I come to see Bai Yujing today

Chapter 72 His name is Chen Zhian, and he comes from Sunan Prefecture (seeking first order, monthly ticket)
Compared with the luxury of the Li Mansion, Hongdouyuan is indeed a bit simple.

But whether it is the rose bushes climbing on the walls, or the tall and graceful trees and bamboos standing in the corners of the yard, or the green grass peeking out from the cracks of the winding brick and stone paths, or the clear spring with a few koi at the end of the path, all prove that the owner of this yard is living a good life.

Princess Shang Qiu looked at the courtyard carefully and was also a little surprised.

This yard was more beautiful and elegant than the last time she came here.

Li Qingran naturally knew that the reason why Hongdouyuan became better was because of the letter sent by Chen Zhian.

"Take care of yourself and eat on time."

But just a few words gave Li Yinxi, who was feeling increasingly depressed because of her engagement with the Si family, more hope.

Is the power of family affection really that great?

Li Qingran thought to himself.

Chen Zhian's eyes fell on the white clothes from afar.

It was already dusk, and in the dim interweaving of light and shadow, the mother who had appeared in his dreams many times was wearing a silk dress that fell softly, gleaming a cool luster in the dim light of dusk.

Chen Zhian saw her profile from afar, but he saw a paleness in her face, as if all the blood had been drained away by something.

When I got closer, I saw that her brows were slightly furrowed. It seemed that she was used to frowning and even had a few wrinkles on her face.

It was not until this time that everyone saw that Li Yinxi was holding a needle and thread in her hands, and there were several large pieces of brocade on her knees.

Chen Zhian looked carefully and saw that Li Yinxi was embroidering. She was quite skilled in embroidering the straight stitch, loop stitch and grab stitch. The stitching was parallel and even, and the joints of the brocade robe were very delicate and coordinated.

She even has a lot of experience in making clothes.

However, what Li Yinxi was sewing was a men’s suit, and who was it for?

Perhaps because there were very few people disturbing her in Hongdou Courtyard, Li Yinxi sewed very seriously and didn't even turn her head to take a look.

Li Yinxi didn't look up until she heard the obvious sound of footsteps.

At this time, Princess Shang Qiu and Old Lady Li were walking in front on the path. Behind Chen Zhian and the others, the path was narrow and the two of them blocked his face.

"Sister Yinxi." Princess Shangqiu spoke softly from a distance, with a smile on her face, "Are you sewing clothes again? Every time I came to see you, you were making clothes."

"Princess Shang Qiu." Li Yinxi stood up and carefully placed the cloth and embroidery on the stone table in the pavilion before bowing to Princess Shang Qiu.

Soon she saw Old Lady Li again, pursed her lips, and greeted her, "Old Lady Li."

She never called her mother, but calling her Old Madam Li was considered polite and there was nothing wrong with it.

Old Madam Li frowned, feeling a little pain in her heart, but when she saw the stubbornness in Li Yinxi's haggard brows, she became more annoyed.

The stinging pain disappeared.

"Sister Yinxi, please get up quickly. If there are no other people in the palace, you don't have to bow to me." Princess Shang Qiu said this as she was almost reaching the pavilion.

"It's evening now, why is the princess here?" Li Yinxi stood up, hurriedly tidied up the things on the table, and wanted to ask the princess to sit down.

"I will bring Mr. Chen to give you a portrait." Princess Shang Qiu walked without stopping, and said with a smile: "I never expected that my sister would write to Mr. Chen after just one question in the letter. It's really rare."

"Write a letter to...Mr. Chen?" Li Yinxi was a little confused and turned around to look at the person behind Princess Shang Qiu.

That was a young man.

Li Yinxi saw the boy's face, his eyes, and saw him pursing his lips and looking at her from afar.

But in an instant, it was as if a huge bell rang in Li Yinxi's heart, and the past years came flooding back like a tide.

She remembered Zhian’s wrinkled little face when they first met.

I think of little Zhian’s clenched fists when he was in swaddling clothes.

Thinking of little Zhian, who had been sleeping soundly when she parted with him, she suddenly burst into tears hysterically, with his little tongue trembling in his lips, as if he was about to cry himself to death.

He also remembered that she bent down and kissed him, and her tears fell on his brow, which made him stop crying, and he reached out to her babbling.

Later, the pain of separation was like a sharp knife cutting my heart, and there were countless days and nights with tears soaking my pillow.

She wrote a lot of words day and night, most of which were related to the word "Zhi'an".

She sewed a lot of clothes year after year, but she couldn't tailor them according to the child's body shape. She could only wonder in her heart how tall her child was now.

Until recently, she received that very simple letter.

In the letter, her beloved child said that they would meet again one day.

But Li Yinxi never thought that this day would come so quickly.

It was a midsummer evening on the sixth day of May.

Zhi'an was wearing a royal blue shirt and holding a paintbrush in his hand. He stood on the path in Hongdou Courtyard, looking at her with his lips pursed.

At just one glance, Li Yinxi recognized Chen Zhian.

Tears welled up in her eyes, but Chen Zhian took a few steps forward, looked up at the sky, and said, "It's getting late. If it gets any later, the painting won't be that good. Miss Li... Miss Li, please sit down. I'll paint your portrait."

Chen Zhian's broad back seemed to block the view of Princess Shang Qiu and Old Lady Li.

Li Yinxi sat down helplessly, staring at Chen Zhian blankly.

Chen Zhian calmly set up the canvas, took out the paintbrush and paint.

The sunset tonight is even more brilliant and glorious. In the sky, which is higher than Xiuba Mountain, the fiery clouds are rolling and surging.

The setting sun melts into gold, and the evening clouds merge into one, creating a truly breathtaking sight.

The sunset fell and shone on Li Yinxi.

Chen Zhian thought about it, then lit a golden light and placed it on the paper.

He wanted to start with golden color and paint the picture well.

While Chen Zhian was painting, Princess Shang Qiu took the initiative to sit in another small pavilion nearby.

She vaguely saw tears in Li Yinxi's eyes and felt a little confused, but then she saw Chen Zhian picking up his brush to paint again.

This time, Chen Zhian seemed to be painting very slowly, stroke by stroke, layer by layer, but he was painting very seriously.

Even Old Lady Li and Li Qingran couldn't help but open their eyes wide and watch Chen Zhian painting carefully.

"How beautiful..."

Li Qingran sighed in his heart, not knowing whether he was admiring Chen Zhian's painting or the scene of the mother and son meeting. But in a moment, Li Qingran, who had already cultivated to the Unpolished Jade Realm, suddenly felt a ray of true energy beating.

It came from Chen Zhian, but it only lasted for a brief moment.

Li Qingran didn't care and just watched Chen Zhian painting.

-

Minister of Revenue Li Zhuqiu was quite happy today.

Today, he got off work at the Ministry of Revenue and happened to meet the son of an old friend on Guanfu Street. He invited the son to his house, and they had tea together and asked about his old friend's situation.

The two of them walked side by side to Li's residence. Minister Li took off his official hat, held it in his hand, and entered the East Hall.

General Xuan Zi's son Li Fushu had just entered the house at this time and was called by Li Zhuqiu to pour tea for the two of them.

"In the blink of an eye, Brother Chu has been the Grand Commander of Nanhai for twelve years. During these twelve years, every year when he returned to Beijing to report on his work, he would have a long chat with me and have a good drink with me."

Li Zhuqiu is already sixty-six years old, and he is in great spirits, especially today: "I never thought that twelve years have passed, and you, Xiubai, have made real contributions and have been promoted to the fifth rank of Pingye General, which has brought honor to your father."

The son of this old friend was named Chu Xiubai, from the Chu family of Nanyang. His father was a governor-general who governed the four states of the South China Sea. He was a true frontier official.

What’s even more extraordinary is that Chu Xiubai’s mother was from the Wang family of Gulan, a prominent family that was one of the six surnames in Dayu, and also a truly noble family in Dayu.

With such a background, even the Minister of Revenue Li Zhuqiu would look up to him, so even if they met by chance, he would warmly invite the young General Hirano to visit his house.

"Uncle Li, you're too polite." Chu Xiubai's name was as his as it could be. Although he was a general who had made great contributions, he looked like a gentle and refined Confucian scholar. He had a handsome appearance and spoke slowly and calmly, showing great self-cultivation.

"My father always told me about Uncle Li, saying that Uncle Li was the head of the Ministry of Revenue, and that he had a clear understanding of the major business affairs of the world, and that he managed the source of wealth of the country and made proper arrangements. His opinions and suggestions were all to the point, and he was trusted by the emperor and admired by his colleagues."

Chu Xiubai smiled again when he said this: "General Xuan Zi of the Li Mansion is also a general that Xiubai admires very much. I came here today but didn't get to meet the fierce tiger of the Li family. It's a bit of a pity."

Li Zhuqiu, an old fox of Chu Xiubai's age, naturally heard that what Chu Xiubai said was just polite talk, but he still laughed out loud and seemed very happy.

"My nephew Xiubai was only 20 years old when he was appointed as a lieutenant general and led his cavalry deep into the northern grasslands. He fought for more than a month and brought back 3,000 heads of Dali soldiers and 10,000 left ears of military men, women and children!

This is a real achievement, and it can be called courageous and resourceful. When you take another step forward and enter the Yuque realm, I think you will be able to become a Pingchuan general from the fourth rank."

At this point, Li Zhuqiu asked Chu Xiubai's father again: "I wonder if the Grand Tutor of Nanhai will return to Beijing for this court ceremony?"

Chu Xiubai shook his head: "There is something going on in the South China Sea, and there are thunderstorms on the two islands. I think some monster is brewing again. I'm afraid that my strict father will not be able to come back from the imperial court this time."

Li Zhuqiu seemed quite regretful and sighed, "This time, whether it's me, Dayu Kuixing, or the Duke of Anguo who has been away for many years... or even the Grand Du Yu Qin who hasn't been to the capital for twelve years, they all have to return to the capital, but the Grand Du Yu Nanhai is the only one missing."

Chu Xiubai was somewhat surprised: "Duke Anguo and Qin Daduyu are both going back to the capital? There have been many rumors about their disagreements, and they are both the most powerful men in Dayu. It is inevitable that they will return to the capital together..."

"Qin Dadu Yu has a fierce temper, and An Guogong has been in a high position for a long time and has a bad temper, so naturally they will not give in to each other." Li Zhuqiu took a sip of tea: "But with Kuixing here, it's okay."

Chu Xiubai thought for a while, nodded and said: "Kui Xing is here, there is indeed no problem.

However... I heard that Duke Anguo has reached a higher level in the realm of creation, but I don’t know if he can surpass Qin Daduyu. "

Li Zhuqiu said: "The royal family, Kuixing of Dayu, the Three Mountains and Two Clans, the Six Clans of Dayu, plus Duke Anguo and Qin Daduyu... these are the pillars of Dayu, supporting the world of Dayu. It doesn't matter who is strong or weak. What matters is that with them, the country of Dayu will not collapse."

Chu Xiubai nodded in agreement.

Li Fushu never interrupted, but just lowered his head to pour tea for the two of them.

At this time, a steward came in and reported.

Li Zhuqiu was greatly surprised and asked carefully, "Are you saying that Princess Shangqiu came to the mansion today? She is in the Red Bean Courtyard now?"

Stewards should be respectful.

Li Zhuqiu and Chu Xiubai looked at each other, stood up, and walked out of the East Hall. Li Fushu followed behind them.

Women in Dayu could also study and practice. Apart from the strict filial piety, it was not uncommon for women to serve as generals. However, there were not many other rules, so it was not uncommon for princesses to leave the palace.

But the royal majesty still exists, and when the royal princess comes to the mansion, they naturally cannot ignore it.

So, this Minister of Revenue and General Hirano also went to Hongdouyuan.

Chu Xiubai probably saw that Li Zhuqiu seemed reluctant to go to Hongdouyuan, and he remembered the rumors in Xuantianjing, so he asked, "Uncle Li, I heard that the number one scholar in the fourth year of Dazhi has returned and took away the Huangquefeng that Xie Wujiu snatched from him eighteen years ago?"

Li Zhuqiu's face turned a little ugly and he nodded slightly. He didn't understand why Chu Xiubai was talking about something irrelevant.

"It's not that I want to expose Uncle Li's shortcomings." Chu Xiubai said with some regret, "I also learn swordsmanship. Chen Shuijun's Huang Que Feng is a world-famous sword, but the famous sword has a spirit and has recognized its master. I was thinking that when I reach the Yuque realm and reflect the divine appearance, I will go to your house to try and see if I can pull out the Huang Que Feng. But now it seems hopeless."

At this point, he was a little confused again: "It is said that Chen Shuijun's talent in cultivation is mediocre, but he happened to have extraordinary opportunities and obtained several treasures in succession.

There are even rumors that he has obtained the first-grade Heavenly Pill Emperor Drink and Emperor Drink. I wonder if it is true or not?"

"Of course it's fake." Li Zhuqiu looked at the gate of Hongdouyuan and sneered, "It's just that he was lucky. If he really got the two pills of Emperor Drink and Emperor Drink, I'm afraid he would not be able to enjoy them and would have died in the hands of the powerful treasure hunters."

"Moreover... Huang Que Feng is not worth your pity, my dear nephew. This sword is quite strange. Even Xie Wujiu, the eldest son of the Xie family, could not conquer this sword. That is why it was stabbed into the rockery of my Li family. It can suppress evil spirits and kill Chen Shuijun's temper."

“Even Xie Wujiu has never surrendered…” Chu Xiubai lowered his head, a light flashed in his eyes, and he thought to himself: “Just because he has never surrendered doesn’t mean I can’t surrender. I have my own amazing opportunity. It would be best if I could meet Chen Shuijun in the future…”

The two walked into Hongdouyuan, and Li Zhuqiu looked at Li Yinxi in the octagonal pavilion with some disgust.

Princess Shang Qiu was seen concentrating on watching the young painter paint.

"Don't disturb Princess Shang Qiu's interest. We will wait in this pavilion." Li Zhuqiu gave the order.

Several stewards following behind him immediately prepared tea quietly, and Li Fushu poured the tea beside him.

"This painting... is quite good. I have never seen it before." Chu Xiubai was drinking tea and was a little surprised when he saw the portrait on the canvas. "Who is this young man who painted it?"

Li Zhuqiu was not good at painting and did not like to collect paintings. He was a true outsider and naturally did not know.

The same is true for Li Fushu.

The steward who was waiting on the side bowed and replied, "My lord, this painter is a popular figure in the capital these days. Princess Linglong chose him to paint her portrait during the court ceremony. Many ladies in the big mansions are looking forward to Mr. Chen from Sunan Prefecture to paint a picture for them during the court ceremony."

While the steward was speaking, Li Zhuqiu was looking at Chen Zhian who was painting from afar. At this time, Chen Zhian happened to turn around and picked up another tray of paint from the table.

The familiar profile and the familiar eyes and eyebrows startled Li Zhuqiu for a moment, and then he frowned: "You said this painter's surname is Chen, and he is from Sunan Prefecture? What's his name?"

"It seems to be his name Chen Zhian." The steward replied.

Li Fushu, who was waiting behind the two of them, suddenly opened his eyes wide.

Li Zhuqiu gritted his teeth, anger appeared on his old face, and asked again:
"What do you think his name is? Where is he from?"

"My Lord, his name is... Chen Zhian, and he came from Sunan Prefecture."

(End of this chapter)