137 Shocking Changsan with One Piece of Calligraphy (2/2)

In fact, the entire Chang'an City knew that the Tang emperor ardently loved calligraphy, yet was lacking in the strength of writing characters. All the students forcibly held themselves from laughing out loud, thinking that the libationer would not allow others to see the emperor's calligraphy, which might usher in sneers. Miss Gao, who used to be a person of few words, somehow felt unpleasant at the soft tone and gentle manner of Jin Wucai, so she said with a bit of pride, ”My family was also awarded with a copy. Pitifully, it was not the emperor's own copy. But it used the Double-hook Method, which makes it quite similar to the original.”

Double-hook, a method of copying, hooked along the exterior lines of the original work on both sides with a thin line, and then filled in the blank inside with ink. A copy made in this way was most close to the original, which was accordingly quite precious and was applied to copy masterpieces.

All the students were again exclaiming at Miss Gao's words. On the one hand, they marveled at the fact that the anonymous piece of calligraphy was indeed beloved by His Majesty. On the other hand, they secretly discussed that a family with its members serving in the palace was really glorious, for it enjoyed a Double-hook copy awarded by the emperor.

If a superior loved something, the subordinates would love it even more, not to mention it was the thing loved by the Tang emperor. Throughout the Tang Empire calligraphy was fond of by all, putting it at a high-respected status. Now that all the noble families in Chang'an City had been aware that His Majesty was deeply fond of that section, they unavoidably would do some mutual comparisons.

Those being awarded with a copy would feel complacent, while those not would feel somewhat uneasy. Even those who had gotten a copy from the emperor would inevitably make comparisons between their versions... A trivial section of calligraphy had actually blown ink from numerous residences and disturbed countless nobles.

Some civilians staying at the Academy for the night curiously asked Miss Gao about what was written on the section, and what charm the characters had that could make His Majesty so delighted. As Miss Gao had already spouted out those words, naturally she would have to continue. She showed a smile and then boasted that the piece of calligraphy was something second to none.

”Excuse me, excuse me.”

Ning Que came over from the back of the study room with several books under his arms. When others discovered that it was him, they suddenly stopped their discussion indifferently as was usual, and restarted their chat after he had walked out of the study room and had entered the rain-proof corridor.

No one was willing to point out the shortcomings of that section of calligraphy which was so deeply loved by His Majesty. Furthermore, the section was indeed exquisite and worthy of appreciating. Those who had seen the original one, no matter if they were ministers or calligraphers, all marveled at and praised it, following His Majesty's mind. Therefore, although Miss Gao's remarks were slightly exaggerated, no other students showed any doubt.

Jin Wucai knew why Miss Gao said so, thus she merely smiled without refuting. She followed her words and sincerely praised the section of calligraphy. Then the topic of discussion shifted to the most mysterious, yet attractive, aspect of the matter—Who wrote that section?

”Who wrote it?”

”So far, nobody knows. It is said that it appeared in the Imperial Study last spring. Then they searched in the palace for more than six months, and even those great calligraphers were asked about it. But nobody admitted to it.”

”Is it possible that it was written by the scholars that sell their calligraphy in the Scent Workshop? Don't look at me like that. Many heroes are from the wilderness and great talents tend to seclude themselves in the woods. Who dares to say that those scholars running calligraphy stalls can't write peerlessly excellent work?”

”It sounds right, but if it is really from some poor scholar selling calligraphy, how could he secretly put the section of calligraphy into the Imperial Study? If he does have such an ability, then he wouldn't be poor.”

”What a mystery! It is strange that the calligrapher does not stand up to admit it. You know, in view of the great appreciation from His Majesty and the disturbance he has made in the court, as long as he is willing to show up, no one will accuse him of what he did. Instead, a great wealth will await him ahead.”

Jin Wucai's thin eyebrows frowned slightly and then she said after a moment of silence, ”I feel that the calligrapher is probably secluded in some tiny calligraphy store in a street or an alley of Chang'an. Rumor has it that the calligrapher didn't appear after such a long effort of hunting in the palace. Probably he can't get the news from the place he is living in now, and the palace will certainly search for him in famous calligraphy and painting stores and the like in Chang'an. Then they can't think of such places at the moment.

”As for why that section of calligraphy could have been found in the Imperial Study, nobody knows.”

She then offered a possibility with a smile. ”Perhaps some minister cherishes a talent from a poor family, and took it secretly to the palace and deliberately left it in the Imperial Study to let His Majesty find it? But if so, he would have already made it clear.”

The other students all thought her words reasonable and responded with a smile, ”If it is really a small shop between the alleys, we can search for it after class. If we really find that calligrapher, maybe we can get a reward from the palace.”

Chen Zixian cowardly interrupted, ”I heard... Ning Que opened a small calligraphy and painting shop in Eastern City.”

The others stiffened at his words and then burst into laughter, finding it rather ridiculous. A student who was from Yang Guan and familiar with Zhong Dajun looked at the vanishing figure of Ning Que at the end of the rain-proof corridor and sneered, ”If that section of calligraphy in the Imperial Study was written by that guy, then I am willing to kiss his smelly foot!”

The study room was filled with laughter again.