Chapter 115 - 115: Brother’s Things are Yours
Jiang Ning laughed and said, “I’ll compensate you with ten of them.”
“Show me the money.”
“I have something good for you.” Jiang Ning turned to leave, and soon returned with a small scroll. She handed it to him and said, “I heard Third Brother is quite knowledgeable and has great literary talents. You’ll surely like this.” “What?” Jiang Yi took the scroll and unrolled it. Then, his gaze fixed upon it.
Lin Zizi glanced at it and laughed, “It’s the authentic version of ‘Sunset Glow’.” “Wow, awesome!” Jiang Ning clapped her hands. “Mom has such sharp eyes; she identified it instantly.”
Lin Zizi smiled gently.
Jiang Yi regained his senses, “Seventh Sister, did you know that when our mother was young, she wasn’t just the most beautiful woman in Chang’an City, but also the most talented? She’s an expert at identifying calligraphy and paintings.”
Jiang Ning looked at Lin Zizi: “Beautiful and talented Mom is so amazing!”
Lin Zizi laughed.
“Where did you get this painting?” Jiang Yi asked.
“The Emperor gave it to me.”
“What?”
“Really, he gave it to me. In exchange for a meal.”
“It’s always been rumored that the authentic painting was in the palace. So, it’s true.” Jiang Yi gasped, “How many meals did you have to cook to get a painting worth that much?”
“Just one meal.”
“…” Jiang Yi thought of the dishes she cooked and fell silent.
For the Emperor, enjoying a delicious meal and then casually giving away a painting wasn’t impossible.
Moreover, Seventh Sister looks exactly like their mother when she was young. The Emperor would inevitably have some thoughts upon seeing Seventh Sister. Jiang Yi held the painting very carefully, “Seventh Sister, are you really giving this to me?”
“Yes, I’m giving it to you.” Jiang Ning laughed, “I have no use for it anyway, and I couldn’t bear to sell such a precious painting.”
Jiang Yi was extremely excited, “Seventh Sister, you can take whatever you want from my place. Wait, everything there is already yours.”
Jiang Ning laughed, “Do you like it that much? I have a few more calligraphy and paintings at my place, probably all authentic. If you like them, feel free to check them out.”
“Where are they?”
“They’re all at the Prince of Yu’s mansion.”
“I’ll bring your dowry back another day.”
“Good. We have to get the dowry and betrothal gifts back.”
“No problem.”
“Thank you, Brother.”
“I should thank you, Sister. It’s so nice to have a sister like you!” Jiang Yi carefully carried the painting, and cautiously turned to leave, “I have to put this treasure away and keep it safe from any scratches or damage. My classmates will be so envious when they see it!”
On the way back, he ran into Jiang Ruobai.
Jiang Ruobai asked, “What are you carrying?”
“Sunset Glow, the authentic version.” Jiang Yi, worried that he wouldn’t believe him, added, “Seventh Sister gave it to me.”
Jiang Ruobai, of course, knew Jiang Ning had this painting. Although he had been tempted, he never asked for it since it was a gift from the Emperor and belonged to his daughter.
Unexpectedly, she had directly given it to her brother.
“Why did she suddenly give you this painting?”
“Because…” Jiang Yi glanced away, “Seventh Sister said that Dad isn’t as well-behaved as her brother.”
“What?”
“If Dad hadn’t gone to Aunt Liu’s place just now, this painting probably would have belonged to him.”
“Dad, you take care. I’m going home to admire my authentic painting. My classmates are going to be so jealous!” Jiang Yi walked away, looking very pleased with himself.
Watching his son’s swaggering exit, Jiang Ruobai suddenly felt immense regret.
Why did he go to Ms. Liu’s place earlier and watch her pretentious show of affection?
That was the authentic version of the ‘Sunset Glow,’ the authentic version!
Jiang Ruobai was so heartbroken that he could hardly breathe.
Early the next morning, just as day broke and Jiang Ning was still fast asleep, Li Hongyuan arrived..