PNB Chapter 211 Dare to ask
Chapter 211 Dare to ask
Hearing this, the surroundings fell silent, and everyone turned to look at the man not far away.
Shen Shuyi also turned his head to look, but he didn't expect that Xie Jingchi, the new top scholar who was favored by the emperor, would appear in the Shen Mansion.
The man was wearing a navy blue brocade robe with cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs with silver silk thread. He had a spider-patterned jade belt of the same color tied around his waist, and his black hair was tied up with a gilded crown inlaid with jade.
The most amazing thing was that handsome face, with skin as white as jade, eyes like cold stars, and the slightly raised corners of the eyes diluted some of the upright aura on him. At this moment, he stood against the light, and people only felt that the pair of phoenix eyes were cold and deep, unfathomable.
Xie Jingchi opened his thin lips and said in a deep voice: "Everyone, please bring Miss Shen's painting over and take a look, and you will have the answer."
Hearing this, Shen Shuyi couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.
What a sharp pair of eyes!
The group looked at each other, seemingly unaware of what was special about Shen Shuyi's painting.
Following Shen Jingchuan's instruction, Qiulian and the maidservant did as he asked. Soon, the originally harmonious and beautiful scene with flowers in full bloom changed.
Shen Jingchuan stood in front of the painting, stunned, his lips slightly parted but unable to utter a word for a long while.
This was even more true for Master Wang, who seemed to have just noticed some clues, but did not realize that there was a mystery hidden in the painting.
At first glance, the originally colorful picture of pine and cranes celebrating longevity has completely changed its appearance after it was turned in the opposite direction.
In the huge picture, the vast and majestic sky, the mighty peaks reaching into the clouds, the silvery-white waterfall is rushing, and the strong wind is whistling above the river.
The autumn sun is warm, the sky is high and the land is vast, red fruits hang on the branches, rare birds and beasts appear, falcons flap their wings, fish leap out of the river, tigers run, dragons roar, lions roar and apes howl, and the whole place is filled with auspicious scenes.
"This is..." Shen Jingchuan couldn't help but speak, his eyes full of shock.
Wang Taifu was even more amazed: "Wonderful! It is truly wonderful! This scene is majestic and magnificent, yet it also presents an auspicious sign of prosperity, as if all the beasts have gathered together to offer their blessings!"
For a moment, everyone was stunned by the scene, and the space in front of the not-so-long scroll seemed quite crowded.
Yao Huiyan stood beside Madam Wang and whispered, "I knew that Sister Shuyi was not inferior to others, but I didn't expect that her painting skills have reached the pinnacle..."
Madam Wang nodded with admiration: "It seems that what you said is true. The second young lady of the Shen family is not only talented, but also has valuable character."
Xiao Tingshan was standing not far away, and the people around him had inadvertently pushed him away a little.
He stared blankly at the scroll in front of him, unable to believe that such a majestic work could have been created by a wild and unreasonable woman like Shen Shuyi.
But unfortunately, the painting was right in front of him at this moment, and he couldn't admit it even if he didn't want to.
You mean artistic conception?
Okay, I have it. Is the vast mountains and rivers and the majestic scenery enough?
You mean thoughts?
Okay, I have it. Is it enough for all the beasts to offer blessings and the branches to be full of fortune?
Are you talking about the worldly affairs?
Okay, I have some too, with flowers all over the place, more beautiful than an immortal, isn’t that enough?
Everything that was on Shen Jingyu's embroidery was also on Shen Shuyi's painting.
If there is no such thing, it is probably because it has never been mentioned.
Apart from that, it is not inferior to Shen Jingyu's painting in any way, but even better.
Xiao Tingshan couldn't help but turn his head to look at the woman beside him who had a calm demeanor and clear features. She was wearing a soft purple skirt like flowing clouds, which was no longer the same as when they first met.
He had to admit that she was just standing there, but she was not at all outshined by Shen Jingyu, who was elegant and graceful like a rich flower. Instead, she had the ability to be distinguished from others in the crowd at a glance.
Xiao Tingshan felt that there must be something wrong with his eyes, or he was deceived by this painting, whose authenticity he didn't know. Otherwise, her aggressive, vulgar words were still vivid in his mind, so how could he feel that she was different?
The Qin family members, led by Qin Xuerong, all looked unhappy.
After all, Shen Jingyu's fame and talent are known to everyone in the capital.
This was an occasion where they should have been in the limelight and became famous, but they were overshadowed by Shen Shuyi, the bastard left by the original wife. How could they laugh?
Qin Xuerong glanced coldly at Shen Meiru who was also in a daze. Shen Meiru's heart trembled and her eyes immediately turned red. She quickly lowered her head and did not dare to meet Qin Xuerong's gaze.
She had indeed encountered Shen Shuyi painting several times, but... but... she never imagined that there was something else hidden in these paintings.
Shen Jingyu stood aside, looking at the painting from a distance, her expression normal, no changes could be seen.
Just when everyone was still arguing about which one was better, the screen or the painting, Shen Jingyu was about to speak when she heard a clear and pleasant voice sounded before her.
Shen Shuyi said in a gentle voice: "Sister is a disciple of a great master, so Shuyi's talent is naturally not comparable to that of yours. Moreover, what this gentleman just said is right. If your sister embroiders the painting on the screen, it will inevitably lose some of the original charm of the painting. It is really unfair to compare them."
Shen Jingyu felt a little blocked in her heart. What she wanted to say was said by someone else first, which made it seem as if she had to compete for the first or second place.
Shen Jingyu also said: "Sister, you are too modest. If you are not as good as me, then you are not as good as me. Even though I have practiced hard for many years, I know that my painting skills are not as good as yours. Your sister has lived in the Buddhist temple for many years, but she has learned it all by herself. She is truly gifted."
These words, a frank admission of defeat, were yet full of intriguing meaning.
Most of the male guests did not know that Shen Shuyi had been living in the Jade Buddha Temple for a long time in seclusion, but many of the female guests knew about it.
For a moment, many people looked at Shen Shuyi with more inquiry in their eyes.
Madam Qin's eyes fell on Shen Shuyi and she spoke first: "Excuse me, Miss Shen, did you draw this painting yourself?"
Shen Shuyi looked up and saw that Madam Qin was wearing a brown satin gown and a gold and jade comb on her head. She looked energetic and had a sharp gaze. Although she was not from a prominent family, she was slightly plump and looked particularly wealthy. She did not look like a wet nurse, but rather like an old lady from a wealthy family. No wonder she had been doing so well over the years.
Because of her advanced age, the flesh on Old Madam Qin's cheeks drooped slightly. When she smiled, she looked indescribably warm, but when she didn't smile, she looked a bit stern.
At this moment, the old lady looked directly at Shen Shuyi, obviously not afraid of being the bad guy.
She didn't care what others in the Shen family thought, but she couldn't bear to see her most proud granddaughter being overshadowed by others in front of everyone.
Shen Shuyi's eyes were clear. Facing the scrutiny of everyone and the rather intimidating gaze of Old Madam Qin, he remained calm and composed, "Of course."
Hearing this, Shen Jingzhen, who had been silent for a long time, stepped forward and said, "Grandmother, you don't know that my second sister is not only an unrivaled painter, but her calligraphy skills have also been praised by my father and grandmother."
Madam Qin raised her eyebrows and said, "Oh? If that's the case, why didn't the Second Miss write anything on this painting?"