Chapter 75: Li Yuanjing's Two Couplets

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In truth, Liu Yun had allocated a thousand taels for Liu Haoran to request a piece of calligraphy from Li Yuanjing.

After all, Murong Kai had repeatedly said that Li Yuanjing's poem, "If Only Life Were As It Was At First Sight," was worth its weight in gold.

Liu Yun, seasoned and shrewd, naturally knew that some expenditures could not be spared.

However, Liu Haoran, foolish as he was, had ideas quite different from his father's. If he could get the job done with fifty taels and pocket the remaining nine hundred and fifty, it would be more than enough for him to indulge at the brothel for a good long while—how could he resist?

"This..."

"Liu brother, to be honest, I've been preoccupied with trivial matters lately and really don't have the energy to compose poetry..." Li Yuanjing, unaware of Liu Haoran's petty scheming, had already devised a plan to extricate himself, especially regarding his obligations to Zhao Bingchun.

"No poetry? That..."

Liu Haoran frowned, hurriedly saying, "Yuanjing brother, do you think my sincerity is lacking?"

He gritted his teeth: "Then, Yuanjing brother, how about I offer one hundred taels?"

Seeing Liu Haoran's face flushed with pain at the thought, Li Yuanjing couldn't help but laugh inwardly.

He understood Liu Haoran's game by now—undoubtedly he'd taken a cut from his father Liu Yun.

Still, though he could easily swindle more silver from Liu Haoran, that would be beneath him.

One must know: people like Liu Haoran may not accomplish much, but they certainly have a knack for ruining things.

If he was willing to bleed for a hundred taels, it wasn't a paltry sum. Better to use this opportunity to grant him some face.

Seeing Liu Haoran, about to raise the price again, his face almost purple, Li Yuanjing quickly feigned delight and said, "Liu brother, such generosity! Since you value me so highly, how can I not reciprocate?"

He then called Zhang Kun and Zhuzi from outside to prepare the ink and paper, smiling at Liu Haoran: "Liu brother, though I haven't written any poetry lately, I have thought of a couplet that serves as my personal motto. Let me write it for you and ask your opinion."

"This..."

Liu Haoran was instantly elated, his liver-colored face brightening as he praised, "In that case, I shall enjoy Yuanjing brother's masterpiece to the fullest."

Li Yuanjing wasted no time. Adjusting himself slightly, he wrote in one breath a timeless, classic motto:

"Black hair fails to value diligent study early; white heads regret reading too late."

And he used the elegant, slender-gold script, a favorite for impressing others.

"This..."

Liu Haoran, upon seeing Li Yuanjing's calligraphy, couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.

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Though a playboy, his academic prowess was no better than Li Yuanjing's former self, but as a scholar, he had some appreciation. He immediately recognized the extraordinary quality of Li Yuanjing's work.

His hundred taels were absolutely worth it!

He bowed repeatedly to Li Yuanjing, exclaiming, "Yuanjing brother, such talent! I am truly impressed..."

Meanwhile, through the crack in the window, Chen Chuxue watched Li Yuanjing's fluid, unbroken strokes, her beautiful eyes gleaming with admiration.

Her gaze upon Li Yuanjing was now filled with undisguised reverence.

She had long known of his exceptional talent, but never witnessed it firsthand. Now, seeing it for herself, she realized the rumors were not only true, but had greatly underestimated him.

Just this piece alone could make him famous throughout the entire Da Qian.

...

After sending off the excited Liu Haoran and safely storing the hundred taels he'd virtually acquired for nothing, Li Yuanjing smiled and beckoned to Chen Chuxue, "Come, Miss Chen, help me grind the ink."

Having Chen Chuxue do it was far more pleasant than Zhang Kun and Zhuzi, those rough fellows.

"Yes, right away!"

Chen Chuxue, delighted, hurried to assist.

Li Yuanjing laid out a fresh sheet of paper, paused in thought, then wrote with graceful flourish another couplet:

"The sound of wind, the sound of rain, the sound of reading—every sound enters the ear. Affairs of state, affairs of family, affairs of the world—every matter concerns the heart!"

"This..."

"Thud!"

"Master is truly talented, truly talented..."

Mu Ran, seeing Li Yuanjing produce yet another couplet of such complexity in moments—one she could not fully grasp but knew was extraordinary—was utterly stunned.

Especially the slender-gold script, so swift and ethereal, that Chen Chuxue was left speechless, unable to describe her feelings. She simply dropped to her knees, expressing her admiration in the only way she could.

Even Zhang Kun and Zhuzi, unable to appreciate the meaning, saw Chen Chuxue's reaction and knew Li Yuanjing's calligraphy must be powerful, gazing at him with deep respect and awe.

"Miss Chen, what are you doing? Please rise, the floor is cold."

Li Yuanjing feigned concern as he helped her up, but inwardly was immensely satisfied.

He seemed to have made another dazzling impression...

Soon recovering, Li Yuanjing waited for the ink to dry, then called to Zhang Kun, "Brother Zhang, please take this piece to the county office and deliver it to Magistrate Zhao!"

"Yes, right away."

...

"Black hair fails to value diligent study early; white heads regret reading too late?"

"What a poem, what a poem!"

"Who could imagine—a mere impoverished scholar could write such profound insight. No wonder even Master Murong praises him so highly!"

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In the city,

At the Liu family mansion,

When Liu Yun saw the calligraphy Liu Haoran had brought back from Li Yuanjing, he was overjoyed, repeatedly praising it and cherishing it dearly.

He quickly instructed Liu Haoran, "Haoran, listen well. From now on, you must maintain a good relationship with Li Yuanjing. It will be of great benefit to your future, do you understand?"

Liu Haoran was poor at studies, but he was shrewd in social matters. He hurriedly bowed and replied, "Yes, yes, Father, I understand."

"Good. As long as you understand."

Liu Yun stroked his beard vigorously, unable to part with Li Yuanjing's work, and ordered, "Someone, immediately send word to Iron Ox Town, and speak well with Philanthropist Xue. Also, prepare a horse—I must hurry to Qizhou tonight!"

"Yes!"

Seeing his father arrange everything and personally frame the calligraphy, Liu Haoran couldn't help but smirk.

Who would have thought...

That poor wretch Li Yuanjing had finally turned his luck...

Father clearly intended to take this piece to Qizhou to impress others...

But Liu Haoran quickly realized,

He had already pocketed nine hundred taels from this affair, and Li Yuanjing was respectful to him. What was there to be dissatisfied about?

He patiently assisted Liu Yun with the framing, waiting for his father to finish and leave Feng City, so he could finally enjoy himself at the brothel.

...

Not long after,

At the county office, Magistrate Zhao Bingchun received Li Yuanjing's "Wind and Rain" couplet and was astounded, repeatedly praising it.

He had always known of Li Yuanjing's talent, but never imagined—Li Yuanjing truly had the ability to compose masterpieces effortlessly.

Especially his calligraphy, the slender-gold style even more refined than before, dazzling and elegant.

Though he wished for a poem from Li Yuanjing to further curry favor with Murong Kai and the Murong family, Zhao Bingchun knew,

Such things require inspiration and cannot be forced.

This couplet, at least, would help him secure his promotion.

When he left office, he could use this opportunity to request another piece from Li Yuanjing.

In this way,

Even at his new post, he would have something to impress others, and could use the calligraphy to curry favor with superiors. How wonderful!

After pondering for a while, Zhao Bingchun composed himself and summoned the servants outside,

"Go."

"Call the assistant magistrate, the county captain, and the registrar. Tell them I have important matters to discuss!"

"Yes..."