Chapter 665: 276 Sending Paintings
A month later, Yueyao had finished her painting. Yueyao personally delivered it to Prince Duan’s Mansion.
Princess Consort Duan, looking at the painting of the Goddess of Mercy done by Yueyao, was so pleased that she repeatedly exclaimed “Wonderful” three times and then immediately ordered someone to hang it in the chapel.
Princess Wanhe cheerfully said, “Mother, I told you Yueyao’s painting of the Goddess of Mercy was wonderfully lifelike. You didn’t believe me, but do you believe it now? Mother, you must not forget my reward!”
Princess Consort Duan felt delighted, “Of course, I haven’t forgotten yours.”
Princess Consort Duan also awarded Yueyao with some items.
Yueyao, looking at the mahogany box, knew that the contents were surely valuable. Yueyao was reluctant to accept, saying quickly, “Princess Consort, last time I boldly made a request to you, I truly cannot accept such valuable gifts again.” By this, Yueyao meant that the Princess Consort had already given her great honor, and she could not accept any more gifts.
Princess Consort Duan listened and smiled knowingly, feeling that Yueyao was very sincere.
Princess Wanhe said with a laugh, “Yueyao, if my mother offers you a reward, you deserve it. If it makes you uneasy, just paint a few more paintings for my mother in the future.”
Yueyao hurriedly responded, “Princess Consort, Princess, forgive me, but painting one piece requires a great deal of effort, so I can only paint two to three pieces a year. Please forgive me.”
Princess Consort Duan appeared surprised; she had thought that Yueyao was trying to inflate her own value, but unexpectedly, the girl was unwilling to paint more.
Princess Wanhe laughed, “Last time you wouldn’t even give away a painting, and now you’re saying you only paint three pieces a year. Are you reluctant to let your work spread?”
Yueyao felt that Princess Wanhe was really nitpicking. If it weren’t for her, Yueyao wouldn’t even be here. Yueyao replied, “It’s because my painting skills are inadequate; I dare not paint more frequently.”
Princess Consort Duan said with a smile, “As long as all that you produce are masterpieces, having fewer is not a problem.” One must pursue excellence, and cannot be forced to produce several inferior pieces.
Yueyao breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank you very much, Princess Consort, Princess.”
However, Princess Consort Duan said with a smile, “Gifts must be heartfelt, and you having worked so hard for so long shouldn’t be in vain.”
Before Yueyao could speak, the maid by her side opened the box. As the box was opened, a scent of ink wafted to Yueyao’s nose.
Yueyao turned her head and saw that it was not the precious jewelry she had imagined, but two ink sticks.
Yueyao, being someone who knew her stuff, recognized that this was no ordinary ink, but she had never seen ink sticks of this shape before! Yueyao had all the typical weaknesses of a scholar; once she encountered something that moved her heart, she lost awareness of her surroundings. She didn’t even care about Princess Consort Duan and Princess Wanhe’s presence; she carefully examined the ink sticks, even smelling them.
Princess Wanhe was dumbfounded.
Watching Yueyao’s expression, Princess Consort Duan’s smile grew even warmer. She said intentionally, “Since you don’t like it, I’ll choose another gift for you.”
Hearing this, Yueyao quickly said, “Princess Consort, I really like it, truly, I really do.” After saying this, she clutched the ink stick tightly in her hand and kept her eyes fixed on the ink in the box, as if afraid someone would take it away.
Princess Wanhe couldn’t help but burst out laughing. She hadn’t expected the usually composed Yueyao to have such a funny moment.
Xiang Wei also saw this silly side of Yueyao for the first time and felt almost too embarrassed to watch.
Princess Consort Duan’s face was full of smiles as she spoke, “I’m glad you like it. I thought since you often practice calligraphy and use a lot of ink, it would be very suitable to gift you two ink sticks.” Yueyao had practiced three styles of writing and was proficient in each, so it was only fitting to gift her ink, but she didn’t expect the girl to love it so much.
Yueyao’s face beamed with joy, “Thank you very much, Princess Consort.”
After leaving the Royal Mansion, Yueyao quickly opened the box at her side and took the two ink sticks, examining them closely. She had many good ink sticks in her possession, but none matched the two in front of her. The royal family was indeed noble, casually giving away such fine things.
Xiang Wei, seeing Yueyao’s silly expression, laughed and said, “I wonder who said they hoped to visit the homes of princes and nobles less in the future. And who was saying they were planning to go to a rural manor in a few days?”
Yueyao looked up in confusion, “I am planning to go to a rural manor in a few days! What about it?” She paused for a moment before catching on to Xi…
Princess Wanhe still could not understand, “Men can achieve something in this field, but after all her efforts, she too will only support her husband and teach her children.” Princess Wanhe felt that what Yueyao did was in vain.
Princess Consort Duan smiled, did not continue the topic with Princess Wanhe, and started discussing something else. Princess Wanhe quickly shifted her focus as well.
Yueyao returned to Ma’s Mansion and looked for Zhuang Ruolan. It happened that Ma Peng was also there.
Zhuang Ruolan, seeing the smile on Yueyao’s face, asked, “What is it, some great news?” Yueyao rarely showed her emotions like this, and it was even rarer for her to be this happy.
Yueyao mentioned that she had received two sticks of ink, “These two should be the finest inksticks made by the Huizhou ink makers.” Usable by the royal family, could they be anything but the best of the best?
Zhuang Ruolan knew Yueyao had the temperament of a literary person and was not surprised at all.
Ma Peng, however, became interested, “Why do you say ‘should be’?”
Yueyao had never seen such ink before but felt they were similar to those described in books, so she thought they must be.
Having less knowledge than Yueyao, Ma Peng tactfully suggested, “If you are not sure, let father appraise them.”
Yueyao thought for a moment, and when Ma Chengteng was available, she indeed took the two inksticks to him for his appraisal.
Ma Chengteng’s eyes lit up when he saw the inksticks Yueyao held, “Where did you get these from?”
When Ma Chengteng learned they were gifts from Princess Consort Duan, he nodded. He then told Yueyao, “These two inksticks are made of oil soot, a type made from vegetable oil smoke, combined with substances such as cowhide glue and genuine musk, thus the resulting inksticks are smooth, lustrous, and pleasantly fragrant. These two are indeed rarities among them.”
Yueyao, having asked about the fragrant scent of the ink in the Royal Mansion, knew they were extraordinary.
Ma Chengteng happily said, “You won second place in the painting competition the other day, and uncle hasn’t yet given you a gift, so consider these as making up for that.”
Ma Chengteng also gave Yueyao an inkstick, a delightful and unexpected surprise for her.
The next day, Yueyao brought a painting scroll to the main courtyard with a smile, “Cousin-in-law, I painted this. I hope you like it.”
Only Cai Hua, the maidservant, was present in the room. Zhuang Ruolan, not avoiding Cai Hua, took it and opened it personally. Upon seeing the content of the painting — a woman holding a chubby baby, both lifelike —Zhuang Ruolan was momentarily stunned.
Yueyao knew that Zhuang Ruolan kept a calm demeanor but actually yearned deeply for a son. After all, being without progeny was considered a great filial failing, and the pressure was indeed tremendous.
Yueyao said, “Cousin-in-law, this was painted after fasting for a month. I have recited the ‘Guanyin Sutra’ over it a thousand times, all to beg the Goddess of Child-Giving to bless you with a healthy, chubby boy.”
Zhuang Ruolan, caressing the chubby baby in the painting, turned with a smile to Yueyao, “Yueyao, I really like this gift.” Having a son soon would relieve so much pressure.
Yueyao smiled, “The best would be for cousin-in-law’s wish to come true.”
Cai Hua laughed beside them, “That’s for certain.”
Yueyao then spoke of her plans to go to the countryside villa. Of course, not the previous one she visited, but one owned by the Ma family. Yueyao smiled, “I spoke to uncle about it yesterday, and he agreed. Cousin-in-law, I plan to leave tomorrow.”
Naturally, Zhuang Ruolan had no objections since uncle had consented; she wouldn’t counteract his decision. She only reminded Yueyao to take more things with her.”
On the way back, Xiang Wei said with a smile, “If Madam really does give birth to a son, you will truly become famous in Capita City. By then, those praying to the Child-Giving Guanyin would probably line up all the way to the city gates.”
Yueyao laughed, “Even so, I am willing. But no worries, I paint only three Buddhist images per year, no more, regardless of the amount of silver offered.” Yueyao thought that if Mr. Yu Shan knew she painted Buddhist images, he would probably be so furious that his beard would fall off.
Zhuang Ruolan herself carried the painting of the Child-Giving Guanyin back to her bedroom, then picked up the ‘Guanyin Sutra’ that Yueyao had included and recited it three times before stopping.
Cai Hua said with a laugh beside her, “Miss Yueyao is truly meticulous.” When Madam received this painting, her constantly furrowed brow finally relaxed.”
Zhuang Ruolan smiled lightly. Originally, she had wanted Yueyao to paint an Old Lifer for the Old Lady of the Duke Mansion, but instead, Yueyao painted the Child-Giving Guanyin for her. Nevertheless, she truly adored this Guanyin painting. Zhuang Ruolan had always heard Ma Peng call Yueyao her Lucky Star, and she too hoped that this time Yueyao could indeed bring her good fortune.
Yueyao wrote a letter to Mingzhu, explaining that she was going to Ma Family’s villa and also invited Mingzhu to join her.
This was the first time Yueyao informed Mingzhu before leaving. Yueyao laughed and said to a puzzled Xiang Wei, “Although Mingzhu’s mood has stabilized now, going out and getting some air would still be good for her.” Perhaps the surface had smoothed over, but after such extended effort and arriving at such a result, there remained a scar deep inside.
Xiang Wei nodded rarely in agreement.