nycdaug Chapter 196 Do the Xia Family Know?
Chapter 196 Do the Xia Family Know?
With the calligraphy she created at the end of summer selling for two thousand taels of silver, people in Anning Prefecture were already calling her a master. Words spread quickly.
Next, all she needs to do is spread the word that she is going to the capital.
As for how to make a name for oneself in the capital...
Huangfu Qian will help her complete it.
* * *
The capital city, the Jiang Prince's Mansion—
Jiang Wang's steward accepted a calligraphy and painting on behalf of Jiang Wang, who was also Huangfu Qian. The painting had two lines written on it: "One who does not study diligently in youth will regret it when one is old and gray."
Some curious people even went to the Jiang Prince's mansion to find out what was going on.
The steward of the Jiang Prince's mansion deliberately let someone take the painting out smoothly for a quick display. Then, he arrested the person on charges of treason and took the painting back.
Although the steward took the painting back, it still caused a sensation throughout the entire capital city.
Inside a restaurant in the capital city—
"I heard that Mr. Yuanshan is a woman, and the kind with dark skin who likes to go into the mountains and forests. I suppose she is quite old."
"I never imagined that a woman could write such amazing characters. It's truly...rare."
"Well, you're behind the times! I heard that an inspirational couplet, 'There is a path to the mountain of books, and diligence is the way; the sea of learning is boundless, and hard work is the boat,' sold for a high price of two thousand taels!"
"Hiss..."
The people in the restaurant, regardless of whether they were at the same table or knew each other well, all gathered around one of the tables and started discussing it.
"That one is special because it was Mr. Yuanshan's first piece of calligraphy."
"I saw that poem about encouraging learning before. The brushstrokes, the style, the arrogance—it doesn't seem like something a woman could write. That Mr. Yuanshan isn't actually a real teacher; he probably had someone else write it for him, right? After all… the title of 'talented woman' sounds very appealing."
Some praised the calligraphy, while others questioned Xia Moyuanshan's identity; each had their own thoughts and could articulate their own reasoning.
“I heard that at the literary banquet, someone questioned whether Ms. Yuanshan’s calligraphy was written by herself. Ms. Yuanshan wrote a poem on the spot to encourage learning, which is the one we saw before. It was written later.”
"His-"
……
In the bustling city of the capital, people were discussing the two pieces of calligraphy written at the end of summer. Those who had read the poem encouraging study were curious about what the first piece of calligraphy, an inspirational piece, was like, and whether its style, brushwork, and spirit surpassed that of the poem.
In the inner quarters of the capital, the discussion was also about the end of summer.
A group of daughters from well-to-do families sat together, discussing animatedly.
"I never imagined that a woman could be just as good as a man at calligraphy! It's truly remarkable!"
Some girls felt that Xia Mo had brought glory to women, just as there were girls whose minds were already bound by the deeply ingrained idea that husbands are everything.
"Why would a woman be so skilled in calligraphy? Who would want to learn calligraphy that well? I'm afraid it's just like that person in the capital, who only wants fame and fortune. And those men just happen to like that kind of thing."
The girl who spoke didn't reveal who she was, but the ladies sitting there all knew who she was talking about, and they exchanged knowing glances.
"..."
The discussion about the end of summer continues.
A woman who was a calligraphy teacher at the end of summer sparked a clash between two sets of ideas, making the topic controversial and allowing it to continue.
And at that very moment—
Rumors have spread that a female calligraphy master, Yuanshan, is coming to the capital.
The public outcry that had just subsided has exploded again.
"No, isn't it an exaggeration to say that a woman has earned the title of a master calligrapher based solely on two pieces of calligraphy?"
"Madam Wei, such a talented woman, didn't even get herself the title of calligraphy teacher. How dare that woman named Yuanshan have the nerve to do this?!"
"Wow, Mr. Toyama is coming! I absolutely must meet him..."
"Tch, she actually dares to come to the capital! When she arrives, I'll make sure she's completely humiliated!"
"..."
The capital city, the Wei residence—
Wei Zhishu's Courtyard —
Ma Yiyi's brows were furrowed with worry. She looked at the maid who had run in and asked, "Huixiang, don't run. Be mindful of your manners and be elegant."
The maid called Huixiang stopped panting and said, "Master, the young master has gone to Aunt Xia's place."
Ma Yiyi's breathing became rapid and tight. After a while, she calmed the turmoil in her heart and said with a forced expression, "Let him go... let him go."
Ma Yiyi didn't notice that while she pretended to be poised and elegant, she was clenching her teeth, and by the end of her sentence, she was speaking through gritted teeth.
Ma Yiyi never expected that Wei Zhishu, unable to win Xia Mo's heart, would instead find a girl who bore a striking resemblance to Xia Mo and bring her into his household, showering her with affection day and night! She was practically surpassing Ma Yiyi in status as his wife!
Even so, the people in the live stream told her to stay calm. Once she became the wife of the heir apparent and received an imperial title, who would dare to bully her?
The problem is... Wei Zhishu's identity as the heir... it's been from the beginning of spring this year until now, and it's already May, and it still hasn't been confirmed!
"Could you inquire about a female scholar named Yuanshan for me? I heard she's going to the capital, and I'd like to invite her to the Marquis's residence as a guest," Ma Yiyi said, looking at the screen in front of her.
The comments on the screen all urged her to befriend the woman named Yuanshan, saying it would be entirely beneficial for her.
"Yes!"
At that time, Ma Yiyi only wanted to befriend them, but after a while, she developed the idea of becoming their apprentice, but that's another story.
* * *
By the end of summer, before she even arrived in the capital, she had already made a name for herself in the capital as "Yuanshan".
Outside Anning Prefecture City—
Xia Mo smiled and waved goodbye as her family's carriage departed.
Xia's father and his companions were filled with reluctance, so the carriage moved very slowly, and they kept looking back until they could no longer see Xia Mo standing there watching them leave. Only then did they speed up the carriage.
Xia Mo, who was unwilling to be separated from her family, waved goodbye to her father and others with a smile, but when she met Huangfu Qian, she immediately put on a long face.
Xia Mo looked at Huangfu Qian and deliberately gave a forced smile.
Her small face seemed to say, "It's all because of this person that I was forced to separate from my family! It's all this person's fault."
Despite being stared at with resentment by Xia Mo, Huangfu Qian remained calm and composed.
Yin Rou stood beside Xia Mo, her eyes flashing as she thought to herself, "Does the Xia family know that a man came looking for their precious daughter immediately after they left?"
If Xia's father and the others knew, she was certain that Xia's father would not let Xia Mo go alone.
As Yin Rou pondered, she couldn't help but steal a glance at Huangfu Qian again, and sincerely admired him: "He has an extraordinary demeanor and outstanding appearance. Such a man is truly a rare gem."