Minglong

Chapter 312: Being arrogant due to favor
The night is getting darker.

A melodious piano tune drifted from the garden, while the sounds of playful laughter gradually subsided.

Linghu Qingmo drove a large vehicle and sat in front of the wine table, holding the dice flat with both hands to make them float in the air. After half a day of practice, he was able to barely control the degree of force.

Zhao Ling, dressed in a gorgeous palace gown, sat on the couch, having lost interest in her best friend's boasting. She simply propped her cheek up with her hand, waiting for her top hostess to arrive.

According to her usual practice, Xie Jinhuan should be very punctual. She had even thought about what kind of scale she should use during the meal.

Being too distant would seem awkward and pointless; but if she closes the distance, given Xie Jinhuan's opportunistic nature, she might be in a man's bed tomorrow morning, applying for a wedding ceremony at the palace the day after, and her father holding a grandson next year...

After much deliberation, Zhao Ling decided to put all her choices into the wine. Once she started drinking, she would naturally act spontaneously and wouldn't have to worry about it.

But to everyone's surprise, Xie Jinhuan was late.

We talked about having a celebratory banquet that night, but it's been a while since night fell and he still hasn't come. I wonder what kind of spell Dr. Lin has cast on him this time...

Or perhaps Dr. Lin was given a potion...

Lost in thought, and seeing that Xie Jinhuan was still nowhere to be seen, Zhao Ling got up and went to the window to look around. Just as she was feeling bored, she suddenly noticed a maid coming to the corner of the garden, her eyes slightly anxious as if she wanted to say something but then stopped.

Seeing this, Zhao Ling thought something had happened to Xie Jinhuan. She turned around, looked at Mo Mo, and then slowly walked over to him.

"what's wrong?"

"Your Highness, Steward Hou has been assaulted!"

"Huh?!" Zhao Ling was slightly taken aback: "Who did this?"

"I don't know. The guards were patrolling just now and found Steward Hou lying unconscious in the bushes, sprawled out on his back. When they woke him up, Steward Hou said he was practicing handstands like Young Master Xie when he suddenly passed out. Nobody knows who did it. He's at the door cursing loudly right now..."

"..."

Zhao Ling knew that many people wanted to beat up Old Hou, but to knock out her general without saying a word was really disrespectful to her, the eldest princess. So she turned around and walked out to see what was going on.

But when they passed by the princess's study, they found the lights were on.

Zhao Ling was fond of martial arts and throwing parties, and he almost never went into his study. Seeing this, I couldn't help but wonder:

"A guest is in the study?"

"No, wait, who turned on the study light...?"

"?"

Zhao Ling frowned slightly, thinking that an uninvited guest had arrived, so she walked along the corridor to check nearby, only to find a painting table in the elegant study.

A cold and aloof young man in a white robe stood before the painting table, holding a brush and ink to sketch on the paper. His profile was focused and serene. Outside the window were winter flowers and stars and moon. He looked like a fox spirit who had suddenly appeared in the house, keeping people at a distance and untouched by worldly affairs, completely unlike any human being...

"Ouch~!"

Although Duoduo wasn't there, the little maid beside her still lit up at the sight and quickly covered her mouth to peek at the princess.

Zhao Ling was also captivated by his elegant and refined appearance. She slightly raised her hand to signal the maid to go play elsewhere, then placed her hands on her hips and gracefully walked to the study window.
"You're back and instead of going out for a drink, what are you doing here?"

Xie Jinhuan continued painting with one hand flicking his sleeve, without looking up, but responded calmly:
"I have always been grateful for Your Highness's kindness, and I have never repaid it. Now that I have come to your door for a drink, how can I come empty-handed? I searched the streets just now, but I couldn't find anything that would meet Your Highness's standards, so I came back to prepare something myself."

"Oh?"

Zhao Ling entered the study with a hint of curiosity and casually glanced at the painting table. But her pupils contracted slightly upon seeing it.

On the table lay a huge painting, as tall as a person, now painted with rich ink and vibrant colors, depicting lifelike houses, green bamboo, flowing clouds, and an autumn day. Several maids stood among the bamboo, while in front of them stood a noble and elegant young lady.

The young lady had a plump and graceful figure, dressed in a warm yellow high-waisted skirt with gold cloud patterns along the edges. Beneath the semi-transparent sleeves, one could see her fair and delicate shoulders and arms, as white as mutton fat. Her ample breasts stretched the peacocks and hibiscus embroidered on her bodice into plump peacocks. Her face was even more radiant, with her long, jet-black hair styled into a cloud-like bun, adorned with a magnificent hairpin inlaid with pearls and gemstones...

Judging from the scene, it depicts the two meeting for the first time in Qingquan Lane, but the style is extremely realistic. Not only the clothes and hair accessories, but also the details such as eyelashes and embroidery are presented without any difference.

In addition, the scroll is life-sized and painted in color, giving the impression that her appearance at the time was printed on paper, and one can even feel the casual and condescending gaze of someone in a high position...

"Ouch~!"

Zhao Ling was a seventeen or eighteen-year-old young lady from a wealthy family. She had never encountered such a powerful attack before. Instantly, her eyes lit up and she transformed into Duoduo, quickly walking forward.

But the white-robed young man, who was painting, slightly raised his hand to stop him, his tone carrying a hint of assertiveness:

"Don't move around. I've been drawing for half an hour. If I make even one wrong stroke, I'll have to prepare a new one for Your Highness."

Upon hearing the sound, Zhao Ling immediately stopped in her tracks, even taking a few steps back and standing on tiptoe to peek, her eyes revealing a touch of girlish shyness:
"You're so thoughtful... why didn't you tell me? You made me wait so long..."

"I already gave you a heads-up, so what's the big surprise? Don't worry, it'll be finished soon."

"Oh……"

Zhao Ling waited patiently, her face slightly flushed and a little nervous, occasionally glancing at Xie Jinhuan's profile.
"You were busy when the guards searched the courtyard that day, how could you remember it so clearly?"

“I live under the wall and hear Your Highness’s laughter every day. I was curious, and when I saw such a beautiful woman for the first time, how could I forget her?”

"Heh, what a sweet talker. Actually, this princess isn't as good-looking as Senior Nangong, and she's not very tall either..."

"Alas, flowers come in a hundred colors, each with its own beauty. Your Highness, please do not underestimate yourself."

As Xie Jinhuan spoke, he had already made the final stroke, writing his signature on the side of the scroll before stopping and getting up to examine it.

Only then did Zhao Ling dare to cautiously approach her side, scrutinizing her from head to toe with unwavering eyes, before nodding and saying:
"This painting is truly excellent. It should be framed and hung in your bedroom. When you become the greatest painter in the world, this will be a masterpiece that will be passed down through generations..."

Xie Jinhuan put one hand behind his back and looked at the landlady beside him:
"like or not?"

Zhao Ling admired the painting intently: "Of course you like it. Hmm... I won't let you perform today. I'll give you a dance to liven things up."

Xie Jinhuan shook his head: "I spent a long time drawing this; just having someone dance it doesn't seem very sincere."

Zhao Ling blinked and looked at the white-robed young man beside her:
"Then what do you want?"

Xie Jinhuan didn't say anything, but looked at the landlady's face with a half-smile, and finally her gaze moved to her bright red lips.

? !
Zhao Ling was taken aback, then straightened up a bit, regaining the demeanor befitting a landlady:
"Xie Jinhuan, you seem to be getting a little arrogant because of my favor."

Xie Jinhuan wasn't disappointed, but simply sighed:

"That means it's not good enough for Your Highness. I'll paint an even better one for you."

Having said that, he prepared to throw the painting into the wastebasket. Even an ice cube couldn't withstand this move, let alone Zhao Ling. She quickly stepped in front of the painting table, her eyes blazing with anger:

"Are you crazy? You've been drawing for so long..."

Seeing this, Xie Jinhuan braced himself on both sides of the table and pinned the landlady against the wall in front of him:
"If Your Highness doesn't like it, then it's just junk. What's the point of keeping it?"

Zhao Ling was forced to lean back, but fearing he might damage the scroll, he dared not lean against the table, resulting in them being extremely close, with Zhao Ling only able to look up at his bodyguard.

"Who says I don't like it? It's so well drawn..."

"Really? I have a feeling that Your Highness still doesn't like it enough."

"?"

Zhao Ling felt this was forcing her to confess her feelings, so she took a slight breath, causing her chubby peacock to puff out its cheeks, and gritted her teeth to muster her strength:
"I really like this painting. You gave it to me, so it's mine now. I won't let you throw it away, and you can't do with it as you please..."

"That means you really like it."

Xie Jinhuan nodded slightly, raised his hand to hook her waist, and lowered his head to look at her delicate, round face.

Zhao Ling's almond-shaped eyes widened instantly. She tried to dodge, but she was no match for a top-level martial artist. Before she could turn her head, her chin was grabbed and her lips were warm. Her heels were lifted off the ground.

"Ugh?!"

Zhao Ling was struck dumb, feeling as if this male concubine was plotting a rebellion. Her face flushed red, and she punched his shoulder. She tried to twist her shoulder, but couldn't break free. After a few tugs, her teeth were knocked open, and she was completely stunned.

zizi~
Xie Jinhuan hugged the landlady, and only after making sure she wouldn't hide did he remove his hand from her cheek, gently stroking her waist and back, and swaying her back and forth.

After this passionate embrace, Zhao Ling realized there were no more restrictions. Coming to her senses, she bit the lecherous man's lips, then leaned back to avoid it.
"Xie Jinhuan, you...you...you're being insolent! I am the eldest princess of this dynasty..."

Xie Jinhuan didn't care at all and smiled:
"Alright, the painting is presented to Your Highness. Let's go have some drinks."

"You still want to drink?"

Seeing that the wicked young master was trying to run away after taking advantage of her, Zhao Ling stepped forward to stop him, her eyes slightly fierce:
"Who do you take me for? You think I can just kiss you whenever you want and leave whenever you want... Wait, what?!"

Before he could finish speaking, he was grabbed again by this audacious bodyguard.

Zhao Ling initially tried to maintain her composure, but quickly became shy and embarrassed, tightly gripping Xie Jinhuan's hand that was acting inappropriately.

However, before this commotion could last long, a sound suddenly came from outside the study:
"Xie Jinhuan?"

The ethereal voice of Sect Leader Nangong.

Zhao Ling was so startled that she jumped out of his arms instantly, regaining her dignified and noble demeanor as a princess, and turned to look at the door:

"Nangong... Eh? Oh... Qingmo, don't misunderstand, I... I was looking at the painting..."

Outside the room, Linghu Qingmo, driving his icy truck, had a very complicated expression on his face. He walked inside, intending to say a few words, but when his gaze fell on the scroll on the table, his expression froze slightly.
"Wow... did you draw this?"

Xie Jinhuan remained calm.
"Yes, it was a gift I prepared for Her Highness the Princess. She rewarded me as a token of her gratitude..."

Zhao Ling was initially a little embarrassed, but upon hearing this, she immediately became annoyed:

"Who rewarded you? You were the one who forcibly offended His Highness, how dare you make false accusations..."

Linghu Qingmo had just witnessed Ling'er hooking her neck and biting her boyfriend, and he didn't believe for a second that it was forced.

She was already a little jealous because her best friend had secretly gone to her house, and now seeing such a large full-body image made her jealousy surge like a tidal wave. She glanced at the lecherous man next to her:
"You really have a heart. No wonder Ling'er was so flustered. Humph..."

Xie Jinhuan didn't say anything like "Don't be angry," but instead picked up a scroll from beside the table and unfolded it in his hands.

wow~
The two girls turned to look and saw that the painting depicted a starry river and an autumn moon. A cool and aloof female knight in white stood on the wall, holding a sword. Below her, a young man with his upper body bare was practicing martial arts upside down.

Their eyes met, the scene so vivid and detailed, instantly drawing their thoughts back to the night they truly met...

"..."

The room suddenly became quiet.

Linghu Qingmo blinked, the sour feeling in her heart vanishing completely, after all, Xie Jinhuan had clearly drawn it for her first...

Zhao Ling said in disbelief:
"You've prepared well, and you even know how to share the spoils equally."

"Sigh, it's all out of goodwill, not something I did on purpose."

Seeing that Mo Mo wasn't so angry anymore, Xie Jinhuan moved even closer:

"His Highness has already given you a reward, shouldn't you reciprocate?"

Seeing that her best friend was jealous instead, Linghu Qingmo felt much better.

Since her best friend had already kissed her, as the official girlfriend, she couldn't just sit awkwardly at the children's table and act reluctant. So, she quickly tapped her cheek, gave a soft hum, and left with the painting.

However, after taking only two steps, Linghu Qingmo froze:
"what--!"

Panic-stricken screams then echoed throughout the princess's residence!

When Zhao Ling saw 'Senior Nangong' personally thanking Jin Huan, she was stunned, opened her mouth as if to say something but then stopped herself.

Xie Jinhuan also feigned disbelief and covered her cheeks:
"MoMo, why are you serious? I just wanted you to say thank you..."

Linghu Qingmo realized the enormity of her crime and stamped her feet in frustration. She turned around to beat up the lecherous man who had disturbed her mind.

But at that moment, a commotion came from outside the study.

Having barely survived the tribulation of his soul, Nangong Ye emerged from around the corner of the corridor, his eyes filled with doubt:
"What are you doing?"

Linghu Qingmo was so frightened that he immediately stood at attention, filled with fear but not daring to explain, and could only stammer:
"It's nothing. Xie Jinhuan painted two pictures, which surprised me... Master, you should rest now. I'll go to sleep soon too."

Nangong Ye was driving his apprentice's car, so it wasn't appropriate for him to approach late at night. He only glanced at Xie Jinhuan, seemingly praising him for bullying the demoness, before turning around and disappearing into the corridor.

Crackling...

A torrential downpour of tiny fists appeared in the study, chasing the attacker all the way to the banquet hall...

(End of this chapter)