Let Dugu Xiaojin and Dongfang Jin compete in painting?
Xiao Junci really has ill intentions.
Feng Bailing could hardly resist the urge to smash the teacup in front of her onto Xiao Junci’s hateful face.
She never regretted saving anyone in her life, except for Xiao Junci.
"I am afraid Xiaojin cannot comply."
Dugu Xiaojin shook his head.
Drawing lotus was nothing special; he just disliked Xiao Junci’s arrogant tone.
The only ones who could make Dugu Xiaojin willingly do something were his family members.
"Dugu Xiaojin, are you scared?"
As soon as Dongfang Jin heard this, he got excited. Ever since he left the Imperial Academy, he heard that Dugu Xiaojin became the top of the Tiantong Class and even taught his group of friends a lesson.
Indeed when the tiger is away the monkeys proclaim themselves king.
Sacrificial Officer Guo always praised Dugu Xiaojin as the top of the Tiantong Class, and Dongfang Jin wanted to prove he was much better than Dugu Xiaojin.
His grandfather, the Old Grand Preceptor, was very skilled at drawing lotuses, and when he first learned to walk, the Old Grand Preceptor taught him how to draw lotuses.
Dugu Xiaojin pursed his lips.
"Jinjin, Xiaojin might not know how to draw a lotus flower, don’t push him too hard."
Nalan Yan’er pretended to be unhappy.
"Xiaojin, since the Imperial Grandson wants to paint with you, just accompany him."
Feng Bailing gave Dugu Xiaojin an encouraging look.
Dugu Xiaojin looked at Feng Bailing and nodded vigorously.
The Duchess Chen immediately ordered people to bring tables and painting materials.
"If it’s a competition, let’s add some fun, both painting and poetry. There are many great scholars from Great Chu present. Let’s limit the painting time to the duration of one teacup. The topic will be summer lotus. If anyone can create an excellent quatrain, this King will reward one thousand gold taels."
Xiao Junci swept his eagle eyes over the audience and paused.
One thousand gold taels!
The officials present, especially Feng Zhanlian, couldn’t help but brighten their eyes.
This Regent King from the North is truly extravagant; one thousand gold taels rewarded just like that.
Feng Zhanlian almost immediately thought of the two quatrains previously mentioned by Feng Bailing.
Knowing Feng Bailing’s greed, he was sure she would help Dugu Xiaojin with the poem.
Feng Zhanlian was becoming restless.
Seeing Dugu Xiaojin and Dongfang Jin begin painting, Feng Zhanlian quietly stood up, took a wine cup, and pretended to make a toast, heading towards Nalan Yan’er’s table.
He whispered a few words beside Nalan Yan’er.
Nalan Yan’er’s face revealed a look of surprise, and her eyes suddenly brightened looking at Feng Zhanlian.
One teacup’s time to paint a picture may seem easy, but it is not.
Lotuses come in thousands of forms, each with their own beauty. How should one paint and capture which form?
Xiao Junci slowly sipped his tea, but his eagle eyes occasionally rested on the two people bent over their paintings.
At the end of the tea time, when Xiao Junci put down his teacup, Dongfang Jin and Dugu Xiaojin had also finished their paintings.
Duchess Chen hastily went forward, took down their paintings, and after the ink dried, brought them back up.
"The paintings are completed, how are the poems from those present?"
Xiao Junci said with a smile.
The great scholars present were eager to try, after all, it was one thousand gold taels.
"Let me warn you first, if your poems assault my ears, don’t blame this King for being rude."
Xiao Junci played with the tea cup in his hand.
At these words, the great scholars immediately quieted down.
Only Feng Zhanlian confidently stepped forward, stroking his whiskers.
He bowed to Xiao Junci.
"Regent King, I have composed a poem and wish to dedicate it to the Imperial Grandson’s painting."
Sisters Feng Xiangxue and Feng Ruoyan were also pleased, isn’t this what their father (great uncle) is always quick in producing excellent works?
Feng Xiangxue straightened up slightly, her beautiful eyes full of rivalry, as she glanced at Feng Bailing.
"Then we shall rely on Prince Consort Feng."
Xiao Junci then looked towards the crowd, particularly rotating his gaze on Dugu Wu’s face.
"Young Master Dugu has also painted a picture, is there anyone willing to compose a poem for his painting?"
Dugu Xiaojin stood in the arena, but the great scholars around him didn’t dare utter a sound.
Not only because of Xiao Junci’s intimidating talk, but Feng Zhanlian’s "Dedicated to Guo Jijiu" was simply too stunning, they doubted they could produce a better poem. Moreover, they did not dare to offend the Crown Princess Consort and the Imperial Grandson because of the son of Prince Wu.
Dugu Xiaojin stood there, utterly alone.
Dongfang Lianhua, as the grandmother, couldn’t bear to watch this anymore.
At that moment, just as someone stood up.