When Consort Li performed her dance, Ji Xin'er didn't show much anticipation. She calmly watched Consort Li change her clothes and come out to dance gracefully in the center.

In her memory, Zhong Muyu had seen her dance a few times. Consort Li was gentle and approachable, and her dance was incredibly beautiful. The original owner liked her very much when she was young.

As the dance ended, it was once again met with a chorus of praise.

Ji Xin'er said, "Consort Li's dance is like that of a celestial being; I admire it greatly."

"Consort Li's dance is indeed unparalleled, bestow upon her a reward."

After the Emperor bestowed his gifts, Consort Li changed her clothes and sat down. However, Ji Xin'er suddenly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I have heard that Princess Emerald is about the same age as me and is also exceptionally talented. I would like to see her talent as well."

Zhong Muyu froze, realizing it wasn't a misperception; he had truly stumbled upon his own home while watching the drama unfold.

Upon hearing this, the Emperor smiled and said, "She is now the seventh prince's princess consort."

Ji Xin'er immediately looked at Zhong Muyu: "I see. This humble woman congratulates Princess Ling. I wonder if Princess Ling would also like to perform a talent?"

Everyone turned to look at Zhong Muyu. If she didn't go out, Consort Li would have already performed, and it would be really inappropriate for her not to go. But if she did go, she felt that Ji Xin'er was digging a pit for her to fall into.

Although the original owner was skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, he unfortunately allocated most of his skill points to creation, so he naturally couldn't compare to Ji Xin'er.

Even Lu Ziyuan showed a hint of worry.

Fine, I'll just go for it.

Zhong Muyu stood up and smiled slightly, "Of course, but I am not skilled in dance, and my musical skills are naturally inferior to Princess Yunni's. Therefore, I can only perform something else. I hope Father Emperor will allow me to go down and prepare."

"allow."

Upon hearing this word, Zhong Muyu immediately breathed a sigh of relief, while her brain's CPU was working at high speed, searching for a solution.

Lu Ziyuan remained silent, while Su Zhirou wore an expression that suggested she was enjoying the spectacle.

The side hall was filled with all sorts of items. Zhong Muyu looked around and finally chose a solution. After instructing the palace maids to prepare the items, she slipped into her spatial dimension.

after a while……

As Zhong Muyu waited in vain, some of the people in the main hall grew impatient and began to whisper among themselves.

The emperor was also somewhat displeased and asked the palace servants around him, "Why haven't they arrived yet?"

"Your Majesty, I have already gone to urge her, and the Princess Consort of Ling said she will be here shortly."

Ji Xin'er wasn't in a hurry and just waited there. She knew Zhong Muyu's capabilities quite well. Apart from playing with some trinkets, he was far inferior to the rich young ladies in the city in terms of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

On a day like this, she couldn't possibly use those vulgar things to make fun of people, could she?

Fortunately, Zhong Muyu arrived at that moment.

She was dressed in a simple and neat outfit, with palace maids behind her carrying many painting materials.

Zhong Muyu bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have taken a long time to prepare the materials. Please forgive me."

"It's alright. Are you carrying these things to paint?"

"Yes, my daughter-in-law plans to paint a special picture."

"Oh? Then let's begin."

At the emperor's command, the palace servants brought over a table and laid a coarse cloth on it.

The people below were very surprised. They had seen paintings on paper, silk, and wooden boards, but they had never seen paintings on coarse cloth.

How can you paint on such rough cloth that doesn't absorb water?

For a moment, many people curiously peeked out, wanting to see what Zhong Muyu was up to.

Zhong Muyu picked up a piece of paint and began to paint, oblivious to everyone around her. She was so focused that she couldn't even hear the voices of some of the impatient people waiting nearby.

Zhong Muyu had compressed the time as much as possible and finished the work in less than half an hour. When the palace servants held up the painting, everyone present gasped.

It was a landscape painting of farmers at work, taken by Zhong Muyu on his way to Yuanjing. However, the colors in the painting were vibrant and realistic, unlike any other painting.

Zhong Muyu wanted to wipe her sweat, but considering that her hands were still covered in paint, she put them down and turned to the Emperor, saying, "Father, on my way to Yuanjing, I saw farmers working hard and was moved to paint this picture."

"The image of the farmer working is very accurate. Your observation is meticulous and your drawing is excellent. It is evident that you have carefully studied the lives of farmers in Lingqing."

Zhong Muyu said, "When I was in Lingqing, the Prince also took me to visit and care for the farmers who were working hard. The farmers worked hard and were the foundation of Yuanqi. I always remember that my food, clothing and shelter all come from the hard work of the farmers."

"I am pleased that you have such thoughts."

It seems the Emperor is indeed quite satisfied with the painting, and even his gaze towards Lu Ziyuan shows more appreciation.

Zhong Muyu breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed she had passed the Emperor's test.

The Empress smiled and said, "Zhong Muyu, I've watched you grow up, and I never knew your painting skills had improved so much. I really like this painting. Would you be willing to give it to me?"

"sure."

"That would be wonderful! I'll have someone frame it properly."

When the Empress had the palace servants take the painting away, Zhong Muyu went down to wash her hands and change her clothes. At that time, the people present were also whispering among themselves.

Many of the ministers present were opportunistic; since the emperor had praised Zhong Muyu, they naturally couldn't be left out. Besides, Zhong Muyu's paintings were unique and eye-catching.

Ji Xin'er clenched her fists. She had originally wanted to take the opportunity to make people laugh at Zhong Muyu, but she never expected that she would turn the tables on Zhong Muyu. Not only did she not lose face, but the emperor also looked at her with more respect.

After returning to his seat, Lu Ziyuan couldn't help but glance at her a few more times. Zhong Muyu looked at herself in confusion and asked, "What are you looking at? Do I have some paint on me that hasn't been washed off?"

"No, I think you did a good job."

"Of course! If it weren't for you, I would be afraid of losing face myself."

Zhong Muyu picked up a piece of pastry and ate it; she was getting hungry from drawing.

Lu Ziyuan turned around somewhat awkwardly. Zhong Muyu's focused and confident demeanor just now was indeed quite attractive.

Now that things had come to this, Ji Xin'er couldn't say anything more, so the venue was rearranged for singing and dancing, and people once again mingled and drank.

After a few rounds of drinks, Zhong Muyu went to the restroom, but unexpectedly ran into Ji Xiner on her way back.

She already felt that Ji Xin'er was a bit abnormal, and now she didn't want to have much contact with her, but unexpectedly Ji Xin'er stopped her instead.

"The Seventh Princess's painting skills are truly remarkable, and Xin'er admires them greatly."

"You flatter me. Princess Yunni's musical skills are also quite remarkable."

Ji Xin'er smiled and said, "I just didn't expect that the Jade Princess, who was previously ignorant and only knew how to play with woodworking, can now paint such pictures. It seems that Young Master Shi taught her well, or perhaps you changed it specially for His Highness Prince Ling?"

Seeing Ji Xin'er's strange smile, Zhong Muyu felt inexplicably uncomfortable.

Zhong Muyu said, "I have never met Princess Yunni, so how much do you know about me? Don't be so arrogant. My skills are the result of my learning and have nothing to do with anyone else."