After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 533 Shen Yuezhang's Paintings
The Empress Dowager was greatly shocked. "How could someone from a peasant background have such foresight?"

The tallest tree in the forest is bound to be felled by the wind. Everyone understands this principle, but no one can control the desire to climb higher. The higher you climb, the harder you will fall. The Shen family hides in Shenjia Village, keeping a low profile. They can make money without any worries and will not arouse envy or jealousy. Moreover, the villagers will spontaneously protect the Shen family. Brilliant!

Murong Jue smiled and continued, "Miss Shen has inherited Madam Shen's true skills. Not only are her poetry, calligraphy, and painting excellent, but she is also very good at business."

Princess Huai'an asked Amber to bring the portrait that Shen Yuezhang had drawn for her.

The moment the scroll was unfurled, the Empress Dowager was shocked and so excited that she stood up abruptly. Princess Qingkang was both surprised and furious, and couldn't help but mock, "Your Highness, even if you want to promote that person from the Shen family, you don't need to go to such lengths. How could such a painting be painted by an ordinary young lady?"

Huangdu is not without talented women. The so-called talented women are those who can recite some poems, write beautiful calligraphy, paint some pictures, play some musical instruments, and have good manners and upbringing. As long as they can do these things, they can be called talented women.

Which girl who has earned the title of "talented woman" hasn't married into a wealthy or influential family?

This painting is clearly the work of a master; a young lady from a secluded family could never have such skill!
"What kind of painting can't a woman make?" The emperor and empress entered hand in hand, followed by Shen Tian, ​​the concubine of the sixth prince, Murong Chen.

Everyone quickly bowed in greeting.

Murong Chen and Shen Tian also stepped forward to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager and Princess Huai'an.

The Empress Dowager exclaimed excitedly, "Emperor and Empress, look! This portrait in Huai'an is so lifelike! I have never seen such a vivid portrait before!"

The emperor and empress were stunned after just one glance, and both looked at Princess Huai'an and then at the portrait.

They exclaimed in amazement, "Which master did the Princess commission to paint this?"

The Empress looked tempted.

The emperor was also very interested.

Princess Huai'an rose and curtsied, "Your Majesty, this was painted by my betrothed daughter-in-law. If that child hadn't come to the capital, I wouldn't have been willing to bring this painting out."

"The Shen family's daughter?"

The emperor and empress exchanged glances, not doubting that Princess Huai'an was lying, but suddenly realizing the truth.

"I was puzzled before by your arrangement of this marriage for A-Jue, but now I understand a little. This girl is simply a painting prodigy!" The Empress's eyes couldn't hide her admiration and regret.

What I admire is Shen Yuezhang's talent, but what I regret is that she was a woman.

If he were a man, he would surely achieve great things.

Princess Qingkang, seeing the Empress's high praise for Shen Yuezhang, spoke up indignantly, "Your Majesty, don't you find it strange? Even the best painters in the capital can't create such a painting. How could a young lady from a small place have such skill?"

Unless one is exceptionally talented, one must study under a master to learn painting; relying on one's own efforts, one may never achieve anything significant, even until death.

Shen Tian nodded to Princess Qingkang and said crisply, "Just because Princess Qingkang hasn't seen her doesn't mean she doesn't have. Miss Shen has studied under many teachers since she was a child. Lord You Kang and Lord Tian Ziyan are both her teachers. These two are famous painting masters in Langya Kingdom. She has learned a wide range of things and has combined the strengths of many schools. She is not an ordinary young lady from a secluded family as you describe her."

Princess Qingkang's face grew increasingly unpleasant after being humiliated by a junior like Shen Tian, ​​but she dared not argue with her.

The Empress grew increasingly curious as she listened, and with a beaming smile, she turned to Princess Huai'an and asked, "When will you bring her into the palace for us to see?"

Princess Huai'an initially wanted to decline, but seeing that the Empress Dowager was also very expectant, she lowered her eyes and said, "Tomorrow."

The Empress Dowager and the Empress were very satisfied with this answer.

The emperor glanced at the portrait a few more times before taking Murong Jue to the imperial study to speak. The others chatted with the Empress Dowager for a while before leaving as well.

Princess Qingkang's face turned completely dark as she walked out of the palace. She got into the carriage and started yelling, "Useless thing! You didn't know how to seize the opportunity right in front of you. You're just like your father, who can't be helped at all!"

Zhao Moli was scolded until she burst into tears and became increasingly timid.

Princess Qingkang was annoyed by her behavior.

Upon returning to the Zhao family home, they immediately sent Zhao Moli back to the second wife's quarters.

Upon receiving the news, Madam Zhao the Second hurriedly went to Zhao Moli's boudoir, asking, "How is it? What did the Empress Dowager say?"

Zhao Moli raised her head, already sobbing uncontrollably, "Mother! Your daughter is useless and has brought shame upon you!"

Madam Zhao's heart tightened, and she quickly pulled Zhao Moli into her arms. "What happened? Did you do something wrong?"

Zhao Moli shook her head while crying, "Mother, the Empress Dowager and Princess Huai'an don't like me at all. Moreover, Princess Huai'an has already chosen her daughter-in-law, the eldest daughter of the Shen family. My aunt clearly knew about it, but she didn't tell us."

My daughter was humiliated by Princess Huai'an in the palace today. The Empress Dowager was angry with my aunt and ignored me. On the way back, my aunt scolded my daughter for being useless and complained that she hadn't seized the opportunity.

How can I seize this opportunity? My daughter has her pride too! My daughter doesn't want to live anymore, sob sob sob.

Madam Zhao was heartbroken upon hearing this, and the mother and daughter embraced and wept uncontrollably.

When Zhao Qingxuan returned, he saw his wife and daughter with red and swollen eyes from crying. After learning what had happened...

He was furious and planned to go to the first wife's house to demand an explanation.

Madam Zhao quickly stopped her, "What good will it do you if you go? As long as your sister-in-law says it's for the future of our second branch, you won't have anything to say. Saying too much will only make Father angry. Master, we haven't gained anything from being in the capital for so many years. Why don't you be sent to a post outside the capital?"

We all left the capital with you; it's easier to achieve success and feel more at ease outside."

Princess Qingkang is backed by the royal family and powerful nobles. Even if she really uses their second branch of the family, they can only accept it. They can't afford to offend them, so they can just stay away from them.

After calming down, Zhao Qingxuan also realized that what Madam Zhao said made sense.

More importantly, he believed that his father had devoted all his energy to his eldest brother, and that the brothers were not important to his father. Therefore, he did not need to stay in the capital and waste his time.

So Zhao Qingxuan made a bold decision: he bypassed Zhao Taifu and took the initiative to submit a petition to the Ministry of Personnel for a posting to a foreign post.

Zhao Qingxuan has been in this position for a long time and should have been removed long ago. However, due to the influence of Grand Tutor Zhao, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel has always turned a blind eye. Now that the other party has taken the initiative to speak, he must approve it immediately.

In half a day, Zhao Qingxuan's assignment to another post was finalized.

Grand Tutor Zhao learned of this from his colleagues. He stormed home and summoned Zhao Qingxuan to his study, where he berated him for a long time.

Why didn't you discuss such a big decision as being sent abroad with me beforehand? Don't you even consider me your father?

Many of the court officials who supported the second prince were ousted this time. He was still trying to win over officials, but before he could win over many people, he was betrayed by his own son.

You should know how coveted official positions are in the capital. Even an eighth or ninth-rank position would attract a lot of people who would fight tooth and nail to get in.

Zhao Qingxuan held a sixth-rank official position, with nothing to do and still receiving his salary. Not only did he not cherish such a good job, but he actually gave it up behind his back!