"In the first year of Yonghe, in the year of Guichou, at the beginning of late spring, I met with the Lanting Pavilion in Shanyin, Kuaiji..."
Because he was unsure of what the next arrangements of the Marquis' Mansion would be, Zhu Ping'an did not rest immediately despite being exhausted after several days in the examination room. Instead, he spread out writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone on the desk in the guest room and began to practice calligraphy.
Because if nothing unexpected happens, I will soon take part in the palace examination. The palace examination is the only examination in the imperial examination that does not require transcription. After writing, it is directly submitted to the emperor for review, without the need for an intermediary to copy it again. To some extent, calligraphy is often more important than writing in the palace examination.
In addition to having people prepare brushes, ink, paper and inkstone, Li Shu also had a number of books, including this copy of the Lanting Preface. Although this copy is a copy, the brushwork is not harsh, but free and unrestrained, with a sense of control, and the strokes are calm and restrained. From beginning to end, it reveals a calm, unhurried and elegant demeanor, which can be called a high imitation.
Even though it is running script, it still serves as a good reference for calligraphy.
Up to now, Zhu Ping'an has written the Lanting Preface twice, and he is about to finish the third time, with only the last three words left.
Just as Zhu Pingan was about to finish writing these three words and take a break, he suddenly heard a gust of wind and saw a parabola in the air. Then he saw a toad flying on the rice paper he was practicing calligraphy on, staining the rice paper with ink. After landing on the rice paper, the toad jumped a little due to inertia and spilled the ink Zhu Pingan had ground.
Then, the toad lay on the corner of the table, looking at him with its big eyes bulging out and an innocent look on its face.
This thing was probably hibernating and was dug out by someone.
When the toad landed on the paper, Zhu Ping'an heard a burst of laughter from a naughty kid behind him who had succeeded in his prank.
Zhu Pingan turned around and saw a naughty kid about six or seven years old, with a chubby face, thick black eyebrows, a small fat face that looked quite arrogant, and wearing a fluffy cotton jacket and a pair of black-soled short boots.
When this naughty kid saw Zhu Ping'an turning around, his proud little fat face was full of a sense of accomplishment, and he looked at Zhu Ping'an with a gloating look and laughed.
"Is this yours?"
Zhu Pingan caught the toad in his hand without any fear, and looked at the naughty child who had run into his room without knowing when. He asked in a gentle voice with a smile, not showing any anger at all.
"It's not mine, but yours, a country bumpkin!"
The naughty kid looked at Zhu Ping'an with a provocative look on his face, clasped his chubby little hands in front of his chest, and spoke rudely.
This naughty kid calls himself a bumpkin right away. He must have been instigated by someone with ulterior motives.
However, after hearing the provocative and rude words of the naughty child, Zhu Ping'an's simple and honest smile did not diminish at all, but became even more loving, as if he could not hear the provocation in the naughty child's words.
"Oh, that's yours. Well, little buddy, where are your family members?"
Zhu Ping'an's honest face was filled with a gentle smile, his voice was soft and gentle, and he asked with a loving look on his face.
Really useless, just like the maids and servants at home. So weak, I look down on you!
Looking at the gentle smile on Zhu Ping'an's face, the naughty kid raised his head forty-five degrees with disdain and snorted disdainfully.
"I'm out here alone, you country bumpkin!"
So, after listening to Zhu Ping'an's question, the naughty kid looked at Zhu Ping'an provocatively with a bear-like face, being arrogant and cocky.
Oh, I'm alone.
Zhu Pingan felt relieved when he heard what the naughty kid said, and then he walked over with a gentle smile, picked up the fat boy and put him on his lap. One, two, three, four, he spanked the naughty kid on the butt a few times.
Listening to the naughty kid's cries, Zhu Pingan felt very relaxed.
This naughty kid dares to be so arrogant alone!
He doesn't care for small animals. He deserves to be beaten. He knows he's wrong but doesn't change, so he deserves to be beaten. He's rude to people, so he deserves to be beaten. He doesn't respect his elders, so he deserves to be beaten... ...
"You country bumpkin, you dare to hit me. Just wait, I'm going to call someone to deal with you."
The naughty kid was howling, his little fat face was filled with anger, he didn't know why this bumpkin who seemed as soft as the maids and servants at home just now suddenly became bold enough to hit him. But when he thought about how he had grown up, even his grandmother had never dared to say a harsh word to him, but he was spanked by this bumpkin, it was such a great shame, so he was howling and wanted to find someone to get back at him.
Aha, you still don’t know how to repent.
"Should I beat someone who doesn't know how to love animals? Should I beat someone who knows he's wrong but refuses to change? Should I beat someone who is rude to others? Should I beat someone who doesn't respect his elders?"
Zhu Ping'an slapped the kid a few more times, neither too hard nor too light, and asked while dealing with the naughty kid.
"Just try and hit me if you dare." The naughty kid roared and threatened.
"Let's give it a try." Zhu Ping'an replied with a silly smile, and then tried it.
"You dare to hit me? Just wait..."
Although it didn't hurt much from being beaten, the naughty kid felt that his world was turned upside down. This country bumpkin actually dared to hit him. This naughty kid, who was used to running rampant in the Marquis' Mansion, could not accept this at all, so he yelled and wanted to teach Zhu Ping'an a lesson.
This naughty kid is very stubborn.
Zhu Ping'an smiled and shook his head. He was about to continue educating the little fat boy, but he heard the clear voice of a little girl coming from outside the door, as if she was politely greeting her aunt.
"Hello, auntie, you are here."
Aunt? Could it be that an adult has come? Zhu Pingan stopped and looked outside. In his sight, there was a cute little girl, about four years old. The little girl had big eyes and black pupils. She was looking at him with a sweet smile. Her smile was innocent and very cute.
The little Loli is dressed very well, and at first glance she is obviously the young mistress of the Marquis's mansion.
However, Zhu Ping'an did not see the aunt that the little girl greeted.
"Stupid Rui brother, run."
At this moment, the little girl shouted loudly, then turned around and ran, running out of the yard with her short legs, as if she was being chased by a dog.
It seems like we have cooperated many times.
Almost at the same time, the naughty kid who was being rubbed on Zhu Ping'an's legs took the opportunity to run away, stomping his way to the door, and challenged Zhu Ping'an:
"You country bumpkin, you dare to hit me? You'll have to wait for me!"
Then, fearing that Zhu Ping'an would catch up with him, the naughty kid spread his legs and ran out like a mad dog, and in the blink of an eye, not even a hair could be seen.
Well
It turns out that the little girl just sang the Empty City Plan. She is so smart at such a young age, almost catching up with Li Shu when she was a child. Maybe the naughty kid just now was instructed by this little girl to throw the toad. She let the naughty kid take the lead while she was hiding outside. It should be about right. Otherwise, she wouldn't have appeared so timely. Haha, I guess the naughty kid is especially grateful to the little girl.
Haha, this naughty kid was sold by the little Lolita, and he will definitely help her count the money.
Interesting, I guess she will be a scheming and sinister woman when she grows up. (To be continued.)