You rascal, stop right there!

Three days later.

Contrary to everyone's expectations.

Bai Wan's painting "Fire in the Snow" during the palace examination astounded Emperor Jiaxing.

His Majesty was very happy at that time, and granted him the first place in the painting department of the Painting Academy, and he was admitted to the Daying Painting Academy.

Because he was admitted through examination, his rank was higher than that of recommendation, so he was granted the title of Zhihou.

According to convention, the top three candidates in the painting examination will have to meet His Majesty.

Hundreds of officials gathered in the Golden Palace.

Emperor Jiaxing felt deeply gratified when he looked at the three new painting students who had been admitted.

Bai Wan was summoned here with an imperial edict, and had already prepared to slowly recover his memory.

He was wearing a red official uniform, with a fish bag and documents prepared long ago on his waist.

This man was born handsome, and the red clothes made his face look even more handsome, like a romantic scholar.

In a corner of the court, when Li Simeng saw Bai Wan, his heart was shocked.

His lips were trembling, his face was pale, and he could not believe what he saw.

This person! Isn't he dead?

How did you crawl back from hell?

Following a glance, Emperor Jiaxing finally asked:

"Who is the White Pea painter, Bai Zhihou?"

"Your Majesty, I am White Pea!"

This man faced the emperor very decently, hiding his true ruffian nature and smiling very appropriately.

Perhaps even he himself didn't know why he could behave so appropriately in such a situation.

Emperor Jiaxing looked at him and felt familiar with him, but he couldn't remember where he was.

So, he asked angrily: "Have I seen you?"

"My subject is just the son of a fisherman in a border town. How could you possibly have seen him? My surname is Bai, and my name is Bai Wan, which means pea."

Such a gentle response, but his status and family background are so different, it is impossible that they are the same person.

If Li Simeng had not watched Han Miaoran grow from the age of seven to fifteen, he would have really thought that the man had a younger brother or something.

"Oh, I probably remembered it wrong." Emperor Jiaxing said with a smile, "You are the first one to draw the strange painting of 'fire'! Tell me, how did you come up with that painting?"

"Your Majesty, the topic you gave that day was 'fire', but why must it be fire? 'Flower' can be something other than a flower, and naturally 'fire' can also be something other than fire."

Emperor Jiaxing looked at him and said with a smile, "Well said, let's exhibit the paintings!"

I saw two eunuchs spreading out the scroll. The painter's painting skills were elegant and his brushwork was agile.

There is a piece of white snow on the paper, and in the corner there rises an eye-catching plum blossom. The plum blossom stands proudly in the snow like a flame.

This is what is meant by fire that is not fire.

Bai Wan looked at the painting and felt deeply moved.

In fact, when this question appeared in the palace examination that day, he had an idea in his mind.

The memory of him and Zichen exchanging the painting of fallen plum blossoms was still fresh in his mind. He only needed to think about it for a moment before he could come up with the idea of the painting.

It really has to be said that it was Ling Shumo who led him into this field since he started learning painting.

"With such a wonderful idea, you deserve to be the first. Among all the painters, only Bai Zhihou's paintings are deeply loved by me." Emperor Jiaxing smiled even more.

"I wonder where you learned from?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Wan's expression suddenly became serious.

"I learn from all things!"

He couldn't say that he learned it from Ling Shumo and Luo Wenqi. It would sound too much like he was trying to gain connections or gain fame.

It's too obvious!

Emperor Jiaxing saw this man standing there with an extraordinary demeanor, and said with a smile: "This is really new. You are the first person I have seen who said that he inherited everything from his teacher."

Bai Wan smiled without moving: "Isn't it good to be fresh? The old must go before the new can come!"

presumptuous!

The ministers around him just thought that this man was behaving properly, but now they find that something is wrong.

However, Emperor Jiaxing sitting on the dragon throne was not angry.

He had admired Bai Wan's talent since the day of the palace examination.

As long as one has talent for painting, it doesn't matter what one's temperament is.

Ling Shumo is no longer considered a painter, and neither is Prime Minister Li. The painting academy should have more unique people.

And the name is so interesting - peas? It seems to be a cheap thing that people only eat when they are hungry. It's really interesting.

Emperor Jiaxing said casually: "You should go to the painting academy and paint for me!"

Bai Wan was stunned for a moment: "Yes."

Li Simeng on the side clenched his fists and looked at him in a daze.

……

After the court meeting.

Bai Wan had to report directly to Daying Art Academy according to the rules.

The place that Han Miaoran had drawn with his right hand before, he now drew with his left hand. It must be said that this is like a kind of reincarnation of fate.

"Marquis Bai Zhi, please stay!" A deep and old voice came from behind him.

Bai Wan turned her head and felt that although this man had a kind face, he was very irritating.

"Sir?" He asked doubtfully.

Li Simeng looked at him and twisted his beard faintly: "Great victory, Prime Minister Li Simeng."

This name is extremely familiar.

Thinking back carefully, this man seemed to be Han Miaoran and Ling Shumo's former painting teacher. Strictly speaking, he might even be Han Miaoran's adoptive father.

Bai Wan suddenly shuddered, and her legs felt weak, but she still followed the example of other adults and saluted: "Prime Minister Li, I have heard a lot about you! I have heard a lot about you!"

The person opposite him looked at him carefully, with a more inquiring look in his eyes: "I wonder if anyone has told Bai Zhihou that you look a lot like the late painter Han Miaoran many years ago."

Is it so direct?

Bai Wan looked at him strangely.

In fact, under normal circumstances, he could even talk to this person directly and continue to ask about the master-disciple relationship.

But somehow, he felt a little scared when looking at this man, as if the fear was rising from the depths of his heart.

"Painter Han Miaoran passed away six years ago." Bai Wan said calmly, "Prime Minister Li, do you have a good relationship with him?"

Li Simeng looked embarrassed, but said with great sorrow: "He was the most talented of all my painting apprentices. It's a pity that he died young. I really feel sorry for his talent."

Bai Wan glanced at the man - his eyes were sad but his eyelids did not move, and his gaze unconsciously looked slightly downwards.

He bet all the steamed bread and crickets in Baiyun City, but the man did not feel sorry.

After years of being in the business world, I can tell whether a person is sincere or not.

"Really? If Prime Minister Li sees this person again and learns that he is still alive, will he be happy?" Bai Wan leaned forward.

These words were undoubtedly a test and a provocation.

Li Simeng sighed sadly: "If he were still alive, the court would probably look very different now."

Bai Wan bowed: "That's such a pity!"

I thought, how can a mere painter influence the imperial court? Does this person think too highly of the pen in his hand?

Neither of them spoke much; the silence was eerie.

At this moment, the person opposite suddenly stepped forward quietly, with a smile in his eyes: "So, will Bai Zhihou let Han Miaoran continue to live?"