Song Jiyun said with great interest, "What else have you prepared?"
Yuan Yunzhong’s gaze twinkled as he looked at her, realizing that she understood his intentions, he whispered, "I also had my maternal grandfather and my grandfather write many characters and paint several paintings for us." He emphasized, "All with signed names and personal seals."
She looked up at his handsome eyes and eyebrows, smiling with pursed lips.
Excellent!
Although they were in love, they were not simply all about love.
Song Jiyun felt more confident about their future life together.
She took Yuan Yunzhong’s hand, "Let’s go treasure hunting."
She was brimming with enthusiasm, like a little girl who had found a treasure.
Yuan Yunzhong couldn’t help but squeeze her hand tighter.
He had planned for their future, and these plans had garnered the approval and admiration of his beloved girl, nothing made him happier than this.
The two of them entered Shuxuan like little kids going on an adventure, cheerfully delighting in the moment.
A shop assistant approached them respectfully, addressing him as "Young Master Xiao Yuan."
It was clear this was another person who knew Yuan Yunzhong’s identity.
Song Jiyun grinned, her eyes sparkling as if she was laughing at him, "Let’s see how you manage to find any treasures."
Yuan Yunzhong arched an eyebrow, his expression immediately turned colder towards the shop assistant, nodding dignifiedly.
The shop assistant hurriedly invited them to a private room to sit.
Yuan Yunzhong declined, stating indifferently, "I’m just here to look around."
The shop assistant respectfully acknowledged, but still called for the owner.
The owner did not disturb them much, only approached to greet them and then stood aside, but his gaze remained alertly on Yuan Yunzhong, ready to attend to any needs at a moment’s notice.
Song Jiyun whispered close to his ear, "It’s all up to Young Master Yuan now."
Her warm breath on his ear made his heart skip a beat, and after a while, he replied in an almost vexed whisper, "There are few in the Capital City’s circle of calligraphy and painting who don’t know me."
Song Jiyun laughed softly, "Then why did you say we are going treasure hunting? I’m afraid the price of anything you like will immediately increase. It would be better for you to arrange a meeting with the artist instead of treasure hunting!"
Yuan Yunzhong said nothing but blinked at her.
Song Jiyun’s heart raced, feeling that just strolling aimlessly with him was quite enjoyable.
However, Yuan Yunzhong, while looking at various paintings displayed in the multisection cabinet, pointed to one of the Arhat Paintings and asked, "What do you think of this painting?"
Song Jiyun’s father and maternal grandfather were both adept at painting Arhat Paintings, so she was very familiar with them.
In terms of painting skill and layout, this Arhat Painting was ordinary, but since Yuan Yunzhong had singled out this one among many, and was pretending to acquire a design for their Kiln Factory, she needed to scrutinize it closely.
"It’s a painting of the Joyous Arhat," she examined while pondering, "The lines are delicate, the brushstrokes sharp; the monk’s robe is properly shaded. There’s no sky above, no earth below, and the composition is acceptable. But since the Joyous Arhat is known for always smiling, embodying the enlightenment of ’perceiving the Buddha in one’s heart, thereby feeling joy,’ this painting’s Arhat, with its dull gaze and constrained expression, can hardly be considered a fine work."
There were, of course, more flaws in the painting, but she didn’t find it necessary to embarrass the artist completely.
Who knew who the artist was?
She just needed to express her dislike.
Yuan Yunzhong hummed in agreement, walked a few steps, and then pointed to another painting, the Painting of the Three Friends - Plum, Orchid, and Bamboo, "What about this one? What do you think?"
That was even worse.
Song Jiyun said, "The painting skill is very good, but the Three Friends of Winter is all about a proud and unyielding spirit, and this painting lacks that essence."
Yuan Yunzhong nodded, then pointed to a few paintings.
Song Jiyun commented reservedly on each one.
Almost none were to her liking.
Song Jiyun was beginning to understand what Yuan Yunzhong meant by "charity."
These calligraphers might have had a good education, but their painting skills were somewhat lacking. The calligraphy that Yuan Yunzhong had pointed out to her was even less bearable—all in Guange Style, strictly proper, either bold or cheerful, perfect for the imperial examinations where each was better than the next, but as designs for porcelain, they lacked charm.
She even said to Yuan Yunzhong, "You passed the imperial exams at such a young age, surely you write well too. Instead of buying others’ calligraphy, we might as well ask you to write!"
At least she had personally seen his "slender gold" style, which was forceful, bold, and rugged, slender and straight—showing great mastery.
Paint a flower, add a colophon, put it on a hand-pressed cup—it would be dignified, heavy, yet also grand and elegant. Very beautiful.
Yuan Yunzhong remained noncommittal.
The shop assistant then hurried over, sweating profusely, accompanied by a man in his thirties.
From a distance, the man bowed to Yuan Yunzhong, "Aiyo, Young Master Xiao Yuan coming here and not having your servant inform us in advance—how better I could have prepared some fine pieces for you to choose from. Quick, quick, quick! Please, Young Master Xiao Yuan, come to the private room for some tea."
Yuan Yunzhong glanced at Song Jiyun with a smile.
Song Jiyun lowered her head and smiled.
She was dressed as a man.
Even if it was charity, this store had been operating for such a long time, and the owner was a failed Juren. Even if he disregarded painting, he definitely understood calligraphy and had a certain level of appreciation. Besides, this was a mature commercial street—how could there be so many gaps to exploit?
She followed Yuan Yunzhong into the private room, only then learning that the middle-aged man was not only the current owner of Shuxuan, but also the grandson of that failed Juren.
Yuan Yunzhong laughed, "My maternal grandfather had people selling paintings here when he was young. What were you thinking?" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢
Song Jiyun couldn’t help but laugh.
The two of them chose seven or eight paintings in Shuxuan.
Yuan Yunzhong even made it clear that he wanted to buy the rights to these paintings, so that no matter what use they were put to in the future, the artists would not be able to challenge it.
The owner of the Shuxuan didn’t think much of it, even saying, "Being favored by Young Master Xiao Yuan is their good fortune. Once I tell them, they will surely feel honored."
The shop assistant, worried that Yuan Yunzhong might not understand, explained, "If you’re willing to let people know you bought their paintings, their works can be sold at a higher price in the future. Why would they mind?"
Yuan Yunzhong readily agreed.
Based on Song Jiyun’s understanding of him, he wasn’t someone to seek attention. She quietly asked him, "If it’s not convenient, there’s really no need to make this transaction."
Yuan Yunzhong candidly said, "There’s nothing that can’t be let out."
Song Jiyun quickly understood.
Yuan Yunzhong probably really intended to create a Porcelain Manual for her, and would help her negotiate for paintings in the future.
In her previous life, this might have been trivial, but the longer she lived in this dynasty, the more she felt that "all professions are of lower value; only scholarly learning is highly esteemed"—the reason why scholars who wrote biographies often chose not to sign their work was evident.
She tightly grasped Yuan Yunzhong’s hand.
Yet Yuan Yunzhong spread the paintings in front of her, his words tinged with joy, "One of these paintings is by Li An from Qiantang, who was the top graduate from Zhejiang in the previous session, considered the leading candidate for the title of zhuangyuan."
Song Jiyun looked at him and smiled.
Her eyes sparkling brightly.
Yuan Yunzhong’s gaze deepened.
"Young master," the curtain of the carriage was lifted, Wang Hua said, "I’ve found out who Wei Jie is."
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