Qiu Yizi felt strange, so she smiled and asked softly, "Sir, what are you doing?"
Unexpectedly, this "Mr. Bansong" was not asleep, but did not even open his eyes, and said: "I am drying books!"
Qiu Yizi was also an extremely smart person. He guessed that what he meant was that he was full of knowledge and that as long as he exposed his belly to the sun, it would be considered as drying books. So he smiled and said, "Since you want to dry books, why don't you do it when the sun is strong? Why wait until now when the sun sets?"
When Mr. Bansong heard someone answer his codeword without thinking, he finally opened half of his eyes, glanced at Qiu Yi, then closed his eyes and said, "What do you know? I have old papers and ancient books here. If they are exposed to the scorching sun, they will all melt. The sun right now is just right!"
The two were exchanging secret signals, but Wu Ruofei behind them could no longer hold back and said angrily, "Sir, can you please speak properly? This Mr. Qiu saved my life, and because of this, he offended Yin Tai. He is here to ask you for a clever way to escape."
When "Mr. Bansong" heard this, he sat up suddenly and said in surprise: "Oh! Ruwei, you are here too? You didn't tell me earlier and made me lose my composure." After saying that, he quickly tidied up his clothes and stood in front of everyone with a feather fan in his hand. He really had an immortal-like state.
Then Qiu Yizi presented his name card and said, "I am not here to seek for a way to protect myself, but I have long heard of Mr. Bansong's name, so I asked Miss Wu for a favor and came to see him."
Mr. Bansong took Qiu Yizhi's name card, glanced at it and returned it to him, but said: "This is Qin Guangyuan's calligraphy, right? I haven't seen it for so many years, and it has gone astray. It's even less worth reading."
Qiu Yizi was stunned after hearing this, and thought to himself: Qin Guangyuan's calligraphy is unparalleled in the country, even Heluo King Zheng Hua highly praises it and is willing to admit he is superior to him, and even the dignified Jiangnan Province Governor Yin Chengliang immediately wanted to seize it when he saw it. How come it has become worthless in the mouth of this "Mr. Bansong"
If someone else heard it, Mr. Bansong's words might be a bit too arrogant and harsh, but Qiu Yizi himself was also a lawless person, which suited his temper, so he asked curiously: "This is a good brother of mine, who asked for a favor from Mr. Qin. I think it's acceptable, why don't you think so?"
Mr. Bansong waved his feather fan and said, "I think there are only three people in the world who are good at calligraphy. The third is the current emperor's younger brother, Heluo King Zheng Hua. His calligraphy is unique and innovative, but he was born in an imperial family and has not had a lot of hardship since childhood, so he can only make some efforts in terms of ingenuity. The second is Qin Guangyuan - he sits in his study and has copied countless famous calligraphy works from ancient times to the present. His skills can be seen in every stroke, but his calligraphy is too rigid and lacks a lively atmosphere. It is very appropriate for him to help others write epitaphs..."
"Then the best calligrapher in the world must be you, Mr. Bansong!" Qiu Yizi continued.
Mr. Bansong was not polite at all and admitted generously: "I am just a humble person."
Qiu Yizi deliberately teased him and said, "Sir, aren't you exaggerating a bit? If I don't write today, I'm afraid I won't be convinced!"
Mr. Bansong sneered, "Who are you? Why should I make you submit?"
Even Qiu Yizhi could not have guessed that he would say such a harsh and heartless thing. Just as he was speechless, he heard Wu Ruofei say, "Sir, this young man is my lifesaver after all, can't you be more polite?"
After hearing this, Mr. Bansong nodded and said, "Well, since you are Ruofei's benefactor, then you are my benefactor. It is only natural for me to give you a calligraphy piece. Please come this way!" As he said that, he walked slowly towards a small house.
The small house had a plaque inscribed with "Bansong Loushi", and it was indeed the gentleman's study. However, the room was filled with scattered items, and the floor was covered with waste papers that had been casually discarded after drafts were made.
As soon as Wu Ruofei stepped into the house, she said angrily, "I haven't been here for a few days, and your place is already in such a mess. Don't you want to clean it up yourself, or ask the servants to tidy it up?"
Mr. Bansong replied: "I don't want my writing to be touched by idlers, vulgar people, or evil people. If it is stained with anger, vulgarity, and hostility, then there will be no good articles, good calligraphy, and good paintings passed down to future generations. Isn't that a pity?"
"I just said one sentence, and you have ten sentences waiting for me." Wu Ruofei replied.
Mr. Bansong smiled and said, "Of course. If you really think this house is dirty and messy, why don't you come to my place every day and help me clean it?"
Qiu Yizi listened to their flirting and bantering, and knew that their relationship was unusual, so she couldn't help laughing.
Mr. Bansong was very sharp-eyed and sharp-eared. When he heard Qiu Yizi's laughter, he immediately said seriously, "I wonder what this... lord wants me to write?"
"I dare not call you 'sir'." Qiu Yi said, "I saw that half pine tree was growing vigorously just now, but it was hit by thunder. Even so, it is still lush and green, as if it contains the principle of the endless growth of all things in the world. Sir, why don't you just write the two words 'half pine'?"
After hearing this, Mr. Bansong clapped his hands and exclaimed, "What a wise saying, what a wise saying!" After that, he picked up a large brush, filled it with ink, and wrote the two words "Bansong" on the paper in a flamboyant manner.
Qiu Yizhi stepped forward to take a look and saw that the two characters were indeed magnificent, perfectly showing the old pine tree's majestic and vigorous demeanor. He couldn't help but applaud and said, "Sir, your calligraphy is truly superb and unrivaled in the country. What I said just now about Mr. Qin and Prince Heluo is not such an exaggeration now!"
Even Wu Ruofei, who was standing by and serving the pens and ink, praised: "I see you have written so many words, none of them can compare to these two. If you have time, you must write one for me as well."
Mr. Bansong admired his calligraphy again and again, and sighed softly, "This calligraphy is also a result of my inspiration. I am afraid that I will never have such emotions again in the future and will not be able to write such calligraphy again."
Qiu Yizi thought for a moment and said, "Sir, you have already said that this calligraphy is a gift for me, so you can't go back on your word!"
"Of course, of course." Mr. Bansong said as he signed his name, used his seal, and handed it to Qiu Yizi reluctantly.
Qiu Yizi took the calligraphy and admired it carefully again, then stuffed it into Wu Ruofei's hands and said, "Since Miss Wu likes this calligraphy, I'll give it to you!"
Wu Ruofei looked at Qiu Yizhi in surprise and said, "Sir, this calligraphy was given to you by the teacher. Although I like it, how dare I steal it?"
Qiu Yizi smiled heartily and said, "It was Mr. Bansong who gave it to me, so I gave it to Miss Wu! Otherwise wouldn't it be like borrowing flowers to offer to Buddha?" He turned to Mr. Bansong who was standing there in a daze and said, "Sir, although this calligraphy is your masterpiece, it is Miss Wu who asked me to do him a favor." After saying this, he laughed out loud.
Mr. Bansong was stunned for a moment, but he quickly reacted and laughed out loud. After a while, he said, "What a relief! What a relief! I thought you were just a parasite, but I didn't expect you to be a man of character. Your last name is 'Qiu', right? I've made a friend of Mr. Qiu!"
Qiu Yizhi was delighted to hear this, and he also echoed, "I came to Jinling this time and was met with a lot of setbacks. However, being able to make friends with Mr. Bansong today is truly a great blessing in life! Those minor setbacks in the world of fame and fortune are nothing."
Mr. Bansong waved his hands and said, "Since we are friends, then Lord Qiu, please stop calling me 'Mr. Bansong'. This nickname is just used to scare outsiders. If you and I still call each other like this, won't others say that I am disrespectful to my friends?"
Qiu Yizi smiled and said, "Your name is just a code name. It doesn't matter how you address me. The way to treat guests depends entirely on the heart. But since you don't want to address me by my name, I can see that you are sincere to me!" After saying that, he bowed.
Mr. Bansong also returned the greeting and said, "Lord Qiu is far-sighted and can see through this worldly prejudice. He is truly a hero among men. My surname is Lin, and my given name is Shuhan. You are welcome to call me whatever you want, but you are not allowed to call me by any other name, otherwise it would be like making fun of me." After saying that, he laughed.
(Lin Shuhan - Liu Bowen)
Qiu Yi said: "Mr. Lin is a man of great talent and elegance, and he is not one of those pedantic scholars who only know how to write poetry. I think he deserves the title of 'Mr. Lin'. I will address him as a teacher and call him 'Mr. Lin'!"
Lin Shuhan replied: "Since the lord calls me 'sir', I am taking too much advantage. Well, I will also call you 'lord' as usual, then we are even." After saying this, he laughed out loud again.
After laughing for a while, Lin Shuhan said, "Just now I heard from Ruofei that Lord Qiu wanted to see me for something, but I don't know what kind of important matter it is. Maybe I can help?"
Qiu Yizi smiled and waved his hands, saying, "These are just trivial matters. How dare I trouble you with your great wisdom?"
Wu Ruofei heard him say this, but frowned and interrupted: "Young Master, you have offended Yin Tai, how can it be said to be a trivial matter? He is a man with a lot of grudges, and he is also a vindictive person. Being targeted by him is also a very troublesome thing! Remember the last time..."
"Humph! What's so great about Yin Tai?" Lin Shuhan said disdainfully, "Isn't it because he relies on his father Yin Chengliang's power? If it weren't for his strong backing, who in Jinling City would look at him with the corner of their eyes?"
After hearing Lin Shuhan's bold words, Qiu Yizhi said, "Speaking of the governor Yin Chengliang, I have met him several times. He looks quite elegant and seems to be quite particular about calligraphy. How could he have raised such a shameless and domineering son?"
Lin Shuhan snorted again and said, "You call Yin Chengliang's handwriting calligraphy? Even if I clamp a dry branch between my toes, I can still write better than him. As for the ways to punish his son... there are many ways! My Lord, listen to me in detail."
Qiu Yizi was unwilling to owe Lin Shuhan a favor for Yin Tai's trivial matter, so he said, "I am also a capable person, and I don't take Yin Tai seriously..."
As they were talking, Yuchi Jiming beside them said, "How long are you going to talk? I'm hungry. Shouldn't I go back to eat?"
Qiu Yizi blushed when she heard this, and hurriedly apologized to Lin Shuhan, "This is my sworn brother's daughter. She has been practicing martial arts since she was young and has developed a straightforward temperament. She spoke nonsense out of her righteousness and disturbed the gentleman's conversation. I am really sorry..."
Lin Shuhan, however, did not care and said, "If you are tired, you sleep; if you are thirsty, you drink; if you are hungry, you eat; if you are in a hurry, you go to the bathroom. This is human nature, what is there to be sorry about? I think it is getting late, so you can have your meal here. I wonder if you will honor me?" (To be continued)