The bedroom was completely silent.

Qin Zhaoyue was immediately annoyed. "What kind of looks are those? Are you implying that I'm uncultured?"

"Dislike...not to the point of complaint."

It's true that I'm uncultured.

"Oh ho, you've gone too far, Huqin, daring to speak ill of this prince."

Broken Ink: ...

Qin Zhaoyue raised her proud head, glancing down at the group of maids.

"I am simply not good at calligraphy and painting, but Your Highness's poetry is simply superb."

"With just a slight move from me, the entire literary world will tremble, understand?"

Just kidding, Qin Zhaoyue has countless poems and verses hidden in her belly, but she doesn't care about fighting for that wretched name.

Was she proud? Was she arrogant? Did she show it off?

No!

This is probably what they mean by "a person with a wealth of knowledge naturally exudes elegance."

Qin Zhaoyue placed one foot on the embroidered stool and looked around.

"You think I'm uncultured? How could I be uncultured? Tui!"

The people exchanged silent glances, indicating that they understood; their prince had a sense of pride.

In the end, it was Mo Wu who came out and gave an explanation.

Lu Tingzhou was a poor scholar who failed the imperial examinations. In despair, he fell into a drunken stupor in a dilapidated temple.

Legend has it that on that night, he saw a fox shadow carrying a pen in the snow, and from then on, his eyes could see the colors of the world.

From then on, he abandoned the imperial examination and studied painting. He was skilled at using fox bristles to make brushes and mixing cinnabar and iron powder into pigments. The creatures he painted all had a touch of life and spirit.

He was known to the world as the Fox-Brush Gentleman, but the orthodox art world condemned him as a heretic, causing great controversy, and his fame was at its peak for a time.

Because they were not accepted by the mainstream, not many of the paintings have been preserved intact.

This painting, "Divine Steed," is likely one of the larger extant examples, and its style is already mature, making it quite valuable.

Qin Zhaoyue curled her lips, "Hilarious, what 'Fox Pen Gentleman'? There's a limit to making things up."

In Qin Zhaoyue's hometown in her previous life, there was a saying passed down from generation to generation: the guardian spirit of the family.

Fox, yellow, white, willow, and gray are known as the "Five Great Immortals" or "Five Great Families," with the fox being the first among them.

Ordinary people believe that these animals possess spiritual power and can protect their homes and bring good fortune.

How should I put it? Scientifically speaking, this thing is definitely feudal superstition and dross.

But if you wander around that village and talk to some elderly people, they can usually tell you a few stories.

Many members of the Ink Group nodded in agreement.

The story of a fox carrying a pen sounds a bit far-fetched, but it's normal for great talents to have some magical legends.

Qin Zhaoyue said disdainfully:

"A snowy day, a dilapidated temple, a down-on-his-luck poor scholar, drunk—all these elements are there, okay?"

If there really were such a powerful fox spirit, according to the folk tales we're familiar with, it would surely be a divine intervention.

A drunken, impoverished scholar, upon seeing a woman with a graceful figure, sprang to his feet and knelt on the ground, begging her to teach him painting techniques.

"Pfft...who would believe that! Pure nonsense."

Everyone: ...

So this is all just fabricated nonsense from this angle, huh?

"Stop telling stories, just tell me, how much is this painting worth?"

Mo Wu thought for a moment, "Three or four years ago, a painting that was smaller and in slightly worse condition sold for 60,000 taels of silver."

That painting... must be worth at least 100,000 taels!

Qin Zhaoyue was overjoyed, and her cheerful laughter could be heard throughout the entire backyard.

"Good! That pretty boy wasn't saved in vain!"

Qin Zhaoyue had originally tried to convince herself that if it weren't for saving Pei Xueqiao, she wouldn't have accidentally discovered that true qi could save people.

She accepted that she had to sacrifice some of her merits.

"Old Pei is a good person to work with; he really gives you benefits when he gets things done."

We'll keep this painting for now, and talk about it again when Lao Pei's calligraphy sells for a good price.

Inform the Rare Treasures Pavilion to have someone prepare a plan in advance; I want to review it personally.

A painting that's likely worth 100,000 yuan definitely deserves our attention.

Upon hearing this, Sui Mo carefully put away the gift and let the Mo Group leave first.

"What's wrong? Is there something you need to say in private?"

She pursed her lips, her expression a mixture of ink and smudged.

Originally, I intended to keep it a secret, since telling His Highness would only upset him.

But judging from His Highness's words, he even expressed his gratitude to the Pei family.

Worried that she wouldn't be able to handle things well in the future, Sui Mo simply relayed Madam Pei's intentions.

Qin Zhaoyue felt nothing after hearing this.

If she really had her eye on the Pei family's son, she would definitely be uncomfortable after hearing this.

But I didn't like it, and besides, Lao Pei is particular; the gifts he gives are expensive, so it's not a big deal.

"I thought it was something important, and it's just this?"

It's perfectly normal for parents to cherish their children.

As she spoke, she pointed to the brocade box and the scroll, "These things are real, that's enough."

Ha, Suimo thought to himself, Your Highness, you yourself are not like that.

Even when he was unhappy, he didn't hold back, not even towards His Majesty...

If it were her there today, she would probably have made the Prime Minister's wife unable to lift her head in anger.

Well, you don't feel the pain until the knife falls on your own body, right?

Qin Zhaoyue patted her on the shoulder, "But... that was a good retort!"

Remember, when you're out in public, you represent our Princess's Mansion and my reputation.

Our main principle is that we don't cause trouble, but we are absolutely not afraid of trouble either.

Don't worry, no matter how big a mess you make outside, you'll be there to hold up the sky if it falls.

"Your Highness... um?"

A tiny head with a big question mark on it.

Shouldn't the response at this point be, "Even if the sky falls, I, Your Highness, will hold it up"? Should I hold it up myself?

Sui Mo gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes. Since that's how it is…

"Your Highness, there is something else I need to report to you."

Qin Zhaoyue was in a great mood and waved her hand, "Go ahead."

"That's right, the pills we use for cultivation in the Mo Group are almost exhausted, and we must start refining more."

This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!