When Hongsheng returned to the East Courtyard, he told Madam Nian his idea in detail. Madam Nian was indeed delighted after listening, and was very satisfied that Hongsheng had thought of presenting Tang Yin's painting to the Fourth Prince.
Because of her poor health in recent years, Mrs. Nian suffered from insomnia last night and only managed to doze off at dawn. She is still not feeling well, and the doctor says it's a ailment left over from giving birth to her son.
Furthermore, Hongsheng had never been favored by the Fourth Prince, which made Lady Nian even more furious and resentful. She was furious because Hongli and Hongzhou were both good at flattering and ingratiating themselves, which made the Fourth Prince too fond of Niohuru's sons. She resented that Hongsheng was too weak-willed, unambitious, and did not please the Fourth Prince.
How could the competitive and strong-willed Lady Nian not be angry? After Hongsheng finished explaining his plan, Lady Nian's resentment turned into a sigh. After all, a mother and son are of one heart. She both hated and loved this son. Whether he was cowardly or incompetent, Hongsheng was her flesh and blood, as well as her hope and reliance.
Her health was failing, and her beauty was fading. If a young and beautiful new woman came along, she would eventually lose the Fourth Prince's favor. Therefore, offspring and family lineage were the foundation for a woman's stability and prosperity. Thinking of this, Lady Nian sighed.
Lady Nian, unusually gentle, said, "No need for formalities, sit down and talk." Seeing that Hong Sheng looked tired, she instructed him to take care of his health and ordered a palace maid to bring bird's nest soup.
Hongsheng was preoccupied with how to please the Fourth Master, so he did not notice the change in his mother Nian's mood. After sitting down, he told his mother in detail about his plan to buy some calligraphy and paintings to please the Fourth Master, and also told her about Tang Bohu's "Southern Journey" that he had seen in the shop that morning.
Mr. Nian shook off his previous depression and regained his spirits.
"Eighty thousand taels?" Madam Nian exclaimed in surprise upon hearing Hong Sheng's words. This was no small sum. Although Madam Nian had money, she didn't spend it recklessly.
“I know it’s a bit expensive, but it’s such a huge painting. I’ve seen Tang Yin’s original works before, and none of them are as magnificent as this one! I’m sure Father will love it,” Hongsheng said.
After thinking for a moment, Lady Nian gritted her teeth and said, "Alright, eighty thousand, eighty thousand! Baizhi, you and Sheng'er go take a look tomorrow."
Seeing his mother happy, Hongsheng became even more energetic. The mother and son discussed some things on how to please the Fourth Prince. Madam Nian felt that this was the most congenial conversation she had had with her son in all these years, and the two of them finally thought of the same thing.
The next day, Bai Zhi and Hong Sheng went to "Baozhen Pavilion" together, and the manager naturally invited them into a private room immediately.
When the painting "Southern Journey" was presented to Hongsheng and Baizhi once again, Baizhi began to examine it closely.
"Aunt Baizhi, what do you think? Isn't this painting nice?" Hongsheng said with considerable pride.
“The Third Prince is very filial,” Bai Zhi nodded.
So Bai Zhi personally paid the remaining amount for the painting, and Hong Sheng took the ridiculously expensive "Southern Journey" painting back with him.
The mother and son unfolded the painting to admire it in Madam Nian's bedroom. Seeing that the painting was indeed antique and elegant, Madam Nian thought that the Fourth Prince would like it, so she asked Bai Zhi to invite the Fourth Prince over.
"My lady, the prince probably hasn't returned yet," Bai Zhi reminded her.
“Then send someone to wait in the front yard. As soon as he returns, tell him that Hongsheng has something he wants him to admire.” Madam Nian said, rarely showing such pride for her son.
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