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When the painting was displayed in Kang Shilin's private room, Kang Yannian and Wu Huaisi, who were seeing Zhao Ruxi's work for the first time, were stunned. The two knew that Zhao Ruxi had a painting that was going to be auctioned. To promote this, Kang Shilin even brought out one of his best works to promote his apprentice.

When they saw the painting, they didn't think of Zhao Ruxi at all.

Who would have thought that such a magnificent and imposing painting was created by a fourteen-year-old girl?

Overwhelmed with awe, they racked their brains, wondering if they were simply too ignorant; otherwise, how could they have never seen the works of such a master painter?

Eunuch Qin and his two servants were already numb to it.

The other items were fine; people reacted with curiosity, amazement, or discussion. But the expressions on their faces when looking at this painting were as if they were under a spell—everyone reacted the same way: they looked over—eyes wide—dumbfounded—and their faces were filled with shock. Finally, it was time for them to leave.

The three of them rolled up the scroll, bowed, and left.

Just as he was leaving, Eunuch Qin heard the Minister of Ministry of Works, Lord Gong, point at them and say, "That... that's Junior Sister's painting, isn't it?"

Gong Cheng had seen Zhao Ruxi's paintings before. However, it wasn't this one, but rather one from when Zhao Ruxi first started creating this style of painting. Later, when Zhao Ruxi practiced painting at the painting academy, Gong Cheng saw him several more times. He was deeply impressed by Zhao Ruxi's painting style.

Even so, when he saw the painting just now, he was so stunned by it that his mind completely stopped, and he couldn't think of anything else.

He only came to his senses after Eunuch Qin and the others put the painting away.

Upon hearing this, not only Kang Yannian and Wu Huaisi, but also Eunuch Qin and the two servants stopped in their tracks and turned to look at Gong Cheng in surprise.

Eunuch Qin was the chief eunuch serving Xiao Lingpu. If Xiao Lingpu didn't know who the painter was, Eunuch Qin naturally wouldn't either. The two servants were even less likely to know.

The two servants were completely bewildered, not knowing what "junior sister" meant. However, Eunuch Qin glanced around the private room and his gaze fell on Zhao Ruxi.

Knowing Xiao Lingyan's intentions, Wu Zong immediately rebuked Gong Cheng, saying, "Second Senior Brother, don't talk nonsense."

He smiled and gestured to Eunuch Qin, "Please make yourself at home, Eunuch Qin."

Whose items these auctioned belonged to, and who bought them, was none of Eunuch Qin's concern. His action just now was subconscious. After all, he was always awestruck by this painting, and he was also very curious about who the artist was.

He quickly suppressed his doubts and curiosity, bowed to Wu Zong, and led his servant out.

Gong Cheng realized he had misspoke. After watching Eunuch Qin and the others leave, he said to Zhao Ruxi, "I'm sorry, Junior Sister, I... I just couldn't contain myself, I was too surprised. Your painting..."

He glanced around the room and saw that the messenger was standing far away from the door, not wanting to disturb the conversation of the distinguished guests in the private room, since it wasn't time to discuss the pricing yet. Only then did he continue, "When did you paint this? Although your previous paintings were also grand and magnificent, none of them were as breathtaking as this one."

He stood up and bowed deeply to Kang Shilin: "Master, I am truly unworthy of being your disciple. Compared to Junior Sister, I am but a firefly compared to the bright moon."

Kang Shilin waved his hand, signaling Gong Cheng to go back and sit down, before giving Zhao Ruxi a complicated look. "Gong Cheng, not only are you unworthy of being my senior brother, but I am also unworthy of being Zhiwei's teacher."

"Master, aren't you afraid of beating me to death by talking like that?" Zhao Ruxi said reproachfully. "Please, just scold me. Really, the way you talk makes me feel like you're about to dig a huge pit for me."

Kang Shilin laughed, "Get lost."

"Ah, that makes me feel much better." Zhao Ruxi breathed a sigh of relief.

Wu Zong chuckled. His junior sister was being silly again.

Wu Zong had seen Zhao Ruxi's painting.

When he learned that his junior sister was not satisfied with his original paintings and had gone hiking during her break to find inspiration, his curiosity was piqued.

So the next day, despite being extremely busy, he still managed to find time to visit his master to see his junior sister's new work. Then, faced with the new piece, he was speechless.

Finally, he sighed dejectedly, "Why was Zong born when Xi was born?" His master flicked him on the forehead, and he ran away with his head in his hands.

Seeing the painting again now still shocks him, but his focus is now on Kang Yannian, Wu Huaisi, and Gong Cheng.

So he took a good look at the three-step process of stagnation that Eunuch Qin had witnessed along the way.

"No, I mean..." Wu Huaisi looked at Zhao Ruxi, then at Kang Shilin and Gong Cheng, his face full of confusion, "What did you say? That painting just now, was it painted by our junior sister?"

He wasn't deaf; he heard everything clearly, but he still couldn't believe it.

How could such a painting have been painted by my junior sister?

He carefully examined his junior sister.

This is clearly just a child, and a girl at that. How could she possibly have such breadth of vision and spirit, and create such a painting?

But Kang Shilin's words immediately dispelled the last remaining doubt in his mind.

"Isn't it your junior sister who drew it? I have to say, you're such an irresponsible senior brother. You haven't even seen what your junior sister's paintings are like. Don't ever tell anyone you're Zhiwei's senior brother again."

Wu Huaisi was a powerful minister with a high position. If he forced his eldest disciple to become close to his youngest disciple, it would easily make the eldest disciple look down on Zhiwei. Therefore, Wu Huaisi was indifferent to Zhao Ruxi and had little interaction with her. Kang Shilin also never tried to put the two of them together.

But now that Zhao Ruxi's paintings have become famous, and she's definitely going to become very famous, Wu Huaisi will be proud to be her junior sister. That's why Kang Shilin said that.

The political landscape is ever-changing; even the most favored minister cannot remain in the position of Minister of Ministry of Personnel for long—the emperor would never allow it. Yet Zhao Ruxi's name will be remembered for eternity.

Before long, in just over a decade, Wu Huaisi would no longer be Minister Wu, but rather the senior disciple of Master Zhiwei, no longer even deserving of a name.

Worried that Wu Huaisi would be embarrassed, Zhao Ruxi said as soon as Kang Shilin finished speaking, "Eldest Brother is busy with official duties. Second and Third Brothers probably haven't even seen my paintings if they weren't studying sketching."

She turned to Wu Zong and winked at him mischievously. "Isn't that right, Third Senior Brother?"

"Zhiwei, you heartless little brat, how dare you say that your third senior brother doesn't care about you enough or treat you well enough?" Wu Zong threatened.

"Haha, okay, even if it's not good, I wouldn't dare say so," Zhao Ruxi said.

The two joked around, instantly lightening the atmosphere in the private room.

There's also Kang Yannian, whose feelings are complicated.

His initial attitude towards Zhao Ruxi was somewhat similar to that towards Wu Huaisi.