Chapter 1653: Chapter 1653 Offense
Lin Xi stepped forward, "A Landscape Painting?"
Yu Wen nodded, "Yes, it’s this Landscape Painting."
The shopkeeper chuckled, "I received word from the Magistrate to keep it, so I didn’t display it. This way, Magistrate."
Yu Wen walked closer to appreciate the painting, it was a new work by Mr. Liu, a renowned artist beloved by the elites, "Please pack it up, shopkeeper, I’ll take it with me."
The shopkeeper grinned from ear to ear, "Alright, I’ll pack it right away."
The main maid beside Yu Wen held the purse and went out with the young servant in the shop to settle the bill.
Lin Xi glanced at the purse, admiring her cousin for not asking the price. Who would have thought that Commandery Princess Lin Xi had less than ten taels of silver in her pocket!
The main maid returned, personally taking the box from the shopkeeper’s hand, Yu Wen smiled, "Shopkeeper, you’ve been busy."
The shopkeeper, "I will see the Magistrate off."
Lin Xi spoke up, "Aren’t you going to look at other paintings?"
The shopkeeper’s eyes lit up with expectation as he gazed at the Magistrate.
Yu Wen shook her head, "No need."
She came out just to buy a painting, and going back to rest sounded much better. As the conversation went on, they were already exiting the inner room when her steps halted.
Lin Xi was puzzled, "Why aren’t we leaving?"
Yu Wen coughed, "Actually, taking a look wouldn’t hurt."
Lin Xi, "??"
Upon seeing Gu Sheng appreciating the paintings downstairs, Lin Xi, "!!"
The shopkeeper, unaware of the intrigue, laughed, "I’ll personally introduce them."
Yu Wen waved her hand, "No need, shopkeeper. I’ll walk with my cousin."
The shopkeeper caught the key phrase, cousin, and wished he could slap himself for not realizing it was Commandery Princess Lin Xi sooner, quickly adding, "Greetings, Commandery Princess."
Lin Xi was nonchalant, "You go ahead."
This time the shopkeeper didn’t dare say more, leaving a clerk behind before departing.
Gu Sheng had come with Wu Shangheng. He only brought his eyes along because paintings from the shop weren’t cheap, and he was reluctant to buy them. He watched as the future prince consort, in a few words, bought two paintings.
Wu Shangheng suddenly pulled on Gu Sheng’s sleeve, "Why, isn’t that Commandery Princess Lin Xi and Magistrate Anhe?"
Gu Sheng followed Wu Shangheng’s gaze, and sure enough, there was Magistrate Anhe, her red dress like a blaze, reminding him of their first meeting.
Wu Shangheng sensed something was off. Though playful, he was quite sharp, and wouldn’t have achieved his degree without his parents’ spoiling. He was also emotionally astute, his gaze flitting between Gu Sheng and Magistrate Anhe.
Lin Xi had already walked over, "Future brother-in-law."
Wu Shangheng felt quite pleased, "Has the Commandery Princess visited the Palace recently?"
Lin Xi, "Yes, I went in yesterday."
Wu Shangheng cleared his throat, "I just bought two paintings I think would be nice gifts for the princess."
Lin Xi, "No problem, I’ll take them into the Palace tomorrow."
Wu Shangheng hurriedly thanked her, "Thank you, Commandery Princess."
Being engaged to the princess had its upsides and downsides — the upside was he could send gifts without gossip, but the downside was that it was difficult to see her, and he couldn’t just visit the Palace’s quiet An Hall whenever he wanted!
Gu Sheng fidgeted with his fingertips, "Did the Magistrate come to buy paintings?"
Yu Wen smiled, "Yes, a Landscape Painting. Did Mr. Gu also come to buy paintings?"
Gu Sheng, "I accompanied Mr. Wu."
Wu Shangheng, hearing his name mentioned, laughed, "Mr. Gu is quite reclusive. If not invited, he stays home and paints. Today, I invited him to help me pick things out."
Gu Sheng was speechless; there was no need for his input, as Wu Shangheng had already purchased the paintings before he finished appreciating them.
Yu Wen said, "Mr. Gu’s paintings are indeed impressive."
Wu Shangheng, "I like Mr. Gu’s paintings too, especially the Plum Blossom Painting."
Gu Sheng uncomfortably diverted his gaze, unable to continue looking at the Magistrate’s red dress. Recently, he had added figures to the Plum Blossom Painting, but hadn’t finished it or displayed it. He traced his fingertip over his palm, "Does the Magistrate like Plum Blossom Paintings?"
Yu Wen’s smile deepened in her brow and eyes, "I do."
Gu Sheng turned back, eyes also filled with a smile.
After a cup of tea’s time, Yu Wen and Lin Xi left the painting shop. Wu Shangheng couldn’t help but quietly ask, "You don’t have any intentions, do you? Not to dishearten you, but there are countless people in the capital who wish to marry the Magistrate, and you have no advantage."
Gu Sheng, "Hmm."
Wu Shangheng was dumbfounded. What was he supposed to make of that ’Hmm’?
At the Hou Residence, Zhulan took the painting, "How much silver?"
Yu Wen held up two fingers, "Two hundred taels."
Zhulan was relieved to hear the painting shop didn’t overcharge, "I really like this painting."
Yu Wen, "As long as Grandma likes it."
Zhulan noticed Lin Xi constantly making faces, "Whom did you run into at the painting shop, let me guess, Gu Sheng?"
Lin Xi held up her thumb, "Grandma, your foresight is impressive."
Zhulan was surprised, "Truly a fateful encounter."
She knew this wasn’t planned by her granddaughter, yet they still met, indeed a fateful encounter.
Before they knew it, it was the Crown Prince’s wedding day. The wedding ceremony was elaborate. On the wedding day, the streets were hung with red everywhere, and the capital was bustling all day. The Crown Prince’s status was secure, and today’s banquet was lively, making the Ministry of Rites officials extremely nervous. They only relaxed once everything concluded without a hitch.
Three days after the Crown Prince’s wedding, Zhulan donned her decree robe, as today’s Empress invited titled ladies into the Palace for the Crown Princess Consort’s sake.
At the Palace, Zhulan saw the Crown Princess Consort Shangguan Jia, who was seated beside the Empress. Everyone paid their respects, and the Empress granted everyone a seat.
Not having seen the Empress for some time, everyone spoke up about how well she looked.
The Empress held the Crown Princess Consort’s hand, "With the Crown Prince married, Jia’er being so filial, I no longer have to worry much about the Crown Prince. Their marriage is happy, which cheers me up too."
Zhulan observed the other titled ladies, noting that the Empress’s affectionate words caused faint changes in their expressions.
The Empress continued, "I just hope the young couple lives well and gives me a grandchild soon."
The Crown Princess Consort’s composed face reddened slightly, "Mother."
The Empress’s smile grew broader, her eyes lingering on the Crown Princess Consort’s abdomen while watching the slight change in the titled ladies’ complexions.
Zhulan leisurely sipped her tea, today’s event being quite a spectacle she was there to enjoy, with eyes glued to the proceedings. Hardly had the Crown Prince settled into marriage when there were already whispers for the concubine position.
Zhulan glanced at the Empress, suspecting today’s words might have been the Crown Prince’s suggestion. Her gaze shifted to the Crown Princess Consort again, understanding the challenges of her position, then she redirected her focus, thankful none of these intrigues involved the Zhou family.
Zhulan returned home from the Palace, finding Lady Li waiting at the door, "Mother, are you tired?"
Zhulan, "I’ve been seated the whole time, so I’m not tired. Why are you waiting at the door?"
"I was worried about you and couldn’t stay put in the back courtyard."
Zhulan felt warmth in her heart, "Let’s talk inside."
Back in the main house, Zhulan changed out of the decree robe, gestured for Lady Li to sit and not busy herself, "Did everything go well with the titled ladies’ Palace visit today?"
Zhulan, "Nothing happened; the Empress hinted at a few things."
Lady Li, "The Crown Prince just got married, there’s no regard for the Shangguan family."
Zhulan, pensively said, "Once involved in the Crown Prince’s harem, one will eventually offend, so there’s nothing to worry about. The Empress’ hints also conveyed the Crown Prince’s intentions, the capital will be quiet for a while."
Lady Li, "Quiet is good."
Zhulan asked, "Is Ming Rui’s luggage packed?"
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