"It is my honor that this painting pleases Your Highness and the Commandery Princess." Gu Chengyu understood the Eldest Princess’s intention, but he was neither passionate about it nor felt flattered.
He was a court official, not one who lived by his talents. Moreover, people fear fa as pigs fear fattening. Presenting this painting to the Royal Family might lead to many people seeking paintings from him in the future, which could cause him trouble.
It’s not that he overestimated himself, nor was he borrowing trouble. Previously, his calligraphy was also very famous in the Capital, resulting in a daily influx of invitations and requests for his writing at his residence.
Gu Chengyu ignored all of them, and it was only after he beca a court official that these posts sowhat decreased.
Moreover, being offered to the Royal Family is a kind of blessing.
The world loves Danqing, and even won in the boudoir cannot resist its charm. If he becos famous, those high officials and noble lords might also co to request his paintings. If he doesn’t oblige, he’ll offend them; if he does, he’ll have no peace in the future.
It’s not that Gu Chengyu’s paintings are rare, he knows his limits. His paintings are indeed good and not inferior to renowned artists.
However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and not everyone will like them. Surely, there are many who paint better than him.
Because only he knows this technique for now, as a novel trend spreads, the masses would follow, not to ntion those nobles who also relish new experiences, right?
The Eldest Princess was very pleased to see Gu Chengyu’s humble deanor.
An individual of such talent yet not arrogant, it was apparent that he was also soone adaptable and tactful.
Princess Rong Jia sat beside the Eldest Princess, looking at Gu Chengyu outside the curtain, feeling sowhat lost.
Yao ngxian had already witnessed Gu Chengyu’s skills before, so she wasn’t shocked.
"When I return, I too must learn this painting technique," You Yinan whispered to the person beside her.
"I think Mr. Gu always saying he read it in a book is just an excuse, I’ve read extensively and have never seen it," Zhou Yuewei speculated to the person next to him.
"That’s because you’re ignorant. Such painting styles existed in the previous dynasty but were eventually lost. I saw it ntioned in a book once, just a single sentence," Lu Chen explained to Zhou Yuewei, glancing at Gu Chengyu.
Zhou Yuewei cast a skeptical look at Lu Chen, though he didn’t entirely believe it, he didn’t argue further.
Gu Chengyu frowned at these words; he didn’t know why Lu Chen would cover up for him.
Because Lu Chen’s puzzled expression while watching him paint seed genuine, if he had read about such techniques, why would he be so perplexed by his painting?
But he wouldn’t expose him either! Regardless of the opponent’s intentions, he chose not to engage.
"Yuanyuan, the painting is finished. You said you wanted to embroider a copy, your mother is waiting to see your work,"
The Eldest Princess, looking at the five-foot-long painting, was sowhat emotional. The Qionghua in this painting was simply breathtaking. If one were to embroider it, Qionghua would be the most challenging part to tackle.
Though the ink under the Jade Flower Tree depicted the woman lightly, her graceful dancing posture, ethereal and untouched, was enthralling. The beauty visible under the thin veil was captivating.
This painting should be well-preserved, and offering it to the Empress Mother would be appropriate. If it were to circulate, it would harm Yuanyuan’s reputation.
Anyone who sees this painting would guess the woman’s appearance, and finding it unforgettable. How could she accept her daughter’s beauty being fantasized about?
"Mother, the layout of this painting is vast, it will take considerable effort! Please don’t rush , I will certainly impress you by then."
Princess Rong Jia really liked this painting; she did not want her mother to give it to her maternal grandmother. Having the embroidery is already enough, why need the painting too?
She planned to ask her mother to keep the painting after so days. Today was probably the only opportunity for Gu Chengyu to leave a painting, inviting him to paint again might not be so easy.
In fact, the Eldest Princess also had thoughts of inviting Gu Chengyu to paint a piece for her mother and herself. Gu Chengyu’s portraits were exceedingly realistic, but they were sohow more beautiful than the actual person.
Gu Chengyu was skilled in capturing a person’s deanor and aura, apparently proficient in painting beauties, which intrigued her. Although she prided herself on her beauty, the palace artists, despite their skills, were sotis too intent on embellishnt, making the portraits less authentic.
Who wouldn’t want to preserve their beautiful face? Although the Eldest Princess had the thought, she didn’t propose it at this mont.
She figured to let Min associate with Mr. Gu more in the future, and find an opportunity, thinking Gu Chengyu wouldn’t dare refuse.
Today, there were too many people, indeed making it sowhat inconvenient.
The drums from the won’s area sounded again, and Gu Chengyu sat down, exhaling a breath. Exerting much effort earlier, he too needed to rest now.
Gu Chengyu glanced at the sky, estimating it to be around 9:45 AM, likely ti to comnce the banquet.
"Ah! Third sister, it ended up with you,"
Yao ngdie, who had just received the flower, lingered for a mont, then unwillingly passed it to Yao ngxian.
Unexpectedly, just as Yao ngxian grabbed the flower to hand it to Miss Zheng beside her, the drum suddenly stopped.
Yao ngxian felt helpless; with the Commandery Princess’s Green Waist Dance Pearl Jade perford earlier, the best she could present was her qin-playing.
But as far as she knew, most of the young unmarried won present were skilled in this art.
In fact, her best talent was dancing, but after the captivating dance by Princess Rong Jia, not only herself, but anyone with similar plans had to give up.
"Let play a tune for everyone," Yao ngxian stood up, curtseyed to everyone, and said.
Gu Chengyu was slightly surprised that the flower landed in Yao ngxian’s hands, but was curious about what talent the young lady would showcase.
"Second sister, can I borrow your qin?" Yao ngxian usually practiced on an ordinary qin, which just had its strings broken by Yao ngdie the other day and was being repaired, so she didn’t bring it today.
Knowing that the day might require a display of talent, the young won naturally brought the musical instrunts they usually use or dresses for dancing when leaving ho.
Many girls present had brought guqin, but the timbre of each qin varied, and not being the owner, one could not perform at their best.
Moreover, sothing so personal, no one would willingly lend it to others.
However, Yao ngxian and Yao nglian were sisters, and as an elder sister, when the younger didn’t bring a qin, she naturally wouldn’t mind.
But Yao nglian looked troubled, "Third sister, it’s really inconvenient. On the way here, I accidentally broke the strings."
"Fourth sister, lend yours to the third sister for a mont," Yao nglian tugged Yao ngdie’s sleeve, signaling her to bring out her qin.
Yao ngdie looked surprised, "Second sister, I didn’t bring a qin today! What shall we do?"
After saying this, both had anxious expressions.
Upon seeing this, Yao ngxian’s heart sank slightly, realizing that the two had planned this in advance.
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