The Splendid Brocade of the Painting Physician – Chapter 78

Chapter 78: Chen Xu Summons Her

Gao Changgong’s expression immediately changed when he heard Yuwen Hui’s request. He continued, “Master Yuwen, that Divine Physician Lady is just a commoner woman, not a servant of the Eastern Palace. How can you summon her at will without considering her wishes?”

Hearing this, Yuwen Zhi seemed to have discovered something extraordinary and added, “Prince of Lanling is so nervous. Could it be that the Prince of Lanling also likes this kind of beauty?”

“Wouldn’t that be even better? Since we all like her, let’s call her to the Eastern Palace and let us all enjoy her beauty!”

Yuwen Hui actually made such a blunt request.

Crown Prince Chen Shubao was still hesitant when a palace attendant shouted, “His Majesty has arrived——”

As this sharp whistle came, a tall figure slowly approached, surrounded by a group of guards.

This was the new emperor of the Chen Dynasty, Chen Xu. Approaching the age of forty, Chen Xu was well-maintained. Although he had a beard, his face was handsome and elegant, vaguely showing the handsome features of his youth. At this time, he was not wearing the imperial robe that symbolized his status as emperor, but a wide-sleeved shirt and white trousers like the scholars, and a white gauze hat.

When Chen Xu entered the Eastern Palace, Chen Shubao, Chen Shuling, Chen Bogu, and a group of scholars from the Eastern Palace immediately went up to greet him.

“This son was unaware of Father Emperor’s arrival and failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive this son’s offense!” Crown Prince Chen Shubao bowed.

“Greetings, Your Majesty!” The rest of the people all bowed in unison.

Chen Xu looked at the numerous officials of the Eastern Palace, as well as the envoys from the Qi and Zhou states, smiled slightly, and raised his hand, saying, “Gentlemen, please rise! There’s no need for formalities. Please return to your respective positions!”

“Today, I am not here to see you as the Son of Heaven. Like you, I am here today to drink wine, recite poetry, and appreciate beautiful women!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” A scholar replied with a chuckle, picking up a cup of fine wine and draining it first.

“Oh, yes, what beauty were you talking about just now? What kind of beauty could actually win the favor of the Prince of Lanling?”

Chen Xu suddenly asked. In fact, he didn’t care what kind of beauty it was. He had seen too many beauties in his life. He had even seen the most beautiful woman of the Southern Liang Dynasty, Princess Liyang, and his elder brother’s most beloved male favorite, Han Zigao. He had given one of them as a gift to the powerful official of the Eastern Wei at that time, and the other died at his hands.

The most beautiful people or things in this world were just fleeting clouds. When he was young, he would be obsessed with them, but when he reached a certain age, he would feel that it was nothing more than that.

There was only one thing that he could never forget, no matter how the world changed, even if a beauty turned into bones.

Hearing the Southern Dynasty emperor ask this question, Yuwen Hui didn’t hide anything and said directly, “Your Majesty, we have long heard that the noble women of Jiankang are known for their beauty, and the Divine Physician Lady, who has recently become famous in Jiankang, is the daughter of the eldest legitimate daughter of the Lanling Xiao Clan. I heard that this woman is not only skilled in medicine, but also learned a unique skill called painting and dance, which can be called a masterpiece. Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to summon this woman to meet us.”

It was “summon,” not “invite.” Such an unreasonable request was already very arrogant.

This Yuwen Hui had really bullied Chen Xu’s family when he was a hostage. He actually dared to make demands of the emperor of the Chen state! Yuwen Xun saw that Chen Xu’s expression had obviously changed and quickly reprimanded Yuwen Hui, “What nonsense! How can such a trivial matter trouble His Majesty? If you truly admire her reputation, you can visit her in person another day!”

After speaking, he bowed to Chen Xu again and said, “My younger brother is arrogant and rude, making Your Majesty laugh. Your Majesty doesn’t have to pay attention to such a rude request!”

Yuwen Hui frowned in annoyance.

At this time, Chen Xu actually asked, “If she doesn’t come today, will you personally go to visit her another day?”

When he asked this question, Chen Xu saw from the corner of his eye that Gao Changgong had already clenched his fists.

Yuwen Xun smiled and said, “Just talking, just talking. Your Majesty, don’t take it seriously!”

Chen Xu smiled ambiguously and actually said, “It just so happens that I also want to meet this Divine Physician recently!”

What kind of woman was she that she could cause such a stir in Jiankang in less than two months, making both Prince of Lanling and Minister Xu Ling speak for her, forcing him to temporarily dismiss Xiao Jian from his position as Regular Attendant and confine his own sister, Princess Yunyin?

Especially Xu Ling, who had also shown him a painting: “Spring scenery fills the garden, unable to be contained, a branch of red apricot leans over the wall!”

He had only seen such divine brushwork in one person before!

Although talented people emerged in every generation, he still didn’t believe it. He didn’t believe that there was anyone in this world who could surpass her!

Chen Xu’s words made everyone present ponder:

He wanted to meet her too? If the emperor of the Chen state also took a fancy to this Divine Physician Lady, what would it have to do with them?

They couldn’t possibly compete with the emperor of the Chen state for a beauty, could they?

Chen Shuling’s face darkened even more. He didn’t know what to feel in his heart and secretly cursed Chen Bogu for coming up with such a bad idea. Now, not only could he not use the Zhou envoy to seize that young lady, but he had also made a bunch of “rivals in love”!

Now, even his father had taken a fancy to her!

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When the eunuch brought Chen Xu’s edict to the Xiao Residence, Xiao Jian and Princess Yunyin were in a fit of anger. Since Princess Yunyin couldn’t leave the residence, Xiao Jian went out alone to receive the edict. He thought that His Majesty had pardoned them and reinstated him to his former position. Xiao Jian was overjoyed, but when the eunuch asked, “Where is your granddaughter Xiao Jinyu? His Majesty wants to summon her!” Xiao Jian was completely stunned!

“Looking for her? But she’s not at the Xiao Residence?”

“She’s your Xiao family granddaughter. Where else would she be if not at the Xiao Residence?”

“Although she’s my Xiao family granddaughter, she wants to separate the family. I can’t do anything about it! Eunuch Wu, look…”

“Separate the family?” Eunuch Wu didn’t care about separating the family. The most important thing now was to find this young lady. So he pulled Xiao Jian and said, “No, Regular Attendant Xiao, you have to take me to find her. His Majesty specifically said that your granddaughter must go to the Eastern Palace today. If I can’t even handle this small matter, how can I have the face to see His Majesty!”

Xiao Jian was helpless and was forced to take Eunuch Wu to the West Stream Alley where the Early Spring Courtyard was located. He saw that the plaque with the words “Early Spring Courtyard” above the courtyard had long been replaced. Now it was hung with the two large characters “Xiao Residence,” and these two characters were written with vigorous strokes, unrestrained and handsome, quite like the style of the Two Wangs. Xiao Jian was actually mesmerized for a moment.

Not only that, the gate of the residence with the words “Xiao Residence” was also covered with white silk and curtains, as if a funeral had just been held.

Eunuch Wu felt ominous when he saw this, but he had to complete his task and had to stay. Just as he was about to move forward, he saw a person suddenly fall from the top of the courtyard.

“Who are you? What are you doing here?” A thin young man stopped in front of the gate and shouted.

The eunuch immediately said with a smile, “By His Majesty’s oral decree, summoning Regular Attendant Xiao’s granddaughter, Xiao Jinyu, to the Eastern Palace to meet His Majesty!”

“What oral decree? Whose oral decree? My lady is busy today and is not seeing anyone!”

Chase Wind, who was guarding the gate, said rudely.

Xiao Jian was anxious and quickly stepped forward, saying, “Where did you come from, kid? You don’t even know His Majesty’s oral decree. This is an edict from His Majesty, and you have to obey it. Go tell your lady that His Majesty wants to summon her!”

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“His Majesty wants to summon me? Chen Xu?” Xiao Jinyu was also surprised when she heard the news.

Chen Xu, who was now the emperor, couldn’t possibly want to see her, a young lady with no official position, for no reason. Someone must have said something in front of him to make him summon her.

“I heard that the Zhou and Qi envoys are all attending a banquet at Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace today, and His Majesty also went. I don’t know what they talked about, but His Majesty actually sent an edict…”

Before Fenghuang finished speaking, an arrow shot diagonally from the sky and plunged into the threshold with a thud. Just as he was about to chase after it, Ling Ye brought a person in.

Xiao Jinyu saw that this person was the little guard by Prince of Lanling’s side!

“Let me go, let me go! I’m your lady’s benefactor. I testified for your lady before!”

Xiao Jinyu smiled, “Let him go.”

Ling Ye obeyed and let go. Lu Yu immediately walked up to Xiao Jinyu and said, “Lady, you’ve really made a name for yourself recently. You’ve attracted a lot of trouble. My lord asked me to give you a message, ‘A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind.’ As the saying goes, ‘Possessing a jade attracts trouble.’ Lady, you have medical skills, talent, and beauty, and you are bound to become the target of those powerful people!

Lady, think carefully about how you should meet His Majesty of the Chen state. Now, not only are the Zhou and Qi envoys present at the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace, but also Prince of Shixing and many scholars.”

“Okay, thank you for telling me! And thank your lord for me!”

Seeing her beautiful face with a faint smile, Lu Yu couldn’t help but smile as well. He felt his heartbeat slow down and quickly bowed before leaving. He was still sighing in his heart: “My God, with such beauty, I’m afraid that those powerful people in the Eastern Palace will pounce on her like hungry wolves. How can this young lady have any peace?”

“A’yu, I’ll go with you.” After Lu Yu left, Xiao Xian said with a worried look.

Xiao Jinyu smiled and nodded, then looked at Fenghuang.

“Disguise me again. I still want my mother’s face, but make it look pale and haggard.”