Chapter 55: Authentic
No. 32 Ancient Street.
In the inner courtyard, Wang Gu walked back and forth, his eyes full of doubt.
"Who is that young man? How did he meet the Old Master? Over the years, the Old Master has always been behind closed doors. Even many neighborhoods in the Ancient Street do not know that the Old Master is still alive, and I have never seen that person in the past either…" He muttered softly in his mouth.
"That painting… what's going on with it? Is it possible that that young man is a descendant of the owner of the painting?" His brows frowned as he became thoughtful.
"Also, what on earth will the Old Master and that young man talk about?" When Wang Gu said this, he raised his head from time to time and looked in the direction of the small wooden door, but he did not have the guts to go in without the Old Master's permission.
…
In the gallery.
The light was dim, Wang Xiu's hands trembled as he continued to lit a few more candle lights, the place was illuminated extremely brightly.
Ye Bei stood quietly as he looked at the painting in front of him, while Wang Xiu was quietly preparing the ink.
In the painting, there were a few small rural houses, a few dead trees that had just sprouted, and a few ancient people.
When looking at this painting, Ye Bei's thoughts drifted away leisurely.
In a house's study room.
A boy was gently grinding ink beside Ye Bei, his actions were serious and meticulous.
Ye Bei was in a long gown as usual; he sat in front of a desk with a brush in his hand. His eyebrows were handsome and his complexion was calm.
He moved the brush and words fell.
Line after line, the style of the words was peaceful and natural, and the gesture was subtle and stable as if they were born with a sense of perfection.
"Master, what are you writing?" The boy stopped, and when Ye Bei finished writing, the boy asked curiously, he knew very few words.
"Orchid Pavilion Preface." Ye Bei spoke, his voice was indifferent.
"Master, these words are so beautiful… I want to write such beautiful words in the future too!" The boy's voice was full of admiration and awe.
Ye Bei picked up the word and muttered softly, "This word is for you."
"Really?" The boy was overjoyed.
"Yeah." Ye Bei nodded, he let out a light smile and said lightly, "After this word, there is also a painting, I will give it to you today too."
"Thank you, master, I will grind the ink for master." The boy was overjoyed even more.
While grinding ink seriously, the boy would also look at Ye Bei's painting from time to time.
It was a story of a meeting of Winding Stream Party. With Ye Bei's graceful movements and strokes, the boy became more and more surprised as time went on. The picturesque scenery was quiet and peaceful. (A/N: A winding stream party is an old Chinese custom in which the participants wait by a winding stream and compose poems before their cups full of rice wine float down to reach them.)
The depiction of trees, buildings, and characters were all extremely sophisticated.
When the whole painting was over, it was elegant and beautiful in the splendor and subtly, showing the green landscape with an extremely real and lifelike picture.
"Master, this painting is so beautiful. Just looking at it, I can hear the sound of mountain streams and bamboo leaves stirring as if my whole person is integrated into this painting, and it's extremely quiet and tranquil." As Ye Bei stopped his movement, the boy fully expressed his thoughts.
"The painting was made with Orchid Pavilion Preface; I will give it to you today." Ye Bei's expression was indifferent, he glanced slightly and gave the painting to the boy casually.
"Thank you master for the reward; I will not let master down in the future." The boy took it carefully, like a heavenly treasure.
And many years later, this boy made great achievements in the calligraphy world, the later generations called him the "Sage of Calligraphy".
The collection of Orchid Pavilion Preface, with a pure heart and a sharp brush in the three points.
But there was no trace of the painting, in later generations, people often copied it based on fantasy.
That boy's name was Xizhi, his surname was Wang, his nationality was Han, his penname was Danzhai.
"Such a pity." After a long time, Ye Bei regained his senses and sighed slightly, his eyes faint.
When Wang Xiu heard this, he said, "Guest, the world only knows that Wang Xizhi has written the Orchid Pavilion Preface but does not know that there's a painting along with it too, it's a pity, it's been too long, where did that painting go? No one knows, now this one was bought by ancestors with at a large sum of money, and it was made by posterity according to the preface."
"En." Ye Bei said lightly.
He did not intend to tell the truth. Whether it was the Orchid Pavilion Preface or the painting, he moved a lot of hands and feet in later gears to cover up everything.
"Guest, that ink has been polished." Wang Xiu muttered.
From the table, Ye Bei picked up a brush, he took a step forward and moistened it with ink.
Afterward, he found a piece of paper cloth and placed it on a wooden board, with a calm expression, he sat down in front of the wooden board with a graceful movement.
The brush in his hand moved, the words appeared.
Wang Xiu crouched on the side, watching carefully.
"Orchid Pavilion Preface!"
When the tree characters 'Orchid Pavilion Preface' appeared, Wang Xiu's expression was shocked, his pupils kept dilating.
Those three words were vigorous and powerful, full of the long years, if not for the new ink, it was definitely more real than the original.
In a blink of an eye, ten minutes passed.
Whoosh!
Everything was done.
The brand new Orchid Pavilion Preface was created.
Ye Bei took the paper cloth away without even looking at it, he put it aside and picked up the brush again, smeared it with ink, then he laid a piece of paper cloth again. This time, Ye Bei was going to paint.
Green mountains and green water, magnificent forests and bamboos…
The outline of the painting became clearer and clearer.
Next to him, Wang Xiu's body was already sluggish, those eyes were full of incredibility and shock.
"Guest, this is… the original painting of Orchid Pavilion Preface?" The moment Ye Bei started the movement of his brush again, Wang Xiu could not help it as his voice trembling, then he stepped forward, rubbing his eyes, staring at the painting without blinking. His dry eyes became brighter, his voice also vividly revealed excitement.
"Yes, if you think it is. No, if you think it's not." Ye Bei threw the brush aside, left his hand from the painting, and stood quietly in the gallery, continuing to observe the paintings handing on the wall, his eyes tranquil, without any waves.
But it could not be applied to Wang Xiu.
He could not calm down at all. That rickety, old body quickly picked up the two pieces of paper.
Regardless of whether Ye Bei was nearby, he found a magnifying glass and looked at it carefully by candlelight.
In the gallery, it fell into silence again.
Hu, hu…
Only the occasional heavy breathing of Wang Xiu could be heard.
After a long time, Wang Xiu raised his head, his body arched, and his hand holding the magnifying glass could not stop shaking.
"Guest, have sir… ever met the ancestor Danzhai?" His voice was very soft, with hesitation, also with a bit of anticipation, and the way he called Ye Bei had also changed from 'you' to 'sir'.
"Yeah." Ye Bei said lightly, which was regarded as an answer.
"That…" Wang Xiu wanted to ask more.
But before he could let out the second word, Ye Bei leisurely continued, "He was my attendant."
Wang Xiu held the paper cloth and slowly loosened it. In the gallery, the needle fell silently.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Venerable_Linfeng
Venerable_Linfeng If you want your children to have a peaceful life, let them suffer a little hunger and a little coldness.
Chapter 56: Appraisal
In the inner courtyard, Wang Gu was still walking back and forth.
Two hours had passed since his Old Master asked him to leave, now, the sky was completely dim, the air in the inner courtyard was also getting colder.
"The Old Master is too told, should I go in and see?" It was not known how many steps Wang Gu took back and forth, his voice was a little anxious.
"That young man is very strange, he is so young, but he gives me a feeling of an old man…" He frowned slightly as his voice was a bit dissatisfied.
"Forget it, I can't let this go on anymore, if something happens to the Old Master, I can't really shirk the blame." He halted his step, his decision was also made.
He lifted his foot and walked towards the small wooden door.
Standing in front of the door, he stopped again, hesitating for a moment.
Finally, he gritted his teeth and extended out his hand, and slowly pushed the wooden door open.
…
"He was my attendant." In the gallery, Ye Bei's voice was faint, his complexion was calm as if he was just telling a simple and normal thing.
But Wang Xiu's heart was already full of stormy waves.
He just guessed that when he saw Ye Bei's authentic calligraphy and painting, and then saw his face that had not aged for eighty years, he just said casually… but he did not expect Ye Bei to admit it so generously.
That answer was really incredible. It even made Wang Xiu feel that his entire head became dizzy.
In front of him, this young man was really an old friend from eighty years ago?
Moreover, had he really met Wang Xizhi, and even that ancestor of his, Wang Xizhi, was his attendant?
If someone else said something like this, Wang Xiu would never believe it, and would never let that person go.
However, when he got the answer from the young boy in front of him, Wang Xiu's head was hot, and he chose to believe it, but he couldn't help and asked again, ��Guest, is what you said true?"
"It's true." Ye Bei's voice was faint.
"Eighty years ago, you asked me to paint… was that on purpose?" Wang Xiu asked again.
"You look like an old friend." Ye Bei whispered.
In fact, when Ye Bei passed through this Ancient Town eighty years ago, when he first saw Wang Xiu, he already knew that he was a descendant of Wang Xizhi. At that time, it was a momentary interest that allowed Wang Xiu to paint and therefore forged this fate.
After Wang Xiu heard this, he could not help it anymore.
He had heard many stories from Ye Bei, but he had never of such secrets. The young man in front of him had lived in an era with his ancestors.
The more he thought about it, the weirder it became, the more he thought about it, the more shocking it was, sweat dripped from his wrinkled forehead.
"Ancestor!"
Thump!
His body was trembling.
In the end, his old body knelt down directly behind Ye Bei with a thump.
Ye Bei heard this voice but did not respond.
Although his face was younger, like a tender boy, but this Wang Xiu, as a junior, knelt to himself, there was nothing wrong with it, and he could bear it.
Creak!
The moment Wang Xiu's knees were on the ground, the small wooden door connecting to the backyard was pushed open with a creak.
Wang Gu was standing at the door.
When he heard Wang Xiu's voice, and saw this abnormal scene, his whole body was like being electrocuted.
His father… called a young man ancestor? He even knelt down… this, his old father was not confused, right?
Thinking of this, Wang Gu's complexion turned red and white.
He ran over quickly, grabbed Wang Xiu's arm, and shouted anxiously, "Old Master, please sober up, what are you doing? How old are you now?"
But Wang Xiu shook off Wang Gu's hand and murmured, "Little Gu, kneel down."
"Old Master?" Wang Gu was stunned, he was completely unable to understand.
Wang Xiu shouted again, "Kneel down." Although he was old, his powerful aura remained unabated.
Thump!
Wang Gu's legs softened and his complexion kept changing. Finally, he knelt on the ground, looking at Ye Bei, and then at Wang Xiu. His head was completely blank, however, when the corner of his eye was out of sight, he swept past two pieces of paper on the ground, at that moment, his eyes suddenly widened.
"Ancestor, the younger generation has something to ask." Wang Xiu knelt on the ground, begging in a low voice.
Ye Bei shook his head and said nothing.
"Ancestor…?" Wang Xiu was unwilling. He originally wanted Ye Bei to teach him how to write calligraphy, but he did not expect Ye Bei would refuse without even listening.
Ye Bei only then spoke, his voice indifferent, "This piece of calligraphy and painting, are enough."
Wang Xiu was shocked, his eyes were full of regret.
Yes, Ye Bei was writing and painting in front of him just now, but he was just shocked and didn't pay any attention at all.
That opportunity… once missed, it would be missed forever.
"Get up." Ye Bei said again, "The calligraphy and painting are for you, this shop belongs to me."
Wang Gu's eyes were originally on the calligraphy and painting.
But after hearing this, he suddenly recovered and yelled unconsciously, "Although our shop has no business, it is a century-old brand, and the location is in the Ancient Town. Do you know how much it's worth? The antique opposite once gave out 8 million, but we did not sell it. With this fake calligraphy and painting just written, you want to bluff my Old Master?"
Ye Bei did not look upset after hearing this, he had never liked having too many entanglements with this layman.
Once Wang Xiu painted a picture for him, he returned one today.
"Shut up! Little Gu…" As expected, Wang Gu's voice just fell, and Wang Xiu scolded him, then ignoring Wang Gu's awkward appearance, he slammed his head down to the ground deeply, "Old ancestor! Your calligraphy and painting are priceless; the younger generations are worthless. The value of this shop is definitely not worth it. Not so… as long as the ancestor is here for one day, let Little Gu serve the ancestor for one day, is that okay?"
That old voice was hoarse and very sincere.
Ye Bei naturally noticed how Wang Xiu made this calculation. He just wanted to give Wang Gu a qualification to became a famous historical master, so he would one day be famous forever.
It happened that he was missing a servant by his side. Ye Bei did not refuse but lightly nodded, which was regarded as an agreement.
But how could Wang Gu accept this?
"Father, what are you doing? This is too confusing!" Wang Gu could not help but stand up directly from the ground, his face pale.
"Little Gu, you should go and appraise the calligraphy and painting first." Wang Xiu was surprisingly calm this time, and he slowly stood up without scolding but said something like this to his son.
Wang Gu was full of doubts and anger.
He took a deep look at Ye Bei.
His Old Master was too old, so he did not dare to disobey, worried that something might happen accidentally.
He obediently put on his presbyopic glasses, picked up the magnifying glasses, and spread the calligraphy and painting on the table casually, then began to appraise it seriously with his professional level.
Ten minutes later.
Wang Gu's forehead was full of cold sweat…
In his eyes, all were horrified and shocked.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Venerable_Linfeng
Venerable_Linfeng
Character can be built on a daily routine.
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