Chapter 153: 110 Crushing (an update)
This was quite awkward. Gu Jinyu’s calligraphy was renowned in the capital city for its excellence. Even though Ms. Zhuang was the niece of the Provincial Governor Zhuang, if she were to go against Gu Jinyu, she would likely lose terribly.
Ms. Zhuang did not seem to be a gracious loser. If she were to lose badly indeed, no one could tell how she might try to trouble Gu Jinyu.
With a pleading look in his eyes, the Marquis turned to Prince An, hoping that he might intervene and curb his sister. But Prince An clearly had no intention of intervening.
Breaking into cold sweat, the Marquis surreptitiously signaled to Gu Jinyu, hoping that she would intentionally lose to Ms. Zhuang.
When the Yao family saw Gu Jinyu being harassed by Ms. Zhuang, they thought inexplicably of Gu Jiao. Gu Jinyu, who grew up as the daughter of the Marquis, encountered such trouble. What would happen to Gu Jiao if she returned to the capital city, having grown up in the countryside?
The party then entered the Flower Hall.
A servant brought writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones.
“Ms. Zhuang, how would you like to compete?” asked Gu Jinyu, neither haughty nor humble.
Ms. Zhuang cocked an eyebrow and replied, “We will each write a poem. My brother and the Marquis will judge whose handwriting is better.”
“The same poem?” Gu Jinyu asked.
Ms. Zhuang sneered, “Of course, otherwise how can we judge the winner?”
This was really a layman’s talk. Gu Jinyu saw through it but didn’t debunk. “Please, Ms. Zhuang, give us the poem.”
Zhuang Mengyun thought for a moment and graciously penned a poem by Prince An.
This was a poem Prince An had written during his second year visiting Chen Country. He was not yet ten years old at the time, but he had succeeded in writing a seven-character quatrain with homesickness.
His talent astonished Chen Country.
The ruler of Chen Country, in admiration of his talent, did not take out his frustration on this hostage after losing to Chen Country.
Gu Jinyu recognized the poem from the opening lines. It was widely circulated in Zhan Country. As she admired Prince An’s talent, she smoothly finished writing the full poem, surprisingly a few strokes faster than Ms. Zhuang.
After both put down their writing brushes, the servants on either side took their works to Prince An and the Marquis for judgment.
The Marquis was about to declare that Ms. Zhuang’s work was superior no matter what, but he lost the courage to lie when he saw both their handwritings.
Can this even be considered calligraphy?
Ms. Zhuang, after all, was the legitimate granddaughter of the chancellor Zhuang and her uncle was the literary master, the Provincial Governor Zhuang. The Zhuang family was full of scholars, none of whom were inept, yet somehow Ms. Zhuang deviated from the norm.
The Marquis was breaking out in cold sweat.
Oh, my daughter, didn’t your father ask you to yield to Ms. Zhuang?
Never mind, there’s no way she can compete with handwriting this bad.
Ms. Zhuang clapped her hands and haughtily asked, “So, who won?”
Prince An smiled faintly, “Do we need to ask? Of course, you won.”
The Marquis was taken aback.
Could his lying reach such heights?
Gu Jinyu was also quite shocked.
Could it be that Prince An was also the type to distort the truth?
Ms. Zhuang gave a triumphant laugh and was about to make a sarcastic remark to Gu Jinyu when she heard Prince An speak again, “Who can compete with you when it comes to making a fool of oneself?”
Ms. Zhuang was stunned.
So were the Marquis and Gu Jinyu.
He, he didn’t give his little sister any face…
Ms. Zhuang, shocked, stamped her foot, “Brother… how could you say that about me?”
Prince An replied nonchalantly, “Even a three-year-old child’s handwriting is better than yours. If you can’t see that, it’s not your handwriting that’s bad. It’s your brain.”
Ms. Zhuang was rendered speechless with anger.
Prince An continued, “If you wish to continue making a fool of yourself, let’s go for another round. Do you want to compare poems, or perhaps be beaten in all forms of poetry?”
Enraged, Ms. Zhuang ignored him, turned around and stormed away.
The Marquis smiled wryly, “Prince An, your way of teaching your sister is truly unique.”
Prince An replied nonchalantly, “She is the youngest in our family and has been spoiled by everyone at home. I apologize if it caused you discomfort.”
The Marquis forced a laugh, “How could that be? How could that be? Ms. Zhuang is lively and charming, quite adorable in her own way.”
Prince An gave a slight nod, “It’s getting late. I’ll take my leave now. See you tomorrow.”
The Marquis, Yao family, and Gu Jinyu paid their respects and saw him out.
Watching his retreating figure disappear into the night, Gu Jinyu muttered, “This prince is quite different from the others…”
Gu Jinyu often visited the palace to accompany the noble consort and had met many princes. None of them were as outstanding as Prince An, in terms of looks, talents or personality.