Just then, a scholar rushed to Baibaozhai with a look of urgency, scanned the walls, and found the shopkeeper.
"Do you still have any paintings by Tianxin Jushi here?"
"Sorry, we're temporarily sold out."
The scholars were deeply disappointed.
He then asked, "Do you accept reservations?"
"this……"
The shopkeeper looked over at Xiao Qingyin.
Xiao Qingyin and Situ Zhi exchanged a glance and replied, "Okay."
The scholar paid the deposit and left happily.
Princess Yongfu was quite surprised.
"So it turns out that Tianxin Jushi's paintings were sold by your Baibaozhai. May I ask what kind of person Tianxin Jushi is?"
Xiao Qingyin gave Situ Zhi a look: Should we tell your mother?
Situ Zhi shook her head slightly.
Xiao Qingyin replied, "I'm sorry, it's not convenient to disclose that at the moment."
Princess Yongfu was a little disappointed.
I was originally thinking of asking Xiao Qingyin to make an introduction.
However, she also understands that many painters do not like socializing, and this Tianxin Jushi is probably a person who prefers tranquility.
So he gave up the idea of getting to know them.
They asked about other things.
"Miss Xiao, now that Zhizhi is better, can you come back with me?"
Before Xiao Qingyin could answer, Situ Zhi preemptively replied, "Mother, I will stay at the Marquis of Zhongyong's residence for a while longer."
Princess Yongfu frowned: "You're all better now, what are you still doing there? I just invited a renowned master to tutor you these past few days. With her guidance, you'll definitely pass the orchestra selection."
Situ Zhi lowered her head.
After a moment of silence, he looked up with a determined expression.
"Mom, I don't want to learn the piano anymore."
Princess Yongfu's expression froze.
"What did you say?"
"I don't want to learn the piano anymore."
Situ Zhi raised her voice.
“I’ve found other things I want to do and don’t want to waste time practicing the piano.”
Princess Yongfu's expression cracked.
"You've studied for so many years, and you're just one step away from mastering it. How can you give up now? Are you crazy?"
"I'm not crazy."
Situ Zhi said calmly.
“You’re the one who’s crazy. Mother, so many years have passed, can’t you let it go? Even if I master the zither and become the best in the world, he won’t come back to you…”
"Shut up!"
Princess Yongfu was furious.
"I've raised you for so many years and poured so much effort into you, and this is how you repay me? You and your father are truly of the same kind—cold-blooded and ruthless."
Situ Zhi closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Mother, do you know? Sometimes I wish I were an orphan living on the streets, even if I had no clothes to wear and no food to eat, it would be much better than being used as a tool to save someone else’s life.”
Tools for winning someone back?
Princess Yongfu felt as if she had been struck hard by a hammer.
So, in his daughter's heart, he only saw her as a tool to win her back?
absurd!
When did she do that?!
From childhood to adulthood, whatever she wanted, she never refused. Everything she ate, wore, and used was the best; she never indulged herself like that.
She agreed to let me learn the piano; didn't she say she liked playing the piano?
Now everything has become her wish?
She'd rather be an orphan. Ha, does she even know how miserable orphans are?
"Do you think I won't know you're deliberately giving up because you're afraid of not getting into the band?"
Princess Yongfu said coldly.
“You’re always like this, timid and hesitant, never daring to try anything, that’s why you’ve accomplished nothing. If you had even half the courage of your sister, I wouldn’t have so many gray hairs.”
Seeing that she was going too far, Xiao Qingyin was about to speak up to stop her when Situ Zhi spoke first.
"Didn't you just want to know who Tianxin Jushi is?"
She said with a cold face.
“You might not believe it, but I am Tianxin Jushi.”
Princess Yongfu was stunned.
He then sighed.
"I thought you were all better, but it turns out you're still the same. You used to call yourself a celestial musician, but now you call yourself the Celestial Heart Hermit, is that right?"
Xiao Qingyin shook her head: "What she said is true."
Princess Yongfu was stunned.
"Miss Xiao, did you catch her infection, or are you just trying to appease her?"
What do you think?
Xiao Qingyin asked in return.
"Do I need to lie about this?"
"But she has never studied painting..."
“She’s self-taught. And very talented.” Xiao Qingyin sighed. “Forcing someone with a talent for painting to learn the piano, what’s the difference between that and herding cattle up a tree?”
Princess Yongfu still found it hard to believe.
I watched my daughter grow up. I know exactly what time she gets up and goes to bed. How could I not notice her talent for painting?
But Tianxin Jushi is someone even the headmaster of Songyue Academy praised, so Xiao Qingyin wouldn't have her daughter impersonate him.
So, is this true?
Princess Yongfu stared intently at Situ Zhi, trying to find traces of her illness on her face.
But... no.
Her eyes had never looked so calm and composed.
This is the look in the eyes of someone who has seen through the ways of the world.
It even left her feeling somewhat exposed.
A daughter who was likely a painting prodigy was forced to learn the piano for more than ten years, and was then blamed by her for being a failure.
The impact of this fact was too great for her to bear.
Embarrassment, shame, regret... a mix of negative emotions overwhelmed her, almost making it hard for her to breathe.
"Since you don't want to go back to the manor, then so be it."
She left after saying that.
Xiao Qingyin patted Situ Zhi on the shoulder.
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