Chapter 1211: Once Again at the Upper Palace
After finishing their tour of the garden, Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu decided it was not appropriate to stay in their new residence since the renovations were not yet complete.
Instead, they would stay at Zhang Yuelu’s residence in Taishang Place.
Little Yin was reluctant to leave. Spotting a blank wall, she left behind one of her own ink works—a vivid painting of the Primordial Daoist Ancestor riding an ox. Her painting skills were exceptionally refined—nothing like what she claimed about being unable to draw at all. Usually, she simply wanted to slack off with calligraphy or painting, deliberately sketching simple drawings to save effort and to fool Qi Xuansu.
Many people mistakenly believe that Central Plains painting favored freehand expression and was entirely non-realist. Rather, freehand painting, also called literati painting, did not require much technical foundation, making it easy to pick up.
Literati painting was much like doggerel poetry. At its core, it reflected Confucian authority rather than professional skill. Those in high positions would tout themselves by splashing a few strokes of ink-washed landscapes or some sort of murky flowers, birds, and fish. There were no clear standards of quality, so as long as it was vaguely passable, someone would flatter the painter. This made it convenient for turning power into prestige.
However, realism required solid fundamentals, like structure, perspective, lighting, chiaroscuro, and distance. How could those in high office have the time to study such things? Even with mastery, such paintings were time-consuming and could not be done with a stroke of a brush like literati paintings.
In truth, this was not unique to the Confucians. Daoist priests loved to write poetry and could not stop once they started, yet their level was far below that of true poets. But due to their titles, no one dared to call it out. It was like the Western tale of the Emperor’s New Clothes.
When Little Yin claimed she could not paint landscapes, she was actually mocking literati painting.
Zhang Yuelu’s residence was much smaller than the Princess Xuanzhen Mansion, but it was well kept and furnished to the standards of the Dazhen Mansion. Since Zhang Yuelu usually lived in her home in Xuan City and rarely came to Taishang Place, the residence was quiet and lacking in human warmth.
Little Yin quickly grew fond of the place and did not want to leave at all.
Early the next morning, Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu went out separately to visit some elders and colleagues.
Zhang Yuelu went to see Sage Cihang, while Qi Xuansu went to see Sage Donghua.