Early the next morning, Qin Huaiqiu took Qin Lan to the Hall of Eternal Joy.
Qin Lan walked up to the door. Standing in front of the wide - open palace gate, she peeked inside and happened to see Ping'er, the maid of Noble Lady Zhang, passing by.
Ping'er was stunned for a moment when she saw Qin Lan. She quickly put down the teacup in her hand and rushed over, asking, "Sister Qin Lan? Why are you here? Does Concubine De have any instructions?"
Qin Lan smiled at her and replied, "No. Our lady has come specially to visit Noble Lady today. I wonder if Noble Lady is available now?"
Ping'er was startled. As the lowest - ranked concubine in the harem at present, Noble Lady Zhang's palace was usually deserted. Coupled with Noble Lady Zhang's indifferent personality and ordinary family background, the Hall of Eternal Joy had no presence in the harem at all.
Now, Concubine De, who was of the fourth - highest rank and the emperor's current favorite, suddenly came. Ping'er panicked immediately. She was afraid that something bad had happened. After answering Qin Lan, she rushed into the inner chamber to report.
Sure enough, not long after, Noble Lady Zhang rushed over with Ping'er. She smiled at Qin Huaiqiu standing at the door and said in a hurry, "Sister, why did you come? You didn't even tell me in advance... Look, the palace is not prepared at all..."
Qin Huaiqiu smiled and comforted her, "Sister, you've been bothered. I'm just idle and want to chat with you. I wonder if you have the time?"
"Ah... Yes, yes, of course I do." Noble Lady Zhang smiled, stepped aside and said, "Sister, come in quickly. Ping'er, go and serve some desserts and tea."
Ping'er quickly nodded and trotted away.
Qin Huaiqiu gave a grateful smile and followed Noble Lady Zhang into the room.
Noble Lady Zhang invited her to take a seat. The two sat face to face. Since she had never met Qin Huaiqiu alone before and didn't know the real intention of Qin Huaiqiu's visit, she couldn't help looking a bit nervous on her face. She tentatively asked, "Sister, you came in a hurry. I wonder if there's something?"
Qin Huaiqiu smiled and said, "Sister, don't worry. I recently got a painting. When I looked at it in my spare time, I found it pleasing to the eye. But I'm an uncultured person and never know how to appreciate such things. I've heard that you're the daughter of the second - place finisher in the imperial examination. I'm sure your artistic attainments are much higher than mine. So I came to bother you. I hope you can help me appreciate this painting."
After saying that, Qin Huaiqiu took out a small scroll from her bosom. This was the painting she bought when she accompanied Qin Huailian into the palace. They passed by a border town and she lost a bet with Nie Rong in a calligraphy and painting shop. The scroll was only about three feet long when unfolded, but the painting was exquisite with detailed strokes. Although she didn't understand such refined things, she could tell it was a good painting. So she threw it among Qin Huailian's dowry items. Last night, when she and Qin Lan were discussing the excuse for today's visit to Noble Lady Zhang, she suddenly thought of this painting. The two rummaged through the boxes and found it.
After hearing this, Noble Lady Zhang secretly breathed a sigh of relief when she realized it wasn't something important. She took the scroll and said modestly, "Sister, you're flattering me. Although I'm the daughter of the second - place finisher in the imperial examination, my artistic attainments are not even a fraction of Concubine Xian's. I'm afraid I can't reach the level of Concubine Xian when helping you appraise this painting..."
Qin Huaiqiu said, "Concubine Xian spends her days chanting scriptures. I don't dare to bother her. Besides, sister, don't think I don't know. When you joined the mansion of the then - crown prince (now the emperor), people in the capital all said you were a talented woman!"
Noble Lady Zhang blushed shyly and said, "Sister, you're overpraising me. Then I'll just start the ball rolling and give you a general look."
Qin Huaiqiu nodded.
Noble Lady Zhang slowly unfolded the scroll. What came into view was a cluster of closely - packed ink bamboos. Judging from the ink marks, the brushstrokes were deep and powerful, elegant yet full of strength. It was obviously the work of a master. Looking at the whole painting of the ink bamboos, the painting was concise and to the point, with proper blank spaces. The inscription only read, "Verdant through the ages, only the strong bamboo." But there was no signature.
Noble Lady Zhang looked at it carefully for a long time and then slowly raised her head and said, "This painting has skillful brushstrokes. From afar, it has a faint sense of elegance. Looking closely, it doesn't lose its grace. The content of the inscription is domineering yet romantic. After finishing the painting, the painter didn't even want to sign. I guess the painter is either a spiritual master or a romantic person with great ambitions."
Qin Huaiqiu clicked her tongue twice and couldn't help sighing.
In her eyes, this painting was just "well - painted". But Noble Lady Zhang could even roughly figure out the character of the painter. The title of "talented woman" really lived up to its name.
"Sister's evaluation of this painting is so high that I feel a bit ashamed." Qin Huaiqiu sighed and said honestly.
Noble Lady Zhang smiled and said, "I'm just starting the ball rolling. Actually, most of my knowledge about these things was taught by my father. I've only learned a little."
Qin Huaiqiu nodded and sighed, "Lord Zhang is really a great talent!"
Noble Lady Zhang covered her mouth and laughed, modestly saying, "No. Lord Chang, who was in the same session as my father in the imperial examination, is the real talent. It's a pity—" Noble Lady Zhang sighed regretfully when she said this.
Qin Huaiqiu also sighed and said, "From what you said, sister, do you know the late Lord Chang?"
Noble Lady Zhang sighed and said, "Not really. My father passed the imperial examination with Lord Chang. Lord Chang was a rare genius who won the first place in all three levels of the imperial examination. My father often visited him. After coming and going, they could at least talk to each other. Lord Chang was originally going to be arranged by the late emperor to enter the Grand Secretariat, but unexpectedly, he got tuberculosis right after the examination and passed away soon."
Qin Huaiqiu asked, "Did Lord Chang leave any children?"
Noble Lady Zhang said, "Of course. But Lord Chang's family was very miserable. His wife passed away early. He only had one son. I met him a few times with my father before I got married, but I later heard that he also passed away."
"What was the cause of his death?" Qin Huaiqiu asked.
Noble Lady Zhang shook her head and said, "I can't remember clearly. I think he died of illness. It was in the first year I entered the palace."
Qin Huaiqiu pretended to say casually, "It's a pity. I originally wanted to make friends with him. After all, the son of Lord Chang must not be an ordinary person."
Noble Lady Zhang sighed.
Qin Huaiqiu said, "I wonder what Lord Chang's son looked like?"
Noble Lady Zhang suddenly covered her mouth and laughed, saying, "You're already Concubine De. Why are you still thinking about such things?"
Qin Huaiqiu laughed and said, "I'm just curious. I wonder if he had any distinctive features?"
Noble Lady Zhang thought for a while and said, "Distinctive features? Let me think. He was a very elegant scholar. If I really have to say a feature, it should be a small birthmark on the back of his neck. I remember seeing it accidentally when I was a child."
Qin Huaiqiu said in surprise, "What? Where?"
Noble Lady Zhang was startled and said, "What's wrong? He's already dead. Why are you still thinking about him?"
Qin Huaiqiu chuckled a few times and said, "I'm just curious."
"Curiosity is not allowed." Noble Lady Zhang poked her with her finger and reminded her, "You have to remember that you're the emperor's concubine now. If you still think about such things, you'll be beheaded."
Qin Huaiqiu lowered her head, scratched her head and laughed, "Okay, okay. Then I won't ask anymore."
Noble Lady Zhang smiled.
Qin Huaiqiu said again, "Thank you for your appraisal, sister. Since you appreciate this ink - bamboo painting so much, I might as well give it to you."
Noble Lady Zhang's eyes lit up, but she immediately declined, "This won't do!"
"A good painting should be matched with someone who understands it." Qin Huaiqiu smiled, stood up and said, "I've bothered you. I'll go back now."
Noble Lady Zhang was stunned and said, "Are you leaving already?"
Qin Huaiqiu nodded and said with a meaningful smile, "Yes. Thank you, sister, for this time. Let's make another appointment some other day."