Chapter 49 Part 1: Genuine
“Wait a moment.” Jiang Li said.
A lofty voice suddenly came through and filled the atmosphere. All the people in the surrounding who were watching the excitement turned their head and saw Jiang Li coming over.
At first Liu Zimin looked around before seeing a delicate girl walking through the crowd. His eyes became bright at once, his voice also carried a teasing tone as he asked: “What is the meaning of this girl?”
Bai Xue saw this scene and followed closely by Jiang Li’s side. An idea formed in her mind, if this mouse-looking boy dared to touch Jiang Li, even just with his little finger; she would beat the c.r.a.p out of him.
Jiang Li said as she smiled: “May I ask, what did this young master do?” Her finger pointed at the young man.
“What did he do?” Liu Zimin jeered loudly and grinned: “This young lady wishes to stand up for the truth in this matter, perhaps because we are bullying this brother. Then I will explain in a few words, we are not taking advantage and bullying people.” He said: “This brother, Ye Shijie, ruined this family heirloom’s ink treasure. Here, it’s this 《Bird Drinking in Spring 》.
《Bird Drinking in Spring 》was a masterpiece painting from the previous dynasty’s great master, Zeng Zimo1. After his death, people spent a lot of money to buy the works he left behind. Especially among the literate families, it was an honor to be able to collect Zeng Zimo’s ink treasures. Supposing that Liu Zimin’s painting was truly 《Bird Drinking in Spring 》, Ye Shijie could be considered as falling into great trouble.
“This 《Bird Drinking in Spring 》 is priceless. Considering that brother Ye does not originate from the capital, I was willing to compromise and let brother Ye compensate me with 32,000 gold, which is not a loss at all. Unexpectedly, brother Ye, this person, was really too much and refused to even give a penny. Is this still coming from Xiangyang’s Ye family’s? So stingy, could this be the inherent quality of a merchant?” Talking up to here, Liu Zimin burst into loud laughter.
The surrounding people listened to what he said and laughed as well. Everyone was laughing at Liu Zimin’s words “inherent quality of a merchant”.
The Yan Dynasty was originally light on merchants. Within the four cla.s.ses of ancient China of scholars, farmers, artisans and merchants, merchants were placed at the very bottom. Ye Shijie clenched his teeth. While restraining his anger, he said: “I really didn’t ruin that painting. You pounced on it yourself when I was writing!”
“Aiyaya,” Liu Zimin said: “you are actually still maliciously slandering. Is this young master so idle to destroy this famous painting belonging to me?” After saying this, he seemed to recall there’s Jiang Li at the side and said: “This young lady, come here and state the logic..”
Jiang Li laughed and said: “Is it possible to let me look at the young master’s painting? I have never seen the real 《Bird Drinking in Spring 》, yet it has unexpectedly been ruined. What a pity.” She seemed to regret it very much.
Liu Zimin looked at her appearance like this and generously handed the painting over: “If the young lady wishes to see, then take a look!” He noticed that Jiang Li’s dressing style did not seem to be from an ordinary family. But when did such a moist and bright young miss from an official family come to Yanjing? He really wasn’t aware of it. He thought of letting someone inquire later, if the family background was somewhat inferior, it was not too bad to take her back as a concubine.
Not far from the crowd, Jiang You Yao and the other two people above the carriage were also watching this scene. Jiang You Yao asked: “What is she doing?”
“Third sister,” Jiang Yu’e warned: “That Ye Shijie is a person from Xiangyang’s Ye family. A person from second sister’s maternal family.”
Jiang You Yao understood immediately and took another look at Jiang Li: “Let’s continue watching.”
Jiang Li took the painting 《Bird Drinking in Spring 》 into her hands and studied it carefully.
《Bird Drinking in Spring 》, the picture was of the coming of spring. A songbird in the valley stood on a branch of flowers that was drooping on the water surface, a picture of its own reflection drinking the creek water. The flowers in the valley were in full bloom, the songbird was brisk and lively, the water in the creek was so clear that the bottom could be seen. Each part was painted vividly.
But now that painting had a long tear from the bottom, almost splitting the painting in two.
Footnotes:
1: My apology, I thought the author refers to an actual historical figure Zengzi, but after further research apparently this is a made up figure, Zeng Zimo. Do not expect to really find his picture -_- I tried 1.
Nigaria: Who cares I put one image nonetheless, chinese trad painting is so beautiful, why shouldn’t we admire when we have the chance? :leftwards_arrow_with_hook: