The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 80

Chapter 80: Night Banquet Painting in the Eastern Palace

When Chen Shuling mentioned that the skin on her neck and hands was as white as snow, Yuwen Hui also cast his gaze towards Xiao Jinyu’s neck, his eyes gleaming with lust. However, when he heard the last two words, “deceiving the emperor,” everyone’s expression changed. Among them, there were those who watched Xiao Jinyu with an air of anticipation, as if waiting for a good show. Only Prince of Lanling and Xiao Xian had worry and tension hidden in their eyes. Just as they were about to say something, Xiao Jinyu spoke up:

“I apologize for appearing before all Your Excellencies with such an appearance and disappointing you. However, if you say that this little woman is deceiving the emperor, I cannot admit to that. My mother passed away unjustly less than half a year ago, and my father also died only three months ago. The Book of Rites states that during the mourning period for parents, one should not change their attire for three years. Therefore, Jinyu is still in the period of mourning for her father and mother. During filial piety, children should not wear bright colors or seek pleasure. Jinyu is dressed in plain clothes and has a plain appearance, so how can it be said that she is deceiving the emperor?”

Chen Shuling’s face darkened. He wanted to say something more, but seeing the slightly reproachful look from his father, Emperor Chen Xu, he could only shut his mouth in shame and annoyance.

“You are right. As children, we should fulfill our filial duties. For the mourning period of parents, we should observe filial piety for three years. You have done nothing wrong, and this matter has nothing to do with deceiving the emperor,” Chen Xu said with a gentle and amicable expression.

“Then, may I ask Your Majesty, what is the reason for summoning this common woman?” Xiao Jinyu asked directly.

At this time, Xiao Xian, led by Eunuch Wu, walked in.

As soon as the white-clad scholar from the south entered the hall, he immediately attracted everyone’s attention.

Of course, these people were not only curious about Xiao Xian’s appearance and demeanor but also about the fact that the man who had been rumored to be paralyzed in a wheelchair for over a decade was now standing before them with such composure.

Chen Xu’s eyes also revealed an unfathomable expression, making it impossible to guess his thoughts.

Seeing Xiao Jinyu standing in front of the hall, Xiao Xian immediately stepped forward and bowed to Chen Xu: “Xian greets Your Majesty!”

Chen Xu remained silent for a moment before raising his hand: “You may rise!”

He continued, “Three years ago, during the Nine-Rank System assessment, you were ranked second. I originally intended for the Ministry of Personnel to summon you as a subordinate official to the Crown Prince, to assist the Eastern Palace. However, you declined the Ministry’s summons, citing your physical disability and illness. Now that your health has recovered, are you willing to enter officialdom?”

Xiao Xian pondered for a moment and replied, “After this Pure Conversation Gathering, if Xiao Xian’s talent does not disappoint Your Majesty, I am willing to enter officialdom and serve our Chen State with all my might!”

This answer greatly satisfied Chen Xu. It was important to know that in this era, if there were summons from other monarchs, scholars could freely choose which monarch to serve. Now, in front of the envoys from the Qi and Zhou states, Xiao Xian’s words clearly stated his stance.

This was all he wanted to hear.

“Good. Please take a seat and join everyone in enjoying today’s delicacies, fine wine, and beauties!”

After saying that, he cast his gaze towards Xiao Jinyu once again.

“You just asked me why I summoned you. Now I will tell you. I have heard that you are extremely skilled in painting, so today I want to see with my own eyes how you create art.”

As expected, was it the painting that Xu Ling took away that caught his attention?

This was a good opportunity!

When it came to painting, Chen Shuling’s eyes lit up. He had also heard that this young lady’s painting dance was said to be unmatched in heaven or on earth. He wondered if it was true.

“Good, I can paint. However, I want to tell everyone present that my paintings can penetrate the heart, understand human nature, and judge character. Whoever is depicted in my painting will have nowhere to hide. Do you still wish to see it?”

After Xiao Jinyu said this, many people’s eyes revealed doubt, but Chen Shuling and Yuwen Hui sneered.

“If you say that you can paint lifelike images, this Prince is willing to believe it. But to penetrate the heart, understand human nature, and judge character, this Prince does not believe it. Young lady, do not boast in front of His Majesty, otherwise…”

“Silence!” Chen Xu suddenly frowned and interrupted, then looked at Xiao Jinyu and said, “Please paint!”

“Three feet of Zhang Zhi brush, two boxes of Wei Dan ink, seven feet of Zuo Bo paper!” Xiao Jinyu requested as before.

Chen Xu looked at his son, Chen Shubao, and ordered, “Crown Prince, provide her with what she requests. Bring the best Zhang Zhi brush, Wei Dan ink, and Zuo Bo paper from your Eastern Palace!”

“Yes!”

The Crown Prince immediately instructed the eunuch beside him.

“I wonder what the young lady plans to paint?” Yuwen Hui asked with interest at this time.

Xiao Jinyu replied with a smile, “It will be called: Night Banquet Painting in the Eastern Palace!”

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“Night Banquet Painting…in the Eastern Palace?” Yuwen Hui chuckled. “It sounds quite interesting. Then we shall wait and see?”

Soon, the eunuch from the Eastern Palace brought the Zhang Zhi brush, Wei Dan ink, and Zuo Bo paper that Xiao Jinyu needed. Everyone saw her holding a brush in each hand, standing in front of the seven-foot Zuo Bo paper, and unexpectedly, she began to paint with both hands simultaneously, swiftly and lightly sketching on the paper.

While she was painting, most of the people sitting around her were not looking at her painting but at her. It was as if she herself was a figure in the painting, exuding an ethereal and elegant beauty as she wielded the brush and splashed ink.

Only Xiao Xian and Prince of Lanling’s gazes were fixed on her painting. They saw her brushstrokes were swift yet powerful and fluid. In an instant, a figure appeared in her painting, followed by another figure quickly taking shape…

It turned out that she was painting everyone in the Eastern Palace.

Xiao Jinyu’s gaze also calmly swept over everyone present, even capturing the subtle changes in their expressions or eyes. Chen Xu, sitting at the head of the table, watched her intently, his expression calm and unreadable.

After the time it took to brew a cup of tea, Xiao Jinyu stopped and said, “The painting is complete!”

Everyone seemed to awaken from a dream. On both sides of the hall, the two rows of people, led by Chen Shuling and Yuwen Hui respectively, stood up and looked over. They saw that the Zuo Bo paper, which had been clean and white just moments ago, had transformed into a painting depicting a myriad of lives: musicians playing, dancing girls swirling, the beautiful ancient garden filled with guests, some raising their cups in greeting, some chatting and laughing, some whispering to each other, some gazing at each other in silence. Everyone was depicted in the painting, their movements and expressions vividly portrayed.

At this moment, Chen Shuling and Yuwen Hui could no longer laugh or speak.

“Such painting skill, it’s not just lifelike, it’s a stroke of genius. I believe that the painting could come true!” Yuwen Zhi couldn’t help but sigh, as if he had discovered something, he asked, “Eh, there seems to be a line of poetry written on the painting, what is it?”

Chen Xu raised his hand, signaling Attendant Wu and another eunuch to present the painting to him.

Seeing the painting up close, Chen Xu’s expression underwent an incredible change. However, because he was very good at concealing his emotions, that complex look only flashed for a moment before he calmly read aloud: “‘The merchant girl knows not the sorrow of a fallen nation, across the river she still sings the Backyard Flower song.’ What does this mean?”

Although Crown Prince Chen Shubao had not yet written his famous lines, “The beauty’s face is like a flower holding dew, the jade tree shimmers, illuminating the back courtyard,” Chen Xu couldn’t possibly not understand the deeper meaning of these words. He was merely asking this to hear her explanation.

“The singing girl does not understand the pain of a fallen nation, and the scholars are also indulging in pleasure. Therefore, under the threat of the powerful Qin, Qu Yuan wrote Lisao, aiming to awaken the people!”

Before Xiao Jinyu could finish speaking, a scholar stood up in shock.

“Young lady, what do you mean by this? Are you insulting us?”

“I wouldn’t dare. Gentlemen, I have said before that my paintings can penetrate the heart, see nature, and judge character. Since you all wanted to see my painting, and now my painting is complete, what are you dissatisfied with?”

The scholar was so angry that his face turned red and his neck swelled. Chen Xu raised his hand to signal him to sit down and said, “Sir, do not be agitated. Since I allowed her to create this painting, then she is free to express herself. Moreover, what she said is not without reason. During the Hou Jing Rebellion, how many scholars died under his blade? When the renowned scholar Yu Xin was defending the Vermilion Bird Bridge, upon hearing of Hou Jing’s approaching army, he abandoned his armor and fled without a fight. If it weren’t for my imperial uncle leading three thousand soldiers to defend the emperor and slay Hou Jing, how could Jiankang City, or even our Chen State, exist today?”

“Indeed, Your Majesty. Emperor Wu protected the people of our southern lands, his merits are outstanding, and his name should be passed down through history!” Some scholars began to chime in with flattery.

“What this young lady said is quite reasonable, quite reasonable.”

After Chen Xu’s speech, no one dared to speak, even the envoys from the Zhou State remained silent. Gao Changgong was lost in thought.

But Chen Xu’s words were undoubtedly also directed at these envoys. He was telling them that although the Chen State currently occupied only a small territory, not everyone was spineless like the renowned scholar Yu Xin. There were plenty of brave and skilled warriors among the Chen clan!

Now, even a young lady could say something like “Qu Yuan wrote Lisao to awaken the people.” Chen Xu felt that this played right into his hands. He could use this young lady’s words to slap the faces of those present who were indulging in pleasure.

“Since that is the case, my painting is complete. May this common woman take her leave now?” Xiao Jinyu asked at this time.

Chen Xu glanced at the people around him and said, “The banquet has come to an end. You are all dismissed. However, you, Xiao Jinyu, stay!”

Xiao Xian stood up in alarm and cried out, “Your Majesty!”

Chen Xu raised his hand to cut him off and said,

“Xiao Xian, do not worry. I am not keeping her here to make things difficult for her, but I have something to ask.”