Chapter 406 - 287: Bitter Winter, Northern Snow Enshrouded in Ice—Prosperous Qin Capital? Pathetic and Absurd!

And what the Seventh Prince refers to as supervisory management is essentially a grant; it’s just not explicitly stated.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Waves of emotion surged in Chu Ming’s heart.

This Prince truly values him highly.

"The stone factory and cloth shop need to be swiftly re-operated. Most of the previous batch of people were more or less connected to Cui Ye, and the Regent’s Mansion should have arrested them all."

"From the Regent’s Mansion, I learned that outside of Qin Capital, there is a shantytown where many impoverished people persecuted by Cui Ye reside. Once the Regent’s Mansion restores their records, they should be assigned to the stone factory and cloth shop."

"In this cold and frozen weather, they can at least have a place to settle and earn a living." The Seventh Prince spoke calmly.

Chu Ming was slightly surprised, for the Prince’s actions were somewhat unexpected.

"What did you want to say just now?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, nothing else."

"Focus on interpreting the Sea Scripture, the sooner the better."

"Yes."

"Go now."

"..."

Exiting Jingran Hall, Chu Ming then went to Wenlan Pavilion.

It’s his first visit to Wenlan Pavilion. He had read seven-tenths of the books before, and today, with the time still early, he should be able to finish the remaining three-tenths.

"Chu Ming."

Upon entering the pavilion, a familiar voice was heard from afar—it was Qi Chen and Pei Yi from Wenlin Garden.

"Senior Brother, Senior Sister." Chu Ming saluted.

"Junior Brother, I heard you uncovered a big case?" Pei Yi fixed her bright eyes on Chu Ming.

Chu Ming paused and chose not to respond directly: "Senior Brother, Senior Sister, I’m off to read."

"Junior Brother, where did you get this cloak?"

Pei Yi was staring at Chu Ming’s snow-white cloak, her eyes intense as if they could melt the snow between heaven and earth.

This cloak, she had seen it when she returned home this morning; her father was wearing one, saying it was a reward from His Majesty, made from the Snow Qilin fur of the Ice Soul Kingdom, very precious. How could Chu Ming have one?

Chu Ming did not answer and walked into the pavilion.

"Junior Brother, Tang Xuan is from the Tang Family..."

"Master Tang."

"Master Tang."

The two’s conversation was abruptly interrupted as they bowed ceremoniously to another side.

"Finished painting?" An old man with white hair walked over on the snow, his face stern.

"No...not finished..." The two hung their heads.

"Then why aren’t you going?!"

"Yes...yes..." They hurriedly ran away.

"Master Tang." Chu Ming cupped his hands in greeting to Tang Bai.

"Hmm, you look much more handsome today." Tang Bai’s face broke into a smile. "Here to read?"

"Yes." Chu Ming nodded.

"How’s the interpretation of the Sea Scripture going?"

"Already on the seventh page."

"Oh? Reported to the Crown Prince?"

"No, I reported to Your Seventh Highness."

"Same," Tang Bai’s smile widened, "Could you draft a copy for me?"

"Sure, Master Tang, please wait a moment." Chu Ming entered the pavilion, found a desk, and sat down, where paper and ink pen were prepared.

He quickly penned down the content of seven pages with dense ink.

Tang Bai picked it up to review, only to see approval in his eyes.

"No wonder Your Seventh Highness praised you; your ability to interpret the Ancient Shell Script surpasses even an old thing like me who has studied ancient texts and artifacts for half a lifetime."

"A blessing from Your Seventh Highness." Chu Ming echoed.

"Haha, you’re not skilled at flattery." Tang Bai looked at Chu Ming’s clear eyes, growing more and more fond of him.

"Regarding Tang Xuan’s matters, I was aware even before you entered Wenlin Garden, but you needn’t worry that I’ll do anything to you; the affairs of the Tang Family have nothing to do with me."

As he suspected.

Chu Ming felt a slight stir in his heart; back then, it was likely someone intentionally relayed Tang Xuan’s situation to Tang Bai, but this master seems indifferent to the Tang Family.

"In ten days, the annual Golden Hundred Knowledge Grand Competition will be held; do you want to participate?" Tang Bai continued, "In the Painting Competition."

Your Seventh Highness has already asked me to participate in poetry."

"It won’t conflict; I heard your talent in painting is quite high as well. Wouldn’t you want to try it?" Tang Bai stirred with the thought of accepting him as a disciple.

"...Master Tang, I’m not skilled in painting."

Chu Ming had promised Hoong Ying to participate in the Painting Competition, so naturally, he wouldn’t register under a different identity.

"Why don’t you paint something for me to see?" Tang Bai didn’t quite believe it.

Chu Ming hesitated for a moment, then picked up the pen and started painting.

The time was limited, so he needed to quickly dismiss Tang Bai to peruse the remaining books.

In no time, a landscape painting appeared on the paper.

Tang Bai observed the painting, disappointment flashing through his eyes.

The painting wasn’t too bad, and the technique was considered brilliant, enough to be called a painter. For someone around sixteen or seventeen years old, it can be rated as having quite good talent.

But, Tang Bai, being a renowned Master of Painting Dao in the Qin Dynasty, had high standards and sought talent far exceeding the ordinary prodigy.

His disciples, like Qi Chen and Pei Yi, at the age of sixteen or seventeen, produced works that far surpassed this painting.

Because Chu Ming showed exceptional skill in Ancient Shell Script interpretation, it is a complex, obscure form of pictographic characters requiring strong associative and imaginative abilities.

And associative and imaginative skills are crucial in painting.

Hence, he initially brought on the delusion that Chu Ming also had high painting skills, setting his expectations too high.

"It’s already very good." Tang Bai concealed his unusual expression and said with a smile, "Keep practicing, strive to participate next year."

"Thank you, Master Tang."

"Hmm." Tang Bai nodded, hands behind his back, and left.

He finally left.

Chu Ming felt Tang Bai had returned to Wenlin Garden, and only then did he immerse himself in taking on the remaining books.

Three-tenths of the books took over two hours, and near dusk, he finally finished reviewing all of them.

The snow outside fell heavier and heavier, with his sight filled with white snow.

The palace... sculptures... waterside pavilions... guards... were all cloaked in white.

Chu Ming set down the last book and headed towards the door.

"I wonder what kind of books are stored in the Celestial Book Garden that Your Seventh Highness mentioned..."

Footprints were left in the snow, leading farther away, until he exited the Imperial City, departed from Qin Capital.