Chapter 642: Chu Jinling’s Painting, Vivid
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
He had only recently met Su Yingxue, yet he had already bestowed upon her sincerity and trust.
Perhaps it was her resilience and broad-mindedness that was very attractive.
Su Yingxue stepped out under the moon and happened to encounter Chu Jinling’s painting in the garden.
He had a very good sense of leisure and elegance. Amidst the flowers and under the moonlight, he was boiling wine with green plums in the pavilion. His brush was slowly outlining the graceful figure of a woman.
Su Yingxue had walked behind him, but he had not noticed it.
Perhaps he was too engrossed in his painting.
Su Yingxue wanted to greet him but was afraid of interrupting.
When he finished his stroke, he sighed at the painting. “Sigh, I didn’t do well again. Sisi’s eyes are very beautiful!”
Chu Jinling looked disappointed as he took down the painting.
Su Yingxue took it and examined it. “It’s quite good!”
Chu Jinling looked pleasantly surprised. “You haven’t left yet? What have you been talking about with my cousin for so long?”
“Discussing his illness.”
Su Yingxue replied as she carefully examined Chu Jinling’s painting.
It had to be said, that Chu Jinling, the Ninth Prince, was the least competent in the struggle for the throne, but when it came to music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and literature, no prince could surpass him in these refined pursuits.
His depiction of Lin Sisi wielding a spear, clad in armor, with her hair billowing in the wind, was truly lifelike. It was as if the valiant girl were right before their eyes.
Su Yingxue’s eyes held a hint of regret. “Such a good painting, yet Sisi can’t see it.”
“I had someone deliver a painting to her.”
Chu Jinling muttered, then grimaced. “But 1 couldn’t let her know it was from me, so I had to have it sent to the military camp. However, there was an annoying junior officer who happened to visit Sisi that day and made her think he painted it. She was so grateful to him. It infuriated me!”
Su Yingxue couldn’t help but laugh at this story.
If it weren’t for Noble Consort Xiao’s people keeping an eye on Chu Jinling and prohibiting him from approaching Lin Sisi, he would have surely burst out and given that officer a beating when he found out his painting was being falsely claimed, right?
Su Yingxue took the painting to keep it safe. “I’ll deliver this painting to Sisi for you.”
She would never claim Chu Jinling’s painting as her own.
“You can give it to her, but just say you painted it.”
Chu Jinling sighed heavily. “She’ll miss me when she sees the painting, but Mother has forbidden me from seeing her again. If Mother finds out, she won’t spare Sisi. I can’t protect her, and 1 don’t want to cause her any more trouble.”
Chu Jinling picked up the wine jug from the stone table and took a sip.
Su Yingxue’s heart ached a little as she watched.
“Alright, I know what to do.”
After all, she was just an outsider. Perhaps this was all she could do.
“Hey, wait! Auntie, when you go to see Sisi, if you have time, please help me prepare these for her.”
Chu Jinling handed her a piece of paper listing a few snacks.
“These are all Sisi’s favorites. She’s currently training in the military camp and can’t often indulge in them. Help deliver them to her. I’ve also listed where to buy these delicious dried fruits. Since I’m calling you Auntie, I’m counting on you.”
Chu Jinling winked at her, clearly being a bit cheeky.
But Su Yingxue looked into his clear eyes and nodded. “Okay..”