Volume 2: The Phoenix Descends Upon the World, the Swan Goose is Shocked. Chapter 30: Doting on the Lotus Spirit

  "This princess is skilled in painting, and no one has ever been able to compare with me. If the War King's wife has any sense of self-awareness, she should just concede defeat on her own, lest she lose face!"

  Plum Concubine Cherry's small mouth slightly opened, fine eyebrows raised high, with a pampered and self-satisfied expression. On her round face, bronze bell-like big eyes seemed to see right through everything. A jade flower hairpin was worn among her hair, the bright pearl on the golden inlaid jade earrings shone brightly, and she wore a willow-green thousand-petaled silk chrysanthemum embroidered dress, which showed that she must be extremely favored.

  "Hehe, Brother Lan, have you seen a group of cows flying in the sky?"

  Ruan Qinchun's arm propped up her head, leaning against the beryl stone table. Her tender lips had a faint smile, and her eyes, like black jade, were as dark as night, making it impossible to see through her thoughts. The fiery red lotus earrings by her ears swayed gently twice, setting off her raven-black hair even more dazzlingly.

  "Yatou is right! This harem really has all sorts of weirdos. It's the first time I've ever heard someone can blow cowhide so elegantly and uniquely!"

  Guoshi Lan Mingxuan smiled slightly, the soft and charming voice of Xiang Zui Yue fell clearly. The smile on his lips that had not faded was like smoke and clouds. The brilliant beauty of the 3,000 peach blossoms could not compare to his dazzling smile.

  Ruan Qinchun's cheeks flushed with a faint peach glow, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. Her own smile in response to his had no resistance whatsoever! Every time she saw him laugh so charmingly, her heart would violently flutter!

  "Hmph, come and take down my dictation!"

  The concubine's face turned red and white, and she shouted loudly. The palace maids quickly arranged the pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, fearing that if they were slow, they would be punished. Among the four consorts in the harem, only Meng Fei had a good temper, while the other three consorts relied on their favor to be arrogant. If a palace maid made even a small mistake, she would be tortured until she was no longer human. In their eyes, human life was like grass!

  The palace maid carefully ground the ink, and Consort Mei picked up her brush, beginning to paint under everyone's gaze.

  "Squeak—squeak—"

  A fluffy, silvery-white little beast crawled out from his arms, rubbing against him. It poked its round head out, and with its chubby paws, it rubbed its sleepy eyes. As if wanting to see what the master was saying, it laughed so clearly and pleasantly.

  "Huh? What a great lotus seed bun that's rich but not greasy! Brother Lan, I didn't expect you to secretly stash a bun in your bosom, preparing for any unexpected hunger pangs!"

  Ruan Qinchun's eyes lit up, and with a slight pinch of her slender hand, she plucked the silver-colored small beast, Lian Zhuo, from Lan Mingxuan's arms. Lian Zhuo's chubby little body looked just like an adorable baozi, and with the lotus flower pattern on its head, it immediately solidified its reputation as the "Lian Rong Bao".

  "Squeak—squeak—"

  Poor little guy, waving his paws to try and open Ruan Qinchun's fingers, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get free. His big, pitiful eyes shone with tears as he looked up at his master for help. Unfortunately, Lan Mingxuan was just smiling wryly on the side, enjoying the show, which made the little guy so angry that his fur stood on end! How did I end up with such a master, it's really favoring humans over animals!

  "This lotus seed bun is really cute!"

  Ruan Qincheng gazed at its extremely lively eyes, and a bright smile emerged from the corner of her lips.

  The little beast, which had been struggling, looked at her bright and beautiful smile, and was stunned. Its chubby body, without knowing when, had already been completely nestled in the palm of her soft and silky hands. The slender fingertips gently stroked its smooth and soft fur, making it feel so comfortable that the drowsiness that had just disappeared came back again.

  "Hehe, it seems this little rascal also likes you! If you like him, I'll give him to you! Saves me the trouble!"

  Guo Shi Lan Ming Xuan held the cup, saying lightly. His eyebrows and eyes were like a painting, his appearance was like snow, and there was no hint of anything unusual about him.

  "Hmm——"

  A certain lotus seed bun, who was originally drowsy and sleepy, suddenly shivered all over when it heard its master's heartless words. A pair of icy purple crystal-like eyes seemed to be staring out of their sockets. The fluffy fat paws pointed at Lan Mingxuan with a painful and sorrowful expression, seeing his eternally unchanged aloof expression, the fluffy long ears drooped down.

  The delicate nose twitched, pitifully gazing at Ruan Qindeng. That adorable expression made her involuntarily soften. She decisively rewarded it with a big apple and took the lovely little lotus flower into her own arms.

  Lan Mingxuan gave a few orders to the eunuchs, and soon they brought in top-quality ink, paper, and inkstone. The inkstone was made of a fine-grained, dense, and smooth stone that had been carefully carved with an elegant and simple design. The texture was tight and even, like jade, and it ground ink silently. The purple sandalwood brush was exquisitely crafted, while the paper was thin, tough, and white. Everything was of the highest quality.

  The national teacher personally ordered it, and no one dared to be lazy and use inferior materials.

  Ruan Qinchun lifted her wrist and ground the ink, her slender fingers grasping the brush, her expression extremely focused. The soft white brush dipped into the well-ground ink, fully absorbing the fragrant black ink. The delicate tip of the brush fell onto the rice paper, concentrating on painting.

  Before long, Mei Fei had completed a vibrant peony painting, and everyone rushed over to admire her work. Mei Fei's painting skills were indeed impressive, with bold strokes and delicate touches, each flower blooming vividly, leaving onlookers in awe.

  "Mei Fei is indeed a master of painting! This peony in full bloom is so vivid!"

  The Grand Preceptor's triangular eyes, which were as small as a mouse's, gleamed with cunning as he repeatedly praised.

  "Yes! Yes! This painting of Consort Mei is truly a masterpiece!"

  "Mei's painting skills are truly superb, this flower is painted so vividly and lifelike!"

  “……”

  The swallows immediately flocked over, squeezed out a smile on their faces, and began to praise. Thinking in their hearts that they would show off in front of Yun Huang, win his favor.

  War King Yun Qianye glanced at the painting of Mei Fei, although it had a gorgeous appearance, but there was no inner meaning. Compared to ordinary people's painting skills, it was actually quite high. I wonder how that woman painted it?

  The university scholar's calm and composed demeanor was disrupted as he gazed at the arrogant and overbearing Consort Mei, his eyebrows furrowing involuntarily.

  Liu Wang and Xian Wang couldn't help but squeeze through the crowd to take a look at the painting done by Mei Fei. Then they shifted their gaze to the pavilion, where Ruan Qinchun was intently painting.

  "My goodness, little sister's painting skills are truly astonishing! Those people who think they're too good for the world will probably be ashamed of themselves when they see her paintings!"

  Zhen Fei said with a cold sneer, a hint of a cold smile floating on her lips.

  "I'm telling you, Battle King's Consort, stop stalling for time. An iron pestle can be ground into a needle, but a wooden pestle can only be ground into a toothpick - the material is wrong, and no matter how hard you try, it's useless. I think you're not the right person for this, so why make everyone wait for just one person?"

  As soon as she finished speaking, Ruan Qinchun just put down the last stroke. Her eyes were calm and serene, like a distant cloud in the blue sky, looking at everyone.

  "Sorry to keep you all waiting!"

  Digression

  Thanks for the reward from Qian Yu Jia and Hua Hua!

  Thanks for yesterday's memories and rewards! o（∩_∩）o

  Recommend a modern article, "The Shadow Left Behind" - "Wife, Please Pay After Playing"