Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 663 - 499: Painting for Her

Gu Chengyu didn’t know what Lu Chen intended to do. Since he refused to write poetry, why make it difficult for him?

However, everything shouldn’t be refused continuously. If he refuses again, Lu Chen would lose too much face. He would earn a reputation for being aloof and unapproachable.

Speaking from here, the women could also hear the conversation.

The Eldest Princess felt a stir in her heart upon hearing this.

Gu Chengyu’s reputation in poetry and calligraphy was well-known, but she had never heard of his painting skills.

Her Majesty the Emperor had once asked Gu Chengyu to compose poetry, proving that Gu Chengyu was indeed not a mere name without substance.

She was somewhat curious about Gu Chengyu’s level in painting. If he painted well and presented it to the Emperor or Empress, wouldn’t that be considered a filial gesture?

"Mr. Gu! I would also like to see Mr. Gu’s painting skills. I have heard Mr. Gu is quick-witted and never fails in poetry, but I have never heard of your painting skills. On such a fine day, I wonder if Mr. Gu can broaden my horizons."

Gu Chengyu was originally going to agree to Lu Chen. Unexpectedly, the Eldest Princess suddenly spoke up. Even if he didn’t want to paint, he had to paint now.

Gu Chengyu stood up, bowed towards the veiled curtain, and said, "It’s Brother Lu’s exaggerated praise. Mastery of the art is far from it. Since Your Highness and Brother Lu don’t mind, I will humbly give it a try."

Yao Mengdie blinked her innocent, round eyes at Yao Mengxian, "Third Sister, who would have thought Mr. Gu is also skilled in painting? Did you know, Third Sister?"

Yao Mengxian nodded, "Grandfather mentioned it once to me, but I have never seen it."

Yao Mengxian dared not say she had seen it, or her fourth sister would tease her about it.

Every winter for the past few years, Gu Chengyu would send her grandfather a "Nine-nine Cold Relief Map" that hung in her grandfather’s study.

Gu Chengyu’s paintings improved every year, and the cold relief painting he made last year left her grandfather very satisfied.

Especially the plum blossoms, which Gu Chengyu painted with extreme elegance and character.

Princess Rong Jia originally intended to perform a dance, but her clothes were unsuitable for it, so she went to change into a bean-green wide-sleeved fairy skirt.

As she walked over, she heard her mother mention asking Gu Chengyu to paint.

She couldn’t help but feel moved, glanced at her attire, and had an idea.

"Mother!"

The Eldest Princess, seeing her daughter coming over, immediately broke into a smile.

Her girl, Yuanyuan, truly was beautiful, looking even more fair and delicate in her bean-green fairy skirt.

With her slim waist and light steps, she looked as if floating like a fairy.

Yao Mengxian couldn’t help but admire as she saw Princess Rong Jia’s graceful figure approaching. Indeed, Princess Rong Jia was beautiful.

"Since the flower has reached your hand, you naturally cannot refuse. Let’s begin!"

Princess Rong Jia smiled, "Mother! Did you just request a painting from someone? I have an unreasonable request—why not ask him to paint a picture for me?"

The Eldest Princess’s face changed dramatically upon hearing this. How could a man, like Gu Chengyu, paint for a woman? What kind of propriety is this?

The madams and ladies present also wore different expressions, not expecting Princess Rong Jia to make such a request. This was somewhat unconventional.

The Eldest Princess had just invited Mr. Gu, an official, and Mr. Gu is a man, not paying attention to the separation of men and women?

The women exchanged glances, with faint disdain showing at the corners of their lips, thinking the Royal Family’s upbringing wasn’t as good as they thought.

Mrs. Ke covered her mouth with her handkerchief to suppress her sarcasm. A girl not yet married actually dared to boldly ask a man to paint for her. Shameful!

Other ladies also whispered among themselves, seemingly shocked by Princess Rong Jia’s behavior.

Yao Mengxian was equally astonished. She glanced at Princess Rong Jia, then lowered her head in thought, feeling a bit depressed inside.

Outside the veiled curtain, even Gu Chengyu doubted his hearing. Did the princess really ask him to paint? This is against reason, isn’t it?

Qin Min was naturally shocked, his sharp gaze shooting towards Gu Chengyu.

Could it be that unbeknownst to him, his sister and Gu Chengyu had a private relationship?

Upon seeing Gu Chengyu’s equally shocked expression, he dismissed the thought.

Mother had never relaxed the upbringing of Yuanyuan. Although Yuanyuan likes riding and shooting and often behaves recklessly.

Mother would never allow Yuanyuan to have too much contact with outside men. This behavior is something Mother most loathes.

If they truly had a private relationship, Yuanyuan wouldn’t speak out in public like this.

Lu Chen cast his gaze at Gu Chengyu, wearing a teasing smile that made Gu Chengyu feel both angry and helpless.

This was like being shot while lying down, and Gu Chengyu felt frustrated to the point of wanting to vomit blood.

Princess Rong Jia knew that saying this would surely astonish everyone. However, she had already thought of a way to handle it.

Seeing her mother’s stern expression, Princess Rong Jia calmed her inner panic and continued, "Mother! A painting doesn’t have to be made in person. I wish to use it as a pattern to embroider a piece for my grandmother."

Upon hearing this, the Eldest Princess’s expression slightly eased.

"Mother! Grandmother often misses me, but I can’t enter the palace often to accompany her, so I wanted to send this to comfort her."

On hearing this, everyone, while still holding a skeptical attitude, found the given excuse irrefutable.

Zhou Yuewei’s mother, Mrs. Zhao, spoke up first, "It’s kind of the Commandery Princess to think so often of Her Majesty the Empress!"

Her son would rely on Heir Qin in the future, and Mrs. Zhao cared for her son’s prospects.

Other madams quickly echoed her, though what they truly thought was indescribable.

"Indeed! The Commandery Princess truly is filial! It was also mentioned earlier that it doesn’t have to be done in person. I wonder if the Commandery Princess has any good solutions?"

Mrs. Qu was a little curious. Could it really be that the Commandery Princess would be so audacious as to break propriety?

Hearing this, the Eldest Princess finally relaxed her demeanor, "Do you have a good solution? Just say it, and if feasible, it’s not impossible."

Meanwhile, Gu Chengyu felt somewhat embarrassed as many young men present looked at him with peculiar eyes.

Min Feng was jealous and envious of Gu Chengyu. It was rumored that Princess Rong Jia was a peerless beauty, and more importantly, she was the granddaughter of the current Emperor.

The Emperor and the Empress both doted on her greatly, and unexpectedly, Gu Chengyu had caught her eye.

He glanced at Gu Chengyu’s handsome face and snorted coldly to himself. It’s just a good appearance.

Min Feng actually felt quite frustrated, for he was also considered to be handsome—not as handsome as Pan An, but still attractive.

Who knew Gu Chengyu looked too good, and at the time of parading on horseback, he, as the Champion Scholar, overshadowed Min Feng, who was the third-place scholar.

"Mr. Gu, since my sister asked you to paint a picture for her, I can only ask Mr. Gu to endure the trouble."

Since his mother had also agreed, he couldn’t oppose too strongly.

After all, if straightforward enough, others might have some notions otherwise.