lcionline Chapter 307 Shen Zhinian is quite satisfied
Chapter 307 Shen Zhinian is quite satisfied
Everyone in the palace knew that Eunuch Ming was a big shot around Concubine Rou, so of course they would rush to please him.
Xiao Mingzi saw what just happened. He never liked this kind of bullying. How could so many people bully a little girl?
However, after staying in the palace for a long time, Xiao Mingzi realized that rumors can often kill people.
How glorious was the eunuch Wei who was beside the imperial concubine in the past? It was because of his affair with the palace maid that a series of subsequent events occurred, and he ended up like that.
Therefore, he could not help Xiyan openly.
Xiao Mingzi looked around and said calmly, "Empress Roupin wants to draw a portrait for herself. If anyone can do this job well, the Empress will reward him handsomely!"
Hearing this, the painters rushed to say, "Eunuch Ming, I am the best at painting, and the paintings I draw will surely satisfy Concubine Rou!"
"Eunuch Ming, look, these are all my works. If you are willing to give me this opportunity, I will paint Concubine Rou as if she were a goddess in the sky!"
"Eunuch Ming, I am also willing to serve Concubine Rou!"
"..."
Rewards are secondary. If they can catch the eye of Concubine Rou, they will definitely have a bright future!
Chu Xiyan also had some ideas.
If I miss this opportunity, it will be extremely difficult to get in touch with Concubine Rou again.
However, countless painters were vying for such a good job, so how could she get the chance?
Xiao Mingzi looked up and met Chu Xiyan's expectant yet somewhat disappointed expression.
He knew that a young palace maid like her who had a talent for painting would definitely have a hard time in Ruyi Pavilion.
If everyone saw that she had the favor of the empress, they would respect her a little more in the future.
"Her Majesty likes quietness. What if you are making so much noise and disturb her? Besides, you are all men, so it will be inconvenient for you to enter and leave Zhongcui Palace."
At this point, Xiao Mingzi asked casually, "I heard before that there is a young palace maid in Ruyi Pavilion who has a talent for painting. I wonder who she is?"
Chu Xiyan's eyes lit up, and she immediately took the opportunity to step forward: "Replying to Eunuch Ming, it's this servant!"
"I am willing to paint for Concubine Rou. Please give me this opportunity, Eunuch Ming!"
Xiao Mingzi pointed at her and said, "Okay, it's you."
Chu Xiyan was delighted. She didn't expect that the opportunity she had been waiting for for such a long time would come to her.
She put down the rice paper in her hand, said "yes" repeatedly, and followed him.
The other painters were anxious and advised, "Eunuch Ming, Xiyan is just a maid working in Ruyi Pavilion, not even a painter. How can she take on such an important task?"
"Yes, if we displease Concubine Rou, I'm afraid the entire Ruyi Pavilion will be implicated."
"Xiyan, Eunuch Ming gave you face, but have you really forgotten your own weight? Why don't you leave now!"
"..."
Xiao Mingzi asked coldly: "When will it be your turn to have a say in who this eunuch chooses?"
He is one of the eunuchs in charge of Zhongcui Palace. Having been with Shen Zhinian for so long, he has developed a certain aura.
The painters dared not say anything more and quickly bowed their heads and said, "Please forgive me, Eunuch Ming..."
The painters in Ruyi Pavilion painted portraits for the nobles in the palace. However, because all the painters were men, in order to avoid rumors, the concubines would not call them to paint their portraits if they had nothing to do.
Therefore, Shen Zhinian did not choose an experienced painter this time, but chose a palace maid with painting talent. People did not find it strange. They just thought she was just on a whim, wanted a portrait of herself, and deliberately avoided suspicion.
Along the way, Chu Xiyan was thinking that when she arrived at Zhongcui Palace, she would do her best to satisfy Concubine Rou.
Soon, the two arrived at their destination.
Chu Xiyan followed Xiao Mingzi and knelt on the ground to salute respectfully: "This servant greets Concubine Rou, and may the Concubine Rou live in peace and prosperity!"
"Get up."
Shen Zhinian did not directly state her purpose, but leaned lazily on the couch and said nonchalantly: "Why did I call you here? I think Xiao Mingzi has told you, so let's get started."
She had to first see whether this palace maid named Xiyan had any real ability.
Chu Xiyan responded "yes", carefully took out the tools, and started writing while observing Shen Zhinian's appearance.
At first, she was just thinking about how to make Concubine Rou satisfied with herself. But as time passed, Chu Xiyan was immersed in the action of painting. She was focused and only wanted to do this one thing well.
After an unknown amount of time, she finally stopped, put down her brush and said respectfully, "My Lady, I have finished the painting."
Shen Zhinian waved his hand, signaling Xiao Mingzi to present her painting.
She looked up, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.
Not only does the woman in the painting look exactly like her, but even her charming and attractive temperament seems to be revealed through the portrait.
No wonder those painters in Ruyi Pavilion who had seen a lot of the world were so jealous of the talent of this little palace maid. Her skills were indeed remarkable.
Shen Zhinian yawned lazily and looked down at Chu Xiyan: "Well drawn."
"Since you have such a talent for painting, why did you enter the palace?"
Chu Xiyan lowered her eyes, seeming a little sad: "My mother died young, and I have been dependent on my father since I was a child. My father is a painter, and I have been learning painting from him since I was a child."
"It's a pity that a cold wind took away my father..."
"I have no other relatives. As a little girl, I can't survive alone outside. It happened that the Ministry of Internal Affairs was selecting palace maids from the people, so I entered the palace..."
This was the identity that Chu Xiyan spent a large sum of money to forge for herself.
Xiao Mingzi had already looked into these matters, so Shen Zhinian did not continue the question and asked, "Do you know that there are so many painters in Ruyi Pavilion? Why did I only ask Xiao Mingzi to find you?"
Chu Xiyan was stunned.
Wasn’t she the one chosen by Eunuch Ming?
Is this what Concubine Rou meant?
She originally wanted to say that it was because the painters were all men and it was not easy for them to stay in Zhongcui Palace for a long time, but she was a young girl and did not have this concern.
But on second thought, with such an obvious answer, why would Concubine Rou deliberately ask her?
Chu Xiyan wanted to seize this opportunity so much that her mind worked very quickly. She knelt on the ground and said respectfully, "I am stupid and dare not guess what the queen means. I only know that no matter what the queen says, I just need to obey."
Before entering the palace, the female teacher told her that the harem was not short of smart people. So once she had the chance, she didn't need to act too smart in front of her master, she just needed to show her loyalty.
The other party accepted the olive branch she extended, and Shen Zhinian was quite satisfied with the answer.