In Jiyue Pavilion, the wild geese fly south with nothing to do.
As snow fell outside, she asked someone to bring her brush and ink, preparing to paint.
Of course, Yan Nangui was not proficient in any of these things. She was not skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, or painting, and she certainly couldn't do needlework. With the eldest princess having already taught her, why would she be taught these things?
However, Yan Nanguihui (a famous Chinese writer) is skilled at chess, painting, and calligraphy.
None of the maids around her had been with her since childhood; those who had were all dealt with.
So there's no need to worry about being exposed; nobody will suspect anything.
So, he laid out the plan and prepared to paint.
Perhaps she hadn't painted in a while, and her skills had become a little rusty. She's better at painting people.
I initially studied figure painting. Of course, I can also paint landscapes well.
She thought about it briefly and then began to sketch.
Behind them, Luo Kui and Chan Yi served them.
They were watching too.
Gradually, more brushstrokes appeared, and the figure in the painting became more recognizable. It was indeed His Highness.
Yan Nangui's painting technique is certainly different from the popular techniques of today. Her paintings are more three-dimensional.
It's impossible for a brush painting to be exactly the same, but it's true that it captures the spirit of the subject.
She was dressed in a dark robe, but her hair was a lighter shade than the robe.
She deliberately drew her hair to be long and loose, and her eyebrows and eyes were slightly sharper than in reality.
This was something her calligraphy and painting teacher had said about her flaws, as she remembered it.
She always seems to have a sharp edge when she puts her brush to paper, and her portraits inexplicably exude a more imposing aura. Her calligraphy, on the other hand, is imbued with a touch of fierceness.
A whole morning can pass by once a painting is finished.
He put down his pen and smiled: "How was it?"
"Liangyuan's painting is so good! It's so lifelike." Luo Kui exclaimed excitedly.
“Lifelike can’t be used like that.” Yan Nangui smiled. “You have to say it’s expressive.”
Luo Kui hurriedly replied, "Yes, I misspoke. It was a vivid description. It really felt like His Highness was right here."
"Put it away." Yan Nangui put down his pen, feeling tired, and rubbed his wrist.
"Huh? You won't let His Highness see it?" Luo Kui asked, puzzled.
"Need not."
There's no need for that. While it's necessary to flatter someone a little, this is just a whim right now, and I'll just do what makes me feel good.
Luo Kui had no choice but to put the painting away. There was a special place to store paintings, and she figured Liang Yuan would probably paint again in the future.
In the front courtyard, the Crown Prince returned very early today.
He was listening to the two guards' reply.
His two most trusted guards were Ding Min and Wei Xiao.
Ding Min was an illegitimate son of the main branch of the Ding family in the capital. He almost died at the hands of his stepmother because his parents died early.
Wei Xiao is the only grandson of General Wei, and he is the only remaining member of the direct line of the Wei family.
"His Majesty sent the Second Prince to provide disaster relief. Even for something as simple as this, he has to send a prince out..." Ding Min was speechless.
Heavy snow fell last night, and some houses collapsed in the suburbs of Beijing.
For such a small matter, it actually requires the prince's attention. His Majesty's actions are truly unfathomable.
“This matter may not necessarily be a good thing,” Wei Xiao said.
"Next year we'll be choosing consorts for the seventh and eighth princes. Once they have a principal consort, they can enter the court." Shu Chengfeng smiled and said, "Father is currently putting the second prince on a very high pedestal. We mustn't let him fall."
"Then Your Highness, how should we deal with this? Whether it's good news or bad news, you are the Crown Prince, so shouldn't it be you who goes?" Ding Min frowned.
His Majesty only said that the Crown Prince was of noble status, and then asked the Second Prince to do it in his place.
Little did they know that many things cannot be done by others!
To the world, is it that the Crown Prince is too privileged, or that he has no desire to experience the hardships of ordinary people?
It would be one thing if no prince went, but the prince went while the crown prince did not.
Your Majesty now wishes that His Highness would be burdened with countless stains.
The royal father and son have gone to such lengths... it's truly distressing.
“What’s the rush? There’s plenty of time. It’s almost Chinese New Year, so remember to send New Year’s gifts to everyone. This year there’s one more family, but…” Shu Chengfeng laughed, “I suppose Lady Yan wouldn’t be happy if I sent a gift to the Yan family.”
"Let's stick to the rules."
He could be sent directly to the army, but that would be too conspicuous.
What His Majesty fears most is that his sons associate with generals who hold military power.
"Yes," Ding Min replied. This kind of thing wasn't usually something they did. It would all be handed over to Chief Secretary Meng in a moment.
"Tell Yunji to send some medicinal herbs to the Ye family. Grandmother's health is not good, so she needs to take care of herself," Shu Chengfeng said.
Ding Min agreed and went out to tell Yun Ji.
This kind of thing is naturally under Yunji's control.
At noon, Shu Chengfeng didn't go anywhere else; he had lunch in the front yard.
In the afternoon, the snow still showed no signs of stopping; it wasn't heavy, but it kept falling.
News has been coming in gradually; it seems to be snowing not only in Beijing and the surrounding areas, but throughout the entire north. And the further north you go, the heavier the snowfall becomes.
If this continues, the number of people affected will likely increase.
In such cases, the northern Tuotuo areas are often more severely affected, with many cattle and sheep freezing to death.
They won't run out of food until spring. Even then, they won't starve; they'll always find a way to plunder.
However, I can't think that far ahead right now.
In the afternoon, Shu Chengfeng got up and went to the backyard.
After thinking about it, I decided to go to Yan Nangui's place, since I hadn't been there for many days.
After having lunch, Yan Nangui took a nap. Just as she got up and tidied her clothes, the Crown Prince arrived.
She smiled and rose, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."
"Hmm, what is Nan Gui doing?" Shu Chengfeng stretched out his hands, letting the maids remove his cloak, and looked at Yan Nan Gui.
When Yan Nangui woke up from her afternoon nap, the weather was still bad, so she combed her hair but didn't wear any jewelry.
Her raven-black hair stood out even more.
"Is there nothing to do, Your Highness? Are you not busy today?" As she spoke, she personally poured him tea: "I heard that Your Highness likes Silver Pine Tea, but I didn't know Your Highness was coming, so I brewed Green Leaf Tea instead."
Shu Chengfeng accepted the tea and took a sip.
They're all green tea, but there are still differences.
It wasn't said that I wouldn't drink it if I didn't like it; I still drank it.
"You've had a hard time returning south." Shu Chengfeng put down his teacup and smiled.
"Your Highness braved the heavy snow to come see me, and I only poured tea. How could that be considered a hardship?" Yan Nangui smiled.
Shu Chengfeng reached out and pulled her up, and she sat down in his lap, saying, "Your Highness~"
Shu Chengfeng wrapped his arms around her waist: "It's been a few days since I last saw you, Tang'er, you've become even more delicate and weak."
"Your Highness has become even more handsome than before." Yan Nangui reached out and stroked the man's cheek.
His deep eyes flickered slightly, a smile playing on his lips: "As long as Tang'er likes it."
"Of course I like him very much." Yan Nangui lowered her head and kissed his eyelids: "Just looking at Your Highness makes me very happy."
"Is that so? I'm afraid just watching won't be enough to enjoy it. Why don't we..." As he spoke, Shu Chengfeng had already picked the person up and stood up.
Yan Nangui smiled and hugged him tightly: "What a beautiful day today..."
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