Poor Lady

Chapter 30: Chess, Calligraphy and Painting (1)

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Qi Surong came to the playing field of piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, which was divided into four rooms. There were only about thirty contestants, and the rules of the competition were different from others. Only the top two would get points, which were two points and one point respectively.

Music, chess, calligraphy and painting are not among the subjects of the imperial examination, so students are not very enthusiastic about participating.

The final evaluation of piano, chess, calligraphy and painting will not be until the application time, and you can participate at any time during the period. All calligraphy and painting works will be displayed for people to appreciate.

The chess test mainly involves chess and go. There is an examiner and four chess players to judge. The contestants first play against the four chess players and are scored according to the number of wins and losses. Although there are only four games at most, it takes a long time.

When Qi Surong came to watch, there were only three games set up in the chess room, and the fastest game was in the middle.

After watching carefully for a moment, Qi Surong had a rough estimate of the chess skills of several chess players. They were between the third and fifth dans, which was a low-to-intermediate level.

If she compares, it shouldn't be difficult to win three games.

Qi Surong went to the piano room again.

The piano competition is the most difficult of the four events, but it is the only one that can be advanced and scored. It is not limited to the guqin, but also includes eighteen kinds of musical instruments such as the zither, the flute, and the pipa. However, the instruments are not chosen by the contestants themselves but are determined by drawing lots. If you draw an instrument that you are not good at at all, you can only give up. After each game, another musical instrument will be drawn. If you can successfully complete three games and reach a certain level, in addition to the two points for first place, you will get an additional three points. Therefore, luck has become an important factor in determining the outcome of this competition.

"Young man, I see you have been wandering around for a long time, come here and write a few words?" At this time, a slightly smiling voice came into Qi Surong's ears.

She looked around and saw an old man with white hair sitting in the study room, looking at her with a smile.

Qi Surong walked over slowly and saluted the old man.

"What do you call the young man? Which college is he from?" the old man asked.

"I am Zhuo Fan of Yingshu Pavilion."

"Oh? She turns out to be Xu Chen's student." The old man wrote her name with a pen, pointed to the table beside him, and said, "Here, write a few words for me to see."

Um, it seems like she didn't say she wanted to compete, right

Qi Surong couldn't refuse, so he had to go to the table and sit down. The writing test requires neatness and beauty, solid skills, and unique style. Poems, songs, or scriptures can be written silently.

Qi Surong raised his head and couldn't help but see a few plum blossoms sticking out of the wall not far away. He took up his pen and thought for a moment, then wrote with some ink:

There are several plum trees in the corner, and Ling Han is blooming alone.

I know it's not snow from a distance, because there is a faint fragrance coming. (Plum Blossoms by Wang Anshi of the Song Dynasty)

After finishing writing, she suddenly realized that this poem was written by her master, who has not yet appeared in the world.

Thinking of this, she picked up the rice paper and planned to put it into her sleeve. Unexpectedly, it was pulled away after it was halfway folded.

"You can't take away the items in the arena at will." The old man chuckled, looking at the poem on the paper, his eyes brightened, and he nodded, "It's not bad, it has some charm."

I don’t know if what he said was words or poetry.

Qi Surong is good at writing three types of calligraphy, one is Yan style, one is Liu style, and the other is Qin style taught by his master.

She usually writes facial expressions, but in special circumstances she writes in Liu style. When she wrote the poem just now, she used Liu style.

The so-called facial muscles and willow bones refer to Liu style calligraphy with vigorous strokes, stiffness and elegance. Qi Surong has incorporated his own characteristics into it, making it more rugged and handsome, revealing the nobility and tenacity of a cold plum.

"Well, you can go." The old man waved his hand towards Qi Surong and said casually, "It's not easy to get points for calligraphy. You can go to the studio next door to try your luck."

After saying that, he ignored Qi Surong and walked away.

Does this mean she has no hope of scoring? Qi Surong looked at the old man's back in confusion, and his eyes fell on the nameplate above the main hall - Gu Yin, a Hanlin scholar.

It turned out to be Mr. Ge, who could be said to be the longest-lived official in the Wei Kingdom. He was still strong and healthy even in his sixties, with a humorous personality, a smooth life, and good fortune.

When Qi Surong died in the previous life, he had just resigned...

Qi Surong smiled, stood up, saluted him, and walked towards the studio next door.

If she couldn't score in calligraphy, she could only try painting again.

The painting is titled "Small Scenery" and has a relatively wide scope, so you can use it as you like.

Qi Surong thought, I just wrote a poem about plum blossoms, so let's paint plum blossoms.

Painting is inseparable from her embroidery, and both composition and lines are very particular.

The reason why she is called a "talented woman" is not for nothing. She has extremely high talents in playing chess, calligraphy and painting.

Freehand brushwork pays attention to conciseness, broad-mindedness, and embodies a kind of artistic conception and personality.

Thousands of trees with thousands of flowers in bloom are not as proud as a single plum blossom.

It only took Qi Surong half a stick of incense to complete this painting, which he titled: Outstanding.

When the examiner of the painting test saw a young man completing a painting with just a few strokes, he thought it was just a child's play. After the young man left, he casually walked over...

After walking out of the studio, a pleasant flute sound came to his ears. Qi Surong followed the sound and stood in the corridor, listening quietly.

After the song ended, Qi Surong clapped his hands.

When the man heard the applause, he looked back and saw a strange young man in ordinary clothes, so he turned his head.

The examiner asked him to continue drawing lots.

He has already passed two games. If he completes one more, Qinbi's first place will probably be his.

But his luck ended there. In the third round, he drew a rare musical instrument—xun.

If the harp and harp are called elegant utensils, the fou is called a vulgar (folk custom) utensil. Generally, scholars and literati prefer the former, while the latter is rarely mentioned.

The man held the xun, his face turned pale, he hesitated for a moment, and finally gave up the promotion match.

Several people laughed from behind: "What a pity, Mr. Dongling."

The laughter was teasing and not malicious, but it was particularly harsh in the ears of that person. He sneered: "Even if you only pass two games, the first place will be mine. I'm afraid you won't get a single point. "

Several people suppressed their smiles, and one of them said displeasedly: "Mr. Dongling, don't be too proud. You must know that there is heaven outside the world, and there are people outside the world."

"Haha, at least in the piano competition, no one can beat me, Lord Dongling." He raised his chin, looked around, and asked provocatively, "Which of you dares to come up and give me a try?"

Before anyone could reply, he patted his forehead and sighed: "I forgot, you have all competed, your piano skills are average, and you have all failed."

"You!" Those people glared at him.

Lord Dongling laughed indifferently.

At this time, Lord Dongling caught a glimpse of a person walking towards the door out of the corner of his eye, and shouted: "Hey, young master, it seems you haven't competed before? Why are you leaving in a hurry?"

As soon as these words came out, everyone looked towards the door.

Qi Surong, who was about to leave, stopped and sighed secretly. Originally, she admired the Dongling Lord's skills, but she didn't expect his personality to be so unpleasant. She couldn't help but feel a little disappointed, and she didn't plan to be troublesome, but he turned out to be unforgiving.

"You're here, how can you escape without a fight?" Lord Dongling raised his eyebrows and said, "You look very raw. I wonder which academy you are a student of?"

Qi Surong said calmly: "Yingsuge Zhuofan."

"Is there anyone in Yingshu Pavilion who knows music?" Lord Dongling said with a surprised look on his face, "It's really disrespectful, disrespectful."

If you are really "incontinent", keep a low profile and don't be so public.

Qi Surong looked at him, as if she saw herself in the past, confident in her talent and looking higher than her head.

"Master Zhuo, since Lord Dongling has provoked you so much, why don't you come down and give it a try?" Someone next to him spoke out in support, and the others also responded.

Qi Surong smiled, walked slowly to the front of the main hall, saluted the examiner and said, "Sorry to trouble you, sir, I want to take part in the competition."

The examiner nodded, wrote her name, and motioned for her to draw lots.

The faces of the people around him immediately showed excitement, hoping that this young man could vent their anger for them.

Unexpectedly, she drew a bad lot in the first draw, and the draw turned out to be the instrument Xun that Lord Dongling gave up just now.

Everyone's expressions became unnatural.

"Hahaha..." Lord Dongling laughed, "It seems that Mr. Zhuo is really unlucky."

Qi Surong picked up the xun and smiled at Lord Dongling: "What you are short of may not be what others are good at."

Lord Dongling's laughter stopped.

"Sir, let's begin." Qi Surong stopped looking at him and saluted the examiner.

"Please." The examiner was very fond of this handsome young man. He is calm and composed, his etiquette is thorough, and his manners reflect everyone's style.

Qi Surong calmed down, wiped the xun in his hand carefully with his sleeve, and then put it to his mouth... A deep and melodious tune flowed out, mellow, steady, and ethereal, with a peaceful ancient charm.

In the young man's hands, this kind of vulgar instrument actually brought out the elegant meaning. It's like the sound of ancient temple bells, and like the strong wind in the valley, which seems to cleanse people's hearts.

The sound of the xun passed through the courtyard wall and entered the arena on the other side.

Many students listened attentively and wondered what kind of instrument this was

As soon as Feng Zhan, Shen Muran and others entered the Awakening World Garden, they heard this unique xun sound.

Shen Muran smiled and said: "It seems that there is also a master in this piano test."

"Let's go and have a look." The two of them walked towards the playing field of piano, chess, calligraphy and painting together.

When they arrived, the music just reached its climax, with orderly ups and downs, gentle and gentle, and suddenly a high-pitched tone went straight into the sky, then gradually turned lower, and finally disappeared in the wind.

"Okay!" The examiner gave a high-five with appreciation in his eyes.

Lord Dongling looked ugly, stared at Qi Surong angrily, and hummed, "It's just a scene."

The examiner glanced at him sideways, a little displeased, thinking to himself that even if this young boy gave up the next two performances, the first place this time would have to be given to him.

"Haha." Several people nearby laughed, "How do you think, Lord Dongling, are you convinced? Although it's just one show, Master Zhuo's skills are much higher than yours."

"Hmph, what kind of skills can be seen in one game? You have the ability to win three games in a row."

Qi Surong didn't tell the difference and continued to draw lots at the examiner's instruction.

She smiled when she opened the lot and saw that it was a flute.

The instrument Dong Lingjun drew in the second game was the flute, which was a coincidence. Qi Surong almost doubted whether the examiner had tampered with it. She looked at the examiner secretly and saw a look of surprise on his face. She thought it had nothing to do with him.

Qi Surong took the flute and looked at Lord Dongling with a half-smile...