Painter

Bai Qian and Si Qi went to Danying together.

Si Qiyuan made preparations for long-term suffering and rushed to go there in three or two years, but Bai Qian agreed very quickly.Thinking about it over the past few months, I have indeed done enough meticulously, and it is within reason to win down a soft-hearted person like Bai Qian.So Si Qi was very complacent and happy, and he protected Bai Qian all the way and devoted himself even more.

Bai Qian's health was not good, and Si Qi didn't rush him. He stopped and stopped along the way, which took a lot of time.When we got close to Danying City, the previous rumors had spread very strongly. No matter where we went, we could hear people talking about it, and the people were panicked.

Si Qi listened and acted as if he hadn't heard it. Bai Qian asked occasionally, but was dismissed by Si Qi saying "it's just folk news".After a long time, Bai Qian didn't say anything, and pretended he didn't hear it.But what the ears hear and what the eyes see are all related to this.

It's okay at the junction of Fanxi and Fengyan. The closer you are to Danying, the more painters there are, and the more obvious the influence of this message will be.Bai Qian saw with his own eyes a painter being chased and intercepted by the villagers, and he jumped into the river abruptly.Simple verbal insults and abuse are even more common. A painter who has always been held in a high place suddenly falls down.

Fortunately, Bai Qian hid his identity, and most people couldn't see that he was also a famous painter.But there are always some smart people who want to contact the identity of "Ning Baiqian" after seeing his legs.Si Qi frequently rescued him, and when he encountered troublemakers, someone from Jingxi jumped out to deal with them.

Si Qi joked, "Master Jing really cares about you."

Bai Qian smiled, feeling a little uneasy.

Si Qi really thought about it seriously.He already knew that there was something between Bai Qian and Jing Xi.Bai Qian suddenly opened his mind and wanted to go to Danying with him, and Jingxi sent someone to protect him secretly, which is normal.On the contrary, if Jing Xi didn't pay attention, he would have to suspect that Bai Qian had some kind of trick this time.

Arrived at Danying so peacefully, and met the emperor Yuan Chu.

Yuan Chu really wanted to accept Bai Qian as the imperial painter, so that he could get all the rare things in the world.As soon as Bai Qian entered Danying's city gate, Yuan Chu sent a palace attendant to meet him.Si Qi said with a smile that Bai Qian's treatment was unprecedented, and casually teased Bai Qian with a few words.But Bai Qian always seemed to be a little bit reluctant, smiling unnaturally.

Going north from the city gate, Si Qi covered the curtain of the carriage and asked in a low voice, "You don't seem very happy?"

Bai Qian hesitated, and explained: "I'm still a little worried. I've also heard that the life of a court painter is miserable..."

Si Qi smiled: "So I was worried about this. The emperor has already ordered that the court painter will be in charge of you from now on, and the rules are up to you. Don't worry."

Bai Qian still had a sad expression on his face, Si Qi was afraid that he would regret it when the juncture came, so he comforted him for a long time, and said cruelly: "The guards sent by Mr. Jing, I will find a way to let them also enter the palace to serve you. See you, Your Majesty." You must be happy, if there is no danger in the future, they will be by your side to protect you, right?"

What he said seemed to be at odds with Bai Qian, but he did say that Bai Qian was upset.Only now did Bai Qian feel more relieved, and hurriedly thanked him.

Then it is to enter the palace to meet the emperor.The emperor granted him the privilege to move freely in the palace without being bound by etiquette and dogma.Bai Qian didn't need to leave his wheelchair, he just let the waiter carry him on the threshold and steps.

Seeing the emperor, Bai Qian only cupped his fists and bowed in salute.Dijun didn't seem to be used to someone not bowing down to him, but when he thought of Bai Qian's paintings of countless rare things in the future, he was overjoyed and gave him the amnesty that he didn't have to kneel down to anyone.

Bai Qian thanked him neither humble nor overbearing, and his own attendant led the way to bring Bai Qian to the hall Shan had prepared for him.Si Qi took care of everything before and after, and really left Jingxi's guards behind, and they were assigned to serve as guards in Baiqian's courtyard.

As soon as Si Qi left, Bai Qian called one of them and said: "Right now, you must be restrained and not be watched by others. Forget it today. Tomorrow, take my letter of invitation to see Sir Zuo Qizhi. It doesn't take much explain."

After two days of peace and stability, there is a maid to serve him in daily life, so he doesn't need to worry too much.After living in this world for a long time, I will gradually get used to those ranks.On the third day, Zuo Qizhi came to visit Bai Qian, the two chatted quietly for a while, and Zuo Qizhi left.

On the fourth day, the emperor sent someone to invite Bai Qian, and said with a smile: "Have you rested these few days? Today I will arrange a welcome banquet for you."

Bai Qian still expressed his gratitude humbly, and presented a set of glass chess pieces at the banquet, which made the emperor gain prestige in front of all the officials, and coaxed the emperor to be extremely happy.

Afterwards, the emperor issued a decree to appoint Baiqian as the master of Wanbi Pavilion, in charge of everything.Bai Qian accepted it calmly, and offered an utensil as usual.Wanbi Pavilion is full of old people, their hands are shaking, their eyes are blurred, their faces are sallow and emaciated from hunger every day.Bai Qian found some reasons to drive them out.Or one every three to five days, or one every few months, when the weather is very hot, there will be only Bai Qian, the former owner of Wanbi Pavilion, three children and an old man.

At the same time, the frequency of Bai Qian's paintings for the emperor became more and more nervous.The emperor sent people to remind him every day, and Bai Qian would offer something almost every other day. Sure enough, as Jing Xi said, by this time, there was almost nothing left in his mind.

And every time Bai Qian offered something, he put it on his lap and handed it to Dijun himself.The emperor would always pull Bai Qian to ask questions, he must understand everything, and he must understand everything inside and out.Every time Bai Qian went back, he had to rub his back for a long time before he could recover, but it would still be the same next time, without exception.

After living like this for more than half a year, Bai Qian met Jingxi several times.It was Dijun's birthday last time, and the rest was a solo visit.But the two of them seemed to have nothing to say, Jingxi sat drinking tea with him, stayed until dark and then left.

On the other hand, Zuo Qizhi lives in Danying, and he often comes and walks around on weekdays to talk about practical things with Bai Qian.This day Zuo Qizhi came to visit Bai Qian again, and the two played chess.Bai Qian still played chess with Zuo Qizhi's learning, he was in a peaceful state of mind, different from the young man's frizz, and surprisingly suited Zuo Qizhi's temperament.

Bai Qian dropped a child, and asked softly: "Dijun is very irritable these days?"

Zuo Qizhi glanced left and right, but there was no one there, and then he said: "Several rebel forces have risen among the people, and it's a mess."

Bai Qian nodded thoughtfully, Zuo Qizhi glanced at him, and continued: "You haven't provoked him in the past few days, so be careful about everything. Be patient for a while..."

"I know." Bai Qian said in a low voice, "I feel very good, and there is nothing I can't bear."

Zuo Qizhi sighed and shook his head: "It's just that you are locked up in this world and can't go anywhere."

Bai Qian smiled lightly: "My body is like a world everywhere, there is no extra space. Don't worry about me."

"That being said, you don't have to worry about it all day long outside. Did you suffer from the flogging a few days ago, did you feel better?"

A few months ago, Bai Qian was fined twenty lashes because the shape of a painting did not meet the emperor's wishes.Zuo Qizhi received the news and immediately summoned all the officials to intercede, and Si Qi also spoke kindly for Bai Qian for a long time before the emperor reduced the punishment to ten lashes as a warning.

But with Bai Qian's body, not to mention whipping, there are always some problems in his daily life.After the whipping, he lay on the bed for more than a month without being able to get up, and even the old disease of chest tightness appeared.

When Zuo Qizhi mentioned it, Bai Qian smiled and said, "It's not that powerful, isn't the executioner under your care, he's doing his best."

Zuo Qizhi sighed again: "You don't know, as soon as this happened, Jingxi would immediately break into the Forbidden Palace at night to rescue you."

"Don't stop him!" Bai Qian's heart trembled, "Otherwise I've spent these days in vain."

Zuo Qizhi started to tidy up the chessboard, when the pieces collided, he whispered: "I met Jing Xi and his old man a few days ago, and today I came to tell you that the time has come."

Bai Qian was taken aback, clutching a chess piece, his expression became solemn.

After Zuo Qizhi left that day, Bai Qian turned on the lamp and painted all night. After wasting several pieces of drawing paper, he finally came out with an item he was satisfied with.After putting away the brushes, it was already midnight.Bai Qian called the maid on duty, but her whole body was already stiff, and her waist was even twitching violently.

Bai Qian's bluish face frightened Miss Laughing, and ran to the imperial doctor in a panic.This commotion broke out, and everyone knew that Ning Baiqian of Wanbi Pavilion could not move in bed, he couldn't even lift a finger.

The night didn't last long, but the imperial doctor was constantly being summoned in this room, and as soon as the news came quickly, they rushed to visit Bai Qian at dawn.Today's Wanbi Pavilion is different from the past, everyone knows that Bai Qian is getting the favor, and even the other people in Wanbi Pavilion are also honored.Even though he had just been whipped, the emperor calmed down afterwards, and even sent an imperial doctor to deliver good medicine, which shows that Bai Qian's favor continues.Those who looked down on the court painter before came to curry favor with Bai Qian.

The few guards that Bai Qian brought with him stood in front of the door, and no one was allowed to visit.More and more people were chattering around the door.The more people, the more mouths, and the more unreliable statements.One said, "Master Ning came here after being whipped", another said, "Master Ning was not in good health, and he committed a solid illness", and another guessed, "Master Ning can't survive this, can he?" ".After such a lively and noisy day, some left first because they couldn't wait, and some came later.In short, there was no one in front of Baiqian's gate that day.

Halfway through the bowl, Yuan Chu finally came over to take a look, and was surprised to see the people around the door: "What are you doing here!"

Everyone was surprised and hurriedly saluted.A small official leaned over to show his eyes and explained to the emperor: "The small official heard that Mr. Ning was seriously ill, so he came to visit. But only now did he find that the ministers were blocked outside, and the situation inside was unknown. I was really worried."

Yuan Chu frowned and asked, "Didn't you call a lot of imperial doctors?"

The officer replied: "The imperial doctors are all staying inside, none of them came out. These guards won't let us in."

Yuan Chu was shocked, it was already a day, and the imperial doctor hadn't finished his diagnosis and treatment yet!

Yuan Chu turned around and was about to go in, but the guards wanted to stop him, but they were timid, so they froze in place.Yuan Chu was furious, and waved his hands: "Get out of the way!"

The guard hesitated for a while before bowing his head and taking a step back.