Chapter 60 The Colors of the Human World Are Like Dust

Princess Shangqiu walked ahead, clad in gorgeous garments whose long, sweeping hems remained completely spotless and impervious to water, no matter the dust or moisture.

For someone of her status, even ordinary daily attire would undoubtedly be crafted from precious materials using esoteric mystic arts. Chen Zhi'an had long since grown accustomed to this.

Yet, in Princess Shangqiu's eyes, Chen Zhi'an appeared somewhat peculiar.

She turned her head from time to time to glance at him, a trace of lingering doubt seemingly hidden within her azure pupils.

Indeed, Princess Shangqiu had never imagined that the painter summoned by the Imperial Household Department all the way from Sunan Prefecture would be so young. He appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, save for his gaze, which was exceptionally calm, steady, and somewhat mature.

The probability of a seventeen-or-eighteen-year-old presenting a painting, having it sent into the Inner Court, and ultimately delivered to the Yufu Palace was exceptionally slim.

The Inner Court did not accept paintings from just anyone.

First, one had to possess a distinguished background and scholarly rank; second, since these were ultimately for palace use, there were numerous regulations. Apart from various prefectures, only individuals of considerable status and standing were qualified to submit an artist's work.

For an ordinary painter, getting a painting into the Inner Court was by no means easy.

Yet Chen Zhi'an happened to meet all these formidable prerequisites.

"Seventeen or eighteen years old, holding an imperial rank, and his painting delivered to the Inner Court via the Returning Cloud Chamber. Moreover, the character Wei Lingyu wrote just now was genuinely vicious, yet upon seeing it, Chen Zhi'an acted as if nothing had happened..."

Curiosity stirred within Princess Shangqiu, but she was even more intrigued by Chen Zhi'an's technique of painting with the seven-color pigments.

"I've already sent someone to fetch the master's brushes and inks. Once you finish painting my sister, you shall paint one for me as well."

Before stepping into the main hall of the Yufu Palace, Princess Shangqiu had given such instructions.

Chen Zhi'an looked back with a measure of curiosity at the young princess.

This Princess Shangqiu held herself with no airs, nor did she put on any pretentious displays when speaking. In the capital of Xuantian, where the powerful and noble gathered like clouds, such a noble personage was surely a rarity.

Pondering thus, he followed Princess Shangqiu into the main hall of the Yufu Palace.

Though called the main hall, it actually resembled a massive reception room. Numerous desks, chairs, and meditation mats were arranged about the space. Though the wood used to craft these furnishings was unknown, it exuded a rich fragrance that instantly refreshed the mind and spirit upon breathing it in—clearly a material of extreme rarity.

Behind a thin gauze curtain on a raised platform, Chen Zhi'an vaguely discerned a hazy figure sitting up, observing him.

"You are the Chen Zhi'an who painted those seven-color artworks?" A melodious voice drifted from behind the gauze curtain, its tone tinged with a hint of doubt.

Chen Zhi'an bowed and acknowledged that he was.

Princess Shangqiu walked up the platform, passed behind the curtain, and whispered softly with Princess Linglong for a moment.

Princess Linglong then spoke, "Coming to the Yufu Palace this time has rather wronged... Master Chen."

Just as Chen Zhi'an was about to respond, Princess Shangqiu chimed in with a smile, "This Master Chen is quite extraordinary. Wei Lingyu's characters failed to shake his mind. It would seem this young Master Chen must also be a practitioner of the Dao, and his cultivation level is likely not low."

Princess Linglong gently nodded, her tone carrying a touch of praise, "So young, yet despite lacking imperial examination credentials, he holds the eighth-rank title of Clear-Robe Official, possesses superb painting skills, and even harbors cultivation within him.

Master Chen must surely hail from a prominent family?"

Princess Shangqiu also looked at Chen Zhi'an with lingering curiosity.

Logically speaking, the background and origins of anyone entering the Yufu Palace ought to be thoroughly investigated.

It was just that this time, Princess Linglong had urgently requested the person, and the Audience Festival was rapidly approaching. They had merely verified with the Sunan Prefecture that the man had a clean record, and since the Ministry of Personnel had already bestowed upon him the eighth-rank title of Clear-Robe Official, everything was streamlined.

After a moment of thought, Chen Zhi'an replied, "Chen Zhi'an was originally a gate-attendant painter at the Sunan Prefectural Yamen, and I do not hail from any aristocratic clan or gentry family. My late father spent some seventeen or eighteen years teaching literature to children in Sunan Prefecture. As for this imperial rank... it was attained because I fortuitously rendered some modest service."

He spoke the plain truth. If he truly intended to maintain this identity as a court painter, his background could not be concealed from these two princesses indefinitely. Fortunately, his origins were untainted, and there was nothing he needed to hide.

Upon hearing this, both princesses were somewhat surprised, yet they pressed no further.

Princess Linglong remarked, "Such a background may still be considered a family of letters... In that case, Master Chen, would you please take up your brush and paint a portrait for Princess Shangqiu?"

Chen Zhi'an was just about to answer when a steward hurried in with a bow, bringing along the luggage Chen Zhi'an had left at the inn.

Thus, Chen Zhi'an ceased speaking. He retrieved his canvas, pigments, and three different brushes from his baggage, and asked for a stand to carefully set them up.

Princess Shangqiu was quite young and still retained a girlish innocence.

Eager to have her seven-color portrait painted, she happily stepped out from behind the gauze curtain and sat down not far from Chen Zhi'an.

"The ink paste has dried a bit." Chen Zhi'an requested some hot water to slightly dissolve it before taking up his brush to paint.

The essence of oil painting lay in layering pigment upon pigment, building them up rank upon rank. Viewed closely, the pigments rose like successive mountain ranges, stretching across the entire canvas.

Chen Zhi'an applied six layers just for Princess Shangqiu's complexion, and eight or nine layers each for her hair and attire, working with utmost concentration.

Having sketched the basic outline, he turned to Princess Shangqiu and said, "Her Highness may relax now; there is no need to remain so rigid."

Princess Shangqiu stood up, crossed her hands behind her back, and stood behind Chen Zhi'an to watch him paint, her eyes wide with fascination.

"This is truly interesting," Princess Shangqiu widened her eyes. "Layer upon layer, piled one atop another, yet the more you paint, the more lifelike it becomes."

Just as Shen Haohao had previously remarked, though this style of oil painting lacked the flowing grandeur and boundless poetic resonance of traditional ink-wash paintings, its strength lay in its richer colors and layers, its greater vibrancy, and its ability to immediately captivate the eye—making it exceptionally suited for capturing the stunning beauty of women.

While Chen Zhi'an painted, Princess Shangqiu watched attentively. Half an hour passed in this manner, and Princess Shangqiu's visage already took shape upon the canvas.

Princess Shangqiu's eyes shone brightly as she nodded, "It is indeed remarkably striking, and quite unique."

In truth, it made her appear even more breathtaking than in reality.

Chen Zhi'an switched to a finer brush, and while adding finishing touches to the outlines, he said, "Time was pressing, so this painting was executed somewhat hastily. In truth, this style of painting requires patience; once the base is laid, one ought to let it dry thoroughly before applying the second and third layers.

That is why this piece lacks a certain translucent depth."

"It can be painted even better?" Princess Shangqiu's eyes lit up. Stepping closer, she instructed Chen Zhi'an, "Then imprint my features firmly in your memory. Once you return, you must paint a finer one for me."

Chen Zhi'an looked at Princess Shangqiu. The princess appeared to be of mixed descent; her skin tone lacked the pure whiteness of Daoyu people, her pupils were azure, and her lips were vividly red.

He glanced away and lowered his head to continue painting until the work was complete.

A palace maid carefully presented the canvas inside the gauze curtain. Princess Linglong inspected the portrait, fell silent for a few moments, and finally spoke...

"Very good."

"I ask Master Chen to paint another portrait for this palace, only... make me appear somewhat happier."

Instantly, palace maids on either side drew back the gauze curtain.

Chen Zhi'an looked up. In the memories of his past life, he had beheld the faces of countless beauties—whether witnessed with his own eyes or forcibly crammed into his sight through heavily edited media during the age of information explosion.

Yet even after seeing so many beauties, upon beholding Princess Linglong's face, he could not help but sigh inwardly...

She was truly breathtaking.

Phrases like "With a single tender glance amid the crowd, all worldly colors turn to dust," or "Clear autumn waters for eyes and jade for skin," or "As if an immortal maiden had descended to the mortal realm"—none of these were sufficient to fully describe Princess Linglong's stunning beauty.

Nevertheless, Chen Zhi'an lowered his gaze after just one look.

This was the imperial palace, after all. To lose one's self-control here was a sure way to lose one's head.

Seeing that Chen Zhi'an knew proper etiquette, Princess Linglong nodded with satisfaction and set her mind at ease.

Chen Zhi'an set up a fresh canvas and resumed painting.

While painting, he could now openly appreciate Princess Linglong's beauty.

Chen Zhi'an harbored no wicked thoughts; the chaotic and complex memories of his past life made his current existence feel like a lifetime apart.

"Painted skulls and flesh-bound bones... yet using them to feast one's eyes is not a bad thing."

With Princess Linglong's peerless beauty serving as a feast for the eyes, Chen Zhi'an took pleasure in the process, thoroughly refreshing his sight as he worked.

Another half-hour passed, and Princess Linglong's portrait was complete.

The palace maid handed over the finished painting. Princess Linglong examined it closely to find her likeness smiling serenely, her expression celestial yet devoid of the heavy melancholy she usually carried.

"Splendid."

Princess Linglong uttered the word once more, and the gauze curtain on the high platform was drawn shut again.

Yet her voice, drifting from behind the curtain, carried a much lighter, more pleased tone: "I am thoroughly satisfied with Master Chen's work. Summoning you from afar into the palace to paint for me has rather disrupted your peace.

With the Audience Festival fast approaching, Master Chen might as well take up the title of Court Painter here in my Yufu Palace, drawing a stipend from the Imperial Household Department... Should you find anything lacking, simply speak with the girl Huakui."

Just as Princess Linglong's voice trailed off, a palace maid with an elaborate hair bun stepped out from the dimness of the high platform and bowed deeply to Chen Zhi'an from afar.

Chen Zhi'an bowed in return.

Beside him, Princess Shangqiu rolled her eyes thoughtfully and asked, "Where is Master Chen currently lodging?"

"The Sunan Prefectural Yamen arranged for me to stay temporarily at an inn," Chen Zhi'an replied truthfully.

Princess Shangqiu tilted her head back and instructed a eunuch steward, "Do I not still have a courtyard on Fusang Street? I originally intended to give it to General Hongye as a detached residence for practicing calligraphy, but since the general holds a high position and fears suspicion, he declined to accept it.

The courtyard isn't large, and leaving it vacant is a waste. Moreover, it happens to be quite close to the palace. Master Chen can temporarily move in and reside there until the Audience Festival has passed... Consider this minor favor compensation for the grievances Master Chen suffered today at Wei Lingyu's hands."

Chen Zhi'an accepted the gesture with a calm, composed bow of gratitude.

The very reason he had submitted his paintings and sought an official post in the capital of Xuantian was to secure a residence as close to the palace as possible.

As Chu Muye had warned him, the capital of Xuantian was a whirlpool that devoured people whole. Especially since Chen Zhi'an's motives for coming to Xuantian were not entirely pure, he had to be wary of colossal entities like the Li and Si families.

Living closer to the Xuantian Palace meant that should things ever reach a breaking point, he would at least have some leverage to evade hidden dangers.

Even without Princess Shangqiu's bestowal, possessing the status of a court painter and paying out of his own pocket would have entitled him to settle down within the Three-and-Thirty Alleys of the Eight Streets surrounding the Xuantian Palace.

Having completed the paintings and secured his rewards, Princess Shangqiu departed on other business, and Chen Zhi'an prepared to take his leave of his own accord.

Suddenly, Princess Linglong spoke up, "Master Chen, there is one more matter I wish to inquire about."

"That verse—'Clouds think of clothes and flowers think of face'... Where did Master Chen come by such poetry?"