The painter Chu Fan sought was none other than the exceptionally talented Changsun Pinqing. He specifically summoned her to the Imperial Study, deep within the palace, for a private meeting so that not too many people would know what they were about to do.

Changsun Pinqing herself is a versatile woman. She is not only proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, but also always strives to keep matters confidential when handling them, trying not to let outsiders know.

The relationship between her and Chu Fan is also quite harmonious. Chu Fan has great trust in her. Therefore, on this matter, he prefers to discuss it only with Changsun Pinqing.

After arriving at the palace, Changsun Pinqing bowed to Chu Fan and said, "I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Chu Fan responded to Changsun Pinqing, "We haven't seen each other for just a few days. Why have you become so distant, Miss Changsun? Aren't you looking forward to meeting me?"

For Chu Fan, if a beautiful woman like Changsun Pinqing were to distance herself from him, he would naturally feel a little sad, perhaps for a few days. However, as the emperor of Wei, he was accompanied by four beautiful palace maids, including Qiu Ya, so he would not dwell too much on this feeling of loss. At most, he would only regret the loss of a close friend.

Changsun Pinqing, with a hint of resentment on her face, softly confided to Chu Fan, "How could I not want to see Your Majesty? It's just that Your Majesty hasn't seemed to have any plans to let us sisters enter the palace recently. This has made us two sisters feel very disappointed. We thought Your Majesty no longer loved us."

Her words were full of grievances. At the end, tears began to well up in Changsun Pinqing's eyes, making her look particularly touching.

Seeing Zhangsun Pinqing looking so pitiful, Chu Fan's heart softened, and he hurriedly comforted her, "How could I not like you? It's just that state affairs have been so busy lately that I really can't spare the time to enjoy some leisure time. Pinqing, I hope you can understand my difficulties. You will always be in my heart."

Although Changsun Pinqing knew the real reason why Chu Fan hadn't let them into the palace before, she still pretended to be relieved and asked softly, "Your Majesty, is what you said true? Isn't it because you don't like us sisters that you didn't let us into the palace?"

In fact, Changsun Pinqing knew the reason why Chu Fan had not allowed them to enter the palace before. Because Chu Fan had asked Eunuch Li to convey the order to Mu Xi, Changsun Pinqing and other women not to enter the palace for the time being in order to enjoy his own world with Liu Xueyu.

Of course, Chu Fan had been too busy with state affairs to attend to anything else these past two days. Last night, when Changsun Pinqing overheard Chu Fan's plan to form a women's army, she was deeply surprised. At that moment, she thought to herself, even though His Majesty didn't attend court every day, he always cared about the well-being of the people. This dissatisfaction with Chu Fan vanished, and she completely forgave him.

Chu Fan said to Changsun Pinqing in a very calm tone, "Pinqing, I'm being unfair. I'm really busy with important matters. Your father should have told you that I'm planning to build a villa, and I've invested a lot of time and energy in this matter."

Changsun Pinqing was not an unreasonable woman. She knew that it was enough to show some small resentment in front of His Majesty. Doing so would make His Majesty feel a subtle sense of indebtedness to her, and then His Majesty would compensate her in other ways.

However, if she went too far and angered His Majesty, the consequences would be disastrous. Not only would she not receive any compensation, but His Majesty might even revoke all the benefits he had previously bestowed upon the Changsun family, which was absolutely not what she wanted to see.

Changsun Pinqing suddenly smiled and said, "I understand. Your Majesty is not deliberately ignoring us sisters. Your Majesty just mentioned that the construction of the villa has encountered some difficulties?"

Changsun Pinqing is indeed a talented woman. She keenly realized from Chu Fan's words that Chu Fan summoned her this time because he must have something that required her assistance.

After all, His Majesty only summoned her to the palace this time. If there was nothing special for her to do, His Majesty would definitely summon Mu Xi, Tang Ji and her sister at the same time. Moreover, if it was just an ordinary entertainment activity, His Majesty would usually not bring her to the Imperial Study, let alone to the Handicraft Department or His Majesty's bedroom.

In addition, His Majesty mentioned in his conversation with me that his father also participated in the construction of the villa, which shows that His Majesty must have encountered some difficulties during the construction of the villa and needed my personal help to solve them.

Chu Fan said a little embarrassedly: "I asked you to come here because I need your help with an important matter." As Chu Fan spoke, he moved a chair for Changsun and motioned Changsun Pinqing to sit down.

After hearing this, Changsun Pinqing did not stick to the etiquette. She knew that Chu Fan moving the chair for her was a small compensation from His Majesty, so she gladly accepted it.

Changsun Pinqing asked curiously, "I wonder if Your Majesty needs my help with anything?"

Chu Fan smiled slightly, took out a piece of paper about the size of a banknote from his sleeve and handed it to Changsun Pinqing.

While Changsun Pinqing was still confused, Chu Fan said to her, "I need you to draw my portrait on half of this small piece of paper. I wonder if Pinqing can complete this task."

Changsun Pinqing carefully observed the paper in her hand. She realized that it would be difficult to draw Chu Fan's entire head on such a large piece of paper. However, Changsun Pinqing was still willing to give it a try to see if she could complete this challenge.

Changsun Pinqing picked up the brush and prepared to start her painting on paper, while Chu Fan sat quietly beside her, acting as a model for Changsun Pinqing's painting.

During the painting process, Chu Fan couldn't help but wonder if Changsun Pinqing would be able to complete her work more easily if she could use drawing pencils.

However, Changsun Pinqing's painting skills are truly amazing. She used a brush to outline the image of Chu Fan on paper. Before long, a lifelike image of Chu Fan appeared on the paper.

Changsun Pinqing put down the brush in her hand, turned to Chu Fan and asked, "Your Majesty, do you think this is okay?"

Chu Fan took the paper handed to him by Changsun Pinqing and his eyes fell on the lifelike portrait. He was surprised to find that Changsun Pinqing had sketched such a vivid portrait with only a brush, and he couldn't help but feel pleasantly surprised.

He carefully admired Changsun Pinqing's paintings, and his heart was filled with admiration for her talent. Chu Fan nodded and praised, "Pinqing, your painting skills are truly superb. I am very satisfied."