Chapter 426: Chapter 424: The Thousand-Year-Old Scroll_1
 

The servant placed the tray on the stone table in the pavilion, politely offering a few words of flattery.

When Lin Qingluo picked up the scroll, thanked him, and smiled, the servant took a step back with the tray, then turned around and left.

“Miss Lin, may my junior brother and I take a look at it?”

Xu Ziwei was curious, he asked with an eager smile on his face, wanting to see the painting.

Ji Liuyun also showed great interest.

“Sure.”

Lin Qingluo was nonchalant as she slowly unrolled the scroll.

“If you hold it upright, it’s a portrait of a beauty.”

Xu Ziwei pointed out with a keen eye and a smile.

Ji Liuyun, ever the gentleman, stood up to hold the scroll upright.

When the scroll was fully unfolded, revealing the entire beauty portrait, all three of them collectively drew a breath and stared in disbelief.

The woman in the painting was stunningly beautiful, an imposing figure of elegance and nobility that made it impossible to look away from her.

Xu Ziwei looked stunned: “Miss Lin, forgive my boldness, but why does the woman in the painting resemble you? Could someone be playing a prank by intentionally…..?”

“This painting is very old, the woman in the painting is definitely not Miss Lin.”

Ji Liuyun interrupted him with a slight frown.

“From an age standpoint, it’s indeed not her.”

Xu Ziwei still seemed confused: “But her appearance, the spirit in her brows, it’s exactly the same.”

“There are many people in the world who look alike. Qingluo and her mother look even more alike, anyone can tell they’re mother and daughter.”

Lin Qingluo’s eyes flickered, she suppressed her surprise and stood up nonchalantly, rolling up the scroll. She then spoke up in a cute, childish voice, cooing at her brothers.

“Brothers, Qingluo is tired. I want to go home.”

“Alright, let’s go.”

The Lin Clan’s six brothers’ eyes lit up as they gathered around their younger sister to squeeze out of the crowd.

“Miss Lin, your peony painting?”

Ji Liuyun watched as the group left without a second thought, a hint of regret in his eyes.

“You can have it.”

Lin Qingluo waved her hand without looking back, quickly leaving under the protection of her brothers.

“Miss Lin is truly extraordinary. At just ten years old, she has managed to win the top prize at the Flower Appreciation Banquet. Her future achievements will be limitless.”

Xu Ziwei looked at his junior brother’s melancholic expression, teasing him with a smile.

“No wonder our master values her so much. He came all the way back from a distant place, giving up a lucrative teaching opportunity.”

“Where is the peony painting? Go save it. Miss Lin’s masterpiece can’t be left behind.”

Ji Liuyun only showed regret for a moment and then his spirits lifted, reverting back to his usual gentlemanly demeanor.

“Yes, it can’t be left behind.”

Xu Ziwei agreed with a smile: “Such a masterpiece is only worthy of being owned by a charming gentleman like you.”

“Senior Brother, you’re talking too much.”

Ji Liuyun’s ears turned slightly red, he shot him an annoyed look.

“Hehe.”

Xu Ziwei grinned, “That’s because I saw Miss Lin and got a little excited.”

Ji Liuyun pursed his lips, ignoring him and quickening his pace.

Youth is indeed wonderful!

Talented men and beautiful women, reciting poetry and rhymes, enjoying the romantic atmosphere, freely spending their youth.

Xu Ziwei followed him leisurely, soaking in the rare sight of his junior brother’s flustered demeanor, almost bursting into laughter.

**

“Yin’er, investigate the Second Imperial Princess and the identity of the woman in the painting.”

Outside of Hibiscus Villa, Lin Qingluo sat in a horse-drawn carriage, opening the scroll again, her surprise growing with each viewing.

What shocked her the most was not the woman’s appearance, but the Fire Phoenix soaring in the clear sky behind her.