A Lifelike Portrait

The First Madam probably knew what she was thinking. She reached out and stroked her hair, sighing, "When I was young, I also thought about doing what I wanted to do. But I wasn't capable enough, and my elders didn't support me, so I gave up. But there are always regrets." Especially when I was stuck in the inner quarters and life wasn't going well.

"Since the teacher thinks highly of you, and you also want to go, then go. The old lady, the Marquis, and I will all support you."

As the First Madam spoke, she looked at the Old Madam.

The old lady nodded. "Yes. We'll support you whatever you need."

Regardless of whether Xu Xi passes the imperial examinations or not, the fact that her abilities and knowledge have been recognized by the academy's teachers is an honor in itself. Spreading this word will benefit both Xu Xi and the Marquis's mansion. Naturally, the old lady will not object.

Xu Xi was quite Gao Xing everyone reached a consensus so easily. "Thank you, Madam and Aunt."

As she spoke, she beckoned to Qingfeng: "Bring me the painting tube I brought back."

Qingfeng quickly handed the items to Xu Xi.

Xu Xi opened the painting tube and poured out the rolled-up painting inside, saying, "This is a painting I did today. It was appreciated by Master Kang, who teaches us painting. He said I have pioneered a new style of painting."

"A new painting technique?" The old lady's perception of Xu Xi was completely different from before.

Previously, Xu Xi was just another ordinary granddaughter in her eyes, nothing special. Because she wasn't raised by her own parents and was Lady Wei's daughter, she was only there for appearances, with no real affection or blood ties between them.

Things have changed recently because Xu Xi might be the daughter of the First Madam, but the changes are not significant.

But now, Xu Xi is completely different in her eyes. She is extremely good at studying the Four Books and Five Classics, ranking first in the exams, which prompted the teacher to suggest that she participate in the imperial examinations; now, she has even created a new painting style, which has earned praise from the teacher.

Could it be that their noble family is about to produce a literary genius?

"Quickly, open it and let us see." The First Madam was different from the Old Madam. She didn't consider these gains and losses; she was only proud of Xu Xi's excellence and felt honored by it.

Xu Xi didn't unroll the scroll, but instead gave the two a heads-up. "Because Master Kang is quite skilled at portrait painting, he asked us to draw figures in this class. I thought about it and realized that portraits of women shouldn't be shared, so I simply painted a portrait of Master Kang. Master Kang is an old man in his sixties. Don't be startled when you see the painting later."

Upon hearing this, both the old lady and the first lady had rather strange expressions. Why did they have to paint an old man? But thinking about the portraits they had seen before, they didn't think they would be startled.

Ancient paintings of figures were mostly full-body portraits. Because the painting techniques lacked three-dimensionality, they could never achieve a lifelike quality, let alone be startling.

"It's alright, we're not afraid," the First Madam said with a smile.

Xu Xi then unrolled the scroll. And then, Master Kang's old face appeared vividly before the old lady and the first lady.

"Ah..." Even though Xu Xi had given them a heads-up, the old lady and the first lady were still startled.

"What... what is this?" The old lady was very frightened by her age. Suddenly seeing a face that looked just like a real person, she trembled with fear and kept leaning back, hoping to get as far away from the painting as possible.

Seeing this, Xu Xi quickly turned the painting over to prevent Master Kang's face from appearing in their sight again.

The old lady and the first lady were then somewhat better.

"This is Master Kang's portrait." Xu Xi looked at the two of them innocently.

"That's terrifying!" The old lady patted her chest.

Xu Xi laughed, "It's because our Master Kang isn't good-looking. If I painted a little girl's face, I guarantee it wouldn't be scary."

The old lady and the first lady had calmed down considerably by this time, and upon hearing this, they couldn't help but laugh.

The First Madam scolded, "Don't talk nonsense, it's disrespectful to the teacher." Then she laughed, "But what you said isn't wrong. If you drew a flower, grass, or a cute child, we would only like it, not be afraid."

"The painting is so realistic, it's like a living person." The old lady was still a little uncomfortable.

This is similar to how people in the Qing Dynasty always felt that their souls would be captured when they saw a photograph. The old lady was particularly superstitious about this due to her advanced age.

"My teacher said that my drawing method is very practical. Because it's so lifelike, if there are any fugitives in the government office, they can just draw their portraits and post them at the city gate. The fugitives won't be able to escape. Because it's so lifelike, everyone can recognize them," Xu Xi said with a hint of pride.

The old lady was simply Gao Xing with Xu Xi's success upon hearing this. However, the first lady had a sudden thought and remembered the midwife she couldn't find anywhere.

The unresolved question of Zhao Jingli and Xu Xi's origins kept her on edge, unable to eat or sleep. She racked her brains, concluding that she needed to find the midwife from back then to get a definitive answer. But so many years had passed, and that person seemed to have vanished; in this vast sea of people, where could she possibly find her? She hadn't slept well for the past few nights because of this.

But if Xu Xi's portrait is really that lifelike, then perhaps...

She stared blankly at the rolled-up portrait, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, the old lady had already expressed her opinion. "Miss Xi, if you need anything at the academy, just ask your aunt. Take whatever you have in the manor; if you don't have it, we'll find a way to get it for you. As long as you are promising, your grandmother will support you."

Xu Xi sighed.

That's human nature.

Because the second and third wives were born out of wedlock and had no blood relation with the old lady, she did not allow them to call her "mother" or "grandmother." These titles were reserved for the eldest son's family.

So, even after returning to the manor for so long, she always addressed the old lady as "Old Madam" and never as "Grandmother." Even when she brought up the issue of her origins, the old lady did not ask her to change her address.

But now, she had only shown a little of her talent, and the old lady was already calling herself "grandmother" in front of her.

Therefore, the old lady's attitude towards her and Zhao Ruyu is perfectly understandable. Even if her body is of the Marquis's bloodline, it has nothing to do with the old lady. In the old lady's eyes, she and Zhao Ruyu are no different. Only by becoming successful and bringing glory to the Marquis's family can she gain the old lady's approval.

Thinking about what the original owner had experienced in her previous life, Xu Xi thought that even if she confirmed her identity in the future and the old lady treated her well, she probably wouldn't be able to feel close to the old lady.

"There's nothing I need right now. If there is, I'll mention it to my aunt," Xu Xi said.

She would naturally not hesitate to ask for anything she needed.

Suddenly, the First Madam spoke up, "Um... Miss Xi, could you draw a portrait of Matron Zhou?"