Chapter 5

Just like the Sizhifang, the Sizhenfang also sent two palace servants, and they presented priceless gold crowns and jade hairpins, whose brilliance could not be concealed even by lying quietly on the brocade plates.

Ling Huanchen picked up a red jade hairpin inlaid with emerald green, and felt a sudden headache.

"This was also the king's order. Why wasn't it made before?"

The palace attendant bowed deeply and said, "Your Highness, the King has not yet instructed the Imperial Treasures Office. I saw that the Imperial Treasures Office had hurriedly made the new clothes, and I thought that they must be paired with fine accessories to complement each other."

Very good, one is smarter than the other.

Her slender fingers stroked the jade hairpin, as if playing with it. Ling Huanchen put the hairpin down, raised his eyes and said, "That's thoughtful."

"It is a blessing for us servants to be appreciated by the young prince." The palace servant said with a smile.

After leaving the Treasure House, the Food and Shepherd Offices also came to pay their respects, presenting their respective treasures. Just as Xiao Qi had said, everyone in the palace was now staring at him. If he hadn't lived in the Purple Ceremony Palace, other unnamed palace servants would probably have broken through the door to find out what was going on.

In the blink of an eye, the room was filled with things. Ling Huanchen sat at the desk without any reaction, but Xiao Qi was circling around the things.

"Master, where should we put so many things?" Xiao Qi's eyes sparkled. He had never seen so many valuable things in his life.

Ling Huanchen just picked up the book without even glancing at it. "You and Ah He, find a place to put it. If you like anything, take it."

Xiaoqi and Yunhe looked at each other, and neither of them dared to agree.

"They give these things as a gift to their master, and I dare not presumptuously take them." Yun He spoke first.

Although Xiao Qi looked at the dim sum reluctantly for a few seconds, he quickly followed and said, "I dare not."

Ling Huanchen was not surprised to see them like this, after all, they had only known each other for a short time. "Pack up the food. I can't eat anything else. Those plates of snacks will be wasted if they are left alone. Share them."

The other items were too expensive, but the food was the easiest to accept.

As expected, the two finally stopped refusing and agreed. Xiao Qi's face was even more red. Although he was obsessed with money, he was not greedy. He was very happy to have delicious food.

Yu Xi's summons to Ling Huanchen returned to normal, becoming a daily occurrence. Aside from attending court and sleeping, Yu Xi now had a blue figure by her side, a tacit understanding already reached among the palace attendants.

When not summoned, Ling Huanchen mostly preferred to read or play the qin in his room, rarely wandering around the palace. Aside from the two servants who followed him around, he didn't interact much with anyone else. Even with Fu Changshi, Yu Xi's attendant, whom he met several times, they never spoke much.

Ling Huanchen had lived in Prince You's Palace for several years in his previous life, so he naturally had a good understanding of Fu Changshi, Yu Xi's attendant. This Changshi was usually cautious and his temperament was indeed different from others. The more he tried to win him over, the more likely it would be counterproductive. It would be better to keep silent and wait for him to come forward.

"Master, Servant Fu is here."

As Xiao Qi finished her announcement, the piano music stopped abruptly, and Ling Huanchen said calmly, "Come in."

After seeing Chief Sergeant Fu enter, he bowed respectfully and said, "I am here to summon you, young prince, to the study."

In the past, it was other palace servants who came to issue summons. This was the first time that Chief Servant Fu came in person. Ling Huanchen certainly knew why he came.

"Master Fu, please speak."

Upon hearing this, Fu Changshi was stunned for a moment, then smiled apologetically, "This servant does have something to ask of you. The palace painters have been painting for His Majesty in recent days, but none of the works have satisfied His Majesty. Therefore... you know, if the master is unhappy, life for the servants will be difficult."

This year marks Yu Xi's seventh year on the throne, and the last time he painted a picture for the King of Youcheng was the year he ascended the throne. According to Youcheng custom, a new painting must be created every seven years, but unfortunately, the court painter who last painted Yu Xi's picture has long since passed away due to his advanced age.

"Servant Fu wants me to make the king feel better?"

"That's right," Fu Changshi realized that his purpose had been guessed. He couldn't help but sigh that this young prince of the mermaid tribe was not just beautiful, but also a thoughtful and thoughtful person. "I hope your Highness can be sympathetic."

Everyone knew that Ling Huanchen was in the king's favor, so the only way to get him to act was to do the best. If even Ling Huanchen couldn't please the king, then they, the servants, would have to endure the consequences.

Ling Huanchen slowly stood up and said, "It is my duty to share the King's worries."

In his previous life, Ling Huanchen had also painted the portrait of the King of Youcheng himself. He remembered that he had painted for Yu Xi in exchange for some privileges, such as being able to enter and leave the Imperial Library at will. Now, he wanted to paint a portrait for Yu Xi himself, without asking for anything.

When Ling Huanchen entered the study, several court painters were kneeling at the door, their heads bowed, like lambs to the slaughter. The other palace servants were equally silent, fearing that they would get into trouble.

Yu Xi frowned slightly, staring at the scroll in his hand. Several scrolls were lying scattered on the ground, looking so pitiful.

"Your Majesty." Ling Huanchen walked over lightly, picked up a scroll and looked at it in his hand.

Yu Xi looked up and saw it was him, his brows slightly relaxed. He hadn't issued the order because he didn't want to kill those at the door over a painting. After all, the killings had been forced, and he didn't really enjoy the sight of blood and gore. But the You Palace wasn't a place to keep idle people. Those paintings weren't as good as his own, so what was the point of keeping such an artist?

"My dear, you've arrived just in time. Take a look at these paintings and choose the best one."

This is basically an unsolvable problem. If there were any excellent ones, they wouldn't be lying on the ground right now.

Ling Huanchen picked up the scrolls one by one and placed them on the corner of the desk, deliberately covering them with books so that they would not hinder Yu Xi's eyes.

"How about I paint a picture for your majesty?"

Yu Xi raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you good at painting, my dear?"

Ling Huanchen nodded, "I've been studying music, chess, calligraphy, and painting."

"Okay, my dear, please draw a picture for me." Yu Xi paused, "If you can satisfy me, I will reward you handsomely."

If you can't, there will be a punishment. Ling Huanchen automatically completed the second half of Yu Xi's sentence in his mind.

The palace servants brought up a new desk, and after the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were all ready, Ling Huanchen did not look at Yu Xi for too long like the other painters, but started writing directly.

He no longer needed to be familiar with Yu Xi's appearance and demeanor.

Ling Huanchen was intensely focused as he painted, his brushwork never pausing. The painters at the door knelt for as long as he worked. Even Fu Changshi felt a little nervous, as if their lives depended on Ling Huanchen's painting.

Finally, Ling Huanchen stopped writing, and the palace servants carefully carried the completed painting to Yu Xi.

At first glance, Yu Xi's eyes flashed with astonishment. He had always been a person who valued talent. Whether it was talent in calligraphy and painting or great achievements in government, anyone who could make achievements in any field would be appreciated by Yu Xi.

The painting depicts Yu Xi, while retaining the dignity of a king, possessing a unique aura. Anyone who has never met Yu Xi would be moved not only by awe but also by respect and admiration.

"My dear, your painting skills are excellent, how can you just think about it?"

Seeing that Yu Xi's expression had eased a little, Fu Changshi felt relieved and the guards who had prepared to detain several people all retreated.

"Your Majesty, you are so kind." Ling Huanchen said with a faint smile, "When I arrived, I saw several gentlemen kneeling at the door."

Yu Xi then remembered that there were still people at the door. "Recruit new court painters. Send those who are now back home."

"Yes!" Fu Changshi turned around and went out to pass on the order, thinking that he had made the right bet.

"I am pleased with your painting, my dear. Is there anything you would like?"

Ling Huanchen casually stated what he had requested in his previous life, "I have always loved reading. If possible, I would like to ask the king for some books to read."

When living in the mermaid tribe, only when reading could Ling Huanchen forget why he was being whipped and taught and seek a brief peace.

Yu Xi had never thought that he would only make such a simple request, and immediately said, "How difficult is this? The king allows you to enter and leave the Imperial Library as you please from now on."

Although Ling Huanchen only asked to read books, Yu Xi still gave him other rewards.

The room was filled with pearls, jades, silks and satins, which dazzled the eyes. The gifts were much grander than those presented privately by the Ministry of Crafts.

Xiao Qi was dazzled and completely stunned. "Master, I really can't let it go this time."

Ling Huanchen casually picked up a pair of exquisite jade gourds and said, "Take them."

"Minion..."

"Don't worry, I have already told the king that all these things are at my disposal."

As long as he lived in King You's palace, he would have no shortage of these possessions. There was no point in him keeping so many things; it would be better to share them with those who liked them. So he specifically asked Yu Xi for a favor to allay their concerns.

Xiao Qi smiled foolishly, took it with both hands, and held it in his palms, "Thank you, thank you, Master."

Ling Huanchen looked at the silk fabrics on the other side and said, "Ah He, pick out a few pieces of fabric and make a few clothes."

Yun He was slightly startled. "And... my servant's?"

Ling Huanchen smiled, "There are also jade bracelets and jade ruyi, if you like them, take them too."

"Master, you are so kind to your servants." Xiao Qi said embarrassedly.

"You are my people, so I must treat you well."

One of them looked obviously happy, while the other looked gloomily surprised, but in the end, they both looked flattered.

After a moment, Yun He's surprise subsided, and a softer look appeared in his eyes. "Thank you, Master."

At this moment, a voice suddenly sounded outside the door. As soon as the voice fell, Yu Xi walked in.

"Your servant pays homage to His Majesty!"

"Your servant pays homage to His Majesty!"

Ling Huanchen didn't expect him to come over at this time and saluted hurriedly.

This was the first time Yu Xi came to his room after his rebirth, much earlier than in the previous life.

Yu Xi was in a very good mood. She raised her hand to stop Ling Huanchen, grabbed his wrist and pulled him to her side. "No need to be polite. Do you like these things, my dear?"