CHAPTER 135: CHAPTER 135: LEISURE TIME PAINTING

The Emperor deliberately breathed into Lin Wanyi’s ear.

The robust breath made Lin Wanyi’s cheeks instantly blush; even a fool would know what the Emperor intended!

So she took out her usual excuse and dodged, saying,

"My body is still taking medicine; I ask... please, Your Majesty, have some restraint."

"Restraint?"

A deep chuckle escaped from his throat.

"When has indulging in my own concubine ever lacked restraint?"

With that, Lin Wanyi was suddenly scooped up, and by the time she realized, she was already lying on the bed.

The person above her urgently began to undo her collar, even Lin Wanyi felt it was a bit rough.

"Today, there’s no time to wear that eighteen-button pipa collar, right."

Lin Wanyi was suddenly speechless.

Apparently, the Emperor knew everything.

All her meticulous preparations were indeed in vain.

The summer evening wind stirred a pool of spring water in Lotus Lake.

The next day.

When Lin Wanyi awoke, it was already broad daylight outside.

The sunlight outside the room shone through the clear windows, illuminating an incense burner on the desk, now glowing in golden light.

The person beside her was still sleeping soundly.

With even breaths gently escaping, Lin Wanyi turned sideways to look at the Emperor.

This angle seemed to be one she had never had before.

The Emperor’s brow and nose bones were exceptionally well-shaped, prominent but not abrupt.

His sword-like brows reached his temples, his black hair cascading like a waterfall.

But his brows always habitually furrowed, already forming slight marks.

Lin Wanyi’s mind suddenly conjured the image of an old man "toiling for the nation, diligent and dedicated."

She couldn’t help but let out a chuckle.

The Emperor’s pleasant dream was disturbed by her.

When he opened his eyes, there was a hint of impatience.

But that emotion was quickly suppressed.

"Your Majesty, are you getting up?"

"Hmm."

Hearing his response, Lin Wanyi was ready to get up to attend him.

But she saw him turn over and press her back down, resting his entire head on her, unmoving.

A couple of strands of hair brushed against her face, tickling.

She wanted to reach out and grab them, but the Emperor interlocked his fingers tightly with hers, whispering.

"Don’t move, let me lean for a while."

Upon hearing this, Lin Wanyi evened out her breathing.

For some reason, from this angle, his head seemed like Snow White’s fur.

Yes, Snow White was actually a little black dog.

The reason for the name was probably due to Lin Wanyi’s rebelliousness.

Letting him lean for most of the day, until Lin Wanyi felt her chest was nearly crushed by a slab of stone, did she gently nudge him.

"Your Majesty, I can’t take it anymore."

Hearing this, the Emperor grudgingly got up.

His eyes seemed to hold a touch of resentment, as if saying Lin Wanyi had interrupted his pleasure.

Lin Wanyi found it both funny and frustrating.

What kind of logic was this?

The two of them got up and had attendants assist in washing up.

Today, the Emperor was leisurely, with no need to attend to affairs in Zeping State.

So he planned to spend the day idling in Huifang Courtyard.

The Second Prince had come early, intending to have breakfast with Lin Wanyi.

Upon learning that the Emperor had stayed overnight and had not yet arisen, his little eyes darted around mischievously.

With a knowing expression, he led Nanny Du back to the rear courtyard.

The clever toy and notebook Lin Wanyi had given him were currently his greatest interest.

Even if he stayed in the courtyard the entire day without going out, he was immensely content.

Gradually, he also became familiar with the many words in the notebook.

Initially, when he didn’t understand something, he would run to the front courtyard to ask Lin Wanyi.

Later, he unexpectedly discovered Nanny Du could read, so he didn’t bother traveling far anymore.

Therefore, many of the characters in the notebook were taught by Nanny Du.

The Emperor and Lin Wanyi were unaware the Second Prince had visited.

It was already mid-morning when the two began their breakfast.

Fresh soy milk paired with just-steamed exquisite buns, whose dough had a faint pink hue, tasting revealed the dough was mixed with peach juice.

The taste was unique, and the appearance pleasing.

Chunqi’s talent for culinary creations was truly exceptional.

The Emperor and Lin Wanyi shared two small trays, yet felt it was barely enough.

But considering the time of day, they thought it best to eat less.

Otherwise, they might not have room for lunch later.

After breakfast, the Emperor was in particularly high spirits today.

He strode directly to the writing desk and instructed Dong Yuzhong to start grinding ink.

Lin Wanyi was curious; aside from naming Xianyi Palace, she hadn’t seen the Emperor write in her room before.

So she asked,

"Your Majesty, are you planning to write?"

"No, I see your room is a bit empty, lacking a painting, so I’m going to make one for you."

His demeanor, his expression, as if his painting were some masterpiece by a timeless great, unusually proud of itself.

Lin Wanyi had never heard of the Emperor excelling in painting, so her eyes sparkled with some expectation.

She saw him lift the brush and start sketching a landscape ink painting.

With just a few strokes, the painting already carried the majesty of swallowing mountains and rivers.

Indeed, an Emperor is an Emperor, even his painting style differs from others.

Suddenly recalling something, she quickly went outside.

Moments later, she returned with a small jar of water, in which lay several freshly picked pine needles.

Then, she took the ink stone Dong Yuzhong was grinding, poured some of the water into it, and started grinding carefully.

"What are you doing?"

"I’m mixing the ink with water that has pine needles, so the painting will naturally have a lush spirit."

This was indeed a clever idea.

"Who taught you this method?"

"My grandfather, he enjoys calligraphy and painting in his idle time."

The old man!

Lin Wanyi was quite adept with metaphors.

Time passed incredibly quickly.

An hour flew by in the blink of an eye.

And the Emperor’s painting speed left Lin Wanyi in awe.

Finished so quickly?

As the final stroke was lifted, a rare smile appeared on the Emperor’s face.

On the painting, clouds swirled, mountains overlapped steeply, with an occasional guest-welcoming pine tree standing atop the peaks.

On the left side of the painting, there was actually a small courtyard by the water.

A ready-built wooden bridge stood before the door, the water flowed gently, the atmosphere harmonious.

Lin Wanyi thought the Emperor was just speaking offhand and didn’t expect he was so skilled.

In one go, he had rendered a landscape of Lingnan magnificently.

"The stone path winds far up Cold Mountain, amidst the clouds, someone resides."

Upon seeing the painting, her first reaction was this.

Thus, it slipped from her lips.

The Emperor glanced at her, softly chuckling.

Handing the brush to her, he slowly said,

"You inscribe these words; I saw your neat hand copying the Buddhist Scripture before."

Lin Wanyi was surprised by the coincidences, but she didn’t decline, gathering her strength, she inscribed the words in the upper right corner of the painting.