"Then why didn't you persuade Ahuan to come back earlier?"
Hearing this so-called theory of a "lucky star" and "disaster star," Shen Hua'er found it utterly absurd. "You actually judged Song Xiyan to be a lucky star based solely on a master's words?"
Pointed at by Shen Hua'er, Song Yanzheng could only bow his head and endure the scolding.
No matter what, he couldn’t afford to offend Shen Hua'er and the Shen Family at this moment.
"Your Highness, what should we do now?"
"Song Shihuan won’t return on her own. You should abandon that hope," Shen Hua'er said firmly, staring at Song Yanzheng. "If you force Song Shihuan to come back, you’ll be making an outright enemy of Song Yu."
"I..."
Song Yanzheng opened and closed his mouth repeatedly, but no words came out.
He was unwilling to admit it, but by now, he truly didn’t dare to make a complete enemy of Song Yu.
......
As for the predicament of the Ping Prince's Mansion and the Shen Family, Gu Mingzhu was thoroughly delighted. Nowadays, she was practically treated like a treasure in the Gu household.
"Mingzhu, how are your preparations for the upcoming Talent Championship?"
Gu Mingliu had specially bought pea cakes for Gu Mingzhu. "The Talent Championship not only tests the Four Books and Five Classics but also requires a public performance in one of the arts—music, chess, calligraphy, or painting. Are you... planning to choose painting?"
At the mention of painting, Gu Mingliu’s eyes filled with pity. Mingzhu’s painting skills...
"Elder Sister, if I want to win, I have no choice but to pick painting," Gu Mingzhu said, wolfing down the pea cakes as if they were the most delicious pastries in the world. "By then, your little sister will be the praised young artist of the capital."
Unlike Gu Mingzhu’s confidence, public opinion about the Talent Championship was mixed. Despite her previous victories, most people still didn’t hold high hopes for her.
"Music, chess, calligraphy, or painting—which one can Gu Mingzhu possibly excel at?" one young lady huffed. "If she picks music, the sound she makes could make babies cry. If she chooses chess, she won’t even warm the cushion beneath her before darting off."
"Her calligraphy is a mess of crooked strokes, and as for painting—she can only draw turtles!"
Similar complaints echoed in the mansions of other officials across the capital. Even the betting houses gave her slim odds of winning.
Qin Prince's Mansion.
"Mingzhu’s past track record is really..."
Song Shihuan swallowed hard. No wonder General Gu was so practiced at wielding a stick.
"Among the three Gu siblings, Gu Mingning and Gu Mingzhu are like two peas in a pod. Only Gu Mingliu takes after their mother," Shen Qingping remarked bluntly. "So, Your Highness might want to sound Mingzhu out beforehand to prepare accordingly."
"The tutor makes a fair point."
Song Shihuan nodded.
An hour later, Gu Mingzhu stood before Song Shihuan, utterly bewildered.
"Your Highness, is something the matter?"
She hadn’t even finished her pea cakes yet.
"Mingzhu, what are your plans for the talent performance at the Championship?" Song Shihuan asked, suppressing a twitch at the sight of crumbs still clinging to Mingzhu’s lips.
"I plan to choose painting and paint Your Highness’s portrait."
Instantly, both Song Shihuan and Shen Qingping in the courtyard widened their eyes in shock. Even Song Yu, who had been about to enter, froze in his steps:
"Paint Ahuan?"
Gu Mingzhu nodded. "Actually, I’m not good at painting landscapes or objects. I only excel at painting people. Over the years, I’ve only ever painted my father, my mother, my elder brother, and my elder sister."
Her lips pursed. "Mother passed away early, so I could only imagine her appearance based on Elder Sister’s descriptions. But I didn’t want to rely solely on imagination, so I painted her. Elder Sister says my portraits grow more lifelike with each attempt."
"As for my father and the others, I paint them too, so I can burn the portraits at Mother’s grave and let her know we’re doing well."
Though the words were sorrowful, Gu Mingzhu spoke them lightly, as if it were nothing.
"I paint very well—just like the real person. If Your Highness doesn’t believe me, I can paint one for you right now."
"I believe you."
Song Shihuan rose and took Gu Mingzhu’s hand. "When Mingzhu wins the Championship, I’ll have people beat gongs and drums all the way to welcome you back."
"Wonderful!"
Gu Mingzhu beamed, her carefree demeanor unchanged.
......
In October, the Talent Championship commenced.
Before the competition, Gu Zheng was even more nervous than Gu Mingzhu, stumbling over his words.
"Mingzhu, just focus on doing your best. A few days ago, I went to the ancestral hall to pray. The Gu ancestors will surely bless you with victory."
This was the women’s academic championship!
Back then, Mingliu had to take care of Mingzhu, which delayed her studies at the women’s academy. Most of the time, she had to read at home while watching over Mingzhu.
Now, it was Mingzhu’s turn to bring honor to the Gu Family and shut up those who called them uncultured brutes.
"Father, Her Highness said this venture is auspicious for me."
Hearing this, Gu Zheng’s eyes bulged. So, the words of the Gu ancestors carried less weight than a single sentence from the princess?
"You and Elder Sister needn’t worry. Wait for my good news."
The first round of the Championship tested the Four Books and Five Classics.
For the current Gu Mingzhu, this was a breeze. She placed third overall, advancing to the second round—the talent performance.
"Third place!"
Upon hearing Liuxi’s report, Song Shihuan could hardly contain her excitement. "I was prepared for her to rank tenth! Mingzhu truly has a gift for academics."
Liuxi looked up, momentarily stunned.
So, all those times Her Highness had confidently assured Gu Mingzhu of her talent, she had just been humoring her?
"Go quietly place another bet on Mingzhu’s victory at the gambling house."
Song Shihuan’s eyes gleamed. Such a money-making opportunity couldn’t be missed!
Three days later, the long-awaited talent performance began. Nearly everyone’s attention was fixed on Gu Mingzhu.
"Second Young Lady Gu, your choice is..."
"I choose painting."
With that, Gu Mingzhu calmly took her seat. Instead of a brush, she pulled out a piece of charcoal stone with edges sharpened to a fine point.
"Why is Second Young Lady Gu using a stone to paint?"
"Is she stalling because she can’t paint?"
Whispers of doubt arose, but Gu Mingzhu, seated at her desk, seemed oblivious. The charcoal stone moved deftly in her hand, stroke after stroke.
Just as she had done countless times while painting her mother from memory.
An hour later, she set the charcoal down.
"I’ve finished."
When the painting was unveiled, the entire hall fell silent.
The portrait depicted Princess Fu'an on a swinging swing, her skirts billowing in the wind—so lifelike it seemed she might step out of the paper at any moment.
Never had they seen such a vivid painting!
