"Alright..."
The beautiful host seemed to realize that Wan Yunting didn't want to say much more, so she took the microphone to interview Gu Luotang beside him. She was gentle and virtuous, pure and spotless. A slight smile made the many young talents below cheer and shout: "Fairy Luotang..."
Facing the enthusiastic cheers at the scene, Gu Luotang felt embarrassed. She slightly turned her face and glanced at the man beside her. She saw Wan Yunting nod, his lips curling into a proud smile...
Gu Luotang said a lot, but three out of every ten sentences were about Wan Yunting, praising his calligraphy and how good it was. In short, she had to praise her boyfriend to the skies...
After the interview, the beautiful host took the microphone and walked in front of Huangfu Hongfang, smiling, "Talented Scholar Huangfu, you won third place this time. Do you have anything to say?"
As a result, Huangfu Hongfang, whose anger had reached its peak, did not give the host a good look. He said coldly, "There's nothing to say."
...This speech confused the beautiful host again, but with her years of hosting experience, she could see the suppressed anger on Huangfu Hongfang's face, which was about to erupt. The host nodded and then moved to Huang Yao Dong. This fellow spoke excitedly, and finally said, "In conclusion, Brother Yunting's first place is well-deserved."
"Okay."
The host took the microphone to interview Ning Yuqing. She turned her head, her peach blossom eyes coldly glancing at Gu Luotang, and directly said, "Luotang, you won't be so lucky next time!"
This statement made Gu Luotang also turn her face slightly. Facing Ning Yuqing's cold gaze, she just nodded and said nothing.
The beautiful host also sensed a tense atmosphere and immediately took back the microphone to continue interviewing the next award winner...
But the crowd below saw Huangfu Hongfang and Ning Yuqing with gloomy faces and unconvinced expressions. Everyone was whispering and discussing animatedly. Some even shouted, "The competition is rigged, the first place should have been Huangfu Hongfang!"
"Wow, brother, you're amazing to dare to say that in this setting!"
People around them turned back and found that the person shouting was Wang Xiuwei, who had been scared to pee yesterday in the small tavern. He shouted angrily, "Wan Yunting's calligraphy is so rubbish, how can it compare to Huangfu Hongfang's? I must speak up for him!"
"Rigged, rigged, rigged..."
Immediately, the lackeys following Wang Xiuwei also shouted, which immediately caused discussion and pointing among others, pushing the atmosphere in the audience to a climax.
Since Wang Xiuwei and his group were in the audience, their commotion affected the host's interview on stage. Shen He, Liu Shuhuai, and others standing on the sides of the stage also had unsightly expressions. They looked at Wang Xiuwei and said, "What's going on with that person? Quickly call security to maintain order."
Liu Shuhuai immediately waved to have security guards stop Wang Xiuwei to prevent the situation from escalating...
"Isn't this the guy who was scared to pee at the small tavern last night!"
Then, among the crowd, a young scholar recognized Wang Xiuwei and shouted at him, "We were drinking at the ancient street tavern last night and happened to encounter young talent Wan. We witnessed the work he wrote in yesterday afternoon's competition, and he was scared to tears. Look, I even took a video..."
"Haha, I saw this video on Douyin too. After a closer look, it really is him!"
"Yo, isn't this Brother Wang? Was it really you who was scared to pee last night?"
A scholar who still recognized Wang Xiuwei asked him with a smile.
"Bah, you're the one who was scared to pee..."
Wang Xiuwei's face turned ugly and angry when he was recognized. He immediately cursed at the people around him. Someone was displeased, "Aren't you just Huangfu Hongfang's follower, coming here to cause trouble at the awards ceremony? And rigged? Do you think we're all fools!"
"Exactly, Huangfu Hongfang's work was originally not as good as young talent Wan's, and this was recognized by Elder Fan. Are you questioning Elder Fan?"
"Bah, what kind of thing are you, daring to question Elder Fan here, who do you think you are!"
"Scram, don't embarrass yourself here, get out quickly..."
Immediately, the young scholars around spat at Wang Xiuwei with every word. He trembled with anger, but with his single mouth, he couldn't contend with a group of people. In the end, they drove him out of the venue...
From this, it can be seen that the young talents and ladies present all believed that Wan Yunting's first place in this session of the Lanting Award Calligraphy Competition was well-deserved, the most just, and without any foul play.
Because they all agreed that his calligraphy was better than Huangfu Hongfang's.
Huangfu Hongfang on stage watched Wang Xiuwei and the others make such a scene, which made his face even more unsightly. Although he usually controlled his emotions well, not showing them, and hiding his thoughts deeply.
But at this moment, after suffering a series of blows, he could no longer control his anger. His entire face was extremely gloomy, his mouth twitched uncontrollably, and the sidelong glance at Wan Yunting was even colder.
"Heh heh."
How could Wan Yunting not feel Huangfu Hongfang's sharp and angry gaze? But he smiled dismissively, even turning back to give Huangfu Hongfang a provocative look and smile, almost making him unable to suppress the fire in his pressure cooker...
Fortunately, after the beautiful host finished interviewing everyone, she announced into the microphone, "Next, Chairman Shen and Vice Chairman Liu will present the awards to the winners..."
Then Shen He and Liu Shuhuai came up, followed by a line of tall young ladies in qinghua patterned qipaos holding certificates and crystal awards, with exquisite copper carvings of scholarly figures and delicate calligraphy on them. However, these were only for the winners from fourth place onwards.
The first, second, and third place winners naturally received different prizes.
Shen He and Liu Shuhuai presented certificates, awards, and flowers to the winners from fourth place onwards. After the presentation, Shen He took the microphone and said, "Now, please invite Mr. Fan to the stage to present the trophy to the first place winner!"
As Fan Liren took the stage, thunderous applause and cheers erupted from below. Fan Liren also smiled and waved to the audience, then came to Wan Yunting and Gu Luotang and smiled. Shen He then brought over a tray...
Fan Liren picked up a certificate, and Wan Yunting bent over to receive it, followed by a trophy. The base was made of crystal, but the top was carved with a jade sculpture of Wang Xizhi's head, and below it was carved the words "Lanting Award." This was precisely the trophy for first place, representing the highest honor.
The Lanting Award was not limited to calligraphy, but also included traditional Chinese painting, literature, thought, and more. Therefore, the Lanting Award had the highest gold content in the art world and was an affirmation of you.
"Thank you, Elder Fan..."
Wan Yunting smiled and thanked Elder Fan after receiving the trophy.
"Treat me to a drink later," Elder Fan whispered to him with a smile. Wan Yunting smiled and nodded.
Fan Liren also awarded Gu Luotang, also with a certificate and a plaque, but her plaque was also an exquisitely carved Hetian jade pendant...
When it came to Huangfu Hongfang, he received a certificate and a blue jade plaque. After Fan Liren presented it to him, he didn't even bother to say a word. As he turned, he smiled at Wan Yunting and Gu Luotang, and then went straight off the stage.
Facing Elder Fan's grim expression, Huangfu Hongfang's mouth twitched. Although he had endless anger in his heart, what did it matter? Even his grandfather's status in the art world could not compare to Fan Liren...
The Lanting Award ceremony thus concluded successfully. As soon as Wan Yunting stepped off the stage, he was surrounded by reporters and a group of young talents and ladies for over ten minutes of interviews. In the end, he couldn't even leave without the security guards protecting him...
"Congratulations, talented scholar Wan..."
As soon as Wan Yunting and Gu Luotang entered the cultural center, Chen Yun and a group of master judges congratulated him, making it seem as if they were welcoming a great figure. Wan Yunting also knew that these people were showing such enthusiasm because of his relationship with Elder Fan.
"Little Wan, Luotang, it's almost time, let's head straight to Purple Bamboo Tea Garden."
At this time, Cao Hui and Wang Minzhi returned after using the restroom with Fan Liren and called out to him with a smile.
"Okay."
Wan Yunting nodded, then called Fang Guowen and Hu Tianchi, as well as Shen He and Liu Shuhuai, and the group of master judges to go to Purple Bamboo Tea Garden for celebration. It was also a reward for their hard work for two days and the successful conclusion of this year's Lanting Award.
When the talents and ladies outside heard that Wan Yunting and Elder Fan were going to Purple Bamboo Tea Garden, a group of them also hurried towards that direction...
At this time, at Purple Bamboo Tea Garden, Tang Boyun was drinking tea and chatting with several local wealthy merchants in a reception room. He had already instructed the head steward, Old Zhang, to prepare the lunch banquet, and was now waiting for Wan Yunting and Elder Fan to arrive.
At this moment, head steward Old Zhang came in and said, "Mr. Tang, Elder Fan and Mr. Wan have arrived."
"They're here, good, let's go out to welcome them..."
Tang Boyun got up, called the other wealthy merchants, and they all went outside towards the entrance gate of Purple Bamboo Tea Garden. They saw Wan Yunting and Gu Luotang, along with Qi Miaomiao, Huang Yao Dong and Zhao Yushi, Lin Yushu and Hou Xuesong, following Elder Fan, Cao Hui, and Wang Minzhi. Fang Guowen, Hu Tianchi, Shen He, Liu Shuhuai, and the group of judges were also following, led by several beautiful waitresses, entering Purple Bamboo Tea Garden together...
Of course, Yuan Deyou, Huangfu Hongfang, and Ning Yuqing naturally did not come. However, other top ten award-winning talents and ladies also came, and at the same time, many young talents and ladies were gathered at the scene, with many people watching the excitement...
"Elder Fan, Elder Cao, Elder Wang, you've finally arrived."
Tang Boyun, who came out with several merchant friends, cupped his fists and greeted Elder Fan and the others heartily, then smiled at Wan Yunting and Gu Luotang, "Congratulations, Brother Wan! I told you you could win first place in this Lanting Award. The food and wine banquet is ready for you. Let's all go and start the feast."
Wan Yunting nodded and smiled, "Thank you, Brother Tang, for your warm hospitality."
"Haha, Brother Wan, you're too polite. If you really want to thank me, after the banquet, go up to the fifth floor of Jubao Pavilion and write me a few more calligraphy pieces." Tang Boyun patted Wan Yunting on the shoulder and led them, along with Elder Fan and his group, into the building ahead. The banquet was held in the Juyue Hall on the second floor.
Fan Liren also became spirited and said with a smile, "Little Tang, Little Wan's calligraphy is hard to come by nowadays!"
"Oh, that's natural."
Tang Boyun nodded and smiled, "Our Brother Wan is now famous overnight. People outside call him a calligraphy god and the Immortal of Calligraphy. His handwriting frightens gods and ghosts." Hearing this description, Wan Yunting smiled and self-deprecatingly said, "Does this make me sound like a master of drawing talismans and catching ghosts?"
"Hahaha..."
This remark made everyone present burst into laughter.
As Tang Boyun led everyone into the Juyue Hall, two giant dining tables, each seating forty people. Therefore, Chen Yun and the group of master judges sat at one table, while Wan Yunting, Elder Fan, and their group sat at another. Fang Guowen, Hu Tianchi, Shen He, and Liu Shuhuai were also among them.
It was an extreme honor to dine at the same table as Fan Liren...