Chapter 685: The Events of That Year in the Painting

The Marquis's mansion, Seeing Yingchun Courtyard.

Since the onset of midsummer, Seeing Yingchun, Lin Daiyu, Tan Chun, and the other sisters rarely ventured outdoors.

Each day they chose a spot—either Lin Daiyu's or Tan Chun's courtyard—to gather and keep each other company against the heat.

Yet the place where the sisters met most often was still Seeing Yingchun's courtyard, for her main hall was the most spacious, accommodating even many people without feeling cramped.

Inside the main hall, everything was neatly arranged and spotless; before the southern Luo Han bed, Seeing Yingchun and Lin Daiyu were engaged in a game of weiqi.

Tan Chun sat behind Lin Daiyu, watching the game with keen interest.

Xue Baochai, idle and with nothing to do, was embroidering a handkerchief on a frame; since Shi Xiangyun often did needlework at home, she sat beside Xue Baochai, utterly absorbed.

Two square purple-copper ice chests stood before the Luo Han bed, heaped with glistening, translucent shards of ice, exhaling faint wisps of cold white mist that filled the room with a refreshing chill.

Because Seeing Yingchun Courtyard's main hall was so spacious, it required twice as many ice chests as Wang Wang Xifeng's main chamber to achieve the same cooling effect.

Such lavish use of ice would not seem unusual in the imperial palace or a prince's inner quarters.

Within the imperial city, dedicated ice cellars had long been established to store ice in winter for summer use—a standard practice—but the cost of hoarding large quantities was immense, beyond the means of ordinary wealthy households.

The extravagant ice usage seen in the Eastern Mansion's inner quarters was exceedingly rare among even the most prominent families.

Yet now, in the Eastern Mansion's inner quarters, ice had become a cheap commodity.

Jia Cong often saw his sisters fanning themselves daily during summer, and it wearied him to watch.

So he specially built an ice room within the Eastern Mansion's inner quarters and ordered the digging of an ice cellar.

In his spare time, he used methods he had devised himself to make and store ice for cooling during the peak of summer.

…

Xue Baochai had just finished half the handkerchief when she set down her needle and asked, "Why hasn't Little Xichun come out? Has she not yet woken from her nap?"

Seeing Yingchun laughed. "She's not napping—she borrowed Lin Daiyu's painting of the Imperial Banquet of Honor, stared at it for days, and suddenly got an idea."

"She wants to copy and adapt that painting to create a new one depicting Third Brother's Imperial Banquet upon passing the imperial examination. Now she's locked herself in her room every day, tinkering away, refusing to step out."

Xue Baochai smiled. "It's a fine thing for Little Xichun to do—our Jia family might yet produce a true master of painting."

"The last generation gave us Lady Lin, and now we have Little Xichun—this is clearly a family tradition."

After watching the embroidery for a while, Shi Xiangyun grew bored.

She lazily said, "You're all playing chess or painting, each finding your own joy, but I've been utterly bored these past few days."

Lin Daiyu smiled. "Is it because Xing Xiuyan has gone out that you've lost your companion for chatter?"

Since settling in the Eastern Mansion, Shi Xiangyun's cheerful, open nature had bonded deeply with the quiet, reserved Xing Xing Xiuyan.

The two were nearly inseparable, chatting and playing chess together, closer than the other sisters.

These past few days, Xing Xing Xiuyan and Zhi Shao had gone to stay briefly at the Monastery of Nian, leaving Shi Xiangyun alone—and she felt the boredom keenly.

Xue Baochai asked, "Zhi Shao and Xing Xiuyan have been away for several days now—do you know when they'll return?"

Shi Xiangyun grinned. "I know for sure—I went to Third Brother's courtyard yesterday and asked him myself."

"He said the end of this month is Abbess Abbess Xiushan's birthday, and they'll stay to celebrate with her before returning."

"He even counted on his fingers—he says there are still four days left. I swear, he's clearly missing Zhi Shao."

Seeing Yingchun, hearing the last words, couldn't help but smile faintly, yet said nothing, merely placing a stone down at random.

As the eldest sister, she knew her brother had already taken a concubine; some intimacy was to be expected.

Lin Daiyu, too, was perceptive; she caught the teasing implication in Shi Xiangyun's words and understood something, her delicate cheeks flushing involuntarily.

Tan Chun laughed. "You think you know everything? Xing Xiuyan went with her—Third Brother might be missing her instead."

Shi Xiangyun grinned mischievously. "You don't understand. Yesterday, when I went to Third Brother's courtyard, I overheard Qingwen and Lingguan whispering."

"They said Third Brother has been especially close to Zhi Shao lately, so when he counts the days, he's surely thinking of her."

Lin Daiyu laughed and scolded, "You talk nonsense—Third Brother is close to every girl in his courtyard."

Shi Xiangyun said, "You still don't get it. Zhi Shao has served tea to Grandmother—how could she be like the other maids?"

"Let me tell you—I've seen this before with my two elder cousins. They're older than Third Brother, and I've witnessed it firsthand."

"They always get especially close to the maids who've served tea—always clinging, joking, and doting on them."

Upon hearing this, Xue Baochai and Seeing Yingchun, both older, understood the implication and blushed, stifling laughter.

Lin Daiyu, though not yet sixteen, was sharp-minded and not entirely naive; she too felt her face flush slightly.

Yet all of them were daughters of great households, raised amid fathers and brothers with numerous concubines, accustomed to such private gossip.

Jia Cong reaching adulthood and taking a concubine was nothing unusual to them—even if Lin Daiyu harbored secret feelings, she didn't take it seriously.

Tan Chun, hearing Shi Xiangyun tease Jia Cong, felt a pang of resentment.

She retorted, "You think you know everything—tell us exactly how they're especially close, how they dote and joke."

Shi Xiangyun grinned playfully. "What's there to say? You'll understand when you're married off."

Xue Baochai, hearing Shi Xiangyun's bold words, burst out laughing.

Tan Chun's face turned bright red with embarrassment; she leapt up and chased Shi Xiangyun, the two tumbling and dodging through the hall, laughter ringing endlessly.

…

At that moment, the maid Xiujue entered the main hall with an old woman, each carrying a wooden bucket to replenish the ice chests.

Xiujue told Seeing Yingchun, "Miss, when I went to the ice cellar for ice, I saw Third Master enter the inner courtyard from afar."

Seeing Yingchun, curious, asked, "Why is Third Brother home so early today? That's unusual."

Xiujue replied, "I thought so too, but on my way back, I met Zhen Ying Lady Lian, who was heading toward the Western Mansion."

"I chatted with her briefly—she said Third Master had instructed her to deliver a message to the Western Mansion."

Lin Daiyu paused her move and said, "That sounds like Third Brother returned urgently because of some pressing matter."

Seeing Yingchun agreed, growing concerned—she wondered what trouble her brother had encountered.

She said, "Xiujue, go to Third Brother's courtyard and see if he's free. If he is, invite him over—his sisters are all here."

Xiujue bowed and hurried out; less than half a cup of tea later, Jia Cong entered the hall with her.

Seeing Yingchun asked, "Third Brother, why are you home so early today? And why did you send Zhen Ying Lady Lian to run errands? Has something happened in the Western Mansion?"

Jia Cong smiled. "Second Sister is well-informed—yes, something has come up."

"Today I received word that the Lady of the Zhen family's main branch has transported over a dozen chests of wealth to Love Shenjing."

"They wish to use Second Sister's connections to store these chests in the Western Mansion. But the Zhen family is now entangled in a major court case and is officially branded as criminals."

"If our family is caught harboring these goods, we'll be guilty of concealing a convicted official's private property—a criminal offense that would bring disaster upon us."

…

Seeing Yingchun and the other sisters turned pale at these words; though their courtly knowledge was limited, hiding a criminal official's property was clearly no good.

Tan Chun's voice rang clear and sharp. "The Zhen family has a clever plan indeed—his second daughter is the Princess of Beijing, known to all in Love Shenjing."

"They don't hide their silver in their own daughter's home, but come to us Jia family—do they not fear dragging us into trouble?"

Jia Cong smiled. "Third Sister sees clearly—exactly so."

Seeing Yingchun frowned. "I don't understand—Princess of Beijing is the Lady's own daughter. Why not hide family wealth with her, instead of sending it here?"

Jia Cong said, "Second Sister, since the founding of the Great Zhou, all four royal houses and eight dukes have had their titles downgraded with each generation."

"Only the Beijing Prince's line remains untouched—after generations, they still hold the princely title unchanged."

"This is not only because their ancestor rendered great service to the founding of the dynasty, but because every successive Beijing Prince has been shrewd, deeply skilled in the art of self-preservation."

"In short, the Beijing Prince's line has no fools. Water Rong is known for his humility and respect for talent, admired by many—but his mind is far from simple."

"Knowing the Zhen family's collapse is imminent, even as their son-in-law, he would never touch anything tied to their hidden crimes."

"Likely, the Lady knows her son-in-law's nature well, so she seeks a distant refuge instead of a close one. Whether she has other motives, I cannot yet say."

"But Second Sister need not worry—I learned of this just as the Zhen family's carts arrived at Lady Rongguo Mansion, and the head housekeepers had already entered the Western Mansion's inner quarters."

"I believe this matter has not yet been settled. If I intervene now, I risk humiliating Second Sister—it's unnecessary to create family rifts over another family's troubles."

"So I sent Zhen Ying Lady Lian to deliver a message—Second Sister has already refused the Zhen family's request. The matter is settled."

"Lin Lin Zhixiao just sent word—the retainers at the western gate saw the Zhen family's convoy leave Rongning Street."

…

Seeing Yingchun, Lin Daiyu, Tan Chun, and the others all relaxed, their worries lifted.

Lin Daiyu and Tan Chun, both perceptive, thought one step further—if Third Brother had not learned of this in time and sent Zhen Ying Lady Lian to stop it…

Would Sister Feng have secretly hidden the Zhen family's silver on her own?

Probably yes—they had all grown up in the Western Mansion and heard many rumors about Wang Wang Xifeng; this Lady Lian Second Sister was bold and formidable.

Jia Cong asked, "Where's Fourth Sister? Is she napping again?"

Little Xichun, being young, always grew drowsy after lunch, sleeping for nearly half an hour—everyone in the household knew this habit, which was why Jia Cong asked.

Lin Daiyu smiled. "Xue Baochai just asked the same thing—I heard Fourth Sister has been busy painting these past days, locked in her room, rarely stepping out."

"She's copying my mother's painting of the Imperial Banquet of Honor to create one of Third Brother's Imperial Banquet of Honor—we should all go see it."

Jia Cong was greatly intrigued; the group left the main hall, walked along the corridor into Seeing Yingchun's main chamber, then entered the left annex of the green gauze screen room where Little Xichun lived.

Jia Cong and Seeing Yingchun, aware of Little Xichun's troubled origins, had always been especially tender and protective toward this young Fourth Sister.

When Little Xichun first came to the Eastern Mansion, she had shared Seeing Yingchun's bed and room; this past year, as she grew taller and older, Seeing Yingchun moved her to the main chamber's green gauze screen room.

The left annex of the main chamber was square, faced sunlight on two sides, bright and airy—perfect for a young girl's quarters.

As Jia Cong and the others approached the green gauze screen room, a wave of cool air from the ice chests struck their faces.

Entering the room, they saw Little Xichun seated calmly before her desk, carefully sketching with her brush, frequently glancing at an old painting hung on the easel.

The girl wore her hair in twin buns adorned with blue-inlaid jade flowers; her upper garment was a pink embroidered jacket, her skirt a pale yellow orchid-patterned court robe—delicate and charming.

On her desk, a rosewood brush rack held every kind of painting brush; one corner had been specially drilled with a deep hole, holding a finely crafted clay figurine from Huizhou.

The figurine, dressed in a scholar's blue robe and cap, was handsome and graceful—clearly modeled after Jia Cong, lifelike to perfection.

……

Xi Chun saw a group of people enter, spotted Jia Cong at the lead, her bright eyes sparkled, and she broke into a smile.

She asked curiously, "Third brother, why are you home at this hour? Aren't you supposed to be at the office?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I happened to have the day off early, and I heard Fourth Sister is painting a grand piece—I came specially to take a look."

Xi Chun laughed, "I'm painting the scene of Third Brother's Imperial Honor Banquet—you're the very one who should come see it, and tell me all the stories from that day."

What did the hosting prince look like? And the grand officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Personnel—how old or young, fat or thin? What about the Zhuangyuan and the Tanhua? Describe their appearances."

When Aunt Jia Min painted Uncle Lin's Imperial Honor Banquet, she included all these figures and scenes. I asked Third Sister, and she said Third Brother's banquet was nearly identical."

So I naturally must copy it exactly, leaving nothing out. So far I've painted only the setting—I haven't drawn many of the figures yet. Third Brother, come take a look."

Jia Cong let Xi Chun take his hand, and they walked up to the painting table. He saw the overall outline was complete—the scene depicted the grand hall of the Ministry of Rites.

Xi Chun had never been to the Ministry of Rites; she had copied the hall's layout from Aunt Jia Min's old painting.

But this was perfectly fine—though many years had passed, the Ministry's banquet hall had hardly changed at all.

Though still young, Xi Chun already had solid painting skills; the buildings, furnishings, and figures she'd completed already carried seven or eight tenths of the spirit of Aunt Jia Min's original—quite remarkable.

Jia Cong noticed many figures in the painting were only faint outlines, their facial features and expressions not yet detailed—he guessed this was what Xi Chun meant: she didn't know what these people looked like, so she couldn't paint them.

In the center of the painting, three scholars raised their cups in toast to the main seat—these must be the top three Rank Jinshi of that year.

But the faces of the two on either side were blurred, left unsketched; only the one in the center was rendered in meticulous brushwork.

He wore the ceremonial robe of a Rank Jinshi, his features clear, strikingly handsome, with an elegance that was unmistakably Jia Cong's own likeness.

Tan Chun laughed, "Fourth Sister is truly talented—she painted Third Brother so lifelike, he looks like he might step right out of the painting."

Dai Yu smiled, "You haven't seen the clay figurine of Third Brother on Fourth Sister's desk? That's her most treasured possession—no one else is allowed to touch it."

She stares at that figurine every day—of course she paints Third Brother so perfectly. What's surprising about that?"

If Xiang Yun or Tan Chun had heard Dai Yu say they stared at Jia Cong's clay figurine every day, they'd have blushed and scolded her, chasing her in playful outrage.

But Xi Chun was still a child, with no thoughts of romance or gender—she didn't feel ashamed at Dai Yu's teasing; on the contrary, she took it as praise, and felt quite proud.

Jia Cong sincerely praised Xi Chun several times, saying she painted beautifully and had real talent, which made the little girl extremely happy.

……

After the sisters had admired Xi Chun's painting, their attention turned again to Aunt Jia Min's old work.

Jia Cong had heard his sisters speak of this painting before—it depicted Lin Lin Ruhai's triumph upon passing the imperial examination and attending the Imperial Honor Banquet.

That was the pinnacle of Lin Lin Ruhai's life: his name blazed across the land after topping the list, drawing the attention of the Duke Prefecture, ultimately leading to his marriage with Jia Min.

Thus, that Rank Jinshi honor banquet held special meaning for both Lin Lin Ruhai and Jia Min—perhaps that's why she painted it.

Jia Cong was born after Aunt Jia Min moved south; his impression of this aunt he'd never met was faint indeed.

Few in the Jia household ever spoke of the former eldest daughter of Lady Rongguo Prefecture.

Only Lady Wang had once mentioned how exalted and doted-upon Jia Min had been in the household, her tone brimming with envy—even jealousy…

Jia Cong could not trace the glory Jia Min once enjoyed in Lady Rongguo Prefecture, nor understand what past tensions had existed between Lady Wang and Jia Min.

But he had heard many explain why Jia Mu loved Lin Lin Daiyu so dearly.

It was because Lin Daiyu resembled her mother so closely—thus, Jia Min must have been an extraordinary woman indeed.

As for Jia Min's skill in painting, it was not part of Jia Cong's original memories; yet since Xi Chun also had artistic talent, it was only natural that such ability ran in the family.

Jia Cong carefully studied the painting on the easel. Based on the year Lin Lin Ruhai passed the examination, this painting was at least ten or more years old.

Yet the canvas showed no sign of yellowing or age—it was pristine, colors vivid and bright—clearly, both Jia Min and Lin Lin Daiyu had cared for it meticulously.

The painting depicted the grand scene of the Ministry of Rites banquet over a decade ago, and as Jia Cong gazed upon it, he felt a strange sense of familiarity.

The hall was majestic, the vessels exquisite, the figures lifelike, every robe, cap, and object rendered in fine detail—each thing, each scene, vivid and alive.

Clearly, this aunt he'd never met was a true master of brush and ink—she must have received instruction from renowned masters in her youth…

In the center of the painting, the Ministry hall was filled with identical single desks, each behind which sat a new Rank Jinshi in ceremonial robes—everywhere, scholarly elegance, magnificent to behold.

At the very front row of these desks, three Rank Jinshi stood, raising their wine cups in toast to the host.

Jia Cong knew at once: these three must have been the top three Rank Jinshi of that year.

Jia Min had rendered their faces with great precision and vitality, for these three were the core of the Imperial Honor Banquet painting.

Jia Cong did not recognize the two on the left, but the third from the left had noble features, outstanding bearing—his face unmistakably resembled the young Lin Lin Ruhai.

Dai Yu pointed at the man and smiled, "Third Brother, look—this is my father. Do you think my mother painted him well?"

Jia Cong laughed, "He looks much younger than the Lin Uncle I've met, but his features and expression are perfectly captured—Aunt Jia Min truly had a magical brush."

Xi Chun poked her head out from beside them, tilting her head, "Aunt Jia Min painted Uncle Lin just as I paint Third Brother—perfectly alike."

The sisters burst into laughter; Shi Shi Xiangyun laughed out loud. Ying Chun said, "Children's words, innocent and true."

Tan Chun pinched Xi Chun's cheek and laughed, "So bold, you've no shame!"

Xi Chun, teased by Tan Chun, didn't mind at all. She turned to Jia Cong and asked, "Third Brother, where did I go wrong? I painted you very well."

Jia Cong smiled and stroked her hairpin, "Fourth Sister is absolutely right."

He turned again to the painting—the person to whom the top three Rank Jinshi were toasting was a young man.

He wore a crimson robe with five-clawed dragon motifs, a golden-threaded winged cap, his face handsome, his bearing magnificent—more striking even than the Tanhua, Lin Lin Ruhai.

From his robes and headgear, this man must have been a prince of the blood, for the Emperor wore bright yellow dragon robes, while princes wore crimson ones.

Jia Cong himself had just passed the imperial examination and attended the Imperial Honor Banquet, where the host was Prince Prince Kangshun Li Xiaocheng.

By tradition, the host of the Imperial Honor Banquet was always a prince.

Jia Cong looked to the man seated to the prince's left—a middle-aged civil official, slender and refined, his demeanor scholarly, his face strangely familiar.

He felt a faint shock and said, "Lin Daiyu, this man looks like my master, Master Jing'an…" (End of chapter)