The Demon Prince

The garden was quiet.

Xiao Xingyue looked at Shen Yan. This guy is interesting. He even spoke up for me when I was the target of everyone's criticism.

Gu Linyuan's face darkened, and Xie Yuheng's eyes grew even colder: "Shen Yan, what do you know, you mere second-place scholar?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yan clenched his fists.

After ten years of diligent study, his essays and policy proposals were second to none. This time, his essay had exhausted all his learning, and Shen Yan believed that he would not lose to anyone.

However, after the palace examination, Xie Yuheng became the top scholar, while Xie Yuheng ranked second.

Others whispered among themselves... "The top scorer definitely knows more than you, the runner-up!"

Seeing Shen Yan become self-conscious after being confronted by Xie Yuheng, Xiao Xingyue smiled and said, "The second-place scholar doesn't understand? How much does the top scholar understand? Does he understand how to curry favor with the powerful? Does he understand how to fawn over the Hanlin Academy right after becoming the top scholar?"

Xie Yuheng's face darkened: "Young Master Xiao, watch your words!"

"Alright," Consort Shu suddenly spoke up, "There's something even more important to discuss at today's poetry and painting event."

Seeing this, the guests present tactfully took their seats.

Gu Linyuan, Xie Yuheng, and a group of officials from the Hanlin Academy sat down to one side.

Xiao Xingyue, Shen Yan, and a few other young noblemen who loved watching the drama unfold sat down on the other side.

Xiao Xingyue pulled Shen Yan to sit next to him and pushed the wine glass next to him: "That's how it is in officialdom. You'll get used to it."

Shen Yan was still recovering from being suppressed by Xie Yuheng.

He was stunned for a moment when he saw the wine glass being handed to him. He hadn't expected Xiao Xingyue to ask him to sit with him. Given his status, he wasn't qualified to sit next to the prince.

Shen Yan snapped out of his daze and immediately picked up his wine cup: "Thank you, Your Highness!"

A breeze blew across the lake, making the papers on the desk rustle.

Consort Shu smiled at the opportune moment:

"As you all have probably heard, the Gouli Kingdom delegation is coming to pay homage soon."

Gou Li has always had a penchant for stealing Chinese culture.

Today they claim poetry as their own, tomorrow they'll claim painting as their own, and they even dare to claim rites, music, and clothing as their own…

Many people in the garden showed expressions of disgust; this was the most hated thing in literary circles.

It's infuriating to hear someone steal something passed down from our ancestors and then turn around and bite the hand that feeds them.

Consort Shu continued:

"To prevent Gou Li from plotting a literary contest that day, His Majesty intends to select a refined official in charge of poetry and painting to counter Gou Li. Since this official position must represent the Great Xia, it will be ranked as a fourth-grade official. His Majesty's decree requests that I take advantage of today's grand occasion to select this refined official!"

These words caused an uproar throughout the garden.

Fourth rank?

For many scholars from humble backgrounds, even twenty years of hard work might not be enough to reach this position, while for scions of prominent families, it is a direct path to success.

"A refined official of the fourth rank?"

"To obtain this position would be like ascending to the highest branch of a tree!"

"It's not just an official position, it's imperial favor!"

"Today's event is sure to be a grand affair!"

Xie Yuheng's eyes gleamed, showing a determination to win.

Gu Linyuan also sat up straight. If he could get this official position, it would be even more awesome than the nominal status of the Poet Immortal. Then he could frequently report Xiao Xingyue in the court!

Shen Yan held the wine glass, but then shook his head, feeling that this matter had nothing to do with him.

He had neither background nor connections, and he even lost the imperial examination to Xie Yuheng. Moreover, there were countless talented scholars from the capital present. How could he possibly compete?

Xiao Xingyue saw everyone's reactions... This wasn't a party hosted by Consort Shu; it was hanging meat up and letting the dogs in the garden jump around on their own!

The reason he was invited was most likely to show off his power and remind Xiao Xingyue that Consort Shu already had the authority to appoint officials.

Seeing everyone's eagerness, Consort Shu clapped her hands: "Please do your best, everyone, and don't disappoint me. Alright, since this is a grand poetry and painting event, let's begin with appreciating paintings!"

As soon as he finished speaking, two maids carried a scroll to the front of the stage.

Everyone's eyes immediately turned to that direction.

As the scroll unfolds, it reveals a scene of mooring on an autumn river at night. The river is vast and open, with distant mountains in the distance. A lone boat rests among the reeds on the shore, with only a single light on its bow.

It was truly desolate yet serene.

Beside the painting stands a woman, dressed in a moon-white long dress with a light blue shawl over it, her hair adorned only with a wooden hairpin.

Her face was not heavily made up, yet she exuded a refined elegance emanating from her scholarly air.

She was silent and still, like a painting that hadn't been signed yet.

Someone gasped in a low voice.

"Isn't this Ms. Shen Zhiming?"

"The eldest daughter of the aristocratic Shen family! The foremost painter among the younger generation in the capital, known as the Painting Immortal of Great Xia!"

"Her paintings are priceless; countless nobles have come to her door seeking them, but she has always politely declined. I heard she's still unmarried!"

"Absolutely! A woman as extraordinary as her would have incredibly high standards when choosing a husband!"

"We certainly don't have a chance, but I think Scholar Xie does!"

"Excellent! Scholar Xie and Shen Huaxian are a perfect match!"

Hearing everyone trying to matchmake her, Shen Zhiming blushed.

On the contrary, Xie Yuheng was secretly delighted. When Shen Zhimo came out, his eyes were already wide open. If he could really get to kiss her, he would be a romantic ghost!

So Xie Yuheng took the lead and walked to the painting. He paused for a moment before slowly speaking:

"The beauty of this painting lies in its stillness; the distant mountains do not overshadow the river's color, and the lone boat does not suppress the water's force."

A single lamp falls on the bow of the boat, yet it holds the breath of the entire painting.

Miss Shen's writing style is restrained, yet her artistic conception is expansive, unlike the works of a woman confined to her quarters; rather, it evokes the sentiments of a scholar yearning for distant travels.

These comments immediately drew praise from everyone.

"Scholar Xie indeed has exceptional insight."

"A few words are enough to capture the essence of the painting."

"As expected of the top scholar personally selected by His Majesty."

Shen Zhiming nodded slightly: "You flatter me, Scholar Xie."

Xie Yuheng smiled faintly, his eyes radiating even greater confidence.

Seeing the situation, Gu Linyuan had a sudden inspiration and looked at Xiao Xingyue: "Young Master Xiao, since you've come to this grand poetry and painting event, why don't you offer a few comments?"

Everyone looked at Xiao Xingyue.

Li Wangshu's heart tightened; she knew these people wouldn't let him go.

Gu Linyuan was pleased, and Xie Yuheng was also waiting to see the joke.

Born into a family of military generals, and having never heard of Xiao Xingyue studying painting, what could he possibly say?

They actually guessed right this time... Xiao Xingyue looked at the painting and only had four words in his mind: Damn it!

He doesn't know anything about drawing. He's probably only read a few hundred Korean comics.

When Li Wangshu saw that he didn't speak, her heart jumped.

Gu Linyuan and Xie Yuheng's eyes were sharp as they urged Xiao Xingyue to strike while he was still ill!

But at this time...

"Your Highness's wine cup is empty." Shen Yan suddenly spoke, then picked up the wine pot and turned to pour wine for Xiao Xingyue.

When Shen Yan approached Xiao Xingyue, he spoke a few words in a voice that only Xiao Xingyue could hear.

Xiao Xingyue's eyes lit up, and he mentally gave Shen Yan a thumbs up.

This second-place scholar is reliable; he'll actually provide the answer when needed!