Tang Ruge slowly turned around and was about to step forward to welcome Zhang Yong when Zhang Yong walked past Tang Ruge and walked up to Qiao Xi. “Miss Qiao, I’m Mr. Qi Zhong’s assistant. Our master wants to see you. I wonder if you have time?”

The smile on Tang Ruge’s face disappeared instantly. She could barely control her expression as it gradually became ferocious.

The guests were all dumbfounded. Assistant Zhang was actually here to look for Qiao Xi?

Seeing Tang Ruge’s horrible expression, Qiao Xi curled her lips and smiled. “Of course, I have time. Let’s go.”

Assistant Zhang’s face was filled with joy. He couldn’t be bothered to greet Tang Ruge and respectfully led the way for Qiao Xi. The two of them quickly disappeared from everyone’s sight.

Tang Ruge lowered her head and trembled slightly. The anger and unwillingness in her heart surged like a cold tide. After a moment of silence, she calmed down and smiled apologetically at everyone. “I’m sorry. I’ll go over and take a look too. Perhaps Master has something important to tell me.”

At this moment, her heart was beating violently. She had a bad feeling. Why did Master want to see Qiao Xi? Could it be because of that painting?

How was this possible? How did Master know that the painting was done by Qiao Xi? Even if Qiao Xi told Master, Master might not believe that Qiao Xi had such standards!

Tang Ruge kept telling herself that she had to calm down and not let Qiao Xi get a hold on her. Otherwise, her reputation would be completely ruined.

On the other hand, Qiao Xi followed Assistant Zhang into a small room beside Room One. Qi Zhong was sitting on the sofa, surrounded by a few apprentices.

Just as her grandfather had said, Qi Zhong’s painting skills weren’t bad, but his character was indeed not good. His reputation had gradually declined over the years, and at this moment, he needed an outstanding apprentice to salvage his reputation.

Seeing Qiao Xi enter, Qi Zhong’s face was filled with adoration as he said gently, “Miss Qiao, did you paint these roses?”

Qiao Xi glanced at the bright roses. She originally thought that Qi Zhong had invited her here to ask about the other painting.

“I drew them.”

Qi Zhong’s eyes were filled with surprise. She was the one who drew the roses, so the rose garden by Tang Ruge was most likely her work too.

Actually, it did not matter if it was true or not. As long as she could paint this rose, it would explain everything. In the next second, Qi Zhong said arrogantly, “Miss Qiao, I want to take you in as my apprentice.”

Coincidentally, Tang Ruge rushed to the door and heard this.

“I’ll announce your identity at the apprenticeship banquet later. This apprenticeship banquet will be for both you and Ruge. In the future, you’ll learn from me. If you perform well, I can even hold a grand apprenticeship banquet for you again.”

Tang Ruge felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar. Her body was cold and trembling.

No, no!

The guests were following closely behind, so they heard what was said as well. Everyone couldn’t help but look at each other. Wasn’t this apprenticeship banquet for Tang Ruge alone? Why was Qiao Xi suddenly involved?

Qiao Xi’s eyes were indifferent as the corners of her mouth curled into a smile.

Tang Ruge could see her smile from this angle and felt her heart almost stop beating. Could it be that Master had already discovered that she had been pretending? Was that why he wanted to take Qiao Xi in as his disciple? Was she going to be chased away?

At this moment, Tang Ruge finally couldn’t calm down. She rushed forward and questioned, “Xi Xi, to think that I treated you as a friend. You actually said bad things about me in front of Master and made him misunderstand me. Can’t you bear to see me do well?”

She was sure that Qiao Xi had reported something about her to her master. Otherwise, why would her master suddenly want to take Qiao Xi as his disciple?

No! She couldn’t just sit and wait for death. She had to take the initiative to attack, or she would be defeated by Qiao Xi!

Tang Lingyun lost her temper and cursed loudly, “Qiao Xi! You b*tch! You’re just jealous that my sister acknowledged Mr. Qi Zhong as her master. Why are you so evil?!”

Tang Ruge, who had always been calm, could not hold it in anymore. Everyone in Li City knew that she had acknowledged Qi Zhong as her master. This apprenticeship banquet was specially held for her. Now that Qiao Xi had appeared out of nowhere, she would definitely be mocked by the socialites of the upper-class society if word of this got out.

At this moment, Tang Ruge could no longer care about her image. She hurriedly explained, “Master, no matter what Qiao Xi said, don’t believe her. There are some misunderstandings between us, so she keeps targeting me! I really painted that rose garden!”

The entire scene was silent. The expressions of the apprentices beside Qi Zhong changed, and they were so embarrassed that they could not speak.