Three Thousand Taels in Tuition
Xu Xi chuckled awkwardly.
"By the way, what caused the controversy surrounding my painting?" she asked again.
Xiao Ruotong laughed and said, "Because you're an outlier. Your painting style is different from everyone else's. Some people have to deny your style in order to maintain their own status."
Xu Xi nodded.
When anything new first appears, it will be rejected and criticized. This is especially true of some old-fashioned people who cling to their own beliefs and are unwilling to accept new things. Ironically, these people also hold the power of discourse, so the rejection of new things can last for a long time. This is normal.
Sure enough, just as she thought that, Xiao Ruotong said, "These are all older gentlemen. Young painters really appreciate your style. Many people are interested in your technique and hope to learn from you."
Xu Xi touched her chin.
How about she starts a painting training class?
If more people know this painting style, and some of them are particularly skilled, wouldn't her risk of being captured and forced into the palace as a painter be reduced? Having watched too many modern palace dramas where it's either you or me, and knowing the tragic struggle for the throne at the end of this novel, Xu Xi avoids the palace like the plague.
Although the current emperor is not a tyrannical and indiscriminate killer, and she could use beauty filters and plastic surgery effects, she still refused to risk her life to become a kowtow worm.
Being a court painter might be an honor for some, but she didn't really need it.
"If anyone asks, you can say I can teach. There's no need for a master-apprentice relationship, just pay me," she said.
After thinking for a moment, she listed the price. "Three thousand taels of silver per person. I'll rent a house in the county and teach for half an hour every evening; a full day on every ten-day weekend, for two consecutive months. Anyone who paints knows that learning to paint requires talent. I'll teach with all my heart after receiving the money, but I can't guarantee how well you'll learn."
Silver had considerable purchasing power in this era. Three thousand taels of silver could buy a two-courtyard house in a relatively nice neighborhood in the capital. Ordinary families might not be able to easily come up with three thousand taels of silver.
However, Xu Xi felt that if she announced that she would offer to paint portraits for people, wealthy noble ladies and young women like Madam Xiao would probably accept the offer of two hundred taels of silver for a single portrait without hesitation. After all, there were no cameras in this era, and the only way for young and beautiful ladies and young women to preserve their beauty in time was to have their portraits painted.
People who look like Master Kang might prefer a more abstract style of painting, such as figure painting in China painting; but young and beautiful women naturally prefer a realistic style of painting.
Therefore, the portrait painting market has such a broad profit potential that it is not difficult to earn back the cost after spending three thousand taels of silver to learn the skill. The tuition fee of three thousand taels of silver is really not much.
It's too cheap, people will look down on this kind of painting; with more and more people coming to learn to paint, she's also tired, and there are quite a few troubles.
If ten people were willing to learn painting, she could earn 30,000 taels of silver. Based on her understanding of prices during this period, 30,000 taels of silver could buy a mansion as large as the Marquis of Suiping's Residence, and she could immediately realize her dream of becoming a landlady.
Of course, she wouldn't be foolish enough to actually buy such a large house with the money; it would be conspicuous and difficult to rent out. She was just using it as an analogy. With that money, she would definitely buy ten or so shops; just thinking about the rent she would collect each month would be incredibly satisfying.
Fearing Xiao Ruotong might overthink things, she added, "I've now learned about the craftsmanship and materials used by the artisans at the silver shop, so I don't need to come over this evening. I can paint at the academy at noon."
Xiao Ruotong waved her hand, indicating that she didn't care about the silver shop, and said happily, "If you can give up the master-disciple relationship, then this matter is definitely not a problem."
In this era, the master-disciple relationship was very strict; the saying "a teacher for a day is a father for life" was not just a saying.
It's one thing to give gifts during festivals and holidays; people who can afford three thousand taels of silver aren't short of money. But for a grown man to have to act like a disciple in front of such a young girl whenever he meets Xu Xi is something no one can afford to lose face with.
Xiao Ruotong felt sorry for Xu Xi: "But you're at a huge disadvantage teaching others without any formal master-disciple relationship."
A new painting method, and a completely different system from traditional painting methods, yet three thousand taels of silver were given away. In Xiao Ruotong's eyes, who had always regarded money as dirt, this was simply too much of a loss.
"Throughout history, countless talented individuals in our Great Jin Dynasty have lost their skills due to hoarding them. If they had recruited many disciples, how could their skills have been lost? My only hope is to spread this painting technique; I ask for nothing more."
Xu Xi's words were so righteous and awe-inspiring that they immediately moved the naive Xiao Ruotong deeply.
"Okay, I'll be the first to sign up," she said.
Xu Xi was taken aback. "Master, you also want to learn?"
Xiao Ruotong nodded. "Calligraphy and painting are inseparable. Actually, I also really like painting. It's just that my master was very strict with me since I was a child, making me focus all my energy on calligraphy and not allowing me to paint much, so I didn't spend too much time on painting. Now that I've achieved some success in calligraphy, my master isn't as strict with me anymore. I find your painting style very interesting, so I'd like to learn it."
"But... but you're my husband," Xu Xi stammered.
"What's wrong with that?" Xiao Ruotong waved her hand. "For those of us who are passionate about calligraphy and painting, we learn from whoever has the skill. 'Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me.'"
She blinked and said, "Actually, your Master Kang has wanted to learn from you for a long time. He was just worried that you wouldn't be willing to teach him, but he was too embarrassed to refuse because of the teacher-student relationship."
She then said seriously, "But it's a deal, if I want to learn from you, Master Kang, you have to accept the three thousand taels of silver, otherwise we'll be embarrassed to learn from you."
After learning about Xu Xi's identity and experiences, she felt great sympathy for her.
Xiao Ruotong didn't know the specifics of Xu Xi's situation at the Marquis of Suiping's Residence. She only knew that Xu Xi had only recently been brought back to the residence and, being the daughter of a concubine, was probably not well-liked by the old lady and the Marquis's wife. Now that she was going out to study, the expenses were considerable. Presumably, she was short of money, which was why she went to the jewelry store to sell jewelry designs, and now she was working hard to draw jewelry designs for their jewelry store.
Over time, Xiao Ruotong discovered that Xu Xi was exceptionally intelligent. He learned things quickly and easily, possessing a remarkable memory and comprehension. Most importantly, this student had a good character. Even though he was switched at birth and raised in the countryside, he had no complaints and showed no resentment whatsoever. He was also not petty at all, spoke and acted with composure and magnanimity, and was quite knowledgeable.
From a young age, Xiao Ruotong was aloof and proud, and few people could catch her eye. But perhaps it was fate that brought Xu Xi together; she had a very good impression of Xu Xi.
Therefore, she hoped that Xu Xi could have a better life. She would not hesitate to lend a helping hand in any way she could.