Chapter Twenty-Nine: Visitors from the Capital
Spring of the twenty-fourth year of the Qianlong reign.
The city of Yangzhou was bathed in a misty atmosphere and vibrant spring colors.
The peach blossoms on both sides of the canal are blooming freely and flamboyantly. The pink and white petals are like clouds and rosy clouds, spreading across the wet bluestone pavement of Dongguan Street, drifting with the wind into the eaves of the shops along the street, and adorning the shoulders of passers-by.
After several light spring rains, the bamboo fence of the lakeside villa was covered with dense flower branches, which looked like a flowing stream of flowers from a distance, shimmering softly in the warm afternoon sun.
Su Moqing was squatting under the eaves, carefully burying the Western flower seeds that Shen Rulan had brought back from Guangzhou into a celadon pot. Her slender fingertips were moist with soil as she focused intently on pressing down on every bit of the soft earth, as if she were protecting some rare treasure.
The warm spring breeze swept through the courtyard, fluttering her elegant moon-white skirt. A few peach petals quietly fell into her hair, but she was completely unaware.
"These Western flower seeds are said to bloom with blue-purple flowers. If they can really grow, our yard will definitely have a touch of exotic charm in the summer," she murmured to herself, a slight smile playing on her lips.
Just as she was about to water the flower seeds, she suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the yard.
The old steward, Shen Fu, spoke with a slightly flustered voice through the bamboo fence: "Miss Su, an official from the capital has arrived at the gate. He has a very grand procession. He says he is the newly appointed head of procurement at the Imperial Household Department, surnamed Wen. He wants to see the young master and specifically mentioned you."
Su Moqing paused, the flower shovel in her hand making a soft tapping sound against the edge of the ceramic pot. An official from the Imperial Household Department? Since Chief He was dismissed and investigated for corruption last year, the Shen family and the Imperial Household Department had rarely interacted. Even when official business was conducted, it was mostly done through letters or by lower-ranking officials. For a Beijing official to suddenly visit in person, and specifically mention her, a painter with no connection to officialdom, was truly suspicious.
She wiped the mud off her hands and was about to get up when she saw Shen Rulan walking briskly from the outer courtyard.
Today she wore a royal blue satin long gown with a lotus scroll pattern, over which was a dark black satin jacket with a front opening. The jacket was exquisitely embroidered with continuous cloud and bat patterns using the Suzhou embroidery technique. A jade belt cinched her waist, from which hung a uniquely exquisite jade feather holder. However, a few delicate pink peach petals clung to the hem of the jacket and long gown, revealing a haste that seemed out of place with her carefully chosen attire. It was clear at a glance that she had been walking in a hurry and hadn't noticed the flowers along the way.
Her handsome face carried an unusual seriousness, her brows furrowed slightly, and her eyes held an undisguised worry.
"Mo Qing," she approached her, her voice deliberately soft, "I'm going to the front hall to meet the guests. You stay in the studio. No matter what noise you hear, don't come out."
Su Moqing looked up at her and keenly caught the fleeting tension in her eyes. She nodded gently, without asking any further questions, and obediently replied, "Okay, be careful."
Shen Rulan gave her a deep look, raised her hand and gently brushed away the petals from her hair, then turned and walked towards the front hall.
Inside the main hall, Chief Steward Wen stood by the window with his hands behind his back, surveying the furnishings. He was around forty years old, dressed in a dark blue robe with eight pythons and five claws, and wore a sapphire-adorned hat. He had a thin face with slightly prominent cheekbones, but his eyes were exceptionally sharp, as if they could pierce through one's heart. Behind him stood two attendants, both in official robes, with solemn expressions.
Upon seeing Shen Rulan enter, Steward Wen slowly turned around, a formulaic smile appearing on his lips. He stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "Young Master Shen, I have long admired your name. I am Wen Shichang, the newly appointed Procurement Steward of the Imperial Household Department. I apologize for my unauthorized visit today and hope you will forgive me."
Shen Rulan returned the greeting with a composed expression: "Master Wen has come from afar, I apologize for not greeting you properly. Please sit down." She gestured for the maid to serve tea, and then sat down in the main seat, her posture neither humble nor arrogant.
Wen Shichang took the teacup, gently stirred the tea froth, but did not drink it immediately. His gaze swept around the hall, finally settling on Shen Rulan: "Young Master Shen is a smart man, so I will get straight to the point. I have come here for two reasons: first, to check the accounts of last year's purchase of Western goods; and second, on the orders of the new chief steward, to select a batch of paintings and calligraphy for the palace. I have heard that Miss Su Moqing of your household is a master painter, especially skilled in flower and bird paintings, and I would like to ask her to paint a 'Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix' for the Imperial Concubine to celebrate her birthday."
Shen Rulan's heart sank, and her fingers unconsciously tightened around the teacup.
The audit was just a pretext; the real purpose was to manipulate the Shen family and force Su Moqing to enter the palace to paint. There were countless painters in the palace, many of whom were highly skilled. Why bother to travel all the way to Yangzhou to find a folk painter? This was clearly a case of ulterior motives.
She picked up her teacup and took a sip, then said slowly, "Master Wen, Mo Qing is just a folk painter with rudimentary skills. She has only occasionally gained a bit of talent and is really not up to the task of a Noble Consort. As for the accounts, the Shen family has always been very disciplined and every purchase is recorded. You may check them as you see fit."
Wen Shichang's smile faded. He took out a bright yellow scroll from his sleeve, slowly unfurled it, revealing the seal of the Imperial Household Department: "Young Master Shen, this is an imperial decree from the Imperial Household Department, not my personal opinion. Miss Su's reputation as a painter has already spread to the capital, and even the Emperor has heard of a female painter in Yangzhou who is exceptionally talented in both painting and calligraphy. If Young Master Shen insists on refusing, he will be disobeying the imperial decree."
He paused, his tone carrying a subtle threat, "If Miss Su is willing to enter the palace, she will not only receive a generous reward from the Empress, but the Shen family will also gain more advantages in the salt business in the future. Young Master Shen should understand the implications of this."
These words were a blatant threat, and Shen Rulan's fingers clenched so tightly they turned white, her knuckles standing out. She knew all too well the power of the Imperial Household Department in the court. If she refused outright, they would definitely use "disobeying the imperial decree" as an excuse to make things difficult for the Shen family at every turn. Not only would they be hindered in salt affairs, but their trade with the West would probably also be affected. However, if Su Moqing were allowed to enter the palace, the inner palace would be like a deep sea, full of treacherous and unpredictable dangers. She was just a commoner, with no one to rely on, and she feared that once she entered, she would never be able to escape.
She suppressed her anger and maintained her composure: "You flatter me, Steward Wen. It's just that Mo Qing has caught a cold recently and it's really inconvenient for her to travel far. How about this, I'll discuss the matter of going to the capital with her after she recovers."
Wen Shichang, however, remained unyielding. He rose and straightened his robes, saying, "Young Master Shen, the imperial decree has been issued, and I am merely following orders. In three days, a special ship from the palace will come to fetch Miss Su. I hope that Young Master Shen will prioritize the greater good and not fail the Emperor's grace." With that, he bowed and turned to leave with his entourage.
After seeing off Steward Wen, Shen Rulan sat alone in the front hall for a long time. The warm spring sun shone through the carved window lattice, casting bright and dark shadows on her face.
She recalled how Steward He had extorted money from merchants under the guise of procurement last year, the rumors in the palace about concubines vying for favor and painters suffering, and Su Moqing's clear, water-like eyes—how could someone as pure as her endure the filth and constraints of the palace?
When Shen Rulan returned to the lakeside villa, Su Moqing was waiting for her at the entrance of the studio. She was still clutching the flower shovel she hadn't had time to put away, her fingertips slightly white from the force. The spring breeze ruffled the stray hairs on her forehead, and her eyes were filled with an overwhelming worry.
"Is it very troublesome?" she asked softly, her voice trembling slightly.
Seeing her worried expression, Shen Rulan finally couldn't help but reveal the purpose of Steward Wen's visit. When she spoke, she deliberately downplayed Wen Shichang's threatening tone, but Su Moqing was so intelligent that she immediately understood the danger involved.
“I’ll go.” Su Moqing suddenly spoke, her voice soft but exceptionally firm. “It’s just going to the palace to paint. I can always come back after I’m done. If I don’t go, they will definitely make things difficult for you and the Shen family.”
Shen Rulan suddenly grasped her hand, her eyes filled with pity and disapproval: "No! The dangers in the palace are far beyond your imagination. Those powerful people treat human life like dirt. You have no one to rely on. Once you get involved, you might not even be able to protect yourself. How can I let you take such a risk? I'll think of another way. At worst... at worst, I'll go to the capital and ask Governor Zhou for help."
Su Moqing shook her head, took a step forward, and gently touched her cheek on tiptoe. Her movements were awkward but tender. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Have you forgotten? My father taught me, 'When soldiers come, we'll block them; when water comes, we'll dam it.' Besides," she tried to lighten the mood, a faint smile curving her lips, "I also want to see the palace's treasured painting catalogues. I've heard there are many long-lost treasures. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Shen Rulan gazed at her forced composure, a pang of sorrow welling up in her heart. She knew she was feigning nonchalance to avoid worrying her; she also knew she was willing to risk her life to protect the Shen family. How could she not know this affection? How could she not cherish it?
She reached out and pulled her into her arms, feeling her slightly trembling body, her voice low and firm: "I won't let you face these things alone. If you insist on going, I'll go to the capital with you."
Su Moqing gently shook his head in her arms: "No. The Shen family business needs you to be in charge. Besides, if you go with me, it will only give people something to say that the Shen family doesn't trust the Imperial Household Department. It's better for me to go first, and you can act according to the situation outside."
Shen Rulan remained silent for a moment, knowing that what she said made sense, but she was still worried: "Then I will send a few capable people to accompany you, so that we can take care of each other."
This time, Su Moqing did not refuse. She leaned against her chest, listening to her strong heartbeat, her gaze fixed on the fluttering peach blossoms outside the window, and whispered, "Okay, whatever you say."
As the sun set, it cast long shadows of the two people, intertwining them on the bluestone floor.
The peach blossoms in the courtyard were still in full bloom, but in Shen Rulan's eyes, that pink color was inexplicably tinged with a touch of melancholy. She held Su Moqing's hand tightly, as if if she let go, she would be like these spring peach blossoms, scattered by the wind and never to be found again.
"No matter what, I will protect you." She murmured to herself, her eyes gradually hardening.
As night fell, the study in Tingxuexuan was brightly lit.
Shen Rulan summoned her trusted steward Shen Fu and several loyal servants, and carefully instructed them on the various arrangements for their journey to the capital.
Su Moqing sat in the studio, tidying up her painting tools, her gaze occasionally drifting to the dark night sky outside the window, her expression complex and unreadable.
The capital city was a place she had never set foot in before, full of unknowns and dangers. But she knew that some paths, once chosen, must be followed.
"Father, if you are watching over me from heaven, please bless your daughter to get through this ordeal safely." She prayed softly, clutching a yellowed jade pendant tightly in her hand—the only keepsake her father had left her.
Outside the window, the spring breeze was still gentle, and the peach blossoms were still in full bloom, but both women already understood in their hearts that from this day forward, their peaceful lives would be disrupted, and they would soon be drawn into a war without gunpowder.
As night deepened, Shen Rulan pushed open the studio door and saw Su Moqing still tidying up her painting tools. She said softly, "Let's work on it tomorrow. You must be tired today."
Su Moqing looked up and smiled slightly at her: "It will be ready soon. I was thinking that since I was going to the palace to paint for the Imperial Concubine, I should bring the best paints and brushes. I can't disgrace the Shen family."
Shen Rulan walked to her side, picked up one of her usual wolf-hair brushes, and said gently, "In your eyes, others are always more important than yourself." She paused, her voice low, "Mo Qing, promise me that no matter what happens, you must prioritize your own safety. The Shen family is not important, business is not important, only you are the most important."
Su Moqing stared at her blankly, her eyes glistening with tears. She nodded gently, resting her head on her shoulder, silently drawing courage and strength from it.
At that moment, they both knew that the road ahead was destined to be bumpy and difficult. But as long as they had each other, they had the courage to face any storm.
Meanwhile, in the distant capital, deep within the imperial palace, a woman in magnificent attire was dressing before a mirror, her face reflected in a beautiful yet aloof expression. She gently touched the phoenix hairpin adorning her temples, a meaningful smile playing on her lips.
"The female painter from Yangzhou... I'd like to see what kind of person she is."
The flickering candlelight in front of the mirror cast her long shadow on the cold palace wall, like a beast poised to pounce.
The night is still long. But the gears of fate have only just begun to turn.
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