"What, the portrait of the meritorious officials of Lingyan Pavilion is for me to draw!" Meton looked at Li Chengqian in shock.
Meton did not think that Li Shimin would act so quickly. It had only been a few days, and he had already received the heated discussion of all the civil and military officials in the Imperial Court. However, these officials were all people with reputations. Although they knew that this would be very beneficial to them, they were embarrassed to say that they wanted fame, so they all declined.
However, when Meton's poem was released, all the civil and military officials in the Imperial Court immediately felt the huge influence of Lingyan Pavilion to inspire the later generations. It could bring them great fame, and it could also inspire the later generations. This was the best of both worlds, so the important officials took advantage of the situation and agreed.
When the person to draw the portraits for the officials was confirmed, Yan Liben, who had been unanimously recommended by everyone, firmly declined. Instead, he recommended Meton as the artist.
"Of course, the idea was given by you, the poem was written by you, and the painting was drawn by you. Now in Chang 'an City, you are the one who draws the most alike. If not you, who else could it be?" Li Chengqian had an expression of "I think very highly of you," causing Meton to grit his teeth in hatred. He had really shot himself in the foot this time. His mouth was cheap, and he had actually found such a troublesome matter for himself.
One had to know that Lingyan Pavilion could have 24 meritorious officials. Drawing one a day would take close to a month.
"Brother Mo, don't worry. Lingyan Pavilion has just been proposed, and it will take at least a year to complete. Brother Mo, you have plenty of time," Li Chengqian said.
Meton let out a sigh of relief. At least in terms of time, there was still plenty of time.
"Why don't men carry the Wu Gou and collect the fifty provinces of Guanshan. Brother Mo's poem is heroic and generous, truly a role model for men of my generation. "A sissy's voice tried hard to pretend to be heroic, and he casually cupped his fists and said.
"This is?"
Meton looked at the sissy who had been silently following behind Li Chengqian. No, this was definitely a sissy. He smelled of rouge and powder, and he even pretended to be heroic.
Li Chengqian's eyes flickered as he looked away from Meton's scrutinizing gaze and said, "Haha, I forgot to introduce you. This is my younger brother, Li Zhi. It's a pity that I didn't get to meet Brother Mo at Chong Wen Pavilion the day before yesterday. Today, I'm here to pay you a visit."
"Li Zhi greets Brother Mo." Li Zhi purposely said in a rough voice.
"Well said, well said." Meton was confused and could only go along with it.
"Meton, this younger brother of mine is very fond of painting. He heard that Brother Mo's painting skills are unique, so he specially came to ask for guidance," Li Chengqian explained.
"Please teach me, Brother Mo!" Li Zhi took out two pieces of Xuan paper and handed it to Meton.
Meton picked it up and took a look. One of them was Meton's painting of Li Shimin holding Princess Jinyang. As he was not familiar with the combination of light and dark, the painting was only 30% to 40% similar. However, for a new scholar, it was already very rare.
As for the other one, it was the portrait that Meton drew for Li Chengqian. It was a perfect imitation.
Li Chengqian looked at his own portrait and was extremely embarrassed. He glared at Meton and said, "Although my younger brother's drawing is messing around, it is also full of passion. You can reluctantly teach him a thing or two!"
Meton saw that Li Chengqian was already angry from embarrassment, so he wisely stopped teasing him. Instead, he looked at the sissy Li Chengqian in front of him with a headache. No, it should be said that Li Zhi was a woman dressed as a man. She was so close to Li Chengqian and was only two or three years younger. There was only one possibility. The person in front of him was Princess Changle Li Zhi.
This was the first princess of the Tang dynasty. Her status was respected. Meton found that he always inexplicably provoked some people that he could not afford to provoke.
"Zi Yi!" Meton shouted towards the inner room.
After a long time, Zi Yi came out with disheveled hair. This girl was simply obsessed with drawing violent cartoons.
"What's wrong, young master?" Zi Yi said in a daze.
"Take Prince Li Zhi to your studio and explain the drawing skills I taught you to Prince Li." Meton arranged. In order to train Zi Yi, Meton spared no effort and taught her all his drawing skills. In addition, Meton really could not afford to offend Li Shimin. If he knew that he taught his daughter how to draw, he would definitely die tomorrow.
Zi Yi was confused. Looking at Li Zhi who was dressed as a woman, her eyes could not help but brighten.
"This little sister is so beautiful!"
Half of Li Zhi's face suddenly blushed. Once again, she said in a rough voice, "Miss, you are mistaken. I am a man."
This was probably the first time this girl dressed as a man. She did not have any experience at all. Anyone could see through her at a glance. However, she thought that her disguise was perfect. She said in a rough voice in a man's language.
Zi Yi speechlessly slapped her forehead. She walked in front of Li Zhi and whispered a few words.
Li Zhi hurriedly lowered her head and looked at her large chest. Then she touched her Adam's apple. Her face immediately turned red.
"Hmph!" Li Zhi hatefully glared at Li Chengqian and Meton. Then she proudly held Zi Yi's hand and left.
"What does this have to do with me?" Modun was confused. He had really suffered an undeserved calamity for no reason.
"My little sister is willful. Brother Mo, please forgive her." Li Chengqian clasped his hands and said bitterly.
"Now you can give me an explanation!" Privately bringing a princess dressed as a man to the Mo Estate. If this spread out, Meton would definitely not be able to bear the consequences.
"Imperial Father wanted to help my little sister arrange a marriage. My little sister was not willing and was in a bad mood. My little sister usually likes paintings. Especially after seeing the paintings that Brother Mo painted for Imperial Father and Jinyang, she loved them even more. In order to help my little sister relieve her depression, I came to the Mo Estate." Li Chengqian explained.
"Arranged marriage? Zhangsun Chong?" Meton asked.
"How did Brother Mo know?" Li Chengqian said in surprise. Logically speaking, this matter should still be under discussion. Princess Changle was still throwing a tantrum. It should not be made public.
Meton thought in his heart. How could I not know? I also know that your little sister was very unhappy after marrying Zhangsun Chong. She died at the age of 23.
This was a tragedy! Meton understood that this was a political marriage between Li Shimin and Zhangsun Wuji. They did not consider Li Zhi's feelings at all. Should he save this fairy-like girl? Meton fell into a dilemma. After a long time, his conscience prevailed.
"Don't you feel that Princess Changle and Li Zhi's blood relationship is too close?" Meton asked carefully.
"I know. According to seniority, Zhangsun Chong is my cousin. Isn't this making us even closer?" Li Chengqian said with an indifferent expression.
Empress Zhangsun and Zhangsun Wuji are blood related siblings, while Li Zhi and Zhangsun Chong are blood related cousins. "
"Making us even closer?" Meton just remembered that there was such a saying in the ancient times.
Meton thought for a while and said carefully, "Your Highness, do you know why there are so many bachelors in the Village Mo? The poverty of the Village Mo is only one of the reasons. More importantly, the Village Mo strictly forbids marriage between the direct third generation and the collateral third generation. "
"Direct third generation, collateral third generation!" Li Chengqian obviously knew what this meant. Li Zhi and Zhangsun Chong were the collateral third generation blood relatives.
"Is there a problem?" Li Chengqian asked with a trembling voice. He knew the situation of the Village Mo. There were many bachelors in the village, but the Village Mo that was so eager to reproduce actually forbade marriage between close relatives.
"Because children born from close relatives have a high probability of being mentally retarded, cerebral palsy, and various hereditary diseases." Meton said word by word.
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