Chapter 551 String Broken

Yan Ning stood in the center of the venue, rolled up his sleeves, and dipped the brush in ink.

Two palace maids stood at both ends, unfolding a huge piece of white silk vertically so that everyone present could see Yan Ning writing.

Yan Ning walked to the silk, pondered the layout for a moment, then slowly wrote down the first word.

Qin Yuwei could see clearly that it was a traditional Chinese character for “万”.

This character is written with strong tendons and bones, and has an ancient style. Although it cannot be compared with the contemporary masters, it is already rare for an eight-year-old child.

There was a look of admiration in Yan Xiuyun's eyes.

Yan Ning started to write the second word, and when he was halfway through, everyone had guessed it -

That is half of the character "Shou".

He wanted to write the four words "Long Live Your Majesty" and give them to Your Majesty.

Unexpectedly, at this moment, a breeze blew by and Yan Ning couldn't help sneezing.

As my hand shook, the last horizontal stroke of the word "Shou" became crooked!

Everyone's expression changed slightly.

Yan Ning turned around in a panic and said:

"Father, please forgive me and allow me to rewrite it..."

How could Li Yao miss such a good opportunity? He smiled and said:

"Your Highness is truly a filial son. When His Majesty just recovered from a serious illness, the Crown Prince even managed to write the wrong word for the character 'Shou'.

I just don’t know whether this move was intentional or unintentional.”

Dong Lanxin cast a cold look at Li Yao.

"What does Concubine Rong mean by this?"

"Don't misunderstand, Queen. I just think... this is not a good omen."

Li Yao said this, glancing at Yan Xiuyun's expression.

Qin Yuwei also noticed that Yan Xiuyun's face looked a little unhappy at this time.

In the past, Yan Xiuyun would not have taken such a small matter to heart.

But now he should be aware of his physical condition, so he is particularly cautious about some things.

Yan Ning made a mistake on the word "longevity", which obviously touched a sensitive nerve in Yan Xiuyun.

Qin Yuwei remained calm and whispered a few words to Yan Jing beside her.

Yan Jing nodded sensibly, suddenly stood up and walked to Yan Ning, picking up a small brush on the desk.

She turned to Yan Ning and said:

"Brother Crown Prince, you haven't finished writing yet. The teacher said that we should always finish what we start."

She blinked again and whispered to Yan Ning to write slower.

Yan Ning was a little overwhelmed by the situation just now. After hearing what Yan Jing said, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and continue to write the remaining two words.

He deliberately slowed down as Yan Jing said.

After he finished writing the four words "Long Live Me", he looked back and was suddenly stunned.

Yan Jing actually used the wrong strokes he had just written to sketch out a white crane with its wings spread with just a few strokes!

Although the brushwork is still a bit immature, it does have some artistic conception.

Dong Lanxin said:

"Your Majesty, look, the few strokes the princess added are so vivid that at first glance, it looks like a white crane growing out of the character 'Shou', perfectly formed by nature.

The white crane also symbolizes "longevity and health", which complements Ning'er's "longevity". The two children's thoughts are really wonderful."

Before Yan Xiuyun could speak, Li Yao said:

“Although the name of Your Highness the Crown Prince was an unintentional mistake, it is still unlucky.

I have heard that there is a saying among the people that 'the handwriting reflects the character of the person'. It is true that His Royal Highness made a mistake in writing just now. I wonder if this mistake in writing also indicates something..."

Yan Jing blinked his big eyes and suddenly spoke:

“My Lady, Jing’er has heard a story about a great calligrapher in ancient times who accidentally dropped a drop of ink while writing.

But he suddenly had an idea and turned the ink spot into a plum blossom, which turned out to be a masterpiece.

Even the ancients were like this, and the prince accidentally created a painting with auspicious meaning.

If there is a prophecy, Jing'er believes it must be a prophecy that my father is blessed with great fortune and will live long and healthy."

Yan Jing was only five years old, and these words shocked everyone present.

There was also surprise in Qin Yuwei's eyes.

I just taught Yan Jing that she could change the prince's mistake into a white crane. She was just a child and no one would mind.

But I didn't teach her these words.

The smile on Li Yao's face froze for a moment.

In public, if I were defeated by a five-year-old child, how would I, as a noble concubine, keep my dignity?

She changed her mind and smiled at Yan Jing:

"Princess Zhaoyang is really smart, but I don't know which dynasty the great calligrapher who turned ink into plum blossoms was from? And in which book is this incident recorded?

It can't be that... the princess just made up a story to support the Crown Prince, right?"

Yan Jing didn't expect the other party to ask this and was stunned for a moment.

She heard the story just now from Aunt Zhu.

But when Aunt Zhu told the story, she never mentioned the origin of the story...

Yan Jing twisted her hands together, feeling a little helpless.

Qin Yuwei's voice sounded gently: "Jing'er, come here."

Yan Jing obediently returned to Qin Yuwei, his face looking extremely aggrieved and a little self-blaming.

"Jing'er is already great."

Qin Yuwei touched her little face, gently held her in her arms, and then looked at Li Yao.

That look made Li Yao feel a little scared for no reason, and she subconsciously wanted to avoid it.

Qin Yuwei stared at her without blinking, raised the corners of her lips and said:

"I heard that before Concubine Rong got married, she spent her days in the mansion either watching plays or fiddling with rouge and powder. As for books... she bought them frequently, but I don't know if she read them or not.

The story that Jing'er just mentioned was about the deeds of Lu Chen, a great calligrapher and painter of the previous dynasty.

In addition to turning ink into plum blossoms, Lu Chen also wrote a book called "Mochi Rewards", in which he recorded:

'When I do calligraphy or painting, I often leave a tiny flaw on purpose. It's not because my skills are not good, but it actually has a profound meaning.

Because the world is not perfect, how can human affairs be perfect? ​​Leaving this line is a sign of humility and also a way forward.'

Your Highness, as the crown prince, is always humble, how can this not be a blessing to the people and the country?"

Li Yao was stunned by Qin Yuwei's words.

At this moment, Qin Yuwei chuckled and said in a leisurely tone:

“Noble Concubine Rong, if you have any unexplained stories in the future, you may come directly to Changyu Palace to discuss them with me.

Jing'er is your junior after all, so you ask her for advice. If Jing'er doesn't know, then that's fine. But if she knows... it's not good for her to tell you directly.

Otherwise, wouldn't it seem like you, my sister, are not even as good as a five-year-old child?"

"You...!" Li Yao was so angry that her teeth were about to break after hearing such sarcasm.

This Qin guy is just relying on the fact that he has studied for a few days. What is there to be proud of?

Since I was born into a prominent family, the Li family, I don't need to rely on the imperial examination to gain a future. What difference does it make whether I study or not?

So what if Qin Yuwei is well-educated? Now I am on an equal footing with her, so who is nobler?

Li Yao's eyes were filled with anger, but she quickly calmed down.

She stared at Yan Jing, feeling somewhat pleased.

Although this little girl has some talent and a sharp tongue...she is just a girl after all.

The child she gave birth to now was a prince, although not a crown prince. However, things in the world are unpredictable and there is no guarantee who will inherit the throne in the future.

As long as you fight for it, you will have a chance.

But what can Qin Yuwei use to fight for it?

Thinking of this, Li Yao's mind suddenly became clear and he no longer cared about what had just happened.

Yan Xiuyun clapped his hands and laughed, and said to Yan Ning:

"Although that was a mistake, it is just as Concubine Qin said - 'The world is not perfect, so how can human affairs be perfect?'

This is a profound statement, and I am also enlightened.

I really like the calligraphy and painting you and Jing'er collaborated on.

Come, frame this silk and send it to the upper study."

Yan Xiuyun's decision was final, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief and continued talking and laughing.

Yan Ning was very happy. He returned to sit next to Dong Lanxin and suddenly noticed that Dong Lanxin looked different.

The bowl of salmon soup in front of Dong Lanxin had been empty at some point.

"Mother, you...you are crying?" Yan Ning was a little flustered.

Dong Lanxin held his hand, shook her head gently, and wiped the moisture from the corners of her eyes calmly.

She touched Yan Ning's head, with reluctance in her eyes.

Qin Yuwei, holding the ancient zither named "Luanyin" in her arms, came in front of everyone and said that she was willing to play a song for the emperor and empress to liven up today's family dinner.

She plucked the strings with her bare hands, and the ancient and distant sound of the piano poured out from her fingertips, making people unconsciously intoxicated by it.

Qi Yan'er is quite knowledgeable about music and said in surprise:

"This... could it be the ancient music 'High Mountains and Flowing Water'?"

Dong Lanxin silently looked at Qin Yuwei playing the piano, her gaze gradually becoming vague, as if she had traveled through time and saw something else.

Something that shouldn't belong to you, but makes you want to pursue it.

The severe colic came as expected.

Clang——!

The string broke.

Qin Yuwei's expression suddenly changed and she looked up suddenly.

Dong Lanxin fell to the ground with her eyes closed and lips blue.