Chapter 216
Chapter 216
When Ji Hanyi saw the Crown Prince offer the painting, she hurriedly rose and reached out with both hands.
The paper was yellowed and clearly very old, so she handled it with great care.
Yet after holding out her hands for some time, the Crown Prince still had not released the scroll. Puzzled, she looked up.
Their gazes met. Jiang Xuan’s expression was gentle. When she looked at him, he smiled faintly and finally placed the scroll in her hands.
Ji Hanyi sat again and carefully unrolled it on the low table. Her fingertips passed over dry, faded brushstrokes. The flower’s original appearance was already difficult to discern.
She turned seriously to the Crown Prince. “Could Your Highness describe how the flower looked when it bloomed?”
Jiang Xuan watched her angle herself toward him with unhurried grace. She was young, yet possessed the clean serenity of someone who had shed worldly ornament.
He knew how fiercely his mother had opposed his uncle’s marriage. When the Grand Princess entered the palace that day, the Empress and Shen Si had argued so heatedly that not even his father could stop them.
Outsiders knew nothing of this. Perhaps Ji Hanyi herself did not know how difficult the marriage had been, but Jiang Xuan did.
He too had found it impossible to understand why a man like his uncle would make such a choice.
At this moment, however, he began to understand a little.
Ji Hanyi was very young. Jiang Xuan was two years younger than his uncle, yet Ji Hanyi was three years younger than Jiang Xuan. Her face was pure and clear, with no trace of a woman who had once been married. Her dark almond eyes seemed naturally tender whenever she looked at someone. For a moment, even he had been drawn into them.
Jiang Xuan slowly described the Scarlet Nether Orchid. When he explained that its petals seemed to flow like flame in sunlight, Ji Hanyi asked, “Was there a golden-yellow line through the center of each petal? I once saw one described in a book.”
He had not expected her to know. Her gentle features carried a scholarly air; clearly she had read widely, even about such an obscure flower.
He nodded. “Exactly. Aunt is learned.”
Embarrassed, Ji Hanyi replied modestly, “Hardly. My father’s study held many books when I was little. I simply read whatever I happened to find.”
The Empress looked at her. “The praise is not undeserved. You are perceptive. You understood what I taught this morning.”
“From now on, attend me only in the mornings. Spend the afternoons painting the orchid. Once it is finished, you may return to me in the afternoons.”
“I will have the necessary things delivered to your rooms.”
Ji Hanyi thought this arrangement was welcome. She truly had learned from the Empress, who possessed many years of experience managing the inner palace. Although Ji Hanyi had spent three years married into the Xie Family, she had little experience governing a household.
She accepted readily and promised to paint with care.
Still, she said to the Crown Prince, “I will do everything within my ability, but I cannot promise to restore its spirit. I fear I may disappoint Your Highness.”
Jiang Xuan smiled at her effort to make the limits clear. “Paint without concern. If Father remains dissatisfied, I will find another solution.”
Ji Hanyi relaxed.
It was enough that he did not expect too much.
That afternoon, she remained in Ninghui Hall, a side hall of Kunning Palace, to paint.
The palace maids brought a complete set of tools, every item of the finest quality.
On the table lay a sheet of prized Chengxintang paper, dense yet resilient. Beside it rested a purple-jade inkstone presented from Huizhou and an ancient inkstick carved with the words Everlasting Radiance.
Dozens of brushes of every size filled the rack, their handles made of mottled bamboo and ivory.
Before her family declined, Ji Hanyi’s father had loved seeking fine brushes, paper, and ink for her, but even those could not compare with palace treasures. Delighted, she examined each item for a long while.
The pigments were equally superior. She tested a touch of mineral green. Layer after translucent layer remained clear rather than muddy. Ji Hanyi marveled at it and almost begrudged using such precious color.
Remembering her task, she had Rongchun arrange everything. Seated at the rosewood painting table, she secured the paper with weights, dipped her brush in ink, and considered carefully.
She studied the old painting for a long while before beginning.
Shen Si arrived at dusk. Ji Hanyi was still bent over the table, several preliminary sketches stacked on a tray nearby.
She worked so intently that she did not notice him enter.
Shen Si ordered everyone not to disturb her. Standing silently before the table, he picked up one sketch. With only a few strokes, she had already captured both form and spirit.
He looked at her concentrated face, smiled, set the sketch down, and quietly took a seat.
He had assumed she accepted the commission only because she was too polite to refuse. Now it seemed she enjoyed it.
When Ji Hanyi finished outlining the form and looked up in relief, she finally saw Shen Si beside her.
She put down her brush. “When did you arrive, Marquis?”
Shen Si raised a brow. Palace maids were present, so she had cleverly avoided calling him Lord Shen and chosen Marquis instead.
He came to her side, looked at the painting, then at her. “Are you hungry?”
“Not yet.”
He nodded. “You can continue tomorrow. There is no hurry.”
Taking her hand, he led her toward her own rooms. This was not a place for private conversation.
He had slept poorly these nights. His pillow retained her fragrance but not her warmth. Recent visits had been brief, and he had thought of her all day. He had come early, hoping for a little intimacy.
They had walked only a few steps when they met the Crown Prince approaching.
Jiang Xuan saw his uncle holding Ji Hanyi’s hand. Her small figure moved beside his purple court robes, skirts fluttering and pearl ornament swaying. His famously aloof uncle looked nowhere but at her.
Shen Si saw him and released Ji Hanyi’s hand, saluting. “Your Highness.”
Jiang Xuan quickly reached out. “I just left Mother’s quarters and came to see Aunt’s painting.”
Shen Si nodded. “The outline is finished. Your Highness may inspect it. If minor changes are needed, tell Her Majesty and your aunt can make them.”
His cool expression softened. “But if extensive changes are required, do not exhaust her.”
Jiang Xuan immediately understood the tenderness in his uncle’s face. He smiled. “Rest assured, Uncle. I certainly will not make matters too difficult for Aunt.”
“She is helping me. I should be thanking her.”