The wind from the river blew over, bringing with it a slight chill.
In the Linjiang Hall, the atmosphere was a little strange.
Honestly speaking, this [A Walk in Early Spring] was an extremely good painting, and the meaning behind its theme was also very good. To those scholars who wanted to benefit the people, this painting had the meaning of warning and spurring them on.
But who were the people here?
They were all top-notch nobles. They were the type that could earn a lot of money just by lying at home. They might pity these servants, but they would still use them as they should!
Zheng Qingfang also didn't think of reforming them. He was already very satisfied with being able to squeeze some money out of their hands to build irrigation works, build bridges, and pave roads to support the commoners.
The second famous painting was unfurled. It was a young girl!
In early spring, it was raining apricot flowers!
In the outskirts of the southern part of the city, it was verdant and lush. A young girl wearing a light yellow spring robe was grabbing a large banana leaf with both hands and placing it on her head. After that, she squatted beside a small stream and looked at the ants moving house after getting wet from the rain!
Back then!
Croak!
A frog croaked and leaped up high onto the banana leaf. The young girl's big and beautiful eyes rolled up and she wanted to stretch out her hand to catch it.
The entire painting seemed to have come to life because of this grab!
"Haha!"
Many people couldn't help but laugh when they saw the painting. Their nervous emotions also relaxed in an instant, as if they had blended into the spring rain.
The young girl was cute and adorable. Her eyes were filled with innocence. Just a glance at her would cause one to feel an indescribable sense of comfort.
"I've seen this painting before!"
An old man stroked his beard and spoke.
"That's right, I've seen it before too. It was last year. Prime Minister Zheng asked the butler to bring it here. At that time, I really wanted to keep it!"
"I heard that the young girl in the painting has gone missing. Prime Minister Zheng created this painting in order to find her!"
"Eh? Why do I feel that this young girl looks a little familiar? "
The guests discussed amongst themselves.
Gu Xiuxun looked at Sun Mo in astonishment. She had seen Sun Mo's [A Walk in Early Spring] before. She had thought that it was a stroke of luck. She didn't expect that his painting skills were truly unparalleled.
She knew about Lu Zhiruo's disappearance. Hence, other than Sun Mo, it was impossible for anyone else to draw such a lifelike papaya girl.
An Xinhui subconsciously looked toward Lu Zhiruo and compared her with the young girl in the painting. Although they weren't exactly the same, their charm and disposition made it clear that they were the same person.
After that, An Xinhui's expression turned into one of shock as she stared at Sun Mo.
"Aiya, the young lady in the painting is a girl from the Central Province Academy, right?"
Qi Mu`en cried out in shock, feeling enlightened.
Earlier, Lu Zhiruo had said that she wanted to donate over 100 taels of silver. Hence, some people glanced at her. Among them was Qi Mu`en.
Everyone turned their heads and compared them. They found that they were indeed very similar.
"Prime Minister Zheng, is it this young lady?"
Qi Mu`en asked.
"Ah?"
Lu Zhiruo was stunned. She stared at the painting in a daze. "I was wondering why it looked so familiar. So it's me?"
"Haha!"
Looking at the papaya girl's adorable appearance, many people couldn't help but laugh.
"Teacher Miao, among everyone here, your drawing skills should be the best. Would you please evaluate it?"
Zheng Qingfang asked.
Qi Mu`en didn't know if it was a delusion, but he seemed to have heard Zheng Qingfang teasing Miao Mu.
However, Miao Mu lifted his chin slightly and glanced at Sun Mo with an arrogant expression. (Do you see it? Even Prime Minister Zheng admires me so much!
Hmph, you want to sit down and discuss painting with me? Are you even worthy?
You are just a little brother!)
When Miao Mu's gaze turned to the painting again, a serious expression appeared on his face. He had to bring out his true capabilities.
"This painting should have been completed in a quarter of an hour, or even less!"
Miao Mu spoke.
"Ah? It can't be, right? A famous painting can be completed within 15 minutes? "
Fang Lun who raised his hand was greatly shocked. "Shouldn't famous paintings be meticulously crafted?"
"For the Wondrous Blossom Realm, it depends on the feeling. Naturally, the longer the time spent on the painting, the easier it would be for the feeling to appear. It's like shooting an arrow. After shooting a few arrows, the feeling would appear.
Miao Mu found an easy to understand analogy.
"Grandmaster Miao is truly impressive. This painting was indeed completed within 15 minutes!"
After Zheng Qingfang said this, many people started to exclaim in admiration.
"Being able to complete a famous painting within 15 minutes, this grandmaster's painting skills must be extraordinary!"
Qi Mu`en was shocked. He glanced at the corner of the painting, wanting to find the signature, but he discovered that there wasn't any.
The others were also exclaiming in admiration as they discussed. Gu Xiuxun and An Xinhui stared at Sun Mo. Looking at his expression, there was no mistake, this painting was drawn by him.
"The composition of this painting is very simple and doesn't contain any profound concept. It's purely drawn by the grandmaster when he was in the mood. However, don't look down on its simplicity. It perfectly displays the grandmaster's concern, love, and affection for this young girl."
Miao Mu sighed ruefully. "The greatest feeling this [Spring Rain Painting] gives off is that it's clean and pure, without any impurities."
"Eh? So Teacher likes me so much? "
Lu Zhiruo was astonished. She glanced at Sun Mo. She felt that she was too stupid and her aptitude was bad. Compared to Li Ziqi and Ying Baiwu, her teacher would surely like them a little more. But from the looks of things now, she seemed to have misunderstood her teacher.
Sun Mo smiled and rubbed the papaya girl's head.
"Hehe!"
Lu Zhiruo grinned and instantly tossed away those chaotic thoughts. (Who cares? In any case, in my heart, I'm Teacher's most favorite child!)
Li Ziqi's lips twitched as intense envy suddenly rose in her heart. (I also want Teacher to draw a painting for me!)
There's no need for a famous painting. It's fine as long as it's drawn by Teacher.)
Sun Mo's lips twitched. No wonder Miao Mu was so arrogant. He did have the capabilities to be arrogant.
"There's no need to think too much when admiring such a famous painting. There's no way to think too much either. It's enough to just appreciate the beauty!"
Miao Mu concluded and flashed a thumbs up. "This grandmaster is truly impressive!"
Everyone looked at the painting again.
Translucent raindrops slid down the tender green leaves of the banana tree, and pitch-black ants crawled around in a messy manner. There was also the earthy smell of the wet soil, which seemed to be assaulting one's nostrils. One could even feel it through the painting.
Indeed, after looking at this famous painting, the chaotic emotions of the guests would quickly calm down. It was even faster compared to burning incense, taking a bath, or drinking tea.
"Prince Li, what do you think?"
Zheng Qingfang asked.
Li Ziqi's countenance was already very unsightly. The painting was good, but because of this painting, she recalled her son who had died a tragic death.
Although that son was a disappointing thing, no, even if he was a dog in the prince's residence, it wasn't up to you guys to deal with him.
"Haha, good painting!"
Li Ziqi praised. However, she had already decided in her heart that if there was a chance, she would definitely kidnap this girl from the Central Province Academy and sell her to the most remote country, making it so that they would never meet again.
"Prime Minister Zheng, I wonder which grandmaster created this painting?"
Miao Mu was curious because he discovered that this famous painting didn't have a signature. In that case, he could only ask.
"Gandalf!"
Zheng Qingfang introduced.
"Who? Is it that Gandalf who wrote [Journey to the West]? "
"I didn't expect him to be a famous artist as well."
"Che, an expert in both painting and calligraphy? To think that he is an expert in both painting and calligraphy? "
The guests were all shocked.
When Qi Mu`en heard this name, he started as well. After that, he subconsciously glanced at Lu Zhiruo. After that, he followed her gaze and found Sun Mo.
"This girl really admires this Sun Mo!"
Qi Mu`en mumbled. He kept feeling that this famous painting had some connection with Sun Mo.
"Aiya, what are you guys so shocked about? Did you guys not see it earlier? That [A Walk in Early Spring] painting was also signed by Grandmaster Gandalf! "
An old man was speechless. As expected, these people were all uncouth. They didn't even know how to appreciate paintings and only knew how to pretend to be cultured.
"..."
The guests were speechless. Earlier, who would be so free to pay attention to the signature? All of them were thinking of how to avoid donating money. After all, compared to money, it wasn't important who created the famous painting.
"Prime Minister Zheng, I wonder if you can part with this famous painting?"
Qi Mu`en hesitated a little but still asked. After all, he was also someone who loved paintings. Since he saw it, he didn't want to miss it.
"Prince Consort Qi, you are asking for my life!"
Zhang Hanfu rejected.
"In that case, Uncle Zheng, since you can obtain two of Gandalf's famous paintings, you must be very familiar with him. In that case, can you help introduce me to him?"
Prince Consort Qi took a step back.
With his identity, he definitely wouldn't have any chance to develop in his official career. Hence, he started to dabble in art, becoming a literary man.
"How about I tell you about this after I ask Grandmaster Gandalf for his opinion?"
Zheng Qingfang didn't agree recklessly.
"I'll have to trouble you then!"
Qi Mu`en clasped his hands and bowed. After that, he grew agitated again. "Isn't there another famous painting? Quickly take it out! "
"This third painting is most probably the finale, right?"
Fang Lun guessed.
"Earlier, everyone has admired Grandmaster Miao's Sanzang Painting and their evaluations are very high. Right now, I also have one. Everyone, please appraise it."
As Zheng Qingfang spoke, the burly man unfurled the painting. A [Sanzang's Journey to the West Painting] appeared before everyone's eyes. In an instant, the entire Linjiang Hall fell silent.
When everyone looked at this painting, there was no longer any words to speak. Everyone's attention was attracted by Sanzang's resolute expression.
Wasn't Miao Mu's Sanzang Painting good?
Very good, it could already be considered a rare masterpiece. However, if there was no comparison, there wouldn't be any harm. Compared to this painting, it was like comparing a younger brother to a younger brother!
Strictly speaking, this famous painting that Zheng Qingfang took out was at most a portrait painting. It was extremely simple, but the simpler it was, the easier it was for people to resonate with it.
The people present, especially those old men, involuntarily sighed. Time was ruthless. Who wouldn't want to live for a few more years?
Honestly speaking, the vast majority of people at this age would just muddle along. But after seeing this famous painting, their spirits suddenly soared.
"Haha, wonderful! Wonderful! "
An old man laughed uproariously, stroking his beard as he stared at the Sanzang Painting. "This old man has long wanted to go to the north and enjoy the magnificent scenery of the desert. However, I was worried that I would die on the way there, so I didn't manage to do so!"
"Ridiculous! Lamentable! Lamentable! "
"My body isn't dead yet, but my heart is!"
After the old man spoke, he suddenly clasped his hands toward Zheng Qingfang. "Brother Zheng, I'll have to trouble you to take care of my family!"
After the old man spoke, he laughed uproariously and left. His lofty aspirations were ignited by this famous painting. He wanted to accomplish the ambition he had set when he was young!
"Eh? Father, father, you can't go! "
A middle-aged man grew anxious and wanted to chase after him. The reason why the clan could have their current status was all because of his father's prestige and connections. If he died outside, the influence of the clan would be greatly reduced.
"Little Zhang, don't chase after him. Let him go!"
Zheng Qingfang persuaded. The two of them had known each other for a very long time, but ever since he became an official, Old Zhang had never called him Brother Zheng. Now that he called him that again, it meant that Old Zhang's heart had returned to the past.
"Calm down! Calm down! "
Governor Fang kept on reminding himself not to do foolish things. Right now, he even had the impulse to resign from his position and fulfill his ambition of touring the famous mountains and great rivers.
"This is the power of a famous painting!"
Qi Mu`en sighed ruefully.
At this moment, the entire hall was immersed in an indescribable atmosphere.
In the past year or so, 'Journey to the West' had been selling very well. It could be said that even the illiterate commoners had heard of it from the storytellers.
During the craziest times, not to mention all the teahouses and restaurants in Jinling, even the simple teahouses in the outskirts had girls singing 'Journey to the West'.
It was precisely because everyone had read 'Journey to the West' that when they saw this painting of Sanzang's journey to the west, their feelings were especially intense.
In the painting, Sanzang was no longer wearing a gorgeous kasaya. He no longer had the appearance of an esteemed monk with a fair complexion. He was travel-worn as he led a muddy white horse and held a nine-ringed monk staff as he trudged through the miasma and ferocious beasts.
The colors of this painting weren't gorgeous. In fact, because of the use of gray, at first glance, there was a sense of oppression and struggle that made people feel very uncomfortable.
However, this feeling of discomfort completely melted like snow under the sun when the viewer looked at Sanzang.
Sanzang's gaze was resolute and unyielding. It was as if he could penetrate through the fog and look toward the western sky!
Sanzang's footsteps were steady and bright. It was as if he could pass through thousands of tribulations and trample on all obstacles.
Sanzang's expression was filled with no regrets and determination to retrieve the true scripture. This time, no matter how difficult the journey was or how far it was, he would absolutely not shrink back.
That kind of will seeped out from the painting and gushed over.
Life was filled with troubles after troubles!
Who hadn't encountered troubles in their lives?
Sometimes, they would truly feel very tired and might as well just continue to be dispirited. However, when they saw this famous painting, intense battle intent ignited in their hearts again!
"I feel that I'm 30 years younger again!"
Li Zixing laughed uproariously.
(I'm actually feeling anxious when facing the rise of the Central Province Academy?) (I feel a little nervous?) (There's no need to be afraid. I'll definitely be able to make it mine in my lifetime!)
(And the throne...)
Li Zixing's eyes flickered and he bit his lips. (Also, that chair. Who says that I definitely won't have a chance to sit on it?)
An Xinhui was someone with a strong mental state. After she retreated from the concept of the famous painting, she looked at the inscription and was stunned.
"Gandalf?"
(Why is it this fellow again?) However, after thinking about it, [Journey to the West] was Gandalf's work. It was only natural for him to draw for this book.
It was unknown why, but An Xinhui directly looked at Sun Mo and blinked.
Sun Mo shrugged helplessly. After that, he heard the system notification.
Ding!
Favorable impression points from An Xinhui + 1,000. Reverence (11000/100000).
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