Chapter 138: Chapter 137: Rewarding a Crab Chapter 138: Chapter 137: Rewarding a Crab Shen Chuwei retreated to the side hall, and while no one was around, she took out a box of watercolor brushes from the space, as the rice paper was readily available here, requiring only a small eunuch to fetch it.

She didn’t aim to dazzle spectacularly, just to avoid embarrassing Xiao Jinyan.

After all, Xiao Jinyan had brought her, who was a clueless foodie, along~

Then she instructed the small eunuch to carry both the writing desk and the brushes to the Grand Hall.

Only then did Shen Chuwei slowly step into the Grand Hall, noticing quite a few people standing in the center, some holding zithers, others wielding brushes, none of whose faces she recognized.

She walked to the writing desk with perplexity.

It wasn’t until the Emperor said to begin that Chuwei realized the women standing in the heart of the Hall were also there to display their talents.

Were they competing with one another?

Shen Chuwei turned her head to glance at Xiao Jinyan, signalling that she would do her best.

Xiao Jinyan, seeing Shen Chuwei glancing around, thought she must be nervous; she could get nervous just sitting beside him and reading, so how much more in front of his father?

Shen Chuwei brought her gaze back to the task at hand, picked up a brush, and removed the cap, beginning to paint.

Xiao Jinyan watched her at the writing desk, seeing no “Four Treasures of Study,” only an unfamiliar brush in Shen Chuwei’s hand, a flicker of confusion crossing his eyes.

No matter what Shen Chuwei was up to, he could only adapt to the situation from now on.

In the Grand Hall, those who were painting painted, those playing the zither played, and those writing wrote, each absorbed in their own thoughts.

The Emperor watched, his brow furrowing tightly; it was clear at a glance whether someone was skilled at painting or playing the zither.

In the Grand Hall, there were only a few who provided a pleasing sight.

The rest were simply headache-inducing.

Concubine Yun glanced at Concubine Hu from the Hu Family, who even held her brush incorrectly, embarrassing herself thoroughly.

The Empress sat with composed grace, watching Shen Chuwei wield her brush, clearly making nonsensical marks.

Then there were Hu and Liu families, even less bearable to watch.

After all, it wasn’t just her facing embarrassment; there was little reason for fear.

Even in mutual competition, there was a time limit.

Under Eunuch Li’s shrill voice, everyone gradually set down their brushes.

Their work was presented to the Emperor one by one by the small eunuchs.

“Your Highness, this is the calligraphy of Concubine Hu of Prince Cheng’s household.”

The Emperor glanced at the lopsided characters on the paper and became angry, “Is this your handwriting?

It’s worse than a five-year-old child’s.”

Concubine Hu of Prince Cheng’s household trembled in fear as she knelt on the ground.

The Empress peeked at the characters on the rice paper, worse than even what the Crown Prince had written at age three, and turned her head towards Yun Xianbai, kindly reminding her, “Your Ladyship, not to criticize you, but don’t wander about aimlessly when there’s nothing to do.

Spend more time teaching her, lest you embarrass the Imperial Family in the future.”

“Your Majesty is correct.”

Concubine Yun dared not say a word of disagreement.

“Your Highness, this is a painting by the wife of Prince Rui.”

The Emperor looked up at her, “Lady of Prince Rui, what have you depicted here?”

The Lady of Prince Rui bowed slightly, “Responding to Your Highness, it is a painting of the Eight Steeds.”

The Empress took a furtive look at the Eight Steeds painting, which at first glance looked like eight mules, and upon closer inspection, didn’t even resemble mules.

She couldn’t help but laugh out loud, was it certain it wasn’t a depiction of eight fools?

The Emperor’s face darkened, his comment succinct, “Can’t distinguish a donkey from a horse, chaos among grass and trees.”

The Lady of Prince Rui kept her head down, not daring to speak.

Struggling to hold back her laughter, the Empress said, “Virtuous Consort, you also, when the Lady of Prince Rui can’t even tell donkeys from horses, you should clarify when teaching her calligraphy and painting.

Look, now it’s become a laughing matter, right?”

“Her Majesty teaches rightly; I will be more attentive in the future,” the Virtuous Consort fumed internally, chastised by the Empress for no reason.

When it was Shen Chuwei’s turn, her work was presented to the Emperor by two eunuchs.

“Your Highness, this is a painting by Lady Shen.”

Shen Chuwei hadn’t been nervous initially, but witnessing the Emperor’s critiques of the others, she began to feel anxious; a reprimand towards her would be the same as scolding Xiao Jinyan.

Concubine Yun and Virtuous Consort both looked over, but sitting far away, they couldn’t see the painting.

Even if they couldn’t view it, they knew Lady Shen’s work was probably nothing special, and they waited for the Emperor to rebuke her.

Being the closest, the Empress lifted her gaze and could see the painting on the rice paper, vibrant with color, entirely different from any she’d seen before.

Regardless, it was a lot better than the works of the Lady of Prince Rui and the Hu Family.

The Emperor looked down at the painting before him; compared to traditional ink wash paintings, it was incredibly colorful, and he looked towards Shen Chuwei with curiosity, “Lady Shen, what is this you’ve painted?”

Shen Chuwei bowed slightly, “Responding to Your Highness, I have painted a vision of ‘A prosperous country and peaceful people.’

Xiao Jinyan, hearing the phrase, looked at her with admiration; she even knew to paint a vision of a prosperous country and peaceful people, impressive.

The Emperor nodded in approval, “This is the first time I’ve seen such a colorfully vivid painting with such an excellent meaning.

A reward is in order.”

Hearing about the reward, Concubine Yun and Virtuous Consort thought they had heard wrong.

How could a country girl like Shen Chuwei produce anything worthy?

The Empress, pleased, declared, “Lady Shen’s skill in painting is commendable; it has been an eye-opener for me.

It is indeed thanks to the Crown Prince’s good guidance.”

Shen Chuwei knelt to thank him, “I’m grateful for Your Highness’ reward.”

In fact, she was quite surprised herself because she had learned watercolor painting just for fun~

When Shen Chuwei returned to her seat, before she had quite settled in, she heard Xiao Jinyan say, “You’ve not disappointed me.”

Shen Chuwei’s eyes curved in a happy smile, glad that she hadn’t let Xiao Jinyan down by bringing her to enjoy the family banquet.

“It’s due to Your Highness’ excellent guidance that I was able to accomplish today’s feat.”

Xiao Jinyan found the flattery enjoyable to hear even though he knew it was mere politeness.

“You’ve also broadened my horizons today.

Name whatever reward you wish for.”

At this moment, palace maids were bringing in dishes, and a crab was placed in front of Xiao Jinyan.

Shen Chuwei stared at the crab for a while, then pointed to it and said to Xiao Jinyan, “Your Highness, will you eat that crab?”

Xiao Jinyan looked down at the crab before him, and without a second thought, he picked up the crab and placed it in front of her.

“I do not fancy it; you have it,” he said lightly.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Shen Chuwei started to crack open the crab shell, revealing the brilliant crab roe inside, and scooped a spoonful into her mouth.

Xiao Jinyan watched her eat with pleasure, his lips curving slightly; she was truly too easily satisfied, such content women were rare to find.

Shen Chuwei had only taken a couple of bites when she sensed something was amiss, yet she pretended ignorance and continued to swallow the crab roe.

As she took a third bite, she suddenly vomited black blood.

Seeing the situation, Xiao Jinyan quickly stood up, helping Shen Chuwei to her feet and casting his gaze toward the black blood on the floor, he knew poison was involved.

He shouted, “Liu Xi, call for the Imperial Doctor!”

Liu Xi took the command and ran, fearing any delay.

There was some commotion in the Grand Hall for a time.

Seeing this scene, the Emperor sternly demanded, “Crown Prince, what is the meaning of this?”

Xiao Jinyan urgently explained, “Father, someone has poisoned the food.

This crab was originally mine, and I gave it to Lady Shen.”

The implications were clear: someone had intended to poison the Crown Prince, yet inadvertently Shen Chuwei was affected.

With no time to wait for the Imperial Doctor, Xiao Jinyan horizontally carried Shen Chuwei and dashed towards the Imperial Medical Bureau.

Outraged at the audacity of someone attempting to poison the Crown Prince under his watch, the Emperor thundered, “Who dares to poison the Crown Prince?

Seize them!

This matter must be thoroughly investigated; not a single person will be spared.”