Chapter 132 Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl

As soon as Yan Changwen said this, the atmosphere in the private room suddenly became subtle.

Yan Yuze glanced at the painting with a faint smile, then cast his gaze towards Yan Changwen's eyes, which were almost invisible due to the slits squeezed by his flesh, and curled the corners of his lips in a half-smile:

"Oh? Is your Highness the Third Prince testing me? I am indeed a layman in the art of painting, but I do know a thing or two about appreciating paintings."

As he spoke, he walked to the front of the painting and pointed at the black dragon, saying, "This black dragon has a sturdy body and sharp eyes. Although it looks like it is playing, its tail secretly stirs up a whirlwind. It is obvious that it has already prepared for the attack and is ready to go."

He moved his finger towards the white dragon and chuckled, "As for this white dragon, although its body is a little thin, it is covered in silver armor and has an extraordinary aura, so it is not inferior."

After hearing this, Yan Changwen's eyes sparkled with a gleam, and he stroked his broad hand and smiled, "Sixth Uncle is indeed worthy of his reputation. Not only is he knowledgeable, but he also has such a wonderful way of appreciating paintings. I admire you, I admire you!"

As he spoke, he turned to Yan Xiuyun and asked, "What do you think, brother?"

Yan Xiuyun gave him a deep look and said, "Third brother, your painting skills are naturally superb. As for which of the two dragons can take the pearl... I naturally believe that no matter when or where, there is only one true dragon."

"Well said!" Yan Changwen laughed loudly, and suddenly changed the subject, pointing his finger at a place on the painting and said:

"But didn't Sixth Uncle and Big Brother realize that this white dragon has no horns, but is a dragon-like in appearance!

How can a dragon born in lakes and rivers compete with a real dragon that roams the sky?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Yan Xiuyun's face immediately turned gloomy, while Yan Yuze on the side laughed again.

"Your Highness, what you said is biased. The common people worship the gods devoutly, hoping that the gods will grant us blessings, protect our country and society, and ensure that the people live and work in peace and contentment, and that the weather is favorable and the crops are abundant.

This king has heard a saying that the power of the gods that are revered by the people will grow stronger with the people's faith and worship. Therefore, in this king's opinion, the victory or defeat of the contest between these two dragons does not depend on their origins, but on the people's hearts. "

Upon hearing this, the smile on Yan Changwen's face froze slightly, but quickly returned to normal.

Yan Xiuyun's expression was even more unclear.

The three of them chatted for a few more minutes, and then Yan Changwen stood up and said goodbye.

After he left, Yan Xiuyun glanced at Yan Yuze, who was still calm and composed, and said in a deep voice:

"Uncle Emperor doesn't seem surprised by Third Brother's visit?"

Yan Yuze twirled the sake in his glass and glanced at him with a half-smile: "Why should I be surprised? Since His Royal Highness the Crown Prince can come to Longchang Academy, His Royal Highness the Third Prince is a scholar, so it's natural for him to come as well."

Yan Xiuyun was choked, but he couldn't find any fault with his words, so he could only frown and say, "It's obvious that he came here for other reasons."

"Oh? Then according to Your Highness, what is his intention?" Yan Yuze asked casually.

Yan Xiuyun was silent for a moment, then his voice suddenly deepened: "In Wanjuan Tower, in... that rumor."

"Haha." Yan Yuze suddenly raised his head and laughed.

Yan Xiuyun was annoyed by his laughter, but he couldn't get angry, so he could only say coldly: "Uncle knows what he is thinking."

Yan Yuze stopped laughing and said calmly, "How can I know what he is up to?"

Yan Xiuyun was unwilling to accept it. "What did the uncle just say, that the outcome of the fight between the two dragons has nothing to do with birth? Could that rumor be true?"

The smile on Yan Yuze's face faded a little. He looked at Yan Xiuyun and shook his head gently: "Your Highness still doesn't understand what I mean. It's getting late. I hope Your Highness will think about it carefully after returning to the palace."

When he said this, his eyes were like a knife, piercing Yan Xiuyun's heart. Yan Xiuyun's heart trembled when he looked at her, and she could not help but avoid his sight.

…

The current emperor of Daliang is diligent in his work and loves his people. He advocates frugality and rarely builds large-scale projects that waste people's money and labor. Therefore, everyone in the court, from the crown prince to the officials, dares not show too much extravagance, at least in front of others.

The prince had no palace in Jiangzhou City, so he stayed in the highest-standard inn in the city that night.

After Eunuch Zhao carefully helped Yan Xiuyun to sleep, he quietly retreated. As soon as he went out, he heard a servant come to report that someone wanted to see him.

Eunuch Zhao walked out of the inn and saw Xu Shiming waiting outside under the moonlight.

"Why do you come to see me so late at night? What's the urgent matter?" Eunuch Zhao asked softly, with a fairly kind attitude.

"Mr. Eunuch has devoted all his energy to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and I deeply admire him. I have prepared a small gift tonight to show my respect."

After Xu Shiming finished speaking, he slowly took out a white jade bracelet from his sleeve. This was what he and Qin Yuwei had just bought at the ghost market. With Qin Yuwei's eyesight, she would never make a mistake in choosing these jade jewels.

As soon as Eunuch Zhao's eyes touched the jade bracelet, he knew it was a rare treasure. However, he quickly restrained his expression and said, "I work in the East Palace. How can I accept such precious property from others casually?"

"Expensive?" Xu Shiming seemed a little surprised.

"This bracelet was given to me by a friend. I thought it was just an ordinary jade ornament. I only dared to show it to you because I felt that its color was very suitable for you, the eunuch. I was worried that I would not be able to please you."

Eunuch Zhao couldn't help but take a closer look at him. "This bracelet is made of the extremely rare Qingyang white jade, which is only produced in small quantities in the Yunzhou area. It's even rarer to have such a large piece of jade polished into a jade bracelet."

Xu Shiming seemed to be in a state of shock: "So that's how it is! I didn't know this jade bracelet had such a mystery.

"Mr. Eunuch, I am short-sighted. Such a rare treasure is like a pearl thrown into the dark in my hands. It is better for me to give it to you, so that it can be regarded as a treasure and a hero, complementing each other."

Eunuch Zhao's eyes wavered a little, and he confirmed, "Is it really a gift from a friend?"

"It's absolutely true." Xu Shiming answered confidently.

"Well, since you have such a kind intention, we will appreciate it."

Eunuch Zhao calmly put the jade bracelet into his sleeve, glanced around, and said in a lighter voice: "Your Highness will leave for the capital at twilight tomorrow. Are you ready to accompany him?"

So fast, Xu Shiming thought, but it still seemed a little sudden.

But the opportunity was not to be missed, so he nodded and said, "The student will definitely come on time."

Eunuch Zhao nodded slightly and was about to leave when he heard Xu Shiming say, "Please stay, sir. My friend who gave me the jade has admired you for a long time and hopes to meet you and talk to you for a few words."

Eunuch Zhao stopped walking, a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes, but he had already put away the things, so he had to patiently ask, "Where is he?"

"Here."

Qin Yuwei's voice sounded not far away. She was wearing a blue and white shirt. She walked towards the two of them in the night and bowed:

"Student Qin Yuwei greets the eunuch."