Chapter Thirty-Two: The Finishing Touch
For days, a lingering sense of gloom has been hanging over the side halls of Changchun Palace.
The copper bells on the eaves jingled softly in the spring breeze, but they couldn't dispel the subtle oppressive atmosphere in the palace—since Eunuch Jin left with a threat that day, Su Moqing had become an invisible "surveillance target" in the palace.
The changes were most noticeable in the meals delivered. One day it was exquisite dishes like jade soup and crystal pork knuckle, but the next day it was replaced with coarse rice with bland vegetables, and even a speck of oil was rarely seen. When the palace servants responsible for sweeping passed by the palace gate, they always walked very slowly, but their eyes secretly glanced into the palace, as if trying to find out something. Even the little palace maids who used to come and chat with Tao'er suddenly became distant, and when they met, they would only give a hurried bow and then walk away quickly with their heads down.
Su Moqing saw all of this, but still got up every morning, washed her hands, burned incense, and stood in front of the painting table.
She remained meticulous when mixing pigments, adding azurite and malachite to the alum water little by little in the correct proportions; she remained focused when outlining the feathers of birds, even using the tip of a wolf-hair brush to carefully blend the finest feather strands.
No one knew that she gripped the pen with a tighter grip than usual, her knuckles turning a pale blue-white—she knew that Wen Shichang and Eunuch Jin were using this method to pressure her into compromising on the phoenix's "eyes," drawing the obsequious and subservient "loyalty" they desired, rather than the phoenix's inherent regal majesty.
At dawn that day, Su Moqing was staring blankly at the white space in the phoenix's eyes.
The candle on the table had burned to its last flame, and the candle wax had congealed into a winding amber color, like solidified anxiety.
She held a fine brush between her fingers, hovering it above the silk scroll, but hesitated to bring it down—she was conceiving a plan, and even more so, she was waiting.
Suddenly, a palace maid's clear announcement rang out from outside the hall: "The Imperial Concubine has arrived!"
Su Moqing's heart tightened suddenly. She quickly put the brush down in the brush washer, straightened the collar of her plain-colored dress, and hurried to the palace gate. She knelt down to greet the emperor and said, "This commoner, Su Moqing, respectfully welcomes Your Highness the Noble Consort."
The curtain was gently lifted, revealing the Imperial Concubine in a deep purple palace gown embroidered with orchid patterns. The hem of her skirt was decorated with delicate silver cloud patterns, making her appear as if she were walking on clouds. Compared to her first meeting, when she exuded regal authority, the Imperial Concubine today possessed less sharpness and more ease. A single white jade hairpin adorned her temple, adding to her refined elegance and nobility. She did not allow Su Moqing to rise, but instead walked directly to the painting table, her gaze fixed on the "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" painting, remaining silent for a long time.
The hall was eerily quiet, with only the rustling of the spring breeze through the bamboo leaves outside the window and the occasional crackling of candle flames.
Su Moqing lowered her head and could clearly feel the Imperial Concubine's gaze linger on her for a moment before returning to the painting. That gaze was scrutinizing, and even more so, it carried an elusive sense of consideration, as if she were weighing something.
"Rise." After a long silence, the Imperial Concubine finally spoke, her voice flat and emotionless, revealing neither joy nor anger. "You've been working on this painting for almost half a month, so why are the phoenix's eyes still blank?"
Su Moqing rose as instructed, her eyes still lowered, her hands clasped in front of her. Her tone was respectful yet firm: "Your Majesty, the phoenix eyes are the soul of the entire painting. I know this matter is of great importance. If I were to paint carelessly, I would fail to capture the phoenix's dignified and majestic presence, which would be disrespectful to Your Majesty. Therefore, I must calm my mind and concentrate, repeatedly pondering the painting until I find the most appropriate spirit before I can put pen to paper."
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Concubine's lips twitched almost imperceptibly upwards, so quickly that it seemed like an illusion. She extended her fingers, adorned with tortoiseshell nails, and gently brushed over the tail feathers of the peacock in the painting—a part that Su Moqing had just finished painting with a special cyan color the day before, its warm hue shimmering with a pearly luster under the light.
The Imperial Concubine's fingertips paused on the feather pattern for a moment before she suddenly spoke: "I've heard that there's been quite a bit of discussion about your painting in the palace lately."
Su Moqing's heart skipped a beat, and her fingertips clenched slightly. She knew the crucial moment had arrived. The secret dealings between Eunuch Jin and Wen Shichang had ultimately reached the Consort's ears.
She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and said in a calm voice, "I am a foolish woman. Since entering Changchun Palace, I have devoted myself to painting and have not paid attention to the discussions outside the palace. I only know to do my best to paint for Your Highness and dare not slack off in the slightest."
"Oh?" The Imperial Concubine suddenly turned around, her gaze landing squarely on Su Moqing's face. Her phoenix eyes were as deep as a pool, as if they could see right through people's hearts. "Then do you know what they are talking about?"
Su Moqing raised her head to meet the Imperial Concubine's gaze. Her eyes were clear and firm, without the slightest evasion: "This commoner does not know the specific content of the discussion. But this commoner knows that the phoenix is the king of all birds, its virtue is worthy of heaven and earth, and its eyes should encompass the universe. If the phoenix's eyes are clear as a mirror, they can reflect all things in the mountains and rivers; if the phoenix's eyes are firm as a rock, they can overlook all the myriad aspects of life. If the painter has impure thoughts, the phoenix's eyes in the painting will surely be turbid and lifeless, which would be the greatest disrespect to Your Highness and the royal family."
Her words not only stated her creative principle of "painting according to one's heart," but also implied that those who tried to interfere with her painting had "ulterior motives." Her words were a double entendre, yet neither humble nor arrogant, and there was not a single fault to be found in them.
The imperial concubine stared at her, and the air in the hall seemed to freeze.
Tao'er stood to the side, her palms sweating with nervousness, and she even held her breath a little softer.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Imperial Concubine suddenly chuckled softly. Her laughter was as clear and crisp as a silver bell, instantly breaking the silence in the hall: "What a fine description of 'clear as a mirror, firm as a rock.' Su Moqing, you certainly have integrity."
She turned back to the painting, her tone softening considerably: "Alright, this finishing touch can't be rushed. I'll give you three more days. Take your time and make sure you capture the spirit of the phoenix."
After speaking, she paused, then added seemingly unintentionally, "You must paint well, and don't let down... your rare painting skills, and don't let down the expectations of your old friends far away." After saying that, she gave Su Moqing a meaningful look, then took the hand of the head maid and turned to leave.
Only after the Imperial Concubine's carriage disappeared at the end of the corridor did Su Moqing slowly straighten up. Her back was soaked with cold sweat, and her close-fitting dress clung to her skin, icy cold. The Imperial Concubine's last words exploded in her heart like a thunderbolt—"the expectations of an old friend far away." The Imperial Concubine clearly knew of Shen Rulan's existence! Had Shen Rulan secretly contacted the Imperial Concubine, or had the Imperial Concubine already seen through Wen Shichang's scheme and deliberately sent her a signal?
Countless questions swirled in her mind, but she quickly forced herself to calm down. Whatever the Consort's purpose was, today's conversation at least shielded her from the open attacks of Eunuch Jin and Wen Shichang, and also gave her precious time to write freely.
She dared not delay and immediately returned to her painting table to wash her hands again.
This time, she used warm water, repeatedly rubbing her fingertips in the water as if trying to wash away all her anxiety and unease.
Then, she lit three incense sticks and placed them in the bronze incense burner. Wisps of smoke rose, carrying a calming fragrance that gradually soothed her troubled mind.
She took a brand new fine-haired brush from the brush holder—the finest wolf hair she had kept on purpose, with a sharp tip, perfect for outlining delicate lines.
Next, she opened a small porcelain box containing a special ink she had prepared over three days: it was made with pine soot ink as a base, with a small amount of gold leaf fragments added, and then mixed with aged flower dew. The ink was dark black, but it faintly shimmered with fine gold light under the light, which was both noble and composed.
With the tip of the brush lightly dipped in ink, Su Moqing held the brush above the blank space in front of the phoenix's eye.
She closed her eyes, and countless images flashed through her mind: her father teaching her to paint, holding her hand and saying, "Painting is the imprint of the heart; what is painted is what the heart desires"; Shen Rulan smilingly saying to her under the ginkgo tree at Pingshan Hall in Yangzhou, "Moqing, your paintings have integrity; don't lose it easily"; and just now, the Imperial Concubine's words, "Don't disappoint the expectations of old friends far away"...
These images flooded her like a tide, transforming into a resolute force that flowed into her very being.
The next moment, she suddenly opened her eyes, her wrist fell steadily, and the tip of the pen precisely touched the position of Phoenix's left eye—a dot to fix the pupil; a hook to outline the eye; a flick to draw the outer corner of the eye! The movements were smooth and fluid, without the slightest hesitation, as if she had practiced it a thousand times.
As the brush finally left the silk, a miraculous scene seemed to unfold: the phoenix's left eye was instantly given life! The pupil was as deep as night, as if containing endless wisdom and power; the corner of the eye was slightly upturned, carrying a dignified air of looking down upon all living beings; the faint golden light in the bottom of the eye added a touch of compassion, as if it could see through the suffering of the world, yet it did not lose its kingly majesty.
That's not the eye of a bird! It's clearly the eye of a king who sees through the world and has the world in his heart!
The finishing touch brings the spirit and soul to life!
The moment the painting was finished, Su Moqing felt as if all the strength had been drained from her body. She staggered and had to reach out to hold onto the edge of the painting table to steady herself. Her fingertips turned white from the effort.
Outside the palace, a light spring rain began to fall, the raindrops tapping on the glazed tiles with a crisp "drip-drip" sound, as if playing a celebratory prelude to her breathtaking and ingenious stroke.
Tao'er had been staring in disbelief for a moment, and only now did she react, exclaiming excitedly, "Miss Su, you paint so well! The phoenix's eyes look like they've come to life!"
Su Moqing looked at the painting, a tear welling up in her eyes, but she smiled and shook her head: "It's not over yet, there's still the right eye."
Meanwhile, in Yangzhou, a thousand miles away.
Under the eaves of the Shen residence, Shen Rulan stood leaning against the railing.
The continuous spring rain dampened the bluestone slabs in the courtyard, giving them a warm luster. The willows in the distance sprouted new buds, lush and green, but they could not dispel the sorrow on her brow.
She held a secret letter that had just arrived from the capital in her hand. She had read the letter several times, and the edges were slightly curled.
The letter stated that although the Imperial Concubine had temporarily sheltered Su Moqing, Eunuch Jin had not given up and was still secretly monitoring her. Wen Shichang was also mobilizing people outside the palace, seemingly to prevent Su Moqing from escaping. Su Moqing's situation remained like walking on a tightrope, and she could fall into the abyss at any moment.
"Young Master," Shen Fu said, holding an oil-paper umbrella, walking briskly from the end of the corridor with a rare look of joy on his face, "a message has arrived from Eunuch Li in the capital!"
Shen Rulan turned around, a hint of urgency flashing in her eyes: "What is it?"
“Eunuch Li said that Granny Jin recently got into trouble in the palace. The Imperial Concubine reprimanded her in front of all the palace servants, saying that she ‘overstepped her bounds and interfered in matters she shouldn’t have’, and even fined her three months’ salary. Now Granny Jin’s arrogance in the palace has diminished considerably, and even her subordinates dare not move around freely anymore,” Shen Fu said with a smile. “Moreover, according to Eunuch Li, the person who exposed Granny Jin this time was a junior eunuch in charge of purchasing under her, and that junior eunuch had received favors from Eunuch Li in the past.”
Upon hearing this, Shen Rulan's tense jawline finally relaxed slightly, and a glimmer of light appeared in her eyes. A few days ago, she had Shen Fu deliver a generous gift to Eunuch Li in her own name—not gold or silver, but inksticks made from thousand-year-old pine resin, a specialty of Yangzhou, and a landscape painting by a famous Song Dynasty artist. Eunuch Li, a lover of calligraphy and paintings, naturally appreciated the gift, and now it seemed he was indeed willing to lend a helping hand.
Suppressing Granny Jin is tantamount to cutting off Wen Shichang's most capable henchman in the palace. Without Granny Jin to pass on messages and create trouble in the palace, Wen Shichang becomes "blind to the truth" and finds it difficult to easily harm Su Moqing.
"Well done." Shen Rulan nodded, then asked, "Is there any news from Imperial Censor Zhang?"
"After receiving the evidence of Wen Shichang's embezzlement of salt taxes that we sent him, Imperial Censor Zhang did not immediately impeach him. Instead, he had people secretly investigate for a few days, presumably to gather more evidence," Shen Fu replied.
Shen Rulan pondered for a moment, then looked towards the capital, a resolute glint in her eyes: "Tell our informants in the capital to continue monitoring Wen Shichang's every move, especially his interactions with people outside the palace. Also, compile some of the evidence we have gathered regarding Wen Shichang's collusion with the remnants of the Cao family and his embezzlement of palace funds, and send it to Imperial Censor Zhang."
She paused, then added, "The timing of the presentation must be carefully chosen—wait until Su Moqing's 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' is completed and presented to the Emperor. Wen Shichang is a man who is always eager for glory and will surely use the painting to curry favor with the Emperor. We will strike him when he is at his most triumphant, ensuring he never recovers!"
Shen Fu's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly replied, "This old servant understands, I will make the arrangements immediately."
The spring rain continued to fall softly, and Chen Rulan looked back at the courtyard.
In the rain and mist, the buds of that old crabapple tree had quietly bloomed, the pink petals glistening with raindrops, exuding a tenacious vitality.
She gently raised her hand and caught a drop of spring rain. Her fingertips were icy cold, but hope ignited in her heart—Mo Qing, just wait a little longer, everything will be alright soon.
Meanwhile, in the side hall of Changchun Palace, Su Moqing had picked up his pen again, the tip hovering above the phoenix's right eye.
The sound of spring rain tapping on the windowpane seemed to be accompanying her.
She took a deep breath, and with a stroke of her wrist, another brilliant finishing touch.
The two phoenix eyes meet, one with a calm and insightful gaze, the other with a majestic and awe-inspiring presence, together giving this phoenix an immortal spirit.
The painting "A Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" is finally completed.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
