Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 664 - 500: Purely Based on Imagination

"If the Eldest Princess and Young Master do not mind, I shall certainly do my best!"

Gu Chengyu didn’t mention the Commandery Princess, as in broad daylight, what unsavory matters could possibly occur?

"Jinyu! Do you really intend to paint?" Zhu Pang found it unbelievable, though he was well aware of Gu Chengyu’s prowess in painting.

However, painting in public, especially of the Commandery Princess, seemed somewhat inappropriate.

If painting those brothel women, of course, it was another story, as such tales could be considered romantic affairs, viewed by others as mere dalliance.

But painting for the Commandery Princess, it might even be presented to the Empress. After all, after viewing the embroidery, looking at the original painting was quite normal.

This could indeed be beneficial for gaining fame, but Jinyu ought to currently refrain from seeking fame.

The topic raised about the tea tax had already greatly enhanced his reputation, and Gu Chengyu currently sought to keep a low profile.

Moreover, was it possible that Princess Rong Jia had taken a fancy to Jinyu? If she further sought the consent of the Eldest Princess, or even the Empress, would Jinyu not have to marry her?

Zhu Pang suddenly recalled Princess Rong Jia’s nature, and couldn’t help but shiver.

It was said that Princess Rong Jia was somewhat aloof. Marrying such a noble lady would be like venerating a Bodhisattva.

If Jinyu dared to take a concubine, she might just cry to the Empress.

Jinyu was merely a sixth-rank official, with no family foundation, so wouldn’t it be easy for the Commandery Princess to manipulate him?

Zhu Pang cast a sympathetic glance at Gu Chengyu, and then couldn’t help but grin.

If Gu Chengyu knew what Zhu Pang was thinking, he would certainly find it exasperating.

Sleight conjectures, merely painting a picture, yet such overthinking.

Gu Chengyu was not in the mood to look at Zhu Pang. Regardless of others’ envy or jealousy, he was curious about what methods the Commandery Princess had.

It wasn’t long before two maidservants approached the gauze curtain.

They lifted and rolled up a layer of the gauze curtain, and it was only then that Gu Chengyu realized that there were two layers of the curtain.

Perhaps one layer of gauze was not sufficient in blocking, thus two layers were hung.

Now with one layer lifted, the view was indeed clearer than before.

However, the male guests were somewhat distanced from the Hanging Flower Gate. From here, one could only see the trunk of the Jade Flower Tree and vague shadows of people.

In fact, those close to the gauze curtain could see the people opposite, but others further away could only see the figures of the women.

Yet none were so bold as to rush to the front for a better view, as such behavior would certainly be disdained.

Zhu Pang glanced across and saw a veiled girl walk under the Jade Flower Tree. He couldn’t help but twitch his mouth; what could be seen?

The bean-green skirt was visible, but her features were too blurry, how could Jinyu paint this? Would he have to rely entirely on imagination?

This Princess Rong Jia was truly cunning! In such a blurred appearance, it would even be hard to see clearly without a veil.

"Jinyu! This is too vague, it’s really putting you in a difficult spot." Zhu Pang patted Gu Chengyu on the shoulder, his tone filled with sympathy.

But if he relied entirely on imagination and the painting didn’t resemble the person, wouldn’t that make Gu Chengyu lose face?

Qin Min was satisfied upon seeing that his sister’s features were indistinct, nodding approvingly, thinking his sister was indeed sensible.

As for how Gu Chengyu paints, that was none of his concern.

In fact, with Gu Chengyu’s keen eye, he naturally saw better than others, as he noticed Yao Mengxian sitting at a distance from the Hanging Flower Gate.

The young girl, dressed in a red jacquard jacket, appeared serene and elegant.

At that moment, she was chatting with another young girl beside her, after a few sentences, she looked up in his direction.

"Someone, bring the brush and ink!"

It was then that Gu Chengyu noticed a girl dressed in a bean-green Liuxian Skirt standing beneath a Jade Flower Tree, guessing she was the Commandery Princess about to dance.

The noble aura was unmistakable, yet the girl was veiled, which posed a challenge for Gu Chengyu’s painting.

Don’t think that just because a veil covers the face, the features need not be painted. On the contrary.

The features may not need depiction, but the essence of the character must be captured.

He pondered and decided to focus on the dance posture and grace.

He would also need to put effort into the Qionghua, as ancient paintings emphasized an aesthetic mood, and well-painted Jade Flowers could greatly enrich a character painting.

But the Jade Flowers were equally challenging to paint due to their whiteness. To bring out the white Jade Flowers, thoughtful consideration was needed.

Gu Chengyu glanced at the pigments on the table, such as vermilion, lead red, carbon black, and lead white, finding them of better quality than the ones he usually used.

This painting might be presented to the Empress, so Gu Chengyu had to devote his utmost effort into painting.

The sound of a pipa rang out, followed by a guzheng, as the girl in green started dancing in step with the music, Gu Chengyu attentively watching her dance.

Listening for a while, Gu Chengyu discerned that the tune was the Green Waist Dance.

The girl’s dance was light and graceful, with the skirt billowing and swirling like a blossoming Green Peony when caught by a breeze.

The Jade Flowers danced, and the girl in green beneath the tree was like the Nine Heavens Profound Lady in flight.

The observers noticed that Gu Chengyu had yet to start painting, quietly wondering if he was not adept at painting. What was Mr. Lu’s intention?

However, if the indistinct silhouette could be captured, it would be quite a feat. Besides, it had to resemble the subject, too.

If Gu Chengyu hadn’t seen Princess Rong Jia before, it might be quite disadvantageous. Everyone anticipated Gu Chengyu’s painting, and the poems previously praised were now dismissed, driving Min Feng mad with frustration.

Gu Chengyu meticulously observed every movement of Princess Rong Jia, engraving them deep in his mind.

Gu Chengyu first painted the Qionghua instead of the character. The composition of the entire painting centered on the Jade Flowers, which was why Gu Chengyu observed Princess Rong Jia’s movements closely, locking them in memory, as he couldn’t paint while looking.

Ancient paintings of white flowers typically used light ink outlines without coloring, leaving blanks in the center. Because even on white Xuanzhi paper, applying white color wouldn’t show.

But Gu Chengyu didn’t plan to do that, as it seemed too conventional. He opted to first paint the petals of the Jade Flowers on Xuanzhi paper using white pigment, then outline them lightly with ink.

Zhu Pang and Qin Min, closest to Gu Chengyu, felt puzzled. What was the point of using white pigment to paint the petals of the Jade Flower?

Though they were not adept painters, they had been tutored by masters since childhood, albeit without taking it seriously! Ahem! To be frank, it was due to a lack of talent.

Even if their painting skills were basic, they understood the basics of color application in painting. Typically, white flowers were depicted using light ink outline and leaving blanks.

So Gu Chengyu using white pigment as filler seemed redundant.

Zhu Pang hesitated, wanting to remind Gu Chengyu, but was stopped by Qin Min.

Upon seeing Gu Chengyu engrossed in painting, he could only keep silent. Disturbing someone mid-painting was most tabooed, as a disruption could cause the inspiration to vanish.