Two months have passed in the blink of an eye.
Zhao Feiyan has garnered much attention for producing several more exceptional poems.
At the same time, equally noteworthy is the elusive Zuoan Shanren of the Confucian Academy, whose calligraphy and painting are considered unparalleled in the Eastern Chu Kingdom. Several high-ranking officials have sought his works but have been unable to acquire them: only five of his works are exhibited at the Confucian Academy, which does not sell them, as they are highly valued for their collection.
This led to some people offering tens of thousands of taels for a single piece of his calligraphy and painting in just two months, but the Confucian Guild Hall simply refused to sell.
On this day, the plump young master Li Wenzhuang returned to the Li residence from Cuihong Tower with great joy, just as he always did. Unexpectedly, he was stopped by Li Fu, the old steward who served his father, as soon as he entered the door.
"Young Master, the Master is waiting for you in the study!" Li Fu said with a smile.
Li Wenzhuang was so frightened that he could hardly breathe. His father hated him going to Cuihonglou the most, but Niannian in Cuihonglou really made him unable to resist! So, although he went to Cuihonglou almost every day during this period, he always went secretly and dared not let others know.
But why was Li Fu waiting at the door as soon as he got back?
He asked timidly, "What does my father want with me?"
Li Fu continued with a smile, "You'll see when you get there."
Li Wenzhuang pleaded, "Uncle Fu, please give me a heads-up!"
Li Fu continued to laugh.
Li Wenzhuang tentatively asked, "Is...is it related to that building?"
Li Fu nodded.
Li Wenzhuang took a deep breath and continued, "Cuihong Tower?"
Li Fu nodded again.
Li Wenzhuang's legs went weak, and he hurriedly said, "I didn't go to Cuihong Tower, really. You told my father I wasn't feeling well and had already gone back to my room to rest..." As he spoke, he turned to run towards his room, but two servants suddenly jumped out and blocked his way.
Li Fu said somewhat helplessly, "Young Master, Master has important business to discuss with you. Please go quickly, don't keep Master waiting."
Li Wenzhuang: "Is he going to hit me?"
Li Fu: "How did the young master know?"
Li Wenzhuang: "Just tell him I'm sick!"
Li Fu: "Master knows you're not sick..." As he spoke, he reached out and grabbed Li Wenzhuang by the back of his collar.
Although he was a servant in the Li household, his status was somewhat special. He had served Master Li for decades and had watched Li Wenzhuang grow up. To Li Wenzhuang, he was also a close elder. Therefore, he often made these seemingly presumptuous but actually very affectionate gestures.
Li Wenzhuang was carried to the study like this. Although he struggled, he didn't dare to really hit Li Fu. Besides, Li Fu had been working since he was a child, and his physical strength and power far surpassed his own. He was no match for him at all.
A short while later, he was brought to the door of the study.
Li Fu knocked on the door: "Master, the young master has arrived."
A deep, stern voice came from inside: "Let him in!"
Li Fu pushed open the door and threw Li Wenzhuang, who was already trembling with fear, inside.
Strangely enough, Li Wenzhuang was clearly a complete masochist, and Master Li often scolded him and would hit him a couple of times when he was angry, but he was terrified of Master Li, unlike when he was happy to face Chu Nian's scolding and beatings - it was a really strange mentality.
The original owner, Tong Nian, thought he was a pervert, and he was indeed quite a pervert.
"Father..." Li Wenzhuang's legs went weak and he knelt down on the ground, his voice trembling.
Master Li glanced at him helplessly, feeling that his son was useless, but no matter how useless he was, he was still his son, and besides, now... Ha!
The thought that the Prime Minister's mansion had actually come to him, a mere junior official, filled Master Li with a sense of honor. His expression softened, and he said, "Get up and speak!"
"No, no, no, if Father wants to discipline me, I'll kneel down and listen," Li Wenzhuang quickly said.
Li Yuanwai felt even more helpless and could only continue, "I heard that you've been frequenting the Cuihong Pavilion lately?"
Li Wenzhuang's face turned even paler, and he hurriedly said, "If Father doesn't want me to go, I won't go in the future."
Master Li: "No, no, no, that's not what I meant..."
"Huh...huh?" Li Wenzhuang was completely bewildered. What did his father mean by that? Was he actually encouraging him to go to Cuihong Brothel? Had his father changed his ways?
Master Li: "I wanted to ask you about the story of the calligraphy and paintings of Zuo'an Shanren circulating in Cuihonglou."
Li Wenzhuang was taken aback.
Master Li: "I heard that in the past two months, you took three paintings and calligraphies by Zuoan Shanren to the Confucian Guild Hall?"
"Ah...ah!" Li Wenzhuang's eyes darted around, and he responded twice, secretly letting out a sigh of relief: it turned out his father was after those few paintings and calligraphies.
Master Li: "Do you know the Hermit of the Left Bank?"
Li Wenzhuang's eyes darted around again, and he mumbled, "I guess so!"
Master Li: "What do you mean by 'considered'? Does it mean we know each other or not?"
Li Wenzhuang stammered, "I...I know her." But in his heart he was thinking: Nian Nian had warned him not to tell anyone that she was Zuo An Shan Ren. What should he do if his father pressed him to tell him who Zuo An Shan Ren was?
Master Li was delighted to hear this and said, "That makes things much easier. The Prime Minister came in person last night, wanting to request a painting or calligraphy by Zuo An Shan Ren from you."
"This...this..." Li Wenzhuang suddenly realized, and breathed a sigh of relief. So they weren't asking him who Zuoan Shanren was. He said with a troubled expression, "This might be a bit difficult."
Master Li: "Why? Haven't you already received three paintings and calligraphies by Zuoan Shanren?"
Li Wenzhuang: "That was when I helped her exchange silver at the Confucian Guild Hall."
Master Li said, "What, is the Left Bank Hermit short of money? That's perfect, we can buy a few of her calligraphy and paintings."
Li Wenzhuang quickly said, "No, no, Zuo'an Shanren's calligraphy and paintings are only sold to the Confucian Academy, or sold through the Confucian Academy. That's her rule. I dare not break her rule." If he made Nian Nian unhappy, where would he enjoy that kind of treatment in the future?
Master Li asked curiously, "Why?"
Li Wenzhuang shook his head and said, "I don't know." How could he know that? He was completely ignorant about these things.
Master Li pondered for a moment and asked, "Since you are acquainted with the Hermit of the Left Bank, can't she give the Prime Minister a piece of calligraphy or painting out of respect for you?"
Li Wenzhuang: "Selling it is not an option, let alone giving it away. Why not just have the Prime Minister buy it from the Confucian Academy?"
One sentence made Master Li furious. He kicked Li Wenzhuang's buttocks several times in anger, shouting as he kicked, "If the Confucian Guild Hall were for sale, would a dignified prime minister beg us for help? You have no self-awareness!"
Although he was kicked several times, Master Li only had one son, Li Wenzhuang, whom he doted on immensely, so he wouldn't really kick him hard. Therefore, Li Wenzhuang was a little disappointed: "Nian Nian's little feet kicking me felt much better!"
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