Chapter 207: The Light Boat Has Already Passed Ten Thousand Mountains

Chapter 207: A Light Boat Has Passed Through Ten Thousand Mountains

Mr. Yue Ming’s expression was grave and earnest.

When he finished speaking, he unfolded the calligraphy scroll in his hand.

One after another, brilliant characters materialized.

Though still written in the grand style of mastery, these characters differed entirely from the Wei Qing script he had previously encountered.

They were, in truth, running script.

Each stroke was neither bound by rigid horizontals nor verticals, but slanted and tilted, varying in size.

Yet within them lay a beauty distinct from the Wei Qing style—a sense of grace and spontaneity, vividly captured on the paper.

“This… a new style?”

Han Zhe, Han Zhangping, as a scholar-teacher at Yue Lu Academy, had seen many things.

He had studied the Wei Qing script, perfected to its utmost degree.

But the Wei Qing script, though imposing and majestic, rarely displayed such free and unrestrained brushwork as this running script, so full of liberated elegance.

“Different. Entirely unlike the Wei Qing style, yet undeniably a pinnacle of calligraphic achievement…”

Han Zhangping leaned closer, his gaze lingering not on the ethereal aura of the characters but on the paper itself.

“I’ve heard of the ‘Light Boat’ new style before, but today’s encounter—though I’ve walked this path before—still fills me with wonder.”

He turned to Chen Yi, nodding in admiration. “No wonder you’ve taught disciples who’ve reached such heights in the Way of Calligraphy. Your mastery of this new script alone rivals two centuries of the finest calligraphers of the Wei dynasty.”

Chen Yi smiled, bowing slightly. “It’s mere opportunism, surely. Do not trouble yourself with such praise.”

Seeing this, Mr. Yue Ming’s face brightened, a hint of pride flickering in his eyes.

After all, Chen Yi had become a teacher at Gu Yun Academy, and through his student Ma Guan—who had achieved mastery in calligraphy—had earned renown across Shu Zhou, drawing the attention of noble families.

As head of Gu Yun Academy, Mr. Yue Ming owed it to both duty and sentiment to uphold its standing.

“The Light Boat School of Calligraphy has charted its own course. Who knows? With time, it may yet produce a sage.”

“Mr. Yue speaks wisely.”

“Should the Light Boat School advance further, Gu Yun Academy will find itself in quite the predic…”

Nearby, the youth Pei Zhaoye had been praising Chen Yi along with others, including Han Zhangping, who had accompanied him to Shu Zhou. Unable to contain his thoughts, he muttered under his breath:

“What’s so remarkable? It’s just a new script. My grandfather always said such things were the work of heretics and rebels.”

Before Mr. Yue Ming could show any displeasure, Han Zhangping had already reprimanded him: “Pei Zhaoye!”

“How could your grandfather, a man of learning, dare speak such words?”

“It was…”

Chen Yi couldn’t help but smirk at the boy’s audacity.

This youth was no more than twelve or thirteen, younger even than Tang Jia’s son.

Clearly, the words had not truly offended him.

Even Mr. Yue Ming saw through the boy’s impudence, shaking his head silently.

“Zhangping, the academy has matters to attend to. Let us discuss this another time.”

Han Zhangping understood, bowing respectfully.

After a pause, he did not immediately depart but led Pei Zhaoye aside.

The others exchanged glances, then turned their attention back to Chen Yi’s scroll.

As they admired it, they also discussed how best to display it, where to place it, and other such details.

Chen Yi, finding the conversation tedious, kept to himself.

Instead, Xiao Wanzhen watched Mr. Yue Ming and the others with bright, inquisitive eyes, fascinated by everything.

Chen Yi had initially been drawn to her by her interest in his calligraphy, but after a while, she leaned closer and whispered:

“Brother-in-law, what do you think? Should our academy also establish a similar exhibition hall? One meant to showcase medical arts?”

Before Chen Yi could answer, she continued:

“I’ve been thinking—if such a hall existed, it might attract some physicians.”

“Perhaps there are those with true skill among them—medical sages?”

Chen Yi raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

A hall for medical masters?

A sound idea, though his own motives differed. Still, it could indeed draw physicians.

After all, in this season, all sought to etch their names in history.

Even those who risked their lives to save others—physicians no less—would share this ambition.

Thinking this, Chen Yi smiled and nodded at Xiao Wanzhen. “It can be done.”

Her face lit up. “Truly?”

“Certainly.”

“But to draw truly exceptional physicians, a hall alone won’t suffice.”

“We could employ other means—publishing books, erecting monuments, even purchasing horse bones for apothecaries…”

“Very well. I’ll note it down.”

“No rush. The academy isn’t built overnight. You…”

Meeting Xiao Wanzhen’s gaze, Chen Yi sensed her resolve and sighed inwardly, letting the matter drop. Instead, he said:

“After the Mid-Autumn Festival, let’s select a location first.”

“I’ll be there to see it with you when the time comes.”

Xiao Wanzhen smiled, nodding. “Very well, I’ll follow your lead.”

Yet as soon as she spoke, she felt a strange ambiguity in her words, as if something was amiss.

Shen Huatang thought, *Ah, how awkward.*

Wives and concubines, too, are like this.

It’s just the way of noble daughters and young uncles…

She fervently hoped it wasn’t what she feared. Otherwise… it would be over.

On the other side, Han Zhangping was instructing Pei Zhaoye:

“Studying at an academy, respecting teachers and the Way—these principles apply to all academies, not just Yue Lu.”

“Your grandfather and Mr. Yue Ming, head of Gu Yun Academy, are both great scholars of Confucianism, with countless students. Even this year’s top scorer in the imperial examinations is his disciple.”

“The top scorer, then?”

Pei Zhaoye may not have cared about the others, but the imperial examinations were clearly important to him. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have passed the palace examination so young.

Han Zhangping nodded gravely, his expression still solemn. "I know you’ve been clever since childhood, but you must understand there are people beyond people, and heavens beyond heaven."

"Even if you possess extraordinary talents, you must direct your thoughts toward your studies, not prideful arrogance."

Pei Zhaoye flicked his sleeve, turned his head to gaze toward the distant figures of Yue Ming and others, and dismissively muttered, "Understood."

Truly understood, or merely pretending? Only he knew.

Han Zhangping himself was aware that his nature was not something that could be reshaped in a single breath, nor could a few words alter it.

"Zhaoye, my purpose in bringing you here to Shu Zhou is to verify whether Chen Liuzhou’s mastery of the written arts truly matches the rumors."

"If it does, then per the director’s instructions, you’ll need to spend some time studying at Guixia Academy."

"Once your literary path is complete, you may return to the Jue Lu Academy."

Before he could finish, Pei Zhaoye interrupted sharply: "I don’t want to."

"His mastery is no greater than my grandfather’s. If he can teach me, I’d rather stay at Jue Lu Academy."

"You—"

As Han Zhangping was about to protest further, a chorus of startled exclamations erupted from the distance.

Even the man who had just spoken those words, Pei Zhaoye, showed a flicker of astonishment on his face, as though he had witnessed something inexplicable.

Han Zhangping glanced sideways—

There, in the distance, a scroll of calligraphy, roughly six feet long, was unfurled before Yue Ming and Zhuo Ying.

Instead of the dazzling golden characters of earlier, it now depicted a surreal, ethereal scene.

Mountains rose and fell, dotted with cities below, while boats darted swiftly through the waters, cutting through peaks and valleys in an instant.

In the midst of this vision, a lone figure stood atop a vessel, radiating a smile.

Han Zhangping stared at the scroll, his face a mask of disbelief. "This—this is…"

Whereas before, his encounter with the cursive script had merely stirred his interest, now, witnessing the scroll’s profound artistic vision, his spirit faltered entirely.

A trembling excitement coursed through him.

Pei Zhaoye, too, had widened his eyes in equal measure. Though young and prone to arrogance, his eyes were not so narrow as to lack breadth.

"Grandfather said that when the artistic realm of the written word reaches the level of a painted scroll, it achieves perfection. So this scroll…"

"Perfected literary realm!?"

Pei Zhaoye could not fathom his own eyes deceiving him.

Nor could he believe such a scroll was the work of that contemptible son-in-law.

Yet the fresh, flowing script before him was undeniably new.

"Impossible. He—this Chen Liuzhou—has elevated the new script to perfection?"

Pei Zhaoye recalled how his grandfather had once described the distinctions of the perfected realm, the longing in those ancient eyes.

Even his grandfather had not reached that stage. How could this Chen Liuzhou, of all people, achieve it?

Meanwhile, Yue Ming and Zhuo Ying wore expressions of peculiar delight, as though they had unearthed gold in a pile of sand.

They had assumed Chen Yi would present over two dozen perfected scrolls and deemed them sufficient. Yet here they were, confronted with a staggering revelation—perfection in the written arts!

Perfection in cursive script!

"The new script, the written arts, the perfected realm… Liuzhou, this—this calligraphy…"

Seeing Yue Ming’s agitated speech, Chen Liuzhou smiled gently: "It was mere luck—I was just writing, and suddenly, I broke through."

Zhuo Ying coughed hesitantly: "Could it be luck?"

"If luck could elevate one’s mastery, our entire Dali kingdom would have produced over a dozen more sages."

"Zhuo Ying, the point lies not in the first half, but the second—writing, and suddenly…"

"Allow me to try my hand at it soon."

"Have you even mastered the basics? You write well, but—"

As the scholars of Guixia Academy chattered and bickered, Chen Liuzhou merely remarked, "I suppose these scrolls will suffice. The rest is your burden, Director."

"Sufficient, sufficient—no hardship, no hardship."

Four syllables, four tones.

Yue Ming laughed until his sides ached, unable to contain his joy.

After all, Chen Liuzhou’s perfected mastery had already drawn countless talented scholars from across Shu.

Even more remarkable, scholars from beyond Shu’s borders came from afar to study under him. If news of his perfected realm spread, the number of seekers would surely double—scholars from Jinyang and Youzhou, and even from the northern regions of the capital’s prefectures, would arrive in droves.

"Liuzhou, should you achieve further breakthroughs, do let me know in advance."

"Fortunate I was careful enough not to damage this scroll."

Hearing this, Zhuo Ying added, "Indeed, we’ve all been quite frightened."

"Liuzhou, you know I’m not in good health."

"Without a single perfected scroll, I fear I’ll never recover."

"Ah, you old fool, you’ve no sense of decorum! How shameless!"

"You’re well aware my health has always been poor…"

Only then did Xiao Wanzhe regain her senses, her gaze lingering on Chen Liuzhou. "Liuzhou, that line—'passed through ten thousand mountains'—is it speaking of yourself?"

Chen Liuzhou paused, his words vague. "Perhaps… I suppose."

A beautiful misunderstanding, yet one that fit him all the same.

Xiao Wanzhe smiled and nodded. "This poem is lovely."

She had already learned from Master Xiao that Chen Liuzhou had achieved the perfected realm, so her focus had not been on his mastery, but on the imagery in his poem.

The poem’s grand vision felt expansive, as though breaking through barriers to glimpse the light beyond.

It was natural for Xiao Wanzhe to ponder it deeply.

She carefully reflected on the events of recent days surrounding Chen Liuzhou, her heart subtly uplifted.

Husband, he must have stepped out from the shadow of Xiao family’s disgrace, regaining his confidence, haven’t he?

Chen Yi didn’t know Xiao Wan’er harbored such thoughts.

Even if he did, he could only treat it as a beautiful misunderstanding, never daring to reveal his deeds during the burning of summer grain in the three towns of Huo Shao.

With nothing else to do, Chen Yi planned to take his leave.

“Director Qiao, sir…”

But before Chen Yi could finish, Pei Zhanghe suddenly rushed over and bowed to him, saying, “Master of the Light Boat, could you teach me the Way of Books?”

Chen Yi slightly frowned, glanced at him once, and said nothing, then bowed politely to Director Qiao:

“Director, I have matters to attend to, so I bid you farewell for now.”

Director Qiao looked at Pei Zhanghe, then smiled warmly, “Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, when you come to teach the Way of Books, this exhibition hall will surely satisfy you.”

“It would be my honor, Director.”

After which, Chen Yi greeted the others, then signaled Xiao Wan’er to prepare for departure.

Seeing this, Pei Zhanghe wouldn’t be deterred, so he blocked Chen Yi’s path again, saying, “Master of the Light Boat, I am sorry for my past actions. I humbly ask for your forgiveness, and teach me the Way of Books.”

Chen Yi looked at him, shook his head, and said, “Tell your grandfather to apologize to me.”

Before Pei Zhanghe could say anything else, Chen Yi had already led Xiao Wan’er and Shen Huatang out of the academy.

Pei Zhanghe watched their retreating figures, muttering in confusion, “Why did he refuse? Why does he have to apologize to my grandfather?”

At that moment, Han Zhangping approached, and in a low voice said, “Because you, Pei Zhanghe, are not yet worthy of his forgiveness.”

Pei Zhanghe blinked, his face turning ashen.

“How dare he? He’s just a son-in-law from the Xiao family, letting down scholars everywhere, how could—”

“Be quiet!”

Han Zhangping’s voice suddenly rose sharply, startling Pei Zhanghe.

He glanced at the pallid Han Zhangping, then hesitated, unable to speak further.

Han Zhangping glared at him for a moment, then took a deep breath, bowed politely to Director Qiao and the others, saying, “I apologize for the disturbance. Please forgive me.”

Director Qiao remained calm, shaking his head, “Your hospitality is generous. Please take care.”

As Han Zhangping dragged the reluctant Pei Zhanghe away, Director Qiao shook his head again, “No wonder Old Pei wanted to send him to Shu Zhou. Such a character, unrefined by hardship, can never become a true talent.”

Zhou Ying and the others nodded, but said nothing.

They knew Director Qiao’s temper.

Even if Pei Zhanghe came from a good family and had decent abilities, he would never be allowed into the prestigious Yun Cloud Academy.

Nor would Chen Yi.

Though he didn’t mind Pei Zhanghe’s lack of propriety, that didn’t mean he’d accept him into the academy.

After all, forgiving Pei Zhanghe was his grandfather’s affair, with no relation to Chen Qinzhou.

On the way back,

Chen Yi, as usual, chatted cheerfully with Xiao Wan’er.

It took half a day to gather the necessary gifts and items for the festival, from the northern city to the western market, before they finally returned to the mansion.

At that moment, the old matriarch had already returned with her entourage.

Guards stood in full formation inside and outside the mansion, creating a scene of the matriarch’s authority and dignity.

Chen Yi surveyed the scene, noting that Wang Li and others appeared solemn yet composed. He realized the old matriarch’s visit to the provincial governor’s office must have gone well.

After all, Liu Ming had died outside the Iron Wall Fortress, along with evidence of his collusion with Xiao Dongchen—letters and thirty thousand taels of silver.

In such a situation, Xiao’s old lord would have to let the Liu family submit and bow in submission, or else stay confined within the mansion.

But Chen Yi didn’t know what conditions the Liu family had agreed to.

However, soon enough,

When Chen Yi returned to the Spring Lotus Garden, he learned from Xiao Wugou some rumors about the meeting between the old lord and Liu Hong.

In general, they were very much in line with Chen Yi’s own deductions.

The summer grain tax in the three towns of Dingyuan was exempted, the provincial governor’s office claimed it was according to the new imperial edicts.

Anyone with eyes to see knew it was nonsense.

The Liu family of Jingzhou would replenish the grain supplies burned in Iron Wall Town at a low price.

Additionally, there was compensation in silver—about fifty thousand taels.

Plus the thirty thousand taels from Liu Ming earlier, Xiao’s family would not face shortages of money or grain in the near future.

Upon hearing this, Chen Yi thought and asked, “Do you know what conditions the Liu family proposed?”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Wugou’s smile faded slightly, and he huffed, “They said for Grandfather to keep silent about Liu Ming’s involvement, and in return, they’d also keep quiet about Uncle Dongchen’s affairs.”

“Only that?”

“There’s more—they mentioned something about a marriage alliance.”

Chen Yi slightly frowned, “So they’re still trying to marry your older sister?”

Xiao Wugou shook his head, “Not the older sister.”

“It seems they want to marry off the third daughter of the Liu family’s second son. I don’t know who that might be… could it be the beautiful sister I met that day?”

The third daughter could only be Liu Zhaoxu.

Chen Yi muttered to himself, wondering whether Liu Zhaoxu’s actions had been discovered by the Liu family, or if they had ulterior motives.

After thinking it over, he deduced the latter was more likely.

If Liu Zhaoxu’s deeds were known to the Liu family, she’d likely meet a grim fate.

“Did the old lord agree?”

“He agreed, saying Xiao Zhiqi would marry her.”

“The second son?”

Chen Yi was stunned into silence, “Could Liu Hong agree to that?”

After this incident, Xiao’s second family had been clearly expelled from Shu Zhou.

Even though Xiao Zhisheng had remained in Shouzhou due to his role as governor, he would never again set foot in the capital. In such circumstances, it would be quite strange for Liu Hong to agree. Xiao Wugou let out a hearty laugh: "Not agreed." "The elder said, the Liu family has wolfish ambitions; they'll surely meet their downfall someday." "Perhaps so..." Chen Yi stared out at the rain-streaked window, realizing that the old patriarch and Liu Hong must have other conditions. Or perhaps what the Liu family had offered went far beyond these terms. It was just that the rest might not be suitable for public disclosure. "It seems the elder still prefers to proceed cautiously." Chen Yi thought this, and citing his exhaustion, he returned to his chambers to practice the Four Symbols Art. He could not help but wonder whether Xiao Jinghong had gone to seek Pei Mengyu, hoping that the fierce little concubine might keep a lid on things. Otherwise... He would have to think of a way to make amends. Could he claim to have accidentally met the fearsome swordsman, Liu Rong? He feared he might be sliced in half by a single blow... At this moment, in Kangning Street, in a shop not far from the Guoyun Academy. Luo Yuexue swept her gaze around, her exquisite face showing a hint of grim determination. "Cui Qingwu, you—how brazen!" She had only needed a place to hide, any shelter that could withstand scrutiny. Instead, she had chosen a shop! Luo Yuexue didn't need to think—she already knew this was surely Cui family mistress's malicious jest. Waiting to see her make a fool of herself. "Hmph, you think I'm afraid to hide beneath the radar of the Xiao family and the execution officials?" Luo Yuexue hummed, then sent for two aides to tidy the shop, preparing to resume business as usual. After all, it was a shop. If it stayed closed, it would only draw more attention. "Your lordship..." "Call her the proprietress." "Proprietress, what business do you run here?" Luo Yuexue thought for a moment, and suddenly recalling that 'Liu Wu' had come, she impulsively blurted out: "That bastard..." "Wonton? Not bad..." (End of chapter)