Lai Manor.
This was the manor of Du Ruhui, the founding minister of the Tang dynasty. During Li Shimin's conquest of the world, Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling were Li Shimin's right-hand men. They made great contributions and were known as Fang Mou and Du Duan.
However, the heavens were jealous of talents. During the fourth year of Zhenguan, Du Ruhui passed away due to illness and Li Shimin posthumously gave him the title of Lai Manor Duke.
Modun looked at the majestic Lai Public House and couldn't help but sigh. They really had different lives. After his cheap old man passed away, no one showed any interest in the Mo Estate, while the Du family continued to be rewarded and favored.
Not only did Du Gou have a prosperous career, even his second son, Du He, was given the title of Prince Consort and Shang Chengyang Princess. If it wasn't for this unlucky guy who took part in Li Chengqian's rebellion and lost his life and implicated the Du Family, the Du Family's achievements would have been enough for them to enjoy great wealth in a hundred years.
"Dong, dong, dong!"
Tie An went up and knocked on the door.
"Who is it?"
An impatient voice sounded from behind the door. The door slowly opened and a grey-haired gatekeeper looked at Meton and Tie An impatiently.
As the saying goes, there are seven ranks in front of the gate of the prime minister. Although Du Ruhui passed away, the Du Family was still glorious and the Du Family's gatekeeper was still very arrogant.
"Please report that Meton from the Mo Family is here to paint a portrait of Lai Manor Duke's Lingyan Pavilion." Tie An cupped his hands and said.
After nearly a month of painting, Moton had finally finished painting twenty out of the twenty-four meritorious officials of the Lingyan Pavilion. The remaining four were the hardest to come by. Because these meritorious officials had long since passed away, Moton had arranged for them to be the last.
Meton would usually inform the gatekeeper of his visit in advance and set a time to avoid any conflicts. Yesterday, Meton had already reported to the Du Family that he would be coming to discuss the painting today.
"You can go back! Young Master has said that there is no need to trouble the two of you with the painting! "The gatekeeper of the Du residence waved his hand impatiently.
After Du Ruhui passed away, his eldest son, Du Gou, inherited the title of Duke. However, as Du Gou was often away as an official, the real person in charge of the Lai Public House was the second son, Du He. The young master that the gatekeeper mentioned was obviously Du He.
Meton frowned. He couldn't help but think back to that day in the Teaching Division, when First Madam Gongsun and Du He became enemies. Clearly, this was Du He's revenge.
"The drawing of the portrait of the Lingyan Pavilion was personally ordered by His Majesty. It is also related to the glory of the Lai Duke's life. What right does a small gatekeeper like you have to make decisions for the master?" Meton said coldly.
"What a joke. The old master has already passed away for four years, yet you're here today to paint. Isn't that a joke?" The gatekeeper said.
"Since I have accepted this task and dared to come here, I naturally have the confidence to paint the portrait of the Lai Public House. If His Majesty's important matter is delayed, can a small gatekeeper like you bear the responsibility?" Meton looked coldly at the gatekeeper who stood up for him.
"You …" The gatekeeper was speechless. Of course, he couldn't bear the responsibility. If he was really blamed in the future, Du He might be fine, but he would definitely be.
"Hurry up and report. If you don't want to paint, let Du He tell me personally!" Meton shouted.
"Yes, yes!"
The gatekeeper hurriedly closed the door and hurriedly went to report.
…
"What did you say? Mo Jiazi hasn't left yet. He's still outside the door! "When Du He, who had just woken up, heard the gatekeeper's report, she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
"Young Master, Mo Jiazi said that it is up to you to decide whether to paint or not. It is not up to me to decide," the gatekeeper said in a low voice.
"Trash, you can't even do this well!" Du He scolded the gatekeeper angrily.
"This lowly one deserves to die!"
The gatekeeper appeared to be in fear and trepidation, but in fact, he was greatly relieved. This kind of matter was not something a lowly gatekeeper like him could get involved in. He was already very lucky to be able to get out of it.
"Mo Jiazi, since you dare to come to the Du Residence to fish for fame, don't blame me for not giving you any face!" Du He snorted coldly.
Everyone knew that Mo Jiazi painted the portraits of the Lingyan Pavilion for the officials. They were all painted according to the real person's handwriting, which was why they were so lifelike and similar.
However, his father, Du Ruhui, had passed away four years ago. Four years ago, Mo Jiazi was still starving in the Mo Jiazi Village. How could he have seen Du Ruhui, so how could he paint for Mo Jiazi?
Therefore, from the bottom of her heart, Du He did not believe that Moton's real purpose of coming here was to paint a portrait. She thought that Moton's visit this time was just a perfunctory attempt to fish for fame. In addition, she and Moton had previously lost in the competition for Miss Gongsun in the Educational Division. Immediately, new and old grudges had merged, resulting in today's farce.
"Sigh! Young Master, please calm down. Mo Jiazi is here on the Emperor's orders. This is also related to Old Master's matter of going to the Lingyan Pavilion. If you become enemies with Mo Jiazi, I'm afraid it won't be good! "
Du Residence's housekeeper, Uncle Liang, tried to persuade him.
Uncle Liang was an old man in the Du Residence. He had been following Du Ruhui for a long time. He knew the Du Residence very well. Although the Lai Residence had a high status, ever since Du Ruhui passed away, the Du Residence's status had plummeted. It would be unwise to become enemies with Mo Jiazi at this time!
"Uncle Liang, don't worry. Without Butcher Zhang, you want to eat a pig with hair? There are many people in the world who know how to paint. I have a plan! "Du He sneered.
Outside the Lai Residence.
Du He led a group of servants and rushed over. When she saw Meton at the door, she was furious and shouted, "Mo Jiazi, you dare to come to my Du Residence and behave atrociously. You insulted my father. Do you think there is no one in my Du Residence?"
Tie An saw that the situation wasn't good. He immediately turned around and protected Meton behind him.
Meton looked at Du He with disgust. This idiot. No wonder she caused so much trouble for the Du Residence in the future. She also ruined Du Ruhui's reputation.
Meton pushed Tie An away and faced Du He. "I am here on the Emperor's orders. Who dares to touch me?"
In terms of status, he was a newly conferred county marquis. Du He was only a county duke. In terms of righteousness, he came to the Du Residence on the Emperor's orders.
"Young Master, please calm down!" Uncle Liang quickly persuaded.
Although Du He hated Meton to the bone, she wasn't stupid. She knew that this wasn't the time for revenge. Under Uncle Liang's persuasion, she took advantage of the situation to step down.
"Mo Jiazi, consider yourself lucky this time!" Du He said fiercely.
"I have always been lucky. You don't have to worry. I just want to ask you one thing. Are you still going to paint the Lai Residence's portrait?" Meton suppressed his anger.
"My father's portrait is only a draft. You don't have to worry about it." Du He said word by word.
Meton sneered. "I hope you don't regret it."
After saying that, he turned and left with Tie An.
"If I regret it, I will change my surname to yours!" Du He said mockingly.
Soon, the news of Du He driving Mo Jiazi out spread throughout Chang 'an City. One was the famous Mo Jiazi, the other was the son of the former Prime Minister.
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