“Sister Luo Tang, Vice Chairman Liang and the others are admiring the calligraphy and paintings of some talented scholars in the pavilion. Shall we go take a look too?” Huangfu Hongfang, who had straightened up, said with a smile to Gu Luotang.
In the large pavilion in the center of the artificial lake, a group of people had gathered. Liang Hongda and the other leaders of the Writers Association were admiring the calligraphy and paintings of some young people from the association.
After all, the biggest feature of the Mid-Autumn Festival gala, besides the lantern riddles and drinking gatherings, was to appreciate the paintings of other masters, perhaps from the younger generation of the Writers Association. These were hung in the pavilion for everyone to admire and for the masters to offer guidance.
Gu Luotang frowned slightly. She was hesitant, frequently checking her phone. It was almost ten o'clock, and Wan Yunting still hadn't arrived, which left her feeling a bit disappointed.
“Sister Luo Tang?”
Seeing her lost in thought, Huangfu Hongfang called out. Gu Luotang came back to her senses, nodded slightly, and then followed by Qi Miaomiao, walked towards the pavilion in the lake with Huangfu Hongfang, Gao Mingxu, and the others.
“What a talented scholar with a beautiful lady! Huangfu Hongfang and the talented Gu Luotang are truly a match made in heaven!”
“Yes, it’s truly enviable and makes one jealous…”
The other young men and women around, seeing the graceful Huangfu Hongfang and the beautiful and elegant Gu Luotang walking together, sighed with envy.
“Not bad, not bad. Young Sun, is this ‘Prosperity Abounding’ your painting?”
At this moment, Liang Hongda and the other leaders of the Writers Association were looking at a masterpiece by a young man from the association named Sun, nodding and praising him as they commented, “Your meticulous painting of ‘Prosperity Abounding’ this year is much improved compared to last year’s.”
“Indeed, the overall conception is excellent, and the brushwork is neat. These lychees are very three-dimensional and full, and the color layering is also very good. It’s a fine painting…” another elder surnamed Wang echoed the comments.
“Thank you, Vice Chairman Liang, Master Wang, for your点评…”
The young man surnamed Sun was very excited to receive recognition from Liang Hongda and the others.
“Who wrote this running script calligraphy?”
Liang Hongda and the others continued to look at the next calligraphy piece. A young man immediately raised his hand to indicate it was his work. However, Liang Hongda and the others shook their heads, saying, “Your running script still needs more practice, especially the brushwork and force. Your basic skills are not yet solid. You should go back and practice more.”
“Okay, thank you, Vice Chairman Liang…”
Liang Hongda and the others nodded and continued to give comments on the next piece of calligraphy and painting by the younger generation.
“Everyone is very enthusiastic this year, bringing out so many calligraphy and painting works. Sister Luo Tang, what do you think of this ‘Noble Character in High Winds’?”
Huangfu Hongfang, who had entered with Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao, immediately pointed to a painting and asked.
“Hmm, very good…”
Gu Luotang, preoccupied, replied perfunctorily.
Sensing this, Huangfu Hongfang felt a bit puzzled about Gu Luotang’s mood tonight. He wondered why she was so unenthusiastic and asked, “Sister Luo Tang, are you feeling unwell?”
“No.”
Gu Luotang shook her head slightly. Qi Miaomiao next to her chuckled, knowing full well that her senior sister was thinking of Wan Yunting.
“President Fang is here…”
At this moment, someone shouted. Huangfu Hongfang, Gu Luotang and the others, as well as Liang Hongda and the others who were commenting on the younger generation’s calligraphy and paintings, all turned their heads. They saw a man dressed in a gray Tang suit, chatting and laughing with several men of similar age, as people around them bowed and greeted, “President Fang…”
“Good, good, good. Everyone has arrived…”
Fang Guowen had a smile on his face. He was in a very good mood tonight. One reason was the death of Han Anhong, and the other was that Wan Yunting was already on his way!
“Uncle Fang, Mr. Hu…”
Huangfu Hongfang immediately stepped forward and politely greeted Fang Guowen and another man beside him.
This man was Hu Tianchi, the president of the Eastern City Writers Association. He was a representative figure of the modern Lingnan School of painting and belonged to the master level. Fang Guowen had specifically invited him to attend this evening’s event.
Moreover, Hu Tianchi was also highly accomplished in calligraphy, and his favorite was the Slim Gold Script!
Hu Tianchi heard Fang Guowen mention that he knew a young man who wrote the Slim Gold Script, and that his Slim Gold Script was comparable to Emperor Huizong of Song. This piqued Hu Tianchi’s interest, which was why he had rushed over tonight, wanting to see if it was as good as Fang Guowen said.
“President Fang…”
Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao also bowed slightly. Fang Guowen nodded and smiled, saying, “Hongfang and Luotang are both here. Good, Brother Hu, let me introduce you. These two are the outstanding talents of the younger generation in our Huadu.”
“Mm.”
Hu Tianchi, who had a goatee, nodded and pointed at Gu Luotang, smiling, “Last time I was unwell, I specifically went to see Elder Gu. It turned out his granddaughter treated me. Later, I learned that she was the talented Gu Luotang of your Writers Association.”
“As for this talented young man, he must be the grandson of Old Mr. Huangfu, right?”
“Yes, President Hu.”
Huangfu Hongfang nodded, smiling respectfully at Hu Tianchi, “I have always admired your paintings, especially the ‘Prosperous and Peaceful Jiangshan’ that won the National Calligraphy and Painting Competition. It is magnificent, grand, and reached the pinnacle. It is a role model for us juniors.”
“Yes…”
Gao Jiaxu and other young people immediately chimed in with agreement.
“Those are all past matters.” Hu Tianchi waved his hand with a smile.
“Hongfang, didn’t you paint a masterpiece that you wanted Master Hu to critique? Hurry and take it out for everyone to see.” Liang Hongda and the others walked over.
“Alright.”
Huangfu Hongfang nodded, took the wooden box from Gao Jiaxu, opened it, and took out a scroll. Judging by the quality of the paper alone, it was not something ordinary people could afford.
“Mr. Hu, I hope you will give me your comments.”
Huangfu Hongfang and Gao Mingxu together unfolded their landscape painting, hanging it in front of everyone for their appreciation and guidance.
This was a grand landscape painting of ‘Purple Qi Coming from the East.’ It was large, with an overall majestic style. Fang Guowen, Hu Tianchi, Liang Hongda, and other literati and esteemed guests all nodded and said, “Not bad, not bad. The overall style is very grand.”
“Especially the mountains, they highlight the magnificence of our Chinese mountains and rivers. And the forests are beautiful, with overlapping sea of clouds. Your painting technique is very good. Did you use overlapping brushstrokes?”
“Yes.”
Huangfu Hongfang nodded and said modestly with a smile, “This painting is based on your ‘Prosperous and Peaceful Jiangshan’ and borrows many elements from it. I hope Mr. Hu will not laugh at me.”
“No, no…”
Hu Tianchi shook his head and smiled, saying, “Your painting is very well done. Especially this overlapping technique, it is already better than mine.”
“Truly, the student surpasses the master.” Fang Guowen laughed.
“Indeed, you are worthy of being the grandson of the foremost painter of our Lingnan School. Hongfang, your ‘Purple Qi Coming from the East’ is no less than your grandfather’s.” Liang Hongda seized the opportunity to flatter Huangfu Hongfang, causing him to shake his head modestly and smile, “Uncle Liang is praising me too much. I am still far from my grandfather’s level.”
“It’s already very good.”
Hu Tianchi smiled. Although this young man’s painting was very good, considered an outstanding talent among the younger generation, it was not yet at the top tier. As for comparing him to his grandfather Huangfu Xueyi, Huangfu Hongfang was still far behind. It might take him another ten years of effort to potentially reach that level.
“Thank you, Mr. Hu, Uncle Fang, Uncle Liang, for your comments. I will work harder in the future and produce better works.” Huangfu Hongfang bowed respectfully to the literary giants present and thanked them.
Fang Guowen waved his hand and then asked Gu Luotang, “Luotang, did you not bring any works this year?”
Gu Luotang shook her head slightly, “I’ve been quite busy recently, so I didn’t have time to produce any works.”
“It’s alright.”
Fang Guowen smiled and said, “When you have new works, bring them out for everyone to appreciate and critique.”
“Okay.”
Gu Luotang nodded distractedly.
Just then, Liang Hongda said again, “Hongfang, do you have any calligraphy works?”