In my past life, I was buried alive! Reborn, I'll overturn the capital.

Chapter 53 Welcoming Master Xue

Jiang Qingyue had just returned to the courtyard when, not long after, an uninvited guest arrived – Jiang Chuchu.

"What are you doing here?" Jiang Qingyue was surprised. They had already broken off all pretense of civility, so how could Jiang Chuchu still come to their door with a smile as if nothing had happened?

Sister, you're saying it's nothing, does that mean I can't come?

Having just suffered a setback outside and left a bad impression on the Crown Prince, Jiang Chuchu was already in a bad mood. She threw a tantrum in the courtyard, determined to vent her anger on Jiang Qingyue. Only by seeing Jiang Qingyue make a fool of herself could she relieve her resentment.

"I've already said I don't have a younger sister." Jiang Qingyue knew that Jiang Chuchu's arrival was never good.

“Sister, why be so heartless? Father has already admitted it, and besides, I didn’t come here today to argue with you. Today, the Crown Prince learned that I’m working hard to learn painting, so he specially brought over some fabrics and jewelry from the palace, so that I can prepare well for the painting appreciation banquet. Sister, why don’t you pick some out first?”

Jiang Qingyue looked at Jiang Chuchu, whose attitude had suddenly changed, and knew that there was probably a backup plan waiting for her.

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony." Jiang Qingyue looked at Jiang Chuchu's pained yet pretentious expression, and slightly curled her lips. Then, she ran her hand across the pieces of cloth while secretly observing Jiang Chuchu's expression.

“This one will do!” Jiang Qingyue pointed to a pale yellow cloth in front of her. “When the spring flowers bloom, everything comes back to life. Pale yellow is a perfect match for spring.”

Jiang Qingyue clearly saw the slight change in Jiang Chuchu's expression when she picked out the pale yellow fabric, so she decided on it.

When it came to jewelry, Jiang Qingyue didn't try any tricks on Jiang Chuchu, lest Jiang Chuchu couldn't stand it later.

When Jiang Chuchu saw Jiang Qingyue choose her favorite piece of fabric, she gritted her teeth in anger. Jiang Qingyue was definitely doing this on purpose.

She always preferred wearing light blue and turquoise clothes, rarely wearing yellow. But today she chose yellow—was she deliberately going against herself?

But the words had already been spoken, and Jiang Chuchu couldn't take them back. She could only curse Jiang Qingyue in her heart.

Fortunately, Jiang Qingyue didn't pick out the jewelry she liked.

After Jiang Chuchu left, Jiang Qingyue casually tossed the cloth aside.

Jiang Chuchu has dug a hole for herself.

If she doesn't accept it, she can declare that she looks down on the Crown Prince's things, which means she looks down on the Crown Prince, and that's a capital offense.

If she accepts it, she can cry to the Crown Prince that her favorite person has been taken away, and either way, she will be in the wrong.

Since that's the case, she has to finish this performance with Jiang Chuchu!

"Mulan, go and do something for me." With that, Jiang Qingyue pointed to the inkstone beside her and whispered a few words to Mulan.

Mulan took the cloth and went downstairs to carry out her orders.

In the following days, Jiang Chuchu had no interest in coming over to cause trouble, and instead devoted herself entirely to her paintings.

Jiang Qingyue's hand injury has almost healed in the past few days, and at least it is no longer noticeable that she was ever injured.

At the same time, she also carefully examined the ingredients of the rumored medicine and had identified most of them, with only two or three ingredients remaining that she could not identify.

She also knew that this matter couldn't be rushed.

In the last two days before the painting appreciation banquet began, Jiang Qingyue also closed the door and hid in her room to avoid being disturbed by the servants. No one knew what she was doing. Madam Lu and the others were busy with preparations and did not care about Jiang Qingyue's life or death.

When the day of the painting appreciation banquet arrived, scholars and literati from all over the country, as well as high-ranking officials of the imperial court, all came to see Master Xue's paintings and his true appearance.

The entrance to the Prime Minister's residence was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, the first time it had been so lively since Jiang Chuchu's birthday banquet.

"Prime Minister Jiang, you have a wonderful daughter!"

"Yes, you really lucked out on this treasure."

"Master Xue, it's not easy for anyone else to invite you, I never expected the Prime Minister to have such influence, truly impressive!"

"I wonder if we'll have the chance to see Master Xue paint live today?"

"You're dreaming. Master Xue has only painted in public twice in history. Once was when the triumphant news of driving out the enemy and recapturing the city reached the palace. He was drinking and painting there and created the famous painting 'Triumphant Return,' which is still in the palace today."

The second time was at his sixtieth birthday celebration. Therefore, in my opinion, it was already quite remarkable that the Prime Minister could even invite Master Xue; a live painting performance was absolutely impossible.

"That's right, that's right. Although we can't see Master Xue paint in person, we can still appreciate his work 'Visiting a Sage in a Bamboo Grove,' which is worth it."

"Alright, alright, enough talk, let's go in!"

……

Everyone who came around talked about Master Xue with great interest.

Jiang Chuchu, dressed in her finest attire, stood at the door with Madam Lu, waiting to welcome Master Xue.

Many outstanding figures from the calligraphy and painting world came to visit, each with a more renowned name than the last, which astonished everyone present.

"Prime Minister Jiang, congratulations! I never expected you to be able to invite Master Xue. I'm truly impressed!"

"Yes, today I can't wait to admire Master Xue's work!"

Jiang An basked in the flattery and adulation, his smile stretching almost to the back of his ears.

As expected, Chu Chu is truly amazing!

"Quickly, quick, Master Xue is here!" Just then, a voice suddenly came from the crowd, and everyone immediately moved to the left and right to make way.

"What? What are you waiting for? Hurry up and go greet them!"

The Prime Minister's residence was immediately thrown into chaos.

Jiang Qingyue looked at the white-haired old man in the distance. He had a dignified bearing and a refined temperament. His eyebrows and eyes exuded a scholarly air, but his bright eyes made him look energetic and had the demeanor of a master.

Faced with the compliments of the crowd, Master Xue greeted Jiang An with an open expression and then entered the Prime Minister's residence.

Mrs. Lu beamed with joy and quickly pulled Jiang Chuchu forward to greet her.

"Greetings, Master. This is the young lady from my Prime Minister's residence, the host of today's painting appreciation banquet, and also the owner of the painting 'Visiting the Wise Man in the Bamboo Grove'."

As she spoke, Madam Lu gestured for Jiang Chuchu to step forward.

"Master Xue, your student pays his respects..."

"No! Don't rush to acknowledge me as your teacher. I have no students." These merciless words instantly froze Jiang Chuchu's smile.