Chapter 2812 The Substitute Was Forcibly Taken by the Bandit's Wife 17
Once Gu Fanghe's right arm injury had healed to about 70-80% and his movements were no longer restricted, he no longer confined himself to the warm pavilion all day.
Although Jin Chen still kept an eye on him and told him not to overwork, he was no longer bothered by dealing with the backlog of affairs in the village or occasionally leading people to patrol the mountains.
That afternoon, Gu Fanghe had just finished discussing matters with several heads of the household. He sat alone behind his large desk, stroking a slightly cool Duan inkstone on the desk. His gaze swept over the sandalwood box containing portraits on the corner of the curio cabinet, and a thought suddenly struck him.
Although his father hoped that he would join the army to serve his country when he was young, he also hired a teacher to teach him poetry, calligraphy and painting, saying that a general should also be literate and have a clear mind.
He was quite talented in painting, but later, with the flames of war on the frontier, swords replaced ink and brush, and then... painting and his unbearable past were buried in the dust.
Gu Fanghe got up and took out his brush, ink and paint, intending to paint a portrait of Jin Chen.
The idea sparked a longing in his mind, and he could picture the young man sitting or standing, smiling or frowning, as his image appeared on the Xuan paper.
It must be extremely beautiful.
Just as he was pondering this, Yan Qi came to report that there was a caravan transporting valuable medicinal herbs at the foot of the mountain, but they hesitated and dared not cross the most treacherous section of the mountain road at Black Cliff.
Lately, for some unknown reason, wild animals have been active in the mountains, and a few days ago, two hunters who had wandered in were injured.
Upon hearing of the Black Mountain Stronghold's rules, the leader of the escort team was willing to offer a large sum of money in exchange for safe passage across that treacherous road.
Although Black Mountain Stronghold is known for its plundering, it also has its own set of survival rules in this Southern Continent. It is common practice to accept tolls for passing travelers and ensure their safety.
Furthermore, Jinchen casually mentioned a few days ago that spring is dry and he was looking for some pear syrup candy to soothe the lungs.
Gu Fanghe pondered for a moment, then temporarily put the painting tools back into the box.
He personally selected more than ten skilled fighters and brought along Shi Meng, who was most familiar with the animal trails in the mountains, and went down the mountain.
The road to Black Cliff is treacherous, with a bottomless cliff on one side and a rocky, densely wooded mountainside on the other.
The sound of the wind could be heard from afar, accompanied by the roars of beasts.
The members of the escort team looked pale and sickly, but when they saw Gu Fanghe and his group, they were as if they had seen saviors.
Gu Fanghe didn't say much. After checking the reward, he ordered his men to guard him from the front and back, while he and Shi Meng went ahead to scout the way.
The spring mist had not yet dissipated, and the mountain path was shrouded in a white haze, making it difficult to see clearly beyond a few steps.
Gu Fanghe rode at the front, and after a series of close calls, he successfully escorted the caravan through the most dangerous five or six miles of mountain road. After passing the most treacherous section of cliff road, the fog dissipated, and the warm spring sunshine shone down.
After the matter was settled, Gu Fanghe took a detour and entered Nanzhou City.
Spring is in full bloom in the city, with willow catkins flying in the air and street vendors hawking seasonal novelties.
Gu Fanghe walked and looked around, and whenever he saw something new and exquisite, he would have it bought. He would ask for a bolt of each of the newly released brocade fabrics with beautiful patterns.
The newly carved jade pendants, cherry blossom cakes, and plum cakes, all specialties of the Southern Continent, were neatly wrapped in oil paper in the jade shop.
He bought a little of almost everything, and then saw that there were cricket jars, nine-linked rings, Luban locks and other toys for sale nearby, which were quite exquisite. Thinking that Jin Chen sometimes played with chess pieces and jade when he was bored, he also picked up a few items.
On the way back, I passed by a stationery shop.
Gu Fanghe selected two ingots of top-quality pine soot ink that flowed smoothly onto paper like lacquer, along with a stack of the finest sized Xuan paper.
By the time they returned to the mountain stronghold, dusk had fallen and the moon was rising over the eastern mountains.
Gu Fanghe inventoried the purchased items, sending what needed to be sent to the kitchen and storing what needed to be stored. He personally carried the set of writing brushes and inkstones, along with the snacks and food, to Jin Chen's courtyard.
Jin Chen was feeding the fish by the pond in the courtyard when she heard footsteps. She threw the last bit of fish food into the water, which attracted the fish to rush over.
Jin Chen looked up and smiled, "You're back?"
"Mm," Gu Fanghe replied. "The city was bustling today, so I brought you some things."
Jin Chen then turned around, his gaze sweeping over the oil paper packages on the table before settling on Gu Fanghe.
He was dressed in a practical outfit that made him look broad-shouldered and long-legged, with the sleeve of his right arm rolled up slightly.
"Your injury had just healed a little, and you went to show off again." Jin Chen ate some pear syrup, sat down, and asked him, "Was that cliff very dangerous?"
"Fortunately, after walking around for a while, there was no danger."
Gu Fanghe took a sip of tea, and the thoughts that had been suppressed by the trivial matters of the day resurfaced in his mind.
He put down his teacup and carefully began to speak, “Young master, today… I suddenly realized that I haven’t picked up a pen in a long time.”
"Hmm?" Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, signaling him to continue.
“I…” Gu Fanghe paused, looking unusually uneasy, and tapped his fingers lightly on his knee. “I would like to paint a portrait of you. Would you be willing?”
Jin Chen raised an eyebrow, recalling the portrait she had glimpsed briefly in Gu Fanghe's study that day, only to have it put away.
He didn't show it on his face, only smiled slightly, his eyes reflecting the moonlight reflected in the pond, "Okay."
"I never expected that the chief, who once served as a general who could take the enemy's head from among thousands of troops, would also be skilled in this elegant art of painting."
“I only learned a little bit when I was young,” Gu Fanghe said in a less enthusiastic tone, as if he was unwilling to talk about it. “It was all because of my father… never mind, let’s not talk about this.”
Jin Chen didn't press further, but suddenly placed a kiss on Gu Fanghe's cheek.
Gu Fanghe's heart softened, and he turned to look at Jin Chen, only to find that the other party had already sat back down. "In that case, go and fetch the ink and brush. The moonlight is beautiful tonight, so don't waste it."
"Okay." Gu Fanghe agreed, feeling happy. He leaned over and kissed Jin Chen on the lips before getting up and instructing the bandit waiting outside the courtyard to fetch the newly bought pine soot ink and prepared Xuan paper.
As Gu Fanghe ground the ink, he watched Jin Chen's profile as she sat leisurely on the rock by the pond, thinking to himself.
What to do? Every time, I like it even more than before.
The moonlight shone brightly, and the pond reflected the sky and the moon, shimmering gently in the water, which also shattered Jin Chen's figure as she sat there.
Jin Chen sat casually, one hand supporting her chin and the other resting idly on her knee, turning her head to look at Gu Fanghe with a smile in her eyes, looking lazy and content.
Gu Fanghe focused his mind and breath, his pen falling on the paper, his eyes only on the moonlight, the pond water, and that person as gentle as spring water.
