The carriage move without any issue and reach the capital within six hours. Song Qin is tired and sleep on Song Ning's lap throughout the journey. Song Ning look out of the window and stare at the scenery. She remember a few days before she visited madame Feng and ask to settle all the accounts. Madame Feng without hesitation to settle all the money issue by handing more taels over to Painter Hong. She inform her that her male subject have been inquiry about her. She should take care and hide well.
"He is a man with money and influence. He can dig out anywhere he wants. If you don't want him to find you, it is best that you take a ship and leave the country."
"I have done nothing that …"
"Preciously! You have done nothing wrong. The only problem you have is this pretty face. Not only man don't like a pretty girl and you have a talent. I think this makes him wants to know you more."
"What am i to do with my face. My parents give me this face. I cannot destroy it without the will of the gods or ancestors."
"Well that is a blessing. You should make use of this pretty face. You could have marry into the richest family in the country. Instead you are hiding in the dark drawing erotic painting…"
"It's a special skill that i have… no woman paint like me."
"That is true! I have five male painters but they all draw and paint books. They are scare that the Yamen will come knocking on their doors! Carry books with them to sell is easy but painting a scale like your's is uncommon and earn more ingots than they can see in this life time."
"I only have one word to say. We woman are much more gusty than those men!"
They laugh and take a small sip of wine in front of them.
"Working with you is so fun. Those noble ladies are brave to strip and leave behind a painting of themselves."
"It is an image of them before they are old and wrinkly. Maybe i should do one for myself… but how am i to draw and paint myself?"
"You need a huge mirror … or someone else do it for you."
"Who can i ask … i don't think there is any more female painters. Most of them prefer to paint flowers…"
"Oh well the times comes, you will find your answer."
They reach capital in the later afternoon, the streets are busy with people walking around. People peddling their goods. Song Qin wakes up to the smell of food and the siblings look at the surroundings. The carriage stop in front of a busy shop. The servants assist Song Ning to get off the carriage while Song Qin jump off and run inside. The shop keeper comes out to greet Song Ning.
That evening, the shop is closed and the workers along with the Song siblings are having dinner together.
"Shop keeper, when will Zhang Nan Feng coming back?"
"Ha Missy, he doesn't sleep here. He said he have a bedroom at the Yamen so he comes here once awhile to show his face."
"When is the last time he come back to the shop?"
"Well let me see…"
"I think it was the lantern festival! He comes by with a beautiful young lady!"
The shop keeper gives his assistant a nudge and ask him to eat instead of talking. Song Ning look at them and knows roughly what is going on. She smile and continue eating. After that she settle in her brother and she sit outside the courtyard alone. After awhile she writes a simple letter and seal it in the envelope. On the envelope she writes his name carefully.
The next day, after breakfast, she walks to the imperial school of studies to register for her brother. He is delighted to see the school is bigger and seems like more students in it. They are shown around. The principal writes a letter of administration for Song Qin and hands it to him. He can attend the lessons in three day. The siblings walk around town and they finally comes to the Yamen. Song Ning ask for her fiancé without mentioning that she is his wife-to-be. However it seems like he is out of town. She leaves him the letter that she have prepare. She smile and ask his colleague to hand it to him. The man agree and accepted it.
After Song Qin starts school Song Ning helps out in the shop. She spend her days attending to customers. She even cooks when the staff are all busy. At the same time she is watching out for Nan Feng. Sometimes when after she send Song Qin off to school, she walks to the Yamen to look for him but again and again he is not in. Soon winter comes and the business in the shop gets busy with all the winter wear. Coats are very limited and seems like every noble families wants it. The seamstress have a hard time catching up with the number of orders. While Song Ning packs the autumn wears away into the trunks that are in the store room. She see the design of garments on the table. She look at it and feel that she can do a better drawing out of it. However she is keeping quiet about what she draws.
Winter is here and Nan Feng is still not appearing. One of the cold day, she walk to the Yamen to ask for him. The man who always sits at the reception counter, inform her sadly that he is not in.
"I already handle him the letter and inform him to go home when he is available."
"Thank you and sorry i have trouble you."
"By the way who are you to him? He got a fiancee you know?!"
"I…"
"They are getting marry after the Lunar New Year!"
"Marry?"
"Yes… that is what i heard. That Lady Wen is the daughter of Marquis Wen Jiang Bing. That boy is so lucky."
When Song Ning hears that she is disappointed yet not upset. The content in the letter should bring him some joy and relief.
She walk alone in the snow towards the shop. She see a huge carriage have stop in front of the shop. She stop walking and see Nan Feng walking out of the shop. He is holding a hand of a girl and his eyes are winkling with joy looking at that girl Song Ning smile. At least he is happy. She watch them enter their carriage and it move away. She wish him all the best.
Lunar New Year comes and goes. Song Ning buys a small house to live with her brother. It is near to the school and the military post is within the area. Thus it feels safe to stay there. Soon she quit the job at the shop. She apply for a job in the female imperial house of study as a teacher assistant. Her application is approve thus she begin to work there for the next three years. Eventually she becomes a full time teacher.
Song Qin is now 10 years old. He is consider as a senior and allow to rent a room in school. Song Ning with the bank notes that she have save all those years. Now comes in handy. She spend her time worrying about how to earn more ingots. Thus she begin to go back working as a painter for woman. Painter Hong once again resurface into the erotic market for women quietly.