Chapter 78 The painter who demands compensation, if he doesn't recognize the beauty of flowers in full bloom and the shadows of the moon, doesn't know the shame of being afraid of rain…
Qingduo was filled with surprise and doubt, unable to guess what he meant. Then she heard Zeng Zhengqing say, "I'll paint you."
“Draw us.” He moved closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear, making her earlobes burn.
Qingduo was increasingly confused about his intentions, and felt her heart racing again because of the medicine. She hurriedly pulled her hand away: "I can't draw!"
"Have you forgotten? I've always painted flowers and birds, I can't paint these!" she said evasively.
He chuckled softly twice: "Is that so?"
"Then I'll teach you."
What? Qingduo stared at him blankly. "Qingqing wants to teach me how to paint?"
Just as Qingduo was about to ask a question, her body suddenly felt light, and she was lifted into the air. Zeng Zhengqing was carrying her and quickly walking towards the bed.
She hugged Zeng Zhengqing's neck tightly and said uneasily, "No, weren't you going to teach me how to paint?"
"If a painter does not know the beauty of flowers and the shadows of the moon, nor the shyness of rain and clouds, how can he paint vivid and lifelike scenes?"
"Vibrant and fragrant"?
This answer made Qingduo's heart skip a beat; her mind was already racing enough! She couldn't afford to "live" any longer!
Qingduo pushed him hard, trying to break free from his embrace, but Zeng Zhengqing steadily placed her on the bed. Qingduo propped herself up, trying to escape, but he pressed down on her shoulder with one hand and gently pushed her, causing her to fall back down.
Zeng Zhengqing leaned closer, and Qingduo instinctively closed her eyes and held her breath. She knew very well what was about to happen, but...
The expected kiss never came.
Qingduo quietly opened one eye and saw Zeng Zhengqing hovering in mid-air, looking down at the bedside on her left. Without hesitation, she kicked the object next to her off the bed.
"My Chu-Han River boundary!" Qingduo exclaimed in surprise, her eyes widening. She hurriedly reached out to stop him, but she was too late and grabbed nothing.
"To hell with the river boundary!" Zeng Zhengqing stared intently at her. "From now on, there will be no more boundaries between us!"
The kiss came like a summer downpour, surging forth.
Thank God!
This was a kind of exhilarating pleasure she dared not admit, a kind of nourishment she constantly craved.
The long-lost awkwardness still made her exclaim in surprise.
"Gently... gently..." Suddenly, her fingers pressed harder on his back.
"Ah Zhao!" Zeng Zhengqing responded softly, quickly cutting off her unfinished words.
Rising and falling, bright and dim, deep and shallow, lingering and tender.
He refused to let himself off the hook any longer.
She was immersed in indescribable love.
*
In the still of the night, Zeng Zhengqing got up, put on his robe, and looked back at the sleeping Qingduo. Seeing her bare shoulders, he pulled the blanket over her, then went to the table, poured a glass of water, and sat down by the bed. He gently patted Qingduo to wake her and called softly, "Azhao, Azhao!"
"Hmm..." Qingduo unconsciously hummed, turned her back to him, and her long hair fell down, just enough to cover half of her flushed face.
Zeng Zhengqing continued, "Get up and have some water."
Qingduo's eyelashes trembled slightly, but she remained completely still.
"Your voice is hoarse, drink some water to moisten it, or it will hurt tomorrow," Zeng Zhengqing advised in a low voice.
Qingduo slowly turned around, pressed the blanket against her chest with one hand, and then remained motionless, as if she had used up all her strength.
Seeing this, Zeng Zhengqing reached out and wrapped his arm around her from behind, gently helping her up. With his other hand, he held the teacup to her lips. Qingduo opened her mouth slightly and drank it all in one gulp from his hand. She kept her eyes closed and said in a somewhat lazy voice, "More."
Qingduo drank four or five cups in a row. When the last cup was brought to her lips, she only took a small sip, then pushed the cup away, lay down straight, and breathed steadily and long, as if she had fallen asleep instantly.
Zeng Zhengqing drank the remaining water in his cup, put the cup aside, blew out the candle, and then snuggled into the gentle embrace, holding Qingduo close to his chest.
Warmth filled his arms, accompanied by her faint fragrance, and Zeng Zhengqing felt an unprecedented sense of peace and joy. He couldn't help but lower his head and kiss her cheek repeatedly.
Qingduo immediately stiffened, muttering uneasily, "No, no, I'm tired."
Zeng Zhengqing found it amusing and coaxed, "I just want to give you a kiss."
The person in his arms was as soft as if melting, obediently letting him hold her. Zeng Zhengqing gently stroked her back, secretly sighing that his thoughts today were as unpredictable as a winding mountain road.
He had originally planned to lay everything bare, but when he saw Ah Zhao's adoring gaze, he suddenly understood.
Just as she had to pretend to be a dignified and proper lady when she first married into the Zeng family, her self-restraint and resistance when facing herself were also a kind of disguise. Whether it was dignity or self-restraint, it was all a deliberate imitation of the world's standards for women, suppressing her true self.
Just as her unnatural "dignity" was quickly exposed, her longing for intimacy grew stronger and stronger, impossible to conceal. This surging affection had long been clearly presented to him through her paintings.
Those paintings are poems that express his deepest feelings to him!
Zeng Zhengqing was overwhelmed with emotion and unconsciously tightened his arms, holding Qingduo tightly in his embrace. Having understood the feelings secretly expressed in her painting, he naturally felt he should respond.
Okay, then let's give her a big gift!
However, his decision remained the same: since she refused to reveal the truth, he would not expose her either, and let her create freely!
He wanted to see what tricks this "brilliant" lady could pull!
*
Mingzhu Painting Shop.
Shopkeeper Fang lowered his head to carefully check the contract, then looked up and nodded, saying, "In that case, all the formalities are complete. From today onwards, you will be a painter in our painting shop."
"Yes, yes, yes!" The person in front of him responded three times in a row, his tone full of barely suppressed joy.
The man wore a veiled hat, and that wasn't all; he also wore a long veil over his face, extending beyond the curtain like a winter pine, creating a layered effect. He concealed himself completely, clearly not wanting to be recognized.
After the man stood up, he slightly squatted down, then suddenly stood up again, raised his hands in a fist salute to bid farewell. He walked steadily for those few steps inside the room, but as soon as the door closed, the sound of hurried running could be heard outside, clearly indicating that he could no longer hold back.
Shopkeeper Fang couldn't help but shake his head. Even if he was dressed as a man, even if he deliberately spoke in a rude manner, even if he deliberately acted like a man, based on his experience in judging people and entertaining guests, this was clearly a woman.
Moreover, this person exuded a sense of familiarity, and his unique temperament made him unforgettable.
She's a regular customer at the store!
Manager Fang respectfully addressed the screen, "Master, Xiao He has departed."
A smiling man emerged from behind the screen; it was Zeng Zhengqing. He laughed and said, "Well done! You've signed a promising young painter for us."
"I was just following your instructions, but I never expected that Xiao He Fan would be a woman."
Zeng Zhengqing said quietly, "Yes! Who wants to attain enlightenment?"
After a brief silence, he continued, "There's one more thing I need you to do."
"Please give your orders."
"The Twelve Gentlemen paintings are vivid and expressive, showing the artist's deep understanding of the men women admire, revealing her delicate sensibilities. I want you to spread the word that 'Little Lotus Fluttering' is a female painter," Zeng Zhengqing said slowly.
Shopkeeper Fang was shocked upon hearing this and quickly advised, "A female painter boldly depicting men in various sexual positions is certainly an eye-catching highlight, but if someone with ulterior motives investigates her background, it might bring you unnecessary trouble and also cause criticism for that lady. Would you like to reconsider?"
Zeng Zhengqing gave him a deep look and praised, "Manager Fang is indeed insightful; nothing can be hidden from you."
He then laughed out loud: "My wife is the same. She thought that by covering her face and lowering her voice, she could fool others. But her every move is truly unique. In addition, she is facing an experienced old manager like you. How could such a little trick hide anything?"
"I don't deserve such praise," Manager Fang waved his hand and laughed, "It's just that the young mistress is so adorable and leaves a deep impression on me."
The two exchanged a smile, and Manager Fang asked again, "Should we continue spreading the rumor that 'Xiao He Fan is a woman'?"
“Yes!” Zeng Zhengqing said firmly.
Shopkeeper Fang looked troubled: "But the young mistress's paintings contain many explicit works. Once her identity is exposed, it's inevitable that some people will accuse her of 'lacking in virtue.' The 'Painting Hall Spring' incident caused quite a stir in the city, greatly increasing the young mistress's fame. Although there are mostly praises now, people's opinions are always fickle. If someone takes the opportunity to attack, the criticism will probably far outweigh the praise, which would undoubtedly be a great harm to the young mistress!"
"I have considered what you have said. That is precisely why this matter should be handled gradually and not rushed," Zeng Zhengqing said in a deep voice.
"Once the news spreads that 'Xiao He Fan' is a woman,' the city will surely be in an uproar, with everyone discussing it. At that time, we should contact more celebrities and scholars. As long as they can give high praise to 'Xiao He Fan's' painting, the public opinion in the city will change sooner or later."
"Fortunately, I have made many friends who understand painting. They already admire Xiaohe's works. Even if they know that the painter is a woman, they will not deny the value of the paintings. On the contrary, they will admire her even more because of her mystery."
"Once everything is in place, we can reveal Xiao He's true identity without any mistakes. At that time, everyone will know Tang Qingduo."
"But the young mistress's contract condition is that her identity cannot be revealed to the public."
“Then I’ll have to pay an extra sum!” Zeng Zhengqing joked.
He strolled to the window. The winter sunlight was faint, but the outside was exceptionally bright. He could almost see Qingduo twirling happily on the road, her veil and hat in her hands like a flowing skirt.
A smile appeared in his eyes: "She is naturally talented, and what she paints reflects her thoughts. What's wrong with that? Why should she be confined by the world's gaze?"
"The most precious thing is the truth that is unadorned."
A bird, of unknown origin, fluttered and flew into the sky. It circled a few times, seemingly reluctant to leave, but ultimately soared to even greater heights.
Zeng Zhengqing stared blankly at that tiny black dot as it flew towards its true destination: the azure, vast, and free sky.
That should be her final destination.
And he, willing to be the wind that helps her soar, brushing against her wings and accompanying her straight to the clouds.
He wanted to protect this precious vitality.
When did this impulse begin?
Perhaps it was that moment when we met again in the drizzle?
That time,
He finally understood the red of the camellia.
*
Qingduo was busy at home finishing the next solar term illustration when Fangqing came over to inform her that Zhu Yi was looking for her and wanted her to meet him at the front gate.
Feeling puzzled, she hurried to the door and said to Zhu Yi outside, "Brother Zhu Yi, why don't you come in and sit down?"
Then, as if suddenly realizing something, she said, "Oh! This is your first time visiting our home, and you want me, the host, to personally welcome you in, right?"
She pointed her index finger at Zhu Yi and said, "You're not good enough. You're putting on airs too much."
"Go away! Stop talking nonsense! I have serious business with you!" Zhu Yi looked her up and down.
"Tang Qingduo, look what you've done!"
They also said she did good deeds!
Hmph! This time she understood perfectly; it was sarcasm, meant to mock her!
Qingduo said unhappily, "They kindly invited you in for tea, why are you being so sarcastic? Tch! If you don't want to drink, fine!"
She flicked her hand to the left and turned to leave. Zhu Yi grabbed her arm, frowning, and said, "You little drama queen, I'm truly impressed! I'm here to tell you that the murderer who killed Sister Wu Yan's husband back then has been caught!"
Seeing Qingduo's surprised expression, he added, "Furthermore, to some extent, you also contributed to catching the murderer."
"Oh?" Qingduo's eyes gleamed with golden light as she blurted out:
Is there a reward?
-----------------------
Author's Note: Previously
Zeng Zhengqing: Ah Zhao won't tell me the secret, I'm heartbroken! [Burning with sobs]
after
Zeng Zhengqing: A-Zhao draws all of me; she loves me so much! [Go for it!]
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