. Yuan Song's words were so straightforward, how could she not understand the meaning? She smiled through her tears and said angrily, "Yuan Song, do you think I'm Yu Xuanji or Zhuo Wenjun? That Lantern Festival was only caused by a fight, which led to the scene in the painting you mentioned. There's nothing between him and me."
As she spoke, she unconsciously shifted her gaze elsewhere and said, "Since you are doing this for my own good, it would be best for me to handle the painting."
Seeing that she was deceiving herself again, Yuan Song couldn't help but hate Du Heng a little more. He said, "I think you are worried about the painting in my hands. Well, I will have someone send it to you today. Remember to clear out a room, otherwise there will be too much space!"
Rong hadn't actually gone far, merely sitting in a corridor not far from the side hall. At first, the room was quiet; the two children, reunited after a long separation, must have something to discuss. But Yuan Song's voice grew louder and louder. Rong feared someone might snoop, and she didn't want her mother-in-law to know. So, she gestured to Xiuyu, and the two of them returned to the side hall.
"What good thing are you going to give Ying'er that won't fit in a room?"
Rong only heard the last sentence clearly. It seemed that the two did not seem to be arguing, so he felt relieved and joked.
When Yuan Song saw Rong coming back, he took a step back and waited respectfully for Rong to return to her seat.
As soon as Rong was seated, he walked up to her and, just as he had done when they first met, bowed respectfully and said, "Madam Du, my nephew would like to give Ying'er a gift of gold silk, jade silk, and a wedding satin with a letter from a goose."
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