Chapter 618: 251 Match (Part 1)
February was still a season with a hint of chill, and at this ti the flowers had not yet blood; only the fresh green of the treetops burst forth against the cold, heralding the news of spring.
Ma Chengteng rushed to find Yueyao and said, “Yueyao, Qingfeng Bookhouse is holding an art exhibition.” Each year during March and April, Qingfeng Bookhouse held an art exhibition featuring the works of so famous painters. But this ti, the exhibition was different from the past.
It took Yueyao quite a while to understand that the art exhibition organized by Qingfeng Bookhouse was less an exhibition and more a competition. Qingfeng Bookhouse allowed anyone who enjoyed painting and was confident in their own work to submit their pieces to the Bookhouse. Several masters from the painting circles would then critique the submissions, and the top pieces would be selected. The top fifty works would be put on display.
For many painters, this exhibition was a rare opportunity. Achieving a high ranking could bring fa within the industry, and if they were lucky enough to catch the favorable attention of the masters, their future prospects would be bright. Hence, the exhibition was highly coveted.
Yueyao was sowhat tempted—this was a chance to make a na for herself. In any profession, fa was essential; without it, no matter how excellent one’s paintings, nobody would take notice.
No one could escape the word “utility,” and Yueyao was no exception.
Yueyao was very tempted, but she had her own principles for how to conduct herself. After thinking it over, she said, “Uncle, I have to ask my ntor first. If he agrees, I will participate, but if he doesn’t…” If her ntor disagreed, it would an she wasn’t ready yet. It would be a pity, but she would still choose not to participate.
Ma Chengteng was puzzled by why Mr. Yu Shan was unwilling to formally accept Yueyao as a student. Mr. Yu Shan tutored Yueyao with great care yet refused to take her as his apprentice. Ma Chengteng really couldn’t understand what Mr. Yu Shan ultimately wanted to do. He hesitated and said, “What if Mr. Yu Shan doesn’t let you participate? It would be such a sha to miss out on such a good opportunity.”
Yueyao paused for a mont before responding, “If the ntor doesn’t agree, it must be because my skills are not up to standard, so I shouldn’t participate.”
Ma Chengteng sighed softly. Although Yueyao hadn’t formally beco a disciple, Mr. Yu Shan was indeed, in effect, her teacher. If the teacher didn’t agree, the student should not go against his wishes.
Yueyao wanted to go to the manor. Although things were calm at Ma’s Mansion now, she still longed for the mountains, where she felt less confined than in the back courtyard and enjoyed a greater sense of freedom.
Ma Chengteng wondered, “Why would you think to go to the manor? Aren’t you comfortable here in the mansion?” He cared for Yueyao so deeply; surely no one in the mansion would dare to neglect her. He wondered if Madam Tang’s foolish act had left a thorn in Yueyao’s side.
Yueyao shared her thoughts with Ma Chengteng. If she didn’t go out, staying in the courtyard every day, what could she paint? Surely she couldn’t spend all her ti painting apricot blossoms! After a few dozen tis, they would no longer need to be painted.
Ma Chengteng didn’t refuse, but neither did he imdiately agree: “Let’s wait until we have spoken to Mr. Yu Shan.” If Mr. Yu Shan agreed to let her participate in the competition, Yueyao certainly wouldn’t be able to go to the manor.
Mr. Yu Shan replied soon after, advising Yueyao not to participate. He didn’t specify the reasons, and Yueyao didn’t ask. With great respect for her ntor’s teaching, she trusted that if he said not to participate, he must feel she wasn’t yet qualified.
Ma Chengteng still reluctantly felt that letting such a good opportunity slip by was a pity: “Yueyao, how about you submit a painting without revealing your identity, using a pseudonym? Mr. Yu Shan wouldn’t know you competed, and you could still gauge your own level through this submission.”
Yueyao shook her head: “Uncle, the opportunity is rare, but since the ntor has spoken, there must be good reason for it. There will always be other opportunities; there is no rush.”
Ma Chengteng agreed to Yueyao’s request to go to the manor.
Before Yueyao could set off, she received an invitation from the Shen Residence. The invite was sent in the na of Pin Lan, inviting Yueyao to attend a gathering she was hosting, scheduled for the third day of March.
In China, there has been a saying since ancient tis: “On the second day of the second month, the Dragon raises its head; On the third day of the third month, Xuan Yuan is born.” After the Wei and Jin dynasties, the third day of the third month was also known as the Shangsi Festival, believed to be the day the Queen Mother of the West held her Peach Banquet.
Every year around this season, families would hold feasts or invite a few close friends to enjoy the spring countryside.
After reading the invitation, Yueyao smiled and said, “Pack up, we’ll leave for the manor tomorrow.” The manor Yueyao planned to visit was one of the properties that ca as part of Madam Ma’s dowry and now belonged to her.
Xi Yu couldn’t understand Yueyao’s decision and quickly said, “Miss, this is an invitation from the Shen Family Lady; how can you not go?” The Shen family would be Yueyao’s future in-laws, and such a refusal would be seen as a major slight, surely leading to disapproval after she married into the Shen family.
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