Transmigrating to the Qi Family - Chapter 133

“You need not worry about that. My daughter has studied painting since childhood, for a decade now.” She smiles insincerely.

Since the decision to compete has already been made, the group naturally moves toward the center of the garden. Earlier, Jiang Miao had arranged various items, including painting tools, to be placed there.

Seeing several elders and the wife of the heir approaching, the young girls present quickly step aside.

“Ping’er, come here,” Madam Wang calls to a young girl in a pale yellow dress in the crowd. “The heir’s wife has heard that you’ve been learning to paint since childhood and wishes to compete with you. Remember to give it your all and make sure not to dampen his spirits.”

The girl named Ping’er looks at Jiang Miao, her face full of curiosity. “Has the heir’s wife also been learning to paint since childhood?”

Before Jiang Miao can answer, Madam Wang quickly interjects, “The heir’s wife just said his paintings are lifelike, as if they were real. How could he have such skill without years of hard practice?”

If not for everyone knowing Jiang Miao’s background, they might be convinced by these words. As the only male wife in Liangjing, married to someone as talented as Pei Che, how could they not be curious?

Jiang Miao’s second aunt also comes over. Hearing this, she becomes a little anxious. How could Ah Miao, a country boy, have ever learned painting? At most, farm kids scratch a few lines on the ground with a stick. How could he possibly compete with these well-trained city girls? She has been watching for a while and can see these young girls are all quite skilled.

Jiang Miao gives his second aunt a reassuring glance, then whispers a few instructions to Chan Yi before calmly standing by, waiting for the competition to start. His calm demeanor makes some people begin to doubt their initial judgments.

“I hear the heir is so skilled in the six arts; did he teach his wife?” one young girl whispers.

“Maybe. I hear the heir dotes on him quite a bit,” another girl replies.

“Even if he taught her, what does it matter? They’ve only been married for half a year. I don’t think he’ll be able to match Ping’er,” says one of Ping’er’s friends, who greatly admires her painting skills.

“Madam Wang, may we begin?” Jiang Miao asks, interrupting her continued praises as Chan Yi brings over the tools.

It is clear that Madam Wang understands very well the tactic of using false praise to set someone up for embarrassment. The more she exaggerates Jiang Miao’s abilities now, the more humiliating it will be for him later.

We can begin.” After saying this, Madam Wang, not entirely satisfied, quickly adds, “However, since this is a competition, there should be a prize. Let’s do this: I’ll offer this as the prize. Whoever wins will get it.” She takes off the bracelet made of agarwood from her wrist and places it on the table, causing a wave of admiration among the onlookers. Agarwood, often called “an inch of gold for an inch of wood,” is considered highly valuable.

Madam Wang, seeing the reaction from those around her, can’t help but feel a little proud. She is confident her daughter will win the competition and take the bracelet back. Offering it as the prize also serves as a way to force Jiang Miao to offer something equally valuable as compensation for his earlier offense.

Everyone turns to Jiang Miao, curious about what he will offer. Jiang Miao, unaware of the exact value of the bracelet, can tell from everyone’s reaction that it is something quite precious. But what does that matter to him?

After a moment’s thought, Jiang Miao takes out a jade pendant from his waist. It is something Pei Che gives him that morning, saying it is meant to complement the clothes he is wearing that day. It is the least valuable thing on him.

The crowd looks at the fan-shaped jade pendant and quickly realizes that, no matter how you examine it, it is just a piece of ordinary jade. Its value can’t begin to compare with the agarwood bracelet.

Madam Wang is momentarily stunned, then angrily says, “What does the heir’s wife mean by this? Are you looking down on the competition with my daughter?” How dare he dismiss them with something like this?

Jiang Miao looks confused. “Why is Madam Wang saying this?”

Someone nearby explains, “Madam Wang’s bracelet is made of agarwood and is worth thousands of gold, while your jade pendant is at most worth a few dozen taels of silver—it’s hardly worth mentioning.”

Jiang Miao looks at her and shakes his head with a sorrowful expression. “How could Madam Wang be such a petty person? It surely isn’t because my jade pendant is cheap that she’s upset, isn’t that so?”

In front of everyone, there is no way Madam Wang can admit to being petty, so she simply nods.

“I’m guessing Madam Wang’s bracelet must hold special meaning, which is why you’ve offered it as the prize. Coincidentally, this jade pendant has the same significance for me. My husband, the heir, personally selected the materials and hand-polished it, spending forty-nine days to complete it. It contains his sweat and deep affection. In my heart, this is a priceless treasure.” Jiang Miao speaks with great sentiment, gazing at the jade pendant with a particularly affectionate look.

Listening to him subtly show off his love, the expressions of those present become somewhat awkward. While the older ones are skeptical, some of the younger girls are moved, thinking that although both are men, the affection between them seems no less than that of any ordinary married couple. Such a token of love surely carries more emotional weight than something casually bought in a store.

Hearing how Jiang Miao has elevated the value of both the bracelet and the pendant to be on equal footing, Madam Wang feels stifled and unable to relieve the frustration in her chest.

“If it’s such a priceless treasure, why would you use it as the prize?” Ping’er, who is straightforward by nature, asks in confusion, saying exactly what is on her mind.

Yes, the crowd also starts to understand and looks at Jiang Miao, waiting to see how he will explain.

Jiang Miao, calm and unhurried, says, “First, since Madam Wang presented such a precious bracelet, wouldn’t it be disrespectful of me if I didn’t offer something equally valuable? Second, this jade pendant symbolizes harmony in marriage. If Miss Wang happens to win, then it would also be my blessing to you.”

Some in the crowd feel moved by Jiang Miao, thinking that losing and still graciously blessing others shows a broad-minded person.

“…Let’s begin!” Madam Wang quickly says, afraid that if Jiang Miao continues, the jade pendant’s value will surpass the bracelet.

“Alright then, Miss Wang, how shall we compare our paintings?” Jiang Miao politely lets her decide.

Ping’er, being a competitive girl, has heard her mother praising Jiang Miao’s lifelike painting skills earlier. So, she says, “Let’s compete to see whose painting is more realistic.”

Jiang Miao nods, satisfied that his earlier hints have worked. He adds, “It’s getting late, and painting too much might delay things. How about I just paint… an apple?” He glances at a fruit tray not far away, pretending to choose at random.

“I’ll paint an apple too,” Ping’er immediately replies.

They agree to limit the competition to the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, and the challenge is to paint the most realistic apple. As soon as the incense is lit, Wang Ruoping spreads out her paper and prepares her ink, keeping her eyes fixed on the apple in the fruit tray, mentally tracing its shape.

On the other side, Jiang Miao doesn’t prepare ink but instead takes a charcoal stick from Chan Yi and uses a dagger to sharpen it. This strange action piques everyone’s curiosity, but since the competition is underway, they don’t dare interrupt and simply watch in silence.

Before long, Wang Ruoping begins her painting. She delicately sketches with her brush, each stroke filled with confidence. With every brushstroke, a bright red, glossy apple hanging on a branch appears before the crowd. People show expressions of admiration, some even feeling a bit impressed by her.

“The incense has burned out.”

As the voice announces the end, Wang Ruoping puts down her final stroke. She glances at Jiang Miao, a bit smug. However, upon seeing his painting, her smugness instantly freezes.

Those who have been watching her in awe now turn to Jiang Miao’s painting, their faces filled with surprise.

This… this is too realistic!

Even though it is just in black and white, the apple in the painting seems to leap off the page. It is as if one could reach out and pick it up. The water droplets on its surface are clearly visible, and under the sunlight, they appear to glisten.

Jiang Miao hasn’t just drawn the apple; he adds shadows to make it more three-dimensional and even highlights it to make it look juicier.

Wang Ruoping looks at her own painting, then at Jiang Miao’s, and grudgingly admits defeat.

“Nonsense, your apple clearly looks more realistic!” Madam Wang immediately protests, “Who’s ever seen a black apple?” She believes she has found a flaw, but unfortunately, no one agrees with her.

“Mother, losing is losing,” Wang Ruoping frowns slightly. “We were comparing whose painting was more lifelike, and his is vivid and realistic. Naturally, he wins!”

After speaking, she walks up to Jiang Miao and asks, “I have never seen a painting like this before. Can you give this painting to me?”

Jiang Miao nods. “Of course.” He picks up the painting and hands it to Wang Ruoping.

Before Madam Wang can speak, he also places the bracelet on the painting.

“A bet is a bet. This should belong to you.”

Jiang Miao says, “In truth, I had an unfair advantage. Your apple was also quite lifelike, so let’s call it a tie, and I’ll return the prize to you.” Jiang Miao, having studied painting for just two months, is only confident in painting apples. He feels embarrassed using this to beat a young girl and also fears Madam Wang might cause trouble for her later, so he returns the bracelet.

Wang Ruoping thinks for a moment, glances at Madam Wang, then presses her lips together and says, “Next time we compete, we must determine a clear winner.”

Jiang Miao smiles and nods, though he thinks to himself, ‘Forget it, I can’t paint anything else.’

…

The banquet concludes successfully. Ever since Jiang Miao showcases his skill, the guests’ impressions of him greatly improve. Some believe he is hiding his true talents and that the previous rumors are mere gossip. Others think he is exceptionally intelligent, mastering a painting technique in just a few months. Before him, no one has ever seen someone use charcoal to paint.

In the front courtyard, Pei Che, with his composed demeanor and graceful movements, also wins everyone’s admiration.

After they see off the last guest, both of them, exhausted, return to their courtyard and collapse onto the bed.

“Ah Miao, you’ve worked hard,” Pei Che says, turning his head to look at Jiang Miao.

“It’s nothing. We’re family; no need to stand on ceremony,” Jiang Miao waves his hand, showing he doesn’t mind.

“I regret neglecting Second Uncle and Aunt Jiang today. Tomorrow, I need to prepare a small gift and visit them to apologize.” Pei Che knows Aunt Jiang hasn’t told Jiang Miao about the difficulties they face, but if Jiang Miao finds out from someone else, he’ll surely be upset.

“What did you do?” Jiang Miao asks curiously. Pei Che isn’t the type to look down on others, so how has he slighted Second Uncle Jiang?

“Here’s what happened…” Pei Che explains what occurred earlier that morning.

As expected, after hearing it, Jiang Miao instantly becomes angry.

“How outrageous! Why didn’t he stop the other guests to check their invitations? And your cousin isn’t any good either. He must have deliberately hinted for that person to make things difficult for Second Uncle and Aunt!” Jiang Miao finally understands why Second Aunt Jiang hasn’t brought along any of the sisters. It is clear she anticipates this happening. It is infuriating that he hasn’t experienced the full extent of the servants’ hostility toward him because Pei Che is always with him, leading to his momentary carelessness.

“Ah Miao, don’t be angry. It’s my fault; I’ll make sure to discipline them,” Pei Che quickly reassures him.

Jiang Miao replies, “It’s not your fault. You’re different from them. I feel that by doing this, they are not just disrespecting my family but disrespecting you as well…”

Jiang Miao begins to subtly plant ideas in Pei Che’s mind.

Pei Che holds a high position among the younger generation, so he has no fear of disciplining Pei Min.