There is a god in the sky

Chapter 91 The Arson Case at the Yu Mansion (Part 12)

Shen Lan is also painting Guli Town.

She appears to be copying, but she has actually added many of her own elements.

Her depiction of Guli Town is even more vivid and realistic.

The old gentleman stroked his beard and nodded repeatedly: "The brushstrokes are fluent, the composition is complete, and it is both impressionistic and realistic. The girl's painting style is unique."

Shen Lan's painting skills are certainly not as good as Rongshan Jushi's, but in her painting, the figures and scenes are more lifelike than Rongshan Jushi's. They are not just silhouettes with a few strokes, but like living people.

Rongshan Jushi asked excitedly, "Girl, you're good at drawing figures, aren't you?"

Shen Lan nodded and said, "I do understand the human body better."

"When I was young, I loved to paint portraits of beautiful women. Come on, let me show you some of my old paintings, and you can give me some pointers."

Rongshan Jushi, disregarding the fact that Shen Lan hadn't finished painting, pulled her arm to look at his collection.

He created countless paintings throughout his life, and those that he treasured were his proudest masterpieces.

Shen Lan followed him into the studio and immediately saw a wall covered with paintings of twelve beauties.

The beauties, whether slender or plump, each have their own unique charm, truly a sight to behold.

"how?"

Shen Lan sincerely praised, "Old gentleman, your painting skills are superb. Each beauty has its own unique charm. You are much better than the younger generation."

Shen Lan said without exaggeration that although sketching can make people look very similar, in terms of beauty and charm, traditional Chinese painting is still the best.

The twelve beauties seemed to step out of the painting.

Rongshan Jushi was not very satisfied, saying, "After painting too many of these kinds of paintings, I always feel that something is missing, but when it comes to innovation, there is no method to it."

Seeing your painting today, I realize there are always people more talented than me. May I ask to become your student?

Shen Lan waved her hand in surprise, "No, sir, you are too modest. How can a junior like me be your teacher?"

“Skill has nothing to do with age or status. You are better than me at figure painting. What’s wrong with me acknowledging you as my teacher?”

Xiao Ji quickly explained for Shen Lan: "The old gentleman is obsessed with painting. He would definitely be tempted by different techniques. However, we are going to the capital and will not stay in Jiangzhou for long."

Rongshan Jushi asked excitedly, "Is she your maid? How about you give me her indenture? I'll give you as many paintings as you want."

Xiao Ji said solemnly, "She is not a maid of the Xiao family; she is a coroner I have hired."

"What? A coroner?" Rongshan Jushi didn't react for a moment.

What is a coroner?

Shen Lan awkwardly explained, "I am indeed a coroner. If you think my hands are unclean, I will take my leave now."

Rongshan Jushi met countless people throughout his life, and the characters he wrote about came from all walks of life.

He just never expected that such a young girl would be a coroner.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Every job is a job, there is no distinction between high and low, noble and lowly. You are better than most women in the world."

Shen Lan smiled and said, "If you want to learn, sir, I can teach you. I need to cook for you for three days, and with your aptitude, three days should be enough."

Shen Lan stayed at the Yang family's house, so Xiao Ji had to go back alone.

He never expected that Shen Lan would have such a talent for painting.

Thinking of her background and the family feud she carried, Xiao Ji felt extremely sorry for her.

No wonder Master Wei agreed to let her leave Qingmu County; he knew her inner turmoil and had no choice but to support her.

If Guli Town was indeed destroyed by human hands, then even going to the deepest hell wouldn't be enough to atone for that sin.

He returned to the Song residence and wrote a letter back to the capital, asking his family to help investigate Liu Engui and his mentor.

Song Yalian, the second daughter of the Song family, has been avoiding Xiao Ji ever since that night.

As a result, Prefect Song never mentioned the matter. When he happened to meet Xiao Ji, he politely avoided him.

This made Song Yalian feel extremely uncomfortable.

"How is it? Has Lord Xiao returned?" Song Yalian asked her personal maid.

Xiao Huan nodded happily: "Miss, Lord Xiao is back, and the maid he took with him didn't come back with him."

Song Yalian said with displeasure, "Why bring her up? She's just a lowly concubine."

"Yes, yes, how can she compare to Miss? But I guess Lord Xiao might have sold her out."

Suppressing her joy, Song Yalian asked, "Is he angry because of that maid's imprisonment last time? Well, what's the point of keeping a maid who doesn't follow the rules?"

Song Yalian had to admit that Xiao Ji was handsome and held a high position at a young age; he was indeed a rare man.

If she could marry him, who would ever look down on her again?

So what if she's a concubine's daughter? In what way is she inferior to a legitimate daughter?

"Go to the kitchen and see if the lotus seed soup I ordered is ready. If it is, send it to Young Master Xiao."

Xiao Huan agreed and quickly ran off to take care of the matter.

As the second young lady's personal maid, she will definitely be part of her dowry in the future. Only if the young lady marries well can she have a good life.

She went to the guest courtyard with great joy to deliver the sweet soup, thinking that Lord Xiao would understand the Second Miss's feelings.

Their second daughter is dignified, beautiful, and exceptionally talented; she is a perfect match for Lord Xiao.

As for the fact that Lord Xiao has a fiancée, Xiao Huan automatically ignored it.

She felt that a man like Lord Xiao could easily have any woman he wanted, and changing fiancées wouldn't be difficult for him either.

But when she carried the lotus seed soup to the guest courtyard, the guard initially accepted the bowl with great pleasure.

Upon hearing her mention that it was a gift from the second young lady, he immediately put down his embarrassment and returned the soup bowl.

Sui Feng said in a serious tone, "I'm sorry, I didn't know it was the Second Miss's sweet soup. My family doesn't like sweets, so please take it back."

Xiao Huan asked incredulously, "You...you didn't say that just now."

He just said that the adult was thirsty.

Sui Feng explained, "I misremembered just now, please go back."

"This is the Second Young Lady's gift. What do you, a mere guard, know? Hurry up and report to Lord Xiao!"

Sui Feng lowered her expression. "You little maid, you're so insensible. What's wrong with me standing up for my master?"

"This is insubordination!"

"Huh?" Isn't this hat a bit too heavy?

Song Yalian was waiting outside the courtyard when she heard the commotion and came over. She also understood what Sui Feng meant.

She came over and gave Xiao Huan a push, then said to Sui Feng, "I'm sorry, my maid was very impolite. She misunderstood me. This sweet soup is for Miss Shen. She just came back from prison and needs to nourish herself properly."

She wanted to test whether the maid had really been sent away.

Sui Feng always had to be polite to the young lady of the Song family, so he stepped back and replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Miss Song, but Miss Shen is not in the mansion."

He didn't explain that Shen Lan wasn't thrown into prison, but stayed at the government office for a few days.

"Oh? Where did she go? Did she run into some trouble? If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know," Song Yalian said warmly and generously.

"I didn't encounter any trouble. I just went to teach people to draw. I'll be back in a few days."

Song Yalian clearly didn't believe it.

A mere maidservant teaching painting? Could she have been sold into a brothel?