PNB Chapter 100, 12,000, Gold
Chapter 100, 12,000, Gold
In an instant, the officials no longer cared about rules and etiquette, and began whispering and discussing among themselves.
This time, the various gazes sweeping over her were even more complicated. Su Mowan didn't want to be so high-profile, but who knew that Murong Jing would speak so quickly.
She exposed it all in one go.
This is not a good thing for her. Not only will it attract jealousy and resentment, but it will also be very detrimental to her future plans to open a painting studio.
But the Empress's gaze forced her to nod in agreement.
"Your Majesty, it was indeed Mo Wan who made it. It was just a trivial skill, and I made a fool of myself in front of you and the Emperor."
The Empress's expression was incredibly complex.
He stared at Su Mowan for a moment, then turned his gaze to Murong Jing.
Finally, she simply gave a dignified and loving smile: "I like it very much. It's rare that you're so thoughtful, child. You must have put in a lot of effort, right?"
Su Mowan smiled gently.
"It's alright, it's not too bad—"
"It really took a lot of effort; I haven't been able to eat properly for several days."
I didn't get a good night's sleep either.
After Murong Jing finished speaking, he turned his head slightly and gave Su Mowan a cold glance.
Upon hearing this, the Empress frowned slightly, but this time Emperor Mo Yao spoke first.
"What? You didn't eat properly? This won't do! My—"
"Father, you flatter me. With me watching over her closely, nothing will happen."
After Murong Jing finished speaking, he glanced at Su Mowan indifferently.
Su Mowan gritted her teeth inwardly. You're the one who brought this up, and you even have this 'I'm helping you out' look on your face!
Murong Jing was the one who started this fabricated 'deception of the emperor'!
Emperor Mo Yao glared at Murong Jing with displeasure, then smiled and said to Su Mowan, "I wonder how you painted this? The colors are so vibrant and lively, and the expressions are so lifelike."
Seeing that everyone was craning their necks waiting for her to speak, Su Mowan said very sincerely, "Let's discuss this matter with the Emperor another day. Tonight is the Mid-Autumn Festival, so I won't take up any more of your time."
Upon hearing this, the ministers who had been craning their necks to wait for an answer felt a wave of disappointment. However, considering that Su Mowan's words made sense, they dared not ask any questions, no matter how curious they were.
Consort Shen, however, smiled in a sarcastic tone.
"Is this painting something that Consort Su painted herself? Putting aside whether Consort Su can paint or not, where did the paint in this painting come from? I have never seen such things in our Yunmo Kingdom before."
Saying this in front of the ministers present was already quite impolite.
This shows that Consort Shen was indeed favored by the Emperor; otherwise, how could he dare to question her in front of the Emperor?
Su Mowan naturally knew that Consort Shen was probably trying to make things difficult for her, or to vent her anger on behalf of Shen Muyue.
However, she is not someone who can be easily manipulated.
"Is Consort Shen questioning the origin of this painting? To be honest, I have another one like this. If anyone here wants it, you can discuss the price with me."
This completely disrupted the peace.
However, the most distinctive and penetrating voice belonged to Shangguan Qingqi.
"I wonder how much Consort Su's paintings cost?"
Su Mowan looked over and saw Shangguan Qingqi sitting upright behind the Right Prime Minister, his peach blossom eyes staring intently at her.
Of course, to others, that intense gaze was directed at the painting, but to His Highness the King of Qin, it was not so.
Therefore, before Su Mowan could even make a bid, Murong Jing said coldly, "This painting is priceless, Young Master Shangguan, you'd better not ask any more questions."
The implication is: you can't afford it.
These words were too direct and merciless, causing the Right Chancellor's face to flush red.
Although his salary is not much, His Highness Prince Qin doesn't need to be so disrespectful. This is a blatant accusation that the Right Prime Minister's residence is poor!
Just because the father didn't have one doesn't mean the son won't.
Shangguan Qingqi looked very eager to know: "Your Highness, why don't you just say it and see which of the officials present has the same idea? That way, we won't have to ask again later."
They seem to thrive on chaos.
Su Mowan glanced at him coldly, but Shangguan Qingqi remained indifferent, still waiting for an answer.
His Highness the King of Qin was right to say that the painting was priceless.
Because the painting depicts His Highness the King of Qin.
Isn't it priceless? His Highness the King of Qin's worth is certainly not cheap.
Murong Jing's deep eyes flickered, and he smiled and said, "Since Young Master Shangguan insists on asking, then I might as well name a price: one million taels."
The ministers exclaimed.
"One million taels!"
"One million... taels?!"
Apart from Su Mowan herself, no one was calm anymore.
But His Highness the King of Qin added two more words: "gold".
"One million taels of gold..."
The ministers murmured in disbelief.
One million taels of gold could buy a third of the capital city!
It's just a painting, why are you asking for so much!
Nobody can afford it!
While it is indeed rare and special, it's not worth that much.
Clearly, even Emperor Mo Yao didn't believe it. He coughed lightly, signaling to His Highness Prince Qin not to joke so seriously.
"Don't try to fool the esteemed officials. The price is what it is. If any minister wants it, we can discuss it further."
Emperor Moyao said this, but all the ministers had already given up on their plans.
He's asking for a million taels of gold right off the bat. How much more can you negotiate?
Those who are truly penniless can't afford it, while those with illicit income are afraid of being exposed.
To everyone's surprise, His Highness the King of Qin said in a serious tone, "Father, there is only one painting of that kind in the world. I should keep it for myself. Anyway, the ministers are just curious."
After saying this, Murong Jing glanced at Su Mowan, his eyes filled with obvious displeasure.
Would you dare to sell his portrait?
Give her a hundred times the courage!
Su Mowan certainly didn't intend to do that. The reason she brought up this painting was to shut Consort Shen up.
Who knew it would escalate so much further?
However, Consort Shen did indeed keep quiet.
Because His Highness the King of Qin then swept his gaze over them with a cool expression.
"What Consort Shen just said was implying that I was deceiving the Empress Dowager?"
Consort Shen shuddered, only then remembering that it was Prince Qin who had said that the painting was made by Su Mowan herself.
They've messed with the wrong person this time.
Consort Shen smiled awkwardly and quickly explained, "Your Highness Prince Qin has misunderstood. I didn't mean that. I just find it hard to believe that Consort Su would suddenly bring out such a shocking thing."
Shocking?
Screw this shocking nonsense!
Su Mowan smiled casually: "Consort Shen has never seen anything like this before, so she finds it astonishing. But I have seen plenty of things. If Consort Shen is interested, you are welcome to come to our painting pavilion to take a look another day."
"Painted Pavilion?"
Emperor Mo Yao's eyes lit up immediately.