Chapter 35 The Coming-of-age Ceremony, Part 2 (1/2)

It was Prince Jing who had spoken.

”Good idea.” The Emperor nodded. ”Shang'er, please paint another one now.”

Before Yun Shang could answer, Li Luo spoke up. ”Your Highness, are you afraid? Fake is fake, don't you agree?”

Yun Shang didn't answer. Instead she smiled and looked at her father. ”I'm innocent, but there are always troublemakers.” Then she turned to the annoying man. ”Let's make a bet! If I win, you must do me a favor, and if I lose, I will do you a favor. Do you agree?”

”Okay, but I don't believe you can paint so well.” tittered Li Luo.

On hearing the bet, other guests also chimed in. ”Li Luo will win!”

”Please make a note.” Yun Shan instructed Lord Zheng.

The excitement around the bet increased and a number of other guests joined in as well. However, they all seemed to be supporting Li Luo. When the game was about to start, a cold voice could be heard above everyone else's. ”I wager the Princess will win, ” said Prince Jing.

In the guests' hubbub, Yun Shang took the parchment from Zheng and handed it to her father. ”I humbly request you to be the judge.”

”Agreed!” The Emperor readily consented and sat back.

A servant quickly brought pen, ink, paper, and an ink stone. Yun Shang took the pen and smiled. ”Besides lotus, I also like iris, which is said to be in the netherworld. I'm going to draw irises today.”