Chapter 102 The Painting of Perfection

Chapter 102 The Painting of Perfection

Time passes like drops of water, little by little.

Xie Yan glanced sideways at Shen Nanzi, her nose filled with the rich fragrance emanating from her.

She loves elaborate and colorful things, and everything she wears and accessorizes is extravagant and flamboyant.

Even the fragrance they use is richer.

Fortunately, she has a graceful figure and beautiful features, so she looks stunning no matter how she dresses up.

He used to hate her and avoid her at all costs, but now he finds himself finding it hard to get tired of looking at her.

Her eyelids drooped up uncontrollably, but after several attempts, they finally closed again.

She was actually dozing off. How can someone doze off while standing?

Xie Yan smiled, tilted his body slightly, and reached out to pull her head towards his chest.

This action startled her awake, and she cried out, "Xie Yu, watch out!"

The shout startled the painter, causing his brush to tremble.

Shen Nanzi's mind went blank for a few moments before she realized her location and managed to suppress the pounding in her chest.

Fear still lingered in her eyes; she had just dreamt of Xie Yu being injured and defeated by Xie Yan in the battle for the throne.

She pursed her lips, clearly worried about Xie Yu's situation.

Belatedly realizing what was happening, Xie Yan was right next to her. Just now, she thought she had shouted out!

Looking up at him, I saw that his expression was nothing more than somewhat indifferent.

He was relieved; the person he loved was Xue Qingning, and he wouldn't care whose name she was calling out.

Shen Nanzi straightened up, dozed off for a moment, and then fully woke up.

But they didn't see the contraction in Xie Yan's eyes, or the long period of stillness, where even his thoughts and breathing ceased.

After a long while, Xie Yan gently lifted his eyelashes, revealing an even deeper melancholy in his eyes.

Xie Yu!

He's not even the sixth prince!

Just like at the Marquis of Pingyang's residence, they addressed each other by name in times of crisis.

They don't even care about etiquette!

Even knowing their close relationship, I couldn't help but speculate.

Is their relationship really just one of familiarity?

She and Shen Minghan wholeheartedly supported Xie Yu, while Xie Yu acted contrary to his usual behavior.

From a previously idle prince to participating in the competition for the crown prince position.

Have they reached some kind of agreement in private?

Just like Xue Yubai always wanted to entrust Xue Qingning and her son to him.

Did Shen Minghan also entrust Shen Nanzi and Cheng'er to Xie Yu?

The thought of this possibility made Xie Yan feel a lump in his throat.

His breathing became a bit rougher.

…

After drawing for almost two hours, it was finally finished.

When Xie Chengze returned from his studies at the palace, Qinghe brought him over.

The moment Cheng'er saw Xie Yan, her face immediately tightened.

He walked up to Shen Nanzi and respectfully called out, "Mother!"

Then, after a moment of hesitation, she reluctantly called out, "Father!"

Shen Nanzi understood his reluctance and straightened the bright green brocade robe he had just changed into.

He said in a casual tone, "Cheng'er looks so dashing and handsome today!"

"If I walked down the street, even young girls would blush with embarrassment!"

Xie Chengze felt a little embarrassed by Shen Nanzi's praise, and his expression softened slightly. "Mother, please stop talking!"

"Alright, Mother won't say anything. Mother is happy inside, okay!"

Seeing the interaction between the mother and son, Xie Yan's expression improved somewhat.

Especially when Xie Yan looked at that small face that resembled his, he felt a surge of warmth in his heart and beckoned to him, "Come here!"

Xie Chengze raised his eyes, his dark pupils filled with resistance and vigilance. His body instinctively moved to protect Shen Nanzi, his expression like that of a little wolf cub.

Xie Yan understood his gaze, as if she were seeing her younger self, and a bittersweet feeling of guilt spread through her chest.

Before he was ten years old, he had seen Xie Yuan only a handful of times.

However, he knew that Xie Yuan was his father, and also the one who had thrown him and his mother into the Abandoned Flower Palace.

Every time Xie Yuan appeared, he was afraid that he would hurt his mother. Even though he knew he had no power to deter him, he did everything he could to prevent him from getting close to his mother.

Seeing Cheng'er so wary of him time and time again, he was filled with remorse, and his anger also affected the innocent child.

He forced an unnatural smile, his voice deliberately gentle, "Cheng'er."

But she found that she had no idea what to say to him.

Shen Nanzi, however, was thinking about other things and was puzzled. She turned to Xie Yan and asked, "Why do we need to paint three portraits? Wasn't it one portrait for each person before?"

"Change it!" Xie Yan said without changing his expression.

"Is it necessary to paint so many? Will they even fit?"

"There must be a reason for this. Praying for blessings is good for you and Cheng'er!"

Which mother could refuse to hear someone praying for Cheng'er's well-being?

The three of them stood still, and Xie Yan bent down and gently took Xie Chengze's hand.

Xie Chengze's small hand stiffened for a moment, then he tried to pull it back, but Xie Yan held on tightly.

After several exchanges between father and son, Xie Yan finally sensed Xie Chengze's resignation after struggling for his life, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

He held his soft little hand; this was his son, his blood flowing through his veins!

Like him, she has a hidden fierceness in her temperament.

His barren life seemed to be infused with vitality, rising like the sun, warming his long-hardened heart.

A scene that captivated him appeared before his eyes...

As the sun set, in the back garden of Prince Jing's mansion, Shen Nanzi and Cheng'er frolicked among the flowers, chasing butterflies.

He was behind them, watching this beautiful scene.

…

The painting was finally finished as the sun set.

Shen Nanzi left with Cheng'er, while Xie Yan looked at the paintings hanging to dry.

How long does it need to dry before mounting?

The artist replied, "Three days later."

"Make a copy of this and put it in the sacrificial hall."

Xie Yan pointed to the three of them.

If Shen Nanzi were to go and see for herself, she wouldn't think he was lying.

*

Xie Yu returned from Cangjue, bringing back the body of the murdered envoy.

They also brought back the head of the criminal who killed the envoy, as well as two thousand taels of gold and thirty thousand taels of silver.

The Cangjue Kingdom's monarch's handwritten "letter of apology" and a promise not to have any friction with Yunhan within two years.

In the Chongde Hall, the Emperor's fingers stroked the armrest of the dragon throne with satisfaction, a glint of light shining in his eyes, his tone revealing barely concealed joy:

"I never expected that my sixth son would finally be willing to share the burden of state affairs with me. I haven't spoiled him in vain. Tell me, what reward do you want?"

The Sixth Prince's trip had already attracted much attention, and now that he had returned safely, all the officials were keeping a close eye on the Emperor's every word and action.

Hearing the Emperor's loving words, the officials had many thoughts in their minds.

Xie Yu returned to Luoyang yesterday and today changed into a light blue robe, standing in the center of the main hall looking radiant.

"Father, I do not want any reward. I just want to share your burdens and be filial to you."

Upon hearing the Sixth Prince's words, the officials finally felt relieved, and all their previous speculations were now confirmed.

Zhang, the Imperial Censor beside Xie Yan, whispered, "Your Highness Prince Jing, what position do you think the Emperor will bestow upon the Sixth Prince?"

Xie Yan chuckled: "Imperial Censor Zhang is really going against the grain. Aren't you afraid of being accused of 'misinterpreting the Emperor's will'?"

Imperial Censor Zhang pursed his lips and said in a low voice, "Just say it: 'Heartfelt Devotion to the Court.'"

Xie Yan suppressed a smile and said in a low voice, "In this special period, the emperor will not grant him the title of king. His achievements this time are mediocre, so he will not be given much real power. There are no officials who want to retire now."

He glanced at the person at the head of the table and said, "Adding a Chamberlain would be most appropriate."

The Imperial Censor nodded sincerely.

Both men watched the commotion at the head of the table, where the emperor stroked his short beard, a thoughtful look in his eyes.