Chapter 250 Don't make people laugh.
Suddenly, a lively sound came from behind.
I wonder what interesting thing has happened this time.
Lady Xincheng and Yao Qingling turned their heads and saw Zhou Zhining standing gracefully under a red plum tree.
The poems on the stone table were laid out to dry on the chaise lounge, and a man in a blue robe was painting.
"...Mr. Su is a master painter, and it's rare that he's willing to show off his skills. This painting is sure to become a masterpiece. Once it's finished, don't try to take it from me; I want to collect it." It was the young master in green who spoke again.
He was determined to win.
Then someone else said, "Even if it's a collection, it's not your turn, is it?" That person glanced at Zhan Xingzhuo and smiled, "Minister Zhan, don't you think so?"
“Hey, Miss Zhou is currently staying at the new residence, and Minister Zhan himself is skilled in painting. He can paint Miss Zhou anytime he wants. There’s no need for him to compete with me for it, is there?”
“How can a woman’s portrait be collected by a man so casually? Young Master Meng, it’s fine if you’re frivolous, but don’t ruin Miss Zhou’s reputation.”
"I think you want it too, and you're just saying that on purpose, right?"
The men were talking animatedly, almost coming to blows.
Lady Xincheng pursed her lips and muttered, "She's like a courtesan."
She looked down on Zhou Zhining even more.
Unfortunately, Prince Xin overheard these words.
Prince Xin, fanning himself with a feather fan, suddenly gave Yao Qingling a deep look and said with a smile, "Madam, you're mistaken. Every household has a portrait of Guanyin; are they all as worthless as you describe?"
Lady Hou said, "She dares to compare herself to Guanyin? Don't make us laugh."
One saves all sentient beings, while the other harms countless people. Comparing the two is an insult to Guanyin and deserves to go to hell!
Prince Xin said, "Grand Tutor Zhou made a mistake, but Miss Zhou did not harm the people. She was only implicated because of her father. On the contrary, today, the Laba Festival, she persuaded me to distribute porridge at the north and south city gates. Such a woman, even if she is not Guanyin, should at least be praised for her kindness, right?"
Lady Hou sneered, "How interesting. She uses your money to provide porridge to the people; she used to use Zhan Xingzhuo's money to repair the houses of those affected by fire. She's so generous with other people's money, and you're all happy to spend money on her. You're either suckers, or she has something on you, or you're blinded by lust. Prince Xin, which one are you?"
Yao Qingling listened from the side and really wanted to applaud the Lady Hou.
Madam, you are so eloquent!
Prince Xin was not angry. He leisurely waved his feather fan, his dashing appearance causing the girl not far away to blush.
He said, “Madam, a beautiful and virtuous woman is the object of a gentleman’s affections. Although Miss Zhou is of lowly birth, her beauty and talent have never faded. Even if we spend some money on her, it’s just to win a smile from her.”
"Moreover, aren't those noble ladies who do charity and raise funds also using other people's money to do so-called good deeds? Are you also going to say that they are being generous with other people's money?"
"You..." Lady Hou felt that Prince Xin's dissolute behavior was beyond saving, and she rolled her eyes in annoyance. "Whatever makes you happy."
Lust is a double-edged sword; sooner or later, Prince Xin will be dragged down just like Zhan Xingzhuo.
Lady Xincheng ignored him and left.
Yao Qingling didn't want to deal with Prince Xin either, so she walked right past him.
But Prince Xin grabbed his arm.
Yao Qingling paused, turned her head to look at him, and her face turned cold.
"Is Prince Xin going to settle scores with me, blaming me for bringing up old matters and ruining your plans?"
She remained silent for a long time while composing her poem, not because she was afraid of revealing her ignorance or being unable to respond to Zhan Xingzhuo's poem.
She didn't think she had any talent and couldn't write poems as good as Zhan Xingzhuo's, but she didn't care at all, since she didn't make a living by writing poetry and painting.
She just didn't want to be used as a stepping stone.
She took a different approach and found the most suitable method to continue suppressing Zhou Zhining, while also clearing her own name. She and Zhan Xingzhuo were on different paths and could not work together, and she was by no means a snob.
Even after they divorced, they still wouldn't let her go, which is why she felt wronged.
“You’ve already come up with another way to make her stand out.” Yao Qingling glanced at Zhou Zhining under the plum blossoms.
It's really tough on her. Standing there motionless in this cold weather while being drawn, she really went all out.
There's no such thing as a noble lady being painted casually. Even when a young lady is chosen for a selection of imperial concubines and commissioned to paint a portrait, there's always a reason why she's being painted.
Madam Hou is right. Zhou Zhining's behavior is no different from that of courtesans depicted by literati.
These people are powerful and influential, and their words carry authority, making them worthy of adulation. Little do they know that if the winds shift, good things can turn into bad things, and they will be condemned by the public.
At this moment, Zhan Xingzhuo was holding a brush and drawing a portrait of Zhou Zhining.
It seems to be a competition between Mr. Su and others to see whose painting is superior.
Prince Xin smiled and said, "Is Lady Yao angry that Minister Zhan painted a picture of Zhou Zhining? Actually, you don't need to be angry. I remember that Minister Zhan also painted a picture of you."
Yao Qingling didn't think anything of it at first, but then she suddenly remembered something, her expression changed, and she looked at Prince Xin in surprise.
Prince Xin was still smiling, but his smile was meaningful.
Yao Qingling pressed her lips together and glared angrily at Zhan Xingzhuo.
The painting she made under the wisteria blossoms was done during her intimate moments with Zhan Xingzhuo, and it should have been seen only by the two of them.
Zhan Xingzhuo, where has he placed her?!
Seeing Prince Xin's nonchalant smile felt like a mocking knife piercing her heart.
Just moments ago she approved of the painting by the Lady of Xincheng, but in the blink of an eye, she was forced to become the kind of person the Lady described.
A surge of grief and indignation welled up in Yao Qingling's heart, and she clenched her fists.
"Lady Yao, you're not bad yourself." Prince Xin's casual gaze lingered on Qing Ling. "How about I paint a picture for you?"
Prince Xin's flippancy offended Yao Qingling, but he was a prince and she couldn't do anything about it, so she could only grit her teeth and refuse: "No need, this commoner cannot accept it."
After saying that, she ignored Prince Xin and just wanted to leave this man as soon as possible.
Zhou Zhining's portrait did not fall into anyone's hands; she bought it herself from Mr. Su. Even the one painted by Zhan Xingzhuo was kept by her.
With the help of those who wanted to create hype, Zhou Zhining still managed to steal the spotlight. Although she didn't regain her title as the most talented woman, she remained the second most beautiful woman in Shengjing City.
Beautiful women always evoke pity.
Zhou Zhining, who had received praise from many famous figures, returned home satisfied.
After the poetry gathering, the guests left, but Yao Qingling stayed until the very end.
She apologized to Prince Chen and Princess Chen, saying that her poem was by no means intended to be extravagant or wasteful towards them.
Prince Chen and Princess Chen did not seem to care.
They were royalty, receiving royal stipends and taxes from their fiefdoms, living a life of luxury, yet unrelated to court politics; they were simply somewhat detached from worldly affairs.
"However, you have reminded me that we should keep a low profile now that we are in the eye of the storm."
Prince Chen nodded, deciding that after this poetry gathering, no further gatherings would be held for the time being, until the major case in the palace was solved.
Yao Qingling left the Prince Chen's residence.
That night, Lin Shiyuan arrived by night.
Yao Qingling was sitting there in a daze.
She thought of the painting Zhan Xingzhuo had drawn for her again, and felt that the painting would cause some trouble.
She wanted to get the painting back from Zhan Xingzhuo.
"What are you thinking about? You're not even looking at me?" Lin Shiyuan was beside her, holding a handful of peanuts. He cracked the peanut shells, venting his dissatisfaction through the cracking sound, which was also a strong reminder that he was there.
Yao Qingling glanced at him, shook her head, and didn't mention the painting.
He's so busy, I won't add to his troubles. It's just a painting; she can handle it herself.
"I've been thinking, lately, quite a few people have asked me to arrange banquets for their homes. But I'm just a small shop selling dried goods..."
As for her arranging banquets, it was originally an official from the Ministry of Revenue who hosted a birthday banquet for my father, and Xia Chan only went to deliver goods once.
She casually offered a few suggestions, and then naturally took on the assigned task.
And then it just spiraled out of control.
Something's not right... there's something wrong here.
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