TGCFNM -Chapter 345 Attending the Painting Sage’s Ceremony

The ceremony was to be held after dark, so once Nangong Han delivered the invitations, he left, followed shortly by the two Shangguan brothers.

Fu Qingyu also got up to take his leave, leading Qingtong with him, while Wan Sanjin personally escorted them outside.

After everyone had left, Ghost Scholar finally spoke slowly: “Actually, painting people is both easy and difficult. The most important thing is to capture the subtle changes in their expressions.”

“But being called a Painting Sage… I think that’s a bit exaggerated,” Chu Ling said, slowly standing up.

Bai Su agreed. However, she added, “Hearing about it is unreliable; seeing it with your own eyes is the real proof. Why not go see it in person?”

Chu Ling unfolded the invitation in her hand. It clearly stated the start time, and also specified who would be painted this time: Qing Wu.

“I want to see just what makes this so-called Painting Sage different,” Chu Ling murmured softly.

As night gradually fell, lanterns were hung at the gates of the Wan residence.

Steward Liu stood at the entrance, smiling and waving to a few people as they boarded their carriages. Once they had driven off, he prepared to return.

“Steward Liu, should we send a message to Steward Hong?”

Steward Liu smiled and shook his head. “It’s just attending a ceremony—no trouble. Let’s go inside.”

“Yes, Steward Liu.”

At this point, Zhang Dong was driving a carriage. Just as he reached an intersection, he encountered three other carriages. After exchanging greetings, they proceeded toward the Canghua Pavilion.

The two carriages in front traveled side by side. Wan Sanjin lifted the curtain and called out: “Qingyu, Qingyu!”

Fu Qingyu parted his own curtain and looked at Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin in the opposite carriage. He asked, “Is Coroner Su coming too?”

“Su He’s still busy. I don’t know whose fault this is, but as long as Lord Mei is present, there shouldn’t be any problem,” Wan Sanjin replied.

Fu Qingyu was confused and didn’t quite understand what Wan Sanjin meant.

Chu Ling pushed Wan Sanjin aside and called out directly: “Su He can’t come, Xiao Hua isn’t coming either, and Zhang Dong doesn’t want to enter, so it’s just me and Master Wan.”

Fu Qingyu nodded, finally understanding.

Wan Sanjin squeezed past Chu Ling, sticking his head out: “Qingyu, Qingyu… that Shi Lanyu didn’t come, right?”

Fu Qingyu shook his head. “He’s been home for two months.”

Chu Ling grabbed Wan Sanjin back and looked at Fu Qingyu curiously. “You students who will take the Spring Imperial Exam next year—are you allowed to go to a flower house?”

As soon as Chu Ling said this, everything fell silent.

Wan Sanjin poked Chu Ling. “Wouldn’t it be more of a problem if imperial officials go to a flower house?”

Chu Ling paused. Oh, right.

Fu Qingyu explained: “My lord, there’s no issue with attending the Painting Sage’s ceremony, and many students go… as for you, my lord, there shouldn’t be any problem either.”

“No problem. I’m just saying I find the deaths of those courtesans suspicious, so I’m going to the flower house to investigate,” Chu Ling said, then turned and sat properly.

Wan Sanjin also sat down and gave a thumbs-up: “You’re impressive, my lord. I’ll just say I’m your adviser, accompanying you to investigate.”

“You might as well say you’re the Wan family’s second son. Maybe they’ll see that you have money and give you a good seat,” Chu Ling teased him.

Wan Sanjin touched his jaw, eyes glinting mischievously. “Do you think so?”

Chu Ling pretended not to notice and simply turned her head away.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the Zanghua Tower, and a shop attendant hurried forward to greet them: “This young master, today is the Painting Sage’s viewing. The viewing is on the third floor; tea service is on the second floor.”

Wan Sanjin extended a hand, passing over the invitation.

The attendant’s eyes quickly scanned it, then he called out loudly, “Third floor, private room: Begonia!”

Wan Sanjin withdrew his hand, exchanged a glance with Chu Ling in the carriage, and then both of them stood up and got out of the carriage, one after the other.

The attendant led Zhang Dong to the place where the carriages were parked, while another person was waiting specifically to escort Chu Ling and the others into the Zanghua Tower.

Fu Qingyu’s arrival immediately silenced the surrounding area. Passersby all stared, and Fu Qingyu could only give a slight nod in greeting as he walked to Chu Ling’s side.

Chu Ling patted Wan Sanjin: “Your Qingyu is quite popular, huh.”

Wan Sanjin nodded proudly, giving a thumbs-up. “Qingyu is the number one young master in the world.”

Fu Qingyu caught sight of Wan Sanjin’s gesture and curiously asked, “What does that mean?”

“Don’t know, learned it from the lord. It’s to praise someone. And there’s also this…” Wan Sanjin raised another finger. “This one… just looking at it feels a bit uncomfortable.”

Fu Qingyu nodded; indeed, it did feel slightly awkward.

Chu Ling saw that the two Shangguan brothers and Nangong Han had also arrived, and looked at one of the attendants with a slight lift of her hand: “Please show us the way.”

The attendant bowed and responded, slightly bending at the waist as he led the way.

When they reached the third-floor private rooms, Chu Ling and the others were ushered into the Begonia Room.

“This young master, tea and snacks will be served immediately. Please wait a moment; I will not disturb you further,” the attendant said before stepping aside.

Chu Ling looked around the room curiously and asked Nangong Han, “Why are there two doors?”

Nangong Han, looking like he knew exactly, smiled lightly and pointed to the inner door: “Lord, the inner door is currently locked. It will only be opened at the proper time. Inside is a circular room, where the Painting Sage will paint. The top courtesan will also sit there.”

Chu Ling gestured with her hands, took Fu Qingyu’s fan, and asked, “So the layout here is a semicircle? The private rooms are long and narrow, like a fan, and the other opening is here?”

She pointed to the handle end of the fan.

Nangong Han nodded. “Yes, but only eight private rooms are open, so people can clearly see the painting. The other spectators are at the far end of the semicircle—they can’t see the painting, only the Painting Sage’s face and the back of the courtesan.”

Chu Ling returned the fan. “Was this layout specially modified for the Painting Sage?”

Nangong Han nodded: “Exactly, lord. You hit the nail on the head.”

Chu Ling sat down gracefully. “The Painting Sage has quite the setup. I bet he makes a lot from a single painting.”

Nangong Han shook his head with a smile: “You’re mistaken, lord. The Painting Sage paints purely for the art itself, not for fame or profit. That’s why his paintings seem almost miraculous.”

Chu Ling rested her chin in her hand, smiling at Nangong Han: “Someone who doesn’t care for fame or profit, and yet is called the Painting Sage… and so many people would pay a fortune just to see him once, right?”

Nangong Han was momentarily taken aback.

Indeed, his family had spent some money and leveraged connections just to obtain this invitation. His father had said that this person was not ordinary, and it would be wise to establish a relationship first.

Shangguan Cheng clicked his tongue: “I heard the Painting Sage is very particular when painting. If displeased, he might put down his brush at any time, resuming only when in the right mood… sometimes for over four hours.”

Nangong Han shot an annoyed glance at Shangguan Cheng: “The Painting Sage is usually very low-profile. Only when painting does he adhere to the unity of heaven and man. For the sake of a satisfactory work, it’s natural he may have minor quirks, nothing to worry about.”

Shangguan Cheng snorted coldly and turned his head away.