When the scroll was completely presented before his eyes, Lou Che’s one glance immediately recognised the beauty in the painting, his face could not help but show a change, his mind a mess, his temper in a volatile state, and as he looks at the scroll, he shows a clear look of displeasure.
The incessant talking amongst the imperial court does not subside, all officials whispers to one another, first marvelling over the beauty in the painting, secondly, expressing their curiosity towards her identity. A small number of ministers remains silent, amongst the few, were those who happened to have caught a glance of the person in question during the imperial banquet, such person truly is an unforgettable one, but seeing Lou Che’s face, no one dares to offer any words.
On the right side, a military commander steps out to speak, he is stood closest to the scroll, and looking at the painting in this very moment, he could not bring himself to look away, in an utterly astonished state, he says: “The Nu really has good eyes, to actually want such a stunning beauty.” Having said that, he laughs towards the emissary, highly praising the Nu Prince’s great eyes.
Seeing him foolishly continue to remain unaware of the impending doom, the military senior official who stands at the front, lightly calls out: “Do not chatter in court.” Only then did the officials gradually quieten down.
In this precise moment of quiet, Prince Duan suddenly sounds a laugh, within the curious eyes of others, he alone says: “Not only the Nu Prince has such great eyes, our Prime Minister Lou’s eyes are also astounding.”
Hearing the insinuation in his remark, everyone looks to the side, looking at Prime Minister Lou’s face, and then turning again to look at Prince Duan’s expression, both sides were people who are not to trifled with, the ministers who were knowledgeable and tactful, all chose to not say anything.
Seated above on the dragon throne, the Emperor was also very curious. He sees that the officials were unable to show any response, too bad he is too far from the painting, thus unable to get a clear look at it, at that moment, he beckons, allowing the emissary to bring the painting closer, upon an closer inspection, he was stunned on the spot, blurting out: “Is this Minister Lou’s……” Immediately shutting his mouth, he looks towards the first person on the left.
Lou Che smiles like the spring breeze, his face lit with warmth, turning around, he says to the emissary: “May Nu emissary leave the painting scroll behind, our court shall weight out and consider our reply, emissary can rest in the Capital for two days.” Having said that, he waves his hand, not giving the person the chance to answer or reject.
The Nu man was somewhat dumbfounded, momentarily not knowing what to say. Seeing the guards come up to take the painting, he hesitates for a long while, and gathers up the painting, saying: “This painting is the Prince’s most loved……the Prince has ordered that the painting must not leave me, if Celestial Empire wants to find the person according to the painting, you can have painters make a few copies.” Saying that, he places the painting back into the box with great care.
Prince Duan could not hold back his laugh, appearing as though he’s in particularly high spirits, “Your Prince truly is an attentive one.” Saying that, he glances at Lou Che.
The Emperor could also sense the tense atmosphere, on the verge of exploding, he beckons a nearby eunuch, quietly saying: “First send the emissary to get some rest, allow a painter to copy the painting.”
Seeing the emissary leave with long strides, the atmosphere within the hall completely changes, and an unpredictable silence falls.
The Emperor lightly coughs, breaking through everyone’s low spirits, seeing everyone turn their attention to him, he too did not know what to say, and could only faintly smile.
The military official on the right does not understand his actions, loudly saying: “Your majesty, we just need to find the person in the painting, we can immediately paste an imperial notice in search for the person.” Having battled at the borders for many years, there is finally hope for a peaceful settlement, the excitement was brewing within his heart, and he hated that they were not immediately reaching settlement in order to relieve urgency of the border wars.
Hearing such words, all the knowing people shows a change in expression, even the Emperor was unable to respond. Only Prince Duan appeared playful, saying: “Ho-ho, that’ll depend on Prime Minister Lou’s intentions. The person in the painting, doesn’t Prime Minister Lou just happen to be familiar with?”
The entire court fell into deeper silence, a portion of the officials who have never seen Gui Wan before were stirred up, one after the other looking towards Lou Che. Lou Che calmly smiles, his tone is as usual: “There are things in the world that are similar in appearance, people have look-a-likes, does the painting have to be of a real person? Just finding someone who looks seven points similar to the painting will do.”
“As far as I know, this painting coincidently looks exactly like the real person.” Prince Duan persistently refuses to comply.
No one makes a sound within the court, only military commander on the right was completely shocked, dumbly asking: “Who is it?”
Prince Duan turns around, facing Lou Che, seeming to unintentionally mention: “Other than the enchanting beauty of Prime Minister Lou’s household, what other family could possibly have a woman of such grace?”
His words triggers something, completely tearing through layers of paper, within the great hall, no one dares to speak again, all officials looks towards one another. Especially the military commander who could not hold back his words just now, his face looking particularly pale, thinking back to the words he had spoke of before, he was immediately dripping in cold sweat.
Face showing no change, Lou Che continues to speak in that voice that brings comfort and warmth to others: “Can I Lou Che not even recognise his own wife now? Needing Prince Duan to remind me.”
Every single person in the hall knew that Lou Che has really been angered, this young prime minister is famed for the hidden blades within his smiles, his face is like the spring breeze, yet between his smile, he sentences his enemies to death. Within this huge hall, there is also only a small number of ministers who dares to speak frankly in front of him, as for those who dares to rebuke him, perhaps there is only Prince Duan.
Prince Duan coldly laughs, and no longer speaks again, he turns to face the imperial throne, Lou Che’s eyes sweeps across the entire area, laughingly saying: “Those who have seen I, Lou Che’s wife, feel free to tell me, is the person in the painting my wife?”
An air of breath-taking force flows out, filling the entire hall. One after the other, the officials lowers their heads, avoiding the spearhead, no one dared to directly speak up. Lin Rui En frowns, deeply thinking for a moment, in the end he still keeps his lips sealed, saying nothing.
All of sudden, a soft voice sounds: “The person in the painting just happens to look a bit like Madam Lou, there was just some mix up just now.” Noticing Lou Che look over, he hurriedly speaks again, “From henceforth no one will make the same mistake again.”
“How could Madam Lou’s painting fall into the hands of barbarians?”
“Exactly.”
“I have seen Madam Lou before, she looks utterly different from the person in the painting.”
Hearing such comments, Lou Che smiles, without commenting, he turns to face the Emperor.
The Emperor upon seeing such a scene, was completely startled, his expression looks complicated as he calmly asks: “Ministers, how do you think this matter should be dealt with?”
Yet another tricky question has been thrown out, having gone through the incident just now, who would dare to step up right now? Silence falls, the extreme silence in the imperial court creates an awkward atmosphere.
In this inexplicably strange atmosphere, a crimson red figure steps out from the very back on the right side, bowing his upper body, his clear voice carries a kind of clear texture, invigorating people’s spirits: “Your majesty, allow this subject to take care of this matter.”
A very slim and handsome figure, with crystal clear temperament, the new First Ranked Scholar is like a breath of fresh air within the imperial court, seeing him step out, the officials let out a sigh of relief, considering he is Prime Minister Lou’s star pupil, there should not be much of a problem.
Lou Che turns his head, seeing the last in line on the right, Guan Xiu Wen, a look of surprise flashes by his eyes, upon looking at this youngster again, there is suddenly a strange feeling, he seems to have never seen through this youth, never noticed that he also carries the air of hidden danger within him.
The Emperor gives him a commending nod, looking at this young talent, he too was extremely satisfied. His head turns to the left, asking for Lou Che’s opinion.
Lou Che silently nods, and half the people in the court sighs in relief. The Emperor immediately orders Guan Xiu Wen to take care of this matter, thinking about it, this matter only need to finds someone who looks six or seven points similar to the painting, to send off, and so the matter can be considered to have been perfectly solved.
The court assembly today seems to have been particularly long, but one can at least consider themselves to have safely survived it. Once the Emperor has turned in, the officials also disperses, Lou Che was just about to start heading out, when a voice sounded from behind: “That beauty in the painting sure is extraordinary, with peerless elegance, no wonder the Nu would come all the way to the Capital in search for someone.”
Steps halting, Lou Che stops, turning his head around, and sil