Chapter 267: Seeking a Painting

Chapter 267: Seeking a Painting

When prepared, it’s not hard for the Painting Official to disguise himself and fool those around him, but when he’s unaware of being watched, it’s easy to expose himself.

Since He Qingxiao had made a discovery, Xin You seized the chance to ask, “Why is the Painting Official doing this?”

“It’s not clear yet,” He Qingxiao, ever cautious, didn’t want to sway Xin You’s judgment with mere guesses.

Xin You thought for a moment and said, “I’ll go meet the Painting Official.”

From the lighting in the scene, it happened during broad daylight, almost certainly on a day of rest, which is today.

“Did Lord He’s subordinates mention what the Painting Official wore after his disguise?”

“He wore a faded gray robe and a pair of black cloth shoes with holes.”

After hearing He Qingxiao’s description, Xin You abandoned the idea of identifying the Painting Official by his clothes.

Given his poverty, he likely wears the same outfit every time he sets up his stall.

“Inspector He has been visiting frequently to read books recently. Has Miss Kou learned anything from Hu Boss and the others?”

Xin You smiled. “I have a rough idea why Inspector He’s been coming.”

“Why?”

“It’s unrelated to our investigation. It’s Inspector He’s personal business, so I won’t elaborate.”

Personal business?

He Qingxiao was puzzled.

Besides being short of money, what other personal matters could there be?

“Let’s go,” Xin You said with a smile, tapping the table and pulling the man from his thoughts.

He Qingxiao looked up at the smiling girl.

Since taking on the role of Painting Official, she seemed far more at ease.

If one day she returns to her true self, that girl named Xin You, would she smile even more beautifully?

As this thought arose, He Qingxiao quickly lowered his gaze and silently stood up.

The two walked out of the reception room one after the other.

It was almost noon, and Liu Zhou, wiping the counter, asked, “Boss, will you be having lunch at the bookstore?”

“No, I’ve been taking medicinal meals for health recently, so I need to go back to eat.”

“Then I’ll see you out,” Liu Zhou walked over, couldn’t help but glance at He Qingxiao.

He Qingxiao said calmly, “I’ll take my leave too.”

Hu Boss remained silent.

Outside, the sun was shining brightly, the cicadas were noisy, and the horse tied under the tree was idly swishing its tail.

He Qingxiao stopped and said in a low voice, “There are my people around the Painting Official. If Miss Kou needs help, you can find them.”

This kind of surveillance usually involves at least two people working together. He Qingxiao, known for his good memory, carefully described the appearance and clothing of two subordinates.

"Thank you. Lord He, you can go ahead."

He Qingxiao hesitated for a moment, then softly said, "I previously mentioned treating Miss Kou to some crispy duck, but I haven't had the chance yet."

"Is it, the crispy duck made by Aunt Gui?" Under the lush tree, Xin You slightly tilted her head to ask.

The man, his eyes clear and warm like translucent black jade, replied, "Yes, it's Aunt Gui's crispy duck."

"Today might not work, but I'll aim for the next day off."

Xin You watched as He Qingxiao rode away on his horse, then returned to a nearby residence to change back into male attire before heading to the street where the painting official set up his stall.

At noon, the stall owner, dressed in gray clothes and cloth shoes, dozed off under the shade of a tree, his stall empty. The street was quiet, a far cry from the bustling scene in the painting.

Xin You headed to a tea house, keeping an eye on the street from the window. Until the sun was obscured by strands of white clouds, a breeze picked up, and the street gradually became more crowded.

The painting official, now awake, rubbed his eyes as he headed back to his stall.

From her high vantage point, Xin You could see two people running in their direction from a distance.

"They're here," she thought.

Xin You immediately settled the bill and quickly walked out of the tea house.

As the two approached, the person in front dodged left and right to avoid pedestrians, while the person chasing behind followed suit, knocking over the painting stall as depicted in the painting.

"Stop!" Seeing the two continue to run, the painting official hurried to chase after them, stepping on a rolling brush and tumbling forward.

A hand reached out to steady him: "Be careful."

The painting official steadied himself, and upon seeing the young man who had helped him, his expression changed: "Xin—thank you!"

He quickly corrected himself, his heart racing.

Why is the painting official here?

Has the painting official discovered that he's been secretly selling paintings in disguise?

In that moment, Xin You saw shock, wariness, and panic in the painting official's eyes.

Seeing the painting official's reaction, Xin You inexplicably felt that he couldn't be involved in those matters.

He really isn't very composed when faced with reality.

Of course, whether it's Inspector He or the painting official, these are just judgments based on interactions. Without fully confirming the person's identity, she wouldn't stop investigating them based on mere inferences.

"Are you okay, uncle?" Xin You let go of his hand.

"I'm fine, I'm fine." Seeing only concern on the young man's face, the painting official calmed down a lot, "Thank you again just now."

This time, the thanks were much more sincere.

"Everything's fallen on the ground." Xin You looked at the scattered items with regret and bent down to pick them up.

"Don't dirty your hands, young man, I'll do it myself." The painting official hurried to pick up the brushes, ink, cups, and bowls that had fallen to the ground.

The spilled paint had stained the painting official's hands, but he didn't care, just muttering softly, "They're all broken."

Xin You silently helped the painting official pack up the salvageable items.

The painting official's initial suspicion of being exposed by his colleagues was completely dispelled, and he thanked her profusely.

"Uncle, are you a painter?"

"Yes."

"What are you good at painting?" Xin You noticed the paint on the painting official's hands, who seemed unsure whether to wipe it on his clothes or not, and handed him a handkerchief.

The fine cotton handkerchief was neatly folded, clearly brand new.

"I can't accept this, I can't accept this," the painting official waved his hand, accidentally splashing paint onto Xin You's sleeve.

The painting official was stunned.

He couldn't afford to compensate for that!

"It's fine," Xin You used the handkerchief to wipe her sleeve and then handed it over again, "Uncle, wipe your hands, or you'll get paint everywhere."

Only then did the painting official accept it, wiping his hands while answering Xin You's earlier question, "I'm good at painting figures."

"Then, Uncle, paint a picture for me."

"Do you really want a painting, young lady?" The painting official looked at the good-natured girl, struggling to reconcile her with the identity of the late empress's adopted son.

Xin You blinked, "It's not too pricey, is it?"

"Not expensive, just a tael of silver per painting."

A tael of silver was a bargain for the painting official's skill, but it was different for a street vendor.

For ordinary people, it was a hefty sum.

Worried about scaring Xin You away, the painting official carefully added, "A tael of silver really isn't expensive."

This was his bottom line; he'd rather starve than lower it any further!

"You paint so well, a tael of silver is indeed not expensive."

The painting official thought Xin You was just being polite, but then he saw her pick up a piece of paper and gently dust it off.

It was a group portrait he had casually sketched while bored in the morning, watching passersby. Each figure was vividly portrayed, showing his deep skill.

As he watched the girl dust off the painting, the painting official suddenly felt a warmth in his eyes.

"Uncle, please begin," Xin You picked up a small stool and sat down.

The painting official nodded, spread out the paper, and began to sketch the girl's likeness.

Not long after, a portrait was completed.

"Done," the painting official exhaled softly.

He hadn't been this serious since he started selling paintings on the street.

"Uncle, could you write a message for me?" Xin You pointed to a blank space on the painting.

The painting official was momentarily stunned, then nodded, "Alright."