Volume 2 Chapter 43: Half Face

  The warm sunshine, spring is finally gradually revealing some charming features, with birdsong and fragrant flowers, making people feel a kind of lazy comfort.

  Chen Jianchen is attending a class where Master Liu is lecturing on the essentials of calligraphy strokes.

  Liu Lao Fuzi was already in his sixties, thin and quite tall, wearing a robe that had been washed until it was snowy white. His spirit was bright and alert, and the sound of his chanting was rhythmic, with a strong sense of cadence and phrasing.

  "Words are like people, they should be upright and not crooked, proper and not scattered, with a strong spirit and vitality within..."

  Chen Jianchen listened very seriously.

  Among so many subjects, he liked calligraphy the most. Calligraphy is one of the six arts, which is very important and also in line with Chen Jianchen's interest.

  However, the so-called "six arts" in this dimension are not the six arts that Chen Jianchen remembered, but rather "Jing Li Yue De Shu Shu", which replaced "She Yu" (archery and charioteering), or the two physical training items. In short, it is a literary trend that despises martial arts as rough and unrefined, and therefore cannot be considered an art.

  This is also a powerful means of governance for the imperial court to rule the world with bipolar division.

  Chen Jianchen is a seasoned veteran, naturally seeing things clearly, but he just watches with cold eyes, still doing what needs to be done, exercising every day as usual.

  Apart from this, he chose to study the art of divination, where "Jing Li De" was mostly mediocre and often empty; while "Shu" for Chen Jianchen was not even worth mentioning, almost negligible. So, what's left is "Yue Shu", which is the focus.

  "Music" includes song and dance, poetry and lyrics; while "calligraphy" actually includes calligraphy and painting.

  Chen Jianchen had a certain interest in calligraphy and painting in his previous life, but he didn't learn it thoroughly. After crossing over, he can finally study and research it properly. Moreover, the "Three Orthodox Chapters" also has requirements for calligraphy and painting, which says: "Splash ink to show strength, use the brush to convey spirit." In the realm of "Establishing Words", the core divine energy and righteous energy all need to be expressed through writing and drawing.

  At present, Chen Jianchen has refined his moral integrity and entered the path of righteousness, reaching the realm of establishing words. However, he is currently only at the entry level, and there is still a long way to go.

  Learning calligraphy and painting at the same time can also cultivate "Three-Character Classic", killing two birds with one stone.

  Unfortunately, art class is only once every seven days, and the number of classes is relatively small. This situation is like when I was in high school, music and physical education classes were already scarce, and often occupied by "self-study" classes.

  So every time he attended the book and painting course, Chen Jianchen listened very carefully and often went to his teacher's door to ask for advice. In his spare time, he practiced calligraphy without stopping.

  He has a good understanding, his thoughts are agile, and with hard work, he can be considered to have made some achievements in calligraphy and painting. He also combines the insights of his past life, and begins to consciously form his own style of calligraphy and painting. Several of his works have been praised by Master Fu, who said "He has a youthful spirit, a spirited air, and is not bound by conventional rules."

  Mastering calligraphy is a very useful skill for establishing oneself. If one becomes famous as a result, and becomes a renowned master, it will bring numerous benefits and glory.

  This is actually a way out that Chen Jianchen had prepared for himself.

  The brushwork is excellent, and with "Three-Character Scripture", it's a perfect match, seamless and flawless. What joy can compare to this?

  The class was over, and everyone got up to leave. Wang Fu ran to Chen Jianchen's side again and said: "Liu Xian, if you have time, accompany me on a trip to the street to buy some things."

  He is now eagerly looking forward to the early arrival of March 15th, so that he can see the female students of Qingxue Academy, and of course, Nie Xiaoqian is the most attractive pearl among them.

  Chen Jianchen said: "Brother Fu Tai, I still need to practice calligraphy, I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany you."

  Wang Fu felt somewhat disheartened and had no choice but to ask for leave and go out of the hospital.

  After lunch, Chen Jianchen stayed in his room to practice calligraphy. One of the advantages of studying at the academy was that classes were scheduled for the morning, and afternoons were free time. Except for not being allowed to leave the campus freely, everything else could be arranged by oneself. You could either gather with friends to discuss classics or study alone in your room, as you pleased, as long as you didn't violate the academy's rules.

  At this time, Chen Jianchen was often alone.

  He has been in school for some time, but among the more than 100 classmates, he seems like an outsider, and is somewhat incompatible with others. The only one who talks to him is Wang Fu.

  It's not that Chen Jianchen is introverted, but rather the other students in his class are mostly in their 40s and 50s, with an air of superiority about them. Talking to them is very stressful and it's hard to find common topics to discuss. It's better to just be alone, studying "The True Chapter of the Three Principles" or practicing calligraphy and painting.

  Knock knock knock!

  The knock at the door sounded somewhat urgent.

  Chen Jianchen furrowed his brow, put down his pen, opened the door, and saw Wang Fu standing outside with an excited expression.

  "Luxian, Luxian, guess who I saw on the street just now?"

  Chen Jianchen was stunned and said: "I'm not a god, how can I guess?"

  "Wang Fu excitedly said: 'It's Nie Xiaqian, the treasured daughter of Governor Nie!'"

  Chen Jianchen's heart skipped a beat, and he uttered an "oh" sound: "You went up and talked to her?"

  Wang Fu then said dejectedly: "No, she is sitting in the sedan chair, and there are guards on either side, how could I dare to disturb her?"

  "Then you said you saw someone?"

  Wang Fu's spirit was lifted, and he said: "That was just a gust of wind blowing by at the time, slightly stirring the sedan chair curtains. My foolish brother took advantage of the opportunity to stare with wide eyes, although in the end he only saw half her face, but was already startled as if seeing a heavenly being."

  Thinking of his situation at the time, Chen Jianchen couldn't help but laugh awkwardly.

  "Luoxian, you haven't seen her before. I guarantee that if you see her, you'll be even more astonished than me, and it's highly likely that you won't be able to eat or sleep. Tsk, tsk, she's a rare beauty, just like a person from a painting."

  Chen Jianchen shook his head, he didn't doubt Nie Xiaoqian's unparalleled beauty. However, with the change of time and space, people were no longer themselves, making it difficult to clearly identify each other's identities and backgrounds.

  As they spoke, Wang Fu's expression suddenly turned gloomy, and he said, "But in ten days' time, at the Qingming Festival, I'm afraid we won't even have a chance to talk to her."

  "Chen Jianchen asked: 'Why? Is she very arrogant and has many rules?'"

  Wang Fu shook his head: "It's not that, but she already has a guardian angel by her side, namely Wu Wencai, the only son of former Governor Wu; their two families are aristocratic families and have been engaged since childhood... hmm, Wu Wencai is also a student in our college. It is said that he asked for leave due to some matter and hasn't reported back yet, I believe he will come within these two days."

  Chen Jian's sword-like eyebrows rose slightly, his expression unchanged.

  Wang Fu continued, "Think about it, the Nie and Wu families are both prominent aristocratic families of the imperial court. If we were to offend their young masters and misses, wouldn't that be asking for trouble? So, it's fine to take a glance from afar, but it's absolutely not possible to go up and strike up a conversation. I've also heard that Young Master Wu is arrogant by nature, not a good person to associate with. When he comes to class, Liusu, you should be careful too."

  Chen Jianchen said calmly: "Thanks for reminding me, Brother Tie. As you know, I usually don't provoke others."

  Wang Fu nodded in agreement - indeed, during his time at the academy, Chen Jianchen had always been a quiet and diligent student, focusing on his studies and never getting into conflicts with others.

  Of course, Wang Fu did not know that behind Chen Jianchen's words, there was another unspoken phrase: I don't provoke others, but I also don't like being provoked by others!