The Emperor's heart is won, she sits on the Phoenix Throne! The Divine Physician's Eldest

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw that it was Nie Lan, the academy's top painter.

"Master Nie, what did you say? The God of Painting has arrived?" Yang Qian asked incredulously.

"Yes, the God of Painting has arrived." Nie Lan's aged face reflected excitement as he looked around, searching for the God of Painting among the many contestants.

Yang Qian's gaze followed Nie Lan's movements. "Old Nie, how did you know the Painting God had arrived?"

Nie Lan pointed at the painting, "Didn't you see it? This, this painting is the masterpiece of the painting god!"

He continued searching, shouting, "Rong Huashen, where are you? Rong Huashen!"

Yang Qian's gaze fell on the painting Nie Lan pointed to, and the expectant look on his face vanished instantly.

He smiled and said, "Old Nie, you're mistaken. This isn't a painting by the God of Painting; it's a painting by Miss Song the Second."

"Nonsense! Even if the painting by the God of Painting were reduced to ashes in front of me, I would still recognize it at a glance!"

Nie Lan hadn't seen the Painting God yet and was still searching everywhere. "Painting God, have you changed your name again? You can change your name, but you can't change your person. As soon as I see you, I can recognize you at a glance."

At this moment, his gaze fell on Song Siyao, his face lit up with joy, and he quickly walked over, "Painting God, I've finally found you! You haven't said a word just now, did you not want to see me?"

Despite his white hair, Nie Lan's face showed a hint of grievance.

Song Siyao smiled slightly at the old man with white hair and beard in front of her, "Mr. Nie, you have mistaken me for someone else. I am not Hua Shen Rongyin, I am Song Siyao."

Nie Lan shook his head, his voice carrying a hint of respect, "I cannot accept being addressed as 'Old Master Nie.' Please do not call me that, or it will shorten my lifespan."

He looked at Song Siyao, every white beard radiating joy. "Song Siyao is your real name?"

"What? Her real name? Mr. Nie, her real name is Song Siyao. She used to be mentally challenged. How could she be a painting master? You're getting old, are you sure you're not mistaken?" Su Qingshuang couldn't help but ask.

If Song Siyao is truly a painting genius, then she has lost face big time today. Isn't it normal for a painting genius to create such an exquisite painting?

But then I thought, how could Song Siyao possibly be a painting god?

A figure like the God of Painting, even the academy's top painter, Mr. Nie, treated her with utmost respect. How could she possibly condescend to participate in a painting competition?

That was a devastating blow to everyone!

Therefore, Song Siyao could absolutely not be a painting god.

At best, she just looks like the painting god.

“Miss Su, how could you call the God of Painting a fool? Don’t you understand basic respect between people?” Nie Lan asked bluntly.

"I'm not insulting her, she's just an idiot..."

"Who is your husband? How did he teach you?" Nie Lan's tone was not harsh, and there was not even any anger on his face, but the years he had accumulated and the pride of the number one painter made his question enough to make Su Qing Shuang feel ashamed.

"Mr. Nie, you just said that Miss Song is a painting goddess. What evidence do you have?" Shen Xuan asked.

Even with others present, Nie Lan spoke of Su Qing Shuang in such a way, showing no respect for him. Of course, he had to ask a question.

“Your Highness, my eyes are the proof.” Nie Lan possessed the pride of a scholar, refusing to bow down for a mere five pecks of rice. “I have studied painting for many years and can recognize the painting of the Goddess of Painting at a glance. Furthermore, I met the Goddess of Painting back then, so I naturally know her.”

Many people who acquire masterpieces from famous artists will ask Nie Lan to authenticate them. As the top painter in the academy, his painting skills must be absolutely first-rate.

Of all those present, only he had ever seen the true face of the painting god, and this extraordinary encounter became the envy of many.

“Miss Song has not acknowledged her status as a painting goddess. If she were truly a painting goddess, why would she condescend to participate in the competition? It’s obvious that she just looks like one,” Shen Xuan said.

“A person’s appearance may change, but their bone structure will not.” Nie Lan looked at Song Siyao. “Painting God, I haven’t heard from you for many years. I’ve searched everywhere but couldn’t find you. Have you lost your memory?”

Song Siyao said, "Mr. Nie, I really don't remember anything from before. You said you saw me back then, did I leave you any tokens or anything like that?"

"You know what, it's true. Back then, you gave me a paintbrush and a bottle of paint, and I returned the favor with an inkstone. The inkstone was a gift from the Emperor when I was appointed the top painter of the academy. It has an inscription by the Emperor on it. As for the paint and paintbrush you gave me, I'll send someone to fetch them right away." After saying that, Nie Lan sent someone to his house to retrieve the items.

Song Siyao did not bring any attendants today. Shen Pei instructed Wei Xin, "Wei Xin, go to the Zhenbei Marquis's residence to fetch an inkstone."

"Wait!" Shen Xuan shouted.

Shen Pei looked at Shen Xuan, who smiled and explained, "Brother, don't misunderstand. Master Nie said that the inkstone was bestowed by Father. It is so precious that it is safer for two people to go and retrieve it."

He instructed his attendant, "Xingtu, go with Wei Xin to fetch the inkstone."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Shen Xuan asked Shen Pei with a smile, "Brother, you have no objections, do you?"

Shen Pei knew that Shen Xuan was worried that Wei Xin would forge the inkstone, so he exposed Shen Xuan's thoughts, "Since Prince Yu is not at ease, why not go with him personally? Who would dare to forge an inkstone bestowed by the Emperor?"

"Your Majesty, you've misunderstood. I didn't mean that," Shen Xuan explained.

Shen Pei gave him a cold look and ignored him.

Not long after, the paints, brushes, and inkstone were brought over.

Nie Lan handed the paintbrush and paint to Song Siyao, saying, "Painting God, look, this is what you gave me back then. You said it was Ice Blue, something that didn't exist in the entire Nine Provinces, a priceless treasure. Later, I searched the whole world, and indeed, no one recognized this paint, nor was it produced anywhere."

"This paintbrush is also a masterpiece. No one has ever seen this material before. I always thought it was used by the gods in heaven and kept it as a treasure. I have never used it."

Song Siyao, however, recognized the paints and brushes.

Both of these came from her Soul-Capturing Bracelet; there are no such treasures in the world.

Pigments are formed by the movement of the earth's crust over hundreds of millions of years. Even if they exist in the land of Kyushu, they are in remote places and have never been discovered.

Who knows how dangerous that remote place is?

The brush tip and handle are also made of special materials. The bristles used for the brush tip are from the wild beasts inside the Soul-Capturing Bracelet, and the handle is made from trees that are hundreds of millions of years old.

Most importantly, these were all made by Song Siyao herself, and she recognized them at a glance.

"Mr. Nie, this pen can be opened. Have you opened it before?" Song Siyao asked.

Nie Lan looked surprised. "This pen can be opened? I often take it out to admire it, and I never knew that."

Song Siyao pinched the middle of the paintbrush and pressed down hard. The brush handle jumped off like a spring and broke into two pieces, inside which was a strip of paper.

She took out the note, unfolded it, and saw that it read...