Chapter 67: A Great Ship upon the Sea (Part Two) (Free chapter)
Before long, the two paintings were brought over. When they were unrolled, their perspectives and techniques proved so similar that one almost looked like a copy of the other.
Zhang Wenwan asked with a smile, "Caozhi, can you tell which one Wei Rui painted?"
Chen Caozhi pointed angrily at the Love Vine Painting on the right and said, "This should be Young Lady Lu's work."
Zhang Wenwan asked, "What makes you say so?"
Chen Caozhi hesitated briefly before saying, "Aunt Zhang's painting is sumptuous, elegant, and gracefully assured, while Young Lady Lu's is understated and fresh, with an innocent charm."
Lady Lu, Zhang Wenwan, said with a smile, "But I cannot match Wei Rui's technique of applying touches of color in this painting."
In this era, the technique of applying touches of color in small-scale freehand painting was Chen Caozhi's own invention. Lu Weiwei had painted alongside him at Waguansi and received his instruction. After returning home, she had carefully studied and practiced it, with considerable success.
Lu Weiwei said shyly, "Mother, you're teasing me. How could I paint as well as you?"
Zhang Wenwan smiled and said to Lu Na, "My dear, I'd like to take a walk in the rear garden. My chest feels a little tight-Caozhi, stay a little longer. I still have something to ask you later." With that, she rose and left the study.
Lu Na understood his wife's intention. He smiled, rose, and stepped out of the study as well, turning his head to glance at his daughter, Lu Weiwei. Wei Rui stood up, looking rather awkward and bashful. Seeing her father glance her way, she followed him.
Lu Na waved her back, then went to the rear garden with his wife,