Chapter 457 - 166: Assessment (Part 2)
The calligraphy assessment made Mingzhu highly impressed with Yueyao.
Bai Yi asked from one side, "Miss, you’ve passed the calligraphy, do you still want to look at the paintings?"
Mingzhu said loudly, "Look, of course, we must look." Yueyao had given her too many surprises in calligraphy, and she hoped she would bring another big surprise in painting.
Since Yueyao had posed the condition herself, it was natural that she wouldn’t just give up now. However, there were conditions to seeing her paint, Yueyao said, "I don’t want today’s event to be spread." There weren’t many people in the room, just Mingzhu, Bai Yi, and occasionally Zhi Qin who brought pastries and fruits. As long as Mingzhu didn’t let it out, wouldn’t the outsiders remain unaware?
Mingzhu expressed surprise, "Why? Could it be that your paintings are ugly?" It is only poor paintings that one fears people will know about.
Bai Yi rolled her eyes, but she said nothing.
Yueyao smiled and said, "It’s not that the paintings are bad, but that I don’t want others to know." Yueyao planned to refine her skills for two more years and when she felt ready, she would sell her paintings under the name ’Hermit in the Wild’, not her real name.
The tree that stands out in the forest invites the wind; if she became famous, not only would it be difficult to leave the Lian family, but getting a divorce wouldn’t be easy either.
Mingzhu was somewhat curious, "You have to tell me why?"
Yueyao’s answer was simple, "I don’t want to be known as a talented lady." If she became a Great Painter, naturally, she would be recognized everywhere as a talented lady, but a talented lady is not necessarily a Great Painter. Out of all the talented ladies in Capital City, nine out of ten are overrated, most of whom are hyped up merely to secure a good marriage. Virtually none have true talent and earnestly seek to learn.
Mingzhu sized up Yueyao from top to bottom and concluded that Yueyao was a monster, not human. She exclaimed, "Everyone wants to be known as a talented lady, why don’t you want people to know about your talent?" She wasn’t sure about Yueyao’s other skills, but being able to write in three fonts alone made her a talented lady.
Yueyao laughed and said, "There are all kinds of people in the world, some like being in the spotlight, chased by crowds; others just want to quietly do what they enjoy without disturbance—I’m exactly the latter type."