Chapter 1598: Chapter 1598: Catching the Eye

Chang Xhong and his brother-in-law were already standing at the desk, the painting on the table was of Meilin, Chang Xhong whispered, “Most of Mr. Gu’s paintings are of plum blossoms.”

Jiang Sheng looked at the painting in front of him with a feeling of admiration, “Mr. Gu is a lover of plum blossoms.”

The proud spirit of the plum blossoms seemed to come right at him, as if he himself were a plum blossom standing firmly in the cold wind, noble and proud.

Chang Xhong heard footsteps and turned back, seeing the young gentleman in a long robe beside Gu Sheng, “Who is this?”

Before Gu Sheng could introduce him, Mr. Ji spoke first, “I come from Yizhou with Mr. Gu and we were Graduates in the same session, I am called Ji Deming.”

Gu Sheng looked a bit uncomfortable, Mr. Ji was too eager, worried about what Mr. Zhou and Mr. Jiang might think of him?

Chang Xhong said, “Mr. Ji came out wearing a long robe, not afraid of catching a cold in such chilly weather, quick come in, don’t stand at the door.”

Indeed, Mr. Ji was cold, he was worried about being discovered by others in the same courtyard and rushed over, “Thank you, Mr. Zhou.”

Gu Sheng was uncertain of Mr. Hou’s thoughts, he did not think Marquis Zhou couldn’t see through Mr. Ji’s intentions, pursing his lips, he followed inside and closed the door, the light in the room was unaffected, the windows in this courtyard were glass windows.

Chang Xhong did not share the same obsession with paintings as his brother-in-law, he sat by the window drinking tea, Jiang Sheng ignored his brother-in-law and gestured to Gu Sheng, “I have a few things I want to ask you.”

Gu Sheng couldn’t be bothered with Mr. Ji, he nodded to Mr. Zhou, stepping briskly to the desk, “Please ask, sir.”

Jiang Sheng pointed to several places on the painting, asking in detail, Gu Sheng listened more and gained more insight.

Chang Xhong glanced over and took out dried meat from his pouch, not intending to speak at all.

Mr. Ji desperately wanted to connect with Mr. Hou of the Zhou Residence, unwilling to just sit idly, “Gu brother has earned the favor of Mr. Hou, I am happy for Gu brother.”

Chang Xhong looked at Mr. Ji with a half-smiling expression, this person’s jealousy could not be concealed no matter how well he disguised it, “I don’t know Mr. Gu very well, every time we meet Mr. Gu surprises me, and now Mr. Gu has rented a private courtyard so quickly, I admire self-sufficient people.”

Mr. Ji, “…”

Was Mr. Hou pointing at him?

Ji Deming looked at the glass window growing increasingly jealous, this small courtyard with three rooms cost Five taels of silver a month, all because the courtyard had glass windows, the courtyard he rented was very dark with the doors closed, he wanted to live over there, but Mr. Gu directly refused, making Ji Deming’s smile somewhat forced.

Suddenly he heard, “Sell me this painting for twenty taels of silver.”

It was Jiang Sheng who said this, he really liked this painting, despite its many flaws, it had an insufficiently profound artistic conception, and twenty taels was a high price.

Gu Sheng hurriedly said, “You have guided me so much, how could I sell a painting to you, I will give this painting to you, sir.”

Jiang Sheng raised his hand, “If you say that, I dare not come again.”

As he spoke, he reached for his pouch, his hand halting halfway, he looked up at his brother-in-law.

Chang Xhong laughed, his brother-in-law left the house without his pouch, he gestured to his young servant to bring out Silver, Jiang Sheng laughed, “I’ll give it to you when we get back.”

Mr. Ji, “…”

Is this just twenty taels? It stings!

In the Zhou Residence, Zhulan held Yu Lu’s little son Wong Zhuoqing, a child well-nourished and wearing thick winter clothes looking like a ball, “This child is solid.”

Yu Lu, “This child’s appetite is especially good, hasn’t lacked milk, nor solid food, every time the doctor checks the pulse they say the child’s spleen and stomach are good, rarely is a child so robust in the capital.”

Zhulan smiled, “Being able to eat is a blessing, although, you seem slimmer than last time.”

Yu Lu explained, “The granddaughter grew taller again, and with two children making trouble, isn’t it only natural to get slimmer.”

Lady Li, always plump, envied slender women, “It’s good to be slimmer.”

Yu Lu wasn’t trying to slim down, she was relying on her youthful foundation, only through two births did she recover so quickly.

The group heard laughter and saw Wong Zhuoping playing hide-and-seek, little guy was very happy, in the Wong Residence, there were few children, Zhuoping felt lonely, although they found clan disciples to accompany him, they were cautious around the little guy, which made the child feel bored. Back at the Zhou family, with many uncles and aunts, the little guy naturally became happy playing.

Lady Li visited Wong Residence once a month, knowing how Wong Ju valued his grandson, “I never saw Zhuoping so happy at Wong’s place.”

Yu Lu sighed, “There are too few children in the Wong family, Zhuoqing is still little, Zhuoping indeed feels somewhat lonely.”

Lady Li thought of the old master of Wong family, who took Zhuoping everywhere, feeling sorry for him, yet refrained from saying to let her daughter often bring the child home.

Zhulan asked Yu Lu, “You brought the child back, not just to let us see him, right?”

Yu Lu nodded, “There’s an unmarried girl of suitable age in Wong’s clan, Duke of Yongan Residence sent an invitation for tea tasting, as they haven’t invited us, so they asked the madam for me to come and take care of some things.”

Su Xuan heard this, “Is she being taken there to be seen by some official’s families?”

Yu Lu nodded, “Yes, hoping for a good family match.”

It was not uncommon for matchmaking to start from banquet female guests.

Su Xuan understood, Yu Lu specifically returned to inform them.

The next day, Duke of Yongan Residence became the focus of the capital, hosting a large-scale banquet for the first time in many years, Duke of Yongan Residence also wanted to take this opportunity to reappear in the capital’s vision.

Recently Zhuo Guyu’s few debates had garnered enough presence, the momentum was good, attracting many families with daughters waiting for marriage, this tea banquet had many families attending with a purpose, especially after hearing that Duke Residence had several good gentlemen.

Su Xuan and her daughter sat inside the carriage, Yu Die and Yu Yi didn’t go; both were already betrothed, unwilling to join the bustle, Yu Jiao wanted to go but was too young.

The carriage arrived near Duke Residence and stopped, Yu Wen descended wrapped in a cloak, holding a warm stove, her fiery red cloak stood out strikingly, its fur without a speck of blemish, showcasing the cloak’s value.

Su Xuan saw her daughter’s dazzling appearance, her pride was evident, “Cold?”

Yu Wen shook her head, “Not cold.”

Su Xuan looked at the length of carriages, “After today, Duke of Yongan Residence will be lively.”

Yu Wen looked at the sprawling Duke Residence, sneering lightly, “There will be excitement to watch.”

Su Xuan deliberately came late, preferring not for her carriage to be blocked in front, walking over she didn’t see any royal carriages, she turned to her daughter.

Yu Wen looked towards the Palace, lowering her voice, “This is the royal family’s attitude.”

Su Xuan nodded, saying unless the Retired Emperor passed away, Duke of Yongan Residence’s status would remain ambiguous.

In the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren was surprised to see Minister of Justice, he didn’t socialize much with Minister of Justice, “How do you have time to come to the Ministry of Revenue today?”

Minister of Justice smiled, “The Ministry of Justice hasn’t been busy recently, just passing by the Ministry of Revenue, so I came in for a cup of tea.”