"Painting?" Feng Anning craned her neck, slightly stunned upon seeing the signed paper in Shen Miao's hand, then asked, "Can you do it?"
This was indeed the truth. Among the four arts of qin (music), qi (strategy), shu (calligraphy), and hua (painting), Shen Miao was utterly unskilled in each. As for painting, forget about capturing its essence—she couldn’t even manage a decent drawing.
Seeing Shen Miao remain silent, Feng Anning also quieted down. People are strange creatures. Back then, she had disliked Shen Miao, but now that Shen Miao treated her coldly, Feng Anning found herself more willing to talk to her. She felt that the current Shen Miao possessed a unique aura that unconsciously drew people closer.
As the two stood in silence, Shen Yue and Shen Qing gracefully approached. Shen Yue smiled and said, "Fifth Sister, what’s that signed paper in your hand? Let me take a look. Perhaps Eldest Sister and I can offer some ideas."
Shen Qing nodded. "Indeed. Second Sister and I drew calligraphy and painting respectively. What did you get?"
Shen Miao said nothing. Shen Yue stepped forward and casually took the signed paper from her hand, feigning innocence. "Fifth Sister, don’t be afraid. After all, we’re here to look after you a little."
Feng Anning snorted through her nose. Though she hadn’t liked Shen Miao in the past, she also disliked Shen Yue and Shen Qing. Her mother was shrewd, and with many sisters in the family, she could spot hidden malice and petty schemes at a glance. How were Shen Yue and Shen Qing any different from those half-sisters in her own household who vied for favor and attention? They merely wanted to use Shen Miao’s foolishness to highlight their own brilliance.
Sure enough, as soon as Shen Yue spoke, Yi Peilan, who overheard, sneered, "Shen Yue, why bother saying such things to her? Even if you come up with the best idea, she probably couldn’t handle it."
"Exactly, let Shen Miao prepare carefully on her own," Jiang Xiaoxuan added with a laugh.
Their blatant mockery went unacknowledged by the surrounding ladies and young misses, who pretended not to hear, maintaining composed expressions while their lips curled in amusement.
It was nothing unusual. Every year, Shen Miao was the laughingstock of the verification ground. When ridicule became a habit, it ceased to be remarkable—even if such behavior was unbecoming of noble children.
"Don’t speak of Fifth Sister like that," Shen Yue chided disapprovingly. "Fifth Sister is very diligent." She unfolded the signed paper and let out an exaggerated gasp, looking at Shen Miao with feigned delight. "It’s painting! Fifth Sister, we drew the same subject!"
Feng Anning stared at Shen Yue in bewilderment. What was so exciting about drawing the same subject? But Shen Miao understood perfectly. Shen Yue likely thought her stupidity would once again accentuate Shen Yue’s own elegance and grace. Moreover, with Fu Xiuyi present today… At the thought of him, her gaze darkened.
"What does Fifth Sister plan to paint?" Shen Qing asked curiously. "Why not let Second Sister offer some guidance?" Her words were full of kindness, perfectly embodying the image of a caring elder sister. To outsiders, it would only seem that Shen Qing doted on her younger cousin.
"Thank you for your concern," Shen Miao replied icily. "But since this is a verification, it’s best to follow the rules. If Second Sister helps me, wouldn’t that be cheating? Both parties involved in cheating are to be expelled from the verification ground. Would Second Sister go so far for me?"Her lukewarm words caused Shen Yue's expression to change. Indeed, such behavior could be considered cheating, but in the past, everyone would only praise her for being kind and virtuous, not dwelling on this matter. However, with Shen Miao "deliberately" pointing it out, the way people looked at Shen Yue shifted.
On the verification ground, one more person meant one more competitor. Everyone wanted to stand out and monopolize the spotlight. Although Shen Yue got along well with everyone at the Hall of Extensive Learning, that didn’t mean there weren’t those who envied her. The young ladies present were all her rivals, and Shen Yue had taken first place among the women in the annual verification every year, inevitably breeding resentment. If they could find a flaw to disqualify her from participating, wouldn’t that remove a formidable opponent? Instantly, the female students who had previously sided with Shen Yue now eyed her with hostility—even Yi Peilan and her group, who were usually close to Shen Yue.
Shen Yue shivered. She understood the stakes all too well. When she turned back, she saw Shen Miao looking at her with a mocking smile, her eyes filled with derision.
If she backed down now, it would make her earlier goodwill seem fake. If she persisted, these students might seize the opportunity to disqualify her from the competition. Either way, she was trapped. Suppressing the venom in her heart, Shen Yue forced a smile and said, "Since Fifth Sister has spoken so, I dare not impose my goodwill any further. Let it be."
Feng Anning couldn’t help but sneer, deliberately raising her voice. "And here I thought she truly cared for her sister. Turns out it was nothing—scared off so easily. What kind of sincere help is that?"
For a moment, the other girls looked at Shen Yue with meaningful gazes.
Chen Ruoqiu also noticed the commotion. She felt anxious—Shen Yue was still young and didn’t know how to handle such a situation. At the same time, a chill ran down her spine. Shen Miao had managed to stir up emotions with just a few words, swaying others to her side. What a sharp tongue! Yet she couldn’t intervene. This was a matter among children, and if she, as a mother, stepped in, it would only make things worse.
Ren Wanyun and Shen Qing, on the other hand, were secretly pleased. After all, Shen Yue’s brilliance often overshadowed Shen Qing. If Shen Yue stumbled, Shen Qing would be the only one left to uphold the Shen family’s reputation.
Shen Yue stared at Shen Miao, thinking that if her younger sister had grown wiser, she would now speak up to help her out. Weren’t they both sisters of the Shen Mansion? What good would it do if word got out that the Shen family was divided? Besides, Shen Miao had always fawned over Shen Yue. If she offended Shen Yue now, she’d have no friends left.
But after a long wait, Shen Miao remained silent. Unable to hold back, Shen Yue spoke up, "Fifth Sister..."
"Second Sister, shouldn’t you be thinking about what to paint next?" Shen Miao’s voice was flat and indifferent. "As for me, there’s no need."
Realizing Shen Miao had no intention of helping her and seeing the mocking gazes around her, Shen Yue, for the first time, nearly lost control of her urge to slap Shen Miao hard. Biting back her fury, she forced out, "It seems Fifth Sister is already confident. In that case, let’s see how brilliantly you’ll perform later. It must be spectacular!""Absolutely brilliant," Shen Yue emphasized each word. After saying this, she flicked her sleeve and turned to leave in a huff. Shen Qing quickly followed after her.
Feng Anning glanced at Shen Miao and asked, "Though it was quite satisfying, why did you leave yourself no room for retreat? When it's your turn, she'll surely seize the chance to mock you mercilessly."
"I don't like holding back," Shen Miao replied, staring at the chessboard before her. Don't endure, don't look back, don't soften.
"Don't endure—strike." She picked up a chess piece and placed it firmly on the board.
－－－－－－Author's Note－－－－－－
Don't hold back—boldly follow the story xddddddddd
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