Chapter 3: A hidden gem that truly deserves its title
As soon as these words were spoken, Min Shi'an's heart tightened, cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead, and his fingertips were cold. Even the knowledgeable Master Zhang was a little surprised, but he did not stop him.
She had never expected Song Sheng to show up unexpectedly and ask such a tricky question.
As a representative of a noble family, Song Sheng holds a high position in the government, while Min Shian, as the princess of Dajin and a member of the Xie family, has an undoubtedly crucial position. If she is not careful, she may be wiped out by Song Sheng without a trace.
This question would have different answers if asked by different people. Min Shian thought of a solution in an instant. No matter what, she must not be stage-frightened and lose her momentum.
"The imperial power has fallen, what shall I do?"
She repeated it slowly, then said calmly, "In what capacity does Minister Song ask me?"
Min Shian stared at Song Sheng's face, her eyes were as deep as if a storm was coming. She was intimidating without even being angry, and acted like a legitimate princess.
Song Sheng was playing with his folding fan. He chuckled softly upon hearing this. He was not affected by Min Shian at all. He still spoke in that gentle tone: "Teacher asked me to examine the junior sister, so naturally I am doing it as her senior brother."
Min Shian said calmly, "Then my answer is that the imperial power is not something you and I can discuss rashly. As a student of the Grand Tutor, you should keep this in mind."
Tutor Zhang immediately gave him an admiring look, stroking his gray beard and nodding repeatedly.
Song Sheng closed his folding fan and placed it on the table beside him. The smile in his eyes grew even more. "If it is as a servant, what do you think, Your Highness?"
"I have no comment to make."
He raised his hands, clasping his slender fingers together with a crisp sound, and said meaningfully, "Princess Yongkang is a man of great talent and wit. Her 'Ode to Flowing Water' was a stunning success, far from what was rumored. It's a pearl that has been left in the dust."
"Your Excellency, you are so complimentary."
Then Song Sheng stood up and bowed to Master Zhang to take his leave.
"Teacher, there are still some trivial matters at the Shangshu Office. I will take my leave first."
Unexpectedly, Grand Tutor Zhang patted his shoulder, pushed him back onto the couch, and half-seriously scolded him, "Since it's a trivial matter, let's put it aside for now. As An'er's apprenticeship banquet, how can I be absent as a senior brother?"
"The teacher is right."
It was called a banquet for apprenticeship, but in fact it was just a banquet for Min Shi'an to show up, so most of the complicated and multifaceted etiquette was omitted. After everyone exchanged greetings, they took their seats.
As the guest of honor, Min Shian sat on the left of Master Zhang, and on the right were the Song brothers and sisters.
There were people drinking and chatting below, and from time to time someone came up to toast and chat. No matter who he asked, Song Sheng would reject him in a roundabout way. After being rejected so many times, he gave up and stopped coming to annoy others.
Amidst the clamor, a voice reached the ears of everyone present clearly.
"The other day, I had the honor of seeing Your Highness's original copy of 'Ode to Flowing Water', and I was filled with admiration. I have made some progress in cursive calligraphy, and I wonder if I could have the honor of learning from you, Princess?"
Everyone looked up and saw that the Minister of Personnel had a flushed face. He spoke respectfully, but his eyes showed no disdain.
But he proposed a calligraphy exchange, and no one could find any fault with him.
Song Tinglan looked worried and wanted to speak, but was secretly stopped by Song Sheng. She could only look at Master Zhang.
After realizing that the teacher had no intention of interfering, Song Tinglan calmed down and thought carefully before realizing that she was being too concerned.
Min Shian also stood up, looked straight at him, and said loudly: "Since the Heavenly Official is interested, I can't refuse."
There was a desk with writing brushes and ink placed in the center of the banquet for everyone to use when their inspiration struck.
When she left the table, she observed Song Sheng's reaction out of the corner of her eye, and as expected, she didn't see any flaws.
It is currently impossible to determine whether this person is truly stupid or was instructed by the Song Pushe.
It shouldn't be possible for him to be promoted to the position of Minister of Personnel. If it wasn't for Song Sheng's suggestion, the only possibility would be that he made a mistake due to drunkenness.
As her mind raced, she felt that she was still too far away from the center of power, and had not even touched the edge.
Min Shi'an stood opposite the Minister of Personnel, while a servant boy ground ink beside them. She stared into his slightly cloudy eyes and said with a forced smile, "I've long heard that Tianguan is an expert in cursive calligraphy. Now I'm finally lucky enough to see the original. I'm looking forward to it. I hope Tianguan can give me some advice."
The Minister of Personnel, struck by the insinuation, froze for a moment, then regained some of his composure and said with a wry smile, "I cannot speak of your teachings. Your Highness's pen is so eloquent that I cannot even begin to compare."
"Your Highness, please go first."
Min Shian raised his eyebrows and chuckled, then took the wolf-hair brush handed to him by the servant, casually dipped it in some ink, held the brush in his right hand, and wrapped his wide cuffs with his left hand. He leaned over for a moment and finished the writing in one go.
The Minister of Personnel's face changed immediately. When Min Shi'an finished writing, he was completely sober, his eyes full of disbelief.
How is that possible?
The original manuscript had sharp strokes, vigorous and powerful lines, and the overall style was unrestrained and seemed to be created naturally. He originally thought that a woman would never be able to write with such a style.
Especially Princess Yongkang, who was known for her domineering behavior.
But now, he could clearly see handwriting that was exactly the same as the one in "Ode to Flowing Water".
"Lord Tianguan, please."
Min Shian's lazy voice woke the Minister of Personnel, who was daydreaming. He just laughed awkwardly and said with a bow, "Your Highness's writing is brilliant. I am ashamed to be inferior to him."
After reading the handwriting, Master Zhang stepped out to smooth things over and praised Min Shian generously.
"Young people are truly formidable. Shi An is truly a hidden gem. He is young and arrogant. It seems that Tianguan has to stay out of the spotlight for a while."
The Minister of Personnel nodded repeatedly, echoing the voice, pretending to be calm and returning to his seat in shame.
Immediately, what she had just written was circulated independently for everyone to appreciate.
Min Shian strolled back to the side of Master Zhang and said modestly, "It's just a small skill. Thank you for the praise, Master."
Zhang Taifu laughed heartily, took a sip of wine and said cheerfully, "Don't be so modest. You truly deserve the title."
Song Tinglan leaned over and whispered to Song Sheng, her pretty face full of pride and honor.
Song Sheng nodded slightly to show his approval.
In a short while, the banquet became extremely lively. Whether sincere or false, there was a continuous stream of praise and compliments for Master Zhang.
The few words of the Song brothers and sisters were carried to Min Shi'an's ears by the breeze.
"...confirmed,...thank you, brother..."
“No problem…”
Min Shi'an looked in the direction of the voice and smiled at Song Tinglan. Although he restrained his expression when looking at Song Sheng, his eyes were shining with light, which aroused people's imagination.
This is what she learned from the storybook.
But it seemed that Song Sheng didn't understand and just nodded gently. Seeing this, Song Tinglan looked at him teasingly and smiled without saying a word.
As the sun sets in the west, the host and guests are all happy and the banquet ends.
The three of them were talking in the house.
Min Shian took out two red sandalwood boxes and handed them to Song Tinglan and Song Sheng, saying, "As a greeting gift for fellow disciples, take a look."
The two of them opened it and saw a plain hairpin carved from Hetian mutton-fat jade, which looked even more transparent under the candlelight.
The one in Song Sheng's hand is more elegant, while the one in Song Tinglan's hand is relatively dignified.
The most important thing is not that the raw material is precious, but that the hairpin is engraved with the same orchid pattern.
Song Tinglan loves orchids the most.
"The Song brothers and sisters have a deep bond, a story that is legendary in the capital. Naturally, they have no shortage of valuable artifacts. So, I had two mutton-fat jade hairpins specially designed and carved for them, and then impregnated with medicinal herbs. They are perfect for health."
Song Tinglan immediately pinned it on her hair, took out a square wooden box, and said with a smile, "I almost forgot. I was delayed a little when I came here, and missed the time, so I didn't have time to see you off."
"Good Tinglan, how can I have the nerve to ask for your things?"
Having said that, his hands kept moving and he quickly put on the Lantian jade bracelet.
As the two of them talked, Song Sheng had unknowingly put on the jade hairpin and said with a smile, "Your Highness, I cannot refuse your kindness. I have already prepared a small gift and sent it to the Princess's residence."
Tutor Zhang looked at the students getting along harmoniously with satisfaction, and secretly sighed that he had been worried that Song Sheng and Min Shian would not get along, but now it seems that his worries were unnecessary.
"It's getting late. You should all go back. Shi An will come to the Taifu Mansion in three days to formally attend the class."
He paused, stroked his beard, and added, "The deadline is tentative."
As soon as he finished speaking, he ordered them to leave and drove the three people away like dirty things.
When Min Shian returned home to rest, she suddenly remembered that Song Sheng's gift was left in the study by her and had not been opened yet.
I didn't want to move, but after struggling, I got up, put on a coat and went to the study.
She only took a quick look at it and saw that it was an ivory purple-hair brush, so she put it in the box.
The next day.
The princess's mansion became busy early in the morning, preparing for school.
Min Shian went to Xianyang Palace.
"Mother, I will be going to my teacher's residence to study in two days. I don't know when I will be able to complete my studies. I have come to bother you for two days before I leave."
She snuggled up to Empress Xie's shoulder, whispering softly, longing for the warmth from her mother's body.
Empress Xie embraced Min Shian and patted him gently: "An'er, no matter what decision you make in the future, you must protect yourself first."
"I heard that you shone brightly at the banquet, and your mother was very pleased. However, I must find out whether you were provoked this time at the behest of Song Yanxuan."
Min Shian scoffed and blurted out, "Song Yanxuan would definitely not do such a stupid thing and leave any evidence behind."
She sat up straight and recounted the information she had found out after returning home yesterday: "The Minister of Personnel has always had a bad drinking habit and has caused many jokes in the past."
"If Song Yanxuan hadn't found a more suitable candidate, and if his political achievements were not quite outstanding, he wouldn't have been able to hold on to the position of Minister of Personnel."
Empress Xie nodded with satisfaction and sighed, "Yes, it seems An'er has really grown up."
While Min Shian was enjoying a peaceful life, the students in the capital city were having trouble falling asleep.
The two Song brothers and sisters are like an unbridgeable chasm, and can only watch from afar. Now Princess Yongkang has appeared.
They all stayed up late to study, fearing that someone else would suddenly appear.
Their current goal is to try their best to catch up with Song Zhongshu.
Within a few days, the news spread throughout the Jin Dynasty, and people even composed a nursery rhyme to praise Min Shi'an.
Min Shian, who temporarily settled in the Taifu Mansion, finally realized what Song Tinglan meant by "the teacher is very strict."
Being able to write a perfect character on thirty pieces of calligraphy is not a big deal; for her, being able to recite a collection of poems fluently every day is the highlight.
Not to mention that there are five copies of paintings that she still needs to complete.
In addition, she also has to set aside time from 1:15 pm to 1:15 pm to play the piano.
If any one item fails, the quantity tomorrow will double.
In just five days, Min Shian lost a lot of weight.
She wrote a letter with tears in her eyes, three pages long, complaining to Song Tinglan, but was confiscated by Master Zhang with a stern face and scolded.
"You still have time to write a letter? In that case, let's raise the number of calligraphy pieces to fifty. The Taifu Mansion has no shortage of pens and ink."
Min Shi'an's heart skipped a beat, and he felt dizzy. A scene of the sky collapsing and the earth splitting appeared in his mind. He suddenly thought that it would not be a bad idea to force his way out of the house and take Song Sheng by force.
Perhaps because Min Shian looked too miserable, Grand Tutor Zhang coughed lightly and said mercifully, "Forget it. You will be allowed to leave the palace tomorrow and return at 3:30 pm."
Min Shian's eyebrows curved, and she smiled for the first time since entering the mansion. She said sincerely, "Thank you, teacher."
The next morning, she went out without stopping, returned home, disguised herself, and went to the deep alleys west of Shangjing City.
She turned several times, and the scene in front of her gradually became wider, and the sounds of hawking were endless.
This is a market where merchants gather on their own. It is the lowest level of supply and is monopolized and exploited by aristocratic families.
The lowest-ranking servants and maids in any family with a little background came from this place. Min Shian, dressed as a maid, greeted the matchmaker familiarly.
The matchmaker saw that it was her and immediately greeted her warmly: "Miss Hu is here! What do you want this time? We have a new batch of people here, and they are all very smart and capable."
"Please come in!"
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