Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 937 - 935_1

Chapter 937: Chapter 935_1

The double-courtyard mansion wasn’t large. Master Fang led the group through the garden towards the main house when they unexpectedly saw Fang Wanping setting up an easel in the garden, painting autumn chrysanthemums.

Xiao’er and Zhu Yan exchanged glances before simultaneously looking at Jingrui: see, she was waiting!

Jingrui touched his nose, speechless at the insinuation. Did they believe he would be so naïve as to fall into such an obvious trap? What did they take him for?

Startled to see them approaching, Fang Wanping quickly rose, "Greetings to the two young masters."

Shangguan Xuanyi didn’t even glance at her, let alone acknowledge her greeting. Jingrui didn’t have such thick skin but could only manage a noncommittal grunt.

"What is Wanping doing here?"

"Father, seeing the chrysanthemums blooming beautifully in the courtyard, I felt cooped up indoors and decided to paint."

"Really? Is the painting finished? Let me see your progress. Young Master Shangguan, Magistrate, please have a look." Magistrate enthusiastically promoted his daughter’s artistic talents.

With shy modesty, Fang Wanping lowered her head and quietly muttered, "Father, I didn’t paint very well!"

Xiao’er watched their back and forth, feeling nauseated by their disgustingly staged performance.

"Haha, no need to be shy! I’ve heard the Magistrate is a great scholar. If you could glean some wisdom from him, your progress would skyrocket and you’d be blessed indeed!" Seeing his daughter’s shy demeanor, Magistrate praised Jingrui with a hearty laugh.

Who doesn’t enjoy being complimented? He was confident the Magistrate was no exception.

Fang Wanping stole a glance at Jingrui, blushing, before diverting her gaze.

Jingrui’s face remained calm as he managed to say, "Master Fang overpraises me."

"Magistrate, you’re too modest. Known as a talented scholar, you’re the youngest top scorer in the history of the Minze Dynasty. Everyone knows that. Surely you could give some pointers to my daughter!"

Xiao’er and Zhu Yan exchanged glances before turning to look at Jingrui again: see! We were right!

Jingrui was exasperated. He gave Xiao’er a warning look, then decided to play the decoy, "As for painting, I do not excel in it. Perhaps Young Master Shen here would be a suitable person to evaluate. Her mastery of painting is far superior!"

Handing over this troublesome matter to Xiao’er who seemed to enjoy the spectacle, Jingrui gave little thought to who was really stirring the pot.

"This individual is also Young Master Shen?" Fang Wanping turned her gaze to Xiao’er, wondering about her relationship with Jingrui. Could Xiao’er be the second son of Marquis Shengping? They looked alike, and it was quite possible! Although he was attractive, the title of Marquis couldn’t be inherited by a second son. Besides, he looked younger than her; that wouldn’t work.

Fang Wanping bowed slightly towards Xiao’er, "Please enlighten me, Young Master Shen. I would be extremely grateful."

"Very well, but I tend to be quite blunt, Miss Fang. Please do not take it to heart," said Xiao’er with a nod of concession.

If her advice was sought, she could hardly be faulted for speaking her mind.

"Not at all, Wanping always wants to identify areas for improvement. If Master Shen can point out my shortcomings, it would be a cause for my happiness!" Fang Wanping graciously replied. Besides, she believed that few could compete with her skills in painting. Otherwise, she would not have had the audacity to present it to the Magistrate for evaluation.

Really? Xiao’er thought to herself, then feigned serious contemplation as she walked up to the easel to inspect the painting.

After a while, she reached for her chin as if to stroke an imaginary beard and said, "This painting is quite nice. The chrysanthemums are quite realistic."

Fang Wanping felt a glimmer of joy. She subconsciously glanced at Jingrui, hoping to see a hint of admiration in his eyes. However, he seemed indifferent to her painting altogether. Did the Magistrate indeed lack knowledge of painting? Yet, weren’t scholars supposed to be proficient in the Four Arts?

Jingrui caught Xiao’er’s eye, feeling some apprehension. He hoped this girl wouldn’t take it too far and make someone cry. After all, the one at his mercy was his subordinate. If she reduced someone to tears, it would put him in an awkward position.

Xiao’er, however, showed no concern for Jingrui’s worries. She continued,

"However, there’s room for improvement in this painting. The chrysanthemums appear lifeless and stagnant. The composition is a bit cramped; it lacks impact and appeal. The direction, pressure, and method of the brushstrokes are incorrect. I feel the artist chased beauty yet forgot the essence, resulting in an effect contrary to the intended. To put it bluntly, it’s an attempt to draw a tiger which turned out like a dog. The painting thus feels rigid and stagnant. It’s commonly said that a person’s calligraphy or painting reflects their character. Based on this, the painter seems to be narrow-minded, shallow, and vain..."

"Ahem!" Jingrui hastily curtailed Xiao’er’s criticism.

Shangguan Xuanyi shot Jingrui an irritated glance. Why stop his daughter from speaking her mind when she was just telling the truth!

Xiao’er finally covered her mouth, apologetically saying, "I apologize. I didn’t mean to say Miss Fang is that kind of person. I was just sharing how the painting feels."

What could Master Fang possibly say? He was just about ready to burst with rage!

Fang Wanping’s face turned the color of pork liver! Who was this person? Didn’t they know about basic home training? Were they unfamiliar with the concept of respect? If she were to marry into the Marquis’s mansion, this person would be the first to receive an education from her!

Zhu Yan had kept her head down ever since Xiao’er started her critique, her shoulders increasingly shaking. Despite her efforts, she could not stifle her laughter!

Jingrui glared at Xiao’er before addressing Master Fang, "My younger sibling tends to speak plainly, please do not mind."

Did they just say that Xiao’er was just being honest? Which meant her critique of the painting was true?

Master Fang groaned inwardly, despairing at how socially inept these people were.

Xiao’er found it all quite amusing. Looking at Jingrui, she thought: big brother, are you sure you’re not twisting the knife?

Zhu Yan convulsed with laughter!

Shangguan Xuanyi maintained an impassive expression, wondering what all the fuss was about.

Despite his internal seething, Master Fang managed to keep his composure and plaster on a pale smile. He cordially invited everyone, "Master Shangguan, Magistrate, and young masters, please follow me."

Jingrui gave a nod, and he, along with Shangguan Xuanyi, proceeded further into the mansion.

Xiao’er and Zhu Yan followed behind them, looking at each other and hoping that Wanping would feel sufficiently humiliated and not dare to show her face before them again!

After all, people needed to know their own worth to avoid unnecessary embarrassment or they couldn’t blame others for demeaning them.

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