"Within the wall, a swing; outside the wall, a road. Outside the wall, passersby; inside the wall, a beauty laughs. The laughter gradually fades, the sounds grow quiet, yet a doting heart is vexed by indifference."
Gu Luotang, standing to Wan Yunting's right, slowly recited this poem, "Butterfly Loves Flowers," by Su Shi. Wan Yunting then put down his brush, looking at his calligraphy in the "Slender Gold" style with great satisfaction. Perhaps it was the wine he had shared with his second brother tonight, still lingering.
Thus, his "Slender Gold" calligraphy exuded a sense of freedom and unrestrained heroic sword energy, unlike the medicinal prescriptions he usually wrote.
"Good characters, truly good characters…"
Fang Guowen and Hu Tianchi, standing to Wan Yunting's left, could not help but applaud and praise his "Slender Gold" calligraphy. The other masters around them also nodded in admiration.
After all, everyone present were literati and scholars. Even those who did not understand calligraphy could feel a regal bearing from Wan Yunting's "Slender Gold" style.
"Everyone, what do you think?"
Fang Guowen turned to Liang Hongda, Huangfu Hongfang, Gao Jiaxu, and other prominent figures from the Literature Association, pointing to the "Slender Gold" calligraphy on the table drying ink. "Old Liang, Old Wang, do you have any comments? Why not offer a critique on Young Wan's piece?"
These words were clearly directed at Liang Hongda and his group. Exchanging glances, Master Wang awkwardly shook his head, "Critique is too much to ask. After all, we don't specialize in the 'Slender Gold' style. It's best if Chairman Fang and Chairman Hu lead the way."
"Indeed, to imbue the 'Slender Gold' style with such magnificent momentum is something I've never witnessed before…"
At this moment, other renowned calligraphers from the Huadu Literature Association all nodded in agreement. It wasn't out of deference to Fang Guowen or flattery towards Wan Yunting, but rather that his "Slender Gold" calligraphy was genuinely excellent.
"Now, in comparison, Huangfu Hongfang's 'Slender Gold' seems rather weak, lacking any momentum whatsoever…"
"Shh, speak a little softer…"
From behind the crowd of onlookers, a few young men and women whispered amongst themselves. However, these words reached Huangfu Hongfang's ears like piercing thorns, striking his proud heart.
Although he was unwilling to admit it, he had to concede that Wan Yunting's "Slender Gold" calligraphy possessed a righteous and dignified, regal essence.
This was precisely what Huangfu Hongfang lacked, causing his gaze towards Wan Yunting to darken. He hadn't expected Huadu to produce such a talent, not only receiving the admiration of Fang Guowen and others, but more importantly, the girl he admired had her eyes solely on this fellow.
As the acknowledged prodigy of the Huadu Literature Association, seeing someone of his own age who could write such superb calligraphy was an affront to the proud Huangfu Hongfang.
"The characters are good, but the sharpness is too exposed, which is not necessarily a good thing!"
Liang Hongda cast a glance at the characters on the table. Perhaps unable to bear Fang Guowen's smugness, he remarked sarcastically, "Just like in life, being too sharp in your conduct will only invite disaster. As for us calligraphers, our characters should be round and upright, possessing restraint and subtlety. Therefore, this is what we should be learning!"
At his words, the surrounding crowd fell silent, their gazes fixed on Wan Yunting, who stood beside Gu Luotang and Fang Guowen. He chuckled upon hearing this, wondering who this Liang Hongda was.
"Indeed, we Chinese people should indeed be more reserved and restrained in our conduct."
Master Wang, belonging to Liang Hongda's faction, pointed to Huangfu Hongfang's "Slender Gold" calligraphy hanging nearby. "I, for one, feel that Hongfang's 'Slender Gold' is more in line with our aesthetic. His brushstrokes have momentum, yet they are concealed, not overtly sharp. Therefore, I lean more towards Hongfang's 'Slender Gold'!"
"Yes, I also find Hongfang's 'Slender Gold' more visually appealing…"
In an instant, many in the crowd chimed in, echoing Liang Hongda and Master Wang, all praising Huangfu Hongfang's "Slender Gold" calligraphy as superior to Wan Yunting's.
Gu Luotang frowned slightly, surprised that Vice Chairman Liang would compare Wan Yunting's "Slender Gold" with Huangfu Hongfang's.
"Who wrote that 'Slender Gold' piece?"
Wan Yunting, not knowing any Huangfu Hongfang, asked Gu Luotang curiously.
"It's him!"
Qi Miaomiao pointed to Huangfu Hongfang, who stood beside them, dressed in white robes, exuding an elegant demeanor. Wan Yunting acknowledged with an "oh" and smiled without speaking further.
Although this person appeared gentle and polite, Wan Yunting's intuition told him that Huangfu Hongfang was quite calculating!
"I say, Old Wang, you specialize in running script. Do you truly understand the essence of the 'Slender Gold' style?"
Seeing Liang Hongda and his group declare Wan Yunting's "Slender Gold" inferior to Huangfu Hongfang's, Fang Guowen chuckled in exasperation. "I'm not saying Hongfang writes poorly, but compared to the 'Slender Gold' that Little Wan wrote, his still lacks sharp momentum!"
"Are you saying Hongfang is inferior to him then!"
Liang Hongda pointed at Wan Yunting and grinned sinisterly at Fang Guowen.
This caused the surrounding crowd to look at Fang Guowen, aware that Liang Hongda was trying to sow discord between him and the Huangfu family!
After all, Huangfu Hongfang's grandfather, Huangfu Xueyi, was the former president of the Huadu Literature Association. Even if Huangfu Hongfang's calligraphy were terrible, people would still offer praise out of respect for his grandfather.
And now, Fang Guowen publicly stating that his "Slender Gold" was not as good as Wan Yunting's would naturally be interpreted differently by those with ulterior motives!
"Old Liang, you're fabricating things out of thin air!"
Fang Guowen glanced at him and snorted coldly, knowing what this old rascal Liang Hongda was up to.
"Alright, the two chairmen…"
At this moment, Huangfu Hongfang stepped forward, quickly intervening between Fang Guowen and Liang Hongda. He smiled magnanimously, "My 'Slender Gold' calligraphy is indeed not as artistic as Mr. Wan's. I admit defeat and am deeply impressed!"
His words shifted the prevailing sentiment. Everyone felt that Huangfu Hongfang possessed great magnanimity. Even if he was not as skilled, he generously admitted it and even bowed to Wan Yunting with a smile, "Mr. Wan, I hope there will be an opportunity in the future for me to learn the 'Slender Gold' style from you."
Facing this polite young man, Wan Yunting smiled impassively and nodded, thinking that this Huangfu Hongfang was quite a strategist!
With Huangfu Hongfang having said this, Liang Hongda and his group no longer argued with Fang Guowen and turned to leave.
"Truly good characters."
Hu Tianchi, standing nearby, eagerly picked up the poem "Butterfly Loves Flowers" written by Wan Yunting, his eyes brimming with admiration. He exclaimed excitedly, "This is the first time I've seen 'Slender Gold' written with such a regal bearing, comparable to Emperor Huizong of Song."
"What do you say, Old Hu? Didn't I tell you?" Fang Guowen smiled.
Those who remained were calligraphy masters with a particular fondness for the "Slender Gold" style, and they all began to praise it.
Even Huangfu Hongfang and Gao Jiaxu stayed behind to ask Wan Yunting for advice: "Mr. Wan, how long have you been practicing the 'Slender Gold' style?"
"How long…"
Wan Yunting pondered for a moment before smiling at everyone, "About two to three years."
"What, two to three years…"
Hu Tianchi and the others stared in disbelief, looking at him with wide eyes. Wan Yunting shrugged and nodded with a smile, "Yes, I learned it in prison."
Anyone who knew him knew that he had only been released from prison last month.
"Truly, truly a prodigy."
Hu Tianchi and the others, after recovering from their shock, expressed their amazement and admiration. After all, most of them had spent more than ten, even decades, practicing, yet they had still not managed to capture the essence and momentum of the "Slender Gold" style.
But here was Wan Yunting, having only practiced for two to three years, capable of writing "Slender Gold" with a regal aura comparable to Emperor Huizong of Song. How could this not move and impress these literati and calligraphy masters with his talent…
Even Huangfu Hongfang felt a pang of envy. He had been practicing traditional Chinese painting and calligraphy under his grandfather since childhood, and had even studied the "Slender Gold" style under Elder Yuan from the capital for several years to achieve his current results.
Compared to Wan Yunting, he felt like a useless individual.
Indeed, comparing oneself to others could be infuriating…