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“After all I’ve done, it’s still not enough. Now, for your selfish desires, you’re willing to hand me over to be trampled by outsiders. How laughable!”
Tears streamed uncontrollably down Feiyan’s face as she spoke, the absurdity of it all striking her deeply.
Perhaps she had been wrong from the start. These were not her parents—she should never have held onto any illusions.
“Twenty years of upbringing—I’ve returned every bit of glory to you.” Feiyan heart aches even more.
“From this day forward, the Yun family owes me nothing!”
With that, Feiyan wiped her tears away and turned to leave without hesitation, her figure resolute and unyielding.
Seeing Feiyan about to walk out, Yun Qingyu quickly grabbed Yun Zhentian’s arm in panic. “Dad, you can’t let her leave! The Painting Immortal Award competition is approaching—she must finish a masterpiece for me, one that will win the championship. Besides, she can’t reveal that ‘Wangshu’ is hers. If she exposes all of this, I’m finished!”
If that happened, she would become a laughingstock across the entire nation.
Yun Zhentian, however, had a contingency plan. With an affectionate pat on the frantic Yun Qingyu, he indicated she should calm down.
Before Feiyan could step out of the villa’s doors, the steward blocked her path.
“What more do you want from me?”
“You can leave, but not before completing a competition piece and signing an agreement with the Yun family.” Yun Zhentian’s voice rang out as he held up a contract.
“First, you are never to reveal your true origins. The Yun family has only ever had one daughter—Yun Qingyu.”
“Second, you are forbidden from ever using the pseudonym ‘Wangshu’ for any paintings or competitions, nor may you exploit it for profit. The name ‘Wangshu’ belongs solely to Qingyu.”
“If you agree to these terms, I’ll let you walk away.” Feiyan could only laugh bitterly at the Yun family’s greed. “And if I refuse? Will you kill me?”
Everyone knew just how much promise and prestige the name “Wangshu” carried in Zhongzhou’s traditional painting world.
“If you don’t comply, you won’t step foot outside this villa.” Yun Zhentian’s gaze darkened. “You’ll spend the rest of your days rotting in the attic until you die.”
On cue, several bodyguards emerged from the shadows, shackles in hand—a blatant threat.
Staring at the people before her, Feiyan barely recognized them. With a hollow laugh, she chose survival.
She turned to Yun Qingyu. “Since you want me to paint, why are you just standing there? Hurry up and bring the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone.”
Yun Qingyu had never imagined Feiyan would dare speak to her in such a tone. She wanted to reprimand her, but the thought of needing her for the Painting Immortal Award forced her to swallow her anger. She went to fetch the supplies.
“The theme for this year’s Painting Immortal Award is ‘Rebirth,'” Yun Qingyu said as she placed the materials on the tea table in front of Feiyan.
Despite the humiliation of the day, once Feiyan immersed herself in painting, the innate grace in her bones surfaced effortlessly.
Her figure was elegant, her aura natural. As she painted with the fine brush, she seemed to merge with the artwork itself, like a living masterpiece—every stroke exuding elegance and charm.
Her grip on the brush was steady, her angles precise. Even the finest details were meticulously rendered, each line flowing with vitality.
In just fifteen minutes, a vivid scene of “Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate” came to life on the two-meter-long rice paper— lifelike it seemed ready to leap off the page, brimming with spirit and artistic conception.
Yun Qingyu gazed at the painting with smug delight, looping her arm through Yun Zhentian’s as she admired it. “Dad, this is absolutely perfect! It fits the theme while being lively and imaginative. With this, I’m guaranteed to win the Painting Immortal Award!”
Yun Zhentian had once taught traditional painting. Now, riding on the reputation of “Wangshu,” he had founded an art academy that grew more prosperous by the day, with wealthy families across the southern city sending their children to study under him.
Even he couldn’t help but nod in approval at the “Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate”. Though he refused to acknowledge Feiyan, her skill was undeniable.
Truthfully, he had barely taught her. Before she turned twelve, he often painted in his study while little Feiyan watched quietly from the side. Then, at twelve, she suddenly replicated “Along the River During the Qingming Festival”—all 1,659 figures rendered with startling vividness.
He had immediately recognized her as a rare genius.
A genius who just happened not to be his own child.