Chapter 299 - 217: The Good Show Begins
Chapter 299: Chapter 217: The Good Show Begins
Chen Yi rose and left. Under normal circumstances, his departure might not have drawn any notice.
But here, at the Guiyun Academy’s poetry gathering, many had come to Shu State specifically for the Calligraphy Dao of Chen Yi—the renowned Mr. Qingzhou.
Thus, the moment he left, quite a few people noticed his movements, even in the crowded, spacious courtyard.
This was especially true for Mr. Yue Ming, Mr. Zhuo Ying, and the others on the high platform.
The poetry topic had just been announced, yet Chen Yi, on whom they had pinned such high hopes, wasn’t thinking about composing poetry to showcase his Calligraphy Dao. Instead, he walked out with a carefree expression, looking as if he were just out for a stroll.
The two old men looked rather embarrassed.
Mr. Zhuo Ying leaned in closer. "Dean, Qingzhou must have simply gone to relieve himself. When nature calls... It’s normal, perfectly normal."
Mr. Yue Ming nodded slightly. "Let’s hope so."
Having spent some time with him, he had a decent understanding of Chen Yi and knew that an occasion like today’s wouldn’t necessarily stir his poetic muse.
Fortunately, while he hoped for a successful outcome, he wasn’t obsessed, so he wouldn’t be overly demanding of Chen Yi.
Just then, Liu Si, the Prefect of Shu State, who had also noticed Chen Yi’s departure, glanced at the expressions around him. He leaned forward to look toward the head of the platform, cupped his hands, and said:
"Mr. Yue Ming, I have long heard that Qingzhou’s Calligraphy Dao has reached Perfection, but I have never had the opportunity to witness it."
"Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. Why haven’t you arranged for him to compose a poem? It would be a fine opportunity to showcase his Calligraphy Dao and let us all feast our eyes."
Mr. Yue Ming glanced at him and said in a level voice, "Qingzhou is an Instructor at my academy, not some songstress performing for an audience."
"He will compose poetry if he wishes and practice his calligraphy if he wishes. Even I, the dean of this academy, will not force him."
Mr. Zhuo Ying added with a smile, "The Dean is right."
Then he turned to Liu Si and said with a smile, "Prefect Liu, an academy isn’t like your Government Office. We don’t stand on ceremony about superiors and subordinates here."
Liu Si’s old face flushed red. "You two gentlemen are correct. I stand corrected."
Having said his piece, he sullenly drew back.
Although he was the Prefect of Shu State, in charge of all affairs great and small in the Prefecture City, there wasn’t a single person present whom he could afford to offend.
Those without official posts were learned, renowned, and from powerful families. As for those who did hold posts, every one of them was higher in rank and wielded more authority than he.
Especially Liu Hong and Yang Ye, who were seated beside Mr. Yue Ming—both were Second-Grade Officers.
If today’s poetry gathering were not a private occasion, a good number of the people present would likely be behaving far more cautiously.
At this moment, Liu Hong looked around as if he had only just taken notice and asked with a smile:
"Brother Ming, where might Chen Qingzhou be sitting?"
"Whether he composes poetry or practices his calligraphy is secondary. I should at least be allowed to see the man and put a face to the name."
Mr. Yue Ming paused, turning his head to meet Liu Hong’s gaze.
He could ignore others or put them off with a vague excuse, but with Liu Hong, he had to be more cautious.
"Qingzhou has just stepped away. Later, after I’ve spoken with him, I will bring him over."
Liu Hong looked at him with a faint, unreadable smile. "Spoken with him?"
"What? Is his Calligraphy Dao truly so great as to warrant such high regard from you?"
Mr. Yue Ming’s expression returned to calm as he admitted it directly. "You’re right, Brother Gong Mo."
"Qingzhou’s Calligraphy Dao has reached Perfection, and in a new script style, no less. His decision to join Guiyun Academy is a great blessing for our institution."
As he spoke, he gestured toward Mr. Zhangping and the others on the opposite side. "If it were Yuelu Academy or Yingtian Academy, I believe they would treasure a talent like Qingzhou just as highly as I do."
As soon as he finished, Mr. Zhangping nodded with a smile. "Dean Yue Ming left one thing out."
"What’s most precious is this—Qingzhou can teach others how to attain the Calligraphy Dao."
Fang Sifeng, the representative from Yingtian Academy, was a middle-aged Confucian Scholar with a slightly arrogant air about him.
Even when facing the dignitaries on the high platform, he kept his chin held high.
Hearing Han Zhangping’s words, he grinned and said, "Mr. Zhangping, whether or not that Chen Qingzhou can actually teach someone to master the Calligraphy Dao is, I’m afraid, still up for debate."
The expressions of Mr. Yue Ming, Mr. Zhuo Ying, and the others changed subtly.
Mr. Zhuo Ying immediately looked at him, displeased. "Si Feng, both the Dean and I have personally witnessed Qingzhou’s ability to guide others to success in the Calligraphy Dao."
"Furthermore, the Dean and I were able to achieve Minor Success in our own Calligraphy Dao thanks to Qingzhou’s adept guidance."
"By saying that, are you calling me a liar? Are you calling the Dean of our Guiyun Academy a liar?"
Si Feng’s face fell. He forced a smile and said, "My apologies, Mr. Zhuo Ying. I was merely stating a possibility."
"After all, until now, this claim that Chen Qingzhou can teach the Calligraphy Dao is merely the word of Guiyun Academy."
Before Zhuo Ying could speak, Mr. Yue Ming raised his hand slightly, looked at Fang Sifeng, and asked in a serious tone:
"Then what is it you propose?"
"Since Dean Yue Ming asks, I will be so bold as to make a suggestion. Why not have Chen Qingzhou teach a lesson for us all?"
At his words, even Han Zhangping, who had previously spoken in support of Mr. Yue Ming, fell silent.
Someone among the representatives from the other academies even spoke up, "Mr. Sifeng’s proposal is an excellent one."
"This way, we’ll also have something to report when we return to our own academies."
Hearing this, Mr. Yue Ming, Mr. Zhuo Ying, and the others exchanged a glance, immediately guessing the intentions of these people.
A moment of silence passed.
Yang Ye, dressed in simple gray clothes and sitting next to Liu Hong, coughed upon seeing everyone fall silent and then muttered:
"Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a poetry gathering. How has it turned into an inquisition where all the great Confucian Scholars put Guiyun Academy on trial?"
At his words, everyone looked toward him.
Seeing that it was Yang Ye, the Right Governor of Shu State, Fang Sifeng’s expression changed slightly. He cupped his hands and said with a laugh, "Lord Yang, please don’t take offense. I had no intention of spoiling the mood."
Yang Ye gave him a noncommittal look. "So it was intentional?"
"Er... Lord Yang is right. Tonight is for the Mid-Autumn poetry gathering. We should go back to appreciating the moon and the poetry."