Chapter 999 - 426: Banquet (Part 2)
Yueyao felt a sudden jolt in her heart. Could it be that her intuition was wrong, and Princess Wanhe was here to find fault. Yueyao was surprised in her heart, but she still smiled on the surface and asked, "Does the Commandery Princess have any good ideas?"
Princess Wanhe smiled and said, "Yueyao, instead of going outside to watch the show, why not let us see how you write in Plum Blossom Seal Script? It’s so highly spoken of outside."
Yueyao remembered it was Princess Wanhe’s idea that forced her to perform her talents on the spot, eventually earning her the title of talented lady. She didn’t know what kind of idea Princess Wanhe had this time, so Yueyao laughed and politely declined.
Princess Wanhe, however, smiled and looked at Madam Ping and Lady Li, and said, "Madam Luo, Lady Li, what do you think?"
Madam Ping saw that Princess Wanhe had no ill intentions, possibly just looking to have some fun, so she didn’t spoil Princess Wanhe’s mood: "Those who want to see the show can go watch, those who want to see you write in Plum Blossom Seal Script can stay. Yueyao, how about that?"
Everyone found it interesting and all agreed.
Yueyao was speechless seeing the crowd egging her on. Never mind Princess Wanhe, but she didn’t expect Madam Ping and Lady Li to join in the fun too. Obviously, compared to watching the show, everyone was more eager to see her write.
Zhuang Ruolan seeing this also smiled and said, "It is said that guests follow the host. Today it’s rare that everyone has this elegant interest, Yueyao, you shouldn’t refuse."
Yueyao knew she couldn’t decline anymore and said, "Since everyone doesn’t mind that I’m not well-skilled, I shall make a fool of myself."
Yueyao is the kind of person who, if she does something, she does it to the best of her ability. Since so many guests wanted to watch, she naturally wanted to show her best side. Not for herself, even for the sake of her teacher’s reputation, she couldn’t lose face.
Yueyao instructed Gu You to move the table to the main hall. After the instructions, Yueyao smiled at the crowd and said, "Writing in Plum Blossom Seal Script takes a lot of time. Everyone can go watch the show first and come over later to watch."
With such a great opportunity, of course, the crowd wouldn’t leave. Just like Princess Wanhe said, the show can be watched anytime, but the chance to watch Yueyao write in Plum Blossom Seal Script is rare. Today Yueyao is in the mood, who knows when she will be in the mood next time!
Gu You had a table brought out, and the maid brought out all the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone. To everyone’s surprise, Yueyao even had the maid bring out a paintbrush.
Everyone was curious, wondering why she needed a paintbrush to write. While everyone was puzzled, no one asked.
Xi Yu brought a luxurious and splendid gold-flecked Xuan paper to Yueyao. Yueyao laid the gold-flecked Xuan paper horizontally on the table, then said to Xi Yu, "Grind the ink."
Without another word, Xi Yu poured water into the inkstone and started grinding the ink. Everyone present soon smelled a strong scent of ink.
Once Yueyao started painting or writing, she would throw herself into it, completely disregarding the outside situation. This time was no exception; once she took the paintbrush and started, Yueyao no longer paid attention to those present.
Madam Lv watched as Yueyao dipped the ink and painted one plum blossom branch after another, deliberately saying, "Third sister-in-law, we all know your painting skills are exceptional, but we want to see your Plum Blossom Seal Script, not watch you paint plum branches."
Princess Wanhe sarcastically remarked, "It’s okay not to understand, but to not understand and still speak out, that’s truly embarrassing."
Madam Yin at this moment wished she could disappear into the ground.
Zhuang Ruolan also looked down on Madam Lv, thinking what a fool she was to speak without considering the occasion. But now that Yueyao was fully engrossed in writing, as the half-host, she had to smooth things over, so she smiled and said, "When Yueyao is painting or writing, she cannot be disturbed. Regardless of what questions everyone has, it won’t be too late to comment after Yueyao finishes writing."
Yueyao painted four plum blossom branches, and by then Xi Yu had brought another inkstone and brush from inside. However, the ink brought out this time was not black ink, but a piece of red ink.
The men in the front yard quickly learned that Yueyao was writing in Plum Blossom Seal Script. Marquis Luyang smiled and said, "Heyue, could you later ask Third Sister to bring out her writing for us to appreciate."
Li Zhen was also very interested and said, "Yes, Sister Yueyao’s Plum Blossom Script is renowned. I never had the chance to see it. This time, no matter what, I must feast my eyes."
Guan Jingshuo didn’t speak, but his gaze showed he was also very interested.
An Zhichen, seeing everyone watching him intently, smiled. His wife’s calligraphy and painting were famous worldwide, and her works certainly wouldn’t be kept at home unseen. An Zhichen wasn’t a stingy person: "Alright, once Zichang finishes, I will have her writing brought over for everyone to see."