"Hmm, it's truly written very well, with the style of Emperor Huizong of Song!"
Upon seeing Huangfu Hongfang's work, many judges on the panel began to praise it.
"Not bad, not bad. I think this Slender Gold script written by Mr. Yuan's student is even better than the previous contestant's. It not only has both momentum and spirit, but the characters are also neat and the brushstrokes are experienced. It's clear he's put in a lot of hard work!"
A slightly overweight middle-aged judge glanced at Yuan Deyou and deliberately praised him loudly.
"Yes, I heard that Huangfu Hongfang also went into seclusion with Mr. Yuan for a period. Now that he can produce such excellent work, it seems to be all thanks to Mr. Yuan."
"That's a given. After all, Mr. Yuan has been researching the Slender Gold script for a long time. If anyone has the most authoritative evaluation of Slender Gold calligraphy, it's him. And how could his personally taught students be subpar!" Another judge echoed the others, flattering Yuan Deyou incessantly.
This caused Fang Guowen and Hu Tianchi, sitting beside him, to frown deeply, but they did not voice any objections!
"Heh heh, you flatter me."
Yuan Deyou, seated between Shen He and Liu Shuhuai, nodded and assumed an arrogant posture upon hearing the praise from those around him and behind him. Pointing at Huangfu Hongfang below, he chuckled, "This child Hongfang, both in painting and calligraphy, is a natural talent. He grasps things instantly, especially his research on the Slender Gold script. He has put in a lot of effort. As his teacher, I am also very pleased with his achievements."
"Naturally..."
Those flattering him from behind nodded in agreement and said with a smile, "Mr. Yuan's student is truly a dark horse in this competition. He might even win first place."
"I think based on this Slender Gold script work alone, it's worthy of first place!" the slightly overweight middle-aged man declared loudly.
This remark made Yuan Deyou chuckle, then he waved his hand and said, "It's too early to conclude whether it's first place. After all, it has to be judged fairly by everyone before the first place is decided. So, please don't praise him too much, lest the child becomes proud and complacent."
"Yes, yes, Mr. Yuan, you are right..."
"It seems Mr. Yuan really favors this student..."
Those behind him quickly spoke more pleasant words, causing Yuan Deyou to nod, his old face beaming with pride as he incessantly praised Huangfu Hongfang...
Shen He and Liu Shuhuai, sitting on either side of him, simply smiled along but remained silent. Both of them knew the situation clearly...
However, Fang Guowen and Hu Tianchi, seated in the second row behind them, had grim and displeased expressions. Although they had expected such a result, encountering it in reality still made them angry.
What fairness? What a joke! It's all decided by you, Yuan Deyou!
Because anyone with a fair eye among the judges could see that Wan Yunting's Slender Gold script work was superior to Huangfu Hongfang's.
But simply because Huangfu Hongfang was Yuan Deyou's star disciple, Fang Guowen and Hu Tianchi could only swallow their anger and dared not voice any opposition. Offending Yuan Deyou would make it almost impossible for them to continue in the art world!
"Time's up, the first round of the competition has ended. All contestants, please leave your seats..."
As the twenty minutes concluded, Liu Shuhuai, the Vice Chairman of the Art Association, stood up with a microphone and announced, while also instructing the supervising teachers to collect the contestants' written works for the judges to evaluate and select the outstanding pieces for the top one hundred.
Wan Yunting's work, along with Huangfu Hongfang's and Gu Luotang's, were the first to be selected. Qi Miaomiao's work was eliminated. Although the girl's handwriting was decent and impressive to ordinary people,
in the context of such a large-scale national calligraphy competition, her work was insignificant compared to others.
However, Qi Miaomiao didn't mind. She wasn't particularly interested in calligraphy in the first place. If it weren't for her master forcing her to learn, she wouldn't even be practicing brush calligraphy. This time, she had come solely to accompany Wan Yunting and Gu Luotang in the competition.
"Brother Yunting, I truly didn't expect your Slender Gold script calligraphy to be so exquisitely brilliant. I truly admire you."
Huang Yaodong, Zhao Yushi, Lin Yushu, and Hou Xuesong approached Wan Yunting and Gu Luotang, all offering praise.
"It would be even better if we could witness Brother Yunting's work up close."
Lin Yushu was also excited because he had a keen interest in the Slender Gold script and studied it regularly but couldn't write it to his satisfaction.
However, seeing Wan Yunting's Slender Gold script calligraphy greatly shocked Lin Yushu, and he immediately recognized it as the Slender Gold script he had envisioned.
"Yes, the shots on the big screen are a bit distant and not very clear. I wonder if we'll have a chance to see Brother Yunting's masterpiece in person later?" Hou Xuesong also asked excitedly.
Wan Yunting clasped his hands in greeting to them and smiled, "Thank you all for your compliments. After you finish your competition, let's find a place for some tea, and I'll write for everyone."
"That would be excellent."
Huang Yaodong nodded and smiled, "Coincidentally, we haven't been to the Purple Bamboo Tea Garden for a while. Let's go there for lunch and tea after our competition."
"Okay."
Qi Miaomiao couldn't help but lick her lips upon hearing that they were going to the Purple Bamboo Tea Garden. She said, "The mung bean cakes at the Purple Bamboo Tea Garden are delicious."
"Heh heh, Miaomiao, you only think about food," Zhao Yushi said with a delicate laugh.
"What else?"
Qi Miaomiao proudly lifted her chin and smiled dismissively, "Unlike you all, who want to be talented scholars and literati, I only care about having food."
"Haha..."
This remark made Lin Yushu and Hou Xuesong burst into laughter. The atmosphere was harmonious and relaxed, and everyone quickly became acquainted.
Wan Yunting and Gu Luotang continued to watch the second round of the competition, which also featured one hundred contestants entering, with twenty minutes for creation...
The cameras on the big screen also focused on close-ups of the contestants' works, and several people's writings were found to be excellent, causing a stir among the other contestants present.
After all, the Lanting Award is the highest award in China's art community. The contestants selected to enter the live competition are naturally the most elite calligraphy enthusiasts and literati from all over the country, with no age limit. Some elderly people in their sixties and seventies were even seen participating.
However, the majority were still young and middle-aged people, as some elderly people, due to their advanced age, no longer pursued certain things. Only those who were very persistent would risk being ridiculed to participate in a live calligraphy competition...
"We've also seen Huangfu Hongfang's work."
Huang Yaodong turned to Wan Yunting and said with a smile, "But we still think Brother Yunting's Slender Gold script calligraphy is superior!"
"Yes."
Lin Yushu nodded. Fanning himself with his folding fan, he said, "Brother Yunting's calligraphy exudes a kingly demeanor, comparable to Emperor Huizong of Song reincarnated. While Huangfu Hongfang's work also has momentum, his brushstrokes are thin and lack spirit, missing that kind of divine charm and momentum, naturally incomparable to Brother Yunting's work. I even feel that your work exudes a very special divine charm!"
"Yes, I noticed that too..."
Hou Xuesong nodded in agreement, but they didn't know how to describe the special divine charm emanating from Wan Yunting's calligraphy.
"In short, it's enough that Brother Yunting's calligraphy utterly surpasses Huangfu Hongfang." Huang Yaodong waved his hand and laughed heartily.
Lin Yushu and Hou Xuesong nodded with smiles, then Zhao Yushi raised an eyebrow and said, "If there's no foul play, with Brother Yunting's work, he should be a dark horse!"
This statement startled Lin Yushu and Hou Xuesong, and Huang Yaodong also nodded, frowning. "The chief judge for this year's Lanting Award calligraphy competition is Yuan Deyou!"
"Alas..."
Lin Yushu and Hou Xuesong sighed.
"It doesn't matter."
Wan Yunting knew what they were implying and waved his hand with a smile, "I don't care anyway. Even if Huangfu Hongfang wins first place in the end, everyone will know it's through his teacher's connections!"
"Yes, Brother Yunting is right."
Hou Xuesong nodded and smiled, "The audience's eyes are discerning, as the saying goes. Even if they can distort the truth, they cannot change the public's perception. Even if Huangfu Hongfang wins first place through Yuan Deyou, it won't be glorious."
"Haha, precisely."
Huang Yaodong nodded with a smile and turned to Wan Yunting, saying, "It's a pity you don't mingle in our art circle, Brother Yunting. With your calligraphy, you could definitely stir up the art world."
Wan Yunting smiled and shook his head, waving his hands at these words. "I won't join your circle. I'd rather focus on practicing medicine and treating illnesses; that's my real profession."
"Speaking of which, Brother Yunting, I haven't been sleeping well lately. Perhaps you could examine me?"
Immediately, Hou Xuesong extended his wrist. Wan Yunting laughed, "No need to take your pulse. You're just depleted. Go buy some Shenbao Pian and take it for two courses of treatment."
...Hou Xuesong's expression froze on the spot.
"Hahahaha..."
Huang Yaodong and Lin Yushu burst into laughter. However, Wan Yunting pointed at him and said with a laugh, "I'm just kidding. But Brother Huang, you are truly depleted. While romantic adventures are enjoyable, you must also take care of your health."
"Hahahaha..."
Now it was Hou Xuesong and Lin Yushu's turn to burst into laughter. Huang Yaodong looked embarrassed, and Zhao Yushi's pretty face flushed with shyness. Clearly, this pair of lovers were deeply affectionate...