PNB Chapter 534: This painting is absolutely amazing!
Chapter 534: This painting is absolutely amazing!
Princess Li Wan'er's eyes sparkled with surprise. She excitedly grabbed Fang Xiaoxiao's hand and said, "Xiaoxiao, you're amazing! I knew you could do it! This painting is absolutely perfect. It makes me look even more beautiful than I am in real life!"
Her face beamed with a smile, filled with admiration and appreciation for Fang Xiaoxiao.
Fang Xiaoxiao's husbands, Long Jinyan, Murong Changqing, Ouyang Tuoba, and Zhou Wenjian, all wore smiles of satisfaction and pride.
Originally, I was worried about Fang Xiaoxiao's competition, but seeing her outstanding performance, I finally felt relieved.
Long Jinyan stepped forward, patted Fang Xiaoxiao on the shoulder, and said, "My wife, you really didn't disappoint us!" Murong Changqing also smiled and nodded, his eyes full of love and appreciation.
The surrounding crowd erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.
They all gathered around, eager to admire Fang Xiaoxiao's paintings up close.
"This painting is absolutely stunning!"
"I never imagined that such a beautiful painting could be created using charcoal blocks. This girl is truly talented!"
"Yes, this is a true master. I really underestimated her before!"
The people's praises rose and fell, filled with admiration and affection for Fang Xiaoxiao.
The mysterious old man who had been wearing a black mask nodded slightly, a hint of appreciation in his eyes.
He tapped his cane lightly on the ground, making a crisp sound, as if applauding Fang Xiaoxiao's excellent performance.
The entire venue was stunned by Fang Xiaoxiao's paintings. Everyone's reactions were different, but they all undoubtedly felt a deep admiration for Fang Xiaoxiao's talent.
The painting competition, which was originally thought to be a foregone conclusion, took a dramatic turn due to Fang Xiaoxiao's outstanding performance, which opened everyone's eyes.
Looking at Fang Xiaoxiao's stunning painting, and recalling his previous arrogance and current defeat, the sycophantic scholar felt both ashamed and angry. He suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted on the spot.
His classmates and friends were thrown into chaos, frantically trying to wake him up.
Fang Xiaoxiao remained calm, as if all of this was within her expectations.
She calmly walked forward, picked up the jade pendant that had originally been used as a wager, gently rubbed it in her hand, and then put it into her pocket.
Then, she walked gracefully to Liu Ruyan, bowed slightly, and whispered, "Miss Liu, don't forget to send someone to my Lingxi Pavilion with those five hundred taels of gold. I am a man of my word, and I hope Miss Liu is too."
Liu Ruyan's face instantly turned ashen. She gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with hatred, but she dared not lash out. She could only nod slightly and whisper, "I understand."
Fang Xiaoxiao smiled with satisfaction, then turned around and said softly to Long Jinyan, Murong Changqing, Ouyang Tuoba, Zhou Wenjian, and Princess Li Wan'er, "Let's go."
The crowd followed behind her and walked together towards the exit of the venue.
However, after taking only a couple of steps, a thin old man suddenly appeared from the side and blocked Fang Xiaoxiao's way.
The old man was dressed in a simple, ancient robe. Although his hair was gray, he was in good spirits and his eyes exuded a sense of authority.
He cupped his hands slightly and said, "Please wait, young lady. I am from the Imperial Academy. Today I have witnessed your exceptional talent; you are truly a rare genius. I intend to take you as my last disciple. What do you say?"
Long Jinyan, Murong Changqing, Ouyang Tuoba, and Zhou Wenjian were all taken aback, their faces showing surprise.
They all knew that the Imperial Academy held a very important position in academia, and becoming the last disciple of an elder in the Imperial Academy was something many people dreamed of.
All four of them hoped that Fang Xiaoxiao would agree, as it would be of great benefit to her future development.
Fang Xiaoxiao merely glanced at the old man, shook her head without hesitation, and said, "Thank you for your appreciation, sir, but I have no interest in these things. I just want to go home and sleep now."
Having said that, she walked past the old man and continued forward.
The old man was left standing there, a look of embarrassment and confusion on his face.
Fang Xiaoxiao's husbands quickly followed, their hearts filled with doubt.
Murong Changqing couldn't help but ask, "My wife, why won't you agree to such a rare opportunity?"
Fang Xiaoxiao simply sighed softly and did not answer.
After returning to Lingxi Pavilion, Fang Xiaoxiao ignored everyone's questions and went back to her room alone.
She slowly walked to the table, sat down, and stared blankly ahead.
The image of Pei Yan involuntarily surfaced in her mind—the man who had once sworn eternal love to her, but now, having regained his status as the Crown Prince, he ignored her completely while in the palace.
Recalling the moments they shared, those sweet memories now feel like sharp blades, piercing her heart.
She murmured to herself, "Pei Yan, why did you abandon me? Were all those vows just lies?"
As she thought about it, tears welled up in her eyes and slid down her cheeks, dripping onto the table.
She lay on the table, her shoulders trembling slightly, and her long-suppressed emotions finally erupted at this moment.
Her heart, once filled with deep affection, was now met with such cold indifference. It felt as if her heart had been torn into countless pieces, causing her unbearable pain.
In this silent room, only her suppressed sobs could be heard, telling of the endless pain and sorrow in her heart.
After a night, the morning sunlight streamed through the cracks in the window, gently falling on Fang Xiaoxiao's face.
She slowly opened her eyes, which had been red and swollen but had regained their former brightness, with no trace of the sadness and tears she had shed the night before.
She got up, straightened her clothes in front of the mirror, and smiled brightly, as if the sadness of last night had never existed.
Fang Xiaoxiao walked out of the room and ran into her husbands in the courtyard.
She walked up to him with light steps, first giving Long Jinyan a sweet smile and saying, "Jinyan, good morning." Long Jinyan was still worried about her condition last night, and was a little taken aback by her sudden smile, so he just nodded blankly.
Then, she walked over to Murong Changqing, gently poked his arm, and said with a smile, "Changqing, is there anything fun to do today?"
Murong Changqing looked at her bright smile, his heart filled with doubt. She was completely different from the woman who had been crying on the table last night. He forced a smile and replied, "Not...not yet."
Then, Fang Xiaoxiao skipped over to Ouyang Tuoba, tilted her head and said, "Good morning, Tuoba!"
Ouyang Tuoba stared wide-eyed at her, looking her up and down with a wary look in his eyes. He reached out and touched Fang Xiaoxiao's forehead, then touched his own, muttering, "She doesn't have a fever, but she seems like a completely different person."
Finally, she came to Zhou Wenjian's side, took his hand, and said with a smile, "Wenjian, shall we go for a walk in the street later?"
Zhou Wenjian looked at her, opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say, so he just nodded.
The husbands exchanged glances, and each saw worry and fear in the other's eyes.
Ouyang Tuoba, in particular, frowned deeply, convinced that something must have happened to his wife, and that she was likely possessed by an evil spirit.
He grabbed Fang Xiaoxiao's arm and said, "Wife, I'll take you to see a master. You're acting very strangely."
Fang Xiaoxiao simply shook her head gently and said with a smile, "I'm fine, don't worry about me."
She broke free from Ouyang Tuoba's hand and walked happily towards the flower bushes in the courtyard, humming a little tune.
The husbands stood there, watching her retreating figure, their worries growing stronger.
Long Jinyan sighed and said, "I hope she's really alright, and not just putting on a brave face."
Murong Changqing nodded slightly and said, "Yes, she was so heartbroken last night, but she suddenly became like this today. It's really worrying."
Ouyang Tuoba still insisted on taking her to see a master. He clenched his fist and said, "No, I'm still not at ease. We must find a master to take a look. What if she's really possessed?"
Zhou Wenjian remained silent, his eyes filled with concern for her.
Fang Xiaoxiao happily admired the flowers among the blossoms, a smile always on her face, as if nothing had happened. But who could truly know the pain in her heart?