"Do you smell it? It's the fragrance of plum blossoms — — "
"Are the plum blossoms in the yard blooming? I found two plum trees blooming before, but the smell was not so strong — — "
"It's the fragrance of the painting, did the cart driver soak the ink with plum blossom juice — —"
※ ※ ※
In the process of unfolding the painting, there were all kinds of speculations and doubts from time to time.
Obviously, no one believed that a cart driver could paint a painting of any standard.
They also didn't want to believe it.
When Cui Xiaoxin completely unfolded the painting, everyone stared silently at the 'Winter plum blossoms bloom proudly in snow' on the table.
Silence.
A deathly silence.
After a long while, the crowd burst into laughter.
"I'm dying of laughter, I'm dying of laughter — —"
"This is the cart driver's painting? It really expresses the highest standard of a cart driver — — "
"Haha, good painting, a peerless painting, I have never seen it before, and will never see it again — —"
※ ※ ※
It was no wonder that people laughed out loud.
Because there was nothing on the painting.
There were no plum blossoms, no snowflakes.
It was empty, white, and clean, looking like a piece of white paper.
A painting paper with nothing on it could be called 'extraordinary painting skills'?
"How could this be?" Li Shinian, with a puzzled look on his face, ran to the front and stroked the paper. "I clearly saw a painting on it, why is there nothing now? Could it be that I brought the wrong painting? "
"Miss Shinian is really funny." Chen Wenting said with a teasing expression. "Such a painting, we really don't have the ability to appreciate it. I heard that your brother Li Muyang has reached the tenth realm of painting, and with one stroke he can attract a courtyard full of peach blossoms — — Could it be that your cart driver has also reached the tenth realm of painting, and with one stroke he can attract heavy snow? "
Chen Wenting exchanged a glance with the several girls around her, pretending to be surprised. "Heavy snow destroys the city, this year's snow in Tiandu is particularly fierce than in previous years — — Could it be caused by Miss Shinian's cart driver? If that's the case, this matter has to be kept secret. Otherwise, those naughty children who can't get out of the house will curse. "
"There are clearly paintings." Li Shinian's face revealed an embarrassed expression. "I really didn't mean to deceive everyone. Maybe I brought the wrong one. I'm really sorry. "
Cui Xiaoxin closed the paper and held Li Shinian's hand as she comforted him, "It's okay. You must have taken the wrong painting in a hurry. Since this painting is for me, I will treasure it well … However, you must also give me the original copy that your family left behind. "
"Sister Xiaoxin, I'll have someone send it to your residence later," Li Shinian said as he looked into Cui Xiaoxin's eyes. He thought to himself, is she suspecting something?
"It's best to let that Li Mu personally deliver it. If his painting is really up to standard, I might have to properly evaluate it." Cui Xiaoxin looked at Li Shinian, her bright and beautiful eyes seemed to be thinking about something.
"Of course." Li Shinian readily agreed. As long as Cui Xiaoxin was willing to get in touch with her brother, no matter what her brother's identity was at this time, she would be happy to see him.
"Miss Shinian is really impressive." Chen Wenting said with a smile.
"However, since we are all sisters, it doesn't matter if you don't know any talent — — Anyway, Third Young Master did not invite you over to show any talent. But, it's really boring to deliberately mystify others. "A girl in a red dress said aloud.
"That's right, I really have some expectations for a cart driver — — If this matter gets out, I'm afraid we will be laughed at by the whole Tiandu — —" The girl in a green dress said, holding a golden nanmu hand warmer.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry — —" Li Shinian apologized profusely.
※ ※ ※
Song Tao reached out to touch the remaining water stain on the table, his brows knitted in a deep frown, looking pensive.
Seeing Cui Xiaoxin put away the piece of white paper, he said with a smile, "Xiaoxin, can you lend me the painting again?"
Cui Xiaoxin cast a puzzled look at Song Tao, saying with a smile, "Third elder brother, it's just a piece of white paper, what's there to see?"
"Maybe we made a mistake, but we need to appraise it again." Song Tao said aloud.
"Third elder brother, you're not kidding, are you? Even if you want to promote a cart driver, don't take your reputation and talent as a joke — — "A young man next to him advised. Song Tao was a famous talent in Tiandu, proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy and painting, and had a dazzling performance in calligraphy and painting. He had the potential to become a 'national master'. If he made a mistake today and mistook a piece of white paper for a peerless painting, it would tarnish his reputation and he would become a laughing stock in the future.
"There's no harm in taking a look." Song Tao was very insistent.
Cui Xiaoxin chuckled, "Third elder brother, if you are really interested in that Li Mu, this person is in the other hall — — why don't you invite him over and directly order him to draw another 'Winter plum blossoms bloom proudly in the snow' in front of everyone, isn't that the best of both worlds? It can promote his talent, and show the world that Third elder brother does not stick to one pattern of using talents. It can also test his painting skills and eliminate everyone's suspicions. What does Third elder brother think? "
Song Tao laughed, "That's a good idea. Come, invite Miss Shinian's cart driver Mr. Li Mu into the small building. "
This form of address was really strange, but no one suggested that there was anything wrong with such an introduction in public.
Very soon, Li Muyang, who was disguised as cart driver Li Mu, was brought into the small building by the servants.
He had a sallow complexion and a skinny figure. His eyes were bloodshot, and it seemed like he had not slept well for several days.
Dressed in the grey cart driver uniform of the Lu mansion, he walked with his head bowed, not daring to make eye contact with people. Because the clothes were too loose, Li Muyang's body appeared to be empty, as though a gust of wind would blow this sickly person away.
The people of West Wind are fond of beauty, and pay more attention to personal image. Good-looking people are more likely to be liked. And good-looking people are more likely to be promoted than others.
There was once a young man named Kou Zhong, who had governed the county for ten years, achieved remarkable results, and was deeply loved by the people. However, every time he was assessed for promotion, his name was not on the list.
Later, someone asked the local City Lord why Kou Zhong was not promoted. The City Lord said that the Lord was too ugly, he was sick of seeing him and tired of being near him. It would be better to leave him in the county to do more good deeds for the local people, which could be considered as a great virtue.
Later, Kou Zhong really became the County Lord for a lifetime, until he died of old age.
This cart driver was obviously not in line with the pursuit of beauty of the West Wind people. The girls were extremely disappointed with the cart driver who stirred up the emotions of the people at this gathering.
Chen Wenting was somewhat regretful that for the sake of a cart driver that she usually did not even glance at, the gathering turned out to be like this. It was purely a waste of time.
Li Muyang walked over to Li Shinian, greeting his Miss first.
Then he bowed to Cui Xiaoxin and Song Tao, the two acquaintances, and as for the people around him, they only gave a bow.
Song Tao looked at Li Muyang and said with a smile: "Li Mu, your family's Miss Shinian said that you are good at painting, and brought your 'Winter plum blossoms bloom proudly in snow' painting for everyone to appreciate. Unfortunately, the painting is empty, we are extremely regretful. Why don't you make another painting in front of everyone, with the winter plum blossoms and snow as the title, how about it? "
Li Muyang looked at Li Shinian, waiting for his Miss' order.
Li Shinian nodded, saying aloud: "I just made a fool of myself in front of everyone, I will have to rely on you to perform well."
She gently bit her thin lips, saying with a smile: "Li Mu, don't let me down."
It was only then that Li Muyang agreed: "Of course."
"Someone, serve the brush and ink." Song Tao shouted.
When the servant in green finished grinding the ink, Li Muyang rolled up his sleeves and walked over to the table.
Cui Xiaoxin had been paying attention to Li Muyang's arm, and when she saw that Li Muyang's arm was waxy yellow, similar to the colour of his face, and that there was no trace of blood on his open palm, she couldn't help but sigh softly.
There was an inexplicable illusion that this person was the person she was waiting for. However, the facts clearly told her that this person was indeed not that person — —
Li Muyang dipped the brush into the ink, and then drew heavily on the white paper.
Everyone was shocked, and then overjoyed.
A young man who was good at painting explained to the girl next to him: "The most important thing in painting is the composition. The composition depends on the painter's view of the overall situation, and is also the root of the painting. If the bones are crooked, what's the point of painting later on? Of course, if the first stroke is ruined, it's impossible to paint the rest well. "
"This painting has been ruined, it's unsightly." A man in white holding a wine pot shook his head and sighed. "A cart driver is a cart driver after all, his technique is unskilled, and his brush strokes are like a whip. Barbaric and rough. Such a person also knows the way of painting? It's really an insult to refinement. An insult to refinement. "
Even Song Tao's expression was slightly stiff, a trace of regret flashed in his eyes.
"Is he really just a cart driver? Putting your mind on this person is really asking for trouble. "
Only Li Shinian stood behind Li Muyang, clenching his fists, all his attention on his brother who was seriously painting.
It looked like a young lady was cheering for her cart driver. The whole world didn't believe that her cart driver could paint well, and the young lady also firmly believed in him.
This made those young ladies look at Li Shinian with even more ridicule. She actually regarded a cart driver as a treasure?
Only Li Shinian knew in her heart that she couldn't wait to rush up and bite this idiot brother to death.
"Idiot, you idiot … Just draw a few strokes, why do you need to put so much effort …"
Li Muyang ignored the comments and slander of the outsiders, and didn't notice the barbaric appearance of Li Shinian gnashing her teeth at him. After he put down a heavy stroke on the upper left corner, he actually didn't care and began to use the brush to delicately sketch on the lower right corner.
As the painting paper was filled with that black ink, the sneers on the onlookers' faces froze.
It was as if the temperature inside was even colder than outside.
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