TGCFNM -Chapter 346 The Poet Girl

After a while, someone knocked at the door, bringing freshly brewed tea and delicate pastries.

The tea server, quite perceptive, glanced around and then fixed his gaze on Chu Ling. “Young master, would you like to have a lady accompany you?”

Chu Ling’s eyes lit up. “Yes!”

The two Shangguan brothers were stunned.

Nangong Han also looked a bit surprised.

Fu Qingyu shook his head with a small smile.

Wan Sanjin helplessly waved his hand. “One lady will do. Make sure she’s properly dressed.”

The man nodded and bowed before leaving.

Nangong Han immediately stepped forward, nervously looking at Chu Ling. “Master, do you still remember you are an official of the court?”

Shangguan Cheng, unusually not arguing, frowned. “Master, are you out of your mind?”

Chu Ling cleared her throat and calmly looked at everyone. “Actually, I’m very curious about this ‘one dies for each painting’ thing. The reason for calling a lady here is just to ask some questions. Don’t overthink it.”

Shangguan Cheng looked completely unconvinced. “Really?”

Chu Ling picked up Fu Qingyu’s fan and tapped it against him. “Nonsense. I’m not staying overnight here. I’ll leave as soon as he finishes painting.”

“In that case, master has a wait ahead of you,” Shangguan Shi said honestly. “The artist may work quickly, but it’s also possible he could spend the whole night and still not finish.”

Chu Ling raised an eyebrow. “Can I threaten him to paint faster?”

Nangong Han was shocked. “I don’t think you can, master.”

Shangguan Cheng also tried to advise her: “Well, I do think this Painting Sage’s reputation is somewhat exaggerated, but he’s still a Painting Sage. If you want to leave Zanghua Pavilion unharmed, you can’t threaten him… though, if you do set the pavilion on fire, then I never said anything.”

Nangong Han was taken aback. “Master, why would you burn down Zanghua Pavilion?”

“How would I know?” Shangguan Cheng shot him a glare. “I just think you’re capable of it.”

Nangong Han: “…”

“Doesn’t your family have a branch member named Nangong Yuankang?” Shangguan Shi suddenly said. “You could talk to him more. That way you have a better idea of what’s going on.”

Nangong Han frowned: Is that really necessary?

Wan Sanjin snatched the folding fan from Chu Ling’s hand. “Master, Qingyu’s fan would easily sell for hundreds of taels outside. If you tap it casually like that, the painting could get ruined.” He opened it carefully, still feeling protective.

Chu Ling leaned in and couldn’t help exclaiming. “It’s so beautifully painted!”

A single branch of winter plum, naturally upright and proud. Even the poem written above it was beautifully penned—no wonder it’s valuable.

Shangguan Shi’s expression showed amazement. “Young master Fu is not only talented in both literature and martial arts, but even his music, chess, and painting put us far behind.”

Chu Ling couldn’t help but look at Fu Qingyu, who remained calm and unbothered. “You’ve learned so many things—do you even have time for anything else? Your childhood must have been harsh.”

Wan Sanjin poked Chu Ling. “Master, people who don’t study end up like us—can’t even write properly.”

Chu Ling gave an awkward smile. “True enough.”

Fu Qingyu shook his head slightly, smiling gently at Chu Ling. “I don’t deserve such praise. It’s merely a casual painting.”

“Yes, you do!” Chu Ling slammed her hand on the table, ready to compliment him—but Wan Sanjin held her down. “Master, the idea of making money by having Qingyu paint is not going to work. Stop that plan.”

Chu Ling: “…I’ll make sure to prepare a proper gift for you next time.” (And send you straight to the Fu family.)

Wan Sanjin was momentarily stunned. “Huh?”

Knock knock—

Someone lightly knocked on the door outside. Shangguan Cheng looked at Chu Ling, raised an eyebrow, and called out, “Lord, your young lady has arrived.”

Nangong Han quickly stood up. “I’ll go greet her.” With that, he went to open the door and then stepped aside.

Everyone in the room looked over and saw a young woman dressed simply and elegantly. There was a faint trace of melancholy in her brows, which made her look pitifully endearing. Yet, upon suddenly seeing so many men in the room, she did not act improperly; she smiled faintly, gave a slight bow, and walked in gracefully.

Wan Sanjin looked at Chu Ling and said, “Lord, you can tell this girl has studied—her entire demeanor is different. She’s like Qingyu, unlike the rest of us.”

Chu Ling, however, asked in surprise, “I thought it was supposed to be only one girl?”

Wan Sanjin blinked. “It is just one.”

Chu Ling turned her head toward him, then slowly tilted her neck and looked again. Behind the young woman was another girl in a red dress, her smile radiant and bold, with two dimples at the corners of her mouth.

Finally, that girl saw her too. In disbelief, she hurried over and flopped down beside Chu Ling, looking up at her.

Chu Ling was startled and stared at the girl with a tense expression. Fortunately, she appeared normal and unharmed.

“Lord, Young Lady Shiyu is here. Why are you staring at the floor? Isn’t she the girl you wanted?” Shangguan Cheng called out, looking at her curiously.

“Lord is shy,” Wan Sanjin answered calmly.

“Really?” Shangguan Cheng looked closely. “Lord’s face is a bit pale—looks like she’s frightened.”

Chu Ling picked up her teacup and set it down again. “The tea was hot.”

Shangguan Cheng gave a hum of understanding and also tried the tea—it really was hot.

Chu Ling looked at the girl across from her and nodded slightly. “Hello, Young Lady Shiyu. My surname is Chu. I only invited one girl here to help us understand certain things, as this is our first visit to the Canghua Tower. It is also in order to witness the Painting Saint in person.”

Shiyu gave a slight bow, her expression relaxing considerably. “Mr. Chu, feel free to ask anything… and actually, before I came, the steward already told me which young gentlemen were in this room.”

Shiyu glanced at Fu Qingyu as she spoke.

Seeing this, Wan Sanjin teasingly remarked, “Knowing that Fu Qingyu is here, how did Young Lady Shiyu manage to get through the crowd?”

Shiyu couldn’t help but smile. “Knowing Mr. Fu was here, there was indeed a bit of jostling. But the reason I was sent over is simply because I’ve had a few years of schooling.”

Nangong Han sat upright, puzzled. “Schooling… but why would that—”

Shangguan Cheng also looked over curiously. “How could your parents bear it?”

“My family’s fortunes have declined. After several struggles, in the end, it was just a matter of accepting fate,” Shiyu replied calmly, her gaze steady.

Shangguan Shi poured a cup of tea apologetically. “Young Lady Shiyu, don’t mind them—they are all bookish fools who cannot speak properly.”

Wan Sanjin raised a hand. “Don’t lump me in with Lord; neither of us have studied.”

Shangguan Shi: “…”

At this moment, Chu Ling didn’t have time to deal with Wan Sanjin’s bluntness. She awkwardly looked at the floor and then turned her gaze toward the girl in the red dress, her expression questioning.

The red-dressed girl looked back blankly. “What do you want to say?”

“My Lord can’t speak freely, or she’d be thought mad. Actually, she wants to ask—who are you, and why are you here?” Cui Xi, holding Wangcai, asked curiously.

The red-dressed girl turned around and gently patted Wangcai. “What a good dog! This is the first time I’ve seen a dog ghost.”

“Wangcai is a bit timid, but very obedient,” Cui Xi said happily, proudly showing off.