flstandardbreds Chapter 113 The Way to Break the Pigment Dilemma
Chapter 113 The Way to Break the Pigment Dilemma
The Way to Break the Pigment Dilemma
Su Yunlan carefully rolled up the parchment scroll in her hand and placed it preciously into a specially made box.
This parchment scroll not only records ancient porcelain-making techniques, but also seems to open a door to a new world.
However, this door is currently blocked by a lock—a special kind of paint.
"Without this pigment, everything is just empty talk." Su Yunlan sighed softly, her brows furrowed with deep sorrow.
She stood up, her gaze fixed resolutely on the distance. "I must find it."
Xiao Yuhan held her hand tightly, the warmth of his palm conveying silent support.
"Lan'er, I'll stay with you."
The two followed the winding mountain road, searching along the way.
The mountain wind howled, whipping Su Yunlan's hair and brushing against Xiao Yuhan's cheek, bringing a refreshing coolness.
The hardships of the journey did not shake Su Yunlan's determination in the slightest. She firmly believed that as long as she worked hard, she would definitely be able to find the pigment she needed.
After much difficulty, they finally found out about a reclusive paint craftsman.
This craftsman is said to be an expert in making various pigments, with unparalleled skills.
After finding the craftsman's residence, Su Yunlan explained his purpose.
The craftsman squinted, scrutinizing the distinguished couple before him, his shrewd eyes gleaming with calculation.
He held up two fingers and rubbed them together. "This pigment is extremely precious. Without fifty taels of silver, forget it."
Fifty taels!
This is almost the annual expenses for an average family.
Su Yunlan sneered inwardly. This old fox was clearly trying to take advantage of the situation.
"Sir, isn't this price a bit too high?"
The craftsman feigned surprise, widening his eyes. "High? Miss, you don't know this. The production process of this pigment is extremely complex, and the materials required are very rare..." He went on and on about the preciousness of the pigment, trying to convince Su Yunlan that the price was reasonable.
Su Yunlan listened quietly, but her gaze fell on a small cloth bag behind the craftsman.
The bag appeared to contain some powdery substance.
She narrowed her eyes slightly and asked calmly, "May I ask what materials this paint is made of, sir?"
The craftsman chuckled and reached out to collect the cloth bag.
"Wait!" Su Yunlan grabbed the bag. "What if I guessed right?"
Su Yunlan's gaze was sharp as a knife as she stared intently at the cloth bag, her tone resolute: "If I'm not mistaken, the main components of this pigment should be hematite and some kind of special plant sap. And this plant happens to be found everywhere near our ranch, right?"
The craftsman's expression changed, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "Young lady, you jest. The formula for this pigment is a secret recipe passed down through my family. How could you possibly guess it so easily?"
Su Yunlan curled her lips into a cold smile and ruthlessly exposed his lie: "Is that so? Then why is there pollen from that plant on the cloth bag behind you? And why do I smell a unique scent that only hematite can emit after it has been ground?"
The craftsman was speechless, his face flushed, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
He never expected that this seemingly delicate woman would be so perceptive, seeing through his tricks at a glance.
"Stop pretending," Su Yunlan said coldly. "Your so-called secret recipe is nothing more than an attempt to extort money from me."
Su Yunlan ignored the dishonest craftsman and turned to leave.
She led Xiao Yuhan and Young Master Xiao Thirteen straight to the vicinity of the ranch in search of that special plant.
Sure enough, on a hillside, they found a large patch of this plant, with emerald green leaves, bright flowers, and a faint fragrance.
Su Yunlan carefully collected some plants, and then took them to another skilled pigment craftsman.
The craftsman was honest and highly skilled. He quickly formulated the special pigment based on the plants and hematite provided by Su Yunlan.
When Su Yunlan returned to her residence with the newly made paint, the greedy craftsman happened to pass by.
When he saw the paint in Su Yunlan's hand, he was stunned and filled with regret.
Young Master Xiao looked at Su Yunlan,
Xiao Yuhan excitedly embraced Su Yunlan, whispering in her ear, "Lan'er, you are truly my pride." His warm breath brushed against Su Yunlan's ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
Su Yunlan's cheeks flushed slightly, and a sweet warmth welled up in her heart.
Night falls and the stars are shining.
Su Yunlan carefully applied the newly made paint to a piece of plain white porcelain.
"Yuhan, you said..."
Su Yunlan dipped her slender fingers in the newly made paint and sketched a vibrant pasture scene on the plain white porcelain blank.
With a light touch of the pen, plump and strong sheep leap onto the porcelain, leisurely grazing on green grass; a swift horse rears up and neighs, as if about to gallop out; even the adorable sheepdog is lifelike, guarding this peaceful and tranquil pasture.
The pigments were rich and glossy, shimmering with a captivating light under the lamplight.
Everyone in the room held their breath, watching Su Yunlan's skillful hands transform ordinary porcelain blanks into exquisite works of art.
"This...this is truly amazing!" Young Master Xiao couldn't help but exclaim, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
He carefully picked up a porcelain bowl painted with sheep, feeling the smooth and delicate texture on his fingertips, as if he could feel the soft down of the sheep.
Uncle Ma had some doubts about Su Yunlan's improvement plan, but after seeing these exquisite porcelain pieces, he was completely won over.
His rough, large hands caressed a porcelain vase painted with galloping horses, and tears of excitement welled up in his cloudy eyes.
"Great! Great! This is wonderful! With these porcelain pieces, our ranch will surely prosper even more!" He seemed to already see the future prosperity of the ranch.
The sheep girl clapped her hands excitedly.
In the dead of night, a furtive figure sneaked into the place where Su Yunlan kept her porcelain.
By the dim moonlight, the ferocious expression on Zhao Mumin's face could be clearly seen.
His eyes gleamed with malice, and he gripped a sharp stone tightly in his hand.
He suddenly raised the stone and smashed it hard against the exquisite porcelain.
With a crisp "crack," a porcelain bowl depicting a flock of sheep shattered into pieces, the fragments scattering across the ground with a clear, tinkling sound.
A sinister smile curled at the corner of Zhao Mumin's lips as he turned and disappeared into the night.
The next morning, the sheep girl arrived at Su Yunlan's residence early, only to find broken porcelain shards scattered on the ground.
She exclaimed in surprise and ran to find Su Yunlan.
"Sister Su, something terrible has happened! The porcelain... the porcelain has been broken!"
Upon hearing the news, Su Yunlan immediately rushed to the scene.
Looking at the shards scattered on the ground, her brows furrowed tightly.
She bent down, picked up a shard, and gently traced the broken edge with her fingertips, her eyes sharpening.
“Someone deliberately sabotaged this…” She raised her head, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, her tone cold and resolute, “I will find this person!”
Su Yunlan squatted down and carefully examined the fragments on the ground. Her gaze suddenly stopped on a tiny fragment.
She gently picked up the fragment, brought it to her nose, and sniffed it. A faint, familiar herbal scent...
“Thirteenth Brother,” Su Yunlan stood up, his voice low, “go and call Old Zhang, the herb gatherer in the village.”