Chapter 42: Nirvana

When Xiao Lengyu saw that Ye Junyu’s expression had darkened, she quickly smiled to ease the tension. “Next, it’s Miss Tang’s turn to compose a poem.”

As she spoke, she looked at the maid beside her, who immediately understood and brought over a red and white scroll.

Tang Mi frowned slightly at the scroll. Such a large canvas wouldn’t suit a simple poem.

She glanced at Xiao Lengyu, and a flicker of shared sorrow and empathy crossed her eyes. Then, she picked up the brush.

She didn’t write a title, but began drawing instead.

Her brush moved boldly and fluidly, as if clouds and water were flowing freely, yet the audience was baffled. They couldn’t make out what she was drawing. The entire canvas seemed filled with inky blackness, creating a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.

That sense of oppression peaked when everyone finally recognized what she was depicting.

The dense ink strokes, through her masterful depiction, formed a road, a river, and a bridge. The boundless darkness and silence immediately reminded everyone of a place: the Underworld, the Yellow Springs Road, the River of Forgetfulness, and the Bridge of Helplessness. The imagery leapt vividly into their minds.

Everyone felt stifled, as if staring directly into death, with not a sliver of hope or light. Only despair and no way out.

But in the next moment, that oppressive darkness was swallowed up by a flood of red flames.

The black was engulfed by blazing red fire.

Staring at the red fire serpent with its flicking tongue, Tang Mi’s face instantly turned pale. It was as if she had returned to that moment, to the brink of death, where even breathing was hopeless.

At that moment, everyone felt her suffocation. Some even held their breath with her.

Ye Chenxuan furrowed his brows tightly as he watched her struggling against despair, inching toward destruction. His heart clenched with a pain so intense it felt suffocating.

What had she been through? What kind of despair and darkness could allow her to create such a painting?

Just as everyone was immersed in that breathless despair, the raging flames suddenly exploded and something soared from within the fire.

A crimson aurora streaked across the sky, and everyone saw a phoenix rising in rebirth from the flames. In that moment, they seemed to hear its clear and passionate cry, impossible to contain the joy of surviving the catastrophe.

Tang Mi herself finally emerged from that suffocating moment, as if reborn. Her entire being transformed from cold and lifeless to radiant and full of vitality.

Everyone rejoiced with her with the phoenix, and with Tang Mi.

Even Xiao Lengyu was moved to tears of joy.

After completing the final stroke, Tang Mi set down her brush. She didn’t write a poem, and no one brought it up again, everyone was still entranced by her painting.

Clap clap!Xiao Yihuan was the first to recover, applauding with a look of delight. “I originally thought Miss Tang’s poetry was already impressive, but who would’ve guessed her painting skills are equally exceptional?”

Tang Mi nodded slightly in thanks. “Just a casual sketch. I’ve made a fool of myself, Young Marquis.”

Seeing her humility, Xiao Yihuan gave a wry smile. “If a masterpiece like yours is considered a mere sketch, I truly don’t deserve the title of a talented scholar.”

He wasn’t simply flattering her. After witnessing her talent, Xiao Yihuan genuinely felt unworthy of the title compared to her, he was far behind.

“Young Marquis is too modest,” Tang Mi replied calmly. She didn’t think she was better than others, especially not Xiao Yihuan, whose reputation as a talented scholar was well earned.

Seeing the two being so modest, Xia Wanwan couldn’t help teasing, “The Young Marquis is certainly a scholar, but Miss Tang is without a doubt a true talent among women. Don’t you all agree?”

As soon as Xia Wanwan spoke, the other young ladies chimed in:

“Miss Tang is not only gifted in poetry and painting, but her skills in music and flute are also admirable. If she doesn’t deserve the title of a gifted woman, who else could?”

“I think Miss Tang is not just the most talented woman in the capital, but also the most beautiful!”

The moment that was said, the room fell silent. Everyone turned to look at Tang Ying.

Currently, the title of ‘most beautiful in the capital’ belonged to Tang Ying, the second Miss Tang. This seemed like a setup for sisterly rivalry. But truth be told, while Tang Ying was indeed beautiful, she was clearly outshone by the elder Miss Tang.

The only reason Tang Ying held the title was because the elder Tang Mi rarely appeared in public. If people had known her earlier, the title would never have gone to the younger sister.

Being stared at by everyone, Tang Ying’s expression soured. But then her eyes flickered, and she forced a smile. “Elder Sister is gifted and beautiful, far superior to me. That title should be hers, not mine. But as for the most talented woman in the capital, that’s always belonged to Miss Mo.”

At her words, everyone turned to look at Mo Xueyou.

Mo Xueyou had long been praised as the most talented woman in the capital and indeed, she was brilliant. A comparison between her and Tang Mi now seemed inevitable.

The other women eyed the two with interest. Tang Mi was backed by the Duke of Rong’s household, while Mo Xueyou had the Empress behind her. Both were powerful and brilliant, who would outshine the other?

Tang Mi, seeing that Tang Ying was deliberately trying to stir up conflict between her and Mo Xueyou, lightly curved her lips and said, “You’re joking, Second Sister. It was just a casual remark, nothing to take seriously.”

In her past life, she had indeed competed with Mo Xueyou, but it was all for Ye Junyu. Now that she had nothing to do with him, she had no interest in provoking Mo Xueyou again. Besides, she knew Mo Xueyou wasn’t a bad person. Compared to the venomous Tang Ying, Mo Xueyou was far more decent.

Mo Xueyou had always seemed indifferent to such things, and now she gave a cold snort. “I also think these titles like ‘most beautiful’ or ‘most talented’ are just hollow praise. The ones who care most are usually those who don’t deserve them. Miss Tang and I are not such people.”

That was a direct slap to Tang Ying’s face.

Tang Ying’s expression instantly turned ugly, but she couldn’t retaliate. If she spoke, she’d only embarrass herself further.

Mo Xueyou appeared not to notice Tang Ying’s darkened face and smiled politely at Tang Mi.

Seeing her friendly gesture, Tang Mi was momentarily stunned before returning the smile.

In her memory, Mo Xueyou had always been proud, never placing anyone in her eyes. Even when Tang Mi had been the future empress, she hadn’t mattered to her. That she would now show goodwill, this was unexpected.

Mo Xueyou was indeed proud, but she admired those better than herself, like Tang Mi. While she didn’t think she was inferior, she could still acknowledge Tang Mi’s excellence.

This woman truly was extraordinarily talented and Mo Xueyou respected that.

“Ahem…” Seeing the atmosphere grow a bit tense again, Xiao Lengyu quickly stepped in. “Miss Tang, will you be writing a title?”

Tang Mi thought for a moment, then took a red brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote two characters in the upper right corner of the scroll: “Nirvana”.

The red and black calligraphy had a striking visual impact and profound meaning.

The entire scroll used only two colors, vermilion and ink but conveyed deep, layered emotion with astonishing clarity. It left the audience in awe.

The more Xiao Yihuan looked at the painting, the more he liked it. He blushed slightly and said, “Miss Tang, may I have the honor of receiving this painting? I truly love it.”

Seeing this, Ye Junyu quickly interjected, “The Prince of Qin also greatly admires this piece. If Miss Tang wishes to gift it, why not gift it to the prince instead?”