A life of clearness

Chapter 174 Answer
"Auntie."

The young man had sharp eyes and was the first to spot his mother standing at the end of the stone steps.

The boat girl smiled and waved. Next to her stood a woman of the same age.

They looked about the same age, but their clothes were completely different. Although the style of their clothes was not fashionable, they were clean and tidy. The woman in particular had a straight back and her hair was tied together, which gave her a certain elegance.

It was a little dark, so it was not clear from the distance. It was not until she got closer that Rong Qing could see the woman's facial features clearly.

She looked ordinary. The hairpins on her head were simple, and there was nothing special about her.

The blush on Zhong Xiu's face had faded. Walking for 25 minutes was a lot of effort for a girl of her age. Rong Qing held her in her arms for the second half of the walk, and only put her down at this moment.

"This is Cui Qiniang," the boatwoman enthusiastically introduced the woman beside her to Rong Qing, "She is not an ordinary servant, she is the noble's wet nurse, who has taken care of the noble since he was a child."

"I dare not take credit for this." Cui Qiniang shook her head slowly. She had been observing Rong Qing since she came up, and after looking at her closely without leaving any trace, she had already determined her attitude towards Rong Qing.

"I see that the young lady has an extraordinary demeanor and acts efficiently and generously. I wonder where she has achieved success?" Cui Qinnan was very amiable.

Rong Qing followed up on this topic and exchanged a few pleasantries.

When Cui Qinnan heard that Rong Qing was studying under Master Guo, her smile grew even wider.

"My young lady admires Master Guo the most. She will definitely be delighted to know that his disciple is coming."

Oh? Rong Qing was very interested. So, she is still the Master's little fan girl?
Led by Cui Qinnan, Rong Qing and his group looked around as they walked.

The boatman and his family also looked around. Since the nobleman arrived, the inner area of ​​the island has become his private courtyard, which cannot be easily seen. If you do not get permission, it will be considered as prying.

This time, Rong Qing and Zhong Xiu happened to be female guests, so they were allowed in. However, only Rong Qing and Zhong Xiu were allowed to enter the building.

The candlesticks hanging in the corridor have been lit and covered with gauze lampshades.

Rong Qing took off her shoes, leaving only her white socks on the floor. Zhong Xiu was even simpler, stepping on it barefoot.

Cui Qiniang showed them the first floor. Rong Qing looked at the many calligraphy works hanging there and was sure that this mysterious noble lady was indeed the Master's little fangirl.

Not a single one of them belonged to someone else; they were all from the Master's hand.

Some of them didn't even have the Master's signature on them, but Rong Qing could tell that they were written in the Master's usual handwriting style, so the possibility that they were written by the Master was extremely high.

Rong Qing was even more familiar with the faint fragrance in the house, which almost instantly pulled her back to her past memories.

"I'm sure you've seen a lot of these paintings and calligraphy works from the master." Cui Qiniang said with a smile, "I won't say anything more to make you laugh."

"Only this portrait." She raised her hand and pointed at a small portrait hanging on the wall. "This painting is my daughter's favorite, but I am really confused as to whether it was created by the master."

"I still ask for your advice, young lady. Whether it is true or not, it fully reflects the young lady's admiration for the master."

If Cui Qinnan hadn't pointed it out specifically, it would have been difficult for most people to notice this small portrait in the corner. After all, the portrait itself was only the size of two palms, and the drawing paper was ordinary, as if the painter had just casually pulled it there.

However, Rong Qing froze at the first sight of it.

She is familiar with the people in the painting...

Even if the painting is not carefully drawn, the Master always captures the spirit of the people in the painting very accurately.

"I understand why your young lady would have doubts. After all, the painting technique of this painting is very different from the master's other portraits. If your young lady was not very confident about the origin of this painting, she would not have collected it... I wonder where the noble lady got it from?"

Cui Qiniang pondered for a moment and said, "I'm afraid I can't tell you this. But since you are my disciple, I think I should be willing to meet you. Then, I might be able to give you an answer."

After hearing this, Rong Qing stopped insisting and continued speaking.

"Few people know that the Master rarely drinks, but he is good at drinking and never gets drunk easily. This painting should have been made when the Master was drunk occasionally. Naturally..." Rong Qing stared at the girl in the painting, "Different from the usual techniques. Pursuing the spirit, but forgetting the form and meaning." "So the person in the painting is not quiet, elegant, or graceful. Only vivid, only vivid."

If the painter was not extremely familiar with the person in the painting, then this method of painting with just a few strokes would just be casual.

"So, it turns out to be a rare masterpiece of the Master." Cui Qiniang sighed with a smile, "Miss, do you know which young lady the Master painted?"

Rong Qing suddenly had an idea and turned to look at Cui Qiniang with a strange and unpredictable look in her eyes.

"…Hmm, is that what you wanted to ask?"

Cui Qiniang's expression was normal, "Since Miss likes it, of course I want to know more about it."

"Yes." Rong Qing nodded in agreement. "I am willing to explain the details to you in detail. Please ask Qi Niang to pass on the message to you and me so that you can meet with me."

Cui Qiniang's eyes slid across Zhong Xiu. Although Zhong Xiu was not interested in these calligraphy works and did not quite understand what they were talking about, although he was bored, he did not make any noise.

It seems that he is a person who knows the rules. Cui Qiniang nodded secretly in her heart. She said something to Rong Qing and went upstairs to pass on the message.

Rong Qing watched Cui Qinnan's back as she went upstairs, and was unusually restless.

Could this mysterious noble lady be Yun Rong?

If so, that would be great. With this clue, her chances of finding Yun Rong after she leaves the illusion would be greatly increased.

……

There was a faint movement upstairs.

Why does it take so long to pass the message? Rong Qing was a little confused. Perhaps because she was nervous about the answer, she felt that time was slowing down.

After the noise upstairs died down, Cui Qinnan showed up and invited Rong Qing and the others to go upstairs.

The floor was very wide, which was different from the narrow and steep stairs nowadays. Rong Qing couldn't help but secretly praise this young lady for knowing how to ensure her own comfort. After all, she lived alone.

Not only are there cushions under your feet, but the armrests are also covered with soft towels. Every detail is perfect.

Going up to the second floor, Rong Qing found that even the floor was covered with soft blankets. There was no incense, only the cool evening breeze blowing gently into the room through the window lattice.

Cui Qinnan led Rong Qing and Zhong Xiu to their seats.

And that mysterious noble lady was right across from them...still mysterious.

Because several layers of white gauze hung in the middle, completely blocking them.

Rong Qing: ???
A good meeting turned into a voice chat?

"Miss, you have been feeling unwell recently, so it is not convenient for you to see guests. It is only because you are really worried that you have to do this. I hope you can forgive me."

"No." Rong Qing smiled and shook her head. "It's already a big mistake to ask the host to accommodate the guests. How can I be unhappy about it?"

Although the figure opposite was extremely blurry due to the layers of white gauze, Rong Qing could still see that the young lady was half lying on the couch. She thought that the vague movement upstairs earlier was due to this.

It seems that this young lady's health is really not good.

But this? Rong Qing glanced at the furnishings around the second floor...it didn't look like a place where a sick person lived.

Rather, it seems...

(End of this chapter)