Tranquility

Spring goes to autumn, time flies, and it is another autumn. It has been three months since Mr. Cheng offered the turtle. Little Tang Yu finally got out of slavery, and a big stone was removed from everyone's heart. Time slowly healed.

At first, Tangning planned to let Mr. Cheng live next door, build a courtyard wall, and open a small door, so as to facilitate communication and block other people's gossip, but now it is unnecessary. Get through and live together as a family.

On the jujube tree in the yard, Dr. Lu was old and strong, leading Shu Hongyu to pick dates; Mr. Cheng was half lying on the recliner on the porch, holding a book in his hand, but his eyes were watching the two jumping up and down, and the corners of his mouth unconsciously twitched. Smiling; Xiao Jin was lazily lying on his feet, unable to open his eyes, making people wonder if he was cast in the wrong fetus. He was obviously a wolf dog but he was too lazy to be like a cat.

Suddenly, the book in Mr. Cheng's hand was grabbed. Tang Yu sat on Mr. Cheng's stomach, crawled around, and finally became interested in a certain book. When Mr. Cheng came back to his senses, the book had been torn off One, he smiled dotingly, and let Tang Yu tear up the whole book.

Despite the laughter and laughter in the yard, Tangning's study room was very quiet.The two doors of the study room were open, and the cool autumn wind swayed quietly between the doors and windows, lifting the corners of the curtains, and the window was decorated with greenery, and the room was well lit, clean and refreshing.

Ordinarily, such an environment should make people feel at ease, and it is the most suitable for reading, but Tang Ning frowned, and the brush she was holding did not drop for a long time.During these days, he has painted a lot of paintings, but he has not made a breakthrough. It cannot be said that he has not made progress, but his paintings have always remained at a certain level, and he has never been able to reach a higher level.

The only gratifying thing is that since he painted the tortoise, his level of paint preparation has been greatly improved, and his control over colors has also reached a new height. According to Mr. Cheng, compared with all living painters, he is considered superior up.

It's a pity that his improvement is not so obvious for ink painting. Although the thickness of the ink is very suitable, the painting style is still the same.In this regard, oil painting has made new progress. After Tangning's continuous experimentation, he can finally draw texture, especially the clothes of the characters, whether it is silk or cotton, whether it is delicate or rough, can be seen at a glance.

Therefore, among Tangning's paintings hanging in Yimo Studio, oil paintings sold the most, followed by Meticulous Beauty, followed by Meticulous Flowers and Birds, and finally ink landscapes.Tangning asked the shopkeeper of Yimo Studio to record in detail the sellers, the style of the paintings and other data, and then made a form. The result is self-evident, most of the buyers of oil paintings are businessmen, wealthy landowners, and servants of wealthy families , the oil paintings bought by a few literati are still in the non-realistic style with a sense of immortality; while the customers who buy fine brushwork are more, there are illiterate businessmen and serious literati, and finally ink landscape paintings The fewest buyers are mostly literati.

However, Tang Ning is only 17 years old. Although his paintings are unique, they lack a kind of tolerance for everyone. Although he has experienced ups and downs and has excellent understanding, he still needs time to achieve the vicissitudes and peace after thousands of sails have been read. accumulation.However, what Tangning lacked was time. His paintings might be enough to make him a little famous in this state capital, but not enough to stand out in the talented capital.

Tangning sighed, and slowly sketched the figure of a graceful woman on the drawing paper. Then he shook his head again. He didn't intend to spend his precious time on freehand landscape painting, which he was not good at, but he had to draw at least one kind of The so-called elegant paintings recognized by most literati.He had to wonder if it was because he was always wandering between oil painting and traditional Chinese painting that his painting style was always in a state of dissociation.

Tangning was upset and crushed the drawing paper. When she turned to look for the wastebasket, she saw Shu Hongyu leaning against the door and watching him quietly with his arms around a small bamboo basket.Seeing him turn around, Shu Hongyu hurried in and put the small bamboo basket on the small table, and said with a smile: "Third Brother, we picked a lot of dates today, but they are sweet, you can try them."

Shu Hongyu is 11 years old this year. The soft little bun at the time has grown into a tall and handsome boy without knowing it, especially since he has been learning martial arts from Dr. Lu since he was a child. He looks very thin, but he can jump on branches in one go He looked like a future martial arts master.

Tangning once thought about teaching him to read and take the imperial examinations, but after his observation, he found that Shu Hongyu was obviously more willing to study medicine with Dr. Lu. Although he was resourceful and resourceful, his temperament was not suitable for officialdom. So he recruited Dr. Lu to take Shu Hongyu as his apprentice.

Of course, this does not mean that Shu Hongyu stopped studying. In fact, with Mr. Cheng around, Shu Hongyu's study mode was completely in line with Tangning's. Tangning had to lament that Shu Hongyu was a genius. Both are excellent.At this time, at the age of 11, he looked handsome and elegant, but his demeanor, even when he was holding a basket and taking out dates, was as chic as flowing water. For Shu Hongyu, Tangning only had two words: Perfect.

Tangning saw Shu Hongyu this way, but in Shu Hongyu's heart, Tangning was the most perfect person in the world. He adored Tangning unconditionally. No one could replace Tangning's special place in his heart, including his beloved teacher.

Looking at the clean jujubes in the basket, Tang Ning's depression dissipated a lot. He picked up one and was about to eat it when he heard a servant outside report that a customer was looking for him.Tangning was a little puzzled. The family and friends were all familiar, so there was no need for such a solemn announcement.

When he saw Xia Houchun striding in in a strong indigo suit in the front hall, the words "erotic pictures" flashed through his mind. It was only when Xia Houchun approached that Tangning saw the man walking behind him. A familiar pretty figure, the idea of ​​"even bring the model" followed closely.

Tangning smiled and cupped her hands, then spread out her left hand, signaling them to take a seat, but Xia Houchun just sat down.The two haven't seen each other for two years, and found that each other has changed a lot. Since Sister Cheng left, Tangning is like the moonlight in August, beautiful but cold, his smile is faint, and his anger is also faint. Gained the strength to laugh wantonly.But Xia Houchun is more mature. Although he still smiles heartily, there are years of precipitation in his brows, and even sadness appears faintly.

Tang Ning pointed to the seat next to Xia Houchun, and motioned for Qiong Zhi to sit down again. Seeing that Qiong Zhi hesitated to sit in a corner, she sat down on the opposite side. To be honest, seeing Qiong Zhi at home at this time, he still felt a little nervous Embarrassed, I guess Qiongzhi was too, her face was completely red.

"I don't know what you can do for brother Xiahou to come to my humble house?" Tangning asked the servants to serve tea, and said with a smile.

"I heard about your wife not long ago. It's really a pity. People always have to go through this hurdle. Zi'an, I'm sorry."

"Thank you." Tangning sincerely thanked her.

Xia Houchun watched the maids bring tea in, and watched them go out with wooden trays, and he didn't know how to speak, and the hall fell into a strange silence.

"Then, brother Xiahou is looking for me for something?"

Xiahou Chunqing coughed, took a sip of tea, and said: "It's like this. I heard that the wife you went first was a female family member of the Xu family. Thanks to you, the emperor pardoned the female family members of the Xu family from slavery."

"It's all thanks to the tortoise," Tangning hinted.

"Yes, yes, in fact, Qiongzhi is also a female family member of the Xu family. I checked her identity a long time ago. When the accident happened in the Xu family, she was still in her infancy. She is your mother-in-law's concubine sister. She He grew up in Piaoxiang Academy since he was a child, and his background is easy to check."

A string snapped in Tangning's brain.

"Aunt, aunt..."

"Pfft!" Xia Houchun took a sip of tea, and Qiongzhi couldn't lower her head.

Tangning immediately came back to her senses and realized that she had accidentally said the seniority she had just calculated in her mind. What was even more embarrassing was that he had drawn an erotic picture of this aunt. .

"Now, Qiongzhi is no longer an official slave. I brought her out of Piaoxiangyuan, but she has nowhere to go alone. It is not convenient to set up an independent female household after all, and I don't want her to be wronged in the Houfu The Xu family who were scattered back then had no news except you, so I brought her here to see if I can put the household registration with you." Xia Houchun wiped his mouth and pretended not to see the two people. With a red face, he said calmly.

"So it's about this matter. It's okay. Why don't you hang it under Mr. Cheng's household registration? After all, I'm a junior. If Auntie Joan... gets married one day, it will be convenient for someone to preside over it." Tangning wiped her face, feeling the temperature on her face drop. Quite a lot.

"No, I will never get married in this life. If you don't mind it, why don't you just let me stay. I can do everything. If it's not possible, I just need a clean nunnery to settle down." Qiong Zhi hurriedly got up, begging He looked at Tang Ning.

"No, how could I let you live in a nunnery? Our family is full of big men and children, and we are short of a woman to take care of it. You are here just in time. My husband and I don't know how to take care of children, and Tang Yu doesn't even know how to be taken care of by us." What have we become?" Tangning also stood up, "It's just that this household registration must have a name, or is it called Qiongzhi?"

Qiong Zhi froze for a moment, she had been called Qiong Zhi since she was a child, but now that she had left the brothel, she wanted to abandon the past, "How about calling me Xu Lian?"

Tangning nodded again and again, "Good name, I'll call you Aunt Xu from now on, right? It's not too late, I'll go and call you sir. Before it's dark, go to the yamen to get your household registration done."

Since then, Xu Lian has settled down in Lu Zhai. She is six years older than Tangning and 15 years younger than Mr. Cheng.

In the evening, the whole family had a meal together. Xia Houchun had a bold temperament and made many friends. He chatted well with Mr. Cheng and Dr. Lu. They talked all night over tea.

After the banquet, Tangning went back to her room. The room was pitch black and deserted. Tangning didn't light a candle and sat on the chair alone. Thinking back on what happened today, he thought that he actually painted his aunt a erotic palace. Even in the dark, he Unconsciously covering his face and bowing his head, the past is unbearable.

In fact, he deliberately modified Aunt Xu's appearance at the beginning, not only because he didn't want others to recognize her, but also because she looked a bit like Sister Cheng. He thought it was his subconscious action at the time. Now it seems that Aunt Xu and Cheng My sister's eyes are very similar, really somewhat similar.

Thinking of this, Tang Ning's mind suddenly had a clear image of Sister Cheng. He had been deliberately not thinking about Sister Cheng, and every time he thought of him, his heart ached. Although Sister Cheng had passed away for a year, whenever he returned to this In the deserted room, he unconsciously thought of the warm room with lights on a year ago. Every time he went back to the room, he could see Sister Cheng sewing under the lamp, reading a book, and taking off her hairpin.

Tangning stood up suddenly, and with trembling hands lit all the candles he could find in the room. He walked around the bright room a few times, but still couldn't get rid of the loneliness in his tarsal bones. He didn't want to face the reality anymore. Being awake made him painful. .

He habitually took out the canvas, took out the paintbrush, and daubed the black background randomly with his hands. Gradually, he took out more and more paints. The full moon climbed up the branches, and the moonlight poured into the window lattice, making the room brighter.

He put down his pen. This is not an oil painting, nor an ink painting. In Tangning's eyes, this is her. There is a tear in the corner of his eye. He has never painted a picture of Sister Cheng before. He thought it was so realistic before. If the paintings are accidentally lost, it will be bad for the woman's boudoir reputation, not to mention it is unnecessary, he is familiar with her every hair.

Tangning didn't intend to show this painting to her husband, it would only add to the sadness.He took out a porcelain jar and threw all the candles into it. The room became dark again, only the flames in the porcelain jar flickered. Tangning slowly rolled up the canvas and slowly stretched it into the porcelain jar, as if in slow motion.

After sending Xia Houchun away, Lu's residence returned to peace. Although the addition of a female family member made everyone a little uncomfortable, they soon felt very grateful for it. It is great to have a mistress.Men no longer have to worry about basic necessities, food, shelter, and even Tang Yu's diapers. Xu Lian handles everything in an orderly manner, and the servants are also very happy. In the past, they only had new clothes to wear when their master remembered them. Can have new clothes.

Moreover, it is obvious that little Tang Yu also prefers to stay in the fragrant and soft embrace of her aunt. Xu Lian loves little Tang Yu very much and takes care of him meticulously. If the husband's aura is not too strong, she would like to tie Tang Yu to her belt .

Little Tang Yu lives like a fairy, with his aunt taking care of him, Xiaojin riding for him, Brother Hongyu bringing him toys, Grandpa Lu seeing a doctor for him, his husband talking with him, and of course, his father drawing for him Painting, little Tang Yu grew up happily like this, learned to speak and walk.

And Tang Ning finally let go of the shackles. He finally understood that what restrained him was not oil painting or traditional Chinese painting, but himself. Whatever he thinks in his heart, why should he care about the method used? If he paints to please others, then his paintings will not please anyone.

His pictures of beauties, beauties have distinct facial features, double eyelids or oval faces, even the fine lines on the lips can be seen, the light is bright and dark, full of three-dimensionality, but it is not an oil painting.According to Tang Ning's understanding, this is a bit like hand-painting classical beauties in his previous life, but it's not. He is just trying. As long as he can draw what he feels in his heart, he will use any painting method, and he will mix it with paint. For any weird things, he has no awareness of painting style in his mind at all. He throws away all constraints, and his mind is always filled with his paintings. His painting skills are so proficient that he can easily draw them without thinking.Although the paint techniques used in the whole painting are mixed and messy, the overall effect is shocking.

As soon as this kind of painting appeared in Yimo Studio, it caused a sensation in the entire Cangping County. The first student who saw the painting immediately bought it with all his money. In fact, he became the lucky one that everyone envied. No one could buy Tang Zian's beauty picture at such a low price.

Tang Ning's beauty picture soon shocked Dazhao's painting circle. This time, it was not the same as before. His name was mentioned by more people, even great writers, and soon spread into the capital.

When Xie Baiyun heard Tangning's name from someone else, he was a little worried. The more famous he was, the more trouble he would have.

"Master, I just received the news that the second young master seems to have discovered something in Kunnan. He has attracted many officers, and he may discover our arrangement."

"I see. I will go to Kunnan personally tomorrow. During the time I'm away, you must guard Zian every step of the way. If he loses any hairs, I'm the only one to ask."

"But, master, your trip to Kunnan is full of dangers, and you might not be able to come back for several years. I have to accompany you around."

"No, it's enough to have Mo Er and the others, you just need to guard Zi'an."

The author has something to say: this chapter is a transitional chapter, a little boring, the next chapter Xiaotang will go to Beijing to take the imperial examination~

Calculating the age of the characters tonight makes me dizzy.Has anyone thought of Qiong Zhi's identity?In addition, the reason why Xia Houchun didn't redeem Qiongzhi was because Qiongzhi was an official slave, so he couldn't redeem himself, and the official slave would always be a concubine when he brought home. Xia Houchun didn't want Qiongzhi to be wronged, so he kept Let her stay in the brothel, take care of her secretly, and go to the brothel to see her from time to time. He didn't want to say anything because he was afraid that his family members would be suspicious.