Chapter 63: The Charming and Gentle He Lan Min Yue

  Chen Yi put down his brush, and He Lan Minzhi and He Lan Minyue, who had been staring at him as he wrote, immediately walked up to stand in front of the poem manuscript, carefully admiring it and revealing similar looks of surprise.

  "The small lotus just reveals its pointed corners, and the dragonfly has already landed on its head." He Lan Minyue muttered two lines from the poem, looking at the painting hanging on the bookshelf with a sudden realization, "It's really written vividly... This poem was actually made for Yan Taichangbo's painting!"

  He Lan Minzhi took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down after being deeply moved, and revealed a somewhat strained smile. He bowed his hands to Chen Yi and said: "Young brother Ziyuan, your writing skills are truly admirable! I am inferior to you, ah! 'The small lotus has just revealed its tip, and the dragonfly is already standing on its head' - it's too vivid! If Yan Taichang sees the poem you wrote, he will be overjoyed! What time should I bring this painting and your manuscript to visit him? No, what time should I bring you, holding this painting, to visit him? He will definitely be amazed! This poem is tailor-made for this painting, it's too fitting!"

  He Lan Mi had been pondering over this painting for a few days, wanting to compose a poem or write an inscription for it, but couldn't think of anything suitable. Just as he was getting frustrated, Chen Yi took one glance at the painting and immediately came up with a breathtaking poem, which dealt He Lan Mi a blow that wasn't ordinary. This young man, who was about his age, had learning that was truly exceptional, far beyond what He Lan Mi could match!

  Upon hearing the brother and sister's heartfelt praise, Chen Yi felt their fervent gaze, his proud mood suddenly vanished, a bit of shame welled up, and he said with some embarrassment: "Chang Zhuo Xiong and He Lan Xiao Niangzi are overpraising me, this is just a small poem after all, it's just a seven-character poem, can't be taken as praise from the two of you! Really... I don't dare to accept such compliments!"

  The old face that was praised by this brother and sister has turned red, it seems that the skin is not thick enough. If you can't do something that can't be seen by others, such as stealing a famous work, you can't help but blush and your heart beats fast. This point must be changed, otherwise when discussing poetry or special occasions, there will always be a psychological burden of looking back, which makes it easier to make mistakes and harder to "mix" in the future!

  With this thought, Chen Yi's embarrassment decreased a lot, and a "confidence" returned to his face. As long as no one knew that he was stealing poems, the stolen poems were his own. Anyway, those real authors wouldn't be able to travel through time to ask him for copyright. Thinking of this, he straightened his chest again, and looked at He Lan Minyue with a slightly smug expression.

  He Lan Minyue didn't dodge Chen Yi's gaze, instead she looked back at him with a playful and admiring glint in her eyes.

  She not only admired the high quality of Chen Yi's poetry, but also liked and appreciated the elegance and freedom contained in it, as well as its naturalness, just like the scene depicted in "Youthful Journey" and the natural peace conveyed in this poem titled "Small Pond". It is worth noting that most popular poems in society nowadays are still in the style of palace poetry, which was further developed and promoted by former Prime Minister Shangguan Yi. However, everyone knows that such poems can be described as "flowery but empty", with a somewhat pretentious tone. Chen Yi's poems, on the other hand, do not have this flavor at all, but instead have a very natural and sincere taste, which makes people like them from the first read and appreciate them even more after repeated readings.

  The two poems written by Chen Yi, she liked them very much. Just now when Chen Yi was writing with a brush, that elegant movement and proud expression were also what she liked to see the most. There was not a bit of pretentiousness in it, somewhat similar to her brother's usual movements, and even more at ease.

  She doesn't like men who are pretentious and artificial. Chen Yi's behavior can be said to be the kind of man she likes the most.

  Of course he likes Chen Yi this way also contains things that she herself can't figure out.

  He Lan Minzhi saw the unusual expression on her sister's face when she looked at Chen Yi, and a hint of displeasure flashed across her face, but it was immediately gone. She smiled at Chen Yi and said: "Ziying, you are really talented, I don't understand why you don't go for a government position or take the imperial examination? There will definitely be many people who appreciate your talent and be willing to recommend you! With your talent, getting an official position is not difficult!"

  He Lan Min said, with a hint of expectation in his eyes, hoping that Chen Yi would say something like "I hope you can help me" based on what he had just said. If so, he would immediately agree and recommend him to the Emperor and Empress. Chen Yi was an outstanding person in all aspects, exactly the kind of talent He Lan Min wanted to recruit. His aunt also needed someone with such abilities, and Chen Yi's character would definitely win her favor!

  "I'm new to Chang'an, unfamiliar with the place and people, many memories haven't returned, and I haven't found my companions yet. Alone and penniless, I don't dare ask for too much!" Chen Yi's smug expression faded, replaced by a hint of loneliness and self-mockery. "What I hope for most now is to settle down in Chang'an, find my companions, and clear up the past. As for anything else, I don't dare ask for too much."

  These statements are mostly true, without understanding one's real identity, there is no confidence at all, especially in ancient times when birth was emphasized, scholars and commoners were different, if this point is not clarified first, how can they dare to hope for officialdom and great things?

  Apart from the previous point, Chen Yi tactfully declined He Lanming's proposal and knew that he had a few pounds and ounces. Apart from his medical skills and those famous poems he remembered, what else could he show off? Nothing! The siblings in front of him were also weirdos. Didn't he just write two poems in front of them, and based on these two poems, He Lanming thought he was quite learned? That's too rash, isn't it?

  Wouldn't it be even more interesting if he were to recite more works by famous authors next?

  He Lan Minzhi heard Chen Yi's subtle words and felt a little disappointed, suddenly unsure of what to say.

  At this moment, a servant outside knocked on the door to ask for an audience, interrupting He Lan Minzhi's interest and slightly displeasing her. She loudly ordered the person seeking an audience to enter. The one who entered was one of He Lan Minzhi's personal attendants, Chen Yi, whom he had seen during his previous conflict with Wu Sansi and others.

  The attendant entered the house with a tense expression, leaned over to He Lan's ear and whispered a few words, then retreated to one side, waiting for orders.

  He Lan Min let out a soft sigh, and apologetically bowed to Chen Yi: "Ziying, I have something urgent to attend to, so I won't be able to keep you company for now. How about this, let Minyue keep you company instead? And later, please come back to check on Mother again!"

  Chen Yi had just said that he would have to examine Wu Shun later, to see how his body and mental state were after getting up normally today. He Lan Min also agreed. Although He Lan Min was not too willing to let his sister accompany Chen Yi alone, but because he had to rush out and couldn't leave Chen Yi alone in the mansion, which would be too impolite, he could only let He Lan Minyue, who had just been with him, stay with Chen Yi.

  "Let's go, brother. I'll check on the lady again in a while and then head back to the guest house!" Chen Yi didn't know what was going through He Lanming's mind, but although he felt a bit regretful that his older brother was leaving so suddenly, thinking about being able to spend time alone with He Lanming made him quite excited.

  Having a beauty by your side, who wouldn't want to be alone with her? As a man, you would naturally have such thoughts.

  "Minyue, stay with Ziyin for a while, brother will be back soon! Ziyin, I'll go first, sorry!" He Lan Minzhi gave He Lan Minyue a meaningful glance that only she understood, then apologized to Chen Yi with a slight bow of her head, and hastily followed the waiting attendant away.

  Only two people were left in the house, but there was no warmth as Chen Yi had hoped for. Instead, there was a bit of awkwardness and a hint of ambiguity in the air.

  Chen Yi murmured in agreement, attempting to break the slight awkwardness. "He Lan young lady, you and your brother are alike, very fond of poetry? I see that your paintings are extremely well done, surely you have studied under a famous master?"

  Many times, conversations between men and women start with a few boring sentences. Chen Yi asked this self-awarely boring question without anything to say.

  He Lan Minyue didn't answer his question, instead she muttered somewhat discontentedly: "You've been calling me Brother He Lan for a long time now, why are you still addressing me as Little Miss He Lan? I don't like hearing it at all, it's so unpleasant!"

  "What should I call you then?" Chen Yi was a bit stunned, but his heart had a hint of anticipation!

  "I don't like it when you call me 'He Lan Little Girl', it sounds terrible!" He Lan Minyue said with a slightly puffed up face: "I know you don't like calling me that either, or else...you can also call me Minyue like my brother does, and I won't call you Master Chen, but rather Ziying, okay?"

  "That's great! That's really good!" Chen Yi nodded hastily, with a slightly awkward but very happy expression: "What you said is true, I don't like calling you 'He Lan Little Girl' at all, it sounds strange, just... from now on when we meet, let's call each other by name, okay?"

  As soon as he said this, Chen Yi wanted to slap himself in the face. This was too unnecessary. The little girl had already made such a request, and he was still asking if it was suitable or not. It was a bit of a bad atmosphere. As soon as he thought of this, without waiting for He Lan Minyue's response, he immediately called out: "Heh heh, then I'll call you Minyue! Calling your name feels much more comfortable, heh heh!"

  "Ah! Xiao Ying..." He Lan Minyue responded with a smile, looking at Chen Yi's comical expression, and couldn't help but let out a giggle. Her smile was radiant, her expression indescribably captivating, and Chen Yi was suddenly stunned!