Song Anxin nodded, "What Elder Wu said is indeed reasonable." She looked at Elder Wu, then changed the subject, "But, Elder Wu, this lacks sentimentality."
Old Master Wu looked puzzled: "What do you mean by that, Lady Hui?"
“I once heard a saying that goes, ‘Stand on the shoulders of giants to see the world.’” Song Anxin said slowly and deliberately. “It means that everything we have today, whether it’s craftsmanship, knowledge, or paintings, is due to the pioneers our ancestors laid out for us. We have continuously improved our vision and understanding based on their experience and foundation, and our skills have reached new heights, thus promoting the continuation and development of everything in the world, which is why we have everything we have today.”
She looked at Old Wu with a smile in her eyes: "Old Wu, you borrowed the shoulders of giants but left no room for others. Isn't that heartless? As for the enlightenment and feelings you mentioned, that is a matter of personal destiny. I think when your master taught you, he didn't expect you to have such a destiny."
The people in the room had never heard such remarks before and were immediately shocked. They pondered the words carefully and felt increasingly shocked.
"Hahaha," Bo Bo suddenly laughed, "Well said, well said! Lady Hui is indeed Lady Hui, her thoughts are so insightful. My old friend, you really have no feelings!"
You painters are too obsessed with profound meanings. You should just pass on your years of experience to others. Why think so much? Maybe after you're gone, your apprentices will have even greater achievements than you, and then the world of painting will have reached a higher level of artistry.”
Old Wu's eyes widened in shock, followed by a look of sudden realization, and his thoughts suddenly became clear.
"So it is, so it is! It is truly better to hear Hui Gongren's words than to listen to ten years of books. I was just being narrow-minded." He looked a little embarrassed: "I was really heartless. My master passed on all his skills to me, but I was just ignorant and foolish. I am truly ashamed of my master."
Uncle Bai joked, "How about it? Why don't we take this disciple in today? Feng Yao is quite good. He has a good personality and a sweet tongue. He can even take care of you in your old age."
Old Wu laughed and didn't mind his friend's words. Then he looked at Lin Fengyao, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Student Lin, what is the reason for your painting?"
Lin Fengyao's eyes were pure as he spoke, "Being able to bring the imprints of all things in the world and the feelings in my heart to life on paper with my pen makes me feel completely fulfilled. A student only cares about the things depicted on paper and doesn't think about anything else."
Old Wu's face showed appreciation, and he nodded: "Rare indeed, you possess true character and integrity. I will accept you as my disciple."
Lin Fengyao and Song Anxin were both overjoyed.
"Thank you, Master. Please accept my bow, Master." Lin Fengyao quickly kowtowed.
Of course, becoming an apprentice was not that simple. Afterwards, both parties chose an auspicious day, and Master Wu burned incense to inform the sect. Lin Fengyao then sincerely offered tea and kowtowed before officially becoming Master Wu's disciple.
After becoming an apprentice, Song Anxin learned that Old Wu was a court painter for several dynasties. He retired from the palace due to old age. Her Fengyao had really gotten a great deal this time!
July was already over, and it was harvest time again. This year, the entire Yin Dynasty had a bumper harvest of grain. The average yield of rice per mu was more than 400 jin, and in good areas it was more than 500 jin. In the fertile lands of Jiangnan, thanks to the methods of soaking seeds and improving fertilizer and water in new cultivation, the yield of grain per mu reached more than 600 jin.
Not only that, there was also a bumper potato harvest, with a yield of 1,000 jin per mu.
That autumn, the entire court rejoiced at the harvest, the people were in high spirits, and the emperor was overjoyed.
"Gongren, your maternal grandparents and uncle have arrived."
Anfu came in to report for duty.
Song Anxin got up from the rocking chair and saw her mother, Song Anbang, and Sun Lixi walk in.
She happily went to greet them: "Mother, Anbang, Lixi, how come you came together? Anbang, when did you come back from Liuzhou?"
Song Anbang replied, "I came back early this morning. The official school has a three-day break for the Mid-Autumn Festival. I came to say goodbye to my elder sister. The provincial examination is coming up in September. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, I will return to Liuzhou and then set off for Yunnan Province in a few days."
Song Anxin belatedly realized that the autumn examination was approaching. The provincial examination was usually held in the autumn, hence the name autumn examination. Passing the autumn examination would make one a Juren, which meant being qualified to become an official. However, if one wanted to climb the ranks, one had to go to the capital to participate in the spring examination the following year, which was the metropolitan examination.
If Anbang passes the imperial examination and becomes a Juren, he will have to go to the capital in advance to prepare for and make arrangements for the next year's metropolitan examination, and he will not be able to come back for the New Year.
She asked, "Anbang, how confident are you about passing this provincial examination?"
"Seven to eight out of ten," Song Anbang replied.
Song Anxin understood perfectly well that this was a humble statement from a scholar, and that Anbang was bound to succeed this time.
The provincial examination was held at the examination hall for nine days and six nights, which was extremely arduous. It was impossible for someone to go alone without someone to look after them, so she suggested that An Gui accompany Song Anbang again this time.
Sun Lixi smiled and said, "Thank you, sister. But I will go with Anbang this time. Don't worry, sister, I will take care of him."
Song Anxin thought this was a good idea; if they both passed the autumn imperial examinations, they could go to the capital together.
“Then Li Xi, you and An Bang have left, and your mother will be all alone again. Mother, why don’t you continue to stay at my house?” she said, then added, “Let’s spend the Mid-Autumn Festival together this year and have a proper family reunion.”
Grandma Song was overjoyed. She felt lonely at home all by herself, but here she had her daughter, grandson, Xiao Xuan'er, and Xiao Yu'er. She also liked Linjia Village.
She said cheerfully, "Great! It just so happens that some of the old women I know in the village said there's something interesting at the market these days and they want me to go with them. It's been a long time since I've gotten together with them."
The market is developing better and better, and during festivals, some itinerant performers will come to the market to perform.
Song Anbang and Sun Lixi had no objection to whether they spent the Mid-Autumn Festival together here or their mother stayed here; they felt more at ease with their mother staying here.
Song Anbang seemed to remember something and said, "By the way, elder sister, I heard some news from the northern frontier in Liuzhou. The northern frontier has recently won several battles, and the situation is gradually improving. Elder sister, don't worry."
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Grandma Song said happily. "With such a bountiful harvest, he can go home soon. I've been so worried about him."
Upon hearing this news, Song Anxin smiled. How could a mother not worry about her son who was traveling far away?
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