Chapter 107

Qin Zhao turned her head and looked at Huo Chengjin, and was immediately attracted by the tall and handsome sister next to him!

This person was almost as tall as Huo Chengjin, about 1.9 meters.

She was dressed in light blue men's clothing, with delicate eyebrows and eyes, a straight nose, clear contours, combining feminine softness and handsome beauty!

Through her clothes, one could vaguely see her tight muscle lines!

Huo Chengjin noticed her gaze and introduced, "Your Highness, this is my sister, Huo Jun."

Huo Jun bowed to Qin Zhao, "Your humble subject pays respects to Your Highness."

Qin Zhao raised her up with her own hands, and took the opportunity to feel up her biceps to confirm that she was not seeing wrongly.

Sure enough, it felt especially good!

Huo Jun's earlobes turned red, thinking to herself: This is the first time someone has helped me up by holding my arm!

"Huo Jun, what a nice name," Qin Zhao said.

"Thank you for praising, Your Highness."

"How old are you this year?"

"Twenty-four."

"Are you married?"

"I have never married."

"Is there a girl you like?"

Huo Jun: "......"

Seeing her not answering, Qin Zhao casually changed the topic.

In her heart she planned, she must find an opportunity later, to get along more with her, to feast her eyes as well.

Huo Chengjin requested to accompany Qin Zhao, and Qin Zhao did not refuse.

Mainly because she wanted to walk with the handsome sister.

Everyone came to the banquet venue, Taihe Garden.

The guests were already seated according to their status and nobility. Qin Zhao's seat was on the left side of the emperor's main seat, the eighth seat, and she was the only princess arranged on the same side as the princes.

In front were seven adult princes respectively.

Across from her were twelve princesses.

Further back were the ministers, foreign dignitaries, and their families.

She estimated there were over six hundred guests, plus guards, at least two thousand people at the venue.

But the Empress Dowager was not there, and Qin Zhao felt a little disappointed. At noon, Emperor Qin Zheng entered and sat down.

Then the first part of the Longevity Festival began: gifting.

The Crown Prince Qin Song presented his gift to Qin Zheng, saying, "Father Emperor, this is a coral tree from the Western Sea.

After being eroded and polished by seawater for hundreds of years, it still maintains such gorgeous colors.

May Father Emperor be like this coral tree, retaining his youthful looks and coloring!"

When Qin Zheng heard the words "retaining youthful looks," he immediately smiled, very satisfied with Qin Song's gift.

This made the other princes even more jealous!

Qin Song ignored the strange looks and returned to his seat.

After that, Qin Lie, Qin Su, Qin Cong, Qin Hong and other princes, presented their treasured objects to Qin Zheng, all obtaining Qin Zheng's praise.

It was Qin Zhao's turn. Under everyone's eager gaze, Qin Zhao walked up to Qin Zheng.

Everyone saw she was holding a scroll, and guessed she was giving a painting.

This was indeed the case.

But the Fourth Prince Qin Su had already gifted a painting of a golden dragon entering the sea, and had received the emperor's approval.

If Qin Zhao gave another painting, it would clash with his, moreover the painting Qin Su gave was by the court's master painter Du Jing.

Du Jing was the most prestigious painter in Yue Country, known as one painting per city!

It meant one of his paintings was worth a city.

Thus, everyone believed the painting in Qin Zhao's hands could not be better than the one Qin Su had given!

The Princess Changyang, who was doted on deeply by the Emperor, had always been the center of envy among the aristocracy.

They were happy to see her embarrassed, so they eagerly anticipated the Emperor's expression when he saw the painting.

Qin Zhao walked up close to the Emperor, knelt down and paid respects: "Your filial daughter pays respects to Father Emperor."

Qin Zheng: "Rise, what gift has the imperial daughter brought Us?"

This was the first time the Emperor had asked, making the princes even more envious of Qin Zhao!

Holding up the scroll, Qin Zhao said, "This is a painting done by your daughter herself, presented as a gift, may Father Emperor have good health and longevity equal to the heavens."

Done by herself?

At her words, everyone nearly laughed out loud, unable to hold it in, lowering their heads to hide their laughter.

If the painting was not satisfactory, perhaps the Emperor would withdraw his favor for Changyang.

Even if the painting was decent, Changyang would still be nailed to the pillar of shame.

After all, no matter how good she painted, could it be better than Du Jing?

With such a masterpiece for comparison, no matter what Changyang painted, it would appear shabby.

The princes, princesses, and nobles looked forward even more to the unveiling.

Qin Zheng nodded and laughed, "The imperial daughter is thoughtful, hand it over and let Us take a look." Qin Zhao walked to the Emperor's side and slowly unrolled the scroll...

As she moved, the whispers in the hall gradually died down.

The Emperor stared at the scroll unblinkingly, his body trembling slightly, as if his soul was being drawn into the painting!

At present, Yue Country only had ink wash paintings, while Qin Zhao had painted in watercolor, not that watercolor was superior to ink wash.

But when a new thing first appears before people's eyes, its impact is certainly groundbreaking!

Not only that, Qin Zhao had used realist techniques, also unprecedented by the ancients.

The two combined brought a shock that could not be underestimated!

Looking at the vivid, beautified portrait of himself in the painting, how could Qin Zheng say a word of objection?

Qin Zheng took the painting and stared at it for half a hour, practically unable to put it down!

Seeing this, everyone silently sighed, feeling it was no wonder Princess Changyang was so favored, they were no match for her even on horseback.

The Emperor gazed at the painting, intoxicated with it for a long time, before reacting that he was still at the Longevity Festival banquet!

Then he lightly coughed a few times to cover his embarrassment, and loudly proclaimed: "Reward!"

Qin Zhao knelt down, "Thank you, Father Emperor."

Qin Zheng asked, "What does the imperial daughter want Us to reward you with?"

"Father Emperor, your daughter has not decided yet, may I have some time?"

Qin Zheng was in an excellent mood, and laughed, "Very well, tell Us before the banquet ends."

Just as he finished speaking, a voice loudly announced from afar: "The Empress Dowager arrives!"

The Emperor rose and hurried to the Empress Dowager, supporting her as they walked this way.

The Empress Dowager winked at Qin Zhao.

Qin Zhao pursed her lips in a smile, thinking to herself: What a perfect start!

After the Empress Dowager was seated, the Longevity Festival proceedings continued.

For a long time after Qin Zhao's gift, no stunning presents appeared.

Until Prince E Le Deng of Chi Rong and several of his followers, pushed over a large cage covered with cloth.

E Le Deng and his followers were all nearly two meter tall burly men, yet they strained to push that thing!

Everyone guessed what could be inside that needed such a huge cage?

E Le Deng wiped the sweat from his brow and paid respects to Qin Zheng, "E Le Deng, on behalf of Chi Rong Country, congratulates the Great Yue Emperor, may you shine as bright as the sun and moon, blessed with eternal good fortune and longevity!"

Qin Zheng laughed, "Hahahaha, well said! Prince E Le Deng has come from afar, are you adjusting well?"

E Le Deng nodded, "Yue Country is vast and abundant, it has expanded my horizons greatly.

To express my gratitude, I have also brought something characteristic of Chi Rong."

Qin Zheng asked, "What is it? Let Us take a look."

E Le Deng signaled his followers to remove the cloth.

"Ahhhhhh!!"

Seeing what was inside, everyone was thunderstruck, frozen in place. Timid people shrieked and fled in all directions!