Chapter 84 The Painter's Wife Xue Shanhe
After giving a few more instructions, Madam Fang returned home. That night, Shanhe, Qingyue, and Miao'er each chose their own rooms. For the first time, they slept in their own rooms, and all three felt an indescribable joy. They had fled in haste and didn't have much luggage, but fortunately, Wu Tianqi and Mi Xiaoxiao had already made preparations, leaving each of them a set of clothes, a few wooden hairpins, and ten taels of silver as a foundation for their future survival.
The next morning, Madam Fang brought over a lot of everyday utensils and led Shanhe and the others to familiarize themselves with the area. Shanhe immediately found a pharmacy and got medicine for Qingyue's injuries.
The start of a new life is always busy and fast-paced. Qingyue had to rest due to her injury, so Shanhe and Miao'er worked together to clean and tidy the house inside and out. In just two days, it was spotless. They then began adding things to the house: bed curtains and canopies, lamps, embroidery boxes, undergarments… Looking at the mountain of items piled on the table, Shanhe felt a real sense of hope for the future.
Because the November chill in Jinling was biting, they bought a charcoal brazier and lit firewood during the day, covering it with a censer. The three of them would sit around doing needlework and chatting. At night, the three of them would squeeze into Shanhe's room, warming the quilts with the censer beforehand, and then undress and crawl into bed together.
Wu Tianqi arrived five days later, bringing her husband and two children with her. She casually knocked on Shanhe's courtyard gate. Seeing that Shanhe had arranged everything in an orderly manner, she felt very gratified.
She asked Miao'er if she wanted to come with her, but Miao'er put her hands behind her back, and the usually lively and cheerful girl was now a little shy. Wu Tianqi understood her thoughts and said to Shanhe with a smile, "You'll have to prepare an extra dowry in the future."
Wu Tianqi and his wife gave three bolts of cloth as a housewarming gift, while their two children gave three pots of flowers. Shanhe accepted the cloth, preparing to make a new outfit for each of them for the New Year; Shanhe accepted the flowers, arranging them neatly in the corner of the main hall, instantly brightening up the simple house.
After exchanging pleasantries, Wu Tianqi led Shanhe to the shop at the front.
Mi Xiaoxiao removed the door panel, revealing that the shop was divided into two rooms, one in front and one in back. The three walls of the room facing the street were covered with various scrolls and hanging screens, all depicting landscapes, flowers, and birds. Wu Tianqi laughed and said, "Calling it a painting shop isn't quite accurate; it's actually a small portrait studio. I remember when you had just divorced Liang Shao, you said you wanted to paint portraits for people. That's good, so I think it's safer for you to continue this business openly. Although portraiture isn't a particularly rare profession, you have the advantage of being a woman, specializing in portraits for women, including coming-of-age portraits, engagement portraits, and first birthday portraits. As for the portraits you painted for me, you can paint them secretly, that's fine. Even if the authorities investigate again, it won't implicate you for a while."
Wu Tianqi led Shanhe into the inner room, where they saw two large tables, each with a painting jar beside it, and a display shelf next to them, piled with all kinds of painting tools and paints.
Wu Tianqi said, "Miao'er is also studying painting. Since she wants to follow you, you will be in charge of teaching her from now on."
Shanhe was so moved that she didn't know how to thank Wu Tianqi. She quickly nodded and said, "It's what I should do."
Wu Tianqi picked up two more books, opened the first one, and saw a few families' information scattered on the title page. She pointed to them and said to Shanhe, "These are some merchant families I've met in Jinling over the past few months. They all have daughters about to come of age. I've already spoken to the first two families; you can go directly to their homes and paint their portraits for five taels of silver each. I haven't had time to talk to the last three families yet, but you can also visit them to inquire." Wu Tianqi paused, "I know you're shy, but you're no longer a reclusive young lady. You rely on this craft to earn your and Qingyue's and Miao'er's daily living expenses. You need to learn how to attract customers, how to make people willingly buy your paintings, understand?"
Mi Xiaoxiao chimed in from behind, "Madam Xue, don't underestimate these merchants. If you do well in your portrait business and build a good reputation, you can also get acquainted with officials. If someone takes a liking to you, not only for your sake, but also for Qingyue and Miao'er's future!"
Upon hearing this, Shanhe's heart warmed, and she hugged the booklet tightly to her chest, as if it were a priceless treasure. Shanhe pursed her lips and said earnestly, "Yes! I understand!"
Wu Tianqi then opened the second booklet: "These are the five books I told you I was going to make next, and you have to draw them for me for free. The important parts are written on them, and I've also had someone draw them on them. You don't have to be too strict with these details; if you can come up with your own ideas, that would be even better."
Shanhe took the book and flipped through it briefly: "Okay, when do you need it?"
Wu Tianqi replied, "No rush. The earliest I'll come next time is after the Lantern Festival. There's still a month and a half until then, so it's fine to submit the first draft of the first book by then."
From that day forward, Xue Shanhe's little portrait studio officially opened for business. Actually, not many people bought paintings; most of the time, Shanhe and Miao'er sat in their small booths painting. Qingyue had injured her right shoulder, making it inconvenient for her to work, so she sat to the side looking at the album left by Wu Tianqi. After looking at it so many times, she learned to guess the characters in the pictures and interpret their meanings, recognizing some of the characters.
On the morning of the third day, Shanhe knocked on the door of the Wang family's dim sum shop in Qinhuai.
The eldest daughter of the Wang family will have her coming-of-age ceremony next spring. After hearing Wu Tianqi's discussion about painting her portrait for the occasion, she immediately decided on this matter. Today, Shanhe personally came to the door and was quickly led inside by a servant of the Wang family. The eldest daughter of the Wang family is talkative and cheerful. Upon learning that Shanhe had come to paint her portrait, she dressed up specially and sat properly on the rose chair to wait. When Shanhe entered the room, she saw that the Wang family had already arranged the tables and chairs properly, and even next to the embroidered stool she was sitting on, there was a small table for placing snacks and fruits.
This was Shanhe's first time painting a portrait, so he was exceptionally careful and meticulous. By the time the painting was finished, it was already afternoon. Shanhe was covered in a light sweat, and his fingertips trembled slightly as he put down his brush. When Miss Wang saw the painting, she praised it repeatedly, clearly very satisfied. She then instructed the servants to invite Shanhe to stay for a meal. When Shanhe left, she not only gave him the full five taels of silver, but also packed up the plate of delicate pastries that Shanhe had barely touched so he could take home. She even personally arranged for a donkey cart to take Shanhe home.
The second household was the Tian family, who owned the pawnshop.
Miss Tian was a bit cold, unlike Miss Wang who was very warm. After Shanhe arrived, she arranged all the tables and chairs, decided on the scenery, and even decided what clothes Miss Tian should wear, what hairstyle she should have, and what hairpins she should wear. Miss Tian said, "You are a painter; how would my maid know what kind of attire would look good in a painting?"
The process of painting Tian Er's portrait was met with no treats of pastries or fruits, only a cup of light tea. When the painting was finished, Tian Er was dissatisfied. Because she was originally of a fuller build, and Shan He had painted her accurately, she felt it wasn't beautiful and looked quite troubled: "This is really strange. You're a painter, shouldn't you paint my most beautiful appearance? Now you've painted me like this, and you want to earn five taels of silver from me?"
Not wanting to ruin his family's reputation, Shanhe promised to paint another picture for Miss Tian the next day. The following day, Shanhe learned his lesson and first showed Miss Tian a rough draft, making revisions according to her wishes before continuing to paint. Sure enough, Miss Tian was satisfied with the second painting and ultimately gave Shanhe the five taels of silver. Shanhe then paid out of his own pocket to rent a donkey cart and went home.
After the incident with Miss Tian Er, Shanhe was also reflecting. Miao'er muttered to herself that the Tian family had made a bad decision by accepting the job, not only for having to paint an extra picture but also forfeiting the cost of two trips. Shanhe, however, felt that, "This is precisely because I used to stay in the inner chambers of a wealthy family for too long and didn't have these kinds of thoughts. Everyone in the world is different, and to paint portraits of different people, you need to understand their preferences beforehand. I used to think that as long as I had two hands and kept painting, I could always survive. Now it seems that I still have a lot to learn."
Therefore, starting from the third portrait session, Shanhe intentionally changed herself. When meeting female clients, she would first observe what kind of makeup, hairstyle, and scenery would suit them, and she would tell the young ladies' maids in advance to do their makeup. Shanhe would only offer suggestions from the side and would not do it herself: "I am just a painter, and doing makeup is not my job."
The young lady hesitated and said, "I'm afraid my hair won't suit your wishes."
Shanhe pursed her lips and said what Miao'er had taught her beforehand: "Miss, the dressing up... will cost an additional eight hundred coins."
"Only eight hundred coins?" The young lady's face lit up with delight.
During the portrait painting process, Shanhe no longer painted silently as before. She began to communicate with the young ladies, firstly to get closer to them, and secondly to secretly find out their preferences, for fear of repeating the same mistake as Tian Er.
In this way, after each portrait was painted, Shanhe became somewhat familiar with the young ladies, and could naturally say things like, "If any of the young ladies have sisters who want their portraits painted, please feel free to come to me."
By mid-December, Shanhe had finished painting all the houses Wu Tianqi had left for her. In addition, one or two of the houses she had painted earlier had brought new guests to Shanhe.
While drawing portraits, Shanhe was also conceiving Wu Tianqi's five books. However, Shanhe suddenly discovered that the figures drawn by Fang Niangzi and the others were completely imitating the composition and coloring of Shanhe's book, "The Newly Compiled Illustrated Palace of Eternal Life".
Those who write can be scribes, or poets and scholars. Those who paint can be craftsmen, painters, or artists. The only difference lies in whether they possess original ingenuity and whether they have developed their own unique style.
When Shanhe painted "The Newly Compiled Illustrated Palace of Eternal Life," it was her first work shown to outsiders. Therefore, she painted the eyebrows of the figures thin and long, and the eyes were mostly half-closed, showing a calm and serene Buddhist posture. Now, when the Fang ladies paint their new works, the facial expressions are almost identical to those painted by Shanhe.
Therefore, she asked, "It is similar to the illustration method in my book."
Upon hearing this, Madam Fang laughed and said, "The shopkeeper said that your book sold well, so he asked us to imitate your style."
Shanhe felt somewhat displeased. But upon reflection, she realized it was only natural. Wu Tianqi was, after all, a businessman first, and a painter second. Once Shanhe understood this, she often privately began to conceive new ideas, trying to find a new style of painting that would distinguish her from others and make it immediately recognizable as Xue Shanhe's work.
While Shanhe had managed to get things under control, the two Liang brothers in Kyoto were having a harder time.
Since Shanhe faked his death, Cangfeng Courtyard has been shrouded in gloom. Liang Ye moved to the new residence ahead of schedule. During the day, he went to court and worked at the Dali Temple as usual. When he returned at night, he would just sit alone in his room and not allow anyone to come near him to serve him.
The servants of the Liang household were instructed not to mention any word related to Shanhe in front of Liang Shao. Therefore, Liang Shao only knew that his elder brother had recently lost a beloved concubine, but did not know who she was.
That day, Liang Ye finished his shift early and sat listlessly in his armchair, stroking the pair of gold bracelets, his eyes glazed over. Liang Shao strode in and grabbed Liang Ye's wrist: "Brother, the dead cannot be brought back to life. It's been four or five days; you should pull yourself together. If your sister-in-law sees you like this, it'll break her heart!"
Liang Ye slowly raised his eyes, remaining silent.
Liang Shao simply sat down on the rosewood table in front of him and sighed deeply: "Brother, I understand your feelings. When Shanshan left, I felt the same way you did. But life must go on—"
“It’s different!” Liang Ye said, biting his lip. He paused, trying to keep his voice calm. “It’s different.”
“It’s different. Shanshan is still alive, but I can’t find her, just like you are now.” Liang Shao assumed that Liang Ye was missing her too much, and looked up. “I heard from Chengmin that you originally wanted to make her your principal wife. In that case, I will go to the funeral the day after tomorrow to properly pay my respects to my sister-in-law. I will leave after I have paid my respects.”
Liang Ye abruptly stood up and said coldly, "You don't need to go." He added through gritted teeth, "She doesn't like strangers."
He looked up at Liang Shao: "Where are you going?"
Seeing his reaction, Liang Shao didn't press him and replied casually, "Brother, I'm going to Jinling. I'm going there to look for Shanshan."
Liang Ye sneered, "Then I wish you find it soon." With that, he walked out. After taking only two steps, Liang Ye stopped and said, "Remember to come back before the end of the year. Every year on the first day of the Lunar New Year, His Majesty holds a banquet. Now that you have a title, you will definitely have to attend the banquet in the palace. The Consort Xian is also very concerned about you."
Liang Shao stood in the house, watching his elder brother's figure recede into the distance, and murmured to himself, "If I find Shan Shan, I won't come back. It's the same as having my brother in Kyoto."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
