Cold-faced Empress

Looking at the two paintings, Fu Siying didn't want to choose either one. Both of them were scum; their paintings were only fit to be used as scrap paper!

After pondering for a long time, Fu Siying said calmly, "The crabapple painting is better; the painting technique is exquisite."

When she made the final decision, it was naturally to decide who would be the champion.

As soon as she finished speaking, Ning Ruicheng's words of thanks rang out beside her: "Thank you for acknowledging my painting skills, Miss Fu."

Fu Siying glanced at it, her expression indifferent, and didn't look at it for long.

Upon seeing that the painting of the crabapple blossoms was painted by Prince Ning, everyone naturally offered their congratulations and praise. Although Ning Ruicheng was neither good at literature nor martial arts, he did indeed possess excellent painting skills.

Wei Lanling, who was initially displeased, immediately showed joy and shyly stepped forward: "Young Master Ning is very talented. Lanling is completely convinced of my defeat."

"You painted this lotus flower?"

"Exactly."

"The young lady's painting skills are also superb."

Upon receiving Ning Ruicheng's praise, Wei Lanling blushed deeply.

Seeing the two of them exchanging glances, Fu Siying sneered and turned to leave. She'd make those two scumbags have their fun later.

He hadn't gone far when suddenly someone grabbed his arm. He turned around and saw that it was Ning Ruicheng chasing after him.

Fu Siying shook off Ning Ruicheng's hand with displeasure: "Isn't Prince Ning's behavior a bit too presumptuous?"

Ning Ruicheng, standing before him, had a solemn expression. Gone was the joy of being chosen as the champion by Fu Siying; instead, he showed annoyance and irritation. He lowered his voice and questioned her unhappily, "Fu Siying, do you really want to marry Prince Mu?"

Ever since he heard about the engagement between Prince Mu and Fu Siying, he had been filled with rage. Especially since Fu Siying had given him a kind look when they were on the same boat at Wangyue Lake, he felt a sense of anger, like a cooked duck had flown away.

Fu Siying scoffed, "This is a marriage bestowed by the Emperor. Does Prince Ning think it's child's play?"

"I...I...I won't allow you to marry Prince Mu!" Ning Ruicheng's expression was ferocious.

"Then please go and speak to the Emperor and Prince Mu, instead of me."

Fu Siying turned to leave, but Ning Ruicheng stopped her again: "Come with me! As long as you come with me incognito, you won't have to marry Prince Mu!"

Fu Siying simply rolled her eyes at him and walked away.

To live under an assumed name with him?

He's nobody.

Behind him, Ning Ruicheng growled, "You're mine!"

Fu Siying ignored her completely. What a brain-dead idiot!

Thinking of Ning Ruicheng's rude behavior towards her after the banquet in her previous life, which caused her to be branded as promiscuous, Fu Siying wished she could stab Ning Ruicheng to death immediately.

Sigh... Be patient, be patient. It'll be soon, very soon, she'll make them all suffer the consequences of utter disgrace.

By the time the banquet began, only chess and poetry remained undecided among all the categories. Chess was time-consuming, while poetry, being the main event, was deliberately reserved for later in the banquet.

He Changyi's chess game indeed went on until the very end. Only he and another person remained.

"Elder sister, Brother Lang won three championships!" Yunzhi excitedly returned with Lang Junsong.

"Congratulations, from this day forward your name will be known throughout the capital," Fu Siying said to Lang Junsong.

Lang Junsong repeatedly said, "I am ashamed."

Lang Junsong is indeed extraordinary. He said he was confident in the "Poetry and Prose Couplets" competition, and he truly was. Apart from the "Prose Couplets" competition, which has not yet been held, he has already crushed everyone with his absolute strength in the "Poetry and Prose Couplets" competition, winning the championship and now his reputation is rising.

This undoubtedly put Fu Siying at ease, and she believed that Lang Junsong would also severely defeat He Changyi in the "Fu" category.

This game of chess, however, made her feel as if a thorn was stuck in her heart.