Chapter 60 – Madam, Why Did You Just Arrive?

The Duke of Wu’an noticed that if no one spoke up soon, the meal would not be a peaceful one. However, he never expected that a little girl from the countryside would have such a calculated mind. Even the usually sharp-tongued third sister-in-law was no match for her.

“Everyone, eat well. You sit properly as well; there’s no need for you to serve here.”

“Yes, father.” Xia Tian felt the performance was about over and didn’t press further. She smiled obediently, walked over to sit next to Shen Nian.

Seeing that the Duke had spoken, Madam Ye didn’t dare to criticize further. She sat down with an unhappy expression.

For the rest of the meal, everyone finally began eating quietly.

Xia Tian, in a good mood, ate the dishes Shen Nian had picked for her, occasionally smiling at Madam Ye, whose eyes were fixed on her, causing Madam Ye to angrily jab her chopsticks into her rice bowl, not eating for a long while.

It was like she had been shooting at a wild goose every day, but today a blind sparrow had pecked her in the eye.

The others, seeing that even the fierce third sister-in-law couldn’t handle the eldest daughter-in-law, didn’t dare to stir trouble.

Xia Tian hummed a little tune and, with everyone staring at her in shock, ate three large bowls of rice.

After the banquet, she didn’t forget to show off. She walked over with a sincere look in her big eyes and said to Madam Ye, “Third Aunt, if you want to teach your niece-in-law some manners next time, please make sure to let me know in advance. You caught me off guard, and I wasn’t prepared at all.”

With that, she pulled Shen Nian along, humming, “Today is a good day, everything I wish for will come true…” as she passed by Madam Ye and left the Rui Xuan Hall.

Madam Ye was so furious she was about to explode, wishing she could chase after her and give her a good beating.

But the second madam, Madam Zheng, caught her by the arm. “Calm down. Aren’t you ashamed?”

Madam Ye stomped her foot. “I must teach that ungrateful girl a lesson!”

“Why are you bickering with a junior? Besides, even the proper mother-in-law hasn’t said anything. Why are you so eager to please her?” Madam Zheng said helplessly. “And you’re dragging me into this.”

“Second Sister-in-law, it’s not that I…” Madam Ye tried to explain.

“Enough, stop talking. Let’s go,” Madam Zheng interrupted, her patience gone.

Madam Ye was cut off, her mouth closed in frustration. She followed Madam Zheng back to her courtyard.

Madam Zheng, the second wife of the elder master, like Madam Ye and Madam Liu, was one of the old madam’s daughters-in-law. She had a good relationship with Madam Ye and was known for being clear-headed and rational. Unlike Madam Ye, who lacked tact and liked to rush forward, Madam Zheng wasn’t easily manipulated.

Meanwhile, Xia Tian, walking ahead with her hands behind her back, humming a song, smiled as she walked. Her steps were light, and she was in a good mood.

As for what others were saying behind her back, Xia Tian didn’t care. Her smile never faded for the entire afternoon.

As November came, the weather grew colder, and Xia Tian spent almost all her time inside the warm study, except when she was painting.

She didn’t want to go out in the cold, but the shopkeeper at Ya Yizhai, Xiao, was nearly dying of worry. Since she hadn’t left a contact method, he had no way of finding her.

When she finally remembered to visit Ya Yizhai, half a month had passed.

When Mu Feng stopped the carriage at the entrance to Ya Yizhai, Xia Tian was still getting off slowly, and the shopkeeper Xiao rushed out from the store to meet her.

“Ah, Madam, why did you take so long to come? I’ve been waiting for you for half a month!”

“What happened? Is there a problem with the painting?” Xia Tian asked, puzzled. Why was he in such a hurry?

“Hurry, let’s go inside and talk,” Xiao said, ushering her into the shop.

After they were seated, Xiao couldn’t wait any longer. “Madam, did you bring the painting today?”

“I brought one,” Xia Tian gestured, and Ning Xiang handed the box containing the painting to Xiao.

Xiao carefully opened it and saw that it was another different tiger painting. His face creased into a smile. “Madam, is this one for sale as well?”

“Yes,” Xia Tian nodded. “By the way, did the other painting sell?”

“It sold, and it was bought the third day after it was put out,” Xiao said with a wide grin, using his hand to indicate a large amount. “For eight hundred taels!”

Eight hundred taels? Xia Tian’s eyes widened. The shopkeeper really dared to ask that much!

The painting had been priced at two hundred taels, and she had hesitated for two days, fearing that the price was too high.

But it turned out her judgment had been too narrow.

“That’s right,” Xiao said, stroking his beard. “That’s why I was so eager to see you.”

“How so?”

“Madam, you might not know this, but because of that ‘Tiger Descending the Mountain’ painting, three or four people have come looking to buy Xuanying’s paintings in the past half month.”

Xuanying was the pen name Xia Tian used for herself.

Xia Tian was stunned; this was something she hadn’t expected. She thought her work wouldn’t sell well since she wasn’t a renowned artist. As long as she could sell it at all, that was enough.

“Did the people who came specify what kind of painting they wanted? Flowers, insects, birds, that kind of thing?”

“Can they also custom order?” Xiao asked, his eyes lighting up. Custom paintings could be sold at twice the price.

“Of course,” Xia Tian replied. This way, she wouldn’t have to worry about what to paint. She couldn’t just keep painting various tigers forever.

“That’s wonderful. Some people came earlier, but because they didn’t know if you accepted custom orders, I didn’t make any promises,” Xiao said with a smile. “Since Madam trusts me, I’ll let you know that the price for custom paintings can be doubled.”

He reassured her, “But don’t worry, any silver earned from selling the paintings, I won’t take a single coin. I’ll keep an account, and you can check it anytime.”

“Mm, I trust you,” Xia Tian said with a smile. This shopkeeper was clearly an honest man. He wouldn’t have told her about the custom paintings’ higher prices if he weren’t trustworthy.

Even though the painting had only sold for two hundred taels, she had no way of verifying it, but she wouldn’t cooperate with him again if she learned otherwise in the future.

An honest person wouldn’t do such a thing as “killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.”

The two exchanged a knowing smile.

Xiao went to the counter and brought over a banknote.

Ning Xiang took it and counted, “Madam, it’s a total of six hundred and forty taels.”

Xia Tian nodded slightly, stood up, and bid Xiao farewell. “Shopkeeper Xiao, I look forward to our continued cooperation.”

“Goodbye, Madam. Have a safe trip.” Xiao sent Xia Tian out the door, then quickly asked, “If someone places a custom order, how can I contact you?”

Xia Tian hesitated. She didn’t want anyone from the Duke of Wu’an’s residence to find out about her selling paintings, so she couldn’t leave her address there.

As she was pondering, Mu Feng came over and directly gave the shopkeeper the address of Shen Nian’s other residence, suggesting that anyone who wanted to send a message could go to the residence, and Mu Feng would pass it on.

Xia Tian thought this was a good plan, although she might not be able to keep it a secret from Shen Nian.

But that was fine—he was part of her circle!

What surprised her, however, was that Mu Feng promised her that he would never reveal this to their master without her permission.

This truly astonished her.