Painting Doctor Jinhua

Chapter 156: Showdown in the Palace (2)

Not only Gao Zhan felt it was a pity, the entire banquet was filled with sighs of regret, and even Gao Xiaowan and Gao Xiaoheng were dumbfounded.

"She is clearly a beautiful person, but..."

"What a shame, what a shame. Beauty is hard to come by, and such a beauty is hard to come by in the world. We should cherish her. How could someone be so cruel to such a beauty?"

"that is--"

At this time, Xiao Jinyu knelt down and saluted Gao Zhan, saying, "Your Majesty, I was ordered by the emperor of the Southern Dynasty to marry Lanling King in order to establish a friendly marriage between the two countries of Qin and Jin. However, I was chased by assassins hired by Qi several times on the way, and my appearance was disfigured. Please help me find out who is behind the fake order of your majesty to kill Lanling King and me!"

"This is also the reward that I would like to ask Your Majesty for!"

Xiao Jinyu added this sentence. Her words had already made it clear to Gao Zhan that it was not him who sent the Northern Qi imperial assassin to hunt down King Lanling. This not only gave him face as the emperor, but also pointed him in the direction!

Gao Zhan naturally understood what he meant, and shouted again, "Who did it? Who stole my jade token and falsely passed on my imperial order?" He glanced around and noticed that He Shikai lowered his eyes slightly, so he asked in a low voice, "Yantong, do I remember that I was drunk once and gave the jade token to someone else?"

He Shikai lowered his head and glanced at the woman in a rose-embroidered gold dress not far away.

Gao Zhan followed his gaze and looked at the woman, questioning: "Lord Lu?"

Lady Lu?

Xiao Jinyu's gaze suddenly shot towards this woman: This turned out to be Lu Lingxuan, the woman who had been controlling her from behind, chasing her from Northern Qi to Southern Chen, and still persisting until now!

Actually, she should be about the same age as the original owner's mother, Xiao Luan, yet she looks so young and has the charm and grace of a woman.

Lu Lingxuan seemed to feel her gaze, and smiled back, saying calmly, "Your Majesty, you once gave me the jade token, but I only used it to search for Zhou spies, and within a day, I returned it to Your Majesty. I would never dare to mobilize the royal assassins, so please investigate!"

Lu Lingxuan now controls a secret spy organization that specializes in stealing intelligence from the Zhou and Chen states for Gao Zhan. Her information has always been very fast and accurate, so Gao Zhan entrusts her with important tasks and trusts her very much.

After her explanation, Gao Zhan really gave up and nodded without any suspicion.

Xiao Jinyu also understood the position of Lu Lingxuan in Gao Zhan's heart, but she didn't want to give up. She took out a bright yellow imperial edict from her sleeve again and presented it to Gao Zhan.

"Your Majesty, when I and Prince Lanling arrived at the Yecheng Post Station, someone falsely conveyed your Majesty's imperial decree and wanted to kill Prince Lanling. Here is the imperial decree, please take a look at it, Your Majesty!"

As soon as these words came out, the dignitaries at the banquet couldn't help but shout in horror. Gao Yanzong couldn't help but shout, "Who is so bold as to forge an imperial decree and kill my fourth brother?"

When he asked this, the imperial edict in Xiao Jinyu's hand had already been unfolded in front of everyone. There was a seal on it, but the line of words "grant poisoned wine to King Lanling" was particularly eye-catching, like a row of sharp blades!

Anyone who has seen Gao Zhan’s handwriting can recognize that this is not Gao Zhan’s own handwriting!

But it was stamped with an imperial seal, which could only mean one thing: only the person closest to Gao Zhan could have stolen the seal to stamp this imperial edict!

So, everyone's eyes turned angrily to He Shikai who was beside Gao Zhan.

He Shikai now serves as the Shizhong, whose duties are to serve the emperor, review the emperor's edicts and documents, and handle temporary government affairs.

Therefore, it was extremely easy for He Shikai to tamper with the imperial edict, especially since the emperor now obeyed his orders!

"Your Majesty, please seek justice for me and Prince Lanling!"

Amidst a buzz of shock, Xiao Jinyu knelt down again and pleaded with the Emperor of Qi.

She looked at the still hesitant emperor with sad and bright eyes. She was kneeling in the hall, exuding a cold and noble aura of loneliness, persistence and determination.

At this time, many people in the hall couldn't help but feel pity for Xiao Jinyu.

She was originally an extremely beautiful woman, who was married to the State of Qi for a marriage alliance. Unfortunately, her appearance was disfigured by a killer on the way. Moreover, the person behind the scenes wanted to forge an imperial decree to kill Prince Lanling!

It’s so hateful!

"Your Majesty, my fourth brother has always been loyal to his country and even repelled the Turkic army half a year ago. Yet, he was persecuted by the traitors. Your Majesty, please seek justice for my fourth brother, Prince Lanling!"

At this time, even Gao Yanzong stood up and knelt in the hall to plead.

Gao Xiaowan and Gao Xiaoheng were also somewhat moved. Just as they were about to stand up, Gao Zhan took the imperial edict handed to him by the eunuch and sighed, "This is indeed not an imperial edict issued by me, Princess Lanling, I will investigate it thoroughly!"

"I will also help you get back what you and Lanling King have suffered along the way!"

"Let's end this matter today. There is no need to discuss it further. Dinner parties are supposed to be joyous events. Don't let such things disturb the pleasure of the ministers!"

The assassination was revealed with just one sentence!

Xiao Jinyu was slightly surprised, but she saw that He Shikai and Lu Lingxuan looked at her with a provocative and proud look in their eyes.

This is the pride that this result has long been expected.

Xiao Jinyu was about to say something when another voice interrupted her and said sternly:

"Your Majesty, this matter is already very clear without investigation. We can know who did it. It was He Shizhong who forged the imperial edict!"

The one who stepped out from among the powerful and nobles was Prince of Zhao Gao Rui. Gao Rui was only a few years older than Gao Zhan, and was raised by Gao Huan because of his talents in both civil and military affairs. Later, he was trusted by Emperor Wenxuan Gao Yang and Emperor Xiaozhao Gao Yan. Gao Zhan also trusted him very much at the beginning, but because He Shikai often whispered in Gao Zhan's ear, Gao Zhan was deeply jealous of Gao Rui and became very distant from him. Now, to hear him stand up and say that it was He Shizhong who falsely conveyed the imperial edict, wasn't that directly scolding him as a tyrant who favored villains and distanced himself from wise ministers?

Gao Zhan was very displeased, knowing that Gao Rui was going to take advantage of this situation to expel He Shikai from the court. The Prince of Zhao had already requested this matter!

"Prince Zhao, what does this have to do with you? Back off!"

"Your Majesty, I want to seek justice for Prince Lanling!"

"you--"

Gao Zhan's violent temper almost broke out again, but when he caught a glimpse of Xiao Jinyu, his hostility could not help but subside. It must be said that this beauty covered the half-ruined face, with just the exposed smooth forehead and a pair of watery eyes like black jade, which was so beautiful that people would not have the heart to hurt her when seeing her!

Thinking about it, I feel it’s such a pity!

At this time, He Shikai ran over, crying and saying, "Your Majesty, I am innocent. I am indeed an attendant to Your Majesty, but this does not mean that I forged the imperial edict. I am willing to compare the handwriting with yours to prove my innocence!"

"I know your handwriting. The handwriting on this imperial edict is definitely not written by He Shizhong!"

"Your Majesty, although the handwriting was not written by him, the seal must have been stamped by him. As for who wrote the imperial edict, it is better to check the handwriting of everyone in the palace right now!" Zhaojun Wang Gao Rui pressed the issue again.

"enough!"

Gao Zhan shouted angrily. At this time, Lanling Wang also came out and stopped Zhaojun Wang Gao Rui from continuing to speak. He also half-knelt beside Xiao Jinyu and bowed to Gao Zhan, saying:

"Your Majesty, no matter who wrote the imperial edict or stamped it with the imperial seal, I believe Your Majesty will make a wise decision. I do not want to investigate this matter at this banquet. However, my beloved wife's appearance was destroyed by someone, and I hope Your Majesty will seek justice for her!"

He was talking about seeking justice for his beloved wife, not for himself!

Gao Zhan pondered this sentence over and over again and looked at Gao Changgong.

Under his gaze, Gao Changgong paused for a moment and then said, "As for the imperial assassins who have been chasing us along the way, I have also captured two of them. They can testify who is behind them!"

It turns out there is a witness!

Gao Yanzong was so anxious that he was sweating profusely. When he heard this, he couldn't help but be overjoyed and said to himself: Why didn't you tell me earlier that there was a witness? I was really anxious to death!

Things had developed to this point, and it was impossible for Gao Zhan to make a big deal out of a small matter. Originally, this was a celebration banquet prepared for King Lanling, although it was just an excuse for him to see the appearance of the most beautiful woman in the South.

"Bring those two up!" Gao Zhan said with some displeasure.

"Yes!"

Following Lanling King's hint, Lu Yu immediately ran out of the banquet and tied up the two assassins that Zhao Wu and Yang Zhi had prepared in the hall.

Seeing the emperor in the palace and Lu Lingxuan sitting not far from him, the two assassins lowered their heads in fear.

The two men were unable to speak because their mouths were gagged to prevent them from committing suicide.

At this time, Lu Yu handed the confession they wrote to Gao Changgong.

"Your Majesty, these are their confessions!"

Gao Zhan ordered the eunuch to bring the bloody silk and handed it to him. At first glance, the people behind the scenes as written in the confession were actually Han Changluan and Mu Ti Po!

Since they have already given out the names of Han Changluan and Mu Tipo, it is not difficult to guess who is behind these two people!

Gao Zhan glanced at Lu Lingxuan again, but saw that her expression was calm, with a half-smile on the corner of her lips, still as if this matter had nothing to do with me.

"Take the things out of these two people's mouths! Let them talk!"

"Yes!"

Lu Yu responded by pulling the silk from the two men's mouths. Instantly, the two men kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, we were tortured into confessing. We were not sent by Governor Han and Mu Dipo. We received orders from Liu Dadu Rui to hunt down Lanling King. As for where the order came from, we don't know!"

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

"You..." Lu Yu was so angry that he wanted to punch and kick the two men, but when his feet just touched them, he found that their bodies stiffened and fell to the ground with a bang.

When one of the guards went to check on the two men, they were already dead.

"It seems that he has reached the end of his strength after being tortured!" A powerful official at the banquet sneered.

"Commander-in-Chief Han, no matter what, these two men are your subordinates. Whether they were tortured or not, you can't escape responsibility, right?"

It turned out that the person who sneered was Han Changluan. Gao Rui's words had left him speechless.

But now the people are dead, and as the saying goes, there is no evidence after death. No one expected that these two people would change their confessions before they died, and then immediately committed suicide after changing their confessions!

Xiao Jinyu turned her gaze to Lu Lingxuan again, but saw that the woman still met her gaze with a very calm and complacent smile.

That smile has become her unshakable mask!

"Forget it, forget it. Since the person is dead, let's not make a fuss about this matter anymore. Let's hand him over to the Dali Temple for investigation!"

Gao Zhan's words were full of impatience, and it was obvious that he didn't want to investigate further. Gao Yanzong was so angry that he wanted to argue a few more times, but was stopped by Gao Changgong, who signaled him to shut up.

At this moment, Gao Zhan suddenly had an idea and changed the topic. He looked at Xiao Jinyu and said, "I heard that you are good at painting. You once painted a picture of the Eastern Palace Night Banquet at the Eastern Palace Banquet of the Southern Dynasty. I am very curious, can your paintings compare with Zu Zhongshu of my Great Qi?"

After saying this, he looked around at the people at the banquet and asked, "Is Xiao Zheng coming to the banquet today?" (Zu Ting, courtesy name: Xiao Zheng)

"Your Majesty, I am here!"

A middle-aged man in a red robe and a four-beam crown walked out of the banquet, bowed to Gao Zhan with a smile, and asked, "What do you want, Your Majesty?"

Xiao Jinyu immediately turned her gaze to the middle-aged man again: This turned out to be the genius Zu Ting who was proficient in all kinds of skills as mentioned by Li Mi. He looked to be in his forties, but he was in good spirits and had the elegance of a scholar.

"Xiao Zheng, you have always claimed to be a genius, and it has been a long time since you met an opponent. How about you compete in painting skills with the talented woman from the Southern Dynasty, Princess Lanling, to open the eyes of all the nobles?"

There was an obvious hint of provocation and sarcasm in Gao Zhan's tone. As the king of a country, Gao Zhan felt resentful because he repeatedly lost in eloquence to this minister whose moral character and reputation were not very good.

There was one particularly heated debate when Zu Ting actually accused him of forcibly abducting women into the palace. He argued that these women were hungry and had no one to feed them, so he kept them in the palace. Zu Ting then sarcastically said, since Your Majesty loves the people so much, why don't you open the granaries to relieve the disaster?

He was so angry that he beat Zu Ting half to death, but this guy was so flexible and shameless that he begged for mercy and offered to make the golden elixir as a condition for his life!

He also said, "If Your Majesty kills me, I will only be known as a remonstrating minister. If Your Majesty does not kill me, then Your Majesty will be known as a virtuous minister!"

Although he was furious, he finally stopped because of this sentence and let him atone for his sin with money and demotion!

A painting contest?

Although many of the dignitaries present had never heard of Xiao Jinyu's painting skills, they had heard of Zu Ting's walnut oil painting, which was a masterpiece that both Emperor Wenxiang and Emperor Wenxuan loved.

When he heard about the painting competition, Guangning Prince Gao Xiaoheng's eyes lit up and he couldn't help but reveal his anticipation. Today, he heard from Gao Yanzong that the woman from the Southern Dynasty that his fourth brother married was an expert in painting, and he wondered to what extent she was skilled!

With this opportunity, how can I not look forward to it?

"Your Majesty, we can compete in whatever you want?" Zu Ting said with a smile.

Gao Zhan looked at Xiao Jinyu.

"Let's just paint a picture of a night banquet at Bingjingtai! Princess Lanling, what do you think?"

Lanling Wang was somewhat displeased. Xiao Jinyu shook his hand again and raised her head and said, "Your Majesty's order is one I dare not refuse. Please give me pen, ink, paper and inkstone. In order to better present the full view of the Ice Well Terrace, I would like seven boxes of Weidan ink, two Zhangzhi pens, and seven feet of Zuobo paper..."

Gao Zhan was stunned when he heard this, and then he said, "No problem!" and asked the eunuch to bring writing brush, ink, paper and inkstone!

Zu Ting also looked at Xiao Jinyu in some surprise. He couldn't help but find it funny to see such a slender and delicate young lady actually having to paint a seven-foot long painting!

"Princess Lanling, are you planning to put the entire Ice Well Platform into your painting? Do you want to paint such a large painting? Will it tire your delicate body?"

Xiao Jinyu looked at him.

Zu Ting felt as if the Milky Way was flowing backwards in front of his eyes, shining brightly. The young lady's eyes were truly extremely beautiful. He had seen countless people in his life, even the noble lady from the Yuan family, but this was the first time he felt the clarity of purity from this young lady.

"Zu Zhongshu, the skill of painting should not distinguish between men and women. There should be no discrimination against women, right?" Xiao Jinyu teased.

Zu Ting's mouth twitched, and he replied with a flattering smile: "Not true, not true. Then Princess Lanling, let's get started!"