The next day, Meng Anci sent a letter to Zhao Zhiyuan. It wasn't out of any brotherly affection, but simply because none of the men his sister had chosen were as outstanding as Zhao Zhiyuan.
Inside the Pingcheng Prefecture, Yuan Shanjian at the account books.
" Little Zhao, do you think the people in Zhao Household Gully would give me half of the compensation if I went there now?"
Receiving no response, he turned his head and saw Zhao Zhiyuan staring blankly at a piece of paper.
" Little Zhao? Lord Zhao? Zhao Zhiyuan?"
Zhao Zhiyuan snapped back to reality. " Lord Yuan, is there something you need?" He folded the letter and carefully put it away.
Yuan Shanjian concern, "What's wrong? Is something wrong at home? Should I send someone to check on you?"
Zhao Zhiyuan smiled, but instead of answering directly, he changed the subject, "Is the newly appointed magistrate of Jianghe County any good?"
"Don't worry, it's perfectly safe. The emperor is furious this time, so no one dares to be careless about repairing the river."
Zhao Zhiyuan nodded slightly, paused for a moment, and then spoke again, "Are there any skilled painters in Pingcheng Prefecture? I would like to have a portrait painted."
Yuan Shanjian aback, wondering how the topic had suddenly shifted from river repair to portraits. "Yes, our government's painters are extremely skilled; they paint wanted criminals with remarkable realism."
Zhao Zhiyuan: "I don't want a plain line drawing, I want a colored painting."
"Hey, I'll just have him color it, that'll be fine." Yuan Shanjian his voice and ordered the yamen runners to call the painter.
Zhao Zhiyuan worried, quickly added, "Invite the best painters in the city, the sooner the better."
Yuan Shanjian couldn't help but chuckle, thinking to himself, "A grown man like him, so concerned about a portrait."
Three-quarters of an hour later, a group of painters had gathered inside the government office.
Zhao Zhiyuan looked around and asked sincerely, "How's the lighting in this room?"
The lead painter said with a smile, "Your Excellency possesses extraordinary elegance; you shine wherever you sit."
Zhao Zhiyuan was speechless for a moment.
He pondered for a moment, then moved a chair to the courtyard, sat down, and asked, "Which is more suitable for painting, here or inside?"
The painters exchanged glances, and one of them mustered his courage and stepped forward, "Sir, it's cool inside, but sunny outside. Painting a portrait takes at least half an hour, and sometimes up to two hours. I'm afraid you'll suffer from heatstroke."
Zhao Zhiyuan waved his hand, "Don't worry about me, just tell me where the painting is better."
"Naturally, it's outdoors, with plenty of light, making it easier to see clearly and allowing for more delicate brushstrokes."
"Then let's paint outdoors. Each of you choose your own angle to paint, and the one who paints the best will be rewarded with fifty taels of silver."
The painters' eyes lit up. Fifty taels of silver was equivalent to a year's worth of their usual work. They all declared, "Rest assured, sir, we will paint you with the most handsome and dashing appearance, capturing every detail perfectly."
Zhao Zhiyuan ignored what they were saying, but sat down in a chair. After thinking for a moment, he stood up again, went inside to change into a new official robe, and stood by the bamboo grove.
He was already handsome, and this attire made him even more outstanding.
He coughed twice. "Make me look taller, with white dots on my face... and my eyes need to be bright."
Yuan Shanjian stood under the eaves with his hands on his hips and couldn't help but tease, "Why are your eyes so bright? Do they glow at night like Xiaoli?" He then burst into laughter, but after a while, seeing the silence in the yard, he suppressed his laughter.
After everyone had chosen their angles, they picked up their brushes and began to write. Time passed slowly, Zhao Zhiyuan remained standing motionless, like a wooden stake.
The painters, eager for the reward, went to great lengths to complete their works. By the time the paintings were finished, it was already getting dark. Zhao Zhiyuan stood stiffly, and it was only after Agui helped him to sit down.
Eight artists presented their paintings in turn, from all angles, including back views, and some even painted two extra paintings.
Zhao Zhiyuan carefully selected a painting, rewarded it with fifty taels of silver, and gave each of the others twenty taels. The crowd was overjoyed, thanked him profusely, and left.
Zhao Zhiyuan carefully selected five portraits from different angles, rolled them up neatly, put them in a wooden box, and then wrote a letter, which he handed to Agui.
"You must personally deliver this to the Anzhi Hall and make sure it reaches Miss Meng. Do not give it to anyone else. Remember this."
"Don't worry, young master, I'll set off immediately." Agui shouldered his bag and rode back to the capital overnight.
After Agui left, Zhao Zhiyuan's expression darkened. If it weren't for Chancellor Cai's interference, he wouldn't be in such a passive position. If he missed Meng Anzhi because of this...
Upon thinking of this, a barely perceptible glint of coldness flashed in his eyes. He picked up his pen again and wrote a letter to his great-grandfather, asking him to secretly investigate the Dingchuan Prefecture and the various county magistrates.
The extent of their family property and land holdings, the number of shops under their name, the expenses incurred in their children's weddings, and even the number of mistresses they secretly kept—all these details had to be thoroughly investigated.
Five days later, Agui appeared at the entrance of the Anzhi Hall, looking exhausted.
" Miss Meng..."
A look of shock flashed in Meng Anzhi's eyes. She gestured for him to sit down for a while, and only after she had seen off the patient did she lead Agui to the study.
" Agui... why are you back?"
Agui took off his bundle and carefully handed it to her, saying, " Miss Meng, this is from my master."
Meng Anzhi took the package and placed it on the table. Inside was a wooden box. Lifting the lid, five scrolls came into view. She picked one up and slowly unfolded it. On the paper was Zhao Zhiyuan, dressed in an official robe, his brows and eyes exuding authority without anger, looking very handsome.
Meng Anzhi couldn't help but chuckle. Agui, who was standing next to her, secretly observed her expression until she picked up the letter, at which point her tense expression relaxed slightly.
In the letter, Zhao Zhiyuan only wrote his birth date and time, nothing else.
Meng Anzhi put down the letter, went around to the desk and sat down. She wrote two words, carefully folded the letter, put it in an envelope, handed it to Agui, and said softly, "Thank you for your hard work."
Agui received a reply and left with a smile.
Meng Anzhi did not stop the talent show because of Zhao Zhiyuan's letter... She still looked at portraits at night and went to scout locations during the day.
September winds rise, October leaves fall!
Meng Anzhi stood outside the brothel and saw a man walk out. She turned around and found Zhao Zhiyuan standing behind her. A look of surprise flashed across her eyes.
When did you get back?
Zhao Zhiyuan her, glanced at the man, and replied softly, "I just entered the city and saw you standing here... Have you made your choice?"
Meng Anzhi smiled and said, "No... I'm not waiting for anyone."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhiyuan couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips into a smile, but he suppressed it and coughed lightly twice, "I need to go into the palace first... wait for me later."
"Okay..." Meng Anzhi looked at him with a smile, making Zhao Zhiyuan's ears burn, but he couldn't bear to look away for even a moment.
After the two parted ways, Zhao Zhiyuan rushed to the palace to report.
It was nearly evening when he left the palace, and he rushed to the Anzhi Hall without even having time to change out of his official robes.
Upon reaching the entrance of the Anzhi Hall, he reined in his horse and dismounted. The gate was not closed, and he immediately saw the people in the courtyard.
She was facing away from him, talking to Qing He... Her clear, bright laughter pierced his heart.
Qing He, " Lord Zhao..."
Hearing the voice, Meng Anzhi turned her head and then smiled, "Is Lord Zhao here to see me? Or to see Anci?"
Zhao Zhiyuan wanted to say "find you," but reason pulled him back to reality, "Find Anci..."
Meng Anzhi raised an eyebrow, " Lord Zhao, please follow me..."
Zhao Zhiyuan followed behind her and whispered, "We can't Lord Zhao..."
Meng Anzhi looked at him with a smile, "Okay... Young Master Zhao..."
Zhao Zhiyuan's face flushed red. The two stood outside the study, about to say something, when the study door suddenly opened, and he was pulled inside by a strong force.