Chapter 20: Calligraphy and Painting

 

Ren Yaoqi and Ren Yaohua followed Ren Shimin to the main room.

From time to time, Ren Shimin turned his head to talk to Ren Yaoqi about his participation in the painting fair in the capital.

”…The winner of the top spot this time is our Yanbei Heir's [Autumn Residence in Dongzhuang], but your father’s favorite is Senior Chen Jingyang’s [Crossing the Plum Forest], which is truly elegant and classical. A graceful spirit, to make the pen traceless, to use the ink brilliantly, arranging the composition, to set up the colors exquisitely…”

(Your father)

- Referring to himself

When Ren Yaoqi saw him shaking in excitement and talking endlessly about painting, she couldn’t help but smile: “Didn’t Daddy also participate this time? I remember your proudest work, [Four Views of the Western Mountain].”

Ren Shimin paused talking for a while, somewhat reserved: “This is the first time your father participated in a painting fair. Before going to the capital, I was full of confidence, thinking that even if I didn’t win first place, I would surely be within the top three. But after seeing Sir Chen’s painting, your father deeply believed myself to be ignorant but arrogant…”

Ren Yaoqi shook her head when she heard the words: “Sir Chen is in his 60th year, but you are not yet 30, Daddy. When he is your age, he may not be better than you. I heard that although painting relies heavily on basic skills, personal experience in life cannot be ignored. Even for the same person, the autumn scenery in his eyes at the age of 30 differs from the autumn scenery in his eyes when he is 50.“

Ren Shimin was stunned when he heard the words, and even stopped to think carefully, then turned to look at Ren Yaoqi and laughed: “Yaoyao, what you said is quite novel, but it makes some sense. I don’t know which senior you heard it from. Your father must ask him for advice.”

Ren Yaoqi lowered her head and smiled, but her thoughts were a little far away.

It’s a pity that her father’s [Four Views of the Western Mountain] did not participate in this year’s painting fair. This painting was the only thing she brought out of the house when she left the Ren family. Later, when Sir Pei saw it by accident, he was amazed and asked her where the person who painted the painting was. When he learned that it was her deceased father, he was endlessly sighing with regret.

Sir Pei once commented on this painting with some of his friends, and they all said that the person who painted it is very spiritual, but it lacks some control, and he will surely become famous in the world in time. Spirituality is the most precious and indispensable soul of a painter.

”Yaoyao?” Ren Shimin came over and patted her head gently.

Ren Yaoqi said displeased: “Daddy, how many times have I said not to pat me on the head!” The unintentional coquettish anger of a little girl in her tone stunned her for a while.

Ren Shimin, however, was accustomed to her little daughter’s coquettish behavior from time to time and laughed loudly: “You can be so smart at such a young age. It can't be said that it is the credit of your father's daily slap. This is called being hit by a wake-up stick.“

(Wake-up stick)

- Monks often hit their disciples to bring realization or enlightenment

Looking at his self-satisfied expression, Ren Yaoqi couldn’t help but smile. In the eyes of everyone in the Ren family, Ren Yaohua is more intelligent and wiser than Ren Yaoqi, and even her mother is no exception.

Only her father felt that her little daughter was better than anyone else.

She has shown a talent for painting that is different from her peers since she was a child. In order to compete with her sister and strive for her father’s favor, she willingly worked harder in calligraphy and painting.

Although, Sir Pei later commented that her paintings were eager for quick success and too crafty, they would never become popular. In her father’s eyes, the daughter who could talk to him about piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting at such a young age was the most like him.

Because of this, he is indifferent to his other children, but he loves her very much.

Ren Yaoqi looked at Ren Yaohua, who was on the side. Ren Yaohua was very silent along the way. In fact, she was always very silent when facing Ren Shimin. She is not close to her father.

While chatting and laughing, they reached the main room.

Momo Zhou had been looking at the door for a long time, and when she saw the three of them come, she immediately smiled and came forward to salute: “Master, you are finally back. Madam and the two Young Ladies have been talking. They heard that the heavy snow has blocked several roads outside the city, and many business trips were blocked halfway. Knowing that you have left the capital, they are worried, and sent several groups of people to inquire about the news…”

Ren Shimin nodded slightly at her and took the lead into the main room.

Née Li had already learned the news of Ren Shimin’s return. She already had her hair combed, changed into brightly colored clothes, and sat against the head of the bed. Hearing the voices outside, she set her eyes on the curtain.

When the father and daughters came in, née Li hurriedly sat up straight, looked at Ren Shimin cautiously, and said, “You... you're back.”

Ren Shimin smiled slightly, nodded, then found a chair near the bed, sat down, and said gently, “I heard that you are ill, has the doctor come to see you? What medicine did you take?”

Née Li answered them one by one seriously.

Between the husband and wife, one asked and the other answered. Ren Shimin seems to be doing a routine, although thoughtful but also indifferent. However, née Li answered every word carefully, for fear of which word was not appropriate enough.

After Ren Shimin finished asking, the couple had nothing to say. One lowered his head and drank tea, while the other stared at her clasped hands in a daze.

Momo Zhou watched from the side, anxious but unable to do anything, and kept winking at née Li.

Seeing this, née Li bit her lip, and finally summoned up the courage to take the initiative to start a topic.

”I was told that you won't be here until a few days, and didn't think that you have already arrived today.”

Momo Zhou couldn’t help massaging her forehead secretly, and muttered in her heart: Why does this sound like you don’t want him to come back so early?

Fortunately, Ren Shimin didn’t mind. He put down the teacup and nodded: “I happened to meet people from the Han family. They have a lot of people, and it is convenient to open the way.”

Née Li stuttered: “Oh, the Han family?”

The Han family had recently moved to Baihe Town, and née Li seldom went out to socialize before and went to the village for a year. She didn’t have much impression so she couldn't continue talking about this topic.

Momo Zhou hurriedly said, “Then you have to prepare a gift and send it to the Han Estate to express gratitude.”

Née Li immediately nodded: “Yes, yes, yes, Momo Zhou…”

Ren Shimin frowned slightly, and interrupted née Li’s words, a little displeased: “You don’t have to worry about this, I have already prepared a gift.”

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