He's A Substitute

Chapter 8

The courtyard is deep, the back garden is lush with luxuriant trees and splendid flowers. In June, it is the time when the flowers are blooming, and the garden is full of spring.

But on this hot summer day, under the scorching sun, a group of women started painting in the back garden.

Jiang Yutang pinched his eyebrows and put his hands down, and was about to sigh and swallow it back. He picked up the tea cup by his side, opened his eyes, and his lazy gaze fell in front of him.

A group of lovely ladies, there are three or four maids waiting behind the painting, holding paintbrushes, holding umbrellas for sunshade, and one standing behind them with a fan.

This look doesn"t look like a painting, but like a play.

Jiang Yutang was in a trance for a while, and for some reason he remembered that he was learning to paint. The man stood beside him, with a slightly stern tone on his warm face. He said, "Painting is compared to a practice, self-absorbed meditation."

If you can"t calm your mind, no matter how good your painting is, it"s only in shape, but you can"t draw spirit.

Rubbing the jade wrench, Jiang Yutang shook his head and smiled, he lowered his head and just took a sip of tea, just a glance from the corner of his eye, just happened to bump into it.

Among those flocks of Yingying, Yanyan, and Yanzhi, Qingyun, who was dressed in plum blossoms, stood out.

In the whole crowd, there was no one behind her alone. She lowered her head and held a writing brush in her hand, her posture was straight and straight, Mei Ziqing"s robe dangled around her waist and swayed slightly. Looking at it from a distance, it is a dazzling white.

Under the scorching sun, among the bright purple and red yard here, she is the only one, dazzling white. Bright and bright, like moonlight.

Comparing any well-dressed woman beside her.

Jiang Yutang was still sighing while drinking tea with her eyebrows down. She was wearing men"s clothes. This group of young ladies probably thought that they were no better than a man, but they were afraid they would die of anger.

Looking forward from time to time, Lin Jingwan stood in front and squeezed the brush in her hand. Jiang Shizi looked at her three or four times, and the more she looked at her, the more nervous she became.

Jiang Yutang is nineteen this year, a man at this age should have married a long time ago.

The Marquis of Yongchang had shown him a lot of young ladies two years ago, but Jiang Shizi was unwilling, and he would not be able to see whoever he was. Besides, the young master of an aristocratic family at his age, even if he has never married, he has already prepared a concubine by his side to serve him.

But as far as she knew, over the years, Jiang Shizi"s body was clean and there was no one.

This time, the family background is prominent, the birth is good, and the body is clean, and the whole capital is only afraid of Jiang Shizi.

Thinking of this, Lin Jingwan trembled while holding the brush. For a person like Jiang Yutang, no woman in the entire Kyoto would want to marry.

With her family background, if she can marry into Yongchang Hou"s mansion, it would be heaven.

The eyes are burning in front, and the little maid who is holding the paint behind her leans forward, with a shy tone: "Girl, Shizi will see you again."

The girls stood at the front, and there was no one else behind except the young master. Jiang Shizi looked at it many times, and it was naturally their girls.

Lin Jingwan didn"t raise her eyes, she was too familiar with those eyes. She has been praised for her beauty since she was a child, and she is used to seeing these stunning looks.

Only now that Jiang Yutang is watching, she is still a little nervous.

Taking a deep breath, she looked down at her painting. She has drawn since elementary school and is quite talented. For her, the family invited the best teachers to teach and cultivate meticulously. She also strives to practice good painting.

Not only women, but men are rarely able to match her. Over the years, as long as she paints, she has never lost.

She had to win this game. This win is not a lottery, but the first time he has appeared in front of Jiang Shizi, who wins is Jiang Shizi.

Thinking of this, Lin Jingwan cheered herself up. She ignored the look in front of her and spent 12% of her energy comparing this scene.

A painting took almost two hours.

The old lady looked happy, and Jiang Yutang accompanied him.

When the hour came, the servants beat their drums. Most of the girls also finished and put down their brushes.

"Bring it here, I"ll take a look."

The old lady was in good spirits today and hurriedly waved. The maids behind the aristocratic young ladies sent their own girls pictures to them one by one.

There are painted flowers, painted scenes, and the rockery pavilion. There are also two clever points, the painting is of the old lady, which amused the old lady with joy.

It was not until the end that the maid behind Lin Jingwan brought the painting up.

The two held the picture scroll, and wherever they went, there was an immediate commotion. Even the old lady was happy when she saw it: "The painting is really good!" She tutted strangely in her mouth, but her eyes turned to the side.

"Who is this painting?" The old lady had a smile in her tone, but her eyes kept looking at Jiang Yutang: "Since the prince brought the lucky head, he naturally took it for the prince to see in person."

She squinted her eyes as she spoke, and motioned for the maid to send the painting to Jiang Yutang.

Jiang Yutang knew that he couldn"t hide, but he saw Lin Jingwan"s painting when he glanced out of the corner of the corner. Hearing this, he stood up straight.

Snow White Chengxintang"s painting on paper is his own.

He was wearing a black long coat, sat upright on a chair, raised his hand and rubbed the blue-and-white porcelain teacup, with a leisurely posture. He tilted his head slightly, and his expression seemed to be listening to the old lady.

Lin Jingwan is very smart. He sat there for so long, and she drew a picture after him. His appearance is not bad at all.

"The painting is vivid." Jiang Yutang turned his face and said to Lin Jingwan, "Miss Lin deserves to be taught by everyone."

After hearing this, Lin Jingwan was really relieved.

She was also very satisfied with this painting, and most importantly, it caught the eye of Jiang Shizi. Stepping forward, Lin Jingwan bowed her knees: "It"s a blessing for Jingwan to be able to say goodbye to cousin Jiang."

What Lin Jingwan said was sincere. Jiang Yutang was different from the children of the other family. He had been personally taught by the former prince Chen Lang since he was a child. The former prince Chen Lang is the best at painting, and Jiang Yutang"s first-hand painting skills taught by him are amazing.

It"s just that in the past two years, he has kept a low profile and painted less and less. There are only a handful of people who can make him paint people.

How can you not be proud of his good words?

When she got closer, Lin Jingwan blushed when she saw that face. She raised her head boldly and said to Jiang Yutang, "If that"s the case, Jingwan dared to want cousin Jiang to spend it."

The lotus flowers were placed on the red sandalwood table and opened just fine.

Jiang Yutang stood on the spot with a cold expression: "A few flowers for the color head, it seems a little playful. Miss Lin"s painting is so good, the color head can"t be casual."

He turned around and motioned to Zhao Lu behind him: "I just got a pair of sapphire relief five-blessing bracelets a few days ago. You can go and bring them to Miss Lin now."

After Zhao Lu heard this, he hurriedly kowtowed and went out.

Lin Jingwan stood in place with her head lowered, her face hard to hide her disappointment: "Thank you, cousin Jiang..." In these competitions, it is not surprising that there are many people who use hairpins and bracelets as a lucky charm.

But if the prince folded flowers by himself to make a lottery head, it would naturally be different. It"s just a pity that the prince is not willing to give it.

Lin Jingwan sighed, and before she stood up, there was a sound behind her.

"I haven"t finished the painting yet, so why did Miss Lin win?" With a cold voice, everyone turned their heads, wanting to see who was so courageous.

Lin Jingwan"s painting was passed by Jiang Shizi and nodded. Besides, who else can compare to painting like this?

Even Lin Jingwan turned her head to look.

Shen Qingyun, who was wearing a plum robe, stepped forward in the crowd.

There was no servant girl behind her, so she held the picture scroll by herself. Under the cold brows, he couldn"t hide his delicate facial features.

Such a good life for a man.

Lin Jingwan"s eyes were a little dazed, and she watched people walk forward.

Shen Qingyun walked straight to Jiang Yutang"s side before stopping. She was slightly taller than the average woman, but standing in front of Jiang Yutang, she was still a head shorter.

When he spoke, he had to lift his chin and stared at Jiang Yutang"s face, and said, "I"m drawing here, and I"ll ask cousin Jiang to take a look."

The scroll in his hand was spread out little by little, and as soon as he put it down, the noises around him became quiet in an instant.

The person on the scroll is also Jiang Shizi.

It"s just that compared to Lin Jingwan"s description based on the characters of the prince, Shen Qingyun"s painting is different.

On the snow-white Chengxintang paper, Jiang Yutang held a lotus flower in one hand and walked towards the crowd against the light. The body is as long as jade, gentle and elegant, and the demeanor and movements are lifelike.

What"s more, compared to Lin Jingwan"s portrait, this painting is still the most beautiful, with only a few strokes on white paper and green ink. Draw Jiang Shizi"s eyebrows and eyes into three points, and he is about to come out, as if in the blink of an eye, the person in the portrait is about to come to life.

"this……"

Everyone looked at the painting, then raised their heads to look at Jiang Shizi in front of them, and everyone was amazed. As long as you have eyes in this painting, you can see the intention.

Compared with Lin Jingwan"s copying, this painting shows the artist"s skills. It was only in the blink of an eye that Jiang Shizi entered the door, and he could remember it in his mind, and he painted exactly the same.

This is not only aura, but also the person who paints is familiar with the person in the painting. Familiar enough to close your eyes, you can remember his appearance.

Lin Jingwan stood in the middle of the crowd, her face was white and bloodless. From the first time she saw the painting, she froze in place, unable to move.

No need for others to compare, she knew she had lost at the first sight of this painting.

The painting in front of her was like a mallet, knocking out all her confidence. With just a few strokes, you can see the aura, not just copying it.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Jingwan"s lips trembled; "I lost." This was the first time she had conceded defeat. I just feel that all her pride has disappeared at this moment, and everyone around is looking at her.

But after waiting for a long time, there was no response. The person in front of her who won her didn"t even look at her.

Shen Qingyun raised his head, his eyes only looked at Jiang Yutang from the beginning to the end, his eyes seemed to be light: "I won." These simple words, without the slightest pride, seemed to be a matter of course.

"The color head should be mine."

Zhao Lu came back after running all the way, standing there holding the bracelet in both hands. Shen Qingyun walked past him, his eyes didn"t stop for a second.

She stepped forward and picked up the lotus flowers from the red sandalwood table. A face is a bit more beautiful than that delicate lotus flower.

She raised her head with burning eyes: "Thank you, cousin Jiang."

The study room, dimly lit.

There is a painting on the huanghuali wood desk. Jiang Yutang looked at the table, and his slender fingertips rubbed the jade wrench from time to time.

He had been looking at the painting for almost half an hour.

Zhao Lu was waiting on the side, wondering what the prince was thinking about. The prince looked at this painting for half an hour.

He lifted his eyelids, but in the end he still stepped forward.

"Sir."

Jiang Yutang opened his dark eyes, and his eyes were clear.

Zhao Lu looked down at the painting on the table: "Is there anything wrong with this painting, Shizi?"

"What do you think?" Jiang Yutang shook his head and asked people to come forward. He beckoned Zhao Lu to approach, his eyes gestured to the painting on the table, and asked, "Do you think this painting looks like me?"

What question does this ask?

Zhao Lu glanced at it, and said without saying a word: "Every movement of the person in this painting, every smile and every smile are carved with the same eyes of the world, how can it be different?"

Even he said that.

Jiang Yutang"s frown deepened, Zhao Lu had been by his side since he was a child, and he was most familiar with him, and even he couldn"t see anything wrong.

He stared at the painting on the table with drooping eyes, but the more he looked, the more wrong he felt.

This painting looks like him, but it doesn"t feel like him.

The pitch-black eyes were half-drooping, Jiang Yutang closed his eyes, and stopped while rubbing the jade wrench.

"It always feels like something is wrong."

The eyebrows and eyes of the person in the portrait are the same as his, but the expression is different. The temperament is as warm as jade, but there is a romantic engraving between the eyebrows and eyes.

He couldn"t figure out when was the last time he had this look.

And... he narrowed his eyes and looked at the painting again. From the moment he saw the painting, he realized that the painting was very familiar to him even in its style.

If he hadn"t been sure that he had never painted himself, he would have thought he painted it himself.

Jiang Yutang has been painting for more than ten years since elementary school, under the tutelage of a radiant figure like the former prince Chen Lang. Shen Qingyun"s painting has a solid foundation, and even the style of painting is the same as his, how can he not be confused?

For a whole afternoon, he tightened his brows and never let go.

Jiang Yutang was thinking about asking Shen Qingyun to come this time, but before he could speak, there was a knock at the door.

The boy at the door suppressed his voice and said, "Prince, Young Master Biao is asking to see you."

Jiang Yutang immediately raised his head, glanced at the door, and landed on the table again. He motioned Zhao Lu to take the painting to the back, and then he said to the door:

"Let people in."

This is the second time Shen Qingyun has come to his study, and he is much more proficient than the first time.

Standing under the candlelight, her eyes were open, but she said, "That lotus flower is wilted." Jiang Yutang frowned, probably not expecting that this is what she said, and her hands tightened while holding the tea cup.

Zhao Lu was returning from the back room to deliver flowers. Hearing this, he couldn"t hold back, but he immediately let out a smile.

"Master Biao." Zhao Lu said seriously: "The lotus is picked at noon, and it will naturally wilt at this time."

"After you go back, ask the servant girl to find an open bottle, fill it with water and put the lotus in it to wake up for two or three hours."

"After waking up, the lotus is cut diagonally from the rhizome and placed in a high-neck vase. Lotuses are not suitable for vase cultivation, so they generally live two or three days."

"Got it."

Shen Qingyun nodded, and the voice between his lowered eyebrows was lost. She nodded, but didn"t leave, her eyes were so casual, and she didn"t speak.

Zhao Lu probably knew that he had said something wrong. Young Master Biao liked the lotus look very much, but he said that he could only live for two or three days, which made people unhappy.

Her brows and eyes are cold, fresh and good-looking, so dazzling, both happiness and unhappiness are particularly noticeable.

Jiang Yutang sat down and put down the tea cup: "Regret?"

Shen Qingyun looked over and landed on his face. He added: "That pair of bracelets is worth a thousand taels, more than enough to buy a lotus pond."

"No regrets."

Those black and white eyes were magnanimous, and the moment they landed on his face, the shrunken appearance just now came alive.

"It"s worthless than I would like to."

Jiang Yutang"s eyes met hers, she blinked, and her eyes began to burst with joy. On the cold face, full of joy.

"Let"s talk about it." She should be in a good mood at this time, and there was even light in those beautiful eyes like crescent moons.

"I"m a man, what"s the use of that bracelet." She shook her hand, Mei Ziqing"s long sleeves, her hands were as white as jade.

Really deceive people.

Jiang Yutang lowered her eyes with a smile that she didn"t even notice. She really thought she was pretending to be good, and she didn"t blink when she lied in front of him.

Shaking his head, he thought of something and asked, "How many years have you been learning painting, who did you learn from?"

That style of painting is too familiar to him, it must be from everyone"s hands. Moreover, being able to draw to that level did not happen overnight.

The smile on Shen Qingyun"s face gradually faded.

There was no light in those eyes like crescent moons. She raised her head and looked at Jiang Yutang in front of her, but another figure flashed in her mind.

The two faces gradually overlapped, and she couldn"t even tell who was who.

I only remember that a voice stepped forward and said behind her, "You must meditate when you learn to paint." At the age of five, she was as big as a dumpling, sitting on a chair with a writing brush and shaking her short legs.

Hearing this slightly harsh voice, he immediately jumped off the chair. The little short legs rushed forward and hugged the person"s leg: "Brother Shaoqing."

She raised her head, her face was as big as a slap, and her flesh was as if she had just steamed buns. At this time, his face was full of flattery, and he begged for mercy at the person who came: "Can I stop painting today."

"It"s neither big nor small." Nineteen-year-old Shen Shaoqing stood under the pear tree, dressed in a long gown of plum green, and looked like a gentleman like jade.

At this moment, there was a bun hanging on the Mei Ziqing robe, wrinkling the hem of his clothes. He raised his hand to hold his forehead, his Wen Run face full of helplessness.

"I"m nineteen, you"re five, you should call me uncle." He bent down, lifted the man hanging from his lap with one hand, and put it back on the chair firmly.

He stood behind her, with a slender palm like a bamboo wrapping her little hand, and took her hand to write, swiping and stroking: "Only when you are calm can you express your spirit."

Mei Ziqing"s robe wiped the bookcase, and there was a scent of pear flowers.

I don"t know when, in the blink of an eye, eleven years have passed.

Shen Qingyun opened his eyes again, and there was light in his dark eyes. She raised her head, and the face in her memory was in front of her. She was also nineteen years old and had the same expression.

"Ten years." She heard her heart beating fast, facing this face, she never had the urge.

I want to rush up and hug people.

There was a gust of wind outside the window, and the candles on the table swayed. For the first time, Shen Qingyun felt that the distance was too far. She turned her head, suppressing the longing in her heart.

In the end, he just said lightly, "It"s an old friend."