Chapter 7: The Competition, A Sensation

In the first-floor lobby, the crowd waited with bated breath until, after a long while, several figures slowly appeared in their line of sight. Upon seeing the newcomers, everyone gasped; no one had expected that the State Preceptor would also be among them.

The State Preceptor, Bai Li, was a man of Dongjin who was as if a celestial deity. No one knew his origins; they only knew he was as beautiful as a banished immortal. Rumors circulated that on the day Bai Li was born, auspicious clouds radiated in all directions, a sign of a lucky star. Because of this, from a very young age, Bai Li had been respected by everyone in Dongjin, and no one dared to show him any disrespect. Coupled with his celestial appearance, he was someone one felt it was a sin to profane.

With Bai Li present, this competition seemed to have become even more exciting...

After taking his seat, Bai Li revealed a peerless, elegant smile. "I am honored today to set the topic for the two young ladies who are famous throughout the capital." As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd burst into laughter. Indeed, these two were famous throughout the capital, but one was famous for her prestige, while the other was infamous.

A trace of smugness flashed through Li Yingxue's eyes as she looked toward Meng Juese with a somewhat provocative gaze. In response, Meng Juese acted as if she hadn't even seen her.

The corners of Bai Li's lips curled slightly, but no one noticed the fleeting flash of malice in his eyes. Immediately following, he announced today's topic.

There was only one topic for today's competition: painting. As soon as the topic was announced, the crowd sighed in dismay. Wasn't this clearly intended to let Miss Li win?

Listening to the discussions below, Chun'er cried out in alarm, "Miss, what should we do? It's painting! Miss, you clearly don't know how to paint!" Every time, Chun'er "accidentally" raised her voice so that the people around them could hear clearly.

Meng Juese gave her a faint glance, ignoring her entirely. This maid, who had long since been placed on her blacklist, could not stir even a ripple of emotion in her. She simply gave a brief instruction to a nearby servant boy, then sat calmly to the side as if waiting for something. She picked up a teacup, drank it in one gulp, and said nothing more. Her movements were elegant and seamless, without a hint of affectation. Those who noticed Meng Juese couldn't help but stare wide-eyed; today, this Miss Meng seemed to possess something extra.

As the time for the incense stick began, the two started painting.

The maid beside Li Yingxue ground the ink for her, and she began to focus intently on her painting. To the side, Meng Juese merely sipped her tea indifferently, showing no sign of starting.

"It was said that the Second Miss Meng has no talent or skill, so how could she know how to paint? Perhaps she knew this and decided to forfeit?"

"Indeed, I fear that if she actually paints something, it will only be an embarrassment. It's better not to show off her lack of skill."

For a time, the crowd whispered amongst themselves.

Half of the incense stick's time had already passed when the servant boy she had instructed arrived late. Seeing the unnatural expression on his face, Juese knew that someone had deliberately delayed him to prevent him from arriving early.

However, even so, what of it?

The corners of her lips slowly curled into an arc; that half-face, as elusive as a ghost, looked even more intimidating at this moment. The servant boy, trembling with fear, followed Meng Juese's instructions to set up an easel and then placed the rice paper upon it.

Once everything was prepared, Juese picked up some charred wood charcoal and began to draw something on the paper.

"What on earth is this Miss Meng doing? Is she actually using charcoal to paint?" someone exclaimed in shock.

"Who knows? Perhaps she's making a deathbed struggle. Forget it, forget it; it'll end up being an eyesore anyway. Let her toss and turn however she likes."

While the crowd was busy discussing, Li Yingxue had already finished her painting.

It was a painting of plum blossoms. Her mature brushwork did not seem like that of a sixteen-year-old girl at all. Every stroke carried a certain charm, and overall, the plum blossom painting was lifelike—truly a top-tier work! The crowd broke into praises. At the same time, when they looked back at Meng Juese, their expressions turned to pity.

Meng Juese ignored them, remaining immersed in her own painting.

Just as the incense ash fell completely, she finished her work.

"Alright, it's done—" Meng Juese let her arms hang loosely. She hadn't expected her interests from her past life to come in handy at a time like this.

Bai Li had been sitting quietly to the side, slowly savoring the tea in his hand, as if everything happening around him had nothing to do with him. The moment Meng Juese's brush landed, a few traces of anticipation flashed through his eyes; he wanted to see exactly what gave this Meng Juese such confidence!

Two servants spread the painting out directly. Everyone waited with mocking faces to see Meng Juese become a laughingstock; Qiao Chuqi was among them, as was Li Yingxue. However, when the painting was fully spread before the crowd, a collective gasp rang out from all directions.

Li Yingxue's face suddenly turned deathly pale, her previous smugness vanishing. Even Bai Li, who had been sitting quietly waiting to watch the show, felt his hand tremble violently as he held his wine cup while looking at the painting.

"Heavens, isn't that the State Preceptor?" someone finally cried out in shock.

"Yes, it is! It looks... it really looks too much alike!"

On the white rice paper, a few sparse black strokes outlined a beautiful face. There were not many strokes, but they were enough to capture the person's expression. The long, narrow phoenix eyes and the exquisite contours—though only roughly outlined, they fully captured the essence of the person.

Meng Juese sat quietly to the side, watching the reaction below. It was no surprise; this was all within her expectations. Furthermore, the tempering of her past life had long since made her indifferent to both honor and disgrace. The reason she had painted Bai Li just now was simply because of his outstanding looks, plus... Meng Juese narrowed her eyes slightly, a strange feeling crossing her heart. For some reason, she felt this State Preceptor was somewhat familiar...

"Miss, when did you learn how to do this?" Chun'er's puzzled question interrupted Meng Juese's thoughts. In Chun'er's memory, this Second Miss was crude and unrefined, unable to even recognize a few characters; how could she understand such refined arts?

Hearing this, Meng Juese merely spoke indifferently, "If you put all your thoughts into my heart, perhaps you wouldn't have such questions."

Chun'er was momentarily speechless, her face turning pale. She could feel that her Miss was becoming increasingly distant from her; could it be that she had truly discovered something? "Miss—" Chun'er wanted to say more, but Meng Juese no longer wished to listen. She simply turned her head toward Bai Li. "State Preceptor, is it? Fine then, you tell us: in this competition, who won and who lost?"

The corners of the State Preceptor's lips slowly curled up into a smile. A few traces of laughter appeared on that plain face, but on his pale visage, that smile actually made one feel a sense of heartache. His slender fingers gently rotated the wine cup, exuding elegance in every movement. However, no one noticed that a few traces of coldness flashed through those narrow eyes. He raised his head and looked at her. "So, Miss Meng was hiding her talents all along."

Meng Juese raised an eyebrow. "Am I supposed to go around the streets announcing everything I know? I don't have that kind of leisure."

This half-joking remark once again made Li Yingxue look embarrassed. Her talents were well-known, so these words sounded like a great mockery to her ears.

"Haha—Miss Meng is truly humorous." Bai Li laughed again. "However, regardless of who wins this competition, could Miss Meng perhaps gift this painting to Bai Li?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue fell into an uproar. The State Preceptor, beautiful as a celestial being, was actually asking an ugly woman for this painting?! In this way, who won and who lost was already self-evident.

Feeling the various gazes coming from all directions, Meng Juese smiled calmly. "It is merely a piece of casual work. Since the State Preceptor likes it, then take it."

"Then Bai Li thanks Lady Juese. If possible, please call me Bai Li in the future—" He lowered his eyelids and spoke softly.

Meng Juese's brow furrowed slightly; she found these words very uncomfortable! "How would Juese dare?" Having said that, ignoring the strange looks from those around her, she looked toward the Crown Prince. "Your Highness, tell me, in this competition, did Juese lose?"

Qiao Chuqi's expression became increasingly awkward. His hand gripping the wine cup tightened repeatedly; he was using so much force that his fingertips had already turned slightly white. Was he truly expected to marry this ugly woman? He could defy an imperial decree, but he could not break his word. A month ago, he had clearly made everything known before everyone: if she could defeat Xue'er in this competition, he would marry her; otherwise, forget it!

His thin lips trembled slightly. Just as he was about to say something, he saw Meng Juese clap her hands. "Forget it. Actually, winning or losing doesn't matter. I only came here today because I didn't want to let Miss Li have all the fun! As for the previous bet, I don't care either. If His Highness the Crown Prince is unwilling to marry me, then let it be! I, Meng Juese, have no intention of forcing anyone. I will inform my father later and have him speak to the Emperor. As for you, Your Highness, continue your happy and carefree life with your Miss Li. Juese will not cause you any trouble."

Today's Meng Juese had truly opened everyone's eyes. If the painting earlier was shocking, these words were even more so. Everyone knew that Meng Juese had once been desperate to marry the Crown Prince, forcing the Prime Minister to beg the Emperor for the marriage decree. But looking at her relaxed tone now, it was as if it were her turn to be the one who didn't care.

And the truth was exactly that—she, Meng Juese, truly did not care! Looking at Qiao Chuqi's face, Meng Juese gave a cold snort, clapped her hands, and stood up. "It's about time. Everyone can disperse; the excitement is over." With that, ignoring everyone's reactions, she stood up and walked straight toward the door.

Seeing this, Chun'er hurried to follow, her face already dark. She realized that she didn't understand her Miss at all.

Inside the doors, Qiao Chuqi's face was ashen. He finally understood: this time, it wasn't that he was unwilling to marry, but that she was unwilling to wed! Where was his dignity supposed to go?

"Brother Qi—" Li Yingxue stepped forward and tugged at his sleeve. Only with that innocent countenance did Qiao Chuqi's expression soften slightly.

Bai Li sat to the side drinking wine the whole time. The smile on his face grew deeper, but within that smile, there was also a hint of bloodlust...

Meng Juese, oh Meng Juese... He narrowed his eyes slightly, softly murmuring her name...