Many people around him said he had a natural talent for painting.
So after just a few glances at the mouse, enduring his disgust, he finished the painting quickly.
Could Yun Xiaojing possibly be faster than him?
In the short time they had been talking, he had already finished?
After Yun Xiaojing finished, he blew on the ink.
Then he flipped it over.
And showed it to Zhan Zichen, "I'm done."
Though his words were simple, the painting was not.
The difference in skill was immediately apparent.
Especially now, with the two paintings placed side by side for comparison, it was even more astonishing.
The little mouse Yun Xiaojing painted was lifelike, as if a real mouse had come alive on the paper. Its movements, its gaze, its posture, were all flawless.
As for the mouse drawn by Zhan Zichen, it did look like a mouse, and it was drawn well, but it lacked spirit.
"Xiaojing, you drew it so beautifully!" Zhan Xiaofeng exclaimed, clapping his hands vigorously. As expected of his brother!
Even a simple little mouse could be painted to look as real as life!
Zhan Zichen was stunned for a long time, his small face flushing red with disbelief as he looked at Yun Xiaojing, "You, you, you..."
How was this possible?
How could it be drawn even better than his own?
"What about me?" Yun Xiaojing asked, putting down the painting and crossing his arms.
Quan Zi was dumbfounded. So the young lord's earlier boasts and pride had been completely refuted?
The difference between the two paintings was clear for all to see.
The rumors in the capital were true!
The young lord would surely be unhappy now!
Zhan Zichen's handsome face turned pale, then green. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but felt a stinging sensation on his face.
They had done it on purpose!
Why hadn't they said they were good at painting earlier? They had just watched him talk to himself!
Angrily, he gritted his teeth and said, "Why didn't you say you could paint just now? If I had known, I wouldn't have taught you. Besides, I don't like mice and have never drawn one before. I was in a hurry, so I drew it carelessly."
It must have been a trick!
Perhaps they had practiced drawing mice often before coming.
Yun Xiaojing scoffed inwardly, unable to accept defeat.
"Let's go," Zhan Xiaoli said to Yun Xiaojing.
Yun Xiaojing felt it was pointless and nodded, "Let's go." He had initially wanted to make friends, but Zhan Zichen was very unfriendly.
Seeing this, Zhan Zichen immediately blocked their way, "How can you just leave? I invited you here as guests, wanting to get along well. I am your elder brother."
He still had something he wanted to prove and could not let them leave.
Upon seeing this, Zhan Xiaoli frowned and said, "Mother is waiting for us at home."
"We can visit again another time," Zhan Xiaofeng said stiffly. Though he thought he would never want to come again, he maintained politeness.
The other party was younger, so they should be accommodating.
Respecting elders and loving the young, these were good virtues, as their mother had taught them.
Although Zhan Zichen was older, he was very boastful and immature.
Yun Xiaojing took the little mouse from Quan Zi. The little mouse became obedient when it was in his hands, as if tamed.
Just a moment ago, Quan Zi had wanted to stomp on it, but now he found the little mouse increasingly cute.
Zhan Zichen grew anxious. His purpose had not been achieved, and they could not leave. He immediately adopted a very forceful attitude, "It's almost lunchtime. You should eat lunch before you leave."
He spread his arms.
Blocking Zhan Xiaoli and his companions.
Suddenly, he noticed something in Zhan Xiaoli's hand. He hadn't paid attention earlier but now that he saw it, he asked with some curiosity, "What are you holding?"
It was a very exquisite, small round ball of gilded jade.
He had never seen anything like it.
It looked like a small hand warmer, but why would a hand warmer be made of jade and gold? And so small too.
It was said that many things in the capital were intricately crafted and exceptionally beautiful, unlike anything found elsewhere.
Zhan Xiaoli followed Zhan Zichen's gaze to the object in his hand and then remembered that he hadn't given the item to Zhan Zichen yet. They had bought it yesterday.
He handed it over directly, "This is for you."
Zhan Zichen took it and examined it carefully. When he held it, he found it was a little cool. "What is this?"
"You can put candies or medicine pills inside," Zhan Xiaoli replied.
Such an exquisite object, used for storing candies and medicine pills? Quan Zi was astonished. The rumors said Prince Ye was as rich as a nation. Now, seeing how generous Prince Ye's sons were, giving away such a small, valuable item without a second thought, the rumors seemed to be true.
Zhan Zichen turned it over and found a switch that could open it. He was immediately captivated, "This is what I like! When you give me gifts in the future, please give me things of this standard. Absolutely do not give me wooden swords anymore. I hate childish toys the most. I am different from you; I already use a real sword."
As he spoke, he took a sword from a vase holding scroll paintings by the door.
It was a sword that matched Zhan Zichen's height perfectly.
With a swish.
He drew the sword.
The sharp blade emitted a chilling aura.
Quan Zi was startled, "Young master, absolutely not! Don't scare people! This is a real sword, and it's very sharp!"
What if someone were accidentally injured? He felt like his head was spinning today.
Qiu Lu, standing by the door, saw this scene and remained as steady as a mountain, showing no change in his expression.
This made Quan Zi admire him immensely. He truly was the foremost guard by Prince Ye's side, so composed.
"See? I usually play with swords like this. It can cut through iron! Let me demonstrate!" Zhan Zichen held the sword and swung it towards a nearby chair with all his might.
A corner of the chair was cut off!
It was indeed very sharp.
Zhan Xiaofeng was a little angry. Who was he trying to scare? "My maternal grandfather is a great general, and we have countless swords and sabers at home. I'm tired of looking at them. Xiaoli, let's go."
"Mm," Zhan Xiaoli nodded.
Since no one was blocking them, he walked away directly.
Zhan Zichen felt as if every punch he threw today had landed on cotton, making him feel uncomfortable all over. With a swish, he swung his sword towards Zhan Xiaoli.
Qiu Lu's eyelids flickered, and he was about to kick the sword away.
However, Yun Xiaojing, holding a dagger, slashed at it!
He directly snapped Zhan Zichen's sword in two!
The clang of the sword, followed by the sound of the two halves falling to the ground, stunned Zhan Zichen.
Qiu Lu immediately looked at the dagger in Yun Xiaojing's hand, his eyes shining brightly. What a treasure! Yun Xiaojing possessed even more treasures than he did. Zhan Zichen's sword was a good sword capable of cutting iron, but Yun Xiaojing's dagger was even rarer!
Yun Xiaojing put the dagger back.
Zhan Zichen, however, shouted angrily, "My sword! That was a sword my father gave me! He hired the best craftsman to forge it for several thousand taels of silver! You must compensate me for my sword!"
"You were cheated, weren't you? What kind of shoddy sword breaks with a touch," Yun Xiaojing said speechlessly.
...
Valley Manor.
Yun Shu stood up and was about to tell Gu Zhiruo that she didn't need to see her off another day when...
The gatekeeper ran over anxiously, "Second Miss Yun, someone from the General's manor has arrived. They say there's an urgent matter at the manor and that Second Miss Yun should return as soon as possible!"