"Qing'er, did you also go to see that Young Master Wang?"
"I went, but unfortunately, I didn't get to see him!" Cao Qingqing sighed, feeling it was a great pity. The area outside Yuxuan Pavilion was crowded with people. She had gone early in the morning, yet she couldn't even squeeze through the door.
Cao Xiu asked, "Did you see any of his new paintings?"
Cao Qingqing shook her head. "No! They say that Young Master Wang only paints for three 'destined' people each day, but in reality... it's been three days, and he's only produced two paintings! He skipped one day entirely. Most of the people who go there don't even get to see him in person!"
Cao Xiu pondered for a mont. "People with extraordinary skills have always had strange tempers," he said. "Have you figured out his standard for these 'destined' people?"
Cao Qingqing thought for a mont and then nodded. "I think so!"
Cao Xiu's eyes lit up. "What is it?"
Cao Qingqing replied, "So far, all four of his paintings have been portraits of won!"
Cao Xiu's mouth twitched slightly. "And what kind of standard is that?"
Cao Qingqing went on, "Now, all of White Jade City is saying that Young Master Wang is a libertine by nature. He loves to frequent the red-light districts, and his attending maids are all peerless beauties... He'll even only paint for beautiful won!"
"Nonsense!" Cao Xiu shook his head, noncommittal. "For soone who has refined their Dao of Painting to such a level, it's possible they might have a sensitive mind and be romantically inclined. But to say he is an unrestrained philanderer is simply untrue! Besides, was the Second Miss of the Luo Family ever a beauty?"
Hearing this, Cao Qingqing felt there was so truth to it and nodded. "You have a point!"
After thinking it over, Cao Xiu said, "Find a way to arrange a eting with this Young Master Wang for ."
"Ah!" Cao Qingqing's face imdiately turned bitter. "Please, grandfather, don't ask that of . Do you have any idea how difficult it is to even get a glimpse of him right now? Let alone arrange a eting! I heard that the young misses from the Lou Family and the Su Family have repeatedly invited him with generous gifts, and he's refused them all!"
With a flick of his sleeve and a proud snort, Cao Xiu said, "How could those mundane people understand the true pursuits of us who follow the Dao of Painting? Here's the plan: I will create a painting, and you will deliver it to him. You must ensure he sees it..."
Cao Qingqing was sowhat surprised. "Will that really work?"
Cao Xiu stroked his beard and said, "If my guess is correct, he is also a man who is sincere about his art. Everything he's doing now is for the sake of advancing his Dao of Painting and achieving his ideal Realm. He is willing to be misunderstood by outsiders; it is a sacrifice he is prepared to make. Others cannot comprehend this feeling, but I can! Once he sees my painting, he will surely understand that I... am the kindred spirit in the Dao of Painting he has been seeking!"
...
「anwhile」
Inside another mansion in White Jade City, Zhuang Mocheng blew on his beard, his face filled with anger. "What? That old coot Cao really said that?"
Around him, the other painters chid in, "Yes, that old ghost Cao also said that second-rate painters like us have no right to comnt on the quality of any paintings in his presence! He said that anyone who thinks Young Master Wang Yitian's paintings aren't good must be blind and has wasted their entire life!"
They knew this senior of the Dao of Painting was hot-tempered and wouldn't tolerate the slightest dissent. In his youth, he had even engaged in a decades-long feud with Cao Xiu over artistic disputes. Even now, the two were still on non-speaking terms.
So they fanned the flas with relish, stoking Zhuang Mocheng's anger to its peak.
"How preposterous!" Zhuang Mocheng slamd the table and said coldly, "I've seen that boy's paintings. He has so skill, but there's no way they're on par with the Painting Immortal, as Cao described! To think that Cao, after living for nearly a thousand years, has such vulgar taste! Fine! I'd like to see how this Wang fellow stands out from the other paintings, even if he does get into Cold Mountain Tower."
Upon hearing this, a gleam of joy appeared in the eyes of those present. The support of a prominent family could indeed allow a painter direct entry into Cold Mountain Tower. But to erge victorious from within and ultimately gain the qualification to go to Little Cold Mountain required another step—public favor!
The paintings in Cold Mountain Tower were open to all citizens of the city, and indeed, everyone under the heavens. Each person had the right to vote for their favorite painting. Of course, the votes of renowned, high-ranking masters of the Dao of Painting carried more weight. In the end, Cold Mountain Tower would tally the results. The most popular painting would be the final victor, earning the qualification to go to Little Cold Mountain.
It was common knowledge that the vast majority of commoners didn't understand the Dao of Painting. Most of them were prone to following the crowd. Given Zhuang Mocheng's influence in their circles, if he spoke out, nearly all the insiders would turn against Wang Yitian. The common folk, for their part, would overwhelmingly support the side with more backers. Even if there were a few exceptions, they wouldn't affect the overall situation.
...
"Young Master!"
In the quiet room, smoke from the Sandalwood Incense drifted like rosy clouds, revealing a colorful halo in the sunlight. Nie Linglan walked in and said, "Soone has sent over a painting!"
Wang Xiu was lying on a rocking chair enjoying a shoulder massage from Yan Ji. Hearing her voice, he asked without opening his eyes, "Who sent it?"
Nie Linglan replied, "A young lady who claims to be Cao Xiu's granddaughter!"
"Cao Xiu?" Wang Xiu frowned slightly. "I haven't heard of him! But since she's making such a claim, he must be sowhat famous. What is this Cao Qingqing like?"
Nie Linglan thought for a mont. "Very pretty. Her eyes are very expressive, with a hint of playfulness."
Wang Xiu said, "What I an is, does she have any obvious flaws? For example, is she... flat?"
Nie Linglan's expression turned strange. She couldn't understand when her young master's tastes had changed. Then again, she had never been able to fully figure him out. He must have his reasons. Deciding not to dwell on it, she replied honestly, "Not that I could see... She has a good figure and a pleasant voice!"
"Then forget it!" Wang Xiu imdiately lost interest and waved his hand. "Tell her to leave!"
Nie Linglan stifled a laugh and replied, "As you wish."
"Hold on!" Wang Xiu suddenly called out.
Nie Linglan turned around, puzzled. "What is it, Young Master?"
Wang Xiu said, "Bring in the people I selected over the past few days!"
...
「Outside」
"Young Master Wang still refuses to see ?" Cao Qingqing looked at Nie Linglan's voluptuous figure, her large, innocent eyes filled with bewildernt.
Nie Linglan smiled. "You are a wonderful young lady, but alas, you and my young master are not fated to et. Please, take your leave."
Having said that, she turned her head to look at the crowd and pulled out a list. "Ling Ruoxuan, Zhou Sing, Zhang Lan'er... Are the young ladies whose nas I've called present?"
"Here, here, here!"
", , , that's !"
"..."
"The Young Master summons you!" Nie Linglan said softly.
As soon as her voice fell, these won let out shrieks of joy and rushed toward the courtyard as if they were possessed.
"Young Master Wang, we are here!"
Cao Qingqing subconsciously looked at these won, and her mouth twitched slightly.
They weren't ugly, but their looks were plain at best. Whether in appearance or figure, each had so flaw. They were passable, but when compared to the female cultivators who had practiced for many years or the noble ladies from the great clans, they were simply in a different, lower league.
How... how could they be allowed into Young Master Wang's room when I can't? Could it be... he prefers unattractive won?
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