Tranquility

Xie Baiyun saw that the flames in the brazier had burned out the painting scroll, he couldn't care about anything else, his eyes were fixed, and he reached in to draw the painting with his bare hands. Fortunately, the painting paper used by Master Hui Yi seemed to be unusual, after burning out the frame, the flames It didn't spread immediately, and was blocked by the edge of the drawing paper, licking inch by inch.

Xie Baiyun pulled out the painting, his hands were so hot that he couldn't stand it, and he loosened unconsciously. The drawing paper fell on the floor with flames, and Qiao Hanyun didn't pick it up, and looked at it coldly with his arms folded.

Xie Baiyun was in a cold sweat from anxiety, his eyes swept aimlessly, and happened to see a blue and white porcelain goldfish bowl on the desk, without saying a word, he picked up the fish bowl and extinguished the flames on the drawing paper.

At this time, "Nine Heavens Ring Peitu" has turned slightly black, with uneven edges, and is wet and soft into a ball, without any surprise at the beginning.

Xie Baiyun immediately knelt down on the floor and pressed the drawing paper with his sleeve. Unfortunately, his clothes were all made of silk, which didn't absorb water very much, so the effect was mediocre.

"Master Huiyi's drawing paper is not so fragile. It can be dried in the shade when it gets wet. Little by little, it will return to its original state after a year or two. But it can't be exposed to the sun, and it will change color."

Qiao Hanyun is a person who loves painting. Burning the painting was impulsive. He will calm down and regret it in his heart, but he has always been proud and unwilling to admit it.

Xie Baiyun didn't look up, paused for a moment, slowly rolled up the drawing paper, and wrapped it in his sleeve.

He stood up, looked at Qiao Hanyun and said directly: "Tell me, how can you sell this painting to me?"

"Haha, if I say I won't sell it, can you return it to me?" Qiao Hanyun sarcastically said.

"No, you can make a price." Xie Baiyun answered firmly.

"Now that I don't belong to myself, why do I need money?" The irony in Qiao Hanyun's eyes was even stronger.

Xie Baiyun was silent for a while, and said: "In short, I will repay your favor, and at least it will make your journey easier."

After finishing speaking, before Qiao Hanyun could reply, she strode away.

After Xie Baiyun got the painting, he asked someone to repair the painting. The craftsman was indeed the best in the industry. He repaired the edges of the painting evenly, and the drawing paper was [-]% to [-]% dry, but it couldn't be mounted. It would take a long time to paint. Allow to dry completely before handling.

Xie Baiyun couldn't wait that long. Tangning knew more about framing these than him, so Xie Baiyun packed the painting in a small wooden box and went straight to Tangning's residence.

When they arrived at the Tang residence, Xie Baiyun was notified that Tang Ning was still painting and it was not convenient for him to entertain guests.Xie Baiyun was not annoyed, and insisted on waiting for Tangning to finish painting.

After waiting until it was time to light the lanterns, Xie Baiyun finally couldn't sit still. He used the excuse that he had to go to the toilet after drinking too much tea, and slipped into Tang Ning's study while no one was looking. Unexpectedly, the study was empty.

Unwilling to be reconciled, Xie Baiyun went out for a few more laps. When he walked through the corridor, he happened to see a brightly lit room. Xie Baiyun pointed his head at the window and saw that it was Tangning.

He was meditating on a painting. Next to him was a person-high diorama, which illuminated the room a bit brighter. Even the painting in Tangning's hand was very clear.

Xie Baiyun saw that the person in the painting was actually Tangning herself, his eyes lit up, the corner of his mouth curled up, he walked around the window lattice, and walked outside the half-closed door, about to knock on it.

In the blink of an eye, Tangning actually lit the painting in her hand and threw it into the brazier on the ground, but her eyes were fixed on herself in the mirror, looking closely, as if fascinated.

After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly realized that there was another person in the mirror. He turned around abruptly, and saw Xie Baiyun standing behind him with a smile on his face. Tangning let out a sigh of relief and complained:

"When did you come, and you didn't say a word, it scared me."

"I arrived a long time ago. The housekeeper said you were painting, so I waited for you all afternoon. I saw that you hadn't finished painting, so I came over by myself to see what amazing masterpiece you are painting? But I didn't want to. When I saw the beautiful woman Looking at myself in the mirror, this scene is very pleasing to the eye, and I can't bear to disturb it."

Xie Baiyun shrunk his blistered hands, his heart throbbing with pain, but he smiled freely on his face.

Tang Ning blushed, and unconsciously glanced at the self-portrait with only a few fragments left in the brazier. He was also in a hurry to go to the doctor. He thought that if he wanted to paint a person's life, he had to empathize with it. So, start by painting yourself It must be easier.

If it was in modern times, Tang Ning felt that there was nothing to cover up by painting self-portraits; but he has been in ancient times for nearly 20 years, and he has been affected to some extent, and he is not as relaxed as before. Xie Baiyun joked that he was a beautiful woman again, but Tangning wanted to get angry but felt helpless.

Since all his good friends had accidents, he felt more and more how precious the feelings of the people around him were. He didn't want to give up on any of his friends. Perhaps it was because he couldn't respond to Xie Baiyun's feelings. He was softer towards Xie Baiyun. Him, he has nothing to do with him.

Tangning could only smile, picked up the teapot on the table, poured Xie Baiyun a cup of herbal tea, and asked him to sit down, "What are you doing here today?"

Xie Baiyun looked at the paper that was gradually turning ashes in the brazier, and his heart hurt like a burnt finger. He didn't want to throw the painting in, but Tangning's desk was far away, so he couldn't move easily. When he felt anxious, he did it. It's useless to regret now.

Xie Baiyun's smile didn't change, but he didn't regret it either.

"I can't find you if I have nothing to do? Zi'an, how long have we not seen each other? I have been here a few times but I haven't seen anyone. They said that you are painting recently, and you are too impatient. The most important thing is not to rush for calligraphy and painting. It's done."

Tang Ning counted the days, he was busy dealing with things, since the last time he asked Xie Baiyun to fix the prison, he hadn't seen him again, so he apologized a lot:

"It was my negligence. Brother Xie, don't blame me. I was too anxious to rescue Meng Yan and Jinhe, and I lost my head in a hurry. Brother Xie doesn't know that I have devoted myself to painting recently to draw a picture for Gao Run, and begged him to give Meng Yan a picture in front of the emperor. Yan He would like to intercede with them."

"It's a good idea, but how can Gao Run agree to just rely on a painting?"

Tangning smiled and remained silent.

Xie Baiyun saw that Tang Ning didn't answer, and didn't get to the bottom of it, so he said, "Speaking of which, Zi'an has painted so many paintings, but he has never painted me. how?"

"Since Brother Xie wishes, I'd rather not let it go. It's just that there have been a lot of things recently, how about painting after Jin and them are released from prison?"

"That's it."

On the night of leaving the Tang Mansion, Xie Baiyun ordered the secret guard to open a secret compartment next to his bed, and put the painting and the "handkerchief" together...

After a few days, it was time for the family members to go into exile.

Tang Ning didn't know how many people from the Hanlin Academy would send Qiao Hanyun off at this time. Although he and Qiao Hanyun were not on good terms with each other, they were colleagues after all, so he still went to send Qiao Hanyun off today.

Qiao Hanyun was wearing a wooden shackle and stood silently outside the city. The official who was in charge of escorting them was being pulled aside by someone sent by the Qiao family's in-laws.

Qiao Hanyun knew how embarrassing she was wearing the shackles. This is the rule of exile, it is a blow to the horse, and it is a kind of humiliation.But he still stubbornly straightened his back, refused the comfort of all his relatives, and waited silently for the first step of exile. From then on, his life would be completely cut off from the prosperity behind him.

Tangning looked at Qiao Hanyun's figure as straight as a green pine, and retracted her step forward. Qiao Hanyun didn't need his pity and comfort.

Those who usually followed Qiao Hanyun didn't come, which might be a good thing for Qiao Hanyun.

The officialdom is dangerous, if he falls into Qiao Hanyun's situation one day, he probably doesn't want others to see him wearing shackles.

The time has come, and the officials have finished packing up, and they are yelling and going on the road.

Tangning sighed and was about to turn around when someone bumped her back. Tangning frowned and watched the man run towards Qiao Hanyun.

There was a bit of confusion ahead, and while the officials were arguing with the man, Tangning finally figured out that the man was Lin Zizhang.

Lin Zizhang didn't seem to have any money or belongings with him, and the official errands didn't show up, and it was getting late, and he couldn't make it to the next post station any later, so he became rude to Lin Zizhang.

Lin Zizhang didn't care about the official's pull, he grabbed the wooden shackle, stared at Qiao Hanyun, gritted his teeth, tears were shining in his eyes, he couldn't say a word.

Qiao Hanyun kept staring into the distance, and Lin Zizhang didn't even have a glimpse of the corner of his eye. The officer had already pulled him with all his strength, and his fingers were bloodstained by the thorns of the wooden shackle.

Qiao Hanyun felt the strength on her neck getting heavier and heavier, and finally turned her head to look at him, and when she turned back, a crystal teardrop in the corner of her eye reflected dazzling light in the sunlight...

Lin Zizhang's ferocious face due to excessive force was suddenly smoothed by this tear, and all the strength in his body disappeared in an instant.

Qiao Hanyun finally left. Lin Zizhang looked at his back, knelt down, and cried like a woman covering his face. He sank into the world of sadness, regardless of the people on the street, and completely forgot Tanhualang Zhuo Zhuo elegant demeanor.

Another pair of sad people. Could it be that love is so difficult for people with broken sleeves in this world?In this patriarchal society where the south wind prevails, as upper-class people, they should be the people who live the most wanton life in the world. Didn't he try his best to climb into the society in order to live more freely and not be oppressed by people of higher classes? Is it the upper class?

But when he was at the top of the society, he found that he was subject to more and more restraints. If he wanted to get rid of this restraint, he had to work harder to climb up. After climbing up, he found that there were people pressing down on him. In the past, he was even more forbidden to be free. A word from the superiors can still determine his fate. It seems that he will never be tall except for the highest position.

Qiao Hanyun was implicated by the family, while Lin Zizhang was controlled by the family. Looking at his usual cowardly appearance, he did not expect that he could resist the family and sneak out to send Qiao Hanyun off.

Tang Ning realized that she had made a mistake. Maybe it was because of the Lin family's heir, or maybe it was because of Lin Zizhang's character. Tang Ning had never liked him very much, but today's Lin Zizhang made Tang Ning look up to him.

Tangning pushed away the onlookers, but gently but firmly pulled Lin Zizhang up.

Lin Zizhang was in a daze, he didn't know who was pulling him, so he just followed him instinctively.

Tang Ning took Lin Zizhang back to Zhuangyuan's mansion, and sent someone to the second master Lin's mansion to say something, so that Lin Zizhang's sneaking away was wiped away.

Seeing that Lin Zizhang was still in a daze, Tangning sighed, resigned to his fate, found a needle, spread out Lin Zizhang's horrible hand, leaned closer, and carefully picked out the wooden thorns in his flesh one by one.

Lin Zizhang didn't seem to feel any pain, so he didn't flinch his fingers and let Tangning toss about.

"Why do you do this? At least you are both alive and young. Although the world is far apart and the world is unpredictable, maybe you will meet each other one day." Tangning finally couldn't help but persuade.

"He won't see me. He has always looked down on me. He thinks I'm too soft, unmanly, shameful." Lin Zizhang murmured.

"Brother Yiqiao's temper, how has he ever talked to someone he doesn't like? If he doesn't like you, why does he let you stay by his side all day long?"

Lin Zizhang was stunned, his eyes became brighter, and he slowly turned to Tangning.

Tang Ning smiled slightly: "Actually, you guys are pretty good. At least there is a chance to see you again. Some people are very close but never see each other again. Some people are separated from their wives forever. Some people just love each other ..."

Speaking of this, Tangning's smile gradually subsided, he thought of Xie Baiyun...

After sending Lin Zizhang away that day, the two cut off news again. Lin Zizhang needed time and space to recover, while Tangning continued to paint.

Maybe it was because of Lin Zizhang's incident, and I felt something in my heart; maybe the self-portrait I painted before had an effect; maybe it was because I went out for a while and came back and suddenly got inspiration; anyway, Tang Ning's painting progressed very smoothly, and within half a month, he The painting was passed to Gao Run smoothly.

Gao Run has a subtle jealousy towards Tangning. He is jealous of Tangning, but his pride and his principles of life have controlled this kind of jealousy well. What's more, he has suffered too many hardships and honed his skills beyond his age. broad-minded.

Some people become narrow and extreme in suffering, while others realize life from suffering and become wise and open-minded.

And Gao Run happened to be at the extreme of the two, he was extreme to his enemies, and he was grateful to his benefactors.As for Tangning, who was neither, he would not be kind enough to help.

However, he still wants to give Yu Yan some face, besides, he is also very curious about how good this rookie's paintings are.So, when there was no one around, he had no choice but to slowly pull away the small painting.

The eyes are full of peach blossoms, the pink is tender and tender, or light or thick, it seems that each petal is different, the pink is extremely beautiful.

In the peach blossom grove, there are rows of cases, those Jinshi, standing, sitting, drinking, talking and laughing, their gestures are full of real movement, their expressions are meticulous and lifelike.

Although this is the most exciting part of the painting, Gao Run went straight over it and searched the depths of the dense forest in the upper left corner.

Sure enough, among the flying petals, two vague figures, one red and one white, were half hidden.The whole painting is strong and bright, just like the real thing, only these two are light ink, which is incompatible with the whole painting.

Gao Run stared deeply at the faint ink marks, and only he knew that what was out of place was not the painting technique, but the harsh winter in the mellow spring.

After all, Fu Jiayan was dismissed from office, but at least he saved his life, and his fame is still there. Relying on his family, he still has a chance to turn around one day.

But Zhao Qian was a blessing in disguise. He became famous, but it was not easy to be dismissed from office. The emperor promoted him two ranks in a row and became a censor.

For a time, the court was full of compliments to the emperor for his broad-mindedness and wide acceptance of advice.

The friend's future has been settled, and Tang Ning has also completed three years in the Imperial Academy, and began to look for a future.