Su Xiaoqi watched the scenery quietly, waiting.
The adjacent room was relatively quiet, with only the voices of Zhao Xiaohua and Liu Tingting.
They were merely discussing topics favored by women, such as jewelry and clothing.
It wasn't until the sound of horses' hooves echoed from downstairs that the adjacent room suddenly became lively.
"Oh, my heavens, quickly look, quickly look, it's Young Master Yu, he's really here, isn't he? I'm not mistaken."
Liu Tingting's sharp voice pierced the room, and through the wooden walls, Su Xiaoqi's ears felt as though they would be shattered.
Zhao Xiaohua in the room frowned even more, but she quickly composed herself. She pulled Liu Tingting, who was half-leaning out of the windowsill, and gently soothed her, "Tingting, don't rush, don't rush. The painter Young Master Yu wants to meet is in the room next to ours. He'll be coming up. Be careful not to make too much noise and startle him."
"You, you can really let me meet him, and even talk to him?" Liu Tingting was somewhat disbelieving, yet unable to suppress her anticipation.
Zhao Xiaohua smiled and nodded, "Don't worry, I have a past connection with that painter. We can not only go out to meet him later, but we can also speak with him. Perhaps you can even make Young Master Yu look at you with new eyes."
These words stunned Liu Tingting. She covered her mouth, so overjoyed that she didn't know what to do, yet dared not cry out, fearing she would scare away the person who was arriving, just as Zhao Xiaohua had warned.
However, her eyes seemed glued to Young Master Yu, watching him ride his horse from the street and dismount before entering the tea house.
Only when he entered the building and could no longer be seen from the window did she turn back, immediately moving to the door to look outside.
"Tingting, don't rush, don't rush." Zhao Xiaohua saw her eagerness and realized she had lost all pretense of being a pampered young lady from a noble household, acting like a lovesick girl.
She curled her lips disdainfully and quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief to conceal her expression.
Liu Tingting quietly pulled open the door a crack and peered out through the gap.
She saw Young Master Yu walking up the stairs. He was dressed in white robes and a plain sash, with a handsome appearance, holding a folding fan, exuding the air of a refined young gentleman.
Liu Tingting's eyes sparkled, gazing at him like a lovesick fool.
Her gaze was sticky and lingering, and it quickly caught Young Master Yu's attention. His gaze shifted sideways, and at a glance, he saw the eyes peeking through the crack in the door.
He frowned displeasantly, but quickly let it go.
He had seen such gazes countless times. His father was right; he couldn't stop others from looking at him, so he might as well pretend not to see.
Young Master Yu's real name was Liang Jingyu, and he was seventeen years old, the eldest son of the current Crown Prince. He had a passion for painting and ink wash. Not only was he exceptionally handsome, but he was also a skilled painter and enjoyed collecting good paintings from reclusive artists in the common folk.
His arrival here was prompted by his accidental discovery of a landscape painting in Duobao Studio. The painting was exceptionally elegant and refined, as if it had brought the mountains and water to life. He was captivated at first sight, purchased the painting, and inquired about the artist. Through the shopkeeper of Duobao Studio, he arranged to meet the artist here to discuss painting techniques.
Liang Jingyu entered the private room in the Peony Pavilion. Inside, a scholar dressed in plain clothes was already waiting. This was the artist Liang Jingyu had come to see, named Tang Boyin. He was just under twenty years old, with delicate features, not tall, slender, and pale-complexioned, appearing somewhat sickly.
Upon seeing Liang Jingyu enter, he became agitated and quickly stood up. However, he had stood up too hastily, stumbled, and nearly fell.
Liang Jingyu raised his hand, and the little maid beside him quickly stepped forward to help him. However, two others were faster. One of them reached the scholar before the maid and steadied him, gently advising, "Brother, you have always been weak and cannot rush. I believe Young Master Yu will not blame you."
The people who came out were Zhao Xiaohua and Liu Tingting. The Peach Blossom Dock private room where they were located was connected to this Peony Pavilion, separated only by a movable screen. If someone needed a larger private room, the screen could be folded away and moved. If a smaller private room was desired, it could be opened to create a division.
Zhao Xiaohua and Liu Tingting's appearance startled Liang Jingyu. The little maid beside him immediately stood in front of him, appearing ready to face a formidable enemy.
Upon seeing that they were merely two delicate women, with no one else, Liang Jingyu dismissed the maid and said sternly, "Brother?"
Liang Jingyu spoke as he looked at the two young women who had suddenly appeared. The one in front was moderately pretty, though her skin was a bit rough. She wore a simple, elegant long dress, giving her an unadorned and clean appearance, which possessed a unique beauty. As for the other, she was indeed beautiful, but she wore a long red dress. Her attire was very flamboyant, especially the way she looked at him; her gaze was far too obvious.
He glanced at her once and then shifted his gaze to Zhao Xiaohua. He found her more pleasing to the eye, but what impressed him most was that she called Tang Boyin "brother." This indicated that she was the sister of someone he valued. He liked her for his sake, and naturally, he was willing to treat her kindly.
"Since your brother is not feeling well, you may stay here to look after him," Liang Jingyu said, waving his hand generously.
Zhao Xiaohua nodded, obediently agreeing. She pulled Liu Tingting to sit down and, with a delicate movement of her hands, poured tea for them.
During this time, Liang Jingyu and Tang Boyin discussed their paintings. Although their social statuses were vastly different, their conversation quickly turned into a mutual appreciation. From the initial awkwardness and indifference, their discussion soon became intimate. Zhao Xiaohua, appearing as Tang Boyin's sister, was even able to interject a few words occasionally. Her brief comments revealed an excellent artistic cultivation, earning her Liang Jingyu's admiration. From finding her ordinary at first, he found her increasingly pleasing to his eye, gradually taking a liking to her.
Liu Tingting, who was standing by like a decorative vase, grew anxious. However, having spent her life in the inner chambers, cherished by her parents and protected by her brothers, she was naturally naive and did not perceive the subtle affections exchanged between Zhao Xiaohua and Liang Jingyu. She was solely focused on how to attract Liang Jingyu's attention. Seeing Zhao Xiaohua chatting happily with him, she quietly tugged at Zhao Xiaohua's clothes, hoping for an introduction.
"By the way, Young Master Yu, this is my friend Tingting. She has always loved painting, and she particularly admires your works."
"Oh, which of my works do you admire?" Liang Jingyu had already noticed Liu Tingting. As before, he found the young lady beautiful but considered her attire too gaudy. Especially the jewelry in her hair, which dazzled him, making him unwilling to look at her for too long. However, hearing that she admired his paintings, he suddenly became interested.
"Uh, Young Master Yu's paintings are so good, I, I like them all," Liu Tingting stammered, momentarily speechless. She glared at Zhao Xiaohua. She didn't like Young Master Yu's paintings at all; she liked Young Master Yu himself! Who would bother with such things? It was exhausting. She had first seen Liang Jingyu when she accompanied her mother to a banquet in the palace, and she had fallen for him at first sight. She had seen him at various banquets since then. However, this Young Master Yu was a talented and refined man who only associated with people of talent or artistic skill. Her family had no exceptionally talented individuals, so she had no opportunity to interact with him. The more she couldn't get close to him, the more she desired him, and it slowly turned into an obsession. It was a pity that no one in her family, from her mother to her brother, could introduce her, and it was even more impossible to get help from the Princess. She had a heart full of admiration but could do nothing. She could only hide in her chamber and weep in secret. It was Zhao Xiaohua who noticed and offered to fulfill her wish by letting her meet Young Master Yu. She had met him and even spoken to him. But now, when Young Master Yu asked her which painting she liked, how could she answer? She only knew that Young Master Yu liked painting but was unaware of any specific works he had. She bit her lip anxiously, looking at Zhao Xiaohua for help.
Zhao Xiaohua smiled and smoothly continued, "Tingting likes your 'Sunrise Over Pine Mountain.' On the peak of Huangshan, on the cliffs, the pine trees possess integrity and emerge from the cracks, their spirit unyielding."
"Good, good, this painting is also my favorite. Great minds think alike," Liang Jingyu exclaimed excitedly, slapping the table. He thought he had found a kindred spirit. His voice was so loud that it startled Su Xiaoqi, who was diligently eavesdropping from the adjacent room. Considering Zhao Xiaohua's series of actions, she frowned. Zhao Xiaohua was indeed someone with such special experiences; one truly could not underestimate her.