Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 244 Sketch
Plum garden.

Chen Ce's departure disappointed all the women, but the auction and fundraising event were still going on in full swing.

Ning Zhijun, Su Hanmei and other powerful and talented women also painted some scrolls. At this time, the scrolls were spread out. Those pretentious businessmen obviously also knew a little about painting skills. Most of them were discussing and communicating with each other.

Although the merchants are rich, they are not fools. They also consider the purchase of these paintings, such as who the painter is, what his family background is, etc. These are all criteria for considering the value of a painting.

If they buy a painting of a daughter of a high-ranking official, the potential value will naturally be much higher. They can embellish and exaggerate the painting and then sell it to others.

For example, "This painting was painted by the eldest daughter of a doctor in the Ministry of Rites" is obviously more valuable than "This painting was painted by a village woman named Wang Erhua."

Until a businessman stopped in front of Zhu Houzhao, the businessman immediately called his companions over with a serious expression.

More and more businessmen gathered in front of Zhu Houzhao, which made him feel refreshed. It was a pity that the little brother had to leave because of something, otherwise he would have seen how valuable his paintings were among the people!

"Hehe, what are you guys going to offer? This painting of mine, Hundred Flowers in Full Bloom... eh."

Why are they criticizing my paintings? What does it mean?
"Brother Wang, look, this character...is so lifelike!"

“Is this really a painting by Li Qingzhao?”

“It feels like a real girl is standing in front of me.”

“It’s so realistic and vivid!”

"And this painting by Xie Daoyun...it doesn't look like it was painted with a brush?"

The discussion here quickly attracted the curiosity of Ning Zhijun and his group. They wondered what kind of painting could cause such a big controversy.

Ning Zhijun, Su Hanmei and other ladies came over curiously when they saw those vivid and lifelike sketches.

They were all stunned.

So vivid! So lively!
Although brush paintings can convey the spirit of the subject, they will ultimately give people a distorted feeling.

But these paintings in front of me are like the great talented women in history standing vividly in front of me!
This painter...is so terrible!

Everyone turned their eyes to Zhu Houzhao and asked, "Sir, did you draw this?"

Seeing their fiery eyes, Zhu Houzhao wanted to bite the bullet and pretend to admit it, but his conscience was against it, so he said honestly: "Of course not."

To be honest, Zhu Houzhao has not seen the paintings made by Chen Ce yet. He is too confident. He has so many painters in the Eastern Palace teaching him. I dare not say anything else, but he is very confident in his painting skills.

But they don’t seem to be very interested in their own paintings...?

What on earth did you draw, little brother?
Zhu Houzhao tilted his head and looked over. On the pieces of rice paper, every stroke had a clear outline. With just a few simple strokes, it seemed as if each historical figure came alive before him.

At this moment, Zhu Houzhao finally understood what dimensionality reduction attack meant!

"Young Master?"

"How much do you want for these scrolls? I'll sell them." A businessman asked.

Several other merchants said, "Brother Zhang and Brother Ma, don't argue with me. I'll buy this painting, no matter how much it's worth!"

This group of businessmen have evaluated the value of the scroll. This avant-garde painting method has probably never appeared in the entire Ming Dynasty. If they collect it now, its value in the future will surely be immeasurable!

Zhu Houzhao looked very depressed and said casually: "You are so arrogant? You want to buy it for fifty taels a piece?"

But who would have thought, the merchant said, "Okay! Fifty taels, but I don't have cash now, I need to go home to get it. Anyway, I want all these scrolls."

I go!

Zhu Houzhao gasped, "You're buying it for fifty taels? Are you stupid? Tang Yin's paintings aren't worth that much, are they? This isn't a painting by a famous person, do you know me?"

What Zhu Houzhao didn't know was that the merchants were willing to pay such high prices for Chen Ce's paintings because the paintings were so lifelike.

But it's certainly not worth the high price.

But it’s worth it just to be named after Chen Ce!

Among this group of businessmen, some knew the name Chen Ce. Chen Ce's reputation in the painting circle was not well-known, and it could even be said that very few people knew about him.

But there is one painting that was passed down by Tang Yin, which is the scroll of winter snow that Chen Ce made in his residence last winter.

It was rumored in the Juren circle that this was the only painting by Tang Yin's teacher. Tang Yin's teacher was called Chen Ce. After a year of fermentation, a small number of people knew the name Chen Ce.

The businessman who was willing to pay such a high price to buy Chen Cehua today obviously knew the inside story, so he could totally accept fifty taels!
Because as long as Chen Ce's scroll is sold again in the circle of Juren, the price can immediately double.

I'm afraid Chen Ce himself didn't know that his paintings would be so valuable.

Zhu Houzhao opened his mouth slightly, with a look of disbelief, "Fifty taels! My little brother just painted a few pictures..."

Zhu Houzhao had never been so bold even in his dreams. Not long ago, he had boasted in front of Chen Ce that a painting by a mysterious man would be on the front page of the next day's newspaper, raising ten taels of silver for charity... Yes, Zhu Houzhao could only dare to do so even in his boldest dreams.

But reality gave Zhu Houzhao a heavy blow, leaving him dizzy.

Ning Zhijun and Su Hanmei hurriedly said, "These paintings are not for sale!"

"Sir, the value of this painting... cannot be measured by money, so keep it." Several women felt distressed. Such a painting should not be associated with money.

Zhu Houzhao said: "Why not sell it? Give it to you?"

Ning Zhijun hurriedly said, "Thank you, sir!"

Su Hanmei also hurriedly said: "Thank you so much!"

The other women were even more excited. These paintings were best suited for collection. If they were to be sold... it would be such a waste!
The corners of Zhu Houzhao's mouth twitched fiercely, and he looked at the painting of a hundred flowers in full bloom in his hand, his expression became even more resentful.

……

Chen Ce naturally had no time to pay attention to the sensation caused by his sketches in the Plum Garden, and he never thought that the paintings he casually sketched would cause such a sensation.

At this moment, Chen Ce's thoughts were all on Madam Wu.

The Neichang Yamen was built temporarily on the Daxiangguo Temple Road outside the city. Neichang had no right to set up an imperial prison, so the Miao women were temporarily detained in the Neichang Yamen.

After Chen Ce arrived at the imperial prison, he quickly stepped forward to see Madam Wu. Several doctors bowed to Chen Ce and said, "Greetings, sir."

Chen Ce asked calmly, "How is she?"

Several old doctors shook their heads slightly and said, "If you are poisoned by the Miaojiang Gu, only the person who poisoned you can cure it."

Chen Ce bowed and said, "Thank you very much."

Several old doctors said, "Sir, this poison must be cured quickly. If it is not cured in twelve hours, his life may be in danger."

Chen Ce said calmly: "Okay, I understand."

Although he was worried in his heart, his face remained calm as he didn't want anyone to see his weakness.

(End of this chapter)