My Wife is Unbeatable in the Whole World, Touch Me If You Dare!-Chapter 286 - 166: Painting Mastery

Li Nuo had thought that with Han Zhuo's ability, he would be sufficiently prepared for the Imperial Examination.

However, he hadn't expected that plans could not keep up with changes.

His painting was good enough to become an Advanced Scholar, but it was far from enough to be the top scholar.

In the realm of painting, he still needed to make an effort to achieve perfection.

Catching people one by one was too troublesome, and it was even more problematic to have to risk his life every time. Therefore, before the spring examination, he had made some arrangements in advance.

He had sent Housekeeper Wu to investigate those renowned masters of painting in Daxia.

If he could arrest them all at the same time, legitimately, and imprison them, then his painting skills could very likely be maxed out permanently.

The problem was that most of these masters were not in Chang'an.

Chang'an was a battleground for fame and fortune. Perhaps those officials in the court had some interest in painting before the examination, but after becoming officials, they had neither the time nor the energy for art.

Even a once-in-a-century musical genius was like this, let alone those with mediocre talent.

On the contrary, those who failed the examination and returned to their hometowns out of helplessness had more time and energy to go further in their hobbies.

Housekeeper Wu always obliged the young master's requests.

Although this task was troublesome, it was a trivial matter for the Spiegel Bureau.

Moreover, the young master had a legitimate reason for this action.

After arresting those painting masters, it would be possible to press them for their insights on painting, which would give the young master a much firmer grasp of success in the examination.

Spiegel Bureau.

The Spiegel Bureau was located in a bustling area of Chang'an, yet the street outside was very quiet.

Originally, this was a busy commercial street, but after the establishment of the Spiegel Bureau, due to its fierce and ruthless exterior image, the surrounding shops and residences had moved elsewhere.

Even the street outside the entrance was avoided by people who would rather take a detour than pass by the Spiegel Bureau.

Housekeeper Wu walked confidently into the Spiegel Bureau, greeting people he encountered along the way, and eventually entered a government office.

A young man who was sorting through files looked up, stood up, and said, "General Manager Wu, what can I do for you?"

Housekeeper Wu replied, "That matter I mentioned to you before, it's time to close the net..."

Moments later, several pigeons flew out of the Spiegel Bureau and quickly disappeared into the sky.

...

Over the next two days, three Court Painters visited the Song Residence daily.

Li Nuo did not refuse Li Anning's kindness and listened intently to their painting techniques every time. However, from a professional standpoint, Li Nuo felt that these three Court Painters were just so-so...

Those true masters of painting would not serve the court.

Art requires freedom to thrive; the numerous rules of the court confined them, solidified their thinking, and bound their ideas.

In such an environment, their painting skills might improve, but they would slowly lose the soul of painting.

On the third day, the three Court Painters did not come.

Housekeeper Wu came in from outside and said, "Young master, Princess Anning is looking for you."

Li Nuo asked, "Why didn't she come in herself?"

Housekeeper Wu shook his head and said, "I don't know; she asked you to meet her at the Ministry of Justice."

Moments later, Li Nuo arrived at the Ministry of Justice.

Inside the government office, Li Anning was frowning and said, "Those three Court Painters have been reported for dereliction of duty and can no longer teach you."

Although it was true that coming to teach Li Nuo at the Song Residence was neglecting their duties, Court Painters were usually idle, and typically no one would pursue the matter.

These people were clearly targeted.

Li Nuo could guess who was behind it; whoever least wanted him to succeed in the examination, that's who was the most suspect.

After all, it wasn't the first time they had done this.

He said indifferently, "Don't worry, it's not a big problem..."

When he left the Ministry of Justice, Li Nuo looked up at the sky.

It should be about time.

Xuan City.

Xuan City was located in Hui State, known for producing Rice Paper, which was sold to many countries.

In addition to Rice Paper, Xuan City had produced many Calligraphy and painting masters, and several Book Department top scholars throughout history.

Because of the cheap paper, even many children in Xuan City could write well and paint beautifully, earning Xuan City the nickname "City of Calligraphy and Painting."

Zhao Mansion.

There were many people with the surname Zhao in Xuan City, but "Zhao Mansion" typically referred to Master Zhao's residence.

Master Zhao's real name was Zhao Yuan. Although he held no official position, he had high prestige in Xuan City.

He had failed the Imperial Examination three times in his early years, and, in Daxia, one could only participate in the examination three times.

After giving up his career as an official, Zhao Yuan returned to Xuan City and devoted twenty years to studying painting, finally achieving mastery and becoming a great painting master.

After becoming a master, many scholars frequently visited to learn painting techniques from him. A single one of his paintings could easily sell for hundreds or thousands of taels of silver.

In just a few years, the Zhao Family had become one of the most prestigious families in Xuan City.

One day, as Zhao Yuan was painting in his room, a servant came to report that the Xuan County Magistrate had come to visit.

Putting down his paintbrush, Zhao Yuan personally went out to greet him and said with a smile, "I heard magpies chirping this morning; it turns out to be Lord Chen arriving. I apologize for not greeting you from afar, my lord, please forgive me..."

One was a prestigious family of Xuan City, and the other was the Xuan County Magistrate. The two had known each other for many years.

The middle-aged man in official clothing got straight to the point and asked, "Master Zhao, do you remember that ten years ago, someone gave you one thousand taels to raise the rating of his son's painting by two levels in the spring examination to ensure his entry into the Xuan State Academy?"

Zhao Yuan glanced at him. Yes, that had happened.

But wasn't it the Lord County Magistrate himself who had given him the one thousand taels of silver?

There were other people in the room; how could he have blurted out the incident from that year?

But seeing his serious expression, Zhao Yuan nodded and said, "I remember."

The middle-aged man replied, "Good, you remember. Take him away."

Seized by the arms by two constables, Zhao Yuan was stunned and asked in disbelief, "Lord, wasn't it you who..."

The middle-aged man covered his mouth and whispered, "Don't talk nonsense. You're not a court official; you can get out after a few days in jail. But if you keep talking, it won't be just a few days..."

Zhao Yuan nodded in understanding and immediately fell silent.

Not long after, Zhao Yuan was escorted away by two constables.

The Xuan County Magistrate looked at a figure behind him and asked in a trembling voice, "Lord, is this really alright?"

The person gave him a glance and indifferently instructed, "Remember to have him write a reflection on his understanding of painting, and give it to me before tomorrow..."

In front of the Zhao Mansion, the people of Xuan City were highly astonished.

"What's happened to Master Zhao?"

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"Why has he been taken away by a government officer?"

"What else could it be? Surely he's done something, and the government has uncovered it…"

"I wonder if it's serious. If something happens to Master Zhao, Daxia's painting world will lose another master…"

At this moment, the citizens of Xuan State were unaware that a similar scene was unfolding across Daxia.

In Hong State, an old man was brought to the County Magistrate's Office and said with some alarm, "I have sold fake calligraphy and paintings in the past, but that was thirty years ago. Now I'm willing to repay a hundredfold, isn't that enough..."

In Yong County, a middle-aged man clutched the County Magistrate's hand and pleaded, "Lord Huang, we've been acquaintances for twenty years. I took three yards of land from the Zhou Family years ago, and we were wrong. I'll rebuild the wall right away. Please have mercy for old times' sake…"

In Chang'an, a disheveled man holding a brush looked in horror at a group of figures pouring in. Moments later, he crouched on the ground holding his head and said tremblingly, "I didn't know, I really didn't know they were bribing with my paintings… They forced me; this has nothing to do with me!"

...

Song Residence.

Li Nuo put down a book in his hand and gazed into the void before him.

One portrait after another appeared upon the Law Code.

Compared to Han Zhuo, these people's portraits shone much brighter because their mastery of painting was much higher than Han Zhuo's.

These were the individuals who were the most proficient in painting across the whole of Daxia.

In their respective locales, they held some power, and with power came the inevitable bullying.

Li Nuo's eyes stayed fixed on the Law Code.

Finally, when the ninth portrait appeared, the Law Code underwent a new change.

Including Han Zhuo's portrait, the nine portraits that appeared today suddenly flickered and rapidly merged into one, transforming into a ball of light that surged into Li Nuo's body.

At the same time, a multitude of information about painting flooded Li Nuo's mind.

Soon after, four new portraits appeared on the Law Code.

But as soon as they appeared, they turned into points of light and entered Li Nuo's body.

Nine painting masters plus the earlier Han Zhuo were needed to turn painting into a permanent ability.

While only one person was needed for Music.

Liu Shang's value was still rising.

Li Nuo glanced and saw that the portrait of Phoenix was still there.

He had noticed a moment ago that Phoenix's portrait had flickered; her painting ability should have been integrated by now.

Perhaps because her expertise is not limited to painting, her portrait did not disappear.

What Li Nuo knew so far was that in addition to painting, Phoenix also excelled in floristry, and whether she had other skills, he had yet to discover.

Footsteps were heard from outside the courtyard.

Li Anning stood at the door, peered in, and seeing that Song Jiaren was not present but only Li Nuo sitting in the yard, she confidently led in a white-haired old man, scoffing, "They wouldn't let me hire a Court Painter from the palace, so I brought one who's no longer part of the court. Let's see what they have to say now!"

She looked towards Li Nuo and spoke again, "Painter Chen is an old court artist who left the palace ten years ago. He agreed to teach you for a great sum of money…"

Li Nuo sighed and said, "What a waste of money…"

Li Anning waved her hand and added, "Stop complaining. Painter Chen says that the recent Imperial Examinations usually focus on landscapes and figures, and they haven't tested flower and bird paintings. This year, it's bound to be on the test; you should paint one for him to see…"

Li Anning was so enthusiastic, Li Nuo didn't want to dampen her spirits.

He went back to his room and shortly returned with a flower and bird painting, saying to the old man, "Please, Painter Chen, I welcome your guidance."

The elder stroked his white beard, appearing somewhat arrogant as he stated, "I have been in seclusion for many years, and if it weren't for the Princess personally requesting my presence, I wouldn't make an exception. However, let me be clear beforehand, I'm known for my sharp critiques; I hope you will not take offense…"

Before Li Nuo could respond, Li Anning said, "Honest advice is seldom pleasant to the ear. If there's any flaw in his painting, just speak freely, Painter Chen. He won't mind."

The elder nodded, took the painting with one hand, and said, "Since that is the case, I will be straightforward. This painting…"

His gaze fell on it, and his expression shifted from casual to serious to one of utter respect, muttering to himself, "This painting, this painting, this painting…"

Li Anning grew impatient and asked, "What about this painting? Just say it!"

Painter Chen seemed calm, but he was already sweating profusely.

What could he say…

The painting not only demonstrated peak technical skill but also captured a transcendent aesthetic, evoking nature's essence; he saw the traces of several great painting masters in it, yet it surpassed just their shadows.

Zhao Yuan's meticulous strokes, Liu Qian's ink usage, Shen Nian's freehand… This painting could be considered a culmination of the strengths of various masters, discarding their weaknesses, and stood at the apex of flower and bird paintings. How could he, of all people, critique such work?

And was he qualified to comment on a painting master capable of creating such a piece in such a short time?

Painter Chen handed back the painting to Li Nuo with trembling hands and then, bending his back, spoke anxiously, "I am blind to true talent and have offended the master. I am mediocre in painting and still have some doubts; may I ask if you could enlighten me…"

"Eh…"

Li Anning watched speechlessly as Painter Chen suddenly became extremely humble, her rosy lips forming an astonished "O".

Wasn't he supposed to provide guidance to Li Nuo? What was this all about?