Chapter 2948 - 2949: Qinglian Art Studio

Chapter 2948: Chapter 2949: Qinglian Art Studio

Chapter 2949

"We’ll rest for two days and then board the ship." Bai Ruozhu said.

"I’ve rented a Yard and plan to turn it into an art studio. Niuniu and I will live there normally. If Lord Bai has time, would you care to come take a look? Give me some pointers?" the She Family woman asked cautiously.

In just two days, the She Family woman had managed to rent the studio. Her efficiency was impressive.

"Come on, let’s go take a look." Bai Ruozhu said.

The She Family woman led the way. On the way she glanced at Little Dengdeng and said enviously, "My lord’s child is really good‑looking. One look and you can tell how bright he is."

Little Dengdeng smiled. "Thank you, Auntie."

This was the politeness Bai Ruozhu had taught him. He wouldn’t casually interrupt when adults were talking, but if an adult spoke to him, he had to take the initiative to greet them.

The She Family woman was grinning from ear to ear. She hurriedly felt around on herself and took out a pouch. "Good child, this is Auntie’s meeting gift for you."

Bai Ruozhu thought to herself that it wasn’t easy for her to raise a child alone. She didn’t want Dengdeng to accept it, but then thought she could just give Niuniu something in return later.

As they chatted, they arrived at the Room the She Family woman had rented. The location wasn’t exactly prime, but it wasn’t remote either. The surroundings were nice and very quiet and elegant.

"It was my cousin and his wife who helped me find the place. Otherwise, it really wouldn’t have gone so smoothly on my own." the She Family woman said.

Bai Ruozhu nodded. Her cousin seemed to be a decent man.

She stepped inside for a look. There were already several easels set up in the Yard, and other things were in the works as well.

"When the weather’s good we’ll paint outside. It’s better for landscapes. When the weather’s bad we’ll move indoors. Later I plan to get a strange rock, and plant a few trees in one corner of the Yard." the She Family woman introduced slowly.

A few paintings were already hanging in the hall, and some others hadn’t been mounted yet—clearly recent works. Bai Ruozhu examined them carefully. The painting skills were indeed good. Though not on the level of a great master, they were very fresh and elegant. No wonder wealthy madams were willing to buy them.

Besides, the She Family woman was still young. As long as she kept practicing, with time she might well become a renowned painter.

Footsteps sounded from inside, and a married woman came out with Niuniu.

"Cousin‑sister‑in‑law, this is Lord Bai. I happened to run into her in the City." the She Family woman introduced.

The married woman was overjoyed to hear this and quickly bowed to Bai Ruozhu. "My lord, thank you for saving Niuniu."

"Niuniu’s illness wasn’t all that serious. It hardly counts as saving a life. You don’t have to be so polite." Bai Ruozhu said.

Niuniu also crowded forward. "Big Sister, we meet again. I missed you so much!"

Ever since that tantrum last time, this little girl had been much more obedient. In truth, she was just a child lacking a sense of security, wanting a bit more attention from her parents.

"Big Sister, how can you call my mom ’Big Sister’? You should call her Auntie." Little Dengdeng corrected her in an old‑fashioned tone.

Niuniu stuck out her tongue at him. "Big Sister is like an Immortal. I want to call her Big Sister."

Bai Ruozhu laughed and tugged Little Dengdeng. "Calling her Big Sister makes her sound younger. Let her call me that."

"Mother, that’s not respecting your age." Little Dengdeng said with grave earnestness.

The She Family woman and the others couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst out laughing.

Bai Ruozhu covered her forehead. Was this son of hers here to sabotage her?

When Dengdeng saw his mother glaring, his eyes rolled quickly and he changed his tune at once. "Mother, you’ll never grow old. I was just joking."

"Haha, this child is so sharp, and so adorable." the She Family woman said.

Then she invited Bai Ruozhu into the hall for tea, and Bai Ruozhu offered her a few ideas.

"How about Lord Bai naming this art studio for me, and writing the characters?" the She Family woman suggested.

Bai Ruozhu didn’t think it was any big deal, and besides, the She Family woman truly had real skill.

She pondered for a moment. Her favorite poet was Li Bai. Li Bai’s courtesy name was Taibai, and his pseudonym was the Hermit of Qinglian. So this studio could be called Qinglian Art Studio.

"Qinglian Art Studio. ’The green lotus, washed clean yet not Demon, rising unstained from the mud.’ It’s also Li Bai the Immortal Poet’s style name. How about it?" she said.

The She Family woman’s eyes lit up. "Qinglian Art Studio? Good, it’s wonderful!"

She hurriedly brought out brush, ink, paper, and inkstone herself, ground the ink for Bai Ruozhu, and invited her to write the characters.

These characters were meant to be made into a Plaque and hung above the door. In her previous life Bai Ruozhu had been forced by her Grandpa to practice brush calligraphy. In this life she’d also practiced diligently; she couldn’t very well be the top‑scorer’s younger sister with handwriting like a dog’s scrawl, could she? That would disgrace her elder brother.

So when she wrote the four large characters, they came out bold and grand, yet still carried a feminine grace. She signed her name below and stamped it with her seal. It also served as a living advertisement, doing the She Family woman a good turn.

Once things were more or less settled, Bai Ruozhu took Dengdeng and said her goodbyes.

"Oh no, I got so excited talking about plans that I forgot to give Niuniu a gift." Not long after they left, Bai Ruozhu smacked her own head. But they’d already gone; she couldn’t very well turn back just to give the child a meeting gift.

Little Dengdeng pressed his lips together in a secret smile. "It’s fine, Mother, I helped you give one."

"You did? What did you give?" Bai Ruozhu hadn’t expected her son to be so thoughtful.

"I quietly gave back the pouch her mom gave me, and even added two Gold Seeds inside." Little Dengdeng said proudly. "Grandma told me to bring some Gold and silver Seeds to use for Rewards."

As he spoke, he took out some exquisitely made gold and silver seeds from the little pouch at his waist for Bai Ruozhu to see. Bai Ruozhu felt both amused and helpless. Fortunately this child wasn’t like Ao Song, tossing around gold leaves.

"You did well. All right, what do you want to eat? Mother will reward you." Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.

"I want to eat Mother’s Egg Fried Rice." Little Dengdeng tilted his head up, eyes full of expectation.

"Egg Fried Rice?" This child’s request was really simple. But they were out and about now—how was she supposed to make Egg Fried Rice? She could make some food in the Space, but she usually made Grilled fish or had a clay pot for soup. She really hadn’t prepared a wok; Xiaohei and Furball both disliked the oily smoke from stir‑frying.

But faced with her son’s hopeful little eyes, Bai Ruozhu couldn’t bear to refuse. She thought for a moment, then took him over to Yingkelai.

Once inside, she showed the shopkeeper her waist token. The shopkeeper recognized her at once and hurriedly said, "Lord Bai, please come inside."

"No need, I just need to pop into the Kitchen." she said.

The shopkeeper suddenly grew Nervous. Was this an inspection?

He hastily led the way, and once in the Kitchen he introduced her to the Chef inside. "This is Lord Bai. Many of Yingkelai’s new dishes were originally created by Lord Bai."

The Chef hurriedly bowed to Bai Ruozhu. "Greetings, Lord Bai."

Seeing how they were all on tenterhooks, Bai Ruozhu couldn’t help laughing. To think all this fuss was over a single bowl of Egg Fried Rice.

"You all go on with your work. I’m just here to borrow a stove." Bai Ruozhu said with a smile.

The Chef thought she’d come to show off some skills and give him a few pointers, and instantly brightened up.

"My lord, I’ll be your assistant." he said loudly.

The others in the Kitchen were a bit stunned. Was this the same Chef who was usually so stern and a little arrogant? How had he suddenly become so easy‑going?