The Villain's Heart Black Moonlight

"Do the other dears have any ideas?"

After asking Cen Jinzhao, Kangdi looked at the other people in the field.

An old scholar with gray hair stroked his long beard and said, "I have nothing else to add, but since there are so many young people here this time, why not let them play the main role?"

"I think so too. Several princes and princesses are here, and many noble ladies and gentlemen are here too. Why not take this opportunity to show off the elegance of the young men of our Daning Dynasty?"

Another minister, probably the Shangshu, also made a suggestion.

His words obviously touched Conte's heart.

Emperor Kang nodded repeatedly and made the decision, "Then do as you have said. Eunuch Wang, take someone to the inner room to get pens, ink, paper and inkstone... Crown Prince, you organize it."

Ning Hekun stood up after hearing this: "Yes, Father."

"I will not participate in this competition, but I will add some prizes to it... I will use the brocade silk and 100 taels of silver that were just offered to me some time ago. It's not too big or too small, so everyone can just relax."

Although Conti said to relax a little.

However, the people below who heard the prize couldn't help but sit up straight.

Yunjin silk is rare and expensive. Currently, only the royal family of the Daning Dynasty uses it. If you can get a piece of Yunjin silk, it not only represents its own value, but also represents the honor bestowed by the emperor.

So when the topic of registration came up, all the young men and women present raised their hands modestly, indicating that they wanted to take the stage.

The Ninth Prince Ning Rong, who was the younger among the princes, also raised his hand, but no princesses participated.

Many of the noble ladies below participated, but none of the princesses took the lead...

Seeing this, Kangdi frowned somewhat unsatisfactorily.

Empress Xian also frowned and signaled Ning Yingyue with subtle eyes to ask her to take some action.

Ning Yingyue was the oldest unmarried princess and also the oldest among the princesses present. Facing everyone's gazes and her father's serious and dissatisfied expression, she could only raise her hand reluctantly.

——Her skills in poetry and painting are very average, and it would be embarrassing for her to go to such an occasion.

If you don't participate, you will be scolded. If you participate...

There is a high probability that you will still be scolded.

Ning Yingyue was feeling a little upset. At this moment, she noticed Chi Chu, who had been staring blankly at her, and suddenly spoke:

"In fact, the sixth sister is also very good at painting, but she has always been introverted and unwilling to show herself... How about letting her participate in this competition?"

Chi Chu, who was suddenly called out, said: "..."

She raised her head and looked at Ning Yingyue.

[Damn it, why don't you just reject it? The heroine of this world has made a lot of preparations for this event, and we have to serve as her foil when we go up there.]

Bobo made a suggestion.

However, at this moment, it suddenly heard the little girl in its mind exclaiming with some surprise.

"How does she know I'm good at painting?"

【…? 】

Oh, by the way, I almost forgot that Chi Chu previously studied history, and his main focus was archaeology. Many times, those who study history know a little about calligraphy and Chinese painting, and most of them can even paint by themselves.

In this way, we can avoid making basic mistakes when repairing rubbings of cultural relics.

It can also better distinguish the real from the fake.

If I remember correctly... Chi Chu does have some talent in painting, but she hasn't painted for a long time.

At this time, Ning Yingyue did not notice Chi Chu's true thoughts. Seeing the confusion on the little girl's face, and that she obviously had not reacted yet, she felt a little proud in her heart - she had finally figured out Chi Chu.

Wait...Why did I use "finally"?

Ning Yingyue frowned at her subconscious thoughts.

Anyway, she will definitely not be embarrassed this time. Even if she doesn't perform well, she still has Chi Chu, who is also a princess, to take the blame for her, right?

Ning Hekun could see Ning Yingyue's little thoughts.

Chi Chu was a princess with no status in the palace. She had probably only read a few basic books. Even if she could draw something, she couldn't be as good at painting as Ning Yingyue said.

However, he thought of what Tang Qingyuan had said before, and he still had some tentative thoughts about Chi Chu in his heart, so he did not ask Chi Chu's opinion and directly wrote down the other party's name.

But speaking of Tang Qingyuan...

Ning Hekun looked at the list and found that Tang Qingyuan's name was not on it, which made him feel confused.

After Tang Qingyuan's rebirth, he vowed to take back everything that belonged to him, so his personality is somewhat conspicuous.

As long as it is beneficial to her, she will take the initiative to participate in many things.

Even the princesses would look at this reward with surprise, but Tang Qingyuan had no reaction at all?

Ning Hekun was a little confused.

"Miss Tang, don't you want to come and try it out?"

he asked.

This sound seemed to have called back Tang Qingyuan's consciousness. She raised her head, looking a little flustered and strange. Facing Ning Hekun's question, she hesitated for a moment before biting her lower lip and said, "Well... I'm signing up to participate as well."

She was not in a good state now. Ning Hekun frowned and wanted to say something, but Kangdi above had already called him over.

Ning Hekun swallowed his concerned words and walked upstairs with the list.

Because the prize was so high, quite a few people participated in the competition, including thirteen women and twenty men.

There are more than thirty people in total.

The servants brought the table and the utensils to be used, and then an impromptu game began.

The theme chosen by Conti is the "Four Gentlemen", which are the most common plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum.

This theme was not difficult, and all the ladies and gentlemen present breathed a sigh of relief - winning or not was actually not that important, but it would be really embarrassing if they couldn't draw anything.

"The time limit is one stick of incense. Everyone, get ready to start."

Following the command, everyone picked up their pens.

Chi Chu was small and not very noticeable standing at the back. She was standing very close to Cen Jinzhao, but because of this, the people next to her were standing very far away from her.

It was as if he was avoiding Cen Jinzhao.

Chi Chu turned around and glanced at the other person.

The man was sitting on a chair, his back straight, but his posture seemed casual, his temperament cold and gloomy. His eyes were drooping, and half of his angular face was hidden in the shadows, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

However, Chi Chu knew that his wound had probably split open at this moment, and his face inevitably looked a little pale.

As if he had noticed Chi Chu's gaze, Cen Jinzhao raised his head slightly and met the little girl's undisguised inquiring eyes.

He tapped his hands on the table twice unconsciously.

This little girl...what is she doing instead of just painting?

Fortunately, Chi Chu quickly retracted his gaze and found the state of painting.

To be honest, it's a bit of cheating for her to paint such a fixed and common theme.

In fact, her personal abilities or family training are not as good as those of real ancient people.

But in terms of aesthetic appreciation, Chi Chu has seen too many excellent works from different dynasties.

Only excellent works can be recorded in the long river of history.

Because of this, it is no exaggeration to say that Chi Chu's many expression techniques and painting content are almost overwhelming for these ladies and gentlemen who are of the same level.