Madam Qin chattered on, and Qi Zhenzhen agreed to everything. Madam Qin was still a little uneasy. "Ah Nian, keep a close eye on Zhenzhen. If she does anything improper, you must speak to her kindly and coax her, understand? If she really doesn't listen, don't scold her. Send for me, and I'll persuade her."
"Mother," Qi Zhenzhen said, pulling on Madam Qin's hand and acting spoiled, "Am I that unreasonable?"
"You are sensible, you are the most sensible. But at this time, one can't help it," Madam Qin said.
Gu Sinian chimed in, "Mother, don't worry, I will watch her closely. If she doesn't listen, I'll find you."
Gu Sinian and Qi Zhenzhen's playful banter dispelled Madam Qin's anxieties of the past few days. What was the point of thinking so much now? Her priority was to see her daughter-in-law through a safe delivery; that was the most important thing.
As for Xie Chen.
His thoughtfulness, his waiting – it was impossible not to be moved.
But she was no longer a young girl experiencing her first love, daring to love and dare to hate.
She was thirty-six, and soon to have grandchildren.
Given Xie Chen's current status and position, finding a young lady would be effortless.
Xie Chen frequented the Qin manor, and rumors were flying all over the capital. Xie Chen said he didn't care, but she didn't want to see his reputation ruined because of her!
This was also why she had always been distant with Xie Chen.
She would no longer dwell on it; everything would take its natural course.
Xie Chen set down his brush and gently showed the painting to Madam Qin. "How is it?"
"You haven't put down your brush all these years," Madam Qin remarked.
Qi Zhenzhen glanced at Xie Chen's painting and was somewhat shocked. She had seen many master-level artworks, and Xie Chen's paintings were no less impressive than those of masters from previous dynasties.
On the contrary, because he had poured his emotions into them while painting, they were exceptionally captivating.
After the ink dried, Xie Chen rolled up the painting and placed it into a nearby jar. "It's getting late, I should be going."
"Alright," Madam Qin nodded.
Qi Zhenzhen noticed that there were already fifteen scrolls in the jar.
"Take them out and look if you wish," Madam Qin said naturally. "Back then, Xie Chen was the top scholar. His paintings were highly sought after even then. Wei Mian San Ren, that's him."
Qi Zhenzhen knew the name. She had once thought it belonged to a great master from a previous dynasty.
She never expected it to be Xie Chen.
Because his paintings were full of spirit and extremely rare, the works of Wei Mian San Ren were priceless.
Yet, here were more than a dozen paintings laid out before her.
If these were sold, how much money would they fetch!
"Mother, Zhenzhen, I have something to attend to. I'll be leaving for a while," Gu Sinian said. "Once I'm done, we'll go to Grandmother's courtyard for dinner together."
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of Zhenzhen for you," Madam Qin replied.
After Gu Sinian left, Qi Zhenzhen carefully took out Xie Chen's paintings from the jar. The paintings of Xie Chen circulating outside were all landscapes, but these were more than just landscapes. The scenery included figures from behind. Upon closer inspection, they bore a resemblance to Madam Qin, from her youth to her present self.
Qi Zhenzhen sighed inwardly, thinking how truly devoted Xie Chen was.
"If he had stayed in the capital back then, with his status as top scholar and the Xie family's standing, he would undoubtedly be a pillar of the civil service," Madam Qin said softly. "He did that because I said I liked military officials... I have always felt guilty towards him."