Chapter 1159: Chapter 1157: Best Not to Touch a Hot Potato
The Immortal Lady He was carved by that middle-aged man named Li Cang. He had some achievements in this field and, although not a master, was certainly better than the lesser craftsmen. Otherwise, he wouldnât have been chosen to participate in crafting this birthday gift.
But now, the flaws in his carving of Immortal Lady He were pointed out by a little girl, and where was his face to be found now? Especially when even Old Mr. Meng agreed, confirming that his craftsmanship was not refined enough.
Li Cang looked at the delicate hand of Immortal Lady He holding the Coiled Peach, with a slight resentment in his heart.
"Itâs not that it canât be fixed," Wufu said.
Everyone was stunned again.
Itâs already carved like this, how can it be changed? Shave it off?
"Donât change the hand, change this," she pointed to the Peach of Immortality in Immortal Lady Heâs palm and said, "change this peach into a blooming Lian Hua. If carved vividly, the focus will be on the flower. And this Coiled Peach is large enough that if you can carve one or two petals drooping slightly, it would cover a few parts of the fingers."
Li Cang was stunned and began envisioning the peach becoming a lotus as she described, with the petals falling exactly as she said.
"Ingenious, truly ingenious." Old Mr. Meng simply took a charcoal pen and sketched a small lotus diagram on top of the peach and looked at Wufu with a bit of admiration in his eyes: "The young girl is indeed quick-witted."
"I dare not show off in front of an elder," Wufu looked at the sketch and had to admit that this Old Mr. Meng was very talented, and the sketch he drew was exceptionally vivid.
Third Old Master Wen saw this and said to Wufu, "Miss Wu, with several months until the Empress Dowagerâs millennium, could you lend a hand to help with some modifications?"
Li Cangâs expression changed again.
But Wufu shook her head and said, "To be honest, Third Old Master, I have many things to attend to, and although I have recovered from a sword injury, it hit the tendons after all, so my strength is hard to control. If I try to be clever but end up making things worse, it would be a bad bargain indeed."
As she spoke, she glanced at Li Cang and Old Mr. Meng and smiled, "With so many skilled craftspeople here, just a mere lotus, Iâm sure they can all carve it. Since this peach came from Craftmaster Liâs hands, he is most familiar with it, and for him to modify it would be just as well."
"This..." Third Old Master Wen hesitated; he wanted Wufuâs help but was apprehensive about what she said. After all, the jade carving was nearing its final stages, and if she couldnât control it well, it might indeed become worse as she mentioned.
For the first time, Third Old Master Wen harbored some resentment towards the Tenth Prince. If not for the trouble he caused, why should Wufu have been injured?
"Let it be as the young girl says, Li Cang, you are most familiar with this Coiled Peach and Immortal Lady He," Old Mr. Meng made a decision and looked towards Li Cang, "Do you have the confidence?"
Li Cang hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Li Cang will do his utmost."
"Then consider how to modify it," Old Mr. Meng handed the drawing to him.
Li Cang took it with both hands, sighing lightly in his heart.
Wufu only smiled lightly on the side, thinking that even if she wasnât injured, she wouldnât take this job. First, itâs uncertain whom she might offend, and second, this is a birthday gift for the most noble woman. If, by any chance, it were messed up, whose responsibility would it be?
And whether to change it or not, sending out the Eight Immortals Celebrating Longevity as it is wouldnât be impossible. The tiny shortcomings could be overlooked, but to ruin it would waste the craftsmanship of many over two years, not to mention damaging this ceremonial sculpture, a sin she could not bear.
Therefore, such a hot potato is best left alone.