Chapter 152: Would You Like It?
Chapter 152: Would You Like It?
Everyone looked different and had their own unique traits. Only through diverse development, each person showing their strengths, and learning from one another’s strengths could harmony be achieved.
According to Liu Chengye’s words, if the Emperor enjoyed singing and painting, would turning the palace into a karaoke bar and having officials gather daily for patriotic song sessions bring peace to the world? Would soldiers on the battlefield, carrying lutes instead of swords, be able to defeat enemies? How much noise would that make? Or how tone-deaf would they have to be?
Liu Liwa dismissed Liu Chengye’s proposal, but the other scholar candidates present agreed deeply. In their minds, serving the country and repaying the court meant serving the Emperor. The Emperor and the nation were one concept, so Liu Chengye’s words moved them deeply.
“This humble scholar, though lacking talent, hastily completed a painting imitating our current Majesty’s brushwork. Please, everyone, offer your critique!” As he spoke, he suddenly unfolded the folding fan in his hand. On the fan was a painting of a palace lady, young and beautiful, wearing dignified and noble palace attire, surrounded by blooming flowers and fluttering butterflies. Though the fan surface was small, it vividly displayed the beauty and scenery, with fine craftsmanship and exceptional skill.
However, such paintings combining figures with scenery were very common, especially in this era that revered calligraphy and painting. Many people had this level of skill; even a poor scholar selling paintings on the street, if transported to the future, would at least be an associate professor at an art academy.
Thus, the fan painting did not attract much attention. What everyone focused on was the seal stamp in one corner. Liu Liwa felt the atmosphere change—oppressive and heavy. Finally, the nearest County Magistrate suddenly gasped, then thumped to his knees, performing three kneels and nine kowtows toward the fan, shouting: “Long live the Emperor, eternally long live!”
The crowd was shocked. Those with common sense and literacy finally noticed: the seal stamp on the fan painting read “Tianwu Treasure Seal,” and Tianwu was the new Emperor’s reign title!
This was the new Emperor’s own brushwork; appearing among the people was like the Emperor’s personal presence. It held immense deterrence, especially for officials in towns near the Capital City. Led by the County Magistrate, others immediately knelt en masse, particularly the scholar candidates, who kowtowed with utmost piety—even Wu Yuzhou and Du Shaofu were no exception. In their hearts, the Emperor was supreme; all their learning, actions, and struggles were aimed at serving the Emperor!
In an instant, whether spirited scholars, delicate young ladies, or newly enrolled children, all knelt darkly across the ground. Liu Chengye held the paper fan high above his head, his face solemn and dignified, yet unable to conceal the pride in his eyes. Even though he was borrowing authority, he greatly enjoyed the feeling of being worshiped—power was indeed something that drove people mad.
To avoid kneeling, Liu Liwa quickly positioned himself behind Miss Zhao. This woman, likely a future Imperial Concubine or even Empress, probably would not kneel even if the Emperor truly came. So she stood proudly now, and under her powerful aura, Zhao Zhong, Zhao Cheng, and Liu Liwa all ignored the Emperor’s scribble. Liu Chengye hesitated briefly but dared not say more. After all, Linyu County was close to the Capital City, a place where dragons and tigers hid. He himself held no official position; borrowing authority had its limits. Moreover, Miss Zhao, ethereal as a fairy, had extraordinary poise—clearly not an ordinary delicate, sickly young lady.
Besides, Liu Chengye had other thoughts. So he did not push the borrowed authority game to the end. Instead, he slowly folded the fan, carefully tucked it into his robe, personally bowed to help the County Magistrate and Education Commissioner up, saying: “Everyone, please rise quickly. This Imperial fan was privately gifted to me by His Majesty; it holds no special meaning. This student holds no official position and awaits topping the Imperial Exam, so there is no need for formalities.”
One by one, people stood up, their gazes toward Liu Chengye growing cautious and respectful. He himself became low-key, at least lowering his ever-haughty eyes. He looked at the crowd and declared clearly: “The late Emperor excelled in both poetry and painting; our current Majesty is a rare genius in music and painting—his brushwork delicate, strokes fluid, a model for us scholars. Today, though lacking talent, I have imitated His Majesty’s brushwork to sketch a piece. Please, both honored officials and fellow scholars, offer your critique.”
After speaking, Liu Chengye took a piece of paper from his robe and unfolded it. It was clearly a new work, perhaps not yet dry. It depicted a young woman, graceful and elegant, holding a silk fan, her ribbons flowing as if a fairy treading waves, breathtakingly beautiful. Upon closer look, the woman was Miss Zhao.
People glanced between the painting and Miss Zhao herself—about seventy to eighty percent similar, though the spirit was slightly off, as Miss Zhao currently frowned and glared, clearly displeased. Though both were praising her—Liu Liwa with a poem, Liu Chengye with a painting, and both sharing the surname Liu—Miss Zhao treated them differently.
Publicly painting a young lady’s portrait carried a hint of teasing. In this era, girls would act reserved and coy even at verbal praise, let alone having it displayed publicly. Yet once the painting appeared, it was immediately praised enthusiastically by the County Magistrate and Education Commissioner—though more so to flatter Liu Chengye’s painting skills, claiming they were only slightly inferior to the Emperor’s.
Other quick-witted people also stepped forward to flatter. Though Liu Chengye had not revealed his identity, someone privately gifted by the Emperor was no ordinary person.
For a moment, Liu Chengye became the center of attention, yet he acted humble and low-key, politely thanking and greeting each flatterer amiably. Then he picked up the painting, intending to gift it to Miss Zhao—rather like a token of affection. However, Miss Zhao did not accept it. Instead, she softly told him her name and family background.
In that instant, Liu Chengye felt as if struck by lightning. He wished he could tear the painting to shreds right then. Even if his father was the Emperor’s teacher and he had a good personal relationship with the Emperor, competing with the Emperor for a wife was a line no one could cross!
Liu Chengye hastily rolled up the portrait and stuffed it into his sleeve. Later, when no one was around, he would surely tear or burn it—destroy it completely. He cupped his hands toward Miss Zhao, then immediately turned and said: “County Magistrate, didn’t you say earlier you would select a few outstanding scholars from among us to attend today’s welcoming event hosted by the Yamen? Have you chosen yet? It’s getting late; we shouldn’t delay. Other scholars still need to eat and find inns!”
The County Magistrate, sharp-eyed, naturally noticed the situation. He cautiously glanced at Miss Zhao and immediately agreed: “Education Commissioner, it was your suggestion and your questions earlier, so you should make the selection. Young Master Liu has had a tiring journey; perhaps you and I should go ahead to rest.”
“In that case, this junior respectfully accepts. Thank you, County Magistrate.” Liu Chengye took the opportunity to exit, eager to vanish quickly.
“The servant of a prime minister holds seventh-rank authority; if connected to the Imperial Family, the power is as great as a mountain. If married to the Emperor, one would soar to the skies, becoming the queen of all phoenixes, motherly model for the world…” Liu Liwa muttered these reflections, but before he finished, Miss Zhao in front of him turned around. Her large eyes shone like lanterns, glaring at him; he could see anger flickering. Slowly, a mist appeared, soft as spring water, glistening like tears. She opened her mouth slowly and softly asked Liu Liwa a question that seemed unrelated to him, yet he could not and did not want to answer: “Do you want me to marry into the Imperial Family?”