Chapter 402: Losing the Soul

A mere painting getting regarded this highly by Le Cheng Emperor naturally would attract many peoples curiosity. However, there were still some that guessed the content of the painting. As such, each had different expressions, and their thoughts too numerous to count. After all, Le Cheng Emperors final line was more than enough to draw out many things, who. If strictly speaking of the painting, then it should be what, thing, and similar phrases. Thats why, it was very possible that the subject of the painting was most likely a person. And to be able to make Le Cheng Emperor losing his bearing this much, it was also just that one.

After Li Hong Yuan, it was the seventh w.a.n.gyes turn. Have to say, among them, which one didnt meticulously and painstakingly prepare the birthday present. However, now, Le Cheng Emperors entire mind was consumed by that painting, either glancing, either touching, repeatedly wanting to open once again. But, he ultimately took the setting into consideration, else he probably wouldve directly left, finding a place to quietly look at it, quietly reminiscing the memories.

Thats why, after seventh w.a.n.gye, regardless of the item, Le Cheng Emperor was all too distracted to pay attention. To be able to obtain a sound from him as a response was already considered not bad. The most awkward was probably the ones kneeling there for half a day, yet Le Cheng Emperor wouldnt have any reaction at all. At this time, even Jing Wan all felt a bit sorry. Seemingly, it was like what theyd present up wasnt a painting, but rather, a country ruining demon, the kind that had Le Cheng Emperors soul sucked away in seconds.

In contrast, Li Hong Yuan wasnt feeling the least bit guilty about messing with his younger brothers, calmly sitting there, appearing to be more carefree than anyone, drinking and pouring wine on his own, occasionally even peeling a nut and throwing into his mouth.

Because it was truly too obvious that Le Cheng Emperor was out of sorts, everyone naturally just became increasingly curious as to what kind of painting was able to make Le Cheng Emperor lose his bearing like this.

If able to know, perhaps they can make use of it. Of course, this was what the other countries emissaries thought. In reality, it was useless even if knowing. For someone that has already died, how can one make use of? Find a subst.i.tute? Dont joke. Someone like the Imperial n.o.ble Consort, even if altering ones appearance to look like her, one would still get seen through in seconds. Moreover, not everyone was suitable to subst.i.tute. If too perfect, the counterfeit completely not on the same level, then this kind of counterfeit, never mind winning the other partys favor, it was more likely to cause violent rage due to dirtying the sacred and wonderful memories in someone elses heart, having the so called subst.i.tute torn into pieces.

The Imperial n.o.ble Consort, for Le Cheng Emperor, was probably this kind of an existence. Furthermore, the one that looked the most like his true love was his son, alright. However, because the discrepancy in personality was truly too much, unless Li Hong Yuan deliberately makes a special expression, otherwise, Le Cheng Emperor definitely wont be in a daze towards his son either, so what use was there for a subst.i.tute to exist?

Seeing that it was absolutely impossible to learn the details from Le Cheng Emperor, these people naturally just s.h.i.+fted their gaze towards Li Hong Yuan and Jing Wan. After all, that painting hasnt been seen by a fourth personAlright, in reality, there was a fourth person. Li Hong Yuan had given it to Gong mama to look over, to ensure that it can achieve the absolute effect in front of Le Cheng Emperor. However, Li Hong Yuan really was calm, having everyone in the surrounding thoroughly ignored. As for Jing Wan, although unable to reach Li Hong Yuans level, with the help of some makeup, her expression was also perfect.

Thats why, for these people, regardless of their thoughts, it all ended in failure.

Speaking of which, did Le Cheng Emperor not have any paintings of the Imperial n.o.ble Consort when she was alive? To the extent that he would completely lose his soul to a painting at this time?

He certainly would have some, but freestyle painting further emphasized on charm and grace, so it more or less would be lacking in terms of form. Moreover, as a court painter, their level was actually limited. After all, the true master painters of Qi Yuan, for the most part, all came from prestigious and influential families, and at worst, it was still a scholarly family, having their own pride and n.o.ble ideals. They really felt it was beneath them to become a court painter and specifically serve the imperial family.

For someone like the Imperial n.o.ble Consort, if ones skill level wasnt up to standard, then one really wasnt able to draw out that kind of divine beauty and temperament. After a few times, especially with the real thing as comparison, what the h.e.l.l were all those paintings?

And as for the portraits in Le Cheng Emperors hands, there were a few that were even the Imperial n.o.ble Consorts self-portraits. Due to modesty, when painting, she blurred her own skill level. Even so, these paintings have already made Le Cheng Emperor love too much to part with.

In Le Cheng Emperors hands, there naturally werent just these two three paintings. After the Imperial n.o.ble Consort died, Le Cheng Emperor madly let the court painters paint the Imperial n.o.ble Consorts portrait based on memory. However, even the ones paint in the presence of the real thing, Le Cheng Emperor all wasnt satisfied with, let alone ones based off of memory. Being unable to produce a painting that Le Cheng Emperor was satisfied with, if not for Le Cheng Emperor needing them to continue painting, each and everyone wouldve long been kacha-ed. Under Le Cheng Emperor heavy pressure, their paintings did increasingly improve, but it still lacked charm. In the end, Le Cheng Emperor had no choice but to give up.

But now, suddenly obtaining such a painting that possessed both form and spirit, as if it was the actual person, it naturally just caused the past memories to become increasingly clear. Moreover, because the person in the painting was too beautiful, especially that smile, it practically just made one melt. Although in these last twenty or so years, Le Cheng Emperor has continuously pa.s.sed his days submerged in his memories, the things in ones memories, compared to something before ones eyes, was still somewhat different. This while, Le Cheng Emperor just felt that she really was smiling at him.

In reality, between Le Cheng Emperor and the Imperial n.o.ble Consort, there didnt really exist that many wonderful memories.

The Imperial n.o.ble Consort wasnt the kind of person that resented the heavens and blamed others, being melancholic and gloomy all day. Regardless of what she encountered, she would all adjust herself as much as possible, and afterwards, face with a positive mentality. However, towards Le Cheng Emperor, she ultimately didnt have any feelings, so naturally wont deliberately build anything with him, and Le Cheng Emperor also had her watched too closely. Moreover, in the first three years, she wasnt really by his side, and after coming to his side, as well as one can imagine, it was residing deep in the palace. And Le Cheng Emperor cant have all his thoughts spent on her either.

As the saying goes, the trees long for peace but the wind never cease. Le Cheng Emperor was already one-sidedly pa.s.sionate to begin with, so when Min Yu Han appeared in the capital, while believing that hed been wholeheartedly good to a person, yet this person still longed for someone else, he naturally just exploded. As such, how could there really be any beautiful memories between them?

The expression on the person in Jing Wans painting, for Le Cheng Emperor, perhaps was just like a dream. Its not that the Imperial n.o.ble Consort has never genuinely and happily smiled before in the palace, just this target wasnt necessarily Le Cheng Emperor. In fact, it wasnt any person, but merely a flower, a bird.

When unable to obtain or losing, it will just become that white moonlight, the cinnabar at the tip of the heart. All the bad things will all get selectively tossed to the back of the mind, having that tiny bit of good limitlessly magnified again and again, to the extent where one believed that everything in the past was all wonderful, practically reaching a hypnotized state. As such, one can imagine, just how deep of an influence this painting had towards Le Cheng Emperor.

Knowing their own tragedy, the princes afterwards also moved quickly, not slacking in the slightestBowing, presenting the present, saying the auspicious words, and afterwards, rolling back to their seats, regardless whether it was the grown princes that have been bestowed a w.a.n.g t.i.tle and opened their own manor, or the princes that were still in the palace. And to avoid the miserable fate of kneeling forever, they simple just didnt kneel.

Thus, the various princes offering their presents just became the most typical tigers head, snakes tail

[1]

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Next, it was the various countries emissaries turn

The Empress lacked in energy and was already somewhat drained, but at this time, she still had to work up her spirit and tactfully remind Le Cheng Emperor.

The princes in the end were still his sons. As the father, sweeping their faces, it was also just that, but these emissaries werent the same. Even if a small country, one still cant not give them face. Qi Yuan was a country of etiquette, the celestial empire, so as the Emperor, there was no reason to do such a mannerless thing.

Le Cheng Emperor in the end still hadnt reach that level, and although he still had no intention of putting down the scroll in hand, from beginning to end, he nevertheless still looked directly at the other countries emissaries. His face was expressionless, but he also didnt lack in manners. Speaking of which, the presents these emissaries prepared actually werent all that special. The larger countries didnt need to curry favor with Qi Yuan, so completely didnt want to put in the effort, and the smaller countries were unable to produce anything that was capable of shocking the people of Qi Yuan. It was mostly all just some of their own countrys specialities. In any case, it appeared valuable enough, so it was unlikely for them to lose face. For some smaller countries, it was just things such as gold and silver, or precious stones and pearls..

What was relatively special was probably just a pair of white tiger cubs, as well as a white tiger hide, separately coming from two smaller countries, which was rather coincidental.

Jing Wan was actually terribly smitten by the two white tiger cubs cuteness. Alright, Jing Wan was actually also considered someone that loved cute things.

Li Hong Yuan simply didnt know what it means to be polite. Since his wife liked it, then it was just directly demanding, not feeling the least bit embarra.s.sed.

Le Cheng Emperor naturally just waved his big hand, granting it.

After offering the presents, naturally it was just song and dance, and drinking wine. Although it was still early for the official banquet, at this time, it actually can be considered to have officially started.

[1] Idiom meaning a strong start but a weak finish.