Being an emperor is not something he can do, so he can only rely on his connections.

Xiaolan gently covered her pink lips with her slender, green onion-like hand, a hint of surprise flickering in her beautiful eyes. She cautiously reached out her other hand, gently picked up the exquisite pearl hairpin, and held it before her eyes to examine it carefully.

The pearl hairpin sparkled charmingly in the sunlight, and the gems inlaid on it sparkled even more, as if it contained endless mystery and charm. However, after just a moment, Xiaolan shook her head slightly, as if she had made up her mind, and slowly put the pearl hairpin back to its original place.

At this time, Xiaolan said softly: "Mr. Zhang is so extravagant. Xiaolan really can't accept these precious things." Her voice was clear and melodious, as beautiful as the sound of a yellow oriole singing in a valley.

Zhang Jingwei, who was standing aside, quickly waved his hand and responded with a smile: "I'm not giving it to you for free, young lady. I just hope that you can help me draw a portrait." His eyes were full of expectation and sincerity.

Xiaolan was stunned at first when she heard this, then she smiled and said, "It's just a portrait. Such a small thing is easy for Xiaolan. Why does it require Mr. Zhang to spend so much money?" As she spoke, her face was filled with a confident smile, which made people fall in love with her.

Zhang Jingwei still insisted: "Please accept it, young lady! If you don't accept this gift, I'm afraid I will never be at peace!" His tone was firm and persistent.

Seeing that she couldn't refuse, Xiaolan could only nod and said, "In that case, Xiaolan will respectfully obey your command. Thank you, Mr. Zhang!" After saying that, she reached out and picked up the pearl hairpin again, her eyes full of love.

Sunlight streamed into the room through the window lattice. Zhang Jingwei sat quietly in front of Xiaolan, motionless like a statue. Time slipped by quietly, and before he knew it, more than half an hour had passed.

Finally, Xiaolan couldn't help but giggle and whispered, "Master Zhang, you can move!"

Zhang Jingwei exclaimed, "Ah!" as if waking from a dream, a hint of surprise flashing across his face. He quickly said, "I thought you couldn't move when painting a portrait!"

Xiaolan covered her mouth with her hands and chuckled softly, saying apologetically, "This is all my fault. When I was drawing the outline just now, I saw you standing there motionless, and I found it really funny."

Zhang Jingwei also laughed out loud, looking at Xiaolan tenderly, and said, "Haha, laugh if you want to. Your smile is like a blooming spring flower, so beautiful!"

Xiaolan's cheeks flushed slightly when she heard this, and she said coquettishly, "Really? But when we get to Jinzhou, I'm afraid no one will be able to make me happy like you..."

Zhang Jingwei quickly consoled her, "Don't worry. Miss Xiaolan's exquisite painting skills will surely make her famous. Besides, Brother Gao is now in a high position, surrounded by dignitaries. These gentlemen and ladies have always loved to associate with talented poets and painters, so I'm sure they'll be very fond of you."

Xiaolan nodded gently, with a glint of expectation in her eyes, and replied: "Well! Then I'll borrow your good wishes!"

In this way, a wonderful afternoon slowly passed in Xiaolan's studio. During this time, Zhang Jingwei would tell one or two jokes from time to time, making Xiaolan giggle, and the crisp and pleasant laughter echoed throughout the room like a silver bell.

Wang Ergou suddenly rushed into the room and shouted anxiously, "Master, the banquet is about to begin. The Marquis is waiting for you to come back!"

After hearing this, Zhang Jingwei responded calmly: "Oh! I see!"

Wang Ergou paused for a moment, then said, "Young Madam..."

Zhang Jingwei's heart tightened, and he quickly asked, "What happened to her?"

Wang Ergou quickly explained, "At noon today, the young lady was already drunk, and it was Miss Jiuer who sent her back home!"

Hearing this, Zhang Jingwei couldn't help but pat his head, feeling secretly annoyed. He then remembered that Huangfu Ling was a person who couldn't drink alcohol at all. Last time, he only drank half a pot of wine and was already drunk and unconscious, talking nonsense.

Xiaolan, who was standing nearby, heard this and her eyes, which were originally full of expectation, suddenly became a little disappointed. She murmured to herself, "So Master Zhang... is already married..."

Zhang Jingwei looked at Xiaolan's expression, smiled slightly awkwardly, and then said, "Oh, I never had the chance to mention this to you before. Actually, I am the son-in-law of the Northern Marquis, and I married into the Marquis's mansion."

Xiaolan forced herself to cheer up and said to Zhang Jingwei with a smile, "Since the lady is still drunk, you should go back and take care of her!"

At this moment, Zhang Jingwei's eyes fell on the unfinished painting on the table, and he said with difficulty: "This painting..."

Xiaolan quickly rolled up the painting and hid it behind her, saying softly, "I haven't finished this painting yet. Once it's all finished, I'll send someone to deliver it to the Marquis' Mansion."

Zhang Jingwei naturally understood what Xiaolan meant and knew she was ordering him to leave. So, he nodded and said helplessly, "Well... then... goodbye!" Then, he turned and hurried away.

After Zhang Jingwei left, Xiaolan stared at his portrait blankly, feeling an indescribable feeling in her heart.

……

As the sun sets, its afterglow paints the sky a vibrant orange. Zhang Jingwei and Wang Ergou are walking slowly home. The trees lining the road cast long shadows, as if silently accompanying them.

Wang Ergou suddenly lowered his voice and said, "General Gao's daughter seems to be interested in the young master..." Before he could finish his words, he was interrupted by Zhang Jingwei: "You little bastard! Stop your nonsense!"

Wang Ergou, however, was unconcerned. Instead, he jokingly said, "I deserve to die, I deserve to die. But young master, you are so handsome and charming, it's a pity for you to only marry one young lady!"

Zhang Jingwei frowned and asked, "It's perfectly normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines, but why can't I have only one?"

Wang Ergou quickly explained: "Master, don't forget your current status. You are a son-in-law. How can it be the same?"

Hearing this, Zhang Jingwei couldn't help but feel unwilling. He gritted his teeth and said, "Am I going to be a son-in-law like this for the rest of my life?"

Wang Ergou quickly consoled him, "Don't worry, young master. Although you're a son-in-law now, you'll be able to pass the imperial examinations and achieve great things in the future! Then you'll be able to establish a clan temple!"

A glimmer of hope flashed in Zhang Jingwei's eyes, and he asked, "Isn't that just a single page of the family tree?"

Wang Ergou nodded and replied, "In theory, that's true. Of course, to put it bluntly, all of this requires the approval of the government."

Zhang Jingwei nodded thoughtfully and said softly, "So that's how it is. I finally understand!"

Then he quickened his pace and walked forward, as if he had already made some plans in mind.