lcionline Chapter 260 Portrait
Chapter 260 Portrait
The weather is getting colder and colder.
Several plum trees stand alone in the Yimei Garden, their dark brown branches revealing a stubbornness as they silently bear the weight of ice and snow and the loneliness of winter.
As time goes by, when the last plum blossom reluctantly bids farewell to the branch and falls into the mud and turns into dust, a grand chapter of spring begins.
At the beginning of spring, news came from the previous dynasty that the south was hit by a snowstorm and countless people had frozen to death or starved to death. Yongzheng was extremely anxious and immediately sent capable ministers to the south to provide disaster relief.
Everyone in the harem actively responded to the emperor's call and went to Baohua Hall every day to pray for the country.
In the Cining Palace, the warm charcoal fire burned quietly in the furnace, but it could not dispel the strong smell of medicine that permeated the air.
The Queen Mother was half-leaning on the couch. Although she was already in her twilight years, her eyes still revealed the majesty and wisdom accumulated over the years. However, she looked a little tired at this moment due to illness.
Aunt Zhuxi held a bowl of dark, bitter medicine in her hands and handed it to the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother glanced at the bowl, her brows involuntarily furrowed slightly, and then she drank the bitter medicine in one gulp, then slightly closed her eyes, trying to suppress the bitterness that spread across her tongue and throat.
The Queen sat beside her, a smile of concern on her face as she said, "The Empress Dowager looks much better this spring!"
"Even if you drink so many bitter medicines every day and there's no effect, you look better. Is there something you're here for today?"
"Madam, the South is currently experiencing unrest. I intend to take the harem and the others to Ganlu Temple to pray for blessings. What do you think, Madam?"
The Queen Mother glanced at her and said calmly, "Just pray in Baohua Hall. Why bother mobilizing so many people to Ganlu Temple?"
The Queen spoke out the excuse she had prepared long ago: "First, it can save the money for monks and nuns to enter the palace. Second, if I take the concubines out of the palace, it will show my sincerity."
Are you kidding me? It's obvious which one costs more money, monks and nuns entering the palace or concubines leaving the palace in a grand procession.
On the other side, Zhuxi handed over a cup of tea. The Queen Mother rinsed her mouth and wiped the corners of her mouth with a handkerchief before looking up at the Queen and said slowly, "Do you really have to go?"
The Queen straightened her back and said, "The Emperor was extremely worried during the previous dynasty. As the mistress of the six palaces, I should share his worries."
"speak English!"
"I want to go see Zhen Huan!"
The Queen Mother sighed and said, "She has already left the palace and poses no threat to you. Why bother with this?"
The Queen's tone was no longer as gentle as before: "Empress Mother, the Emperor has rarely set foot in the harem this past year, but his love for Princess Longyue is extraordinary. I am afraid that the Emperor has become concerned about Zhen Huan again. I cannot rest assured unless I go to Ganlu Temple in person to see how Zhen Huan is doing now."
The Queen Mother frowned slightly and said slowly, "Although the Emperor visits the harem less often nowadays, he has given you the respect that you deserve as the Queen. Although the harem is now managed by Concubine Hui, she still respects you. Why do you always have to keep pestering Zhen Huan?"
Seeing the Queen's expression, the Queen Mother continued, "Now that the Zhen family has been exiled to Ningguta, she has no support in the capital. It's impossible for her to turn things around!"
"But I am still worried. Empress Dowager, you told me to do that. If she ever returns to the palace, I'm afraid neither you nor I will have a peaceful life!"
The Queen Mother was stunned for a moment, then waved her hand and said, "Forget it, go ahead. I am already old, and the glory of the Uya and Ulanara clans will fall on you from now on. You can take care of yourself."
After saying that, he closed his eyes.
The queen gritted her teeth, bowed and stepped back.
In Yonghe Palace.
Shen Meizhuang held a cup tightly in her hand, her knuckles had turned white, and her face, which always exuded dignity and gentleness in the past, was now completely filled with rage.
"Sister!" An Lingrong stretched her head in front of her, blinking her bright eyes. "You'll be able to see Sister Zhen soon. Aren't you happy?"
Shen Meizhuang sighed softly, "Alas, I am naturally happy to see her, but the Queen's actions clearly show that she is deliberately trying to make fun of Huan'er."
"Then let her see!" An Lingrong replied nonchalantly, then turned and called to the side, "Xiao Luzi!"
Xiao Luzi hurried over and bowed, waiting for instructions.
"Go to Ruyi Pavilion now and find some painters!"
"Yes!" Xiao Luzi received the order and did not dare to delay at all. He ran to Ruyi Pavilion at a rapid pace.
"What are you going to do?"
"Draw a portrait!"
After a while, Xiao Luzi brought two painters to Yonghe Palace.
An Lingrong meticulously dressed Princess Longyue, making her as adorable as a porcelain doll, then carried her to a pot of winter jasmine flowers in full bloom. She placed Longyue on her lap, carefully posing her, and then nodded to the waiting painters, signaling them to begin painting.
Princess Longyue was at an age when she was very active and lively. Being restrained like this, she naturally felt uncomfortable all over. She twisted and turned her little body, making An Lingrong's hair dishevel. She could only comfort him by saying, "Wanwan, be good. It will only take a short while. I'll make you something delicious later, okay?"
"My head feels cold, fa fa... fa...", Longyue mumbled in a baby voice, pointing her little hand behind An Lingrong.
Seeing this, An Lingrong picked a delicate yellow flower from the forsythia beside her and handed it to Longyue.
Longyue's eyes lit up, and she happily took it. Then she carefully inserted the flower into An Lingrong's hair, patting it vigorously with her small hands, and said crisply as she did so, "Ah, cool! It's so beautiful!"
An Lingrong felt as if her heart was being gently touched by a soft feather, and a warm current slowly flowed through her heart. She couldn't help but hug Longyue tightly and kiss her pink little face.
Shen Meizhuang was sitting nearby watching the painter paint. When she saw this heartwarming and touching scene, she quickly signaled the painter to paint it.
After the painter finished the painting, An Lingrong looked at it carefully. The painter used a long-pointed brush to carefully outline the picture, and his wrist moved in a round and powerful manner. The coloring was natural, simple, elegant and subtle. The color combination was also harmonious and natural. Even the strand of hair hanging down from her head was carefully depicted.
The depth of emotion imbued in this painting is something that cold, modern photography can never capture. While photographs can accurately reproduce the surface of an image, they can never quite capture the depths of a subject's inner world as vividly as this portrait, through the weight of brushstrokes, the intensity of color, and the ingenuity of composition.
This portrait shows her doting on Longyue and the warmth and tranquility of the spring courtyard. All of these have been quietly integrated into the painting by the painter with superb painting skills.