Chapter 405: Condolences to the Second Old Friend

"Madam, General, the old marquis and the old lady are going out again. They said that an old friend passed away and they want to go to pay their respects." The voices of the maids reporting came from outside.

Xu Wan replied: "Tell my father-in-law and mother-in-law that we have urgent matters to attend to and we will not go."

"Yes." The maid stepped out again.

Xu Wan and Zong Zhao, who had urgent matters to attend to, were studying painting in the house.

They wanted to record the scene of the five young boys being trained by Su Xi. The scroll was long and horizontal, which was most suitable for multiple people to paint, with two people holding the pen on the left and the right.

When he painted the big study, she painted the young boys in front of the study; when he painted water spinach, she painted the hairy young master chasing the little devil; when he painted the small pavilion, she painted Mr. Su who was munching on a pancake and watching jokes with a sharp tongue.

Both artists’ painting styles are based on realism, without exaggerated brushstrokes and expressions, and they only restore the most authentic appearance of people and objects in the study.

After finishing the painting and waiting for the ink to dry, Zong Zhao framed it and asked her where she wanted to hang it.

Xu Wan thought for a moment and said, "Let's hang it in our room for a few days first, and then move it to the study when they are about to leave the Gongyuan."

Zong Zhao said considerately: "If you like it, you won't have to hang a large study room for them."

Xu Wan blinked and said, "They will like it too."

Zong Zhao stroked her eyebrows and gently corrected her: "Your own likes should be more important than their likes. Put yourself first, then others."

Xu Wan felt sweet inside, and said, "Oh, I see. Let's put it in the study room. I can see it there and be happy."

Zong Zhao hummed and said, "I'll listen to you."

He went out and got a nail and a small hammer, and under Xu Wan's instruction, he hung the horizontal painting on the back wall.

Next to it is a painting of the three of them holding lanterns.

Xu Wan looked at the two paintings on the wall and sighed, "They are very commemorative. Portraits are more beautiful than landscapes. They have stories and emotions."

Zong Zhao asked, "Who else do you want to paint? I can paint with you anytime."

Xu Wan thought for a moment and said, "I also want to wait until they finish their exams and take a group photo of all the teachers and students in the key classes."

Zong Zhao echoed, "It will probably take several days to finish the painting."

It took the two of them almost a day to paint this picture of growing vegetables. They needed to have a good understanding of the things in the painting and have enough time.

Xu Wan thought for a moment and said, "Yes, it takes a lot of time. Let's paint it when we have time. After the palace examination?"

Zong Zhao reminded him, "Didn't you promise to take them to see Mr. Su after the palace examination?"

"Oh, yes...time is tight and the task is heavy." Xu Wan began to worry. If she couldn't draw it now, she wouldn't have that feeling when she draws it in the future.

Zong Zhao reminded him, "During the Spring Examination next March, won't they require the teachers and students to go to the Gongyuan together to take the examination for three days?"

Xu Wan perked up immediately. She shouted, "Then let's make arrangements in these three days."

"Then we can draw together then."

"good."

In the evening, after they finished painting, they went out to eat. The chefs in the mansion were all top-notch, but eating at home every day was boring, so Zong Zhao took her to a restaurant outside to eat and strolled around the street.

Xu Wan had a very happy whole day. She was still smiling when she returned home with Zong Zhao. They held hands and talked and laughed, and were already planning where to eat next.

The guard at the door saluted and greeted them.

Xu Wan saw that the courtyard was brightly lit, which was very different from usual. Normally, it was almost time to go to bed at this time, and even if there were lights on in the house, they would not be left on so many.

Zong Zhao also noticed something unusual, and asked, "Is there anyone coming to the mansion?"

The guard said, "General, the old marquis and the old lady came back from their condolences and brought back the old marquis's cousin Zong Qiyun."

"Zong Qiyun..." Zong Zhao's men clenched their consciousness.

Xu Wan felt a little pain from the hand he was holding, but she endured it and said nothing, because she seemed to have guessed who this person was.

The old marquis attended the funerals of two old friends in a row, so he might feel puzzled and not have much suspicion, but the third person must know what was going on because he felt guilty.

The smile on Zong Zhao's face disappeared, replaced by a chill that grew stronger and stronger. He leaned over and said, "Go back to your room first. I'll go take a look."

Xu Wan held his hand tightly and replied with a smile, "Since your cousin is here, it would be rude of me not to go and meet him."

She was worried about Zong Zhao.

Although she didn't know what he was carrying, she was still worried. She always felt that if she didn't go, something would happen to Zong Zhao.

Zong Zhao said again: "Go back to your room, I can handle it and will be back soon."

Xu Wan did not let go, but asked back: "Since you can handle it, why are you afraid of me going with you?"

Zong Zhao looked at her and remained silent for a long time.

"My mother-in-law is there too, why can't I be there?" Xu Wan said to him with a gentle yet firm look, "Husband and wife are one body, if we advance, we advance together, if we retreat, we retreat together. If you want me to retreat today, then should I also retreat all the time in the future?"

She was laughing, but what she asked was not a joke.

She was asking him whether he would let her stand beside him.

Zong Zhao never hid anything from her, and of course he would not back down at this moment. He held her hand and raised it, whispering, "I just don't want you to be unhappy with me... Come if you want, we'll go together."

Xu Wan smiled and said, "That's good enough. Let's go together."

The couple walked towards the front hall, which was where guests were received.

Zong Qiyun was talking to the old marquis. When he saw Zong Zhao coming in, he shouted from afar, "My virtuous nephew! It's been a long time since we last met. You are more courageous than before. You are worthy of being a great general. You are the most promising one in our Zong family."

Zong Zhao nodded at him and called him, "Uncle."

"Hello, uncle." Xu Wan also greeted him with a smile.

When Zong Qiyun saw Xu Wan, he began to praise her: "Hey, my niece's wife is great. This wife is a good choice. She is dignified and generous. My brother and his wife have good taste. The wife they chose is the perfect match for my nephew."

Xu Wan nodded politely and thanked him.

Zong Zhao watched him perform with an expressionless face.

The old marquis was a little puzzled when he heard him praising everyone he met with such a happy smile on his face: "Qiyun, do you have any conflicts with Congzhang?"

Today their old friend Ma Congzhang passed away. Instead of mourning sadly, Zong Qiyun insisted on going home with him to see Zong Zhao. Now he is smiling so happily, which seems abnormal no matter how you look at it.

Zong Qiyun quickly replied, "Brother, I have to tell you that I have not had any contact with Ma Congzhang for a long time. As for Zhao Yumin, they are all people who forget their principles for the sake of profit. They are not worth making friends with."

"Ah?" The old marquis was confused. He asked, "What happened? What happened?"