Chapter 22 I had nothing to teach her…

Liu Min began his education very early, at the age of three. He was still unsteady on his feet when his teacher led him to kneel and worship in front of a portrait of a sage. After worshipping the sage, he worshipped his teacher. The teacher dipped his brush in cinnabar and dotted a red mole on his forehead. He then wrote the character "人" (person) and struck a drum. With a "dong," he remembered hearing an echo.

His grandmother wanted him to be under her watchful eye at all times. He went to school at home, while his teacher stayed at the resident courtyard. Respecting his teacher, he naturally walked there to find him every day. After three years of study, his teacher resigned and returned home, so he apprenticed with a new teacher. This new teacher was Old Goat, a truly detestable person.

Along with the old goat, a teacher who taught arithmetic and calligraphy also entered the Liu residence. Mr. Fang, who taught calligraphy and painting, also taught him to play the zither and play chess. He did not learn horseback riding and archery because his grandmother was worried.

Of the three tutors, Liu Min only liked Mr. Hu, who taught arithmetic. Mr. Hu was good-tempered, humorous, and believed in teaching through entertainment, enjoying playing games with Liu Min. Mr. Hu only stayed at the Liu residence for two years because his mother suddenly fell seriously ill, and he had to return to his hometown to care for her. After Mr. Hu left, the Liu family did not hire another arithmetic tutor for Liu Min. Arithmetic was not important; Liu Shen's intention was that a basic understanding was sufficient, and there was no need to go to great lengths. Two tutors remained. Old Goat had no merits other than his extensive knowledge, while Mr. Fang was good, but somewhat melancholic. He was a man who rarely spoke, and when he did, he spoke in profound terms that were difficult to understand. He was a true scholar, not well-suited to be a tutor. Once, when learning to paint birds, Mr. Fang took Liu Min into the mountains. Mr. Fang believed that birds in cages were not real birds, and he was confident that without seeing real birds, how could one paint well? In the mountains, Liu Min stepped on a snake, and it seemed to be venomous. He fell ill as soon as he got home. Once bitten, twice shy; even without being bitten, fear lingers. After recovering from his illness, Liu Min didn't pick up a paintbrush for a long time, but became increasingly close to the old goat. A month or two later, Mr. Fang, citing illness, bid farewell to Madam Qin. Liu Min, still harboring resentment, didn't try to stop him. Shortly after Mr. Fang left, Liu Min realized the inappropriateness of his actions and felt ashamed, but it was too late to make amends. No matter what he did, it would be an insult to Mr. Fang, so it was better not to do it at all. The only thing he could do was refuse his grandmother's request for another teacher. He didn't want to learn to paint anymore.

So the new gentleman was someone he invited to be kind.

The gentleman did not wish to reveal his name, so he was referred to as Mr. Lian by his pen name "Lian Chang".

Mr. Lian was about forty years old, with a long beard reaching his belly, beautiful eyebrows and eyes, and a calm and serene demeanor, showing the air of a noble scholar.

Mr. Lian was a long-time friend of the Liu family, a respected elder in the area, who recommended him. It was quite a coincidence. Mr. Lian had experienced a life of hardship, tasted the bitterness of human nature, and thus became disillusioned with the world, choosing instead to devote himself to nature and detach himself from worldly affairs. The old gentry was an old friend of Mr. Lian's, whom he hadn't heard from in a long time; their reunion was unexpected. The meeting took place in the mountains of Pingcheng. After so many years, they didn't recognize each other, but fortunately, the figure under the willow tree was familiar. He quickly went over to inquire, and indeed, it was an old friend. Tears welled up in his eyes. How spirited and ambitious he had been in his youth! Now, in his old age, he was so impoverished. The old gentry was overcome with sorrow and resolved to help him. But simply providing aid was not an option. Just then, a letter from Madam Qin arrived at his residence. This was a perfect solution, so the old gentry did his utmost to facilitate it. He said countless nice things, and even told lies, saying that the Liu family had been kind to him and now that they needed him, he was determined to repay them wholeheartedly. He even used the word "beg" in the end. Unable to refuse such a kind offer, Mr. Lian had no choice but to agree, saying, "I can give it a try."

Mr. Lian was a man of refined tastes, so he skipped the trivial matters of the apprenticeship ceremony.

They had only met briefly and exchanged a few words when Mr. Lian asked Liu Min to paint a picture to assess his skill level. He had heard that the young master of the Liu family was exceptionally intelligent, a promising talent, and had a strong desire to learn, making him a rare find.

Liu Min asked what to paint, and Mr. Lian said it was up to him. So Liu Min painted a few ink flowers.

From the moment Liu Min put pen to paper, Mr. Lian watched intently without looking away. When Liu Min finished writing, he looked at the flowers on the paper and nodded.

Although she has many shortcomings, she does have talent, which is commendable considering her young age.

Seeing Mr. Lian nod, Liu Min asked with a smile, "What do you think, sir?"

Mr. Lian answered truthfully: "The shape is good, the brushwork is not bad, the balance of solid and void, openness and sparseness is quite neat, but the ink technique is slightly lacking. However, this is not something that can be achieved overnight, so there is no need to be impatient."

"So that's not bad?"

Mr. Lian nodded.

Liu Min laughed and said, "After all, I studied hard before. To receive such a compliment makes all my efforts worthwhile." After saying that, he turned to Shan Lai and handed him the brush, saying, "You should also draw a couple of strokes for the teacher to see, and ask him to give you some pointers."

Shanlai was stunned, not expecting that he would have anything to do with it, and didn't move.

Liu Min was still in the posture of handing over the pen, and seeing this situation, he couldn't help but frown.

"Not again! How can you be so vulgar? Come here right now!"

As he said this, Shanlai hurriedly stepped forward, took the pen, and held it in his hand.

Mr. Lian was also surprised.

Shanlai was standing far away and had her head down, so Mr. Lian didn't notice her. Now that she was right in front of him, it was hard not to notice her.

With such beauty and such serene elegance, she could easily be mistaken for a young lady from a noble family. How could she be a maid? If she could also paint, that would be even more astonishing.

He must be a disappointed and down-on-his-luck person.

Shanlai, holding his pen, walked slowly to the desk, bowed to Mr. Lian, and said, "Greetings, sir."

Seeing her actions, Mr. Lian became even more certain of his previous thoughts. He couldn't help but feel sorry for her, so he responded and nodded to her.

After the ceremony, Shanlai picked up his brush and went to his desk.

Liu Min had already retreated to the side.

But his painting was still on the desk, just one sheet of paper, covering the entire desk.

Liu Min noticed this and went forward again to change the paper for Shan Lai, but Shan Lai simply started painting on his painting again.

It is also ink painting. A magpie on a plum branch is about to take flight, and fish are leaping out of the water under the peach blossoms. The ripples are dense and the ink is dripping. There is a crab next to the orchid grass and a cricket under the chrysanthemum leaves. With just a few strokes, it is vivid and interesting.

These few strokes demonstrate even greater skill than the previous ink bamboo and peony paintings.

As usual, Liu Min was so shocked that he couldn't speak, and Mr. Lian's eyelids twitched involuntarily.

After a long pause, Mr. Lian finally spoke: "Your few strokes of ink painting do have some of the style of the Hermit of Yunge..."

Yun Ge Jushi? Who is that?

I've never heard of Shan Lai.

Mr. Lian then asked, "Who is your teacher?"

Shanlai then repeated those same tired old sayings once again.

"You haven't received any education since you were five years old?"

Shan Lai nodded.

Mr. Lian remained silent.

Liu Min was merely looking at the painting.

Shanlai felt somewhat lost. No one was asking her questions or giving her any orders, and she couldn't seem to leave. The atmosphere was strange, and she didn't know what to do. So she just stood there, her head unconsciously lowered.

The three of them remained silent and motionless.

Suddenly, Mr. Lian let out a long breath.

The sound of Liu Min breathing on him woke him up. He woke up and turned his head to look at Shan Lai.

Shanlai remained motionless, head bowed, displaying an unyielding and humble demeanor. Yet, despite the fact that both men had been astonished by her talent, she remained remarkably composed, truly unfazed by praise or criticism.

Liu Min genuinely admired her.

Liu Min then looked at Mr. Lian and said, “Sir, how about making her your student? Her calligraphy is also very good… I have given up on calligraphy and painting. Although she is a servant girl, her talent is exceptionally high, as you have already seen. Therefore, it would not be an insult to you if she became your student…”

Mr. Lian did not respond.

Liu Min thought he was unwilling and tried to persuade him again, but before he could speak, he saw Mr. Lian shake his head and say, "I have nothing to teach her. What I know, she understands, and seems to grasp even more." He couldn't help but ask, "Do you really not remember? Who taught you?" "To hear the Way in the morning, one can die content in the evening." There are such extraordinary people in the world! A child, no matter how talented, is still just a child, yet he taught her so well…

"I can't remember." Shanlai's voice was already choked. "I can't even remember what my mother looks like, I can't even dream about her... I don't remember anything at all."

Mr. Lian didn't realize it when he asked those questions, but now that he heard her mention her mother and how miserable she looked, he thought he shouldn't have asked them.

Mr. Lian decided to go and say goodbye to Madam Qin.

Liu Min could teach, but he has already said that he has given up on calligraphy and painting, so he can't teach another subject.

What's the point of staying?

He lifted his foot to leave.

Liu Min saw this and became very anxious. He rushed over, spread his arms, and blocked Mr. Lian's way.

"Why are you in such a hurry, sir? I don't agree with what you say. How can you say there's nothing to teach her? Have you really seen through her? She's only painted a few living things, which are quite good, but that's all she has! She has nothing else to offer. Does she dare to say she knows everything? You haven't even seen her calligraphy yet! No matter how talented she is, she still needs guidance! Please stay, sir!"

His words made sense. Mr. Lian's heart wavered. He couldn't just leave like this. With such high talent, her future achievements were limitless. But if she continued to stay here as a servant, her talents would not be able to be displayed. If things continued like this, it was not impossible for her to become just an ordinary person. That would be too much of a pity.

We have to take her away.

Perhaps I could borrow some money from a friend to buy her freedom...

While I was deep in thought, I suddenly heard a loud commotion outside.

Liu Min also heard it and smelled the smoke. He turned around and looked outside. He saw thick black smoke billowing from the southeast, and the noise was coming from that direction.

"Is there a fire?"

He spoke as he ran outside.

Shanlai ran outside to see what was happening. Seeing the billowing black smoke, he turned pale with fright, clutching his chest and muttering, "What happened? It's on fire..."

Liu Min ran straight towards Fuzetang, and on the way he met Ru Hui, who was also running.

"How is the old lady?" "Lian Si, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." "The old lady is fine, she's just worried about you. When I came over, she was also coming this way."

Relieved, Liu Min asked, "Where is the fire? How serious is it?"

"It's the kitchen, thankfully it's the kitchen. There's a well right next to it, so everything should be alright. I'll stop here for now. Liansi, go see the old lady quickly and put her mind at ease..."

A note from the author: