“What dream?” the prince asked lazily. “Um, I dreamt that…” Chuxia suddenly leaned close to the glass window, let out an “Ah!”, and pointed at several tiny holes smaller than a fingernail, asking, “What are these?” “The glass is airtight; these small holes are left for ventilation,” the young master casually explained. Chuxia was still half in doubt, but seeing the young master had already left the room, she felt a bit ashamed, thinking how the young master always rose earlier than she did. She got up following him. The day after tomorrow was New Year’s Eve, and the kitchen was bustling with activity. Since the young master and his guests were discussing matters in the front hall, Chuxia had nothing to do. A few days ago, the manor had sent over some wild game and miscellaneous grains, so she joined the kitchen staff in preparing for the New Year’s feast. “The corn from the estate, this kernel, it’s really chewy,” said the head cook while scraping off corn kernels. “You can’t buy this kind in Cangzhou.” Chuxia was stringing peppers, her hands all red, when she looked up and saw someone at the door. Baisue, clutching a hand warmer, was smiling at the busy servants in the kitchen. Her fur-trimmed hood framed her small face, giving her a soft glow. “Miss Baisue, why are you here?” Chuxia quickly stood up, “Are you looking for something?” Baisue walked in, laughing, “I’m a bit hungry and thought to find something to eat.” “Miss, if you want to eat something, just order the servants to prepare it. Why come here yourself?” the head cook dropped her work to say. “You go about your business, Auntie,” Baisue smiled gently, “I’ve always liked to find food for myself since I was little; it somehow tastes sweeter.” “Alright. Miss, the room next door is for pastries, and the one next to that is for soups. Feel free to look around.” After a while, Baisue ordered a bowl of hibiscus egg custard and several delicate pastries, then left with her personal maid. The head cook lowered her voice and said to Chuxia, “This Miss Baisue is really pretty.” Chuxia nodded repeatedly. “She can really eat though,” the head cook shook her head, “She comes here every day looking for something to eat… Chuxia, do you think… could she be pregnant?” Chuxia paused, slowing her work, and after a moment’s thought, she said, “Auntie, be careful with such talk.” The head cook realized her mistake and laughed, “Yes, yes. I was just joking, Chuxia.”
In the afternoon, Chuxia went to serve in the study. Just as she arrived, a group of guests were streaming out of the front hall. Chuxia stepped aside, but overheard someone say, “The young master has taken a fancy to a painting… it’s worth a fortune…” After waiting a moment, she looked up to find a young man about seventeen or eighteen, unfamiliar to her, staring at her curiously. “Are you Chuxia?” “Yes.” Chuxia stared back at the handsome youth, not backing down, “Who are you?” “I’m the young master’s attendant. You can call me Brother Long.” The attendant said with a touch of arrogance, “The young master wants you to go to the study immediately.” Chuxia couldn’t help but laugh, “Brother Long? You look younger than me!” “How old are you?” “Sixteen. And you?” “Eighteen.” Chuxia scoffed, “Even the young master is older than me, should I call him ‘Young Master Brother’?” The attendant, not convinced, continued to bicker with her until they reached the study door, where they both fell silent. The attendant knocked, his playful demeanor gone, and said, “Young Master, Chuxia is here.” “Come in.” Chuxia entered, but Little Long did not follow, staying at the door. Seeing Chuxia’s irritated expression, the young master smiled, “What’s the matter?” “Young Master, that new attendant is so annoying!” Chuxia pouted, restraining herself from rolling her eyes, “One day, I’ll make him call me ‘sister’!” The young master chuckled, his fingers gently touching his chin, truly a picture of grace. “Come here, girl,” he said, unrolling a scroll from the table, “Look at this painting.” Chuxia approached with curiosity. It was an ancient silk painting, about three feet by three feet, depicting a landscape. She examined the inscription carefully – five characters – “Ink Play, Ballad of Mountains and Waters.” Her heart stirred as she looked at the young master, “This… is this the ‘Ballad of Mountains and Waters’?” The young master did not deny it. Chuxia looked closer, seeing towering mountains, peculiar pines, flowing springs, and the clouds and water in motion. The vastness of the mountains and valleys was captured in the strokes of the brush, truly deserving the name “Ballad of Mountains and Waters.” “Who painted this?” Chuxia asked, still looking at the painting, “Gu Kaizhi, Wu Daozi, Lu Tanwei, or Zhang Sengyao?” The young master, standing beside her, pointed out, “You’re judging the painting by its market value, which is too narrow a perspective.” Chuxia looked up, unconvinced, “Young Master, this ‘Ballad of Mountains and Waters’ is the third grand gift, its value far surpasses even fox fur. I’ve thought it over, and if this isn’t by one of those four masters, how could it be so priceless?” The young master smiled faintly, “Those four are all known for their distinctive brushwork, which has been thoroughly studied. One look and it’s clear this isn’t their work. Moreover, is there any mention of a painting named ‘Ballad of Mountains and Waters’ in ‘Records of Famous Paintings Through the Ages’?” Chuxia was somewhat perplexed, “Then… why is this painting so precious?” The young master stood beside her, pointing, “The spirit and essence of this painting are exceptional. The landscapes are drawn from the heart, though the mountain peaks are too sharply defined, too severe. Look at this brushwork, one stroke forms the momentum, connecting the energy – the painter must also be a martial arts master.” Chuxia examined it closely, nodding, “Now that you mention it, the painting style does resemble swordplay.” “During the Tang Dynasty, General Pei Min offered gold and silk to Wu Daozi for a painting. Wu Daozi refused the gold and silk but only asked for General Wu to perform a sword dance to inspire his brushwork. After the dance, Wu Daozi completed the painting, as if by divine inspiration.” The young master sighed, “The rhythm of the painting and the spirit of the sword, at their core, are one and the same.” Chuxia nodded, whispering, “I’ve learned something.” The young master smiled slightly, “These are trivial matters. Chuxia, from today, you don’t need to serve here. I have a task for you.” “Please tell me, Young Master.” “You have an eidetic memory and read much faster than others. If I give you ten thousand paintings, can you find any that depict scenery similar to this ‘Ballad of Mountains and Waters’?” Chuxia was taken aback, then looked at the scroll again, troubled, “That’s… not easy. If the painters use different perspectives, the scenes would look very different. Plus, Young Master, the Central Plains are vast with countless beautiful landscapes. How can you be sure someone else has painted the same scene?” The young master smiled confidently, “Look at the mountainside, there’s a half-mountain pavilion, which means people travel there. Since it’s known to people, it’s likely others have painted it.”
