Chapter 269
Chapter 269
A sliver of light spilled through the window and fell across Cui Chaoyun’s pale face.
In her simple attire, she seemed entirely free of worldly desire.
Ji Hanyi could not tell whether Cui Chaoyun truly failed to understand the painting’s value. It was no exaggeration to call it priceless, yet Cui Chaoyun offered it away with a casual word, as though it meant nothing.
Heir Cui was remarkably generous to his sister. He had shown concern for Cui Chaoyun’s illness earlier and had even given her such a precious treasure.
Ji Hanyi naturally could not accept. She first explained the painting’s value, then said, “Heir Cui gave this to Second Young Lady Cui as an expression of his affection. I cannot take it.”
Cui Chaoyun smiled. “However precious it may be, it is only a painting. I do not understand art as Madam Shen does. Leaving it with me is a waste. Perhaps it belongs with Madam Shen more than it does with me.”
Without hesitation, Cui Chaoyun ordered a maid to take the painting down and prepared to give it to Ji Hanyi.
Ji Hanyi hurried to stop her. She had come as a guest; she could hardly leave as though she had raided the place and carried off a treasure.
Cui Chaoyun blocked her with a smile. “Madam Shen, do not refuse. To me, friendship with you matters far more than a painting.”
“I felt an immediate affinity with Madam Shen and knew you were an exceptionally good person. How could a woman cherished so deeply by Marquis Shen be otherwise? By giving this painting to Madam Shen, I am finding it a worthy home.”
Cui Chaoyun took the scroll from the maid, carefully rolled it, and placed it in Ji Hanyi’s hands. Her voice was gentle. “Madam Shen, this is my heartfelt gift. Please do not disappoint me.”
Ji Hanyi lowered her eyes to the scroll Cui Chaoyun offered with both hands, then looked into her sincere eyes.
For an instant, the weight of this friendship felt immeasurable. Cui Chaoyun’s sincerity and her plea not to disappoint her made refusal impossible.
Ji Hanyi accepted the scroll solemnly. “I admire Second Young Lady Cui’s nature as well. From this day forward, if we become friends, we will be true confidantes. No matter the time, place, or circumstances, our friendship will remain unchanged, and we will support one another.”
Cui Chaoyun listened and studied Ji Hanyi. With her red lips, white teeth, and pampered beauty, Ji Hanyi looked delicate, yet her sincere words brought sudden heat to Cui Chaoyun’s eyes. She felt her own offer of friendship had been worthwhile.
Cui Chaoyun had few friends. Her health had been poor since childhood, and she seldom left the residence. Almost all her companions were young ladies of the Cui family. Ji Hanyi’s warmth, natural gestures, and gentle words had inspired closeness and affection from the first glance.
Perhaps it was also because she was the woman a man like Marquis Shen loved. Cui Chaoyun had instinctively liked her. Being the same age only deepened that affinity.
Cui Chaoyun’s eyes truly reddened. She clasped Ji Hanyi’s hand and spoke earnestly from her heart. Still holding hands, they went to sit on the daybed beneath the window and talked at length.
They began with the intimate chatter of young women: which cosmetics they liked, which shops sold the finest fabrics, and where the prettiest patterns could be found. Then their conversation turned to painting.
Cui Chaoyun explained that she had seen Ji Hanyi’s work long ago. Ji Hanyi’s father had proudly shown her paintings to his colleagues, and Second Master brought one home for the Cui young ladies to study.
Ji Hanyi had never known of that encounter. The two marveled at the coincidence before Ji Hanyi examined the paintings Cui Chaoyun had made in her leisure.
After viewing several, Ji Hanyi had to admit they were skillfully executed, but they displayed technique rather than living atmosphere.
She said, “The Southern Dynasties master Zong Shaowen wrote that a vertical stroke three inches long may convey a height of a thousand ren, while a horizontal sweep of ink several feet wide may encompass a distance of a hundred li.”
“Second Young Lady Cui’s brushwork lacks a vital current. Your texturing strokes are too delicate and pretty, diminishing both grandeur and mood. The mist among real mountains and rivers should not appear so lifeless.”
After speaking, Ji Hanyi looked up at Cui Chaoyun. Afraid she had been too severe, she was about to offer praise. But Cui Chaoyun nodded attentively without the slightest displeasure and said with regret, “Because of my health, I seldom go out and have never seen the landscapes I paint. I can only copy scrolls in my chambers. It is indeed difficult to capture their spirit.”
She looked at Ji Hanyi. “I still remember how full of life Madam Shen’s painting was. You seemed to be only twelve, yet you created a landscape that made the viewer feel present within it. All of us sisters competed to see it.”
Ji Hanyi remembered how her father had taken her outside the capital to watch clouds and mist whenever he had a day free. Sometimes, when official duties carried him away from the capital, he brought her along to see the waterfalls of Yandang and the spray rising from the plunging water.
Now she recalled those scenes and her father’s smiling words: only mountains and rivers were truly free and unconfined. He wanted her to see more of them so her heart would grow broad.
She remained lost in thought for a long while. The past unfolded before her, yet she could never touch it again.
Cui Chaoyun sensed her sudden sorrow and quickly led her toward the rest of her collection. They had exchanged only a few words when a maid entered to report that Shen Si and Heir Cui were waiting outside the courtyard.
Shen Si had come for Ji Hanyi.
The light was fading; it was indeed late. Only then did the two women realize how long they had talked.
Cui Chaoyun held Ji Hanyi’s hand. “May I write to Madam Shen often? I have few friends outside the residence. Apart from my Cui sisters, only Sister Ji truly understands me and can speak to my heart.”
Cui Chaoyun called her Sister Ji, and Ji Hanyi was indeed half a year older. She readily accepted the address and invited Cui Chaoyun to write often, promising that they would remain in close contact.
After several more reluctant words of farewell, they went out together.
Shen Si stood outside the courtyard speaking with Cui Jinjun. At last seeing Ji Hanyi emerge, he looked toward her. When she approached, he extended a hand.
Ji Hanyi paused at Shen Si’s outstretched hand, then placed the painting scroll into it.
She knew what Shen Si meant, but with Cui Chaoyun watching behind her, she did not wish to hold his hand for some reason.
Shen Si paused and arched a brow at her perfectly natural gesture. He wanted to hold her hand, yet she treated him like a servant?
Despite the thought, Shen Si accepted the scroll. With his other hand, he seized Ji Hanyi’s and drew her to his side. His affairs were numerous, yet he had waited patiently all afternoon. Suspecting she was in a temper, he had even planned to take her for a stroll through the streets on the way home.
He could not imagine what she and Cui Chaoyun had found to discuss for so long.
Cui Jinjun watched in astonishment. Had he not known Shen Si for years, he might have thought marriage had transformed him into an entirely different man.
The mere fact that Shen Si had waited so long that day was inconceivable.
But when Cui Jinjun glanced at the scroll in Shen Si’s hand, his dark eyes shifted.
Shen Si had no intention of lingering. Without looking at Cui Chaoyun, he quietly took leave of Cui Jinjun and led Ji Hanyi away by the hand.
Cui Jinjun watched Shen Si’s retreating back, then turned his gaze to Cui Chaoyun. She lowered her eyes, curtsied, and prepared to withdraw. His lips tightened. He ordered the attendants behind him away, then strode forward, seized Cui Chaoyun’s wrist as she turned, and pulled her into the room.