On Our Wedding Night, I Discovered the Crown Prince's Hidden Illness

Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Unaware of Mount Tai

Leng Yu Yan watched him carefully lift the red silk, revealing some yellowed booklets.

These indeed were the calligraphy practice books she had written four years ago.

Written on a whim, signed under the name “Mr. Yan”.

At that time, she had hoped to make some money, but unexpectedly, the sales were poor, and thus, there were only a few copies of her booklets throughout Tiancheng.

She hadn’t expected the Mountain Master to treasure the booklets like precious gems.

The Mountain Master opened the booklets, pointing at them one by one, “These calligraphies, especially this part, are almost exactly like those you presented at the calligraphy conference.”

“May I ask how the Mountain Master obtained these booklets?”

Perhaps it was because she and Miao Zhu were in a secluded valley where the people were simple and hardly literate—that’s why the sales were not good.

Given such circumstances, it truly wasn’t easy for the Mountain Master to obtain them.

She remembered the first time she came to the Mountain Master’s study, the walls were adorned with numerous cherished writings of the Late Empress.

In a small corner, there were also several calligraphy works by the Mountain Master, many of which were modeled after those in her booklets.

Thus, at the calligraphy conference, when the Mountain Master said he had recognized the right person, she knew he had recognized her handwriting.

“I happened upon it at a market, where I was buying some pancakes to eat. I saw a vendor using pages to wrap food, which distressed me greatly. Fortunately, I managed to save a copy, although sadly another copy was wrapped around pancakes until only the cover remained.”

Every time he recalled that scene, the Mountain Master felt a sharp pain.

“I must still thank the Mountain Master!” Leng Yu Yan bowed in gratitude.

The Mountain Master waved his hand, “Later, Mr. Yan’s calligraphy became very popular, and the entire capital city was searching for it, but no one could find another copy.”

“You see, the characters on this—running script, cursive script, none are less than exquisite. It truly leaves this old man in awe,” the Mountain Master said with pride, his tone quite proud, and then he sighed, “The index clearly marks running script, cursive script, clerical script, seal script, and regular script, but this book is incomplete!”

Leng Yu Yan smiled faintly, “It is indeed incomplete, just as the Mountain Master has said, there is still a second volume.”

“Every day this old man practices with this booklet, yet I can’t even match one-tenth of Mr. Yan’s skill,” the Mountain Master took a deep breath, “To think that day I even talked about diligence in studies to Mr. Yan—truly, this old man had eyes yet failed to recognize Mount Tai!”

As he spoke, he continued to wave his hands, and his shame was evident in his expression.

This young girl was only fifteen years old—considering the timing when he obtained her booklet, she had the brush strength of an immortal at the age of eleven, which truly shamed this old man!

“The Mountain Master flatters me, I only happened to have better-looking handwriting. They say ‘the style is the man’, and with my modest appearance, I can only compensate with beautiful writing.”

Hearing this, the Mountain Master nodded repeatedly, “Mr. Yan is modest, further praise from this old man would be needless. However, this old man has a somewhat presumptuous request to make, and I hope Mr. Yan would grant it!” @@novelbin@@

As soon as the words fell, the Mountain Master bowed again.

“There’s no need for such formality, Mountain Master,” Leng Yu Yan supported him.

“By learning from Mr. Yan’s booklets, Mr. Yan has become my teacher.”

Seeing his insistence, Leng Yan did not press further, just asking, “What was the presumptuous request you mentioned? Please feel free to speak.”

The Mountain Master looked somewhat embarrassed, “Could Mr. Yan provide the old man with the second volume of the booklets?”

As he spoke, his eyes were full of hope.

“Yes.”

Hearing her agreement, the Mountain Master couldn’t contain his joy, hardly believing it, “Really?”

“But I have a condition.”

“Please say!”

“My identity must remain a secret with the Mountain Master; it must not be disclosed to anyone.”

“Mr. Yan, rest assured, this old man is very tight-lipped!” the Mountain Master suddenly lowered his voice, “The Emperor himself wanted this booklet, but I refused to give it to him.”

If he had spoken, the booklet would have been lost.

Though money is an external matter, the booklet is a priceless treasure!

“Very well, after the Flower Festival, I will write another set of calligraphy for you.”

“Bravo, bravo, that’s wonderful!” Mountain Master said, rubbing his hands together enthusiastically, “My study is spacious and most suitable for dance practice.”

As soon as he had spoken, Mountain Master put away the calligraphy, then opened the door with a smile and welcomed Lai Jiajia and the other four in: “There are tea and snacks on the table. Feel free to have some if you get tired or thirsty from dancing.”

Hearing this, Lai Jiajia was pleasantly surprised: “Mountain Master, I haven’t caused any trouble today!”

Mountain Master couldn’t help but laugh: “Child, I am not a flood or a savage beast! If you need a place to practice your dances during this period, come to the study. I’ll be working in the Taoli Garden.”

The girls bowed in unison: “Thank you, Mountain Master!”

Mountain Master waved his hands cheerily, it was he who should thank them, for this way, he would have a chance to get the calligraphy!

That calligraphy could directly buy a large house in the capital city!

But he wouldn’t sell it!

It was a treasure to be cherished, no, a real treasure!

Thinking that he would soon get a new set of calligraphy, Mountain Master’s beard unconsciously curled upwards, and he strutted out of the study with his hands behind his back.

Jubilant and ecstatic!

After a few steps, unable to contain his joy, he began humming a tune.

Lai Jiajia peeked at Mountain Master’s demeanor, then turned back and asked, “Why is Mountain Master so overjoyed about us practicing dance here?”

“He’s provided food and drink, and he himself has gone to Taoli Garden to work,” Lai Jiajia furrowed her brows and asked Leng Yu Yan, “Sister, how did you persuade Mountain Master?”

Leng Yu Yan smiled slightly: “Am I not the calligraphy champion? Mountain Master cherishes talent.”

Everyone nodded in agreement; even the neighboring Sacrificial Officer wanted to snatch such talent!

“Alright, let’s start practicing,” Leng Yu Yan clapped her hands.

“Yu Yan…” Luo Meng’er said sheepishly, “I will hold everyone back.”

Mi Xinmei whispered, “Just repeating the moves we practiced before is not enough.”

Another girl added, “Yes, having a place to practice is great, but it’s difficult without someone to guide us.”

Leng Yu Yan cleared her throat and said seriously, “If you trust me, watch me perform a few moves.”

The five girls all looked at her, having studied at the academy for some time now, none of them had seen her dance before.

Thinking she had the Jade Token and might actually have some dancing skills, they all nodded continuously.

“Before that, I have a request.”

The five girls in unison: “Please proceed.”

Leng Yu Yan glanced at them intensely, sparking a thrill in their hearts.

For some reason, they felt very reassured having her in their team.

“In the following days, whether here or at home, only practice the moves I show you, forget about what Lady Cao has taught for now.”

Upon hearing this, they all looked at each other in surprise.

Ignoring their astonishment, Leng Yu Yan continued, “Besides here and at your own homes, you must not reveal the moves I teach you anywhere else, or to anyone else, do you understand?”

Lai Jiajia nodded, “Sister, your words are decisive and swift; I really like hearing them!”

Leng Yu Yan shot her a glance: “Stop quibbling! I will only dance once, so you all better watch closely!”

The girls nodded eagerly.

As they watched, Leng Yu Yan moved gracefully, her tiptoes twirling; her wrists lifting and her head bowing softly; her body spinning lightly; as her bare hands stretched out, the scarf flowed like a dragon or a phoenix…

With a pause on her tiptoes and a light lift of her brows, she leaned her body back and bent down.

Suddenly rising, she rapidly danced with fragmented steps, like Fairy Lingbo…

Her entire sequence of movements was as graceful as a startled swan and as agile as a swimming dragon, resembling a fairy descending to earth, leaving them utterly mesmerized.