The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 146 The High-Ranking Official Stays at Li Shishi's Courtyard [Bonus Chapter!]

Now, after seeing off Lu Junyi and that prodigal son Yan Qing, Master Ximen saw the sun lazily climb onto the rooftop, its golden light so dazzling it made one's eyes water.

The wine he had just drunk at the banquet was now churning violently in his stomach, rushing to his head all at once. The official felt dizzy, as if he were walking on cotton, and his eyelids felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, stuck together, and he couldn't open them at all.

Dai'an, the most quick-witted of all, saw his master in this state and hurriedly stepped forward, using his shoulder to firmly support Ximen Qing's heavy body, saying urgently, "Uncle! Watch your step! Although the 'Number One Restaurant Under Heaven' is a good place near the capital, the inns for resting are all clustered around a few city gates, quite far from here! You absolutely cannot fall down now!"

As Dai'an spoke, his heart was in turmoil: at this inconvenient time, the two of them, master and servant, were standing in the street, and his master was dead drunk. What should they do? He was at a loss and became increasingly anxious.

Suddenly, a young maid emerged from the depths of the locust tree beside them. She wore a light green dress, her hair styled in two buns, and her features were quite clever. She walked up to him in a few steps, curtsied to Dai'an, and asked in a clear, melodious voice, "May I ask, young sir, is the drunken gentleman in the sedan chair the great Master Ximen?"

Dai'an was deep in thought when someone asked, so she quickly nodded and replied, "It is indeed my master! What advice does young lady have for me?"

The young maid smiled, her eyes sparkling. "My mistress just saw the master seeing off a guest upstairs. She noticed he was quite drunk and had difficulty walking. Considering the distance to inns near the capital, my mistress, being kind-hearted, specially sent me to invite the master. If you don't mind, why not rest for a while at my mistress's villa not far ahead and sober up? Wouldn't that be better than the bumpy journey?"

Upon hearing this, Dai'an was overjoyed and immediately asked, "May I ask which young lady is in your household? So that I may report back."

The maid whispered, "My young lady is none other than Li Hangshou."

"Oh dear!" Dai'an's heart skipped a beat.
Li Shishi herself had just seen her; she was truly the most outstanding courtesan in Bianliang, the capital of the Eastern Capital, renowned throughout the nine heavens. Even ordinary princes and noblemen could hardly get close to her, and it was indeed true. Now, she had actually taken the initiative to invite him.

Could it be that a female dog is chasing a male dog—a horny woman coming to their door—has Master Li taken a fancy to his master?
He stole a glance at his master's drunken state, which resembled a clay figure, and chuckled to himself: "Fine! It's like a pillow for a sleepy man! With my great-father's heart, such a place of pleasure and debauchery delivered to his doorstep, even if he's drunk, paralyzed, or dead, as long as he can still fight, he'll crawl in! How could he refuse?"

Dai'an nodded vigorously, saying repeatedly, "Thank you, sister! Thank you, sister! Please lead the way!" With that, she used all her strength to half-drag and half-carry the completely drunk Ximen Da Guanren, finally managing to get him to the saddle.

Ximen Da Guanren was so weak he felt like he had no bones left, how could he stand up? Dai An didn't care about anything else, gritted his teeth, and with a burst of strength, managed to drape his huge body across the horse's back, just like carrying a piece of fat pork that had just come out of the slaughterhouse.

He held the reins of the horse carrying his master in one hand and his own in the other, eagerly following the woman in the light green dress towards Li Shishi's secluded courtyard deep in the shade of the locust tree.

Meanwhile, the maid led Dai'an and the horse carrying Ximen Qing, and after turning a corner through a quiet alley behind the No. 1 Restaurant, a serene and elegant courtyard suddenly appeared before them.

With its blue bricks and gray tiles, a small vermilion door half-closed, and two weeping willows in front of the door with their green tendrils, it is truly a tranquil oasis amidst the hustle and bustle.

The young maid gently knocked on the door knocker, and the door creaked open. Inside, two servants in green robes were already waiting, and they quickly came to greet her.

One hurriedly took the reins of the two horses from Dai'an, while the other helped to support the limp Ximen official on the horse's back.

Although Dai'an saw that someone had taken over, he still had his mind on the two horses—those were Ximen Qing's beloved mounts, especially Ximen Qing's own, a plump and strong chrysanthemum-green horse, which was quite valuable.

He hurriedly instructed the servant leading the horses: "Young man, be careful! These two horses are my master's darlings! Especially this Chrysanthemum Green Steed, it has a fiery temper. It must be fed the finest feed, mixed with freshly ground soybeans, and given plenty of water. Then find a shady spot to tie it up! Do not neglect it!"

Seeing that Dai'an spoke solemnly, the servant nodded and bowed repeatedly, smiling obsequiously, "Young master, you can rest assured! We're used to serving you, we'll make sure you're comfortable and won't lose a single hair!"

Seeing that he was clever, Dai'an was slightly relieved. He turned around and, together with another servant, they hurriedly unloaded the official from his horse.

Ximen was so drunk that he was unconscious, groaning incoherently, his limbs limp as mud, and he had to be supported by two people.

Upon entering the courtyard, there is a small front yard. The ground is paved with bluestone slabs, and there are several clumps of bamboo in the corner. A wisteria vine is in full bloom, with strings of purple flower spikes hanging down.

The maid didn't lead them further, but instead led the two into a spacious side room on the east side of the front courtyard. The room was simply furnished yet elegant, complete with tables, chairs, beds, and curtains. The windows were bright and clean, and there was a faint, sweet fragrance permeating the air.

The servant helped Dai'an settle Ximen Qing into a large, carved bed in the inner room. As soon as Ximen Qing touched the pillow, he began to snore loudly, like muffled thunder.

The maid stood outside the curtain, curtsied to Dai'an through the beaded veil, her voice still clear and melodious, yet carrying an undeniable air of formality: "Young man, this is the front courtyard's side room, the quietest place, perfect for your rest and sobering up, sir. However, there is one thing..."

She paused, then lowered her voice, "This backyard is where Miss and the women of the household live. It's quite inconvenient as it's separate from the outside. Please rest here, young master and gentleman. Even after you've sobered up, please don't wander around. Once you've sobered up, my young lady will send someone to invite you. She has important matters to discuss."

Dai'an, being as quick-witted as he was, immediately understood that this was both a rule and a precaution. He quickly put on a smiling face, bowed, and replied, "Don't worry, sister! I understand! My father is so drunk that he probably won't wake up for several hours. I will stay here in the outer room, not leaving his side for a moment, and I will not dare to wander off or offend such an important person! I will wait for the master to wake up, and then I will follow your instructions, Miss!"

He spoke respectfully, but in his heart he knew perfectly well: this "discussion of important matters" was probably more intoxicating than sour soup for sobering up! And what about the fact that women of the household couldn't enter? I'm afraid that you, little maid, will have to go in and take your mistress's place, giving her a push.

Seeing that Dai'an was sensible, the maid nodded slightly, said no more, turned around and quietly left, gently closing the door behind her.

For a moment, only deafening snoring and Dai'an himself remained in the side room. He went to the outer room, sat down on a chair by the window, listened to Ximen Qing's erratic snoring from the inner room, and looked out at the sky separated by high walls. He felt that although the courtyard was nice, it was like an exquisite cage.

He smacked his lips, savoring the name of Li Shishi, and recalling the maid's beautiful appearance. He wondered what kind of tricks this "sobering up" would bring. Lost in thought, he fell asleep on the ground beside him.

Meanwhile, behind the Zichen Hall in the Imperial Palace, in a secluded chamber, incense smoke curled and auspicious clouds swirled. The Emperor, dressed in an apricot-yellow Taoist robe, sat cross-legged on a cloud-shaped bed, his eyes slightly closed, as if wandering in the ethereal realm.

The "Master of Truth and Enlightenment," Lin Lingsu, stood to one side, holding a jade whisk, and was explaining the profound mysteries of the "Huang Ting Jing" in a low voice.

The official would nod occasionally, muttering to himself, appearing to be deeply devoted to Taoism.

After a short while, Lin Lingsu saw that the Emperor seemed to have understood something, so he bowed and took his leave: "Your Majesty's Daoist heart is profound and subtle, and you have already grasped the mysteries. This humble Daoist dares not disturb your cultivation any longer, so I will take my leave for now."

The official didn't even lift his eyelids, only letting out a soft "hmm" through his nose as a sign of agreement. Lin Lingsu bowed and backed out of the mansion.

Almost at the same moment Lin Lingsu's figure disappeared outside the door, Liang Shicheng slipped in silently like a shadow.

He stepped forward to the cloud bed, bowed deeply, and spoke in a high-pitched, thin voice, yet with utmost respect:

"Your Majesty, the ministers Mi Yuanzhang, Grand Tutor Cai, Gao Qiu, and Zhu Mian, along with several scholars from the Hanlin Academy of Painting, have been waiting respectfully outside the Jiying Hall for quite some time."

"The calligraphy and paintings collected with great effort this year have all been arranged and displayed in the Rui Si Hall. They are dazzling and radiant, waiting for His Majesty's eyes to personally inspect them, to judge their quality, and to declare the champion of this year's calligraphy and painting."

The official slowly opened his eyes, but there was no trace of the tranquility he had displayed during his cultivation; instead, a hint of amusement flickered in his gaze. He didn't immediately get up to look at the painting, but as if remembering something trivial, he casually asked:

"I heard that yesterday, that madman Mi invited... um... that Master Li to perform again?" The word "perform" rolled on his tongue, carrying an indescribable feeling.

Liang Shicheng's shrewd mind had already churned several times, and he knew perfectly well that the Emperor was not asking about Mi Fu, but clearly about Li Shishi, the most beautiful woman in the capital who had captivated countless nobles and princes.

His old face immediately plastered with a fawning smile that seemed to drip with honey, and he bowed even lower, replying in a soft voice, "Your Majesty, it is absolutely true. Dr. Mi has always considered himself refined and loves singing with beautiful women. Li, the head singer, has a clear and melodious voice, unparalleled in the music academy, so naturally he was invited."

He recounted the intelligence he had obtained in detail, his eyes sweeping over the official's face. After a slight hesitation, noticing the faint hint of interest in the official's eyes and brows, he cautiously said:
"But...this servant is foolish...if His Majesty held even a slight inclination towards Li Shishi, why go through all this trouble? He only needed to reveal his identity as the Emperor, and not only would she be a court lady, but even a celestial maiden would surely be...surely be..."

The eight words "throwing themselves into your arms, ready for you to take them" rolled on his tongue, but he swallowed them back down, only lowering his waist a little further, the meaning already crystal clear:

If the official were to reveal his identity, Li Shishi would immediately throw herself into his arms and give him whatever he wanted. Why bother going through all this trouble?

Upon hearing this, the official's peculiar smile deepened, like ripples spreading from a pebble thrown into a deep pool, carrying a hint of mockery and self-satisfaction.

He slowly stood up, pretended to dust off the spotless apricot-yellow Taoist robe, took a couple of steps, the tassel of his whisk twirling between his fingers, and said slowly, "Liang Banban, you rootless thing, you never understand the true meaning of this."

"When writing or painting, the worst thing is to be straightforward and tasteless. If you start by splashing out thick ink and colors, filling the entire paper completely, what interest is there?"

"The key lies in 'concealing one's sharpness' and 'leaving blank spaces'!"

The emperor's gaze drifted out the window, as if savoring some rare delicacy: "Women, if they're like wooden blocks, obedient and completely at your mercy, what's the point of life? What I crave is this pleasure I've personally 'asked' for! As the wealthy merchant Zhao Yi, I'll put in some effort and spend some money to make her smile and win her heart..."

"Spending some effort and money to embellish the word 'seeking' is just adding some texture and color to enhance its meaning."

"To win her smile is the 'starting stroke,' to win her heart is the 'writing.' The subtlety and probing, the push and pull, are just like the strokes of the brush on the paper, the variations in ink density and dryness—too little and it's thin, too much and it's lifeless. Only by personally grasping the timing can one know the myriad flavors within. How can it be compared to the rigid, meticulous brushwork of 'receiving imperial favor'?"

"Isn't the maneuvering, probing, and guessing involved, the flirting and feigning reluctance, a hundred times more interesting than something that is readily available?"
"Then, she finally gave me, 'Master Zhao,' a perfunctory look, and half-heartedly complied with her wishes, embracing me with her warm and fragrant body. That was 'lively and graceful'!"

"At this moment, I reveal my identity again... and it's like the cinnabar seal of an emperor is stamped down with a bang—hey! Isn't that a stroke of genius, adding the finishing touch? Making her so happy that her bones melt, that's what you call 'the whole painting comes alive,' exquisitely beautiful!"

Liang Shicheng thought to himself, "What if she doesn't like you? Wouldn't that be a huge embarrassment?"
But the emperor seemed to know what he was thinking. He paused, a strange flush rising to his face. He lowered his voice, a hoarse excitement escaping his throat:

"If... if she insists on being reserved and resistant, treating me, 'Master Zhao,' like a worn-out shoe, and doesn't even lift her eyelids no matter how much gold and silver I pile up in front of her... hehe! Then this 'plain silk' will become 'raw Xuan paper,' impervious to water!"

"When that time comes, I will reveal my supreme status, which is as lofty as the heavens! Guess what will happen? That will be called 'powerful strokes that penetrate the paper'! That will be called 'a risky stroke that turns a corner'!"

"Look at her little face, turning from red to white, from white to green, a mixture of shock, fear, shame, and indignation, yet she had no choice but to force a smile and submit to serve..." "Tsk tsk, that feeling of being torn apart, ecstatic, yet forced to please in every way, is just like a masterpiece, having gone through the chaotic struggle of 'breaking ink' and 'accumulating ink,' finally achieving the wonder of 'awakening and lifting'! It's truly a wonder that's hard to describe to you! Hahaha!"

As the emperor finished speaking, he leaned forward slightly, his fingertips unconsciously tracing lines along the edge of the cloud bed, as if outlining invisible lines, and he almost burst into laughter.

Liang Shicheng's heart trembled as he listened, cold sweat beaded on his back, yet he forced a look of utmost respect onto his face. His back was almost bent over like a boiled shrimp, and his voice was shrill as if tearing silk.

"Heavens! The Emperor's mind is truly exceptional! Such refined taste is beyond the comprehension of ordinary mortals! It is truly... to appreciate the human heart as if admiring the original 'Preface to the Orchid Pavilion,' revealing every detail! To manipulate emotions is like composing Mi Fu's landscape paintings, with varying shades at will!"

"This humble servant is as foolish as a child copying calligraphy, only today realizing that such profound truths are hidden within its flowing strokes! I admire it so much that I wish I could transform into a mirror reflecting the moon and the wind, illuminating Your Majesty's clear mind day and night!"

The emperor was so flattered by this honeyed yet poisonous compliment that every pore on his body felt soothed. He burst into laughter from his core: "Enough, enough! You old monkey, you're always trying to fool me with sweet words! Let's go!"

With a flourish of his sleeves, he moved with the speed of the wind. "Come with me to examine this year's top calligraphers and painters and see whose silk the imperial edicts should be painted! Let me see if these self-proclaimed talented scholars have the same lively spirit of 'the idea precedes the brush,' and 'the feigned indifference' that I possess!"

Having said that, he stood tall and proud like a crane, and took the lead in heading towards the Rui Si Hall.

Liang Shicheng hurriedly tucked his whisk under his arm, hunched over, and took small, shuffling steps, looking exactly like an old dog sniffing at a bone, never daring to stray from the boots, sticking to the back step by step.

The group walked on the gold-brick floor to the Ruisi Hall.

The ministers Mi Fu, Cai Jing, He Zhizhong, Gao Qiu, and Zhu Mian, along with several white-haired, sharp-eyed courtiers from the Hanlin Academy of Painting, were already standing in the hall according to their ranks. Upon seeing the emperor's arrival, they knelt down in unison like waves of wheat swaying in the wind, their shouts of "Long live the emperor!" making the bronze bells at the corners of the hall ring softly.

The emperor's gaze swept over the crowd like a dragonfly skimming the water, then he walked straight to the large sandalwood painting table in the hall, covered with bright yellow brocade. With a flick of his sleeve, he sat down in the mother-of-pearl inlaid dragon-patterned armchair. Liang Shicheng was already standing behind the chair like a ghost, announcing in a shrill voice, "Rise, gentlemen!"

The crowd thanked the emperor and rose, hands at their sides, holding their breath, eyes downcast and mindful of their surroundings. The hall was so quiet that only the crackling of the lamp wick could be heard.

The official slightly raised his eyelids, his gaze like two invisible threads, precisely entangling Mi Fu, who stood at the forefront, his robe sleeves still stained with a few ink marks. He spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of warmth from the flattery he had just received: "Minister Mi..."

Upon hearing the voice, Mi Fu instinctively swayed, hurriedly taking half a step forward and bowing deeply, his ink-stained robe sleeves almost touching the ground: "Your Majesty, I am here! May Your Majesty be well!"

"Hmm," the Emperor casually tapped the smooth rosewood edge of the table with his fingertips, making a soft tapping sound, "I've heard that all the calligraphy and paintings by my students this year are here? Is there anything of exceptional quality that would make one slap the table in admiration or forget to eat?"

Mi Fu's face immediately lit up, his expression like that of a child presenting a treasure, a mixture of madness and pride: "Your Majesty! We have not dared to slacken our efforts, and with painstaking effort, we have selected twenty pieces of calligraphy and painting from the initial screening. Each piece is a rare gem, a masterpiece! Some are like thunderclaps breaking rocks, others like silkworms spinning silk, all are..."

He was about to launch into a long, eloquent speech, quoting extensively from classical texts.

The Emperor waved his hand lightly, cutting him off, a knowing yet amused smile playing on his lips, as if he had already seen through his thoughts: "Minister Mi's 'twenty items'... to me, they sound like old rice that has been sifted several times. Is there any... freshly milled rice, still smelling of dew?"

He emphasized the word "new" and glanced at Mi Fu with a seemingly casual look.

Mi Fu was taken aback by the question at first, then the wrinkles on his thin face blossomed into a wide smile, revealing a smug and mysterious air:
"Oh dear! Your Majesty's mind is as clear as the heavens and your observations are as sharp as the finest details! I was just about to report this when it happened yesterday!"

He rubbed his hands together excitedly, his voice suddenly rising, tinged with a hoarse, excited tone: "Just yesterday at dusk, two 'gems' arrived together! A masterpiece..."

He held up two withered fingers and waved them in front of the emperor, his voice brimming with undisguised elation: "Paintings! Two of them! Both were freshly collected just last night! Upon seeing them, I... I couldn't sleep all night!"

"Oh?" The official raised an eyebrow very slightly, and leaned forward a little while sitting back in his chair.

Although he had already received the intelligence and was no longer surprised, he was still aroused by a sense of curiosity, wanting to know how to treasure it. He lightly tapped his finger on the table:
"Set everything out!"

He paused, his gaze hooked onto Mi Fu: "Especially... these 'twin gems' that you value so highly! I want to take a closer look and see what kind of extraordinary quality they are that could make you, 'Madman Mi'... stay up all night in a frenzy!"

Mi Fu was already gesturing wildly, repeatedly saying, "Quick! Quick! Bring those two paintings up! Be careful! Be meticulous!"

Several eunuchs, holding their breath, carried two sandalwood painting boxes covered with bright yellow brocade cloths, their steps as light as if they were walking on cotton, and placed them on the large table.

All eyes were fixed on the brocade bundle, as if they could see through the silk to catch a glimpse of the "twin gems" that had driven Mi Dianzi mad.

Mi Fu stepped forward personally, his withered fingers trembling almost reverently, and lifted the bright yellow brocade cover from the left side of the painting box.

In an instant, a landscape painting, rendered solely with bold strokes of ink, appeared like a dragon breaking through the clouds, stretching across the palace!
But one can see the peaks and ridges rising one after another, galloping like ten thousand horses racing;
The rivers are vast and meandering, like a jade belt encircling the waist;

The powerful and vigorous brushstrokes, and the unrestrained and flowing ink, made even the glazed palace lanterns in the hall pale in comparison!
The hall was deathly silent, then erupted into suppressed gasps and whispers. Even Cai Jing narrowed his eyes slightly, his fingertips fidgeting in his sleeve.

The official had already risen from his seat, his hands braced on the table, his body leaning forward like a drawn bow, his gaze fixed on the painting like a hawk seizing its prey. The usual playful languor on his face had vanished, leaving only a pure, burning, almost greedy focus.

He moved his gaze inch by inch along the lines of the painting, as if holding his breath.

After a long while, he slowly straightened up, exhaled a long breath, and his eyes shone brightly, even carrying a hint of admiration: "Good!"

"The layout is grand and expansive, truly capturing the essence of the 'three distances'! The lofty distance is imposing, the deep distance is profound and secluded, and the level distance is expansive... It is a seamless whole, as if created by nature!"

He pointed sharply at a waterfall in the middle of the scroll: "Look at this waterfall! The waterfall hangs like a white ribbon in the air, the brushstrokes carrying the force of a thousand pounds cleaving down, yet at the turning point, the hardness turns into softness, with the 'chaotic firewood' and 'rolling cloud' texture strokes intertwined and broken together! The steaming mist rushes towards you! Masterful! Extremely skillful!"

His speech quickened, brimming with the excitement of discovering a gem, his fingertips dancing across the rocks and trees: "The rock texture technique combines the grandeur of the Northern School with the elegance of the Southern School! It blends strength and softness, with balanced structure! The trees are rendered with varying shades of ink, creating a clear sense of depth and layering. Distant trees appear like smoke, while nearby branches are vigorous, demonstrating a deep understanding of the 'gathering three and five' technique—chaotic yet not scattered! Wonderful!"

"Wonderful!"

However, when his gaze fell upon the solitary, pale-inked sun hanging alone in the sky in the upper right corner of the painting, his admiration suddenly cooled. His brows furrowed, and his lips curled into a sneer: "A pearl covered in dust, a flaw in a flawless jade! This 'setting sun' is weak and listless, its ink dissipated! Hanging above this vast expanse of river and sky, it doesn't resemble a magnificent golden crow setting in the west, but rather... like an exhausted and senile old man, dragging his feet and weary! It ruins the grandeur of this unified land! Remove it! It should be removed immediately!"

"The skill in this calligraphy is like a century-old vintage wine, profound and powerful; yet in its immaturity... it is like a newly polished blade, its sharpness fully revealed, unable to conceal the youthful spirit!"

"Interesting, really interesting!"

"What a pity, what a real pity!"

The official shook his head and said, "Indeed! The essence of this painting, its spirit, its soul, does not lie in black and white, but only in green! Only in the green of a thousand peaks vying for verdant green and ten thousand valleys flowing with gold!"

"If this mountain were not adorned with azurite at its summit, how could it display the vitality of a smiling spring mountain and a dripping summer mountain? If this water were not tinged with phthalo blue to reveal its breadth and emerald green to adorn its banks, how could it reveal the charm of clear autumn waters and deep winter waters? If this forest were not layered with emerald green, green top green, and green secondary green, how could it reveal its lush and verdant nature and the profound meaning of changing with the four seasons!"

"I want to be completely transformed, to rise from the dead!"

The official abruptly sat up, his gaze piercing, and uttered four words that carried immense weight:
"Only this green!"

The Emperor's four-word mantra, like the resounding strains of a great bell, echoed endlessly among the carved beams and painted rafters. The deathly silence within the hall lasted only a moment, then exploded like boiling oil poured into cold water!

Which one of you here isn't a master who has been immersed in calligraphy and painting for decades and has an extremely high opinion of yourself?

Cai Jing's sophistication, Mi Fu's madness, He Zhizhong's sycophancy, Gao Qiu's flattery, and the Hanlin scholars' meticulous study of ancient methods... Even though they flattered each other in daily life, they might not truly admire anyone in their hearts.

However, at this moment, the official's insightful and fundamental analysis, which even revealed the secret to turning stone into gold on that black and white skeleton, was truly profound!
Although Gao Qiu couldn't understand the painting or the words, he knew what to do at this moment, so he hurriedly shouted, "Your Majesty's mind is enlightened, and you are a genius! Your Majesty... is truly our teacher for all ages!"

Cai Jing bowed deeply, his usually calculating face now displaying heartfelt sincerity, his voice filled with unprecedented respect:
"Your Majesty's judgment is profound! Your insightful observations illuminate the subtle and the profound, pointing directly to the Great Dao! This discourse is like the sun breaking through the clouds, sweeping away the confusion we have held for decades! Green and blue are the soul, ink and black are the spirit—this is the supreme principle of painting! Your Majesty... I prostrate myself in admiration!"

Mi Fu was so excited that he trembled all over, repeatedly chanting frantically, "Only this green! Only this green!"

The heartfelt praise and admiration from the other Hanlin scholars and calligraphy and painting experts surged like a tide in the hall.
The Emperor stood with his hands behind his back on the steps of the palace. There was no hint of pride on his face. He simply raised his sleeve and casually waved it downwards.

"Alright. Let's look at the next one."

The tone was as indifferent as instructing someone to change the tea.

But this instantly put everyone's hearts on the edge of their seats, their eyes fixed on the second mysterious painting box—what exactly does it look like, one of the "twin masterpieces" that Mi Fu could place alongside this stunning ink painting and that also kept him up all night?

Mi Fu jolted awake, as if from a dream. He hastily wiped the tears and snot from his face with his sleeve, his voice still choked with emotion: "Yes! Yes! Your Majesty, I... Your Majesty, I will present it to you immediately!"

He crawled on his hands and feet toward the second painting box, his withered fingers trembling again with intense anticipation.

[Thank you, everyone! Your support has secured our place in the top 4 of the all-time charts! I'll release even more chapters soon!]

(End of this chapter)