“Everything was orchestrated by Cuiji, so why doesn’t mother blame Cuiji or the Cui family, but instead places all the blame on the princess? Tell me, what exactly did she do wrong?”

“She…” Mother Du desperately wanted to list some grievances, but couldn’t find words. Du Ruhui was right—from beginning to end, the princess had done nothing wrong. However, she would never admit this, stubbornly saying: “In any case, since all this arose because of her, she is the root cause.”

Du Ruhui knew his mother’s obstinate nature. Shaking his head, he turned to leave. Seeing this, Mother Du hurriedly called out to stop him, “Where are you going?”

“Into the palace.” Upon hearing these two words, Mother Du quickly stepped forward to block him, “Didn’t I tell you not to go? Won’t you even listen to your mother’s words?”

Du Ruhui said helplessly: “Since the princess has sent someone to summon me, I must go regardless, otherwise it would be disrespectful to the princess.”

Mother Du was about to say “disrespectful is disrespectful, it’s no big deal,” but Du Ruhui spoke first: “This way, we would not only offend the Cui family, but also the princess. Then we truly couldn’t continue living in this Luoyang City.”

Father Du seized the opportunity to say: “Ruhui speaks reasonably. Behind the princess are His Majesty and the Empress—far beyond what a single Cui family can compare to. The Cui family matter can also be discussed with the princess. Perhaps His Majesty and the Empress can be asked to give the Cui family a warning, telling them not to act recklessly anymore.”

After long deliberation, Mother Du reluctantly said: “Very well then, go and return quickly. Remember what your father just said.”

Du Ruhui breathed a sigh of relief: “Your son understands. Your son takes his leave.”

Du Ruhui entered the palace and made his way familiarly to Changsheng Hall. To his surprise, Yunyi was not in the hall. Upon inquiry, he learned she had gone to Jiuzhou Pond.

Just as Du Ruhui was hesitating whether to go to Jiuzhou Pond, Yunyi came with a bright-eyed, white-toothed woman in azure clothes. The two were talking and laughing, appearing quite intimate.

The azure-clothed woman spotted Du Ruhui first. She didn’t display the usual shyness of women, but openly and gracefully sized him up while asking: “Who is this?”

Yunyi also noticed Du Ruhui at this moment and smiled: “This is the Master Du I mentioned to you. His chess skills, musical abilities, and even painting skills are all much better than mine.”

The azure-clothed woman said in surprise: “Even painting skills surpass the princess—how is that possible?”

Yunyi smiled without speaking. After approaching Du Ruhui, she said: “This is a daughter of the Taiyuan Wang clan, with the personal name Xianyue. She has known me since childhood, but later went to recuperate elsewhere due to poor health, only returning the day before yesterday.”

Du Ruhui glanced at her once and cupped his hands: “Ruhui greets Miss Wang.”

“Master Du, no need for ceremony.” Wang Xianyue smiled: “From early this morning when I entered the palace, the princess has mentioned you from time to time, saying you are not only the top graduate of the imperial examination in the tenth year of the Daye era, but also deeply learned, knowing and excelling in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—even the princess admits inferiority.”

Du Ruhui lowered his eyes: “The princess flatters me. Ruhui truly doesn’t deserve such praise.”

Wang Xianyue smiled slightly: “These past years, the princess has sent me several paintings. I know the princess’s painting skills are exceptional, surpassing even the palace artists. Yet she holds you in such high regard, saying you paint even better than she does. This truly makes me curious. Since Master Du happens to be here today, could you paint a picture for me?”

As Du Ruhui was still hesitating, Yunyi had already said: “Miss Wang has made a request—how could there be any reason to refuse? Ruyi, bring the Four Treasures of the Study.”

“Princess.” Du Ruhui walked to Yunyi’s side, “May I have a word in private?”

After the two moved to a distance from Wang Xianyue, Du Ruhui said in a low voice: “You have seen my painting before. My skills are not as good as yours—why did you tell Miss Wang that?”

Yunyi smiled: “Though your painting skills are inferior to mine, you excel in delicate brushwork. Each stroke seems to have emotion invested in it. From this perspective, you indeed surpass me greatly.”

Du Ruhui frowned: “Is this why the princess summoned me to the palace today?”

Yunyi chuckled lightly: “I’ll tell you that later.” As she spoke, Ruyi had already brought the Four Treasures of the Study. While Jixiang was adding water to grind ink, Wang Xianyue asked: “What does Master Du plan to paint?”

“This…” Du Ruhui was examining the furnishings in the hall, looking for something suitable to paint, when Yunyi suddenly said: “Why not paint Xianyue directly?”

Wang Xianyue was startled, then said: “Why paint me? Choose something else instead.”

Yunyi smiled: “Don’t you want to see Master Du’s painting skills? What’s more difficult than painting a person?” As she spoke, she pressed Wang Xianyue’s shoulder to make her sit in a chair, saying: “This matter is settled. Sit properly and don’t move.”

Wang Xianyue shook her head helplessly but didn’t object further. After the paper was laid out, Du Ruhui took up his brush, dipped it in ink, and carefully painted Wang Xianyue’s likeness on the paper. When he completed the final stroke, more than half an hour had passed. Wang Xianyue had been sitting until half her body was numb. Seeing he had finally finished, she quickly said: “Bring it here for me to see.”

Ruyi took the portrait and handed it to her. On the paper was an azure-clothed woman with a charming smile and radiant glances, as if she might step out of the painting at any moment.

Wang Xianyue had seen Yunyi’s painting skills. In terms of pure technique, this painting was still slightly inferior. However, this painting completely captured her own expression and demeanor, bringing it to life on paper. From this perspective, it was painted even better than Yunyi’s work.

The more Wang Xianyue looked, the more she liked it. Her face flushed slightly as she said: “Master Du, could you give me this painting?”

Du Ruhui naturally wouldn’t refuse: “If Miss Wang likes it, please take it.”

Wang Xianyue was delighted: “Thank you, Master Du.” She handed the painting to her maid to carefully store, then said: “Of the four arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, I’ve now seen painting. As for chess, I can only be considered barely competent, so I fear I couldn’t appreciate Master Du’s exquisite moves. That leaves music and calligraphy—could Master Du demonstrate these for me?”

Since Wang Xianyue had made the request, Du Ruhui could only agree. After writing a calligraphy piece, he then took a qin handed to him by a palace servant and played a piece called “Guangling San.”

After the last note faded away, Wang Xianyue clapped her hands: “The princess indeed spoke truly. Master Du is truly skilled in everything—Xianyue truly admires this.”

Du Ruhui lowered his eyes: “Miss Wang is too kind.”

Wang Xianyue smiled slightly and said to Yunyi: “Today’s visit to Changsheng Hall has been truly enlightening. It’s getting late, so I’ll return first. I’ll come again another day to pay my respects to the princess.”

“Good.” Yunyi smiled and responded: “Today was somewhat rushed, and we didn’t have tea. When you come next time, I’ll have Master Du brew tea for you to drink. This kind of tea can’t be found elsewhere—you must try it.”

“Really?” Wang Xianyue secretly glanced at Du Ruhui, saying with a hint of bashfulness: “I’ll follow the princess’s arrangements.”