Pei Wanyue spoke instinctively and was shocked after saying that. As such, she immediately knelt before Zhao Xuanjing.
The crowd could not help but frown. There was no such a rule in the academy.
Even if the Crown Prince came, everyone would just bow while cupping their hands. Barely anyone knelt unless they committed a major offense.
However, Pei Wanyue knelt as soon as she spoke. She knew too little of the Royal Academy's rules. She was a coward.
Qi Huai and the rest were rather confused too. "Don't be afraid, Young Lady Pei.. Just tell how Xie Qiao usually bullies you and how she forged the painting."
Zhao Xuanjing smirked sarcastically.
"You'll be punished if you misspeak." His voice came slowly while his eyes were filled with chilliness. There was a sliver of mockery too, making one not daring to look at him.
Pei Wanyue panicked.
"A-at the Xie Residence…" Pei Wanyue panicked. Her heart sank when she recalled the Crown Prince knew about the jade.
"Sister really didn't bully me. It was my fault. I was impulsive. It was my fault that I was chased out of the house."
Pei Wanyue really did not expect the Crown Prince to come.
Why did the Crown Prince happen to be here!?
She could only bite the bullet now. "The painting… Actually, I've no idea of its authenticity. Sister only showed it back then. I can't tell as I've little knowledge of it."
Qi Huai and the rest felt as if a sword stabbed their chests.
What did she mean?
She had been spreading the rumor as if it was a fact with solid proof, had she not!?
Zhao Xuanjing scoffed and walked over to roll open the painting.
"It's a Joy of Living painting. Master Yun Wei painted the five livestock that the people raise. This is a good painting. I looked at it a few times a couple of days ago. Looking at this painting is like seeing the scene of the people living a joyful life. I felt happy. I was going to give it to Father to make him happy. You guys are telling me that it's forged?"
Zhao Xuanjing was really admiring the painting.
Although he was siding with Xie Qiao, he was complimenting the painting sincerely.
There was no mountain nor river in the painting, but it was surprisingly beautiful.
There were up to 100 people in the painting. One could see the emotions in almost every person's expressions. It was like heaven on earth.
Such a simple scene, yet one could not take their eyes off it. Perhaps the genius Master Yun Wei was the only one who could paint such a thing.
The writing as well—it was majestic and arrogant, like a clap of thunder and violent wind.
Master Yun Wei might have been an extraordinarily generous person instead of a lazy man.
"Your Highness is right. When we received this painting, a couple of teachers from the academy appraised it. No matter the handwriting or the writing style, it belongs to Master Yun Wei, and Master Yun Wei only. It's definitely authentic," another teacher said immediately.
Since so many people were testifying, how could they still suspect that the painting was forged?
Qi Huai's face paled directly.
The crowd's reaction was considered to be fast. They cupped their hands and bowed immediately to say, "We were foolish and impulsive. We hope Your Highness will forgive us!"
Xie Qiao smirked slightly. "You guys are quite foolish."
The crowd was stunned.
"Do you guys think I'm an idiot? To be giving a forged item as a gift?
"That's right. You guys must think that my Xie family doesn't deserve it? You guys can't take it that the daughter from my Xie family is in the same class as you guys, so you all jumped to a conclusion based on the rumors. Before His Highness was here, I was almost crushed by all of you. I was so scared…" Xie Qiao pressed onto her chest. "My head's spinning. I don't know how I will face the world from now on…"
The crowd's eyelids twitched. They had a bad feeling.
As expected, Xie Qiao coughed intensely for a while in the next second. "Your Highness, the humiliation is colossal. If my justice isn't claimed today, there'll be a bloodbath!"
"There'll be a bloodbath?" Zhao Xuanjing was stunned. He was confused when he looked at her.
That sentence was off. She should reconsider and say it again.
"That's right. I'll sacrifice myself to shed the blood of those who humiliated me. This is detestable to me." Xie Qiao looked serious. Her small face was tense.
The corner of Zhao Xuanjing's lips twitched twice. He almost laughed out loud.