Chapter 194: 194 The Grandmaster Uses His Skillful Hands to Paint a Portrait of a Lady (Seeking Monthly Votes!)

Chu Kingdom.

Hujia Town.

On the streets, one could hardly see any commoners; those coming and going were almost all elite soldiers in full armor, holding long halberds.

This was a vital border town in the north of the Chu Kingdom, and furthermore, the location of the main camp for the Zhenwu Army, which was responsible for guarding the border.

Most of the commoners in the town were also military dependents of the Zhenwu Army.

In the center of the town, the Zhenwu Army Command Post.

Mi Zhao, dressed in military uniform, returned from inspecting the barracks and stood behind a screen in the hall, waiting for her subordinates to come forward and remove her armor and helmet.

At the same time.

Below the steps outside the screen, a subordinate general began to report the daily affairs.

After a series of military matters had been reported.

At this moment, a general stepped forward and took out a bright yellow silk scroll.

"Great General, the Imperial Court has sent a dispatch saying that the deposed princess Qiaozhi may be fleeing toward our side, intending to sneak into Qi to seek survival. They want us to be vigilant in our investigation; if her whereabouts are discovered, execute her on the spot and then report it!"

Hmm? Mi Zhao, who had already shed her armor and changed into casual attire, her eyes filled with a piercing heroic spirit, was startled and turned to look outside the screen.

Immediately, a sword-carrying female guard lifted a corner of the screen and went out to retrieve the bright yellow silk scroll.

Looking at the large red seal belonging to the Prime Minister's Office on the silk scroll, Mi Zhao's pretty face was instantly covered in frost.

That sovereign had, after all, swung the butcher's knife at the clan of Ji Huangfei!

Sigh.

With a sigh, Mi Zhao put away the silk scroll. She did not say much, merely waving her hand to signal to the person outside the curtain that she had understood.

Such matters were of paramount importance to the generals of the Zhenwu Army.

But for Mi Zhao, who had been sent to take command of the Zhenwu Army less than half a year ago, this was merely a trivial matter, no larger than a fly or a sesame seed.

The "traitorous deposed princess" was not yet qualified to make her lose focus.

As a member of the royal family, the emperor's younger sister, and the Great Chu Eldest Princess, she had replaced the original general of the Zhenwu Army and had other missions to fulfill here.

After all the generals below the steps had left.

Only then did Mi Zhao relax and sit down to drink some tea.

"By the way, how is Zhu Yaluan's son doing lately?"

Mi Zhao asked.

Immediately, a female guard reported: "Reporting to the Great General, your subordinate has arranged for Wu Yuxiao to live alone and has not let him see anyone. He is quite heavily injured, and I have already had the army's wound doctor treat him. At the same time, I have instructed the old wound doctor to keep it a secret and provide him with three meals a day, but this brat... is actually clamoring for women, often shouting and yelling, which has caused quite a few complaints from the surrounding residents!"

The female guard reported, a hint of disdain and shyness flickering between her brows.

Because of the Great General, they, who were once female guards in the Princess's Mansion, were also able to come and serve in the army, which was full of men and overflowing with masculine energy.

Although they had become immune to many vulgar jokes about men and women through constant exposure.

But when it came down to it, they were still young women.

How could they not be shy! Hearing these words, Mi Zhao could not help but look solemn, and the teacup at her lips was steaming with heat.

She pondered for a moment, then set down the teacup and said to her subordinate: "He is useless, kill him, so as to avoid the secret leaking out. Additionally, prepare yourself; organize a group of people, not too many, about twenty or thirty, to disguise ourselves and go to Qi to scout. If the Luofeng Slope mineral vein is real, within half a year, we must incorporate Changpu County into our Chu Kingdom's territory!"

"General!"

Hearing that Mi Zhao intended to go and scout in person, the subordinate could not help but become nervous and wanted to stop her.

Mi Zhao waved her hand with a stern face and said: "No need to persuade me. I know the gravity of the matter. The Martial Crystal mineral vein concerns the destiny of the nation; this matter must be resolved as soon as possible!"

The subordinate looked solemn, could only cup their hands, and then retreated to order people to prepare.

Mi Zhao, meanwhile, stood alone in front of a military map, carefully pondering and considering something.

"Map of the Great Chu Border and the Battle for the Martial Crystal Mineral Vein in the Southern Border of Qi"

She picked up a charcoal pencil and marked on this map the locations and buildings she had learned about from Wu Yuxiao's mouth.

If Ning Mu were here at this moment, he would definitely be able to tell at a glance.

The target location pointed to by all the arrows was precisely a mountain ridge not far from Ningyang Mountain.

According to the map, it was estimated to be only a few dozen miles away.

And in the entire Chu Kingdom, the number of people who could see this map would certainly not exceed the number of fingers on one hand.

This was the most top-secret of secrets!

It was also the reason why she, as the royal Eldest Princess, had personally come to the border to take command of the army!...

These past few days.

Wei Youqing had not been having a very pleasant time.

Ever since that day, on the second floor of the main hall, when she first used her mouth to relieve Ning Mu and tasted the flavor of that dragon saliva for the first time.

Wei Youqing could not stop the shame and hesitation in her heart.

For two consecutive days, she had locked herself in her room.

If it weren't for her disciple Pi Yalu coming to ask after her time and again, and her worry that Pi Yalu might discover some clues, she feared she would have continued to lock herself away in shame.

But even when she went out.

She still deliberately avoided the drill ground and the front hall, afraid of meeting Ning Mu, and even more afraid of meeting those wives! 【Task One: My Daily Three Self-Reflections.】

【Task Details: As a student of the Confucian Sect, you should keep in mind the supreme principle of "My Daily Three Self-Reflections." Within seven consecutive days, in front of your Binding Companion Ning Mu, recite the "Admonitions for Women" to reflect on yourself and whether you have maintained the virtue of a woman. During the recitation, you must have your Binding Companion Ning Mu hold a Ruler. If there are errors, pauses, or lack of fluency during the recitation, you should request that your Binding Companion Ning Mu administer punishment, including but not limited to the buttocks, palms, chest, etc. Furthermore, during the recitation, you must wear the Half-Transparent Black Silk Silver Chain Bodice, the Half-Transparent Black Silk Pearl Underpants, and the Red-soled Black Mysterious High Heels. You may wear a half-transparent skirt robe over them as appropriate...】

【Task Completion: Reward 700 Cultivation Points, 100 Heroic Couple Points, and additionally obtain the task items (Mysterious Silk Silver Chain Pouch, Mysterious Silk Pearl Underpants) as a reward!】

【Task Failure: Cultivation Points regress by one-third, falling out of the Grandmaster Realm!】

【Task Time Limit: Countdown of one day!】

This task had been there for a long time, but today a countdown suddenly appeared.

Wei Youqing checked the two pieces of clothing required by the task.

That simply could not be described as clothing.

Two pieces of transparent black fabric connected by silver chains—they were pretty, yes, but were they something one could wear out for others to see? Especially for a man...

And that other item, the Mysterious Silk Pearl Underpants, was even more unspeakable.

Wouldn't that long string of pearls be uncomfortable?

Therefore, she had been hesitating about this task.

Especially since she also had to recite the *Admonitions for Women*.

The *Admonitions for Women* was a classic scroll of supreme wisdom written by the Confucian Dao sage Fufeng Fairy Ban Ji, teaching women to maintain virtue, respect, caution, and proper conduct.

As a Disciple of the Master, Wei Youqing was naturally no stranger to the *Admonitions for Women*; even if she couldn't recite it backward, every word was etched in her heart.

But.

To have her recite the *Admonitions for Women* in front of Ning Mu, without any pauses, mistakes, or lack of fluency—once a mistake was made, she would have to accept punishment.

This made her even more nervous and fearful.

Even if she were familiar with it, what if she recited it wrong? Wouldn't she be struck on the palms by Ning Mu, or even...

At the mere thought of such a shameful and private place being struck by Ning Mu's Ruler.

She could not help but feel incredibly ashamed.

Consequently, although she resisted completing this task, she still spent her spare time over the past few days re-memorizing the *Admonitions for Women*, to avoid making mistakes when the time came to perform the task.

And besides Task One: My Daily Three Self-Reflections.

There was also Task Two.

【Task Two: Ingenious Painting!】

【Task Description: As a Disciple of the Master and an Imperial Academy Libationer, how can you not master the perfect art of painting? Bravely attempt to depict your own swaying grace before a bronze mirror!】

【Task Details: After completing a Spring Palace Lady Painting drawn by your own hand with yourself as the model, present it as a token of love to your Binding Companion, Ning Mu...】

【Note: The Lady Painting must be drawn strictly according to the system's example image standards; any attempt to conceal will be deemed a task failure. 【Click here to view the example image via mental control】】

【Task Completion: Reward 1000 Cultivation Points, 100 Heroic Couple Points, and an additional one hundred erotic books; with a chance to obtain Painting Mastery!】【Task Failure: The Host's Cultivation Points will be reduced by fifty percent, cultivation speed will decline according to the degree of reduction, and personal sensory sensitivity will be tripled.】

This task again!

She didn't choose it last time.

This time, however, it was forced upon her, leaving absolutely no room for choice.

At the thought of having to paint her own Spring Palace Painting, Wei Youqing could not stop the shame and annoyance in her heart.

That wasn't even the main point.

She also had to give the finished painting to Ning Mu as a token of love, which was very difficult for her.

If it were accidentally seen by others one day, or leaked out, how could she go on living? Both of these tasks were extremely difficult for her.

But looking at the generous task rewards, she was also incredibly covetous.

"Master, what are you thinking about?"

In Wei Youqing's room.

Pi Yalu, who was sitting cross-legged on the couch after finishing a round of the *Golden House Manual*, opened her eyes, a flicker of surprise in them.

She felt that after diligently practicing the *Golden House Manual* every day during this period, she had just successfully entered the threshold.

But just as she was about to tell her Master, Wei Youqing, the good news.

She discovered that her Master, Wei Youqing, who was sitting cross-legged opposite her and acting as her guardian, was currently lost in thought, not knowing what she was pondering.

Her gaze was unfocused, and that flawless, beautiful face was also suffused with two unmelting blushes.

Master... could she be thinking of Brother Ning?

Pi Yalu could not help but speculate inwardly.

"Ah... oh, it's nothing, nothing. How is your cultivation going?"

Wei Youqing was startled awake, a flash of panic crossing her eyes as she hurriedly asked in a distracted, perfunctory manner.

Witnessing the strange expression on her Master's face, Pi Yalu could not help but blink.

But immediately, her face filled with smiles, and eager to share the good news, Pi Yalu replied: "It's alright, I think I've entered the threshold."

Pi Yalu looked at Wei Youqing with great interest.

But Wei Youqing nodded absentmindedly and perfunctorily said: "Hmm, no rush, take your time. There will always be a day when you enter the threshold; it took me half a month to enter it too..."

???

Pi Yalu looked at her Master with a bewildered expression.

What was this? It made no sense at all.

But before she could respond.

Wei Youqing stood up, opened the door, and said: "Let's stop here for today. Yalu, you go back first. I am going into seclusion tonight, so don't come over."

Wei Youqing issued a direct order to leave.

Pi Yalu looked confused.

But she still nodded, rolled off the bed, bowed, and took her leave.

"What is wrong with Master?"

Walking out of the room.

Pi Yalu looked back and saw that Wei Youqing had not only closed the door but even shut the windows. She could not help but blink in confusion, full of curiosity.

Walking out of the courtyard.

After pondering for a long while, Pi Yalu quietly hid in the lush crops nearby.

After waiting silently for a long time.

She quietly emerged from the crops, then tiptoed, crouching low as she approached her Master Wei Youqing's house.

Worried about being discovered, she even held her breath and moved rapidly, her footsteps swift.

Very quickly.

She hid herself beneath the windowsill.

Then, she slowly rose, poked half her head out, and peered inside through a gap in the somewhat tattered window paper in the corner.

Gasp! It would have been better not to look.

At this sight, Pi Yalu's eyes widened instantly, and she nearly cried out, but she quickly covered her own mouth.

What did she see? Master, how could Master be so, so, so unrestrained!

She truly could not think of any word to describe it.

To use the words "dissolute" would be far too disrespectful.

She looked through the gap.

She saw that at this moment.

Inside, Wei Youqing had already slowly slipped off her clothes and was standing before a floor-length bronze mirror, turning left and right, seemingly admiring the enchanting, charming, and rosy-cheeked beauty in the bronze mirror.

And on the desk to the side.

The four treasures of the study were all prepared.

A sheet of drawing paper was spread out in the center.

Beside it were prepared colorful inks.

"What is Master doing?"

Outside the window.

Pi Yalu covered her mouth, slightly furrowed her brows, and blinked in utter confusion.

Curiosity compelled her not to leave.

Instead, she remained focused, staring inside through the gap in the window paper.

Gradually, she could not help but widen her eyes again.

She seemed to understand what her Master was doing!

She was painting a self-portrait.

It was just that the content of the painting truly stained the Dao of the Saint; it was not an ordinary painting of a lady, but a nude self-portrait of herself...

Even.

She was posing in an extremely seductive manner in front of the mirror.

From the setting of the sun.

Until the moonlight shone upon the earth.

Inside the room.

That woman, wearing not a stitch of clothing, her hair coiled high, her figure graceful and ethereal, and especially her pair of hanging assets being quite magnificent, would occasionally change brushes in her hand, outlining stroke by stroke upon the paper a lively, vivid, and lifelike figure of a beauty.

From time to time.

She would put down her brush, stand before the mirror, and use her curvaceous body to strike various erotic poses.

Only after being satisfied would she carefully memorize the lines, the fullness, and even the spirit from the floor-length bronze mirror before putting brush to paper.

Outside the room.

The female disciple, who was silent and did not even dare to breathe loudly.

Was hunched over, having specifically found a wooden board to conceal her figure, lying on the windowsill and staring intently inside.

"Master is so full of charm~"

"Especially that... I don't know how it was grown, how could it be so massive?"

"That waist is so slender, it could compare to a swaying willow branch~ This figure... Brother Ning is truly blessed!"

"Tsk, I never expected Master's to be that shape; why does it feel just as beautiful as the steamed buns made by Granny Li in the kitchen?"

(End of this chapter)