Chapter Eighty: The Painting of the Recluse Fishing by Pine Lake

During the meal, Gou Ye and Gu Shen, with expressive faces, recounted to Wanxiang everything that had happened in Gu Shen’s home. When Wanxiang heard about Gou Ye’s flute performance at Gu Yue’s residence, she immediately ordered her maid to bring a flute and asked Gou Ye to play it again before her. As she listened, Wanxiang was utterly enraptured, tears welling in her eyes, her emotions stirred and unable to settle for a long time.

Everyone drank with great enthusiasm. Wanxiang, in a rare gesture, played a tune on the pipa, which left Gou Ye and Gu Shen captivated. Before long, the three found themselves pleasantly tipsy, each showing signs of mild intoxication.

As Wanxiang poured wine for Gou Ye, she gently inquired, “All that remains are Gu Shen’s eldest brother and fifth sister. What do you plan to do about them?”

Gou Ye scratched his head, brows furrowed, unable to think of a good solution. He simply raised his cup and drained it. “Let’s just give it a try—if we can persuade them, so be it. If not, that’s that. If we manage to win over his eldest brother as well, there will be seven of us.”

Wanxiang smiled, walked over to her desk, and took a long box from the cabinet, returning slowly to the table. “What a pity, though. If his elder brother refuses, only six will remain, and our hopes of persuading the Duke will shrink. Tonight, let me help you.”

Gou Ye and Gu Shen watched curiously as Wanxiang cradled the box. She slowly opened it, revealing a scroll inside. With delicate hands, she took out the scroll and unrolled it, displaying a scene of a fisherman angling from the bow of his boat. In the painting, mountains and rocks were rendered with sharp, axe-cut strokes, the pine trees dense and their needles lush, the whole composition exuding a tranquil and elegant charm. Though neither Gou Ye nor Gu Shen understood much about art, they could tell at a glance that this was no ordinary piece.

Wanxiang gazed at the scroll with reluctance, gently caressing its surface, her passion evident. “This painting is called ‘The Recluse Angling by Pine Lake,’ created by Li Tang of the previous dynasty. It was once sold on the street by a destitute scholar, whom I happened to encounter. I bought it for a small sum, and after it was appraised by experts, it proved to be an authentic work.”

Gou Ye immediately understood Wanxiang’s intention, and before she could speak, he hurriedly waved his hand. “Wanxiang, you’re not planning to give this painting to Gu Shen’s fifth sister, are you? It’s far too precious. I can’t allow it; absolutely not.”

Gu Shen chimed in, “That’s right, Miss Wanxiang. My fifth sister loves painting, but such a valuable scroll—we can neither accept nor pass it on. You’d best keep it. We’ll think of another way.”

Wanxiang smiled, asking Gou Ye to take the scroll, repeatedly urging him to be careful. She then walked to her bookshelf, opened the cabinet, revealing boxes stacked high, their contents unclear. Wanxiang laughed, pointing to the cabinet. “Don’t think I’m truly generous. If I hadn’t amassed so many paintings over the years, I wouldn’t part with ‘The Recluse Angling by Pine Lake.’ This is but one among many—not even the most valuable. Take it without worry. If you ever come across another famous painting, just return it to me.”

At her words, Gou Ye and Gu Shen finally accepted the painting with delight, thanking her profusely. Unconsciously, Gou Ye realized his feelings for this woman had grown deeper and more substantial. Since their acquaintance, she had genuinely helped him many times, always at the crucial moment. Were it not for his devotion to Yun Niang, perhaps he would have pledged himself to her.

That night, the three drank with heartfelt joy, no longer reserved as before, chatting as if they were old friends with nothing left unsaid. Unnoticed, midnight arrived. Seeing the late hour, Gou Ye lifted the sleeping Gu Shen from the table, picked up the box, and staggered out, bidding Wanxiang farewell.

“Gou Ye.” Hearing Wanxiang call, Gou Ye turned at the doorway.

“I glimpsed the look in your eyes just now,” Wanxiang said, resting her chin in her hand and gazing dreamily at him.

“Oh? What kind of look?” Gou Ye asked.

Wanxiang smiled softly, “The look of someone who already has me in his heart.”

Gou Ye laughed loudly, pretending to be drunk, and quickly left with Gu Shen, leaving Wanxiang giggling to herself. Her maid entered, sighing, “Miss, you gave him that famous painting—why not tell him directly? Why fill the cabinet with so many empty boxes?”

Wanxiang played with her fingers, glancing at the boxes. “If I gave it outright, would he accept? ‘The Recluse Angling by Pine Lake,’ please bless him.”

The next morning, Gou Ye rose unusually early, for the first time not suffering from a hangover. He carried the box containing the scroll to Gu Shen’s room. This time, it was his turn to push the door open unannounced, startling Gu Shen awake. Seeing it was Gou Ye, he grumbled, “It’s you? I thought it was my father—gave me quite a scare. Why are you up so early?”

“I’ve been in the county for days. If I don’t finish things soon, Yun Niang and the others will worry. Today, let’s win over your fifth sister, then head straight to your eldest brother. We have to meet him anyway.”

Gu Shen flopped back onto the bed, peering at Gou Ye with one eye open. “Are you sure? My eldest brother is not easy to talk to, but among us siblings, he’s the one Father values most—he alone is worth the seven of us. If we can persuade him, our task will be much easier.”

Gou Ye smiled, patting the box. “Come on, get up. We’ve come this far; whatever happens, I’ll stand by you.”

Seeing Gou Ye’s resolve, Gu Shen quickly dressed. They skipped breakfast and went together to the fifth sister’s residence. Gu Hui, the fifth sister, was much like Gu Yu. She had settled her home beside the rockery in the back garden, believing the proximity to mountains and water benefited her painting.

Gou Ye truly could not fathom the tastes of these scholarly folk—leaving a comfortable house to live in the desolate backyard. Beside the rockery sat a woman, Gu Hui, her expression serious as she pondered something over her desk.

Hearing visitors arrive, Gu Hui waved them off. “Don’t make a sound! Almost done!”

Gou Ye and Gu Shen didn’t dare breathe, waiting silently. A long time passed, their legs going numb. Suddenly, Gu Hui exclaimed, “There it is!” With a flourish, she swept her brush across the paper, ink splashing. In no time, a graceful landscape appeared on the desk for all to see.