Ji Wushang frowned. She had just run around for a while, and now she couldn't dance at all. How was she supposed to get that thick wolf hair brush to paint? She was too exhausted to make such a request.
Before Ji Wushang could refuse, Ji Meiyuan raised her voice again, "Don't you all agree? My older sister's painting is gone. Shouldn't she have painted another one after the rain stopped?"
"Yes, yes, yes, I haven't looked at it closely yet!"
"Second Miss is right!"
"Second sister, don't say that." Ji Yinxue was a little anxious. She knew the weight of that wolf hair brush; it wasn't something you could just pick up and leave. Was she trying to embarrass her eldest sister? Or was she trying to embarrass the Ji General's Mansion?
"What do you mean, 'Don't say that'?!" Ji Meiyuan glared at her. "Fourth sister, I'm just telling the truth! Who wouldn't want to see my eldest sister's paintings again!"
"Yes! Yes!" everyone cheered.
There are also quite a few people
Ji Wushang stood there, silent, simply watching the crowd. Was this really going to kill her? Ji Meiyuan, however, was secretly delighted. She had been hoping to embarrass her! Who told her to be so outstanding! Let her paint again! She would never believe, even if she were beaten to death, that heavy wolf-hair brush could be lifted again! And dance too! Humph!
"What is it?" Unexpectedly, the eldest princess also appeared, led by several maids and servants, and walked towards this side, and everyone consciously made way for her.
Ji Wushang looked up and saw that she had just said she was taking a nap. Why was she up now? If she didn't want to see him, she should have just said so. Why use a nap as an excuse? Nevertheless, she still gave a slight bow to the princess and said, "Princess." Everyone bowed in return.
"Why are you being so polite? This should be a joyous occasion for everyone, but a rainstorm has ruined this feast. What a pity." The princess sighed, then continued, "What were we talking about just now? How lively you all are! Tell me about it, so I can join in the fun!"
"Your Highness, we were just talking about Miss Wushang's painting! We just don't know if Miss Wushang would do us the honor of seeing it," said Bai Yulan, who was speaking. Ji Wushang glanced at her coldly and saw her making lukewarm remarks with schadenfreude.
"Indeed, I really forgot. Sigh, someone, check if Miss Ji's painting is still there?" Princess Yanran was unaware that the painting had been taken away by Yiyun Shangcheng.
Yiyun Shangcheng has already left, so how could he possibly see any painting? But we should still thank him. If it weren't for him, the painting would probably have been reduced to a pile of waste paper by the wind and rain!
The servant was incredibly quick; he returned immediately without even glancing at the painting, reporting, "Your Highness, Miss Ji's painting is gone; it was probably blown away by the wind and rain." He then lowered his head.
"You may leave." The eldest princess waved her hand slightly, then said, "What a pity. After seeing Miss Ji's dance, I imagined the painting would be even more exquisite. Alas, the heavens are not on our side!"
"Wouldn't it be great if Miss Wushang painted another one so everyone could see it?" Bai Yulan seemed overjoyed, looking at everyone with a radiant face. "Miss Meiyuan just said that Miss Wushang should paint another one, that would be a wonderful thing!"
"Miss Ji, what do you think?" At this moment, the Crown Prince's voice came out. His eyes were filled with something unusual as he looked at Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang tensed up, his aura gradually intensifying. He was very angry, but he was also trying his best to control himself. He was the Crown Prince, and at present, he had no grudge against him... Although perhaps not in the future, he had to be mindful of the occasion. Yes, mindful... Ji Wushang struggled with himself in his mind as he watched the Crown Prince approach, his bewitching eyes darting over Ji Wushang even more brazenly.
If he could, Ji Wushang would definitely go up and slap him a few times to teach him a lesson! However, Ji Wushang held back.
“Yes, Wu Shang is very willing to perform again to entertain everyone!” Ji Wu Shang frowned, emphasizing his words slightly.
"That's wonderful!" The princess exclaimed as if she had found something amusing. "Someone, prepare everything for Miss Ji immediately! Let Miss Ji perform, and everyone, follow me back to the banquet! I've already ordered the banquet to be rearranged!"
"Then why were you asking me that just now? Everything is already prepared!" Ji Wushang glanced at them coldly, while the others followed the Princess and the Crown Prince to the banquet.
As Nan Xuzong watched the people ahead move to a different location, a maidservant approached and bowed to the three of them, saying, "Gentlemen, the Princess has instructed us to move to the banquet area to watch Miss Ji paint."
Nan Xuzong was taken aback. She... was painting?
Seeing the displeasure on Ji Wushang's face, Ji Yinxue immediately stepped forward and said, "Big sister, are you sure you can do it? Or, can your fourth sister go in your place?"
"No." Ji Wushang shook his head. They weren't targeting Ji Yinxue, but him. How could he bow down to them? He would remember everything that happened today, and he would never let anyone who provoked him get away with it! If they want me dead, I'll live well! If they want me to be humiliated, I'll shine brightly!
Ji Wushang walked onto the stage, looking down at the crowd who were eager to watch the show. Suddenly, he really wanted to sneer. Ji Meiyuan, he had originally thought of saving face for the manor by not letting you embarrass yourself in public, but he didn't expect you to be so ungrateful and make such a demand. From now on, don't blame him for making a fool of himself too many times!
As the sounds of string and wind instruments gradually rose, Ji Wushang closed his eyes slightly, and his agile figure began to dance the Rainbow Dance.
☆、061 They are of one mind! (Brilliant!)
The people around them sat together watching, but Ji Wushang's dance left them speechless and even more astonished! This time, she didn't dance with her ribbons, but instead used both hands to hold the wolf-hair brush and paint on the screen.
She is still dancing, but in a different style, yet still captivating.
Nan Xuzong was in his wheelchair watching Ji Wushang perform in the distance. The young men in the audience stared at him intently, while the female guests wore expressions of envy and jealousy.
Bei Gongminhao stared at her, never knowing that Ji Wushang's small body contained such great potential. She amazed and impressed him.
Nan Jinxue sat in his original spot, wanting to stay in this moment. At least in this moment, he could imagine that Ji Wushang was dancing for him and for herself, not for everyone else. At least that made him content.
Sweat beaded on Ji Wushang's forehead. His arms were really tired, but he couldn't let his guard down at all. He had to persevere and no one could laugh at him!
Ji Yinxue watched, knowing that Ji Wushang was already forcing herself to keep going. She really wanted to help her, but the painting wasn't even half finished! Speaking of helping her, how could she help? Ji Yinxue looked around at the people, but they were all watching intently.
When Bei Gong Jue Shi saw Ji Yin Xue's pleading look, he immediately understood that Ji Wu Shang on the stage was putting on a brave face, and he couldn't help but feel more respect for the person on the stage.
Ji Meiyuan was secretly pleased. She knew from afar that Ji Wushang was exhausted. She peeled an orange in front of her and began eating it piece by piece, looking extremely happy. "Trying to mess with me? Don't you know who you're?" Ji Meiyuan sneered.
Bai Yulan, who was standing nearby, leaned closer and said, "Second cousin, I really didn't expect that eldest cousin is still holding on!"
"Hmph! Don't mention it to me!" Ji Meiyuan gave Bai Yulan a disdainful look. "You need to learn from your Bai family! Learn how they run their shops and how they manage that mansion!"
Upon hearing this, Bai Yulan thought to herself, "It's just what happened a moment ago. If I hadn't spoken up, would the Princess have agreed to let Ji Wushang perform again? Humph!" Bai Yulan felt indignant, but she decided against it. At this crucial moment, why should she worry about others whispering behind her back and ruining her reputation?
Looking into her stubborn eyes, Nan Xuzong felt a strange unease welling up inside him, and his sharply defined face and sinister eyes deepened. His slender fingers tightened, his hands entwining the gold thread in them, lost in thought.
He felt an impulse within him, something he didn't know what it was, but he knew he couldn't stop it, he couldn't control himself! He was afraid he would explode and do something drastic.
Ji Wushang only wanted to end the dance as soon as possible. Her dance was beautiful, and the music seemed to have been created for her. Her painting was becoming more and more perfect. No one around dared to talk to her in private; they just watched her. In the end, even the Princess and the Crown Prince were extremely surprised. They had never seen a woman with such amazing perseverance.
A dance that could captivate a city, a painting that could astound a nation. Nothing could surpass this.
Seeing this and the reactions of everyone, Ji Meiyuan lost all interest in anything else. She angrily threw the peeled oranges in front of her aside and yelled, "Bitch!"
"What did you say?" Bai Yulan thought she was being talked about and immediately questioned her.
"I said, you bitch!" Ji Meiyuan looked at Bai Yulan with a slightly distorted expression. Bai Yulan was so angry that she looked at her, wanting to curse, but she held back and said, "You have a good sense of self-awareness!"
Upon hearing this, Ji Meiyuan was immediately shocked. She hadn't expected that Bai Yulan had distorted her meaning and even claimed that she was self-aware! What was that? Did she say she was a slut? Ji Meiyuan was filled with rage, and seeing Ji Wushang's painting becoming more and more perfect only fueled her anger.
"You wait and see, Bai Yulan!" Unable to vent her anger, Ji Meiyuan could only continue to berate Bai Yulan.
Bai Yulan was also furious and said to her, "I'm waiting!"
Meanwhile, Ji Yinxue was very excited. As the painting slowly revealed its original landscape and phoenix, a slight smile appeared on her face.
Ji Wushang was exhausted, truly exhausted. Her arms felt like they couldn't move anymore, and she really wanted to throw down the wolf-hair brush in her hand. Why was it so heavy? Why did she have to suffer like this? Finally, after finishing the last stroke, Ji Wushang completed her final dance. The music stopped abruptly, and Ji Wushang, completely exhausted, sat on the ground, trying to calm herself down.
Those around were stunned. Every stroke and line of the painting seemed to have a life of its own, touching everyone present.
The painting was magnificent and imposing, with a phoenix soaring through the heavens, piercing the firmament and causing even the nine heavenly palaces to crumble! It seemed to have swept over with overwhelming force, leaving everyone in awe. Compared to the previous painting, this one was far more beautiful, more powerful, and more captivating! It was just a pity that Ji Wushang didn't add the last few words, because he simply didn't have the strength.
Everyone waited for her to get up again and add that last stroke; they were waiting.
None of them dared to add this stroke. This stroke was the final finishing touch, and no one dared to desecrate it, not even Ji Meiyuan.
Neither the eldest princess nor the crown prince spoke; they simply watched quietly.
Nan Xuzong's face became extremely serious. From Ji Wushang's face, he read weariness, but even more so, stubbornness. His heart was also in turmoil, tormented. Should he bravely step forward, or retreat here and become a spectator, watching her there, helpless and alone?
Going out might cause misunderstandings between the two of them, with others saying things like they were having an affair, or even worse, making them lose face.
Instead, they watched helplessly as she sat there alone, receiving the expectant or contemptuous gazes of the crowd.
Ji Meiyuan looked on with a smug look on her face. Haha, Ji Wushang still hadn't managed to finish a painting! How embarrassing!
But.
With a few "ee-ee-yeah" sounds, everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Nan Xuzong turning his wheelchair, moving closer to the stage. Ji Wushang looked up and saw him too. He was smiling at him, a very faint smile, but it was truly the second time he had seen him smile at him.
It felt like a spring breeze, even though it was already deep autumn and a chill was creeping in.
Those around were astonished. What exactly was this Prince Nan trying to do? What could a crippled good-for-nothing, a good-for-nothing confined to a wheelchair, possibly accomplish? Neither the Princess nor the Crown Prince spoke. Was Nan Xuzong trying to make a fool of himself for everyone to see?
Someone tried to stand up, but the prince beckoned, and the person immediately sat back down.
Everyone knew that the Prince of Nan was only known for his crippled legs; he had no other merits. The Crown Prince was determined to humiliate the Marquis of Jinnan's household today! Furthermore, he wanted to see just how capable this Prince of Nan really was!
Nan Jinxue stared at him in astonishment, "Big Brother..." Nan Jinxue couldn't believe it. Nan Xuzong actually went out! He usually didn't like these kinds of scenes! Besides, that was Ji Wushang. Wasn't he afraid of attracting gossip? Even if he didn't think about himself, he should at least think about Ji Wushang!
Nan Jinxue frowned, her fists clenched tightly. If she had known he would act this way, she would have definitely gone out!
Unfortunately, Nan Jinxue knew that he didn't have the courage. He had other things he thought were more important to do, which were insignificant compared to such romantic feelings.
Bei Gongminhao felt as if something had been ripped out of his heart. He resented himself for not going out earlier, for waiting for her to watch someone else help her. He had truly forgotten how Nan Xuzong had saved her on Qingxuan Street. Even with his hands wrapped in golden threads and bleeding, he hadn't uttered a sound. Would he be afraid to help her in front of everyone today?
But how can he help? Can he fly up and paint for her?
No, his legs will always be his biggest weakness and Achilles' heel. There's no way to surpass them!
Ji Wushang looked at Nan Xuzong and finally smiled. In fact, he was mocking himself. Today, he had truly become a laughing stock. Ji Meiyuan, the Princess, and the others! Are you all satisfied now?
Nan Xuzong stared at her smile, slightly taken aback. It wasn't a smile directed at him, but rather at her own reflection. After a brief moment, Nan Xuzong regained his unchanging expression.
He shifted his gaze to the crowd and said, "I can say that I was the last to arrive. Now that everyone has performed, I, Nan Xuzong, will offer my humble skills to make Miss Ji's painting even more perfect. Of course, I am not very talented. If Miss Ji feels that I, Nan Xuzong, am not qualified to touch your painting, I will immediately return to the banquet." As Nan Xuzong spoke, he turned his head and smiled at Ji Wushang.
Everyone around was waiting for Ji Wushang's answer. What Nan Xuzong had just said did make some sense. Everyone else had performed, but he, the Prince of Nan, hadn't, and was the last to appear. Naturally, he should be punished. However, because of his leg injury, they had planned not to make things too difficult for him. Now that he had said such a thing, they would see how he would "dot the finishing touch".
Ultimately, the initiative was in Ji Wushang's hands. All Ji Wushang needed to do was say "no," and Nan Xuzong would have no chance to make a move.
"I grant your permission," Ji Wushang said in a cool and indifferent voice. "Please add the strokes, Prince Nan."
Ji Wushang was still sitting on the ground, resting and catching his breath.
Nan Xuzong said in a voice that could be heard only by the two of them, "Please stand up, Miss, the ground is cold."
Ji Wushang's face flushed slightly. He struggled for a moment before standing up and standing to the side without saying a word.
Nan Xuzong conjured the golden threads with both hands, and all the onlookers saw was a beam of light shoot out. The golden threads landed on the ink, seemingly stirring it. Before anyone could see what was happening, the threads appeared to come alive, drilling into the painting. In an instant, it was as if a celestial being was adding a touch of magic to the painting. Several flashes of light later, several large, dark characters were added to the painting: "Soaring through the Nine Heavens, a Fiery Phoenix Startles the Heavens!"
Ji Wushang was stunned. He shouldn't have been there at that time, or he should have been in one of the back rooms, because he definitely didn't see him when he first started painting! But how could he know those eight words?
The people around were whispering among themselves. Was it a coincidence or something else? Or had Nan Xuzong just seen Ji Wushang painting, and now the finishing touch was those eight characters from before?
Nan Xuzong frowned. Why was she looking at him with such suspicion? Was it because the eight characters he added didn't match her painting? Nan Xuzong pulled on the gold thread, and it immediately rolled back into his hand. The end of the gold thread was completely free of ink.
His skill was truly astounding! Sitting at the banquet, Nan Jinxue was utterly astonished. She had never known such profound martial arts! How could she possibly fight against someone so deep? Even though he was disabled, the title of Marquis of Jinnan was still his! Thinking of this, Nan Jinxue felt a sudden, inexplicable fear rise in her heart.
Bei Gongminhao and Bei Gongjueshi were taken aback; that skill was truly not to be underestimated.
"Is it because my inscription doesn't match Miss's painting, causing her some difficulty?" Nan Xuzong thought for a long time before frowning and looking at Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang shook his head. "Did you see me make the same painting before? Especially the inscription?"
Nan Xuzong shook his head. Could it be that the painting she made before was the same, and the words he wrote on it were exactly the same as hers? This is... Nan Xuzong suddenly blurted out a sentence: "Though we are not winged like phoenixes, our hearts are connected by a single thread of understanding."
The two of them were startled almost simultaneously, and Nan Xuzong's hand trembled slightly.
At this moment, the eldest princess stood up and said, "The painting created by Prince Nan and Miss Ji can be described as a match made in heaven!"
These words drew sighs and whispers from the crowd. Ji Wushang, listening to them, felt quite embarrassed. He didn't want to hear such rumors, but he had no choice but to face them.
"Your Highness is too kind." Nan Xuzong turned his wheelchair toward the main seat. "I only added a small stroke, nothing special. I did hear that Miss Ji had already made an identical painting. I saw that the wolf-hair brush was not something an ordinary person could lift. I have certainly broadened my horizons."