manynovel Chapter 459: Painting Competition
Chapter 459: Painting Competition
"Reporting to Your Highness, Jiang Jieyuan did not participate in the literary competition!" At this time, Jiang Yansong stepped forward and said respectfully.
"She didn't participate in the literary contest? Wasn't she the top scorer? She should have shown off her literary talent!" the third prince asked in confusion.
Are you planning to stir up trouble again? Jiang Youzhen complained in his heart, he never stopped.
"Do you want to read Jiang Jieyuan's article? Why not ask her to write one right away and let you read it!"
At this time, the prefect Sun Shengqing stepped forward. The third prince had a chance to ascend to the throne. What was Jiang Youzhen? Naturally, he had to obey.
Unexpectedly, the Third Prince waved his hand and said, "I have read all her articles. What's the point?"
Everyone was stunned. What does this mean? Do you think nothing of Jiang Youzhen's article?
"Let's do something interesting." The third prince then glanced at Princess Changsui, a sly look in his eyes.
"How about painting?"
Everyone didn't know what the Third Prince was up to, but Sun Shengqing said shamelessly, "Then let's do as Your Highness says. It's true that painting is more innovative."
"Why don't we set up some prizes? Without prizes, how can there be motivation?" The third prince patted his thigh. He seemed nonchalant, but Jiang Youzhen always felt that he was going to cause trouble.
"Yes, yes, yes! Your Highness is very thoughtful. Let me start by throwing out some ideas." Jiang Yansong said as he took off a jade pendant from his body. Immediately, a servant came over with a tray.
"This bamboo jade pendant symbolizes continuous advancement and a gentleman is like a bamboo. Let's use it as a prize for this humble official! As long as everyone evaluates it, whoever's painting wins first place will win it."
"Oh! This jade pendant is obviously made of top-grade jade. Since Lord Jiang is so generous, I cannot be too shabby." Sun Shengqing said as he took off the jade ring on his thumb and placed it on the tray.
"Although it is not as good as Lord Jiang's jade pendant, this ring was blessed by the abbot of Lanying Temple in the capital, so it can be considered a Buddhist item."
With these two people taking the lead, other officials had no choice but to give some money. Some officials took off their ornaments, while others gave silver directly.
Even the teachers felt embarrassed to refuse, but they were of low rank after all, so they gave around ten taels to save their face.
In an instant, the tray was filled with gold, silver and jade.
Everyone's eyes turned red with envy. The total value of all this should be at least five or six hundred taels, right?
Some new scholars who are very good at painting are eager to try their luck in comparing their talents. Perhaps they cannot compare with Jiang Youzhen, but in terms of painting, Jiang Youzhen may not be able to beat them!
I have always heard that Jiang Youzhen's articles are well written, but no one has talked about Jiang Youzhen's paintings, so I guess they are not that good.
Jiang Youzhen sneered. This Third Prince might have ulterior motives and wanted to see him make a fool of himself.
Her paintings have never been shown to the public. Besides, it is the Lu Ming Banquet with so many prizes. If someone else steals her limelight, where will she put her face?
[System release task: Please host shines brightly in the Luming Banquet Painting Competition and become the shining focus of the whole venue.]
Jiang Youzhen: Haha! If I remember correctly, you only rewarded the entry-level Danqing skill before, right?
[Dear host, this system is dedicated to the imperial examination and officialdom, and the art of music, chess, calligraphy and painting are naturally not the focus. Becoming a powerful official is what this system expects of the host. ]
"You finally revealed your true colors, powerful official? Tell me! What is your purpose?"
[Host! Isn't it what you want to become a powerful official? Please enter the court as soon as possible, and the system will unlock more functions later~]
Jiang Youzhen's heart moved. He thought it was just a sign-in system, during which some naive side quests were issued. He didn't expect that there would be another surprise?
"Let's deal with this first!"
When Jiang Youzhen was communicating with the system, everyone exclaimed in surprise.
"Oh my god! Your Highness is so generous. One hundred taels of gold? Isn't that one thousand taels of silver?"
Many of the candidates present came from ordinary or even poor families, and they were just waiting to pass the imperial examination and bring honor to their family.
Although twenty taels of silver were issued for the archway, the twenty taels were used to make flagpoles and plaques to bring honor to the village.
Unless one is extremely poor, one would not use this money.
But it’s different now! Adding it all together, the prize money must be 1,500 to 1,600 taels.
"Junior brother! The third prince is indeed generous." Even Wen Ruyu began to be tempted. He didn't have to worry about money now, but such a large amount of silver was most of his family property. Who wouldn't be tempted?
Tong Huaian had money, so it was naturally dispensable. But everyone present was aroused by the desire to win, and he was no exception.
"Among these people, Ke Zhenqiu and Yakui Zhu Yanqing are masters of painting. Especially Zhu Yanqing, who is from Donglin Prefecture and was famous for his painting before, even in the provincial capital.
Many people like his paintings. Someone once offered 100 taels of silver to buy his painting of Autumn Leaves and Xiangshan. "
At this time, Tong Huaian came up to Jiang Youzhen and told him about the painting masters present.
Let’s not talk about Ke Zhenqiu for now, but Jiang Youzhen still has some impression of Zhu Yanqing.
This man was in his twenties and ranked sixth in this provincial examination.
The first place in the provincial examination is called Jieyuan, the second place is called Yayuan, the third, fourth and fifth place are called Jingkui, and the sixth place is called Yakui. There are no more titles after that.
Jiang Youzhen had already memorized the names of the top few on the list. To her, these people were all competitors.
Don't underestimate these students. After all, they are studying hard.
Jiang Youzhen had naturally heard a lot about Zhu Yanqing.
Farming and studying were passed down from generation to generation, and the family was ordinary, but his good painting skills made him worry-free. He painted and sold paintings on weekdays to pay for his studies and flowers.
As for the fact that someone bought his painting of Autumn Leaves in Xiangshan for one hundred taels of silver, Jiang Youzhen had not heard of this.
Zhu Yanqing took a look at the things in the tray, and a determination to get them flashed in his eyes.
He then glanced at the people in front of him. These people were his opponents, so he naturally would not take them lightly.
"Since Your Highness has donated generously, why don't we ask Your Highness to come up with the title?" Jiang Yansong suggested.
"Yes! Please ask the questions, Your Highness."
Everyone agreed that this was proposed by the Third Prince. The Third Prince seemed to have a bad temper, so how could they dare to say anything?
“In that case, then I will…” the Third Prince said, and suddenly turned to look at Princess Changsui who had been silent beside him.
"Cousin, haven't you always wanted to hire a painter? Isn't this the perfect time? Take a look at the paintings of these candidates and see if there's anything you like."
Everyone looked different when they heard this. It was already against the rules for Princess Changsui, a widow, to wander around.
What does it mean to let these newly-appointed scholars paint for her?
But the princess was of noble status, so they naturally had no power to refuse.