Mei Xin and Mo Chou had already helped their mistress back to the high seat. Beside them, Emperor Xian, Mu Rong Liu Zun, displayed a fleeting curiosity in his unfathomable, deep eyes. Like everyone else, he wanted to see what the new Empress had painted.
With more wisdom than the others, he knew that the woman before him would not produce anything ordinary. It was likely something that not just anyone could recognize. What could it be?
Emperor Xian waved the embroidered dragon robe, his cold and stern voice resonating through the grand hall.
"Ah Jiu, allow the envoys and the Crown Princess to see what Her Majesty the Empress has painted!"
"Yes, Your Majesty?" Ah Jiu immediately walked over and was stunned at the first glance. She blinked her soft, beautiful eyes for a long time before reacting. Once she did, a hint of confusion surfaced in her heart. She reached out, picked up the fine Xuan paper, and respectfully presented it. She then walked towards the envoy delegation.
"Your Highness the Crown Princess, please take a look?"
As the painting was revealed, the entire envoy delegation froze, exchanging glances. For a long while, no one spoke. Not to mention the Crown Princess, but the envoys from the other six nations, including Changsun Zhu, as well as the accompanying Chu Qianyi and Liu Qianmu, all fell into a deathly silence. Astonishment flashed across everyone's faces.
"What is this thing?"
The Crown Princess's voice rang out. The crowd snapped back to reality. The envoy delegation erupted in a hubbub, chattering and pointing at the object on the paper. Some said it looked like a wine goblet, while others claimed it resembled a gourd. Yet, upon closer inspection, it resembled neither. What exactly was this item?
Only those seated with the envoy delegation could see it, while those in other positions could not. They couldn't help but wonder what this thing could be, that even the envoys from the six nations could not identify it.
These individuals were no ordinary people, especially Changsun Zhu and the Crown Princess. To be chosen as Crown Prince and Crown Princess respectively, they must possess considerable ability. How could they fail to recognize a mere object?
A gust of wind swept through the hall, enlivening the atmosphere. Whispers and discussions filled the air. Those who had seen it debated amongst themselves what it was, while those who hadn't speculated about what kind of object could pose such a challenge to the six nations' envoys.
From his high seat, Emperor Xian, observing the scene unfolding below, allowed a rare smile to grace his lips. His deep eyes cast a sidelong glance at the woman beside him.
She was enveloped in an aura of detachment, her expression serene, her eyes clear. She simply watched the commotion in the hall, as if none of it concerned her.
Yet, the painting was undeniably hers. What was it, then?
Emperor Xian, Mu Rong Liu Zun, his interest piqued, slowly spoke in a voice as smooth as flowing water.
"Ah Jiu, bring the painting here. I wish to see what Her Majesty the Empress has painted, that it has so stumped the envoys of the six nations?"
His long, narrow eyebrows arched slightly. His handsome face clearly displayed a light of pleasure. Regardless of what the Empress had painted, the fact that the envoys from the six nations could not recognize it meant that their Xian Yue nation held the advantage. How could he, as the Emperor, not be pleased by such good fortune? Thus, his words held a subtly suppressed dominance.
Ah Jiu immediately obeyed, carrying the painting to the front and presenting it to the Emperor.
With just a glance, Mu Rong Liu Zun's eyes deepened. An indescribable unease flickered within him. The object seemed simple, yet it was something they had never seen. He was certain no one had ever encountered it. But how could the woman beside him have painted it? Did she invent it? Yet, it didn't feel like it. How could such an object appear out of thin air?
It was small and exquisite, somewhat resembling a gourd, but not entirely. Its small opening was fitted with a long clip and an iron ring. Though small, the object exuded a powerful impact.
"Ah Jiu, take this painting down and let everyone have a look?"
As Emperor Xian's voice fell, Princess Mu Rong Xing Zhu, who had been sitting quietly, could no longer contain herself. She suddenly stood up. "Imperial Brother, let me see! What exactly has Imperial Sister-in-law painted?"
Ah Jiu then presented the painting to the Princess, the Empress Dowager, and others. After everyone had seen it, she carried the painting down from the high seat and walked towards the envoy delegation. The princes, the prime minister, and the first-rank officials of the court each took a look. Finally, everyone in the hall looked at each other, hoping someone could recognize what it was. However, they only saw surprise in each other's eyes, nothing more.
After a period of silence, all eyes turned towards the woman leisurely sipping her tea. She appeared completely unaware of the stir she had caused. A chilling stream flowed in her beautiful, bright eyes. The corner of her lips curved upwards, and she calmly glanced at Crown Princess Ji Feng.
Since that woman dared to provoke her, she would not let her escape unscathed. More importantly, no one present would be able to get the better of her.
"Your Highness the Crown Princess, do you recognize this object?"
The clear, cold voice echoed. Crown Princess Ji Feng trembled, and then her face flushed. She cursed herself internally for being foolish. If she had let Ji Xue step forward earlier, she could have at least preserved her own dignity. Now, her arrogance had put her in an embarrassing position.
However, Crown Princess Ji Feng was by no means someone to be trifled with. Her gaze flickered, and a dismissive smile played on her lips.
"This is not an object at all. You've drawn it carelessly. Otherwise, why would no one in this hall recognize it?"
As Ji Feng finished speaking, half the people seemed to have a sudden realization. Many agreed with Ji Feng's words, but another half maintained a skeptical attitude. If it could be drawn, how could it be drawn without having seen such an object?
Everyone looked towards Her Majesty the Empress.
Mu Qingyao suddenly smiled, a chilling, sinister smile. Her expression was cold.
"Is it that anything you, Your Highness the Crown Princess, cannot recognize is deemed nonexistent? I deeply question your comprehension abilities. Since this is a battle of wits between you and me, would I casually draw something for you to recognize? It must be something rarely seen. If it is rarely seen, it is not surprising that everyone has not seen it before. Does this mean it does not exist? If it does not exist, how did I draw it?"
Her rapid-fire words, sharp as a blade, caused Crown Princess Ji Feng's face to flush crimson. Her aura was immediately at a disadvantage.
What the Empress said was not incorrect. They were in a contest, and if she were to draw something casually, it would not reflect her intelligence. Naturally, she would draw something rarely seen. If it was rarely seen, it was normal for people not to have seen it.
"Then what exactly is this object?"
As Ji Feng's words fell, expectation bloomed on everyone's faces. They longed to know what this object was – something they had never seen before.
Mu Qingyao coldly surveyed the people in the hall. How many among them harbored hidden malice? Today, she would make them understand that there were many things in this world they could not control.
Mu Rong Liu Mo, Mu Rong Liu Zhao, Changsun Zhu, Chu Qianyi, Liu Qianmu, as well as the Emperor and the Empress Dowager – it seemed everyone had a motive they wished to keep hidden. But it would be best if they didn't provoke her.