Chapter 260: 260: Calligraphy Master
Mu Qiuniang’s cursive script was like a dragon flying and a phoenix dancing, as seamless as a fish in water, majestic and awe-inspiring.
"This is so well written!"
Looking at calligraphy and watching the process of writing it are quite different; the former is static, the latter is a dynamic process.
The dynamic process reveals a person’s character and allows one to truly appreciate the charm of the calligraphy.
Watching Mu Qiuniang write is like watching a gracefully expressive painting, with splashes of ink flowing like clouds and water, and a stirring piece of cursive script emerging on the desk.
She didn’t need any preparation or contemplation, as if she already had a plan in mind, and the entire structure was clearly in her head, ready to appear at any moment.
Jiao Yu’en only knew that her calligraphy was good, but he didn’t expect it to be so beautiful, so grand, and so spiritual.
"You must join our association; if even you can’t join, who else would qualify to enter it?"
Jiao Yu’en even felt that he had never seen such good calligraphy. Even his own writing paled in comparison to hers.
He was extremely excited and finally felt that Huaxia’s calligraphy had worthy successors. If more calligraphers like her emerged in Huaxia, would those R people still behave so arrogantly at international exchange meetings, thinking there was no one left in Huaxia?
It was as if Huaxia’s calligraphy was inherited from their country R, as if they invented gunpowder, the compass, printing, and papermaking.
What enraged Jiao Yu’en even more was when the president of the R Calligraphy and Painting Association, Inahara Kojiro, publicly said, "Huaxia has truly declined, losing even its national treasures to others. How can they ever succeed in the future?"
Jiao Yu’en heard this from someone afterwards, and he was immediately furious, his blood boiling, wanting to charge over and settle the score with that Inahara Kojiro.
However, what shamed him was that indeed, that time, Huaxia lost—and it was a crushing defeat.
"Qiuniang, this is about national dignity. No matter what, as a child of Huaxia, you have a duty to contribute your strength to our nation. Especially when you truly have the ability to change history."
Isn’t it just about joining the association? How did it suddenly reach such heights? Mu Qiuniang was a bit confused.
"Teacher, you’re rushing. Qiuniang still doesn’t know what’s going on."
Xu Jing feared Mu Qiuniang might misunderstand, so she quickly explained that every three years, the country would send outstanding artists arranged by the Huaxia Calligraphy and Painting Association to participate in international art exchanges.
In modern art, Huaxia doesn’t inherently hold much advantage. If it loses to others in a field it’s good at, that would be a great humiliation.
In the last art exchange, Huaxia accidentally lost in calligraphy to the R people. The little R nation’s arrogance was infuriating.
"Thinking about it now still makes me uncomfortable. Qiuniang, you have no idea how rampant the R people were. They even wanted to claim the origin of ink painting and calligraphy as their own, talking about cultural heritage... It’s outrageous! This is clearly from our country!"
Xu Jing spoke indignantly about the last exchange, suspecting that the little R people did something underhanded. Her senior, Wang Runzhi, had a chance to win, but for some reason, his hand shook at a critical moment.
Afterwards, Senior Wang Runzhi was very remorseful, feeling that he’d caused the whole team to lose.
"His calligraphy was outstanding, and he was always steady, never making such a mistake. He wasn’t new to these international events; he’d been fine in previous ones. It was only this time something went wrong. Also, he had a bet with the R people that if he lost, he’d never write again..."
Xu Jing looked pained, knowing that her senior, such an excellent person, could never do calligraphy again. It was a huge blow for him.
It practically destroyed her senior’s life!
"The bet was proposed by the R people, so I have reason to suspect they did something. Unfortunately, I have no evidence." Xu Jing continued, "But I’m sure that after my senior’s mishap, I noticed that Inahara Kojiro was particularly smug, as if he had expected it. They must have used some trick!"
As the apprentice could say this, Jiao Yu’en, due to his position, couldn’t voice it openly, but he didn’t stop his apprentice’s words, which meant he was thinking the same, frustrated by the lack of evidence.
"Qiuniang, your calligraphy is already a star compared to my senior’s, and you’re new, with no reputation in the mainstream, so the R people will definitely not guard against you. That’s why I hope you can join our association, represent us in this event, and fiercely dampen the arrogance of the R people."
It could also be said it is revenge for her teacher’s senior.
Maybe, during Xu Jing’s narration, due to her senior’s influence, there were many personal emotions involved, but she stated that regardless, her invitation to Qiuniang was genuine, hoping to contribute to her nation.
Mu Mingyu is from Huaxia, and during his studies abroad, he deeply felt the discrimination he faced as a Huaxia person.
As Xu Jing spoke of all this, he felt especially moved, wanting to immediately suggest his grandaunt must participate and restore Huaxia’s honor.
However, he hadn’t forgotten his role as the all-capable butler and didn’t immediately speak.
He just gazed intently at Mu Qiuniang, hoping she would agree.
Looking at the hopeful eyes of Jiao Yu’en and Xu Jing, Mu Qiuniang only thought for a moment before nodding.
She thought: Although it might feel like bullying the small with the big, if she could do something for the nation that raised her, she would be more than willing!
"Qiuniang, you really are wonderful; you are such a great person!" Xu Jing was exhilarated, feeling her senior’s revenge was now possible.
Is this the second time today she’s been handed a "good person card"? Mu Qiuniang raised her eyebrows momentarily, then let them fall, letting a bit of warmth touch her otherwise calm face.
"Teacher, did you hear that? Qiuniang agreed!"
"I heard it!" Jiao Yu’en’s heart finally settled down.
Earlier, he was worried about the team, and now, unexpectedly, it was resolved so quickly, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Qiuniang isn’t just about calligraphy, teacher. You don’t know, she’s skilled in music, chess, painting—all exceptional. When she was on my show before, it was just a glimpse."
Xu Jing had great confidence in Mu Qiuniang, always eager to speak up for her wherever they went.
Jiao Yu’en couldn’t help but smile, "Yes, yes, you’ve said it many times already, and along the way, we’ve bothered Qiuniang to write calligraphy for us, can’t always trouble others."
A lifetime is limited in energy, and mastering everything is hard. Being so young, excelling in calligraphy was already incredibly difficult for Mu Qiuniang.
Thus, Jiao Yu’en didn’t place expectations on Mu Qiuniang for other talents. But he believed Xu Jing’s words, so maybe Mu Qiuniang’s skills in music and painting were also exceptional, though likely not as much as her calligraphy.