"No need, talking about poetry with people from the government is nothing like asking for fish. You don't have time, and I'm not in the mood, so I'd better skip it." The woman said with a slight smile.
"Hey, why can't we talk about poetry with people in the government?" Heshen said with some dissatisfaction.
"How can the girl know that we are from the government?" Qianlong also asked curiously.
Today they paid a private visit incognito, their whereabouts were secretive, and they were very careful in their conversation. I don't know where Xing Zang was missed.
"A few of them are well-dressed and cheering for each other. Even if they are not powerful, they are certainly wealthy. Isn't it an exaggeration to say that they are rich?" The woman said with a smile.
"Well, now that the world is at peace and things are prosperous, it is not an exaggeration to say that we are rich people." Qianlong smiled and nodded.
"The word "rich" is divided into three parts: an official hat on the top, a sharp mouth in the middle, and a field word below. In other words, to be rich, you must either be an official, farm, or be a profiteer who eats people without spitting out their bones. "The woman explained with a smile, "A few rich people, firstly, they don't carry any goods, and secondly, they don't look like local rich people, so they are naturally members of the government."
"Wonderful, wonderful solution." Upon hearing this, Qianlong smiled and clapped his hands, becoming more and more interested in the woman.
"The girl is so sharp-tongued that she can compete with our Mr. Ji." Qianlong smiled again, "But I don't know who the girl is?"
"Set up a small stall, sell some calligraphy and paintings, and make a small profit." The woman said with a slight smile.
"Oh, it turns out that the girl is the profiteer who eats people without spitting out their bones." Upon hearing this, He Shen joked with a smile, which was a small revenge for not being able to talk poetry with people in the government.
"Sir, you are wrong. Setting up a stall to sell paintings is just a small business, making a small profit, just to make ends meet. There is a huge difference from that profiteer and wealthy businessman." The woman glanced at He Shen and sneered.
"What kind of calligraphy and paintings does that girl sell?" Qianlong asked curiously, "Can you give us a look?"
The girl smiled and nodded.
He Shen quickly came over.
"At first glance, this gentleman is not a man of this kind. It's better not to give him a thumbs up and be ridiculed for being arty." The girl glanced at him and sneered.
When He Shen heard this, he was immediately embarrassed.
When had he, a high-ranking official, been so crowded out? !
What's more, being squeezed by such a weak woman is simply abominable!
"What are you talking about! Let me tell you, there is nothing in this world that we can't see, and there is no place that we can't reach. If you don't show us this painting, I'm afraid you won't be able to sell it." He Shen said angrily. .
"What are you talking about? Are you Confucius in the temple who can't stand the fireworks of the world and come here to the West Lake, so I can't sell calligraphy and painting?
Or are you Lord Lu Ban in the sky who couldn't help but run to Lingyin Temple for a while, so I can't play with an axe? If you are neither Master nor Lu Ban, then which temple are you considered a deity? Why should I listen to your orders? "The woman looked at He Shen and sneered disdainfully.
He Shen was so angry that she repeatedly squeezed him, and she wished she could be dragged down to beat him.
But in front of the emperor, there was no chance for him to have an attack.
"Okay, sir, I think you are no match for this girl when it comes to bickering." Just when he was embarrassed, he heard Qianlong laugh.
When He Shen heard this, he quickly got off the road and said, "Yes, Master, this slave is a warrior with a clumsy mouth and cheeks, so he is indeed no match for her. But how come our Lord Ji, who has iron teeth and bronze teeth, has become mute?"
When Xiang Nan heard this, he smiled and waved his hands, "Master, can't you tell, this woman has an extraordinary background."
"Huh?! Who do you think she is?" He Shen asked curiously.
"If I guess correctly, she is also a member of the government just like us." Xiang Nan said with a smile.
"She?! From the government?" He Shen was stunned, as if he didn't believe it.
…
At this time, the girl had unfolded the calligraphy and painting in her hand.
When Qianlong saw it, he couldn't help being surprised, "Along the River During the Qingming Festival?!"
He Shen and Xiang Nan couldn't help but pricked up their ears when they heard the name.
"Along the River During the Qingming Festival" is a masterpiece handed down from generation to generation by Zhang Zeduan, a famous painter in the Northern Song Dynasty. It is famous and widely favored and is known as "Exquisite" and "Unparalleled Masterpiece".
Famous paintings of this level are rare even in the palace. Therefore, Qianlong and He Shen couldn't help being surprised when they saw a woman selling such famous paintings on the street.
"With such a precious painting, no wonder the girl refuses to show it to others easily." Qianlong said with a smile. He could tell at a glance that this ancient painting was genuine and not a forgery. "I wonder how much the girl is asking for it?"
"Why, sir, I don't know if there are any priceless things in this world?" the woman said with a smile.
"Then..." Qianlong was a little confused. Since it is priceless, how can it be sold?
"I gave this painting to you, sir, and I won't take any money from you," the woman said again.
"Why is this?" Qianlong was even more confused. It is not an exaggeration to say that such a precious ancient painting is priceless. That woman was willing to give this painting away for free, which was surprising.
"Swords are given to martyrs, horses are given to heroes. Sir, you are so magnificent, can't you be worthy of a painting depicting the city? Farewell." After the woman finished speaking, she turned around and left, disappearing into the sea of people in a moment.
Qianlong looked at her retreating figure and couldn't help but be very interested in this woman.
…
Qianlong immediately returned to Xingzai and immediately ordered people to investigate the origin of this woman. The clue was the painting "Along the River During the Qingming Festival".
Famous paintings like this have always been passed down in an orderly manner and are not difficult to trace. And as long as you track down the previous owner, you will naturally know the origin of the girl.
Sure enough, in the evening, there was news that the previous owner of "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" was none other than Wang Danwang, the current governor of Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
"Okay, interesting." Qianlong nodded.
…
At night, Hangzhou is walking.
The moonlight melts in the clear pool, and the red lights cover the trees. The sandalwood board is tapped lightly, and the flute fills the air.
On the waterside singing stage, the Kunqu opera "The Peony Pavilion" is being performed.
Opposite the pool, Qianlong was sitting in the middle, while Xiang Nan, Heshen and others lined up on both sides, admiring it together.
As the saying goes, the moonlight melts in the pear blossom courtyard, the catkins pond has a gentle breeze, and it is extremely rich.
"Well, not bad, not bad." Qianlong praised happily while hitting the board with the handle of the fan.
"Your Majesty, this is the Kunban specially presented by Wang Danwang, the governor of Jiangsu and Zhejiang." Seeing Qianlong's high interest, He Shen said with a smile, "There will be a fight show later, I heard it is very lively."
When Qianlong heard this, he smiled and nodded.
At this moment, the eunuch suddenly came to report, "Long live the Qi report, Wang Danwang, the governor of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, wants to see you!"
Qianlong was stunned and signaled Xiang Nan and He Shen to retreat.
"Weak minister Wang Danwang, please pay homage to your Majesty." Wang Danwang immediately stepped forward and kowtowed,
"Get up." Qianlong smiled, "Master Wang, you were transferred to Jiangsu and Zhejiang from Ganzhou, right?"
"Long live the wise man!" Wang Danwang said quickly,
"Well, let me show you something." Qianlong casually picked up a scroll from the table, "Is this "Along the River During the Qingming Festival" a family heirloom?"
"Your Majesty, this painting is my family's heirloom!" Wang Danwang was shocked when he saw it. He quickly knelt down and said, "I heard that Long Live Ya loves painting and is unwilling to take away what I love, so I did this. The next best thing..."
"Okay, get up, I don't blame you." Qianlong smiled, "I ask you, who is the woman who presented the painting?"
"She is my adopted daughter, Su Qinglian." Wang Danwang explained immediately.
"Su Qinglian~" Qianlong muttered, with a smile on his lips.
When Wang Danwang saw it, a smile also flashed across his face.
