Free Web NovelChapter 280: Chapter 211: A Trivial Matter, No Thanks Needed
He spent an hour explaining the nuances of the Calligraphy Dao and the corresponding Profound Mysteries of the Dao Realm.
During the second hour, he wrote two calligraphy models and had the students use them as guides to practice freely on their sand trays.
Half the day passed quickly. freewebnøvel.com
Chen Yi gave Ma Guan a few instructions and left the study hall on his own, completely ignoring the students’ requests to see his Perfect Calligraphy Dao.
The exhibition hall was about to open, so he couldn’t be bothered with such an unnecessary display.
Furthermore, he had previously discussed with Mr. Yue Ming and decided that the academy would adopt a last-place elimination system. It wouldn’t be good for him to get too close to these students.
’It would make it harder for me to be ruthless when the time came to make cuts.’
However, when he arrived at Mr. Yue Ming’s residence and glanced around, his mood instantly soured, much like Lou Yuxue’s when she sees a house full of guests.
The modest courtyard was now packed to the brim with people.
There were Han Zhangping and Pei Zhaoye from Yuelu Academy, whom he had met once before. There were also some scholars of some renown in the Confucian circles of Shu State who had attended the Old Master’s birthday banquet. And then there were members of Noble Families who were clearly from out of state.
They were gathered in the courtyard in small groups, most of them looking toward the main hall, clearly waiting for Mr. Yue Ming to be free.
Seeing this, Chen Yi was about to slip away quietly when a voice called out from his side:
"Qingzhou, is your lecture finished? Come, quickly, join me in seeing the Headmaster."
Chen Yi turned his head and saw it was Mr. Zhuo Ying. He made one last, desperate attempt to get out of it, saying,
"The Mid-Autumn Festival is approaching, and I have to deliver festival gifts for my wife this afternoon. It’s not convenient for me to stay."
Hearing this, Mr. Zhuo Ying would take no for an answer, pulling him into the crowd.
As he walked, he gestured for the waiting guests to make way.
Only when they had entered the study in the main hall did Mr. Zhuo Ying lower his voice and say,
"Ah, Qingzhou, I’m not trying to force you, but the situation these past few days has been rather special."
"You saw all those people outside. Strictly speaking, they all came here looking for you."
"Even if you don’t sympathize with the Headmaster, you have to consider the academy."
"After all, those people are either famous scholars from various states or members of prestigious and influential clans. We have to let them save face."
’Those people just want to learn my Calligraphy Dao,’ Chen Yi thought. ’As for saving face, they should be the ones deferring to me.’
But thoughts were just thoughts.
He still obediently sat down in the study.
Sipping tea, he joined Mr. Yue Ming, Mr. Zhuo Ying, and the others in receiving the guests one by one.
For the most part, however, he said very little.
At most, he would chime in with a few pleasantries.
Things like, "I’ve heard so much about you," or "Your son has a solid foundation in the Calligraphy Dao; with time, he will surely achieve great things," or "Everything is at the Headmaster’s discretion."
In any case, he didn’t make things difficult for Mr. Yue Ming and the others.
Once noon had passed and the guests had left one by one, Chen Yi finally put down his teacup and said bluntly,
"It’s getting late. I should be heading back."
Seeing this, Mr. Yue Ming quickly waved his hands to stop him. "No rush, no rush."
"There are two matters I need to ask your opinion on."
"I’m listening."
"I heard from Huai’gu yesterday that you intend to participate in the poetry gathering tomorrow evening?"
"If I can get out of it, I’d rather not go."
"Getting out of it will be difficult."
"It’s not just some of the academy’s people who will be at the poetry gathering tomorrow night. Lord Liu, Lord Yang, and others from the Governor’s Office will also be attending."
Chen Yi raised an eyebrow. "The Governor’s Office... Liu Hong?"
"..."
Mr. Yue Ming and Mr. Zhuo Ying exchanged a glance, both clearly hearing the disdain in his tone regarding Liu Hong.
But thinking carefully about the current relationship between the Xiao Family and the Liu Family, Chen Yi’s attitude was understandable.
"Besides the Governor’s Office, people from other Government Offices will be there, as well as some great clans and Confucian Scholars from Shu State and the Outer States."
"However, we will only be observing. The success of the poetry gathering ultimately depends on the performance of you young people."
’So that’s it,’ Chen Yi realized. ’These two want me to do all the work again.’
"It’s actually simple. Just display my piece, ’Post-rain Reflections,’ at the gathering. That will surely bring glory to the academy."
Mr. Yue Ming waved his hand. "That won’t do, that won’t do."
"Your ’Post-rain Reflections’ has already spread throughout Shu State, and many have seen your Cursive Script at the Perfection Realm. It wouldn’t be good to use it again."
Chen Yi thought for a moment and just said he would see how things went tomorrow night.
He didn’t refuse to go, however.
After all, he had already promised Chen Yunfan and Li Huai’gu yesterday that he would check out the poetry gathering.
Mr. Yue Ming and Mr. Zhuo Ying didn’t press him further.
They all knew Chen Yi’s temperament and that he was very firm in his own ideas. Once he made a decision, no one could persuade him otherwise.
So they only reminded him,
"The Mid-Autumn Festival has been a grand occasion for scholars and poets since ancient times. If you feel inspired to create a masterpiece, Qingzhou, don’t hesitate to write it for us all to admire."
Chen Yi asked noncommittally, "And the second matter?"
Mr. Yue Ming paused, then said, "The exhibition hall is set to open the day after tomorrow. After discussing it, we all hope you can be there to preside over the event."
Mr. Zhuo Ying chimed in, "Your Calligraphy Dao has now reached the Perfection Realm, and in a new script style at that. Such a thing is rare even across the entire Great Wei Nine State and Three Prefectures."
"There will certainly be many people coming the day after tomorrow."
"If you can be there to meet them, it will only benefit your future, with no drawbacks."
Hearing this, Chen Yi did not agree immediately.
’Of course, I’m well aware of the benefits of something like this.’
’On a small scale, I could become a familiar face among the scholars.’
’On a larger scale, it would solidify my status as a master of the Calligraphy Dao, greatly increasing my fame.’
’More people would know of me and recognize me in the future. If anyone wanted to move against me again, they would inevitably have some reservations.’
’This is one of the few benefits that fame and fortune have brought me.’
Lost in thought, Chen Yi nodded and agreed. "After the poetry gathering, I’ll come to the academy first thing in the morning."
"But let me be clear: if my wife returns in the next two days, even if I come, I won’t be able to stay for long."
