Chapter 405: What Kind of Deities Are the Concubines of the General’s Mansion
Helian Chen was stunned for a moment, then looked at her angrily. "You fatso, do you take this Prince for some street thug?"
Ye Qianning was a little surprised as she looked at his angry little face.
"If this Prince wants to become a disciple, I’ll rely on my own knowledge and good looks to make the dean remember me, not resort to those insidious tricks." While Helian Chen might not always acquire things in a perfectly honorable way, he would never stoop so low.
"It seems I misunderstood you. I’m sorry." Hearing this, Ye Qianning thought the boy was actually quite principled. His words made some sense.
’Concubines are indeed no pushovers. The ones who can endure until the very end are usually the ultimate victors.’
"Since you’re just a kid, this Prince won’t hold it against you." Helian Chen’s mood improved upon hearing her apology. "You must remember what I said. Be careful of the aunts in your estate, stay vigilant, and don’t believe a word they say."
"I’ll consider it." Ye Qianning put down her calligraphy brush and gestured to Luo Wen.
Luo Wen withdrew and returned with a plate of pastries in his hands.
Ye Qianning took a piece and pushed the plate toward Helian Chen with her small hand.
"Your guard’s skills are truly impressive, really good," Helian Chen praised, then casually picked up a pastry and took a bite.
He had already swallowed it when the flavor registered. He looked down in surprise at the pink pastry in his hand. ’Delicious!’
Helian Chen devoured several pieces in a row, but he still wasn’t satisfied. When he reached for more, he saw the plate was already empty.
"What kind of pastry is this? It’s unbelievably delicious."
"One of my aunts made them. I don’t know what they’re called."
Helian Chen paused and licked his lips. Without another word, his gaze shifted to a painting on the left wall, and he walked over to examine it closely.
He might be young, but he had seen a great many paintings.
He had seen all the paintings in his Imperial Father’s collection, and the skill displayed in this one was extraordinary. Judging by its fresh appearance, it had been completed recently.
"This painting... the artistry is so lifelike. It’s magnificent."
"Is that so? I don’t know much about it."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Helian Chen clicked his tongue. ’A child who doesn’t even understand art... hanging it here is a complete waste.’
"If you like it, you can have it."
Helian Chen turned his head in disbelief. "Really?"
"Mhm."
Helian Chen hadn’t expected her to be so generous. Excited, he moved a stool over himself to take down the painting. After placing it on the table to admire it up close, he carefully rolled up the scroll.
"A breathtaking piece. I wonder which grandmaster created it," he said with reverence.
"It wasn’t a grandmaster. My Sixth Aunt painted it."
"..."
Helian Chen froze, his hand tightening around the scroll. ’Are the General’s aunts this talented?’
’A casual painting from one of them is comparable to the work of a grandmaster?’
’He just spoke ill of them a moment ago. Can he still accept this painting?’
"Oh, right. Almost everything in my room was made by my aunts." Ye Qianning stood up and pointed to the calligraphy on the left. "My Second Aunt wrote this. This zither was made for me by my Sixth Aunt. The calligraphy and paintings over here are the work of my Seventh and Eighth Aunts. My Ninth Aunt is a master at chess, and my Third Aunt’s dancing is enchanting enough to topple cities..."
Helian Chen looked over each item. The calligraphy and paintings were all masterpieces. But the most incredible of all was the ancient zither; its craftsmanship was simply of the highest caliber.
’What kind of goddesses are the General’s aunts?’
’They’re masters of the four arts—zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting—and their cooking is exceptional, too...’
’His mother, the Imperial Consort, loves the zither more than anything. If he could bring one back for her, she would be overjoyed.’
After careful consideration, Helian Chen said, "I’d like to... pay a visit to your aunts."
