Wants to See Her

The paintings from the art competition were displayed in a separate two-courtyard building in front of the Imperial Academy. This was a space specifically used by the Imperial Academy for exhibitions.

In the main hall of the second courtyard, Huang Zhen, who was in charge of managing the exhibition hall, was reading a book in a corner, but he seemed unable to concentrate on it at the moment, glancing up at the center of the exhibition hall every now and then.

Although people have come to view the paintings exhibited in previous years, the number of viewers is not large. They are mostly people who love painting and are interested in paintings of this level, or relatives and friends of the participants.

Thanks to the Layperson Zhiwei, this exhibition hall is the most bustling place of all the exhibition halls this year.

However, the excitement only lasted a few days. Officials had to attend court and were busy with their own affairs; a heavy snow had fallen the other day, and the weather was freezing cold, so people with nothing to do were too lazy to go out. Once people had seen the painting and satisfied their curiosity, they would not come again.

Therefore, in the last few days of the exhibition, very few people came to the exhibition hall. Previously, four or five people were needed to guard the hall, but now only Huang Zhen and another companion remained.

For several days in a row, Huang Zhen saw a man with slightly dark skin, a tall and upright figure, and handsome features come to see Zhao Zhiwei's paintings. And each time he came, he would stand in front of the paintings for almost half an hour.

Huang Zhen admitted that the painting was well-painted and everyone praised it highly. But even if he liked it, he didn't need to come and see it every day, did he?

Huang Zhen worked odd jobs at the Imperial Academy and didn't know many officials in the capital. Later, after inquiring with his companions, he learned that the person who came to see the painting was Fu Yunkai, the Heir of the Marquis of Pingnan, Principal Fourth Rank General Who Proclaims Martial Might.

Huang Zhen had the utmost respect for these generals who defended the country.

He glanced around the exhibition hall and saw that besides himself, Fu Yunkai, Fu Family servant, there was no one else there. After thinking for a moment, he stepped forward and said, "General Fu."

Fu Yunkai seemed to be awakened from a dream, and after a moment of stunned silence, he came to his senses.

He raised his hand in a gesture of respect. "Brother, is there anything I can help you with?"

He knew this man was in charge of the exhibition hall, but the two had never spoken, and he didn't know the man's surname.

"My surname is Huang," Huang Zhen introduced himself, pointing to Zhao Ruxi's painting and asking, "General Fu really likes that painting?"

Fu Yunkai hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes."

"His Majesty also liked that painting, and it has already been added to the palace collection. It will be sent to the palace as soon as the exhibition ends."

Fu Yunkai a wry smile, "I've already heard about it."

Upon hearing that the painting he so admired at the auction was by Zhao Ruxi, he rushed to the exhibition on the very first day. After seeing it, he was deeply moved; he truly loved this kind of bold and expansive painting.

Thinking about how this painting was by Fifth Miss Zhao, whom he greatly admired, he couldn't calm down.

Some time ago, with the help of Xiao Lingpu and the Cen Family's daughter, he met that Eighth Miss Mu.

Arrogant and cold, everything about her overlapped with the image of the noble lady he remembered.

Thinking of his comrade who didn't dare to speak loudly at home and lived a stifled and miserable life, he immediately told the Second Prince that the marriage was not going to happen.

He dared not imagine how someone like Eighth Miss Mu would get along with him, or with his mother, if she married into the Fu Family.

They are not on the same wavelength at all.

Seeing the painting only deepened his obsession with Fifth Miss Zhao.

Unable to obtain the painting, he had planned to buy it if the price was right. However, the people at the Imperial Academy informed him that the painting had already been taken into the palace by the Emperor.

So he decided to watch a little longer.

He didn't come a few days ago because there were many people. Now that there are fewer people, he's been coming every day.

He wasn't just looking at the paintings; he was seeing people through the paintings.

He wanted to know what kind of person the painter was.

"Since you know this, and since General Fu likes such paintings so much, why don't you ask Layperson Zhiwei? Layperson Zhiwei knew how much General Fu appreciates her paintings, she might be willing to sell one to you."

Fu Yunkai taken aback.

He immediately bowed gratefully to Huang Zhen and said, "Thank you for your guidance, brother. I understand."

"It's getting late, I should head back. Farewell." He clasped his hands in a fist salute to Huang Zhen, then turned and left.

As he emerged from the courtyard, he said to his servant, Chang'an, "Go and inquire around the vicinity of the Earl of Suiping's Residence. Ask if Fifth Miss Zhao has been out and about recently, and when. Once you have the information, return to the residence and report back to me."

Chang'an was taken aback. "Your Highness..."

He knew that the young Fifth Miss Zhao. Especially after discovering that his favorite painting was painted by Fifth Miss Zhao, he was tormented by it.

The heir was proud, but also reasonable. So when the Earl of Suiping's Residence expressed his unwillingness to marry his daughter to a soldier, he had no further intention of asking the Earl of Suiping's Residence to marry his daughter to him.

Why did you suddenly want to meet Fifth Miss Zhao person after hearing just one sentence from that man surnamed Huang?

After thinking it over, Chang'an decided that it would be good to meet her. Whether she was alive or dead, it would be straightforward and clear in person, so that his master wouldn't keep thinking that Fifth Miss Zhao was good and looking down on everyone else.

He immediately went to the vicinity of the Earl of Suiping's Residence, found a shop on the street that the Earl of Suiping's Residence had to pass through when entering and leaving, and spent several dozen copper coins to inquire about the whereabouts of Fifth Miss Zhao.

"Oh, so you've come here to propose marriage to Fifth Miss Zhao, haven't you?" the chubby restaurant waiter chuckled. "Since Fifth Miss Zhao's paintings became famous, quite a few people have come to propose marriage lately. And from what I've seen, they're all from extremely prominent families."

Chang'an frowned upon hearing this news.

The Earl of Suiping's Residence had never wanted to marry their daughter to a soldier. It was alright before, as no good families sought their hand in marriage. Now that such families had come forward, wouldn't their heir have even less hope?

The waiter said, "But I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint your master. A while ago, Fifth Miss Zhao went to study in Beining. She left early every morning and didn't return until almost dark. Now that the academy is on holiday, she's stayed home and hasn't gone out. I heard she's sick. She caught a cold while taking care of her grandmother. Physician Shi has been coming to the mansion many times these past few days."

"Do you know if the Earl of Suiping's Residence has arranged a marriage for Fifth Miss Zhao? Which family is it?" Chang'an asked.

The waiter shook his head. "I haven't heard of that."

"I know," another waiter suddenly interjected. But after saying that, he shut up and just looked at Chang'an.

Chang'an quickly pulled out a handful of copper coins and gave them to the shopkeeper, who then said, "The Wife of the Earl of Suiping has rejected all marriage proposals. She said that she consulted a high-ranking monk who told Fifth Miss Zhao's fortune, and that Fifth Miss Zhao should not be engaged or married too early, but should wait until she comes of age before discussing marriage."

The chubby guy looked at his companion with a suspicious expression. "Really? How come I haven't heard of that?"