"Don't worry, don't worry!" The innkeeper chuckled as he presented the scroll with both hands. "The painting has been mounted. Mister Xuanyuan, please take a look and see if you are satisfied."
Niu Youdao received the scroll and spread it out to have a look. After a brief inspection, he nodded. "Not bad!" He then handed it to Black Peony. "It's mounted!"
Black Peony couldn't wait to admire it. Her gaze was glued to the painting, unable to move away.
Yuan Fang also came over to admire it again. He clicked his tongue again.
Niu Youdao turned around and saw that the innkeeper was still at the side. The innkeeper didn't seem to have any intention of leaving. He couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Innkeeper, is there something you need?"
"Hehe, there is indeed something. Aiya, I just don't know if it's appropriate to say it." The innkeeper's smile was a little reserved.
Niu Youdao said, "If you have something to say, say it. There is no harm in saying it."
"Alright!" The innkeeper bowed slightly and looked at the painting in Black Peony's hand. "Logically, the Mooninvite Inn shouldn't disturb its customers … It's like this. Mister Xuanyuan's painting is indeed unique. I would like to invite Mister to paint another one for someone. What do you think?"
Black Peony, who was admiring the painting in her hand, seemed to be touched. She suddenly raised her head and stared at the innkeeper with sparkling eyes.
Niu Youdao hesitated for a moment and shook his head. "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you. I don't paint for people I don't know."
Hearing this, Black Peony's eyes flashed with anxiety. She rolled up the painting in her hand and slowly walked to Niu Youdao's side. She kept reminding him with her eyes.
"Uh …" The innkeeper was stunned for a moment. He smiled and said, "If you don't paint for nothing, there will be a reward."
Niu Youdao didn't seem to see Black Peony's reminder and politely declined. "Innkeeper, if there is nothing else, I won't see you out. I still have something to do here."
Black Peony couldn't help but say, "Daoye, the innkeeper has come in person. His sincerity is evident. There is no harm in making an exception this time."
The innkeeper's gaze fell on Black Peony's face. He seemed to have noticed something and said with a chuckle, "You're a sensible person. Mister, why don't you consider Black Peony's opinion?"
Niu Youdao, "There is no need. See the guest out!"
Yuan Fang didn't say anything else and gestured for the guest to leave. "Please!"
Black Peony was so anxious that she wanted to stomp her feet. The innkeeper's words had undoubtedly confirmed her guess. How could she miss such a good opportunity? She wanted to persuade him again, but Niu Youdao's cold gaze stopped her.
The shopkeeper wasn't in a hurry to leave. He asked, "Mr. Xuanyuan, don't you want to know who you are painting for?"
Niu Youdao said indifferently, "Shopkeeper, it has nothing to do with who I am painting for. The New Moon Inn has its own rules, and I have my own rules. Please go ahead!"
This time, it was the shopkeeper's turn to lose his cool. If he couldn't complete the task given to him by his superiors, then he would be in big trouble. He cupped his hands and said, "Mister Xuanyuan, I sincerely invite you. If you have any conditions, please state them. Everything is negotiable."
Niu Youdao looked as if he was annoyed by his pestering. "I can do it, but one painting for 100,000 gold coins. Think about it yourself."
Yuan Fang blinked and exchanged a look with Black Peony.
"…" The shopkeeper was speechless. A painting like this cost 100,000 gold coins?
"What? You think it's too expensive? " Niu Youdao spread his hands. "Then there's nothing I can do. It's like your inn. Staying for a day costs 10 gold coins. There's no room for negotiation. Those who want to come will come."
He had never seen such a rip-off! The shopkeeper was furious, but because he had a favor to ask, he couldn't offend him. He laughed dryly and said, "If that's the case, let me go back and ask."
Niu Youdao gestured for him to leave. The shopkeeper cupped his hands and bid farewell.
After the shopkeeper left, Black Peony immediately said, "Daoye, for the innkeeper to come here personally for a painting, it must be someone with status behind the inn."
Niu Youdao made an "oh" sound and said indifferently, "Could it be the City Lord of Picking Star City, Sha Huan Li?"
Black Peony nodded repeatedly. "Daoye, it's definitely possible. Even if it's not for now, even if it's another steward in the city who gets such a wonderful thing, he won't keep it to himself. He'll definitely let Sha Huan Li know about it. Daoye, why don't you think about it? If you can make friends with Sha Huan Li through this painting, who in the world will dare to not give you face in the future? "
Niu Youdao looked at her from the corner of his eyes. He realized that the thoughts of nobodies at the bottom of society were just the thoughts of nobodies at the bottom of society. It was easy to take many things for granted and to think too naively. For people at Sha Huan Li's level, a painter who could come and go at her beck and call was nothing in the eyes of nobodies at her level. Did she really think that a painting could help her build a good relationship?
Taking ten thousand steps back, if someone forced you to draw, would you dare to refuse?
He wanted to ask Black Peony, "How could a person at Sha Huan Li's level not know some experts in the four arts? Sha Huanli had probably seen many experts in this field, but was there anyone who could be considered to be friends with Sha Huanli?
"Maybe!" "But it's not something that can be established by a painting. The real reason for establishing a good relationship must be something other than the painting. It's either a person's status or a person's character. It's definitely not because of a painting."
"If anyone thinks that he can use Sha Huan Li's name to do anything because he painted a painting, he's asking for trouble." "When it comes to people at Sha Huan Li's level, someone will immediately come to test the depth of your relationship with Sha Huan Li."
"There are two kinds of face. One kind of face can settle troubles, and the other kind can win compliments and envy and bring some benefits." "The former is real face, which is supported by strength and confidence. The latter is fake, which is used to deceive oneself. It won't be long before the real thing is exposed."
"There are many sensible people in the world. People with confidence and strength won't be afraid of you just because you painted a painting for Sha Huan Li."
Black Peony's horizons were not up to par yet. It was too much of a waste of breath to argue with her. Niu Youdao could not be bothered to say anything more. He said calmly, "If it's really Sha Huan Li, it's enough to earn some money and get to know her. Don't think too much about other things for now."
Black Peony felt rather bitter and hateful. She didn't know what to say. Sha Huan Li! She was the granddaughter of Luo Qiu, one of the Nine Great Supremes! This is such a good opportunity. How many people can't get it even if they want to, and you actually don't take it seriously?
She did not believe that Daoye's background could reach Luo Qiu's level!
Arriving at the back of the inn, the innkeeper went up through an arched door and quickly climbed up a flight of stairs, arriving at a garden that was as beautiful as a brocade.
A white-haired old man in a green robe was trimming a large potted plant with a pair of scissors. From time to time, he would take a few steps away to look at the overall shape of the plant. When he discovered that something was wrong, he would step forward and add a few more scissors.
This person was the housekeeper of the City Lord's Manor, Xiang Ming.
The shopkeeper stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Manager."
Xiang Ming didn't turn around. He stared at the potted plant and said, "Since she's here, bring her to see Miss."
The innkeeper blushed with shame. "Manager, she's not willing to come."
Xiang Ming then turned around and asked, "Why not?"
The innkeeper smiled bitterly and said, "She said she doesn't paint for people she doesn't know. I've asked her again and again, and she gave me a condition. One painting for her is one hundred thousand gold coins!"
"Heh! What an exorbitant demand. " Xiang Ming put on a fake smile and waved his hand. "Since Miss likes it, there's nothing we can do about it. One hundred thousand it is. Don't let Miss know about the money. Please come."
"Yes!" The innkeeper answered and secretly clicked his tongue.
He was just about to turn around and leave when Xiang Ming added indifferently, "Keep an eye on this person's every move and report to me diligently."
The innkeeper was stunned for a moment. "Does Manager think there's something wrong with her?"
"I don't know if there's anything wrong with her. Money is a small matter, but there will always be some reckless people who want to get close to Miss. How could you coincidentally see her painting?" Xiang Ming said indifferently. His face was expressionless, and the scissors began to cut again.
"Yes, I understand." The innkeeper bowed thoughtfully and quickly left.
Not long after, they returned to Niu Youdao's room and knocked on the door again.
"Haha, Mister Xuanyuan, the person who wants to paint has agreed. He's willing to pay one hundred thousand gold coins as a reward." The innkeeper entered and cupped his hands, reporting the good news with a look of congratulation.
Black Peony was overjoyed. She quickly looked at Niu Youdao, hoping that Niu Youdao wouldn't change again.
Yuan Fang, on the other hand, was excited. One hundred thousand gold coins, oh my!
Niu Youdao observed Yuan Fang's reaction. After a moment of silence, he sighed. "I don't think I have any reason to refuse anymore."
"Please!" The innkeeper extended his hand in invitation. At the same time, he said to Black Peony, "You too. Bring the painting along. The person who wants to paint wants to see if it's really similar."
Seeing that Niu Youdao didn't refuse, Black Peony did as she was told.
The few of them left the room and went straight to the back of the garden. When they arrived at the steps leading to the arch, the guards only allowed Niu Youdao and Black Peony to enter.
Yuan Fang scratched his neck. He was stopped and wasn't allowed to enter.
There was no need to say much about the magnificence of this castle-like place. To create such a magnificent place in an environment surrounded by the Gobi Desert, the amount of wealth and material resources needed was not small.
The group passed through the garden and arrived at a pavilion. Someone asked them to wait for a moment, and someone went to inform the owner.
Black Peony and the innkeeper appeared somewhat reserved. Niu Youdao, on the other hand, paced slowly with his hands behind his back, admiring the surroundings.
The pavilion with flying eaves and carved beams was very exquisite. Niu Youdao stared at the carving and even used his hands to imitate the engravings, trying to figure out how the carver used the knife. This thing was like calligraphy. Those who knew the trade would be able to see how the writer started and how the brush turned and stopped.
The innkeeper paid attention to Niu Youdao's every move and muttered to himself, 'He looks like a person who's obsessed with the art.'
Not long after, a lady dressed in pink leisurely walked over from the end of the corridor, escorted by several maids.
Niu Youdao tilted his head to look at Black Peony and the innkeeper's reactions. He knew that the owner had arrived, and he couldn't help but size her up. He discovered that the newcomer was indeed as Black Peony had said. Her appearance and figure were average, but her skin was fair. Every frown and movement she made exuded an air of elegance and gentleness.
That's right, the newcomer was the City Lord of Star picking City, Sha Huanli.
When Sha Huanli arrived, the innkeeper and Black Peony cupped their hands in greeting. Niu Youdao then followed suit.
Sha Huanli raised her hand to indicate that there was no need for formalities. She stared at Black Peony and asked gently, "Where's the painting? Let me take a look."
Someone immediately took the painting from Black Peony and opened it for her to admire.
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