Princess Duan said:
"Sister Pang, can you ask Cao Bin to draw a picture of a thousand cranes and give it to my prince for reference?"
"In order to draw a crane that suits my heart, the prince has been thinking about nothing for several days."
Pang Yanyan was stunned for a moment, a little confused:
"Princess, my husband hasn't painted for a long time. I need to ask him."
Princess Duan said quickly:
"Why do you need to ask? My prince said that Cao Bin's painting skills are beyond perfection."
"Even if I'm a little rusty, it's okay."
She knew that Zhao Ji and Cao Bin didn't get along, and if she asked Cao Bin, she would probably be rejected, so she wanted to force Pang Yanyan to agree on this occasion.
When the time comes, if Cao Bin wants to regret it, he must also consider his dignity.
After all, husband and wife are one, and Pang Yanyan represents Cao Bin himself.
Pang Yanyan was in trouble, but the Queen Mother became interested and asked:
"Cao Bin actually has painting skills? The Ai family has never heard of it. He is not..."
Regarding Cao Bin's impression, she always felt that he was a dissolute and frivolous person.
Especially with his own handle in hand, he was not afraid of his own revenge at all, and felt very at ease.
If you were a serious person, how could you do this?
That is to say, I don't want to take risks. If it were someone else, after completing the cooperation, I would have sent my confidants to use secret tactics.
When Princess Duan heard the Queen Mother's question, she quickly smiled and said:
"Mother, my prince said that Cao Bin's paintings can be called holy works."
Hearing this, all the women present were shocked.
They didn't expect that Cao Bin, who was always known as a playboy, would have such great painting skills.
Most of the women present were in the inner chamber, although reciting poems, painting, ordering tea and arranging flowers were all basic skills.
But many people didn't know much about the news outside the palace. Now after hearing Princess Duan's words, they all became interested in Cao Bin.
The loyal wife beside Pang Yanyan said curiously:
"I heard that Uncle Zhongjing doted on his concubine very much. Didn't Mrs. Pang get offended?"
She is the niece of Queen Mother Liu, so she speaks very casually.
Pang Yanyan waved her hands quickly and said, "No, my husband is very good to me, and those sisters are also very polite."
Mrs. Zhonghou nodded and said:
"This is rare. I'm afraid that those men will spoil their concubines and destroy their wives."
"There is a rumor in Beijing that Uncle Zhongjing is a dandy, and we have all been deceived."
Although they are all noble ladies in the capital, they inevitably gossip a bit and are very curious about Pang Yanyan, a new member of the circle.
Everyone was talking at once, and soon Madam Zhonghou asked in a low voice:
"Although Uncle Zhongjing is young, I heard that he is very romantic... How is your health now? How long did you have sex for?"
When Pang Yanyan heard this, her face turned red and she couldn't sit still. However, seeing that the loyal people in the Hou Mansion were unwilling to give up, she had to stutter and give a number.
"so smart?"
Mrs. Zhonghou couldn't help but scream in surprise, and the envious look in her eyes could no longer be concealed.
Pang Yanyan was very embarrassed, feeling that these ladies were like savage beasts.
Seeing their condition, everyone understood what was going on. While covering their mouths and snickering, they couldn't help but show strange expressions.
Mrs. Zhonghou patted her thigh and said:
"Hey, my daughter missed out on such a good family..."
Hearing this, Pang Yanyan looked at her with alert eyes.
When the Queen Mother saw this, she glared at Mrs. Zhonghou Hou and said to Pang Yanyan:
"Ignore her and just talk nonsense."
With that said, she called the palace attendant and said:
"Go to Nanyuyuan and ask Cao Bin to draw a picture of thousands of cranes. Let Aijia see if his painting is really that good."
When Princess Duan heard this, her eyes suddenly showed joy. Cao Bin would definitely not be able to refuse the Queen Mother's order.
After completing this matter, her husband will also be impressed by him.
Although neither Prince Duan nor the Emperor was born to Empress Dowager Liu, she had been very fond of Prince Duan since she was a child...
In the South Imperial Courtyard, I heard that the Queen Mother asked Cao Bin to make a picture of Thousand Cranes. King Duan was immediately delighted when he heard this.
Since the Queen Mother made the order, even though Cao Bin was a little reluctant, he couldn't refuse, so he still had to give it some face.
Follow the messenger to the quiet side hall, where paper, pens and paints have been prepared.
Seeing Zhao Ji following him with a smile on his face, he understood something.
The only one who can never forget his calligraphy and painting is Zhao Ji. It’s not like this guy has never sent someone to ask for it in private.
It’s just that Cao Bin’s price was too high and he was unwilling to pay.
According to the price of a pair of ten thousand taels, even if he had a gold mountain, he wouldn't be able to support it for long.
"Qianzurutu, this is going to tire me out!"
Cao Bin was very depressed when he heard Empress Dowager Liu's request. Although he painted quickly, it was still very labor-intensive to paint a thousand cranes.
If Zhao Ji comes to buy it, even if he doesn't sell it for one hundred thousand taels of silver, he won't be able to bear the pain of his own hard work.
Cao Bin rolled his eyes and suddenly had an idea. He picked up his pen and started drawing.
After a while, I drew a mountain range of green pine trees and a patch of auspicious clouds.
Zhao Ji was standing in front of the bookcase. When he saw him put down his brush, he said doubtfully:
"Cao Bin, why don't you draw anymore? Where's the crane?"
Cao Bin pointed to the auspicious clouds in the mountains and said:
"Isn't this true? It's all in the clouds. Your Highness, Prince Duan, take a closer look. Are there any wings and claws exposed?"
Zhao Ji was speechless and said: "You are fooling ghosts... What kind of Thousand Cranes Picture is this?"
At this time, the Korean envoy and several ministers who were interested in calligraphy and painting also came in. He looked at the Thousand Cranes Picture and said:
"Wonderful, really wonderful. Although I don't see the cranes, it's like hearing them chirping!"
"Uncle Cao, can you paint a picture for foreign ministers so that I can always admire the painting culture of a great country?"
Zhao Ji was speechless. Even if you want to flatter him, you must be realistic. Although his mountain pine paintings are very good, there are no cranes.
Moreover, what I want is a variety of cranes for reference, not just their meaning.
Cao Bin couldn't help but smile when he saw Zhao Ji scratching his head and ears anxiously, and finally drew a standing crane under the pine tree.
Seeing Cao Bin stop again, Zhao Ji grabbed the paint and urged:
"Cao Bin, draw quickly, I will personally grind the ink for you."
When Cao Bin saw that there was no one else in the side hall except a few idle ministers who loved calligraphy and painting and the Korean envoy, he immediately said:
"Your Highness Prince Duan, have you recently recommended someone to take up a post in Dengzhou?"
Zhao Ji didn't think much, nodded and said:
"It was recommended by Chen Shimei..."
An hour later.
Chen Shimei was already confused.
His face was ugly, and he had no idea that he had to give up half of the proceeds from the construction camp to get Zhao Ji to agree to help.
I actually changed my mind because of a painting.
Moreover, Zhao Ji had no intention of returning the money he gave away.
Damn it, this is too unethical?
It's just a painting. Is it that good?
Cao Bin not only got Zhao Ji's concession, but also gave him another painting, and earned another 50,000 taels of silver from the Goryeo envoy.
At this moment, he felt both envy and hatred...
