My experience of grinding in another world

Chapter 6 Portrait
The skills on the gray wall will undergo a qualitative change once they reach the second tier.

Just like calligraphy, if you only look at the structure of the characters, there is no obvious difference between the beginner level of the second stage and the peak of the first stage.

But looking at the text as a whole, the second-order characters have a unique charm.

When I first copied scriptures for Qingfeng Temple, the later copies clearly had a more ethereal quality. Just looking at the font, one could sense the profound mystery of the Taoist scriptures.

Similarly, as his drawing skills reached the second level, he gained a lot more knowledge.

When he draws a face, the general shapes of different faces appear in his mind.

When drawing eyes, various types of eyes, such as phoenix eyes, peach blossom eyes, triangular eyes, and watery eyes, come to mind.

Once the bridge of the nose is outlined, information about the distribution of facial features, including the three courts and five eyes, will come to mind.

If someone explains things clearly enough, they can paint a fairly accurate picture of the person even without seeing them in person.

Not only that, but he also has a thorough understanding of how to mix various pigments.

He also gained some knowledge of magical pigments that could prevent insects and decay, preserve them permanently, and even change color invisibly.

After combing his hair, shaving his beard, and changing into clean clothes, Chen Mu left home and headed straight for Anlefang, carrying his writing brush, ink, paper, inkstone, and the painting he named Xiaoqian.

His rice jar is empty; if he doesn't get any business soon, he won't have anything to eat!
……

Anlefang, Ruyizhai.

Chen Mu found the shopkeeper and handed him his only three copper coins. He then rented tables, chairs, and the open space in front of the shop for the day.

Ruyi Zhai is one of the four top restaurants in Anlefang.

Specializing in elegant vegetarian cuisine, they excel at various medicinal dishes that gently nourish and detoxify.

Besides wealthy patrons, courtesans from various brothels also frequently order food here.

Songstresses rarely show their faces in public, but they always have their own servants and attendants running errands for them.

Chen Mu was not famous and wanted to make a name for himself as soon as possible, so he had to get his work seen by clients quickly.

He had his sights set on these songstresses and servants.

Just as he was arranging the tables and chairs, a familiar old man swayed into Ruyi Studio.

He had just entered the room when he stepped back, glanced at Chen Mu, and said with a half-smile, "Young man, have you thought it through? You really want to sell paintings here?"

This was the same old painter that Chen Mu had met last time.

Later, Chen Mu inquired about the person and found out that his surname was Yan, and he was quite famous. He had spent his whole life in Anlefang, and many of the most beautiful courtesans had asked him to paint their portraits.

"Just trying to make a living," Chen Mu said calmly.

"Do you know who I am?" the painter Yan asked.

"Master Yan is a master painter and a frequent guest of renowned courtesans," Chen Mu replied.

"It seems you don't know who I am yet." Painter Yan chuckled. "It's alright, you'll find out soon enough."

After saying that, he leisurely went into Ruyi Zhai to eat.

Chen Mu looked completely bewildered.

Isn't he just Painter Yan? What other special identity does he have?
Seeing the increasing number of people at Ruyi Zhai, Chen Mu suppressed his doubts.

After setting up the table and chairs, Chen Mu laid the painting of Xiaoqian flat on the table, used an inkstone paperweight to hold down the corners, and sat confidently behind the table to wait.

This painting should have been framed and hung up; that would have made it more eye-catching.

Unfortunately, Chen Mu was out of money.

It was midday, the time when the courtesans of each household would get up, eat, and begin their activities.

Maids and servants left the various brothels and moved on to cosmetic shops, cloth shops, jewelry stores, and other similar establishments. A similar group of people also left Ruyi Zhai.

These people immediately noticed Chen Mu at the door and the painting on the table.

The lifelike 3D painting technique, with a resemblance to a photograph, instantly captivates the viewer.

Before long, a group of people had gathered around Chen Mu's desk.

Some of the quick-thinking ones had already grabbed their lunchboxes and were running back quickly.

Chen Mu glanced at the retreating figure of a maid who was quickly leaving, and his heart was filled with joy.

It looks like I'll be opening for business soon.

I must say, that maid was quite pretty.

The songstresses she served must have been of similar quality.

Not only can you make money, but you can also enjoy the sight of beautiful singers.

"I've chosen the right path!"

But before the pretty maid returned, an old man came to the door first.

"Butler Li?" Chen Mu asked in confusion.

"You drew this?" Butler Li asked with his usual cold expression, his words concise.

"I drew it," Chen Mu answered honestly.

"Come with me." Butler Li said calmly, glancing once more at the lifelike portrait on the table.

Is this... a customer coming in?!

Chen Mu was overjoyed and quickly rolled up the painting and put away his brushes and ink. He called out to the waiter at Ruyi Zhai, asking him to help move the tables and chairs inside, and then hurried after Steward Li.

I wonder who this portrait is for. Could it be that Steward Li has a lover in Anlefang?

No, it's more likely that the eldest son of the Wang family is hiding a beauty here.

……

Chen Mu left with the painting of Xiaoqian, and the onlookers dispersed.

The painter Yan, who had once again left Ruyi Studio, stood silently in front of the table.

"Old Yan, the usual routine?" A burly man appeared behind him.

“Selling paintings here without our Miaohua Workshop’s approval, this kid needs a good beating.” Another skinny man chuckled and chimed in, “Don’t worry, Elder Yan, this kind of hothead will learn his lesson after a good beating.”

The painter Yan spent his entire life hanging around Anlefang.

He started painting portraits when he was young, and his outstanding painting skills quickly made him famous.

Miao Hua Fang valued his skills and used various means to force him to join.

As his skills improved, he gradually gained a foothold in Miaohuafang.

After obtaining sufficient benefits, they colluded with Miaohuafang to control Anlefang's book and portrait business.

Many scholars who made a living by selling paintings were either forced to join Miaohuafang to work for them or were driven away by various means.

Painter Yan stared at the long table where the paintings had been displayed for a moment and then suddenly said, "Find out his background. If he doesn't have any connections, find an opportunity to break both of his hands."

The two men, one tall and one short, exchanged a glance. They were about to cripple that scholar!

"Yes." The two nodded quickly.

The painter nodded in satisfaction, then snorted coldly as he thought of the lifelike portrait.

The painting is good, but it's too good!

It's so good that he can't imitate it at all.

The fact that such a person joined the painting studio was a threat to him.

Having spent half his life hanging around the painting studio, wielding power and influence for so long, he didn't want to be overthrown in his old age.

"Then I'll have no choice but to cripple you."

……

Chen Mu quickly followed Butler Li.

As they walked, they found themselves leaving Anlefang.

"Not in Anlefang? Could it be that the eldest son of the Wang family is keeping a concubine in a gilded cage?"

The two boarded the carriage and headed into the city along East Market Street.

Sitting in the car, Butler Li was quiet and closed his eyes to rest. Chen Mu didn't know how to talk to him and could only look at the scenery through the car window.

As the carriage moved, the buildings on both sides of the street became more orderly. The people coming and going were also noticeably dressed better.

The streets were paved with bluestone, and the houses gradually transformed from small homes and courtyards into grand mansions.

About fifteen minutes later, the two arrived at a large red-lacquered gate.

Chen Mu recognized this place; it was the Wang family compound, the home of the owner of the house he had rented.

Is it one of the Wang family's young ladies who needs a portrait?

It was probably because it was time for marriage that the family prepared a portrait for the matchmaking process.

Butler Li is most likely going to see Painter Yan.

"Hey, does this mean I stole that old man's business?" Chen Mu chuckled to himself.

Follow Butler Li through the side door.

Along the way, the artificial mountains and waters, pavilions and towers impressed Chen Mu greatly, making him marvel at how well-to-be a wealthy family lived there.

Then he was led by Steward Li to the inner courtyard, where seven or eight maids and servants were waiting.

Some were carrying basins of water, some were holding towels, and some were carrying food boxes.

As soon as I stepped inside, a strong smell of medicine hit my nostrils.

Is this young lady sick?

"Young Master, the painter has arrived," Butler Li said respectfully as he approached a man in his forties.

"Him?" The middle-aged man looked at Chen Mu with a puzzled expression.

Butler Li reached out and took the painting from Chen Mu's hand, unfolding it halfway to show the middle-aged man.

"Good. Let's choose him." The middle-aged man's eyes lit up, and he nodded in satisfaction.

"Come with me." Butler Li beckoned to Chen Mu and led him into the inner room.

"This is my master. Please have a portrait painted by Young Master Li." Butler Li gestured for Chen Mu to look at the bed and whispered, "My master is seriously ill. In case something happens to him, it would be good to leave a portrait for future generations to admire."

Chen Mu stared blankly over and saw an old man with a pale face and barely breathing lying on his back on the bed, unconscious.

"The finest writing materials are ready. Let's get started."

Chen Mu: “…”

This...this is asking me to paint a funeral portrait!
Where is the beautiful young lady we were promised?