CHAPTER 1601: CHAPTER 1601 GRACE

Zhulan went to see a session; the Painting shop’s competition is a marketing strategy for the Painting shop. The shop itself has raised many painters, and when a painter gains fame through the competition, the value of their paintings increases, creating a renowned artist. The Painting shop not only gains fame but also abundant wealth.

To put it bluntly, it’s all a money-making scheme. Even if a painter they cultivated doesn’t win a prize, the competition still promotes the Painting shop. Moreover, paintings are auctioned after each competition, ensuring the Painting shop never loses.

Zhou Shuren looked at Jiang Sheng, "Have you ever thought about how your reputation would fare if your paintings, now highly sought after, don’t win?"

Jiang Sheng naturally considered this. He was no longer a novice. "Father-in-law, I have declined several sessions already, and there have been negative rumors about me outside. After several years of study, I have confidence in myself and wish to vindicate both you and myself."

Zhou Shuren understood what was going on. Someone suggested that Jiang Sheng achieved his current status because of him, although there was some truth to it. However, the admiration for Jiang Sheng’s paintings was genuinely due to Jiang Sheng’s true skill.

Zhou Shuren saw his son-in-law’s confident expression, a confidence born of talent and effort, "Alright, let’s see how you will vindicate yourself."

Zhulan wasn’t worried, as she was the most knowledgeable about paintings. Her son-in-law’s paintings were devoid of industrial spirit; they were genuinely full of vitality.

Jiang Sheng and his wife stayed for dinner, and as they were about to leave afterward, Zhou Shuren suddenly spoke, "The painting for the competition must not be sold, ahem, since you are vindicating both you and I, this painting should be given to me."

Jiang Sheng, "..."

He wanted to keep it himself!

Soon it was the Jiang family’s washing ceremony for three, but as the child was weak and the weather was cold, it was canceled, and Zhulan sent a gift instead.

After the washing ceremony, Xue Mei came to visit, "Mother, I want to change houses."

Zhulan, "Why the sudden desire to move?"

Xue Mei said, "The house is still too small, so I want to find a bigger one."

Zhulan noticed her daughter’s casual attitude; her son-in-law had truly made money, "Do you want me to help you find one?"

Xue Mei nodded, "The houses I can find are all small, so I’d like your help in finding one."

Zhulan calculated in her mind, realizing that indeed there were larger houses available. Many houses with good locations in the capital were vacant, not because they had no owners, but because they were held by noble families for family division purposes.

In the past two years, Zhulan had also purchased a few properties, also in preparation for future family divisions.

Zhulan called Lady Li, "Have your sister-in-law take you to look around."

Xue Mei was delighted, "Thank you, Mother."

Not long after Xue Mei left, Chang Xhong returned. Zhulan raised an eyebrow, "Where have you been?"

Chang Xhong took off his cape, "I went to see a friend."

Zhulan, "Anything important?"

Chang Xhong nodded, "It’s about Gu Sheng; he caught a cold and hasn’t recovered. I invited our family doctor to take a look, and only then did we realize why Gu Sheng hasn’t gotten better. The issue lies in the prescription given by the doctor; the dosage was too light to be effective."

Zhulan realized, "He must have caught a cold from the previous trouble."

Chang Xhong was surprised, "Mother, you knew?"

Zhulan shared what she knew, "They deliberately troubled him; once you gain fame but lack protection, you become a target."

Chang Xhong sighed, "That’s why the prescription wasn’t healing him."

"Sometimes it’s better to keep a low profile."

Chang Xhong, familiar with the deceit in the capital, asked, "Mother, who do you think it was?"

Zhulan retorted, "Who do you think it was?"

Chang Xhong took a bite of an apple, "I think there are many suspects. The Duke of Yongan’s residence is one; Zhuo Guyu never won a debate against Mr. Gu, and the Duke’s residence values its reputation, so Gu Sheng was in the way. The Du family is also a possibility, among others!"

Jealousy is terrifying; it drives people to madness. How many have been harmed because of it?

Zhulan knew it was the Du family that gave Gu Sheng a hard time, "Do you know Mr. Du?"

Chang Xhong, "He tried to befriend me a few times, but I ignored him. He is quite popular among poor scholars and has made many connections recently, even sponsoring a few poor scholars."

Zhulan was surprised, "He has done so many things?"

Chang Xhong happily continued eating his apple, "Also, the Second Prince, he’s been quite active too."

At that moment, Chang Xhong’s young servant reported, head bowed, "No sooner had you left than the Duke Residence brought a doctor over, and shortly after, the Liu family also sent someone."

Chang Xhong gestured for the young servant to leave, "This is an act of kindness? Indeed, it’s more cunning than killing."

Zhulan chuckled, "Yet you managed to beat them to it."

Chang Xhong was pleased, "No matter how much scheming, sincerity is better."

Time flew by quickly, and in a blink of an eye, it was the day of the Painting shop competition. This year was livelier than before because of the Graduates coming to the capital for exams.

Today, the Painting shop was extremely crowded. They cleared out any space available to accommodate people.

Zhulan wanted to join in the fun and changed into plain clothes. She invited Ms. Tao to go with her, and Xue Mei joined them.

The younger ones didn’t need Zhulan’s oversight; they arranged their own spots.

Zhulan and Ms. Tao arrived early, reaching the private room well in advance. The room was small, separated for occasion.

Ms. Tao watched the hustle and bustle below, "If not for accompanying you, I wouldn’t participate in this excitement."

Zhulan, "This is life’s joy."

Being immersed in the atmosphere, here, there are no extras; everyone is real and lively.

Ms. Tao chuckled, "I’d love to enjoy it, but there’s no time; there are too many family matters."

"It’s not easy being a housewife."

Ms. Tao agreed yet was willing, as it’s a position. Despite being busy, she never complained.

Zhulan peeked through the bamboo curtain, knowing from the commotion that the well-known young gentlemen had arrived.

Ms. Tao spotted the Duke’s young master, "I used to underestimate him."

"How about the lady from the Wang family?"

Ms. Tao smiled, "It’s settled; she’s a relative within our clan, a capable helper. They’re prepared for engagement, the eldest son of the Officer of the Ministry of Works."

Zhulan, "Congratulations."

In the midst of their conversation, today’s scene was indeed lively. Zhulan spotted the Fourth Prince and many ladies.

Chang Xhong didn’t see Yu Wen, but the Fourth Prince did, calling, "Cousin, there’s plenty of space here."

Yu Wen, "...Fourth Prince?"

The Fourth Prince nodded, "Cousin."

Chang Xhong, "..."

It seemed like he had gained a seniority title?

The Fourth Prince was particularly enthusiastic, so Yu Die and others had no choice but to sit over. Liu Yuanbo and Yu Yueyang also arrived, exchanging a glance and seeing shock in each other’s eyes!

Yu Wen sat down with a sigh, "Fourth Prince, it’s better if you call me An He."

Please don’t call her cousin anymore; she really didn’t want to be a cousin. After all, Wen Ling was the Fourth Prince’s legitimate cousin. Thinking about it, she oddly wanted to find Wen Ling.

Then she met Wen Ling’s angry eyes not far away!

Yu Wen turned her head and pointed to where Wen Ling was, "Fourth Prince, your cousin is in the front."

The Fourth Prince naturally saw, waved, and that was it!

Wen Ling, "..."

So angry!

Yu Wen sat down and looked downstairs; the contestants had passed the first round and were entering the venue, with fifty people remaining. Yu Wen immediately spotted Mr. Gu and quietly asked her little uncle, "Isn’t Mr. Gu sick?"

Chang Xhong, "??"

This niece wasn’t supposed to be concerned about anything, yet here she was, helping out earlier, and now knowing Gu Sheng was ill!!