Xiao Ge Arrived

He suppressed his slightly trembling body, opened his mouth, and was about to voice his doubts when someone suddenly patted his shoulder heavily, and a familiar voice said in his ear, "Don't rush, wait a little longer."

It was the voice of his master, Mei Zhongjun.

Upon hearing this voice, Zhang Xiuyan's tense, fearful, and helpless emotions were immediately calmed down.

He turned his head, gave Mei Zhongjun a stiff smile, and called out, "Master."

"Wait until they've all finished their evaluations," Mei Zhongjun said.

Zhang Xiuyan nodded emphatically.

Lin Yunshen was originally standing next to Zhang Xiuyan. Hearing the conversation between the master and disciple, he couldn't help but frown.

He glanced at Kang Shilin, then at Zhao Ruxi's painting, and looked around, searching for Zhao Ruxi.

Zhao Ruxi was standing not far away, and her red dress was so eye-catching that Lin Yunshen spotted her immediately.

He quietly slipped out of the crowd and walked towards Zhao Ruxi.

As Lin Yunshen retreated, he was completely unaware that a group of disguised Imperial Guards had infiltrated the street and placed it under martial law.

Immediately, a person with a noble air led several servants, with the first few people skillfully clearing the way, and calmly entered, taking their positions in the front row at the upper right corner of the arena.

At this moment, everyone's attention was focused on Kang Shilin and his group, and they didn't notice that the people who arrived were Xiao Ge and his group dressed in ordinary clothes.

As an emperor, Xiao Ge never put himself in danger for the sake of the country's safety, lest he be assassinated and cause national turmoil. He never set foot in such bustling places.

However, when Xiao Lingyan visited him to look at paintings last time, he casually mentioned that Mister Kumu's youngest apprentice Layperson Zhiwei, was also participating in this year's talent competition. He wondered if Mr. Kumu would be able to create a painting that could rival the one that was auctioned off.

Thinking of this, Xiao Ge couldn't stay in the palace any longer today.

Since it was a day off, the ministers didn't need to attend court, and there wasn't much official business piling up on his desk, so he wasn't in a hurry.

Moreover, he only came to see the painting on a whim, and left after viewing it, so he didn't stay long. Even if someone wanted to rebel, they wouldn't be able to react in time.

So he sent someone to inquire and learned that the competition was over. He immediately got up, intending to come out and see Zhao Zhiwei paint on the spot.

It was winter, and everyone was dressed warmly. Xiao Ge was wearing casual clothes, with a hooded cloak covering half his face. He didn't stand out in the crowd. Eunuch Xie and his attendants were all disguised.

Therefore, even when the group stood in front of the fence, none of the court officials who attended court every day and were fairly familiar with Xiao Ge recognized him.

Xiao Ge spotted Zhao Ruxi's painting at a glance.

Upon seeing this, his eyes were glued to his face.

He loved painting, and Zhao Ruxi's style resonated with him the most. If Xiao Ge were in modern times, he would know that there's a phrase that best describes his feelings. "This is my type."

The thought of wanting to possess this painting suddenly came to mind.

Well, his uncle had promised to give him another painting by Zhao Zhiwei. Since there was one available, he wouldn't be picky and would just take this one.

Fang Jingye was scoring after Kang Shilin, had no idea that the Emperor had arrived and had even decided to acquire Zhao Ruxi's painting.

He walked up from behind, announcing the scores as he went.

He gave a more lenient score than Peng Guoan and Kang Shilin. Zhang Xiuyan and Lin Yunshen both received more than seven points, and he also gave Zhao Ruxi's painting a perfect score of ten.

Meanwhile, Lin Yunshen had already walked up to Zhao Ruxi, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Miss Zhiwei, I have something to tell you."

Zhao Ruxi glanced at Zhang Xiuyan in the crowd, her brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.

She had just seen Lin Yunshen and Zhang Xiuyan standing together.

Wu Zong also scrutinized Lin Yunshen.

Zhao Ruxi gave a polite smile, raised her hand to return Lin Yunshen's greeting, and said, "Brother Lin, please speak freely."

Lin Yunshen glanced around, seemingly wanting Zhao Ruxi and the others to find another place to talk.

Zhao Ruxi, however, seemed oblivious to his hints, smiling as she watched him, waiting for him to speak. Wu Zong and Gong Cheng stood to the side, offering no response.

Lin Yunshen had no choice but to abandon the idea and said to Zhao Ruxi, "I overheard Zhang Xiuyan's conversation with his master. They feel that it's unfair for Mister Kumu, as the master, to give his disciple such a high score. They might question the fairness of the competition later."

Zhao Ruxi's smile remained unchanged, showing no change in emotion whatsoever.

She politely cupped her hands in greeting. "Thank you for coming to inform me, Brother Lin."

Seeing this, Lin Yunshen was somewhat discouraged. He returned Zhao Ruxi's greeting, then bowed to Gong Cheng and Wu Zong, saying, "I have finished speaking, so I will take my leave now."

With that, he turned and walked in another direction.

Watching his figure disappear into the crowd, Wu Zong smiled and said, "That kid is quite talented." But the smile didn't reach his eyes.

Lin Yunshen came here specifically to say these words, simply because he felt that Zhao Ruxi's momentum was unstoppable, and that none of her master or senior brothers were not in power.

In contrast, Mei Zhongjun and his apprentice, thanks to Kang Shilin's visit to scold him and expose all his dirty deeds, had a bad reputation despite his excellent paintings. Zhang Xiuyan, though talented in painting, was nothing compared to Zhao Ruxi.

So Lin Yunshen came here to pledge his loyalty, intending to befriend Zhao Ruxi.

Given this past friendship built on their mutual betrayal, Zhao Ruxi would naturally find it difficult to ignore him in the future, and might even develop feelings for him.

To prevent Zhao Ruxi from being misled by such a person, Wu Zong analyzed Lin Yunshen's intentions with Zhao Ruxi.

Zhao Ruxi smiled and said, "Don't worry, senior brother. I understand the principle that 'those who spread gossip are themselves gossips.'"

Wu Zong was finally relieved.

Seeing that the last judge had also walked over to Zhao Ruxi's painting, Wu Zong said, "Let's go, let's go over there."

They knew they would soon face wind and rain, and naturally they wouldn't let their master bear it alone.

However, after Xiao Ge arrived, that corner was guarded by Imperial Guards disguised as civilians. The three of them tried to squeeze in, but were blocked and could not get in at all.

Left with no other choice, the three of them turned around and went to a place further away from that corner before squeezing back into the crowd.

The people who were being squeezed were initially Gao Xing and turned to complain, but when they saw that the newcomers were Wu Zong and Gong Cheng, along with a little girl in red, they guessed that it might be Zhao Zhiwei, so they shut up and stepped aside to let them in.

The three of them had just squeezed inside and settled in when Mei Zhongjun shouted, "I think this judgment is extremely unfair. Lord Peng is related to Zhao Zhiwei marriage, Mister Kumu is Zhao Zhiwei's teacher, and Mr. Fang Jingye and Mr. Zhou Wenbai both studied charcoal portraiture with Zhao Zhiwei. All of them have close ties with her."