Endless Winter: My Camp Upgrades Infinitely Chapter 1247 - 414: Birthday, the Painter Living in Xia City, Population Boom, Disheartened

The portrait circulated rapidly, instantly enchanting the women across the city the moment they caught sight of it.

Given the ongoing advancement in Great Xia today, certain women possess the opportunity to savor artistic beauty.

As beauty fades swiftly and youth vanishes without mercy, women inevitably treasure their looks. A portrait able to capture their vibrant youth over extended periods, permitting frequent admiration, exerts a massive draw on them.

In this way, the enterprise of crafting portraits for individuals sprang up.

At the start, artists solely depicted women, but these days they broaden their scope to include seniors, males, and youngsters, welcoming virtually every patron. Whispers indicate that a select few have begun developing affection for landscape depictions.

...

From the moment his mother Shi Lu developed a fondness for portraits, Yuan Cheng has endured three painting sessions. His reluctance originates from the ordeal of holding a fixed stance, whether briefly for thirty minutes or extended to a full hour, proving utterly agonizing for a youngster his age.

Shi Lu certainly grasped her son's hesitation, and with a gentle smile, she reassured him, "Don't fret, I've summoned an exceptionally talented painter this time; there's no need for you to remain immobile. A mere glance at you will do."

Yuan Shao felt surprised at these words, a hint of confusion appearing on his features.

The servant girl beside them appeared informed, inquiring with curiosity, "Madam, is it Miss Chu from the Outer City whom you've invited?"

As Shi Lu affirmed with a nod, the servants promptly started buzzing in conversation.

"Ah, Miss Chu! Rumors abound about her. She demands no less than 500 taels for a single artwork these days."

"That Miss Chu has skyrocketed in popularity lately. Word is, even Bai Yunzi, the head artist from the Craftsmen Workshop, paid her a respectful visit just ten days back."

"I caught wind that her artworks can actually animate!"

"Animate? That's astonishing!"

At the mention of Miss Chu's paintings coming alive, Yuan Cheng perked up instantly, his gaze brimming with wonder.

"Absolutely true! Not just the figures in her works shift, but the backgrounds too, although it's notoriously costly—at 1000 taels per piece!"

Upon learning of the 1000 taels cost, Yuan Shao instinctively tsked in amazement.

Though still youthful, thanks to his wealthy upbringing and residence in the Inner City close to the Camp Supply Department headquarters, he possessed a basic grasp of market values.

At present, 1 tael of silver equates to 10 contribution points. Thus, 3000 taels amount to ten thousand contribution points, far from a trivial amount.

"Madam, the young masters have arrived!"

Abruptly, a servant's call echoed from beyond the hall.

"Mother, I'll get the door!"

Before Shi Lu could respond, Yuan Cheng, freshly soothed by her words, bolted to unlock the entrance. Observing her son's bubbling enthusiasm, Shi Lu beamed silently and strolled leisurely toward the doorway.

Now elevated to a Seventh-Grade Qingming Marquis, Yuan Cheng's residence adhered to seventh-grade specifications, spanning 600 square meters, with about twenty meters separating the main hall from the front gate. Shi Lu had barely covered a few steps when Yuan Cheng reentered alongside nearly thirty companions.

Within the cluster of kids, few reached six years old; counting Yuan Cheng, only six qualified. The other two dozen or so eyed Yuan Cheng with unmistakable jealousy.

Noting the longing in those young eyes, aware of their desire to reach six and commence cultivation, Shi Lu felt a mix of amusement and poignant reflection.

The fall of Da Shi Camp atop Ta Mountain occurred merely a decade prior. Amid the hundreds felled by the Wood Puppet Monster, numerous children matched the ages of these before her. Had they survived, they might now relish such existences.

"Greetings, Aunt Yuan!"

Snapped from her reverie by the chorus of youthful voices, Shi Lu gazed down at the four-to-eight-year-olds with tender warmth. She advanced to gently tweak the cheek of leading Yue Yuan, then addressed the group smilingly, "Fine children, rise! Spare Aunt Yuan the formalities—today you're visitors for Shao’er’s birthday festivities. I've arranged treats in the side hall; Shao’er, lead your playmates there at once!"

Yue Yuan, the oldest among them, flushed red from the pinch, sparking giggles from his peers.

"Come on, everyone, trail me to the side hall—I'll demonstrate my skills!"

Yet the young host Yuan Cheng showed some impatience right then. With his mother's directive given, he swiftly guided the crowd toward the side hall.

As the youngsters proceeded to the side hall, Shi Lu's expression radiated delight.

Even within the Inner City, households rarely permitted such young ones to roam freely, meaning Yuan Cheng's invitees were mostly local neighbors.

Notably, the Yuan Mansion neighbored the Great Xia Main Hall, so its neighbors were no ordinary folk.

Shi Lu recognized virtually all of these twenty-seven children.

For example, the eight-year-old Yue Yuan and his six-year-old sibling Yue Bo, firstborn and second son of Yue Feng; likewise, seven-year-old Xu Cheng and four-year-old Xu Ping, the two offspring of Xu Ning; plus Qiu Peng's firstborn Qiu Hong and second Qiu Yang; Lin Kai's firstborn Lin Shou, second Lin Lie, third Lin Meng; Lu Yang's firstborn Lu Yuzhou, second Lu Yufan; and her own nephew, nearing six, Shi Yuan...

"Madam, Miss Chu has arrived!"

Shi Lu had returned to the main hall and just directed two servants to oversee the children in the side hall when an announcement sounded from without. She hastily dried her hands and called out, "Do come in!"