Yuan Niang’s heart tightened upon hearing this. She pursed her lips in frustration—what an unfortunate coincidence! She wondered how much her master had overheard. Probably… everything. Ugh… troublesome!
With her head lowered, she struggled to find an explanation, thus missing the complex emotion that flickered in Su Shi’s eyes. He didn’t press the matter, simply scooping her into his arms with a laugh. “Why furrow your brow at such a young age? You sound like an old soul. Come, let’s join the feast with your master. We’re the only ones missing.”
Yuan Niang breathed a sigh of relief, though she remained uncertain whether Shen Kuo had grasped the implications of her earlier words. Her master was no longer in court and held no sway over political affairs—why would anyone still scheme to ensnare him in a literary inquisition?
Resting her head on her master’s shoulder, she watched as Shen Kuo’s figure receded into the distance while the lively banquet drew nearer.
In the bamboo grove, scholars in fine attire filled the seats, engaged in spirited discourse.
A white-haired elder remarked to the portly, benevolent-looking middle-aged man beside him, “Gongze, you mustn’t let Zizhan off easily later! At your son’s birth banquet, he not only sang and danced but also adapted Du Fu’s poetry to praise your boy. And then he had to drag in the allusion of the Jin Emperor, claiming he received undeserved credit for your wife delivering a son! Absolutely cunning—had everyone in stitches. Now the tables have turned. Gongze, your chance for revenge has come.”
Li Gongze chuckled, waving a hand. “I can’t match him in poetry, but fortunately, I’ve brought reinforcements today.”
Someone wondered aloud, “I heard Shen Kuo has already taken his leave. Why hasn’t Brother Zizhan arrived yet? What’s keeping him?”
No one knew.
Just then, Su Shi crossed the winding bridge and ascended the bluestone steps with leisurely grace, quipping as he approached, “Brother Liu must adore me beyond measure—can’t bear to be apart for even a moment.”
Another wave of laughter swept through the gathering.
The young man beside Li Gongze gazed at Su Shi with sparkling eyes, his admiration plain to see.
Such was Su Shi—wherever he went, he became the center of attention.
Noticing the girl in his arms, the guests inquired, “Is this… from Ziyou’s household?” Su Shi had no daughters but several nieces.
“Allow me to formally introduce my newly accepted disciple,” Su Shi announced. “Her childhood name is Yuan Niang.”
The crowd fell silent in astonishment. Su Shi, renowned for his erudition and imperial favor, had countless talented youths across the Great Song aspiring to study under him—why would he suddenly take in a young girl? Uncertain how to react, they finally managed, “Zizhan’s disciple must be extraordinary indeed.”
Zhang Xian studied Yuan Niang curiously. “Can you compose poetry, Yuan Niang?”
Blinking, Yuan Niang replied softly, “No, I only know how to enjoy pastries and fruit nectar.”
The guests chuckled warmly. “A good appetite is a blessing! A good appetite is a blessing!”
Su Shi interceded with a smile, “Enough from you old fellows! Must you demand poetry from everyone you meet? Harassing me isn’t sufficient—now you won’t even spare my disciples and children. You’ve frightened my Erlang from joining us at the table.”
“Who can match you in poetry? What fun is there in versifying with you?” another friend teased. “But your son is quite the character! Bring Erlang here at once.”
Li Gongze stroked his beard. “Today, I’ve brought reinforcements to challenge Su Zizhan.”
“Oh? Who is it?” Su Shi added two drops of fruit wine to the warmed pear soup, stirred it evenly, and poured a cup for Yuan Niang.
While sipping the “cocktail” specially prepared by her master, Yuan Niang watched these great scholars bicker with each other, finding it quite entertaining.
The young man recommended by Li Gongze stepped forward and bowed, saying, “Huang Luzhi from Hongzhou pays his respects to Lord Su.”
Yuan Niang nearly choked upon hearing this. Su Shi gently patted her back and said, “Drink slowly.” Then he raised his eyes to the young man and said, “I’ve heard of you.”
Yuan Niang had heard of him too! Huang Tingjian! Huang Tingjian! His artwork “Stele of the Pillar” would fetch over 400 million in later generations. She didn’t see him as a person but as a walking treasure chest! All she could hear was the clinking sound of coins!
The young man’s eyes brightened even more upon learning that his name was known to the world-renowned literary giant. He quickly presented his proudest works and said humbly, “I beg Lord Su for some guidance.”
Yuan Niang also stealthily leaned her little head closer. An authentic work by Huang Tingjian! Absolutely genuine! In later generations, ordinary people would have to go to a museum to see such a treasure!
“Excellent poetry! Excellent poetry!” Su Shi clapped and praised.
“Excellent calligraphy! Excellent calligraphy!” Yuan Niang echoed Su Shi’s tone in admiration.
The pair of master and disciple amused everyone present. People thought to themselves, what could a little girl possibly understand? Yet when they gathered around to look, they were also astonished. Though young, she was still Su Shi’s disciple, and her discerning eye proved true—it was indeed excellent poetry and calligraphy!
Huang Tingjian felt somewhat flustered by the praise from the master and disciple but was unexpectedly delighted. He took the initiative to say, “Lord Su, you flatter me. I still have many shortcomings. May I become your disciple to further refine my skills?”
Su Shi, feeling a fondness for talented individuals, immediately replied, “It would be my great honor.”
Huang Tingjian struggled to suppress the corners of his upturned lips, his joy evident.
Zhang Xian teased Li Gongze, “Haha, for all your cunning schemes to bring your nephew to compete with Zizhan, now your own corner has been poached.”
Li Gongze stroked his beard and smiled without a word. His purpose today was precisely to bring his nephew to become a disciple, and he had achieved it.
While Su Shi was still inquiring about Huang Tingjian’s studies, someone pulled him away, saying, “Well now, we’ve all heard of Luzhi’s talent. We had hoped he would humble your pride, Su Zizhan, but instead, you’ve joined forces, leaving no room for others. Now you’re even discussing studies? Unacceptable, unacceptable! Come drink and compose poetry with us.”
Just like that, Su Shi was dragged away. Huang Tingjian naturally took a seat beside Yuan Niang and addressed her without any formality, “Little senior sister!”
“Eh?” Yuan Niang was so startled she nearly dropped the white jade cup in her hand. She never expected Huang Tingjian to say such a thing after sitting down! Then again, anyone who could get along with her master must also enjoy teasing and joking.
“Haha, little senior sister, no need to be alarmed,” he said, blinking mischievously. “Though I am much older than you, I entered the master’s tutelage later than you, so it’s only proper to address you this way.”
Oh my! Yuan Niang exclaimed inwardly. Was this something she was meant to hear? What kind of fantastical beginning was this? Huang Tingjian had become her junior disciple brother? Did that mean she was set for life?!
Ignoring the teasing in his eyes, Yuan Niang patted his shoulder solemnly and said, “Great junior disciple brother, the heavy responsibility of glorifying our master’s school rests on your shoulders! Strive hard, strive hard!”
Huang Tingjian deliberately bowed politely and replied, “Let us encourage each other, encourage each other!”
This was the foremost of the Four Masters of the Su School, whose name would be remembered throughout history! Yuan Niang’s heart itched with curiosity. She poked the screen in her mind that had already gone dormant and asked, “Do you have storage functionality? Can you store calligraphy and paintings?”
“No, I can’t. Stop scheming about me!” The screen instantly lit up with a line of glowing text, its tone aloof and tsundere, utterly infuriating!
“Hey, it’s an authentic work by Huang Tingjian! Isn’t it a pity if you don’t store it?!” Yuan Niang asked persistently.
Smack! The screen flipped over on its own, turning its backside toward Yuan Niang. She poked it indignantly and said, “So stingy!”
With her dreams of wealth dashed, Yuan Niang felt as if her heart had turned to ashes, filled with disappointment.
Huang Tingjian, unaware of the intricacies of the situation, misinterpreted her expression. Thinking she was disheartened by her inability to compose poetry, he comforted her, “Little Senior Sister, you are still young. The future holds great promise.”
Yuan Niang looked at the walking treasure vault before her and said regretfully, “Thank you for your kind words, Junior Brother!”
Huang Tingjian changed the subject and asked, “Today, Master Su’s home is filled with distinguished guests, including many great scholars and eminent figures. In Little Senior Sister’s opinion, who stands out as the most elegant and accomplished talent of our time?”
Yuan Niang slowly sipped a cup of hot pear soup mixed with fruit wine, deliberately smacking her lips and saying, “Good wine, good wine.” This senior junior brother was really getting addicted to teasing her.
As she set down her cup, she noticed that, for some reason, everyone around was looking at her. Her master was too extroverted, and there was a flaw in that—he tended to raise introverted disciples. Having grown accustomed to being invisible, she suddenly found herself the center of attention at the banquet and felt a bit uncomfortable.
Su Shi had been plied with several cups of wine. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes drowsy, and his steps unsteady, like a jade mountain on the verge of collapse. Yet, he seemed completely unaware. He sauntered over, lifted her up, raised her overhead, and proclaimed loudly, “Look! This is my dear disciple!”
Yuan Niang was horrified and screamed internally: Ah! Hey! Master, put me down! You drunkard! You can barely walk steadily—what if you drop me?!
Yuan Niang was deeply worried for her life!
Huang Tingjian stifled his laughter while helping to support Su Shi. Unexpectedly, Su Shi added, “Luzhi, you go stand in the sky too, next to your senior sister!”
Huang Tingjian broke out in a cold sweat. He laughed and said, “You flatter me too much, Master. I am dull and untalented, unable to ascend to the heavens in broad daylight.”
Yuan Niang urgently cried out, “Master is probably drunk. Senior Junior Brother, lend a hand and lay Master down. If you stand in front of him, it’ll be like ascending to the sky!”
Huang Tingjian praised, “What a brilliant idea, Little Senior Sister!”
But Su Shi wouldn’t have it. He looked at Yuan Niang with anticipation and said, “Dear disciple, who do you think is the most outstanding and elegant figure of our time?” His eyes clearly said, “Look at me, look at me—I am the answer!”
Suspended in mid-air, Yuan Niang was terrified. She patted Su Shi’s arm and said, “Master, put me down. Let me speak from the ground. Talking up in the air feels like boasting!” After all, only hot air floated in the sky.
Su Shi found her reasoning sound and set her down.
As soon as Yuan Niang landed, she patted her chest, sighed in relief, and then declared without shame, “I think it should be me!”
The entire room was stunned!
But Yuan Niang explained with sound reasoning, “Before even reaching the age of wearing my hair up, I’ve already made the acquaintance of so many distinguished guests. The crown of elegance belongs to me.”
“Haha, well said! Well said!” exclaimed Chen Xiang, the prefect of Hangzhou. This young lady was unwilling to offend anyone. On the surface, she was elevating herself, but in reality, she was elevating everyone present. Truly, she was a disciple of Zizhan—truly clever.
Li Gongze also laughed and said, “If Yuan Niang’s mouth were on Su Zizhan, he wouldn’t be so annoying.”
Su Shi remarked leisurely, “This clever mouth of my dear disciple has truly inherited my essence.”
Yuan Niang felt embarrassed, thinking to herself: It’s in the aspect of thick-skinnedness that she has truly inherited her master’s essence!
Zhang Xian, his beard trembling, said shakily, “It’s a pity Ziyou isn’t here, otherwise in this situation he would surely say…”
Before he could finish, everyone around chimed in unison: “Elder brother is probably drunk.”
After saying this, they all burst into laughter simultaneously.