The two arrived at the small garden with their painting supplies. Looking at the scenery, Bai Fei Wan remarked, “We haven’t been here in half a month, and the view has gotten even better. Look, the lotuses in the lake are all budding.”
Zi Zhu nodded in agreement. “It has become much prettier.”
As they spoke, the two walked a lap around the garden. Bai Fei Wan chose a scenic angle. “Zi Zhu, right here. Set up the tools for me. If you have nothing to do, you can go look around nearby. I’ll probably be painting for a while.”
“Yes, Miss. I’ll be nearby. Just call for me if you need anything.”
Bai Fei Wan nodded. “Alright.”
She then sat before her easel and began her work.
When she was about halfway through, two figures appeared silently behind her and to her side. From Bai Fei Wan’s perspective, the spot where they stood was somewhat hidden, and they were a slight distance away. Unaware of their arrival, she continued with her painting.
The two were none other than the still-unseen Jin Wang and his personal eunuch, Jiang Shun.
Jin Wang looked at the person painting ahead. The paper on her easel looked exceptionally fine and very white; he had never seen such paper before.
If Bai Fei Wan knew what Jin Wang was thinking at that moment, she would have certainly fumed, “Your ignorance is your own fault! Such a great beauty is sitting right there, yet the first thing you notice is the paper. You deserve to have no heirs!”
His gaze then shifted to the artist herself. The young woman’s skin was as smooth as fine cream, her nose was elegantly straight, her eyes were enchanting, and her lips were as red as cinnabar. She wore an indigo gauze dress, and her waterfall of hair was casually tied back, with a few strands unintentionally falling over her shoulders, adding a touch of untamed languor.
Her slender, fair hands danced across the easel, every movement captivating the soul.
Seeing such a scene, Jin Wang’s heart skipped a beat. Did he have such a person in his residence? Why did he have no impression of her? “Jiang Shun, who is she?”
It was also Jiang Shun’s first time seeing Bai Fei Wan. He thought for a moment. He had met all the other masters in the residence. There was only one newcomer, Bai Shiqie, who had yet to serve the prince in bed, and whom he had never seen.
With this in mind, Jiang Shun said, “Your Highness, this must be Bai Shiqie. She is one of the three who recently entered the residence. She has not yet served you.”
At Jiang Shun’s words, Jin Wang remembered. He was originally supposed to spend the night at her place, but his Imperial Father had sent someone to summon him to the palace to discuss the handling of officials involved in a corruption case. He had been busy until the end of the month and had forgotten all about it.
The two men said no more, continuing to watch Bai Fei Wan paint.
After another hour, Bai Fei Wan finally finished. She stood up and stretched her stiff body.
Seeing that she was done, Jin Wang was about to walk toward her when he heard her voice. “Zi Zhu! Zi Zhu, I’m finished!” The foot Jin Wang had started to extend was drawn back.
As soon as she spoke, a young maidservant emerged from a patch of flowers up ahead. “Miss, you’re done! I just finished looking around. I saw you were still painting, so I sat in the flower patch for a bit.”
She then looked at her lady’s painting, cupped her hands under her chin, and turned to her miss with a look of adoration, beginning her unabashed praise. “Wow! Miss, your painting is so beautiful! It looks just like the real thing! No, it’s even more beautiful than the real thing. Miss, you’re so amazing, you can do anything! You must be a little fairy from the heavens, right?”
Zi Zhu’s emotional validation was off the charts, and Bai Fei Wan felt a little giddy. She crossed her arms, her delight tinged with pride. “Of course. Your miss is a one-of-a-kind, super-duper amazing little fairy.”
Just as Bai Fei Wan’s words fell, a teasing male voice came from behind. “Oh? This prince was unaware that a super-duper amazing little fairy had taken up residence in my backyard.”
Heavens, why was the prince here? What a monster! Her heart was in a panic, but her face remained impassive. Head bowed, she gracefully curtsied to Jin Wang. “This servant, Bai of Qingya Courtyard, greets Your Highness.”
Hearing that she lived in Qingya Courtyard, Xiao Yuchen paused for a split second before quickly recovering, unnoticed by anyone.
Beside her, Zi Zhu also hurriedly knelt to greet the prince. “This servant pays her respects to Your Highness.”
Jin Wang glanced at the kneeling Zi Zhu, recalling her recent display of flattery. “You may rise.”
He then looked back at Bai Fei Wan, continuing their previous topic. “Why don’t you answer, little fairy?”
Hearing Jin Wang bring up the topic again, Bai Fei Wan was a bit speechless. Was he not done with this? The man had no sense of propriety at all. Didn’t he see that she had already tried to move past the subject?
She could only lower her head further and reply, “This servant… this servant was just joking with my maid. Your Highness need not take it seriously.”
Seeing the woman before him with her head bowed so low it nearly touched the ground, all he could see from his angle was a section of her snowy, swan-like neck. It was a very beautiful neck, which made him want to get a better look at the woman’s face. “Raise your head.”
At his words, Bai Fei Wan slowly lifted her head and was instantly stunned. This man was far too handsome. A high-bridged nose, deep and bright eyes that seemed to see into one’s soul, and sensual lips. He appeared cold and aloof, with a steady and reserved aura. He was the epitome of cool.
Seeing the woman in front of him staring blankly, Xiao Yuchen’s lips curved into a pleased smile. “I, for one, don’t think it was a joke. You do indeed look like a little fairy.”
Hearing Jin Wang praise her looks, Bai Fei Wan’s face bloomed into a smile. “Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness. You are also very handsome.”
Up close, the woman’s features were as exquisite as a finely carved work of art, every line perfectly proportioned—neither too sharp nor too delicate. Her brows were like distant mountains veiled in mist, her eyes like deep pools reflecting the stars, seemingly capable of gently embracing all of creation. When she smiled, the world lost its color, and the stars dimmed.
Jin Wang came back to his senses and looked away from her, turning his attention to her painting. “It’s vividly painted. Truly not bad.”
He picked up the painting to examine it closely. “This paper is of good quality. How is it that this prince has never heard of such fine paper?”
Seeing Jin Wang ask about the paper, Bai Fei Wan had long ago prepared a seamless explanation for its origin.
It wasn’t just the paper; for anything that didn’t exist in this era, Bai Fei Wan had already prepared a reasonable backstory. She had no desire to be branded a demon.
“This servant made it herself.”
Hearing Bai Fei Wan’s answer, Jin Wang’s interest was piqued. “You made it yourself? You know how to do this as well?”
“Replying to Your Highness, this servant did indeed make it herself. I have loved painting since I was young. The common paper on the market is not good for painting, and good paper is too expensive to afford. My family’s next-door neighbor once worked in a paper-making workshop, so I went to ask him for the method. Then, I slowly figured out how to make this kind of paper on my own.”
Hearing Bai Fei Wan’s explanation, Xiao Yuchen nonchalantly rubbed the painting in his hands. “Oh, is that so? You’re quite capable then.”
“This painting will be a gift to this prince,” he said, and without waiting for Bai Fei Wan’s reply, he rolled up the scroll in his hands.
Jin Wang raised a hand and patted Bai Fei Wan’s head. “This prince has matters to attend to. I will come to see you when I have time.”
Bai Fei Wan looked at Jin Wang with eyes full of fondness, saying reluctantly, “Alright. This servant will wait for you.”
Jin Wang was quite pleased to have the woman before him speak with such a look and tone.
He moved the hand from her head to her face and gave it a light pinch, saying, “Be good,” before turning to leave.
Watching Jin Wang walk away, Bai Fei Wan let out a sigh of relief and patted her chest. “He’s finally gone. That was terrifying.”
Zi Zhu immediately chimed in, “I know! We didn’t even know when His Highness arrived. It was so scary.”
Then she immediately remembered. “Miss, Miss! His Highness just said he would come to see you!”
Seeing Zi Zhu’s excitement, Bai Fei Wan didn’t want to burst her bubble. Jin Wang had clearly just been making a polite remark, but this child believed everything.
She went along with her. “Mhm, yes, he did.”
Seeing that Zi Zhu was about to say more, she quickly changed the subject. “It’s noon. Let’s hurry and pack up. We should head back, or Ziyu will come looking for us soon.”
And so, the two packed their things and returned.