Xianggui

Tao Weng stroked his beard and looked at Xun Xiang with satisfaction, "You are my most proud disciple, not even comparable to the first two."

Disliked by his master, Prince Consort Xun wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "Student is ashamed."

Sun Yumu said again, "Xiangxiang, I gave you all the best paintings I painted. Why didn't you give me a picture like this? It's not interesting."

Xun Xiang said, "I have given Brother Sun a lot of paintings, at least ten of them."

"Those are small pictures, not big pictures like this."

Tao Weng said, "Young people don't understand. It costs at least a thousand taels of silver to bring such a fine painting to the market. How can you, a young boy, have the nerve to ask for a picture of a little girl for free?"

Sun Yumu said, "I want to buy it, can't I buy it?"

Xunxiang smiled and said, "We are good friends, there is no need to buy it. Next year, there will be many people in line in front of you."

Tao Jing is a girl who knows the importance of things. She doesn't dare to ask for such a large painting. She said, "Princess, just give me a small picture of yours and I will be satisfied."

She could see that Princess Xiangxiang was already on par with her grandfather in the world of painting. No matter whether the picture was small or big, as long as it was authentic, it could not be wrong.

Xun Xiang said happily, "Okay, I have it in Xiao Hua's study. I'll give it to you another day."

None of them were outsiders. Tao Weng took a few people and the paintings to the old lady's yard and invited the whole family to come and enjoy the paintings. He also sent someone specially to invite Tao Hui, Sun Yumu's mother, Mrs. Sun.

When the men went to the office, they all came here to reward them.

The next day, Tao Weng invited Taifu Li, Minister Jiang, Jia Hanlin and others to come and appreciate the paintings. Afterwards, many admirers came to see the paintings.

Someone paid a thousand taels of silver to buy a painted pottery but was reluctant to sell it. Another person offered two thousand taels, but Tao Weng was still reluctant to sell.

He also stated, "This painting will not be sold, but will be kept as a family heirloom."

This is because Xunxiang is still alive and young, otherwise it would be more expensive.

Then, someone went directly to the Dongyang Princess Mansion to appreciate the paintings or even buy them.

They found Xun Prince Consort, Princess Dongyang, Xun Xiang, and Xun Yibo, as well as Ding Zhao, Ding Lichun, Ding Liren, Dong Yihe, and even Xun Qianli.

The lowest price offered is one thousand taels, and there are also prices of two thousand taels and three thousand taels.

Xunxiang really didn't have any decent paintings. The only one he painted was given to Tao Weng, but they all rejected it.

The emperor didn't ask for it explicitly. What he said in his eyes was "Why didn't you give me one?"

Xunxiang explained, "Xiangxiang is young and still needs to improve. I want to wait until my painting skills become more proficient so that I can paint better paintings for the emperor's grandfather."

Dongyang didn't understand very much. The Prince Consort's best calligraphy was only a few hundred taels, so how could Xunxiang's paintings be so valuable.

Prince Consort Xun's answer was, "The fragrant green comes from the blue and is better than the blue."

Xunxiang's answer was, "This is a rare thing. My father has many calligraphy works, but I only have one."

In early July, there was a heavy rain that lasted for three days. The heat finally went away and the drought was alleviated.

Twelve hours later, Xunxiang took the picture for the queen and went to Kunning Palace with Princess Dongyang.

This painting was completed in early July. Xun's consort took it to appreciate it for a few days. Xun Yibo took it to appreciate it for a day before returning it to Xun Xiang.

The painting is the Queen Mother of the West in "The Classic of Mountains and Seas", three feet vertical.

The Classic of Mountains and Seas describes the Queen Mother of the West as follows: She looks like a human, has a leopard tail, tiger teeth, and is good at roaring.

To put it simply, it is a half-human, half-animal image, an image formed by the gathering of the most wonderful Qi of Xihua in the chaotic Tao Qi.

There is also a children's song, Wearing a green skirt, entering the gate of heaven, bowing to the golden mother, worshiping the wooden father...

"Golden Mother" refers to the Queen Mother of the West. The meaning of this picture sent to Queen Ye is definitely good.

There were also paintings of the Queen Mother of the West in this era, all of which were half human and half beast. They were majestic, but a little scary.

The Queen Mother of the West written by layman Dongshe is completely different from the previous Queen Mother of the West.

The Queen Mother of the West is beautiful and majestic in the painting. Her upper body is in human form, wearing gorgeous clothes and jewelry, and her lower body is in snake-like scales, sitting cross-legged in the clouds. There was mist all around and golden lotuses floating in the air.

The painting style is bright and realistic, the characters are lifelike, and the artistic conception is profound.

Queen Ye fell in love with her at first sight, and it was rare for her to laugh loudly.

She had the painting hung on the wall, bowed a few times, and then asked Eunuch Li to take it to the Tai Chi Hall.

"Hurry and show it to the emperor. This is my granddaughter's filial piety to me."

If you go at this time, many ministers are still there, and the king and his ministers will appreciate it.

Seeing that his mother liked him so much, Dongyang smiled and his eyes widened.

Eunuch Li came back and said with an exaggerated smile, "To express my gratitude to the Queen, Your Majesty is very fond of that painting. He said that the painting style is magnificent and the characters are realistic and lifelike. It is a rare painting. All the ministers also praised it..."

In the evening, the emperor came to Kunning Palace. While he praised Xunxiang greatly, he also rewarded him with many good things.

On July 19th, Xunxiang turned twelve.

This day is not only her birthday, but also the year of the golden hairpin, one of the most important days for the girl's family.

The girl has grown up, it’s time to dress up, it’s time to talk to others...

Dongyang worked hard to make this special day for his daughter the most honorable one.

She invited Princess Qing to be the guest of honor, Princess Mingshan and County Princess Yingying to be the patrons, several younger siblings and their families, and the female relatives of Prince Qing's Palace and Prince Rongjun's Palace.

If Xun Xiang and Xun Consort don't stop him, they will invite everyone in the clan.

She wanted everyone to take a look, and everyone would say that her Dongyang breasts were dull, but her daughter was famous for her talent and beauty when she was just twelve years old.

Princess Qing is in her fifties, in good health, surrounded by children and grandchildren, and has a very good reputation.

Previously, Xunxiang wanted to invite Mrs. Dong to be the guest of honor. Not only because they have the same mother and daughter, but also because Dong Yihe and his wife will leave Dali one day after next year, and they have always regarded Xunxiang as their biological daughter...

But Dongyang proposed it, and it turned out that Princess Qing was more suitable, so Xunxiang couldn't object. It's not that he's afraid of Dongyang, but he doesn't want to cause trouble to Mrs. Dong and draws his attention to her.

That day, Xun Consort and Xun Yibo both took leave. The family of four had breakfast at Qijin Hall, and then went to Ziyuan together.

Today is sunny and breezy, and the weather is pleasant.

Xun Xiang was served by servants and entered the clean room to take a bath, while several others sat in a side room and waited.

More than two quarters of an hour later Xunxiang came out. She was wearing a bright red gown with gold flowers all over it, and her half-dried black hair was hanging down. Her cheeks are flushed, her eyes are bright, her facial features are bright, and her temperament is outstanding.

Dongyang discovered that his daughter had grown taller, lost weight, and her breasts had protruded a little... like a bud blooming, fresh, delicate, beautiful, and full of vitality.

She had to admit that this girl was definitely better than the other girl in terms of appearance and charm.

Xun Yibo smiled and said, "The hands are like catkins, the skin is like gelatin, the collar is like a cricket grub, the teeth are like gourd rhinoceros, the head is like a moth, the eyebrows are like moths, the smile is charming, and the beautiful eyes are looking forward to..."

Prince Consort Xun only said, "I have a daughter who has just grown up..."

His mood was very conflicting. I hope my daughter will grow up quickly, but I don’t want her to grow up too fast. I have lived at home for less than a year, but I am already in my golden years...

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