The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 158

Chapter 158: The Reward She Wants, A Direct Confrontation

It has begun!

Two blank sheets of Zuo Bo paper, more than seven feet long, were spread out in front of the two.

Xiao Jinyu calmly picked up her brush and ground the ink. Her gaze swept over the crowd at the banquet once more. Just like the last time at Chen Shubao’s Eastern Palace, she imprinted the expressions of each person in her mind and meticulously transferred them onto the scroll, stroke by stroke.

As her sleeves danced while grinding the ink, a fluid and graceful elegance flowed from the tip of her brush.

As she painted, the banquet hall fell silent. Everyone’s gaze was fixated on her, their expressions intensely focused.

“So beautiful! So this is how Fourth Sister-in-law paints. Truly as beautiful as a painting herself!” Gao Yanzong couldn’t help but sigh.

Gao Xiaoheng and Gao Xiaowan were also stunned.

“Truly breathtaking! This is the perfect fusion of dance and painting. Watching her paint is a delight!”

Amidst the shocked and captivated gazes of the nobles, Gao Zhan, who had been lost in thought for a long time, suddenly became excited. He looked at Gao Changgong and laughed,

“Changgong, I remember you play the vertical flute quite well. Why don’t you play a tune for your princess consort to liven things up?”

Without considering whether Lanling Wang was willing or not, Gao Zhan directly ordered someone to bring a jade flute and asked him to play.

If it were an ordinary banquet, Gao Changgong could have directly refused this unreasonable request. However, seeing Xiao Jinyu exuding a captivating confidence through her dance and painting, he couldn’t help but pick up the flute and play.

The melody was like a gentle breeze rustling through the forest, like a clear spring flowing, subtly reaching the ears of everyone at the banquet. The listeners felt their minds and bodies relax, their spirits refreshed. It was as if a magnificent landscape unfolded before their eyes, vast and boundless, a beauty beyond compare.

Everyone knew Lanling Wang was handsome and valiant, having trained soldiers in the military camp since childhood. However, few knew that he was also well-versed in music, a man of both literary and martial talents.

Xiao Jinyu also felt his encouragement through the music. Occasionally, when she looked up, she couldn’t help but smile at him.

At this moment, anyone could see the unbreakable trust and affection between them.

Gao Zhan’s expression was unreadable, while He Shikai and Lu Lingxuan watched the two with unpredictable gazes.

Finally, the melody ended, and Xiao Jinyu finished the last stroke of her painting.

This time, she had painted with great care and concentration, and as a result, she was somewhat exhausted after finishing.

Lanling Wang, noticing her fatigue, quickly wrapped his arm around her waist to steady her.

At this time, several people had gathered around the unfurled painting on the ground, led by Gao Zhan and Zu Ting, with Gao Xiaoheng squeezing to the front. As if afraid of damaging the scroll, Gao Xiaoheng carefully blocked those behind him, standing still beside the painting.

Everyone who saw it was astonished and sighed in admiration!

“This is not just placing the entire Ice Well Terrace into the painting, but every flower, every blade of grass, every person’s expression is so lifelike!”

“Such a vivid painting, the first I’ve ever seen!” Gao Xiaoheng couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Zu, the Assistant Minister of the Secretariat, where is your painting?” Gao Yanzong asked.

Zu Ting’s face darkened. He was known for his paintings of peaches, and it was through such a painting that he had attracted the attention of Gao Zhan, who was then still Prince of Changguang, gaining his appreciation. Later, with Lady Lu’s recommendation, he had attained his current position as Assistant Minister of the Secretariat. However, after seeing this painting by the Princess Consort of Lanling, Zu Ting’s confidence visibly diminished.

He had never seen such a lifelike work… It was simply too divine, as if it were real!

At this time, Gao Zhan had ordered someone to bring both paintings before him for close examination.

After looking at them for a long time, the young emperor suddenly fell silent, his expression unreadable.

The banquet hall became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard, and everyone’s breathing grew tense. Finally, Gao Zhan let out a sigh.

“I used to think that Xiao Zheng’s paintings were unmatched, but today I realize there are always people better than others, and skies beyond skies!”

“Princess Consort of Lanling, I want this painting. I wish to reward you. What do you desire?”

He spoke with sudden seriousness, then abruptly changed his tone, “However, what you said about seeking justice for your husband, Lanling Wang, doesn’t count. The matter of the forged imperial edict is a case that should be investigated by the Court of Judicial Review before a verdict is reached!”

“You should think of another reward.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Jinyu said in a loud voice,

“Then Your Majesty, reward me with a position as a female official!”

What?

These words were like a bolt from the blue, echoing in everyone’s ears.

Gao Zhan couldn’t believe his ears.

“What did you say?” he asked again.

Even her husband, Lanling Wang, had a surprised look on his face. Clearly, this was a spontaneous decision by Xiao Jinyu, something no one had expected.

“Since Your Majesty asked what reward I desire, then reward me with a position as a female official!”

Xiao Jinyu repeated her words, her voice even louder!

This time, not only did Gao Zhan hear clearly, but all the nobles on the Ice Well Terrace did as well!

Some of the noblewomen who had accompanied their husbands couldn’t help but cover their mouths and chuckle.

Other young ladies would ask for silks, satins, or jewelry as rewards. This young lady, however, directly asked the emperor for an official position!

“This Princess Consort of Lanling is too unreasonable, asking the emperor for an official position. What kind of official can a delicate woman be?”

“Could it be that she’ll paint for the emperor every day? Become a civil official specializing in painting?”

“That’s too funny!”

“Shouldn’t Lanling Wang control his wife a little?”

Gao Changgong also looked at Xiao Jinyu inquiringly. Xiao Jinyu simply gave him a reassuring look.

At this moment, she gracefully stepped forward and said with a solemn expression,

“Your Majesty, I’ve heard that Lady Lu once prayed for rain and brought timely rainfall to Qi, thus earning her title as Lady of the Commandery. I dare to do the same, to pray for rain for Qi and relieve the drought in Yecheng!”

She had heard from Gao Changgong that currently, within a thirty-li radius around Yecheng, all the land outside the various wards was public land.

Public land meant that all the grain harvested by farmers had to be turned over to the national treasury.

However, it had not rained in Yecheng for a whole month, and a severe drought had struck. Gao Zhan was worried about this and had asked Lu Lingxuan to pray for rain, but she always said it wasn’t the right time yet!

Hearing Xiao Jinyu offer to pray for rain for Qi, he didn’t know whether to be more surprised or delighted!

Moreover, what made him even more incredulous was that such bold words came from the mouth of a woman!

“Can you really pray for rain?” Gao Zhan asked, finding it somewhat amusing.

“Princess Consort of Lanling, you mustn’t speak recklessly before the emperor. If you fail to bring rain, it will be a crime of deceiving the emperor!”

At this moment, He Shikai finally spoke, and his words aimed to condemn her to death!

For a moment, all the nobles in the hall were stunned into silence. No one had expected this Princess Consort of Lanling to have the audacity to offer to pray for rain!

Was she really not afraid that if she failed, the emperor would kill her?

This was no joking matter!

Even Gao Yanzong, Gao Xiaowan, and Gao Xiaoheng were filled with worry and fear.

Unexpectedly, Gao Zhan said, “Yantong, you’re exaggerating. She’s just a woman, occasionally acting a little willful, I can overlook it. Moreover, she’s a talented woman. You accuse her of deceiving the emperor, what do you want me to do? Kill her?”

As soon as Gao Zhan said this, He Shikai felt a sense of foreboding. He thought to himself: This woman has just gained favor in front of Gao Zhan, it seems I can’t be too hasty!

“Yes, Your Majesty, I was speaking recklessly! It’s commendable that the Princess Consort of Lanling has the courage to offer to pray for rain. It shows her sincere concern for the country and its people!” He Shikai immediately changed his tune.

At this time, Gao Zhan turned to Xiao Jinyu.

“Princess Consort of Lanling, do you really want to be an official?”

Xiao Jinyu nodded earnestly, “Yes, and I’m willing to make a wager. In three days, if I fail to bring rain, I’ll accept any punishment. If I succeed, I want the position of Director of Astronomy, and one wish!”

“One wish?” Gao Zhan asked, puzzled, “What wish?”

Xiao Jinyu knelt down and respectfully requested, “I only have this one life, and I only wish to be the wife of Lanling Wang, Gao Changgong. I hope Your Majesty will grant my wish!”

What does she mean? She’s already disfigured, is she afraid that I’ll snatch her from Gao Changgong?

“Fine, fine, I grant you permission to hold your wedding in Yecheng. Choose an auspicious day yourselves and have the ceremony!”

Gao Changgong was overjoyed. Gao Zhan couldn’t help but glance at him again, thinking to himself: This Gao Changgong is truly a devoted lover. The woman he chose, although she was a beauty, is now disfigured. Yet he doesn’t care at all and treasures her like a precious gem!

“Changgong, take your wife and go.”

Gao Changgong acknowledged the order and, taking Xiao Jinyu’s hand, was about to leave when he heard Lu Lingxuan shout, “Wait—”

✿✿✿

Xiao Jinyu abruptly turned to look at her.

Lu Lingxuan slowly walked out from among the nobles and said with a smile, “Aren’t you two celebrating a bit too early? If I heard correctly, you said that if you bring rain, His Majesty will grant you an official position and fulfill your wish. But what if you fail?”

“What do you want?” Xiao Jinyu retorted.

Lu Lingxuan smiled.

“There must be punishment where there is reward. If you fail to bring rain, then I will handle you. What do you think, Your Majesty?”

As she spoke, she turned her gaze to Gao Zhan.

“If I fail to bring rain, I am willing to die before Your Majesty!”

It was like a bolt from the blue, echoing across the Ice Well Terrace. Gao Changgong looked at Xiao Jinyu in disbelief, thinking to himself: Why make such a heavy oath?

Lu Lingxuan also seemed surprised, looking at Xiao Jinyu with a smile tinged with disbelief.

“Good! You said it yourself!”

“I did, and I never lie!”

After saying this, Xiao Jinyu turned to Gao Zhan.

“Your Majesty is the ruler of a nation, your word is your bond. Please be present as a witness in three days. If I succeed, please fulfill my wish. If I fail, I am willing to die!”

With that, Xiao Jinyu took Gao Changgong’s hand and walked towards the exit of the Ice Well Terrace. At this moment, none of the nobles and their wives dared to speak, all stunned by the words of this Princess Consort of Lanling.

Was she really willing to die for an official position?

Someone couldn’t help but sigh: She is truly a talented woman, and she should have been a stunning beauty as well!

It would be a shame if she were to perish like this!

Before they had gone far, they heard Lu Lingxuan’s voice again,

“Xiao Jinyu, if my information is correct, your mother was Xiao Luan, a Third Rank female official during the reign of Emperor Wenxuan of Qi!”

“So, are you aiming to be the second Xiao Luan?”

These words made Xiao Jinyu abruptly stop. At the same time, even Gao Zhan looked at her with surprise.

“I’ve inquired about some of your affairs in Chen. You possess exceptional medical skills. You even cured your maternal uncle, Xiao Xian, who had been paralyzed for over ten years and was not expected to live past twenty-five. So, can it be that your facial injury truly cannot be healed?”

“Or are you deliberately trying to hide your true appearance?”

As Lu Lingxuan continued to question her, Gao Zhan’s eyes narrowed slightly, and whispers began to circulate around them.

“What does Lady Lu mean by that?”

“This Princess Consort of Lanling knows medicine?”

“…”

“Zu, the Assistant Minister of the Secretariat, is also skilled in medicine. Should we have him take a look at you?”

Amidst the murmurs, Lu Lingxuan offered her provocative suggestion with a smile.

Gao Changgong could no longer contain his anger and shouted coldly, “Get lost! My princess consort, whoever dares to touch her will face my wrath!”

This shout made Zu Ting hesitate to approach, and it also made all the nobles present realize how much Gao Changgong valued this Southern Dynasty woman he had married.

Even Gao Zhan was somewhat moved.

“Changgong—”

Xiao Jinyu grabbed his hand and shook her head at him before turning to Lu Lingxuan.

“Whether it can be healed or not is none of Lady Lu’s concern. The key issue is not whether this injury can be healed, but why I sustained this injury in the first place, isn’t it?”

“Lanling Wang and I risked our lives to return to Yecheng. Why should the murderer be allowed to roam free and even have the audacity to question whether this injury can be healed?”

“Lady Lu, didn’t you also bribe the notorious assassin Nie Yinniang to hunt down and kill me and Changgong?”

Having said this, Xiao Jinyu felt there was no need to continue. She tightly held Gao Changgong’s hand and walked towards the exit, while Gao Changgong, seemingly weary of such a banquet, simply swept her up in his arms and strode out of the Ice Well Terrace.

Gao Yanzong glared angrily at Lu Lingxuan and He Shikai before chasing after Lanling Wang.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall became strange and tense. Xiao Jinyu’s words seemed to linger in the air, echoing within the Ice Well Terrace. Soon, the other nobles, filled with speculation and doubt, also dispersed.

After the ministers had left, Gao Zhan turned his gaze to He Shikai and Lu Lingxuan.

“Was this done by the two of you?” he asked.

“Your Majesty, it truly wasn’t me. Even if I had a hundred lives, I wouldn’t dare steal Your Majesty’s jade seal and forge an imperial edict!”

He Shikai clung to Gao Zhan’s leg and wailed, looking utterly wronged.

“Enough, enough. I know you well. Investigate who forged the imperial edict and hand them over to the Court of Judicial Review for punishment. I still have use for Gao Changgong, and this matter must be addressed!”

“Yes!”

“And what about you, Lady Lu?” Gao Zhan turned to ask.

Before Lu Lingxuan could answer, a seven or eight-year-old boy ran over from behind and pleaded, “Father Emperor, don’t blame Elder Sister. Everything she does is for the sake of our great Qi. She wouldn’t do anything to wrong you!”

This was Crown Prince Gao Wei! Gao Wei’s affection for Lu Lingxuan had already surpassed that for his own mother, Empress Hu.

This was one of the reasons why Gao Zhan was so tolerant of Lu Lingxuan.

Now that he had asked, Lu Lingxuan smiled and admitted frankly, “Your Majesty, I did send people to assassinate the Princess Consort of Lanling. It’s because I consulted the shaman in the Bronze Sparrow Palace, and the shaman divined that this woman from the Southern Dynasty possessed a beauty that could topple empires and might pose a threat to our great Qi. So, I was simply eliminating a hidden danger for Your Majesty!”

“What beauty that could topple empires? With her looks ruined like that, only Gao Changgong would treasure her.” Gao Zhan scoffed.

Although this woman did have some talent…

“Your Majesty, whether her beauty is truly ruined is yet to be determined!”

Gao Zhan’s eyes narrowed as he asked, “You mean, she’s deliberately concealing her true appearance?”

“Your Majesty, my spies report that during her time in Chen, her true appearance was not revealed until the very moment she married Lanling Wang and left Jiankang. It was then that her reputation as a beauty surpassing all others spread!”

Hearing this, Gao Zhan felt an inexplicable irritation. Even if she were truly a beauty, so what? Gao Changgong treasured her so much, and this young lady had clearly used a trick on him today, using the matter of praying for rain to secure her wish to be Lanling Wang’s wife for life!

Thinking about it this way, he felt it was rather ridiculous!

Could she really bring rain?

Note: During the Northern Qi Dynasty, it was customary to address one’s mother as “elder sister.” Gao Wei addressed Lu Lingxuan as “Dry Mother” or “Elder Sister.”