Chapter 6 Red Plum Blossoms: "You dare ask me for a painting? You've got some nerve!"...

When the two arrived at Chengming Pavilion, they did not have anyone announce their arrival. Instead, a palace maid quietly lifted the curtain and they entered the room.

Xue Chan sat at her desk, diligently copying calligraphy, with only a maidservant beside her grinding ink with her head down.

Yun Sheng looked up at the sound of the door and bumped into Consort Xue and the Emperor as they entered. She hurriedly tried to remind Xue Chan, but Consort Xue was being too forward.

So she immediately lowered her head and looked nervously at Xue Chan, who was still drawing.

After finishing the last stroke, Xue Chan put down her brush and looked up.

A few steps away from the desk stood Consort Xue and a man in a green robe. She was startled, but after exchanging a glance with Consort Xue, she immediately stood up and bowed.

"Greetings, Your Majesty and Your Highness."

The Emperor said, "No need for formalities, please rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Xue Chan stepped down from the desk and stood to one side, while the emperor walked to the painting to look at it.

As he looked at the painting, Xue Chan also secretly observed him.

At this time, the emperor was only in his early thirties, in the prime of his life. Even dressed in casual robes, his low conversation with Consort Xue appeared approachable. However, an emperor is still an emperor, especially one who ascended the throne at a young age, and can be described as an emperor with both literary and military prowess.

The room fell silent suddenly, with only the sound of burning charcoal in the stove and deliberately slowed breathing.

After a long while, the emperor patted Consort Xue's hand and said with a smile, "I just saw your painting at your place, and it has a lot of your father's style."

Xue Chan lowered her eyes and bowed again: "Your Majesty flatters me. I am unworthy of such praise."

The emperor simply said, "If I say you can handle it, then you can handle it."

Xue Chan's heart skipped a beat, her hands clenched together beneath her sleeves, and she said softly, "This humble woman thanks Your Majesty for your praise."

Consort Xue walked to her side and smiled faintly, which made Xue Chan feel much more relaxed.

The emperor stroked the scroll spread out on the table, his tone casual and calm: "I heard from the Imperial Concubine that you greatly admire Zhou Fu?"

Xue Chan stepped closer, bowing her head, and said, "Father greatly admires Zhou Fu and personally teaches him painting techniques at home. I have always admired him because of his influence. Only after entering the palace today and seeing the original work do I realize that what he said was true."

She quietly adjusted her breathing: "It's just that I'm still young, and my imitation is just so-so."

The emperor looked down at her painting and comforted her, saying, "Over the years, I have seen many copies of Zhou Fu's works, but very few have captured his essence. Zhou Fu's paintings are inherently unique and difficult to learn. For someone so young to have achieved five or six points of his skill is already quite remarkable."

"You are indeed very talented." The emperor looked up, his gaze falling on Xue Chan, then darkening. "Heaven has bestowed upon you this talent; do not squander it and disgrace the noble consort's sincere heart."

Upon hearing this, Xue Chan immediately knelt down.

Consort Xue reached out and pulled her close, saying in an annoyed tone, "Your Majesty, please stop joking. She's terrified."

The emperor looked up and saw the imperial concubine scolding him, his expression quite vivid. In the next blink, he saw Xue Chanshen with her head down, looking extremely nervous.

He smiled brightly, his laughter hearty: "Alright, alright, I won't say anymore."

Xue Chan stepped out from beside Consort Xue, gathered her skirts, knelt down, and kowtowed, speaking in a solemn voice.

"Since childhood, I have been carefully taught by my parents and have also received high expectations from the Noble Consort. I will never forget Your Majesty's encouragement today. In the future, I will be diligent and self-disciplined to follow my parents' wishes and never fail Your Majesty and the Noble Consort's expectations."

The emperor showed some approval: "You are very good."

"I'm back! Look how pretty the plum blossoms I picked are!"

Cheng Huaizhu entered with a bright smile, but upon seeing the scene inside the hall, she knelt down with a thud and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, greet you. May Your Majesty be well."

The emperor raised an eyebrow, kneeling repeatedly, as if he were some kind of important figure.

"Get up, don't be so polite. There are no rulers and subjects in this room now, only family. Don't kneel down after just a few words, it's too formal."

Cheng Huaizhu felt ashamed. It was one thing for the emperor to say such things, but who would dare to actually claim kinship with him? She was asking for trouble.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Cheng Huaizhu carefully stood up and moved to Xue Chan's side.

The emperor's fingertips tapped lightly on the desk.

"In the past, Xue Chenghuai came to the palace to discuss books and paintings with me, and we even competed in painting skills at Fangchun Pavilion. Now that I think about it, it has been ten years. When I see her, I feel like I want to discuss books and paintings with Xue Chenghuai again."

"It's a pity that Xue Chenghuai is in Yuchuan now..." The emperor recalled the past, and the next moment he lifted his eyelids, his gaze swept over Xue Chan, and finally landed on the Xue Guifei who had a faint smile on her face. He then said, "The night is long. Since you were taught by Xue Chenghuai, why don't you have a match with me?"

Consort Xue frowned slightly, but did not refuse. She simply looked down at Xue Chan.

Xue Chan bowed her head respectfully, closed her eyes, pursed her lips to calm herself, and asked in a low voice, "What would Your Majesty like to paint?"

Yunyu was putting the plum blossoms that Cheng Huaizhu had picked back into a porcelain vase and gently placing them on the flower stand.

"These plum blossoms are blooming beautifully, so let's use that as the theme."

"yes"

Consort Xue personally ground the ink, and the two of them began to write.

After a cup of tea, they both stopped writing.

Consort Xue placed the two plum blossom paintings together, and the Emperor asked with a smile, "What do you think?"

Xue Chan curtsied, saying, "Your Majesty possesses an exceptionally refined and elegant character, which I greatly admire."

Consort Xue said helplessly, "She is so young, how can she compare to His Majesty? His Majesty's victory would be unfair."

"Your Highness is mistaken. She is only young. If she puts in the effort to improve her painting skills, she may very well surpass Xue Chenghuai in the future."

The emperor was in high spirits and laughed, "Your arrival at the palace pleased the Imperial Concubine. Now, this painting contest pleases me as well. Tell me, what do you desire?"

Xue Chan lowered her head and remained silent. After a moment of thought, she knelt down and prostrated herself in worship.

"Your Majesty, I greatly admire Zhou Fu. I wonder if I could ask Your Majesty for a copy of 'Spring Outing for Pleasure'?"

The Imperial Concubine frowned slightly, Cheng Huaizhu was shocked, and the Emperor's smile faded, his voice turning cold: "You dare to ask me for a painting? You've got some nerve."

Xue Chan prostrated herself, her forehead hitting the cold brick, then straightened up and lowered her head.

"Your Majesty, I dare not offend Your Majesty's might, but I am so eager for a painting that I cannot sleep day and night. I have heard from my father that Your Majesty is skilled in painting, but I merely admire the Emperor."

Silence fell over Chengming Pavilion. The emperor's sharp gaze fell on Xue Chan, who was still kneeling on the ground, making her tremble slightly.

After a long while, the emperor suddenly laughed and teased Consort Xue: "She doesn't look like you, but she does have a similar temperament."

Consort Xue smiled and said, "Does Your Majesty mean that you are willing to part with what you cherish?"

"I can bestow this painting upon you, but my prized possessions are not something you can simply ask for and receive." The emperor initially agreed, but then changed his tone, "How about this, tomorrow morning you will go to Fangchun Pavilion and paint with the other court painters. Whether you can obtain this painting then will depend on your abilities."

He became more serious and asked Xue Chan.

"Well, do you dare to accept?"

Xue Chan took a deep breath and readily agreed, "This humble woman dares to accept."

The emperor suddenly laughed again and said quietly, "The Imperial Concubine doesn't have many relatives, so you mustn't disgrace her."

Xue Chan was startled and immediately prostrated herself, saying, "I dare not."

Consort Xue frowned slightly, though she was not very happy, she did not say anything.

The Emperor raised an eyebrow: "Alright, let's stop here for today. And don't kneel anymore, it's cold in the winter. You've finally recovered from your illness, if you fall ill again, the Consort will be heartbroken."

"I cannot bear to see the Imperial Concubine's tears." His expression softened, and he took the Imperial Concubine's hand, leading her outside. "It's getting late, everyone should rest."

"Farewell to Your Majesty"

After the Emperor and Consort Xue left Chengming Pavilion, Xue Chan finally relaxed and sat down in her chair.

Cheng Huaizhu collapsed, leaning against a small table by the window, breathing heavily.

"I was so scared, I'm all sweaty."

Xue Chan took out a silk handkerchief to wipe her hands; she was just as nervous, her palms clenched tightly.

Cheng Huaizhu sat up: "You're incredibly bold! How dare you agree to a contest with His Majesty so readily?"

Losing is not an option, winning is not an option either.

Xue Chan calmed her pounding heart: "I remember my father saying that His Majesty was extremely skilled at painting plum blossoms, and could be called a master. In front of the emperor, winning or losing is the least important thing, it's not really a competition of painting skills."

Cheng Huaizhu put her hands on her hips: "That's not all, you actually asked His Majesty for a painting. Do you know how much His Majesty loves Zhou Fu?"

Xue Chan patted her shoulder: "Alright, isn't it all over now?"

"The end?" Cheng Huaizhu snorted. "Now, it's not just His Majesty who's waiting for you, but also those court officials."

Xue Chan, however, didn't care about this and felt somewhat uncomfortable and depressed.

Consort Xue had spent so many years in the palace, experiencing laughter, anger, and scorn. Glory and disgrace, favor and disgrace, life and death, fortune and misfortune all resided in her joys and sorrows.

Gold and jade, brocade and embroidery piled up, green locks and red osmanthus bars used as prisons.

Is he still lonely?

No one answered; only snow fell on the windowpane, and the fragrance of red plum blossoms lingered in the palace.

The snow had been falling for an unknown amount of time, but it had stopped by the time I woke up the next morning.

The emperor sent his attendants to invite Xue Chan to Fangchun Pavilion early in the morning, so she left very early but did not return for a long time.

While busy preparing for the Winter Solstice Palace Banquet a few days later, Consort Xue listened to the news that her entourage occasionally sent back.

However, the person who inquired about the news did not return until evening. Just as the palace maid entered the hall and had not yet spoken, news came from outside that Wang Xu had arrived.

"Please invite Eunuch Wang in."

Wang Xu bowed as he entered, followed by a group of palace servants carrying gifts.

He said with a smile, "Today, His Majesty was delighted with the painting competition at Fangchun Pavilion. Therefore, he bestowed this painting, 'Enjoying Spring in the Suburbs,' upon Miss Xue as a reward and encouragement. His Majesty also set aside a small room in Fangchun Pavilion, allowing Miss Xue to paint there when she enters the palace."

"His Majesty has always cherished talent, but such a favor is still too much for her," Consort Xue said with a faint smile, secretly relieved.

Wang Xu smiled, still bowing and replying, "Although His Majesty has always valued talent, ultimately, he still cherishes Your Highness. His Majesty said that Miss Xue's talent and virtue are worthy of Your Highness's honor..."

Consort Xue paused for a moment, then smiled again, and said softly, "It's cold. It must have been hard for Eunuch Wang to make this trip. Why don't you have a cup of tea?"

"Your Majesty need not be so busy. This servant must return to His Majesty's side to serve him. It is not appropriate for me to stay any longer," Wang Xu declined with a smile.

Yunyu saw the person out.

Xue Chan didn't return until it was dark. However, she didn't look well after returning; her face, which had just recovered from her illness, was pale.

Consort Xue didn't ask any questions, but simply let her go back to rest after dinner.

As the winter night deepened, Xue Chan's anxiety, which had been heightened during the day, eased slightly when she touched the painting "Springtime Leisure in the Suburbs".

Seeing that she looked pale and listless, Cheng Huaizhu kept urging her to rest quickly.

Xue Chan also felt tired, and after letting the palace servants do as they pleased, she collapsed onto the bed.

Cheng Huaizhu sat by the bed, watching her close her eyes and sleep.

After an unknown amount of time, Xue Chan had fallen asleep. She yawned widely and got up to go to sleep as well. However, a palace maid lifted the curtain and led Consort Xue in.

"Your Majesty..."

Consort Xue gently raised her hand: "Go to sleep, I'll come and see Qiaoniang."

Cheng Huaizhu obediently went behind the screen.

Consort Xue tiptoed to the bedside and sat down, looking at Xue Chan who was already fast asleep.

She carefully reached out and traced the tired, pale face, remembering her elder sister-in-law who had died in childbirth, remembering how she had been such a radiant woman, yet died so tragically on a winter night, right in front of Xue Chan.

Consort Xue suddenly felt a pang of heartache, but she forced herself not to cry.

It was her fault, the fault of her hesitation.

At that time, she should have humbled herself and begged the emperor. What does pride, reputation, or lover matter compared to family?

But there's no turning back now...

If the emperor had investigated more quickly, her brother wouldn't have been dragged into this mess for so long. As a result, upon hearing the news of her brother's impending execution, the eldest sister-in-law died in childbirth while rushing to the scene.

Consort Xue raised her hand again and touched Xue Chan's cheek. She clenched her teeth tightly, not letting her tears fall.

Sometimes I feel like a clay furnace filled with resentment, simmering over a fire for ten years, until the water is gone, leaving only white water stains barely clinging to the pot's walls.

Consort Xue raised her hand to cover her face, and when she raised her head again, she still had a calm and languid look.

A palace maid tiptoed in and whispered, "Your Highness, word has come that His Majesty is coming..."

Yunyu frowned slightly; it was so late.

"I understand." Consort Xue tucked the blanket around Xue Chan, gave her a deep look, and then gracefully got up.

The palace maids led her away again, their coming and going as light as a quiet breeze and snow.

A note from the author:

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