"I'm not boasting, but when it comes to elegant running script or calligraphy in the style of Yan Zhenqing or Liu Gongquan, there are naturally many predecessors and classmates in the academy who possess more exquisite brushwork than me, and I readily admit my inferiority. But when it comes to small regular script, I'm afraid it would be hard to find anyone in the entire academy, or even in the entire capital, who can surpass my son."
These words reveal the youthful vigor and vitality of the young man.
Hong Yingrong looked at her son, who was in the prime of his life, and recalled that he had been tortured in the imperial prison in order to prove his innocence but had never changed his words. She couldn't help feeling sad.
But Hong Yingrong quickly calmed down and said to Xue Shanqiu with a joking tone: "Look at your brother. People outside praise him for his gentleness and elegance, but in front of me, his mother, he doesn't know how to be humble at all."
While Xue Shanqiu was tasting the osmanthus cake, he also supported Xue Jiyan in his words.
"Third brother, you are not exaggerating. I think so too. I'm afraid there is no one else in the entire capital who can write such beautiful calligraphy."
Hong Yingrong deliberately pretended to be unconvinced, raised the flowery paper and looked at it carefully again.
Her tone was nonchalant as she suggested, "Mother, you don't believe me... How about we make a bet? Let's see who can find another person in the capital who can write such beautiful calligraphy."
In the past, although Hong Yingrong loved her youngest son and daughter very much, she only took good care of their daily lives.
Now, she enjoys life with her children, creating a warm and harmonious scene with her children surrounding her.
Xue Jiyan and Xue Shanqiu sat on Hong Yingrong's left and right, and felt that their mother was in particularly high spirits today, which was completely different from her usual serious and rigid demeanor.
Xue Shanqiu took the opportunity to gently shake Hong Yingrong's arm and said coquettishly, "Mother, since you want to bet with Third Brother, there must be a prize to make it interesting. Otherwise, winning will be meaningless."
Xue Jiyan couldn't help but interrupt, "As the saying goes, there are always people better than you. If Mother can find someone with better calligraphy skills than me, I would like to be their disciple and humbly learn from them to improve my skills."
He paused, his eyes gleaming with his love and dedication to calligraphy, and continued, "On the other hand, if I had found such a master, I wouldn't need Mother to give me any prizes. Meeting a soulmate with similar interests is the greatest reward in itself."
Hong Yingrong understood her youngest son's noble character. A smile flashed across her face as she said, "Anyway, whether you win or lose, you can't give Mother anything good."
Xue Shanqiu playfully took over the conversation: "I think if my brother passes the imperial examination, he should go to the Ministry of Revenue. He's really calculating."
Yasongzhai was suddenly filled with laughter. At this moment, Hong Yingrong said, "How about this... if you win, mother will give you your grandfather's bluestone Yuntai Duan inkstone. What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, Xue Jiyan stood up excitedly.
That bluestone Yuntai Duan inkstone was once a treasure of my grandfather Hong Hanwen, and it was also a treasure bestowed by the late emperor. Later, it was brought to the marquis's mansion as a dowry for Hong Yingrong.
The eldest and second brothers asked their mother for it many times, but Hong Yingrong was reluctant to give it to them. Unexpectedly, their mother would use the inkstone as a bet for a joke today.
"Then it's a deal between my son and mother." Xue Jiyan responded excitedly.
Throughout the morning, Hong Yingrong, Xue Jiyan and Xue Shanqiu enjoyed family happiness in Yasongzhai, with laughter and joy all the time.
At noon, lunch was served directly in Yasongzhai.
After finishing his meal, Xue Jiyan said farewell to his mother Hong Yingrong and took a carriage with two servants and two maids to the Imperial College.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
