The Eldest Daughter of a Rural Family-Chapter 1203 - 278: It’s Time to Repay Now

"General! No matter what reason or excuse Ms. Wei comes up with, her visit is definitely to get close to the Marquis," Jun Suxue reminded her.

Pei Qin looked at her with eyes full of worry and urgency, and couldn’t help but laugh, "You look as if you’re ready to charge into battle at any moment. Do you really think your general is that foolish?"

Jun Suxue opened her mouth and then laughed as well, "So, will the General see her?" She wasn’t the foolish one—she was the smartest and most valiant person! But she admittedly wasn’t good at managing the affairs of the inner court, where all manner of demons and goblins could cause trouble.

Pei Qin raised an eyebrow, "Of course, I’ll see her! Let’s see what tricks she has up her sleeve. We can learn a thing or two, know ourselves as well as the enemy, and be forever invulnerable to defeat!"

Jun Suxue smiled and responded, "I will prepare," and sent out the reply. No matter who it was, let her come! She felt like she had been idle for too long! She would hold the sky of the inner court for the General!

Ms. Wei soon prepared to visit, bringing two paintings with her.

She had come to ask for a painting.

These days, when Pei Qin was not busy, she fiddled with resin paintings. During the New Year, An Zhouyuan’s family had also sent gifts for the holiday visit, and Madam An was sure to ask for another painting.

Jun Suxue led her to the side hall.

Pei Qin was by the fireplace, flipping through the list of gifts for Lantern Festival.

"General! Ms. Wei has arrived." Jun Suxue didn’t pettishly call her Grandmother An; the An Mansion had already clarified that she and An Zhouyuan had long since divorced. So, restoring her previous identity, she very politely called her Ms. Wei.

When Ms. Wei saw Jun Suxue address Pei Qin as "General," she recalled passing by the main gate upon arrival, seeing two plaques hanging there—one for the Marquis Mansion Xining, bestowed by the Emperor, and the other for the Tiance Deity General Mansion. Mo Heng should be the one referred to as "Lady" in this house, yet she was addressed as "General"...

With that in mind, Ms. Wei stepped forward to pay her respects, "Greetings to General Pei! I apologize for the intrusion during the mourning period. I hope the General will forgive me!"

Pei Qin hummed in acknowledgment and reached out, "This must be your work, right?"

Ms. Wei handed over the two paintings, "My painting skills are quite poor, and I really can’t draw portraits well. The portrait painting is highly cherished by my in-laws, they see it as a keepsake. I dare not take what they love. My own attempts at copying it just don’t come out right, so I had no choice but to seek instruction from the General!"

She wasn’t wearing full white mourning attire, but her light yellow jacket embroidered with orchid grass, her water-green skirt embroidered with wave patterns, her black hair twisted into a cloud bun, adorned with only three White Jade Hairpins, presented a modest and elegant appearance. Her brows carried a light sorrow, her furrowed beauty evoking an indescribable desire to soothe her worries and protect her.

Pei Qin clicked her tongue inwardly; looking at her like this, even her rival in love would feel sympathy, let alone men. Opening her paintings, Pei Qin’s gaze sharpened. The painting was of An Zhouyuan, and although this ancient era didn’t have absolutely realistic art, the eyes and brows of the person in the painting actually resembled Mo Heng.

Jun Suxue knew Pei Qin was intelligent, but sometimes intelligence could be mistaken for foolishness; some conveniences really were quite foolish. Therefore, she was always on guard. Seeing a change in her expression, she also looked at the paintings on the table. She didn’t recognize An Zhouyuan, but she did recognize Mo Heng. The man in the painting astonishingly resembled Mo Heng.

Ms. Wei drew them herself, yet she didn’t realize it herself, "I ask the General for guidance and a gift of a portrait to comfort my longing," she said while attempting to kneel.

Pei Qin saw her intentions and did nothing.

Jun Suxue stepped forward to help her, "The General has accepted your request for an audience, which means she has agreed to see you. The General herself is touched by Ms. Wei’s affection for the Eldest Young Master An and is therefore willing to fulfill Ms. Wei’s wish."

Ms. Wei hurriedly thanked her, her eyes brimming with emotion.

"Each person’s painting style is different; I can’t really offer you any advice. Madam An had also come to me before, asking me to make the An Zhouyuan in the painting come alive. It seems that An Zhouyuan’s death has been equally devastating for both of you. I’ll paint a portrait for you." Pei Qin instructed Huang Qiu to lay out paper and grind ink, and she began to mix her colors. freewēbnoveℓ.com

Having painted once before, Pei Qin had a draft in her mind: red candles, "Double Happiness" characters, a red silk wedding bed with a carved headboard. In the painting, Ms. Wei wore a bright red wedding gown, sitting side by side with An Zhouyuan, himself dressed in a groom’s wedding attire, gazing at each other with deep, joyous affection.

"Life is short; one should focus on happy thoughts. Since it’s the New Year, I’ll gift Ms. Wei with a wedding portrait! I believe An Zhouyuan wouldn’t want you to be despondent every day. He would want you to remember the beautiful moments!" Pei Qin said, looking towards her.

Ms. Wei struggled to lift the corners of her mouth, her eyes shimmering with tears, "Thank you, General!" All her beautiful memories had been with Jiu Heng!