Ren Yaoqi smiled and interjected, "Aside from the difficulty of finding materials for restoring paintings in White Crane Town, are there any other reasons?"
Sun Shiyi Niang hesitated for a moment, glancing at Ren Shimin. Seeing that Ren Shimin remained silent, she replied, "No. But those materials..."
Ren Yaoqi smiled and said, "Shopkeeper Sun, you were hired by my father at great expense as a painting restoration master. You only need to focus on the restoration work. How can we trouble you with such trivial matters? Why don’t you make a list of what you need, and I’ll have someone go out to find them?"
Sun Shiyi Niang frowned, somewhat dismissive. "Thank you for your kindness, Fifth Miss. It’s not that I’m unwilling to accept help, but the pigments and materials I need may differ from the ordinary ones sold outside. Even if I make a list, those unfamiliar with these materials won’t recognize them, let alone know where to find them."
Sun Shiyi Niang’s words were blunt, but Ren Yaoqi showed no sign of anger.
She smiled, walked over to the two desks placed side by side, and bent slightly to examine one of the paintings.
When it was said that Jiang Yuanyi’s paintings were lavish, it wasn’t just about his painting techniques. He was also extremely particular about the materials he used, some of which were exceedingly rare. It was precisely because of his almost pathological attention to detail that his paintings appealed to the imperial family and noble elites. For outsiders, even attempting to forge his works was difficult.
Ren Yaoqi lightly tapped the resplendent clothing of the palace lady in the painting with her right index finger, though her finger never actually touched the painting. "The red on this lady’s skirt remains so vibrant because it was mixed from cinnabar, bloodstone, germanium stone, animal blood, and castor oil."
Sun Shiyi Niang was taken aback, staring at Ren Yaoqi and forgetting what she was about to say next.
Ren Yaoqi, however, lowered her head to examine the pair of silk flowers on the lady’s head and continued, "Purple is uncommon. Most painters use purple pigments made from gromwell juice, but such colors tend to appear dull and easily fade. The purple used on these silk flowers, however, was made from a rare ore known locally in North Yue as ‘purple stone.’ Few people use purple ore for painting, but Painter Jiang had a particular fondness for this pigment. The poet Yu Wan, who lived during his time, mentioned this preference of Painter Jiang in his poem ‘Drunk in the Shade of Flowers.’"
The room fell silent. Ren Yaoqi paused her finger and tilted her head with a smile. "The blue pigment is somewhat complex, not because the materials are rare—it’s simply indigo. Indigo pigment appears rather coarse, and achieving such a smooth blue requires a complicated process. I recall reading in ‘Extensive Records of Miscellaneous Knowledge’ that to create this smooth and rich blue without any roughness, one must mix indigo with thick glue, let it dry, then mix it with thin glue and apply it again to dry. After that, a layer of clear water is applied, and once it’s completely dry, it’s polished with agate."
Sun Shiyi Niang stood there dumbfounded, completely unable to react.
Ren Shimin laughed heartily as he stood up, patting Ren Yaoqi on the forehead. "Alright, enough showing off. We know you’re an expert!"
Though he said this, Ren Shimin’s expression was one of restrained pride. After all, this was his youngest daughter, whom he had personally taught!Sun Shiyi Niang also regained her composure and quickly said, "Fifth Young Miss is knowledgeable and has a strong memory, this humble woman admires you."
What Ren Yaoqi had mentioned wasn't something only someone who merely knew how to paint could understand. Even she herself had spent several days discussing and pondering with Third Master Ren before roughly figuring out the materials used in the painting. She hadn't expected this Fifth Young Miss of the Ren Family to have such insight—just by glancing at it a few times, she could guess several of the main pigments used and even knew the mixing methods. This couldn't help but surprise her and made her somewhat retract her earlier underestimation.
Ren Yaoqi had greatly boosted Ren Shimin's pride. Overjoyed, he waved his hand and decided, "Then the matter of the materials will be left to Yao Yao! Shopkeeper Sun, just list whatever you need and give it to her." He then said to Ren Yaoqi, "Father will have someone send you the silver later. Find everything within five days!"
Sun Shiyi Niang said, "Some materials aren't easy to find. Perhaps this humble woman should..."
Ren Yaoqi smiled and said, "If we can't find them in one place, I'll have people search in several more. I also have a few friends in Yunyang City. If it really comes to it, I can ask them for help. Shopkeeper Sun, rest assured."
Ren Shimin didn't take Sun Shiyi Niang's words seriously either: "No matter how rare, they're just some mineral materials and medicinal herbs." Some pigments were made from minerals, while others were medicinal herbs themselves.
In Master Ren's eyes, trivial matters like finding things were never a big deal. As long as he gave the order, someone would naturally bring them to him, and all he had to do was provide the silver. So he really didn't think it was particularly difficult. The reason he had considered letting Sun Shiyi Niang go to Yunyang City earlier was simply because he was afraid that an outsider might find the wrong things and ultimately delay his restoration of the painting.
Now that he was letting his own daughter handle it, he had no worries. After all, his daughter's remarkable abilities were all taught by him personally.
Since Third Master Ren had spoken, Sun Shiyi Niang couldn't say much more. She also couldn't use the excuse that Fifth Young Miss Ren was still young—Fifth Young Miss Ren's earlier performance had not only greatly astonished people but also easily inspired trust in her ability to handle matters.
She couldn't help but glance toward where Concubine Fang was standing.
Concubine Fang had been serving tea and water to Third Master Ren here and hadn't spoken the entire time. At this moment, she stood there with her head slightly lowered, lost in thought, though one could still see the gentle, faint smile lingering at the corner of her mouth.
Ren Yaoqi smiled and clapped her hands: "Then it's settled! When Father restores these two paintings, you must remember to give me some credit!"
Third Master Ren laughed: "Wanting credit before the task is even done? If you succeed, there will be a reward. But what if you fail? Will you accept punishment?"
Ren Yaoqi made a playful face: "If I fail, Father will take care of it. I'm not afraid!"
Ren Shimin was both amused and exasperated: "Always so cheeky!"
Sun Shiyi Niang and Concubine Fang both watched the intimate interaction between this father and daughter, who seemed oblivious to everyone else.
Finally, as Ren Yaoqi was leaving, she asked Sun Shiyi Niang, "Where is Shopkeeper Sun staying now?"
Although Sun Shiyi Niang had returned to Yunyang City yesterday, she couldn't go back every day. The Ren Family must have arranged accommodation for her.
Sun Shiyi Niang lowered her head and said, "Concubine Fang has arranged for this humble woman to stay temporarily in Fangfei Courtyard."Ren Yaoqi thought for a moment. "Although Fangfei Court lacks nothing, the space is truly too small. The three western wing rooms are occupied by Ninth Sister, two eastern wing rooms have been converted for painting restoration, and one is taken by my sixth brother. The main hall cannot be used for receiving guests, so when Manager Sun comes, she can only squeeze into the southern rooms with the maids and servants. It really is a bit too humble for you."
Sun Shiyi Niang was about to say it wasn’t a problem when Ren Yaoqi continued, "Besides, it’s not very convenient for my father to come and go here." Sun Shiyi Niang swallowed her words.
Ren Yaoqi went on, "How about this—I’ll have someone arrange a guest courtyard for you and ask the steward to assign two maids for your use."
"Concubine Fang has already arranged someone to take care of my daily needs. There’s no need to trouble you further."
Ren Yaoqi glanced at Concubine Fang with a smile. "My auntie might have been worried that arranging more people would burden my mother, so she lent you her own maid. My auntie has always been kind-hearted and warm. Last time I fell ill and Mother wasn’t around, she took care of me day and night. I’ve kept that in mind. So I can’t just let Manager Sun use her maid and leave her short-handed."
Concubine Fang quickly smiled and said, "Fifth Young Lady, you’re too kind. That was just my duty. It’s not worth remembering."
Ren Yaoqi smiled at her, then turned to Sun Shiyi Niang. "Then let’s settle it this way. I’ll have someone come later to pack your things and escort you to the guest courtyard. Father, what do you think?"
Ren Shimin never concerned himself with such matters, so he naturally nodded. "That’s fine, though it may trouble Manager Sun to walk a bit farther."
Hearing this, Ren Yaoqi added, "That’s simple. Why don’t we move the painting restoration site to the Linxian Pavilion in the outer courtyard? Father, you’ve taken over Sixth Brother’s study for the restoration work, forcing him to study in the outer study. That’s not good. Let’s return his study to him. The Linxian Pavilion is spacious, quiet, and serene. Father used to enjoy receiving guests and friends there, and it’s fully equipped—perfect for painting restoration."
Sun Shiyi Niang moved her lips but, seeing Concubine Fang remain silent, she said nothing. Clearly, there was no room for her to interject now.
In some ways, Ren Shimin was the easiest person to deal with. He nodded without objection. "Then let’s move everything to the Linxian Pavilion."
Ren Yaoqi smiled. "I’ll have someone arrange it right away."
As for Concubine Fang’s expression at this moment, outsiders couldn’t discern anything from the surface, but her hands trembled uncontrollably before she hid them in her wide sleeves.
Ren Yaoqi acted swiftly. After leaving Fangfei Court, she informed Nanny Zhou to arrange a guest courtyard in the outer courtyard for Sun Shiyi Niang and assign two trusted maids to attend to her closely. She secretly instructed the maids to keep a close watch on Sun Shiyi Niang and keep her firmly under surveillance. Whether she was an accomplice brought in by Concubine Fang or an innocent bystander, it was better to be safe than sorry.After Ren Yaoqi returned from Yunyang City, Old Master Ren and Old Madam Ren treated her with increasing warmth and affection. The maids and servants of the Ren Family also became much more respectful toward the third branch, for even if Madam Li could not bear a son, her two daughters were not to be trifled with. As a result, Nanny Zhou encountered no difficulties when arranging personnel in the outer courtyard.
Ren Yaoqi then had someone tidy up Linxian Pavilion and moved all the tools Ren Shimin needed for painting restoration out of Fangfei Courtyard.
As an inner courtyard woman, Concubine Fang would find it much more troublesome to meet with Sun Shiyi Niang, who was staying in the guest quarters of the outer courtyard. If she wanted to use the painting restoration as an excuse to stir up trouble again, it would not be easy.
Although Ren Yaoqi had not yet fully grasped Concubine Fang’s true intentions, the strategy of cutting the ground from under her feet had always proven effective.
If Concubine Fang made another move outside her own territory, the chances of her revealing her true motives would be much greater.
Ren Yaoqi was only afraid she wouldn’t act!
I always said update announcements were like fleeting clouds... 〒_〒
But I’ve finally managed the extra update...
Tomorrow, I’ll continue with the extra update for 90 pink votes...
Thank you, dear readers, for your pink votes. Reaching fourth place on the pink list is all thanks to your support～
I’ll work hard to repay you with more updates o(∩_∩)o
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