Chapter Five is very entangled

  "Can this painting work?" Zhou Heng looked at Shen Ao with a skeptical expression, his eyes falling back onto the unfolded scroll on the table.

  "Definitely, that young mistress will be so ashamed when she sees this painting, she won't know what to do with herself." Shen Ao replied confidently and concisely.

  Confidence is key, Shen Ao showed confidence, so that Zhou Heng, a guy who doesn't understand painting at all, can deeply believe in his ability.

  "The county master sent me a painting, with four wise men and three children. But why does your painting have seven wise men and five children?" Zhou Heng looked uncertain.

  Shen Ao said: "What I'm copying is the artistic conception, not the painting. Simply copying, isn't that sinking to the same level as the county lord's daughter? To shock people with one move, to astonish everyone, you have to restore a 'Seven Sages' painting, let the county lord's daughter take a look, she looks down on people like a dog, and views people through a crack in the door."

  Zhou Heng smiled: "Right, we should teach her a lesson. However... the county lord's eyes are extremely beautiful, you can't describe them with dog eyes."

  Shen Ao gave him a glance: "Alright, the painting is done, what about Shu Tong's matter?"

  Zhou Heng rubbed his hands together, grinning slyly: "There's a bit of trouble. I mentioned it to my mother, but she said the head of the inner court has already recommended his nephew. Apparently he's a xiucai, and because his family is poor, he plans to work as a book boy for a while to earn some silver to supplement their household expenses, and at the same time wait for next year's imperial examination. My mother is very satisfied with him, so... "

  "You're not talking about credit!" Shen Ao was about to vomit blood, he had paid the money with one hand, but the other party said that there was no goods, it was simply unreasonable. This despicable act had deeply hurt Shen Ao's innocent heart.

  "Hold on, hold on, this matter is already settled, but thanks to my efforts, my mother has finally agreed to let you all meet her together on the Mid-Autumn Festival and have a trial, then decide on the candidate."

  Shen Ao discontentedly said: "We already agreed that I would be a book boy, why do we still need to take a written test? No way, I disagree!"

  On one side, Chun'er and San'er were already somewhat unnatural, and it was unthinkable that Shen Ao would speak to the young master in such a tone, causing everyone to worry about Shen Ao.

  Zhou Heng also felt a bit embarrassed and pulled at Shen Ao's sleeve: "Let's take a step aside to talk."

  Two people under the wall corner, Zhou Heng said: "I have confidence in you, a poor scholar is afraid of nothing."

  Shen Ao sneered, this guy is giving himself a soul-stirring potion, still having confidence. I, Shen Ao, don't have that much confidence. What he hates the most is competing for a job, especially when he has no backing.

  "No way, Young Master Zhou, we've made a pact with a handshake, how can you go back on your word?"

  Zhou Heng glanced at Chun'er: "Have you taken a liking to that Chun'er?"

  "What's going on?"

  Zhou Heng chuckled in a low voice: "This is easy to handle, as long as you become my book boy, I'll tell my mother to let Chun'er serve me, so you can be with her every day. Haha... Alright, alright, if you say another no, this young master will get angry, and the consequences will be severe."

  "How shameless, actually threatening and bribing a little servant like me." Shen Ao cursed the ancestor of the surname Zhou for eighteen generations in his heart, but this kind of bribery was quite to his taste.

  A good man doesn't take advantage of someone in front of him. It's better not to make this guy angry. Shen Ao narrowed his eyes: "What are we competing on Mid-Autumn Festival?"

  Zhou Heng smiled and said: "First, compare paintings, then compose poems, and finally give gifts."

  "Give gifts?" Painting and poetry can be understood, but giving gifts is a bit inconceivable. Is the lady recruiting a book boy to make some extra money? How shameless! Shen Ao's fragile heart was hurt again.

  Zhou Hengdao said, "Mid-Autumn Festival happens to be my mother's birthday. My mother has never liked noisy celebrations, and besides, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, every family reunites, so it's not good to invite people to come and celebrate her longevity. So, we'll just have a small gathering in the inner court, inviting the maids and stewards from each house to drink some wine and eat some pastries. You and that scholar will each give a gift, let's see whose gift can touch my mother's heart."

  "Oh, it seems like a tough one, what's the origin of that scholar? Is he very formidable?"

  Zhou Hengdao said, "I heard that in the countryside he's a child prodigy, and two years ago he passed the provincial exam. However, his family is poor, so he had no choice but to come to the prefecture to look for something to do, where he can both study and earn some silver. Shen...Shen Ao, you'd better be careful."

  Shen Ao regained his confidence and said with a swagger: "Don't worry, a mere country bumpkin like him is no match for me. Just wait and see how I'll deal with him."

  Zhou Heng looked worried: "You must pass, can't let that stupid godchild be my book boy." This guy wasn't foolish at all, smiling and saying: "If a bookworm like him becomes the book boy of a young master like me, plus his uncle is in charge of internal affairs, who knows how many accusations he'll make against me in front of my mother. I'd rather have you be my book boy, help me copy some calligraphy, do some painting or whatever, haha, we'll share good fortune and bad together."

  Shen Ao gave him a cold glance, it seemed that Zhou Da Shao was also a cunning and deceitful person, wasn't he just hoping someone would do his homework for him and help him flirt with girls? With such a character, even if he were to become the real Sun Wu, the princess wouldn't give him a second look.

  "Only two more days until Mid-Autumn Festival, time is pressing, you go take care of the poetry and painting matters. But this gift thing, let me handle it, I'll pay for the silver, my mother has been lacking a matching pendant to go with her clothes lately, I'll help you pick one."

  Shen Ao shook his head: "With so many accessories for Madam, giving this kind of thing is not novel. I'd better think of something myself."

  Zhou Heng gave a thumbs up: "Shen brothers, I knew you had an extraordinary skeleton the moment I saw you. Alright, you figure it out yourself, I have a date with a beauty and need to deliver this painting."

  Zhou Heng rolled up the painting and ran away like a gust of wind.

  Shen Ao gazed at Zhou Heng's receding back, his facial muscles twitching.

  "NMD, this little fellow's skeletal structure is all exposed by him, this guy has a keen eye indeed."

  Another problem was placed in front of Shen Ao, more difficult than poetry and painting, and now he had to give gifts too? Shen Ao supported his chin with his hand and started thinking.

  First of all, what's the background of this so-called genius is still unclear, but Shen Ao has full confidence in his painting. As for playing with poetry, I'm afraid it's not this guy's strong suit, this bird-like genius came prepared, no choice, can only resort to trickery.

  Giving gifts, Shen Ao thinks this is the most important joint. What kind of person can be a book boy? Playing poetry and painting are just decorations. For the lady, moral character is the most important. Whether the moral character is good or bad has no evaluation standard, it all depends on the lady's feeling.

  A more fitting expression would be a woman's intuition. If the lady is of the right age, it should be the intuition of a middle-aged woman.

  The lady says you're capable whether you are or not; the lady says you're incapable whether you are or not.

  The first impression in front of your wife is most important.

  It all depends on who can win his wife's heart.

  So, gifts must be carefully selected and cannot have any mistakes.

  "Shen Gege, what were you and Young Master whispering about just now?" Chun'er cautiously approached Shen Ao, who had a gloomy face.

  Shen Ao's mood changed from cloudy to sunny, and he laughed: "I've decided, I want to compete with that divine child, but there's one thing I need Chun'er's help with."

  Chun'er puffed out his chest, apparently proud of himself for being able to help Shen Ao: "I'll do my best."

  "Wow, so plump." Shen Ao's eyes almost got hooked, reluctantly moving away from the cleavage, awkwardly clearing his throat: "You go ask and find out what Madam likes, come tell me."

  Chun'er said: "I've been by the lady's side, how could I not know her preferences? The lady is usually taciturn and rarely speaks, but she has a very good temperament. Every day, she goes to the Buddhist hall in the inner palace to pay homage to Buddha, I don't know if this counts as one of her preferences?"

  "Of course!" Shen Ao snapped his fingers, inspiration had arrived: "What Buddha is the gift? Is it Bodhi's old mother, or the coming, Vajra what?"

  Chun'er gave him a white eye: "What Bodhi old mother, Madam Li is Guanyin Niangniang."

  "Oh." Shen Ao nodded and asked: "Who is that Nei Fu Zhuren, can he usually speak in front of the lady?"

  Chun'er said: "Director Zhao is a very good person, he is loyal to the mistress and also treats us lower servants well. He also likes to worship Buddha, so the mistress often talks to him."

  Shen Ao realized that his opponent was not ordinary, no wonder Zhou Heng's guy didn't even dare to speak in front of his wife. This Zhao Zhuren must be a very slick and sinister guy, he will definitely use his close relationship with the lady to help his nephew in this competition.

  "But it's okay, I also have a trump card, with Chun'er as an insider, haha......" Shen Ao smiled complacently and said: "Chun'er, if the lady mentions me in the next few days, you must remember..."

  "Of course, it's for Shen Da Ge's good words."

  Shen Ao shook his head: "No, don't speak well of me, speak ill of me."

  "What's wrong?" Chun'er's big eyes flashed a hint of puzzlement.

  "Madam, this Shen Ao... I heard Zhao Zhuren say that he is oily and cunning, lazy and gluttonous, knows a few big characters and shows off everywhere, always dragging his feet when doing things... all sorts of words can be used to describe him."

  Chun'er stammered: "I... I won't deceive people, Shen Da-ge is clearly very good, how can he be so bad."

  "This isn't cheating, it's a white lie. Alright, my good Chun'er, you can rest assured and go ahead with arranging this little fellow."

  Chun'er hesitated for a long time before nodding, seeing that the sky was getting dark, and bidding farewell: "I'm going back to the inner court, Shen Da-ge, will I see you again next time?"

  Shen Ao said, "We'll meet again at Mid-Autumn Festival." After finishing speaking, he carefully picked up Chun'er's face: "At that time, remember to dress more beautifully, best to make this little guy's eyes shine, haha."

  Chun'er's face flushed with embarrassment as she opened Shen Ao's hand: "Shen big brother is being naughty again."

  "Hmm? Is this kid not serious enough? Next time, let her see what it means to be truly unserious." Shen Ao leaned against his chin, secretly smiling as he watched Chun'er leave.