Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
"Since this round of competition is not over yet, as the Right Chancellor of the Azure Dragon Kingdom, there is no reason not to step forward to alleviate the Sovereign's worries."
Xia Yuhan listened to Jiang Tingyu and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. The stone that had been hanging in her heart quietly fell.
After all, composing poetry and painting was not something she was eager to do, although she could manage a few strokes...
At this moment, with Jiang Tingyu's words, Nangong Mo would surely not dare to say much. The people below also did not dare to discuss excessively.
Just as Nangong Mo was about to nod in resignation and agree, a sharp voice made everyone's hearts skip a beat.
"The Emperor has arrived~~~"
"Long live the Emperor!"
Everyone had no time for further thought and hurriedly knelt to pay their respects.
Xia Yuhan's heart, which had just relaxed, suddenly tensed up again. Today's events were truly full of twists and turns. Was she really going to be forced into a situation she didn't want?
Seeing the Emperor approaching, the Queen quickly stood up to give her seat. She stood aside and said, "Your Majesty, the matter has not been handled well. It is my fault. Please do not blame those below."
The Emperor came in with great momentum, so his words were inevitably somewhat harsh: "Regarding the Southern Kingdom's victory in the competition, I only allowed the Southern Kingdom one city as a joke. But as the ruler of a nation, my word is my bond. There are no idle words; I will certainly keep my promise."
The Emperor paused for a moment and noticed Jiang Tingyu's stance as if he was about to step forward to accept the challenge. His expression darkened: "Jiang Aiqing is my right-hand man. If you have to handle such matters personally, even if you defeat the Southern Kingdom, it would be an unworthy victory..."
Seeing the Emperor like this, the Queen quickly interjected: "In response to Your Majesty, it was actually Xia Yuhan from Xia Manor who was supposed to accept the challenge..."
The Emperor snorted in response. Upon finding someone to take the blame—especially Xia Yuhan—he did not let go of this scapegoat at all. Moreover, if he could use this matter to deal with her effortlessly, it would also relieve his pent-up frustration.
He is the ruler of a nation. He can kill whoever he wants. Previously, he was manipulated by a woman twice. Just thinking about it makes him extremely displeased.
"Since you are so confident in your talents and dare to accept the challenge, then let me see your abilities."
Xia Yuhan realized that explaining anything at this moment would be futile. There was no way out; she could only comply: "Yes, Your Majesty. Subject Daughter obeys."
"This is an opportunity for you to showcase your talents to everyone. If you cannot meet expectations and return victorious, that would be treason."
Xia Yuhan felt as if she had been struck by lightning, standing there in a daze. The consequences were that severe.
Although she was called out by someone else, the emperor believed she was arrogant enough to step forward and challenge. If she lost too badly, it would be considered treason. She had no way to resist and could only submit.
Although the message from the Queen contained some inaccuracies, there were no grounds to hold against her. So this time, she truly accepted her fate.
Sigh...
Thinking about it this way, the situation was indeed serious because it meant she had effectively signed a military order. If she failed to complete it, death was certain...
Seeing this situation, Cang Yile stepped forward recklessly, standing side by side with Xia Yuhan: "Your Majesty, things are not as you see them. In fact, Xia Yuhan did not step forward on her own..."
Before Cang Yile could finish speaking, he was sternly interrupted by the emperor: "You ungrateful child! Do you think I am blind? You cannot distinguish right from wrong and have turned black into white."
"Father, I absolutely did not mean that..."
"Enough. I do not want to hear it."
At this moment, Cang Yile lowered his head, so the cold killing intent in his eyes went unnoticed by others. He had initially thought of causing a scene but ultimately held back.
Because he noticed Xia Yuhan's calm demeanor from the corner of his eye...
Why is it that she can remain composed in extremely dangerous situations? It's hard to figure out.
Forget it. As her man, he should believe that Xia Yuhan can handle it. Perhaps this time, like before, she will be able to turn danger into safety.
But she... she doesn't seem like someone who would be good at poetry or painting at all. It would be more fitting for her to swat flies...
Seeing the situation unfold, Xia Yuhan steeled herself and replied, "The Emperor's intentions, Subject Daughter, will certainly not be disappointed."
She bowed again to the Emperor. For more chapters, please visit. Then, before leaving Cang Yile's side to go to the designated desk to paint, she muttered to herself, "Let me paint? I’d rather go draw mosquitoes..."
Because Cang Yile had exceptionally high internal strength, his hearing was much sharper than ordinary people. When he heard Xia Yuhan mumble this, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly: She really is only suited for martial arts. Competing with women over who can swat more flies...
Nearby, Nangong Mo glanced at Xia Yuhan while she was mumbling. He then coughed a few times weakly to cover up his thoughts.
...
Xia Yuhan was different from others. While Xia Wan'er and Nangong Mo would recite poetry first and then paint, she quietly went straight to painting.
The crowd was puzzled but dared not speak up due to the Emperor's presence.
Xia Wan'er understood Xia Yuhan quite well. This Xia Yuhan loved to lock herself in a room and daydream. She wouldn't know anything about these things. While she was diligently studying poetry and painting at Xia Manor, Xia Yuhan was still being bullied somewhere else.
So today, this embarrassment was bound to happen to Xia Yuhan.
Hmph. Even if she fails today, none of the many people present dare to stand up and challenge her. It’s clear that among all of them, she is the best and the most qualified person to speak with Jiang Tingyu.
Although she knew that Jiang Tingyu was not the person she should like, who could blame him for not liking the princess? Hehe...
Thinking of this, Xia Wan'er couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in her eyes.
This time, not only could she use this banquet to ensure that Xia Yuhan would never return to Xia Manor, but she could also enhance her own good impression in Jiang Tingyu's mind... Just thinking about it made her happy.
Half a cup of tea passed. Xia Yuhan had ground the ink but had yet to pick up the brush.
Three cups of tea later, her eyes were slightly closed, and there was still no movement...
It wasn't until nearly half a stick of incense had passed that she finally began to pick up the brush and started painting.
Unlike the previous two who painted in one go and finished their works in just a stick of incense's time, Xia Yuhan had wasted half a stick of incense just dazing off.
This caused the audience below to feel quite impatient, whispering among themselves.
"Does your Second Lady of the Xia Residence know how to paint?"
"I doubt it. She probably won't escape death today."
"Who told her to be so unfortunate, coinciding with the Emperor's visit here?"
"Ah... you are right, sister."
...
The rest of the crowd was almost all discussing the same issue in private, except for one woman and her younger brother, who were voicing opinions different from everyone else's.
"Sister. Isn't it said that Sister Yu Han is the best? With just her own strength, she has cleared away the great injustice against her. That's a good thing. Why do many sisters not like it? They say they like it, but their expressions don't show it. They seem quite tired."
"Brother. Don't speak carelessly. If someone hears this, they might come after us. Actually, some things are better left known only to ourselves. We shouldn't poke holes in it."
"But sister, if no one helps Sister Yu Han and she can't create something beautiful this time, does that mean she will really be in trouble?"
"Alright, brother. Sister Yu Han is a person of great fortune and destiny, even more so than us. She will be fine. Be good, brother. We'll talk about the rest when we get home."
"Okay. Sister~~ you must keep your word."
...
Around the same time, after about half a stick of incense had passed...
At this moment, Xia Yuhan had just set down her brush. With her hands clasped in front of her, she elegantly walked over to the Emperor and the Queen: "Your Majesty, Your Highness, Subject Daughter's painting is ready."
The Emperor and the Queen, who had been quietly discussing matters behind the curtain, heard Xia Yuhan's voice and disdainfully ordered, "Present it. A painting that can only be seen without poetry must not be very good."
Jiang Tingyu was the first to stand up from his seat and bowed to the Emperor: "Your Majesty, Jiang Tingyu has a humble request. I would like to personally see Yuhan's work."
"Your Majesty values this so much; I fear it may tarnish your eyes. It would be better to..."
"Your Majesty, even the worst painting is merely a chicken pecking at rice; it won't matter."
With that, he gave a look to the steward standing nearby. The steward understood and walked towards the painting created by Xia Yuhan. Seeing that there was no major issue and nothing unexpected would happen, the Emperor tacitly approved.
The steward had followed Jiang Tingyu for many years; how could he not understand Jiang Tingyu's thoughts?
If it weren't for Xia Yuhan being forced, his family wouldn't have stepped forward.
This time, it is naturally the same.
If Xia Yuhan's painting is good, he must protect Xia Yuhan's artwork. If it were to be deliberately damaged by other palace maids, wouldn't that mean Xia Yuhan would be the one suffering?
Similarly, if Xia Yuhan's painting is worse than a fly, then Jiang must find various ways to tear it apart. Then his family would have to step forward and bear all the consequences...
Sigh...
Thinking of this, the steward couldn't help but sigh for his master. Such deep feelings, such heartfelt efforts, yet he still doesn't come forward. It truly pains him to see.
If this continues, it won't be his master who suffers, but him as the steward. He clearly knows that his master likes Xia Yuhan but cannot be with her. Moreover, he has to lament alongside his master about why the beauty is not by their side...
He initially thought that when he received Xia Yuhan's painting, he would find it unbearable to look at. But who would have thought that this painting...
Comment 0 Comment Count