By the time Emperor Zhou finished his conversation with Pei Ji, Shen Jing had more or less finished painting Consort Xian's portrait.
Although Shen Jing had colored the portrait, the color palette felt a bit off, a little rough.
There was nothing he could do; the pigments Ye Li had prepared for him were not like colored pens.
To achieve this level of coloring was already his limit.
For greater detail, he would have to wait until he was in the mood one day and painstakingly create colored pens.
Seeing Shen Jing still putting on the finishing touches, Emperor Zhou and Pei Ji did not disturb him, merely watching quietly from the side.
Pei Ji glanced at Shen Jing with some surprise, not expecting this young man to possess such a skill.
He had interacted with this young man for so many days, and he found him quite to his liking.
If not for the young man's extreme frailty and his unwillingness to join the army, he would have truly wanted to bring him into the Ministry of War.
While Pei Ji was lost in thought, Shen Jing finally completed the last finishing touches.
"Your Ladyship, it's done."
Shen Jing looked at Consort Xian and then turned the canvas, "Your Ladyship, please see if you like it."
"Hoo..."
Consort Xian let out a sigh of relief, not rushing to admire the portrait, but instead curtsied to Emperor Zhou, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
Your Majesty?
Shen Jing and Ye Li suddenly turned around, only to realize that Emperor Zhou and Pei Ji were standing not far behind them.
"Greetings, Your Majesty (Father Emperor)."
The two quickly stood up and bowed.
Shen Jing secretly grumbled, 'Why are these two like ghosts, walking without a sound?'
"Dispense with the formalities!"
Emperor Zhou slightly raised his hand and quickly walked towards Consort Xian, admiring the portrait with her.
Pei Ji, however, did not join in the excitement, merely smiling at Shen Jing, "When you have time another day, draw a portrait for this old man too."
...
Shen Jing's face darkened, and he secretly complained in his heart, 'What are you, an old man, being so narcissistic for?'
"Qinghe is right, Marquis Shen's painting skills are truly masterful."
Consort Xian looked up, "This consort likes this portrait very much, thank you, Marquis Shen."
And then?
Shen Jing waited for Consort Xian's next words.
Don't just say you like it!
If you like it, shouldn't there be some reward?
My hands are sore, I can't have worked hard for nothing, can I?
But then, there was no 'then'.
Alright!
In that case, I might have to be a bit unscrupulous.
"Your Ladyship is too kind."
Shen Jing smiled slightly at Consort Xian, "Since Your Ladyship likes this painting, then this humble subject will be so bold as to request a reward from His Majesty!"
Listening to Shen Jing's words, Ye Li's mouth suddenly dropped open, looking at him in disbelief.
Asking for a reward!
His Father Emperor had just heavily rewarded him, and he was still asking for more?
Was he not afraid that his Father Emperor would kick him out of the Imperial Garden?
Pei Ji also secretly gave Shen Jing a thumbs up, thinking that this young man was a brave fellow.
Emperor Zhou was also stunned by Shen Jing's words. After he recovered, he stared at Shen Jing with a half-smile: "What reward do you wish to ask for?"
Shen Jing bowed and said, "This humble subject is of limited talent and knowledge, truly unfit for such a great responsibility! I humbly request His Majesty to dismiss me from my official post!"
Dismissal!
Good fellow!
So that's what he was waiting for!
Wants to shirk responsibility?
No way!
"You painted a portrait for Consort Xian, and I dismiss you from your official post? Wouldn't that make me unjust in my rewards and punishments?"
Emperor Zhou's expression was calm, "Not only does Consort Xian like this painting, but I also like it very much! Since you have asked for a reward, I naturally cannot be stingy with it!"
Saying that, Emperor Zhou somewhat reluctantly untied the jade pendant from his waist, "This jade pendant is your reward."
"Your Majesty, this humble subject is truly of limited talent and knowledge, truly unfit for such a great responsibility!"
Shen Jing looked at Emperor Zhou with a bitter expression, secretly calculating in his heart.
This was a jade pendant nourished by dragon qi!
This would surely be passed down as a family heirloom!
Hmm, at least his hard work wasn't for nothing.
"Stop talking nonsense with me!"
Emperor Zhou glared at Shen Jing, "I have always been fair in my rewards and punishments!"
Saying that, Emperor Zhou quickly stepped forward and directly placed the jade pendant into Shen Jing's hand.
"This..."
Shen Jing "reluctantly" put away the jade pendant, saying with a bitter expression, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Emperor Zhou looked at the jade pendant with reluctance, then instructed Yu Rang to prepare food and wine, and then continued to admire the painting with Consort Xian.
However, as he looked, Emperor Zhou's eyelids suddenly twitched.
That's not right!
Could he have been tricked by this young man, Shen Jing?
This young man must have known his intentions!
He should also know that he wouldn't dismiss him from his official post, right?
Asking for a reward by feigning retreat?
The more Emperor Zhou thought about it, the more he felt this was possible. However, he had no evidence.
After all, it was entirely reasonable for Shen Jing not to want to be the Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial.
Who was to blame, if not himself?
How could he have impulsively given away the jade pendant?
Suddenly, Emperor Zhou had an urge to slap himself twice.
While dinner was not yet ready, Emperor Zhou called Shen Jing to sit aside.
Emperor Zhou was not in a hurry to speak, just staring at Shen Jing.
Shen Jing felt a little uneasy and tentatively said, "Your Majesty, please just speak your mind! Your Majesty staring at this humble subject like this makes me afraid."
"Still playing dumb with me, are you?"
Emperor Zhou stared at Shen Jing with a half-smile, "Do you think I don't know that you're feigning retreat to deliberately ask for a reward?"
"Ah?"
Shen Jing looked at Emperor Zhou with a blank expression, as if he didn't understand what Emperor Zhou meant at all.
"Alright, stop pretending with me!"
Emperor Zhou glared at Shen Jing with a smile, "You should also know why I appointed you as Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, right?"
"Your Majesty wishes for this humble subject to persuade the Yong Country to agree to use white sugar instead of other tribute items!" Shen Jing replied with a bitter expression.
"Correct!"
Emperor Zhou nodded, "I am giving you the reward for accomplishing this task in advance! But if you fail to accomplish this task, I will find a reason to demote your noble title!"
Damn it!
No reward for success, but punishment for failure!
This dog emperor is truly a dog!
This was clearly forcing him to do his utmost to accomplish this task!
"This humble subject will certainly do his utmost!"
Shen Jing reluctantly agreed, then looked at Emperor Zhou in confusion: "Anyone can do this, why must Your Majesty insist on me doing it?"
I knew this young man would ask that!
Emperor Zhou secretly smiled in his heart, but his face remained expressionless, "Just consider this my test for you!"
A test?
Heh heh!
A test for what?
If I pass the test, will you pass the throne to me, or marry your daughter to me?
This 'pie in the sky' was simply too obvious!
"Regarding the situation with the Yong Country Delegation, I won't bother telling you; you can go to the Court of State Ceremonial and find out for yourself!"
Emperor Zhou glanced at Shen Jing, then said with a chuckle, "Don't pull a long face anymore; I know you're a smart person, and I believe you can handle this matter well!"
Heh!
I truly thank your ancestors for eighteen generations!
Fine!
You insist on me handling the reception, right?
If I'm hosting the Yong Country Delegation, won't I also get to eat and drink and such?
Enjoying myself with the court's money, why not?
"Then this humble subject will first prepare well for the reception of the Yong Country Delegation. Perhaps I won't attend court sessions for now?"
Shen Jing subtly made a condition to Emperor Zhou.
Emperor Zhou glared at Shen Jing in annoyance. After a moment of hesitation, he finally agreed, "Alright! Then you prepare well for the reception matters!"
This scoundrel!
So lazy at such a young age!
So many people wish to stand in court but have no opportunity, yet he, on the other hand, is afraid of attending court sessions.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Shen Jing secretly sighed that his lie-ins were finally secured, then added, "This humble subject has one more request!"
Emperor Zhou: "Speak!"
Shen Jing took a deep breath and said solemnly, "If this humble subject offends the Yong Country Delegation during the reception, I ask His Majesty to..."
"That depends on the circumstances!"
Emperor Zhou interrupted Shen Jing, smiling, "If you handle the matter well, as long as it doesn't cause a war between the two countries, anything is negotiable! If you don't handle it well, that will be my excuse to reduce your noble title!"
Damn it!
Shen Jing cursed inwardly, then tentatively asked, "The salt permits Your Majesty mentioned earlier..."
"I am not so untrustworthy as to go back on my word!"
Emperor Zhou stared at Shen Jing, saying meaningfully, "You are now an imperial official; salt permits cannot be given directly to you, understand?"
"Understood!"
Shen Jing suddenly realized.
Hmm, then let Fang Liuqi come to the capital!
