Chapter 191

Chapter 191: Feeling Regretful?

His eyes wandered restlessly over the rows of painting scrolls.

Nothing…

Still nothing!

How could this be?

He remembered clearly placing it right here!

Yet scroll after scroll was unfurled, revealing only his own works. Even those small portraits Sheng Zhi Wan had gifted him were gone.

“Heir Apparent, what are you looking for?” Meng Yang asked softly, watching him.

Qi Shu Xian shut his eyes briefly.

Meng Yang suddenly brightened, asking hopefully, “Do you perhaps know Xian Yuan Zi?”

“That’s wonderful!”

“If you know who he is, you could bring him out. He could just say he painted that picture on a whim…”

She didn’t care about any painting master, but if these rumors continued, the Ji Prefecture matter could become even worse.

“Who said I know Xian Yuan Zi?” Qi Shu Xian’s voice turned cold.

“Then what were you looking for just now? You were clearly checking those painting scrolls after I mentioned Xian Yuan Zi,” Meng Yang persisted.

Qi Shu Xian had already stood up and left. “Even His Majesty doesn’t know who he is. How could I?”

Just as he stepped outside the study, the steward hurriedly reported, “Heir Apparent, Third Prince sent an invitation just now. He requests that you and Miss Meng go see him immediately.”

Meng Yang’s heart tightened with worry.

Qi Shu Xian knew immediately—it must be those rumors circulating among the scholars reaching Third Prince’s ears.

As expected, once they arrived at Third Prince’s manor, they saw many papers laid before Sheng Yuan Hao.

With an icy face, Sheng Yuan Hao lifted one sheet and began reading aloud:

“Greedy rats, greedy rats, feeding on people’s bones!”

“Ji Prefecture’s governor wears robes stained red with blood of the common folk.”

“Clan elders of Du, do you know, three pounds of cotton mean lives saved? Land feels no cold, but people do; do not seize clothes to cover ground!”

With each line he read, Sheng Yuan Hao’s expression grew darker.

Qi Shu Xian remained silent, and Meng Yang turned deathly pale.

“Heir Apparent Qi, Miss Meng, have you heard these wonderful poems and verses outside?”

“In mere days, the notoriety of the Du Clan and Governor Yan has spread throughout Capital City.”

From high-ranking gentry down to common peddlers, anyone who couldn’t recite a few verses condemning the Ji Prefecture officials was seen as out of touch with current trends.

No one knew Sheng Yuan Hao was involved. Publicly, he maintained the persona of a carefree, cultured prince who loved wine and painting. Thus, hearing these accusations from others enraged him even more deeply, though he had to feign admiration for the art.

“The Du family and Ji Prefecture’s governor belong to me.” Sheng Yuan Hao fixed his sharp gaze on Qi Shu Xian. “I give you three days. Find out who Xian Yuan Zi really is, and make him admit publicly he painted that piece at someone else’s command!”

Qi Shu Xian pressed his lips together, not responding.

Sheng Yuan Hao narrowed his eyes. “Is my word no longer good enough?”

Qi Shu Xian smiled bitterly, bowing respectfully. “Your Highness thinks too highly of me. Ever since Xian Yuan Zi’s first appearance, I’ve been trying to find out his identity. But after all these years, nothing…”

Sheng Yuan Hao snorted coldly, knowing Qi Shu Xian spoke the truth.

Xian Yuan Zi was incredibly mysterious. Even the Emperor had failed to uncover his true identity.

About that painting—Gathering Worthies Teahouse claimed it appeared suddenly overnight, with a note instructing them to display it prominently.

Sheng Yuan Hao closed his eyes, gently rubbing the jade ring on his thumb. “What if someone claiming to be Xian Yuan Zi steps forward… and declares that painting a forgery?”

Qi Shu Xian raised his eyes in surprise. “Your Highness means… find someone to pretend?”

“Heir Apparent Qi is known for his integrity. Naturally, the Xian Yuan Zi you find is real. If anyone else dares pretend afterward, we’ll simply eliminate him,” Sheng Yuan Hao replied casually.

Qi Shu Xian lowered his eyes obediently. “I’ll search immediately for someone skilled enough to copy the master’s style.”

“Oh?” Sheng Yuan Hao said pointedly. “Not a copyist. Find the real Xian Yuan Zi himself.”

He added, “Rumors have reached this point. It won’t be long before someone reports this directly to Imperial Father. You must act swiftly.”

“Yes!” Qi Shu Xian agreed quickly.

Finally, Sheng Yuan Hao turned toward Meng Yang. “Miss Meng, you’d best earn a lot of silver for me this time, or all my effort on your behalf will go to waste.”

“Yes…” Meng Yang answered weakly. Inside, she already felt some regret.

She had only wanted to seize the opportunity to earn silver, never imagining Sheng Kingdom’s situation differed from her previous life so much. The Du Clan would even dare burn down Ciji Orphanage just to destroy cotton!

This was all Sheng Zhi Wan’s fault! If Sheng Zhi Wan hadn’t insisted on displaying her goodwill, none of this trouble would have happened!

If those orphans truly died, Sheng Zhi Wan alone would bear the blame!

Leaving Third Prince’s manor, Meng Yang tearfully glanced at Qi Shu Xian again. “Heir Apparent, do you truly not know Xian Yuan Zi?”

“…I said I don’t, so I don’t!” Qi Shu Xian insisted firmly.

Meng Yang couldn’t guess why he would refuse to admit knowing him if he truly did.

They fell into silence.

After escorting Meng Yang home, Qi Shu Xian went in search of an imitator, but found his steps unknowingly halting outside Princess Ning’s residence.

The doors were firmly shut.

Qi Shu Xian laughed bitterly, about to turn away, when he suddenly saw Zhang Da returning from an errand, carrying a small package.

Zhang Da was startled seeing him. “Heir Apparent Qi?”

Qi Shu Xian glanced at what he held.

Zhang Da proudly announced, “It’s growing cold, so Princess had Carved Figurines buy this protective hand cream for everyone!”

It was costly stuff!

Zhang Da had never used anything this fine in his life. Following the Princess really did have its perks!

Seeing Zhang Da’s joyful expression, Qi Shu Xian suddenly realized why the Duke’s servants had become so listless after Sheng Zhi Wan left.

Meng Yang, though clever at earning silver, was a farm girl at heart—petty, careful, making even her own servants buy things for themselves. She would never think of anyone else.

Qi Shu Xian pressed his lips together, saying nothing more.

Zhang Da quickly reported Qi Shu Xian’s visit to An Zhi, who informed Sheng Zhi Wan.

“Princess, maidservant thinks the Heir Apparent is regretting now.”

Sheng Zhi Wan merely smiled faintly.

Regret? Perhaps not. Right now, he and Third Prince must be frantic, desperately seeking Xian Yuan Zi’s whereabouts.

As for that painting—she had merely bought it at auction herself. As for the artist’s true identity? Who knew?

Sheng Zhi Wan’s lips curled gently.

Qi Shu Xian, however, did not approach her again. Even he himself could not explain why he instinctively concealed his suspicion that Sheng Zhi Wan knew Xian Yuan Zi.

In the next two days, Qi Shu Xian searched everywhere, but Xian Yuan Zi’s style proved too distinctive. No suitable imitator emerged.

Finally, the third day arrived—the day of the imperial court assembly.

Numerous officials rose in succession, demanding Emperor Chong Sheng thoroughly investigate the Ji Prefecture cotton-burning scandal!