Chapter 293: Drawing with Words

"Could it be an immortal family?"
"If it is true..."
"Then this mirror can reflect the immortal family, wouldn't it be a magical mirror?"
……
Suyer, the young maid, held the bronze mirror in her hand and smiled, quietly telling Ming'er beside her.
Tomorrow, when I took the copper mirror and secretly looked behind, there really was a young lady in a beautiful coat, who appeared to be in her teens. But when I turned around, there was no one to be seen.
She quietly whispered to the Miss...
Li Lianyun took the mirror and looked at it, and said to Liu Lang, "This copper mirror is bright and attractive. I wish to buy it."
Liu Yan hears the profound meaning, Wen Guang enters the eyes with a glance.
Reflecting the brilliant light on the mirror, entering the eyes like ripples on a lake, reminding of the "Mirror of Righteousness" mentioned in "Records of Strange Objects".
The current impression is exactly the same as what is mentioned in the book.
The book says, 'In the world, cold bronze can reflect the face, but only a few can reflect the heart. Any mirror that can reflect the heart, its glimmer is like water flowing into the eyes and captivating the mind, and it can reveal ghosts and spirits.'
"Madam has a keen eye."
"This mirror is indeed brighter than others. At night, the moonlight shines on the surface of the mirror, creating a reflection of light."
"The person selling it claims that this mirror is very efficacious."
Across from the mirror seller, a smile on his face, praising this mirror, his words are half true and half false.
Liu Yan asked: "How much do you want to sell it for?"
The seller pondered for a moment and said: "One tael of silver."
All the surrounding young ladies and women widened their eyes when they heard the price.
At other shops, a copper mirror would fetch a maximum of five hundred wen, and there were even cheaper ones for two to three hundred wen or a few tens of wen.
He wants to sell this mirror for one or two taels, but it's just a hand mirror.
Everyone's gaze was curious, staring at the mirror in the gentleman's hand.
Liu Yan didn't haggle over the price, he handed the mirror to his wife and asked the maid to get the silver, then left after buying it.
The mirror seller counted the silver he received and was very joyful, taking this opportunity to praise his own cold bronze products.
A few zhangs away, Liu Yan and his wife were discussing the "cold bronze allusion".
Behind them, two maids took a photo in front of the mirror. Seeing the young wife still following along, and with an additional yellow-clothed elder sister by her side, both of them bowed their heads and looked towards the husband and wife.
Ya Huan Su'er and Ming'er exchanged glances and told Ling Yun what they saw in the mirror.
They walked to a pavilion by the lake in front, and Liu Yan turned around and said to his wife, "Why don't we have a chat?"
Li Ling Yun nodded and walked in front of the two women, saying, "My husband invites both of you."
The little lady in a flower cloak and the big sister in a yellow robe were both surprised. They followed Lian Yun into the pavilion and greeted him with "this little servant" and "this concubine."
Liu Yan also bowed in return, his eyes scanning them with admiration.
Little Missy is fragrant and delicate, while Big Missy is elegant and beautiful. Both have no ghostly aura and emit a faint fragrance that matches their beauty, refreshing the mind and spirit.
"May I ask why both ladies are following us?"
"It is the gentleman's bearing that attracts the two of us."
The woman in yellow smiled and replied, looking at the young lady, "May I ask if the young sir is a scholar of Confucianism and classical learning?"
Liu Yan nodded and said, "I have a little understanding of true learning."
The two women smiled and showed respect, asking the gentleman for guidance on 'the path of understanding classics' and seeking confirmation of the 'advantages of understanding classics'.
Liu Yan was generous in imparting knowledge, briefly explaining to them.
The two women listened attentively, asking questions happily.
When leaving, the woman in the yellow dress left a message: "My name is Jiang Yu, and my younger sister is called Xiang Lian. We are temporarily staying at Ziyang Temple. If you want to know our backgrounds, you can come and ask us at the temple."
Upon hearing this, the maid Su'er thought to herself: "She has no shame, openly leading someone to a secret meeting in broad daylight."
Tomorrow, Mingguessed, "These two must be fox fairies, hiding in the nunnery to cultivate."
Lianyun said, "Not all immortal beings in the world are foxes. You can't judge a person by their appearance."
Liu Yan agreed with Madam and said, "I heard that there is a floral scent in their colors, unlike foxes."
As they continued to stroll through the fragrant market, they looked at various goods being sold along the way.
About a mile later, they came across another pavilion called [Jade Lotus Pavilion].
Many calligraphic paintings hang inside the pavilion, some framed and some loose. On the stone table in the pavilion, there are red cloth, white paper, and writing utensils.
Numerous scholars and literati gather inside and outside the pavilion, enjoying the calligraphic paintings and engaging in conversation.
Liu Yan stopped outside the Niangzi Pavilion and glanced.
At first sight, there was nothing eye-catching, but there was a scroll of "Ladies Picking Flowers" with exquisite brush lines and accomplished painting skills.
Since obtaining the porcelain pillow yesterday and witnessing its ability to "transform paintings into living spirits", he has developed a heart to explore the path of painting.
In order to quickly understand the technique of painting, one should learn from the strokes of masters.
Liu Yanguan's painting "A Colored Flower Portrait of a Lady" is like reading a wonderful article, providing a glimpse of his artistic skills.
"This painting highlights the goddess-like appearance of the woman, so lifelike..."
He folded his sleeves and praised with his fingers, discussing the "Portrait of a Lady" with his wife.
His grand and eloquent speech attracted the attention of everyone in the pavilion, including the owner of the calligraphy and painting.
Looking at his face, he appears to be in his thirties with a refined green beard. He has a thin face and bright eyes.
He carefully scrutinized Liu Yan and concluded that he had extraordinary qualities. He stepped out of the pavilion and respectfully greeted him, saying, "My friend, you have profound insights. May I ask for your surname? I am surnamed Wen."
Liu Yan raised his hand and said, "You have good manners, I am surnamed Liu. Who painted that painting of 'Beauty'?"
Wen Sheng smiled and said, "This is my younger sister's artwork."
"From a young age, my younger sister learned flower and bird, landscape, and animal painting from our father, and also studied the art of painting beauties from Mr. Shuman in Suzhou."
"This painting, 'A Maiden', is the first masterpiece of my younger sister. It is a rare and outstanding work of hers."
"Therefore, I do not want to buy it, but only to exchange it."
Liu Yan became interested in the phrase 'not buying but only exchanging', and asked, "What does my sister want to exchange this masterpiece for?"
Wensheng smiled and looked at him, wanting to speak, but swallowed it back.
Lianyun saw that this person was "dismissing" and spoke up for Liulang, asking, "Sir, if you have something to say, please be straightforward. Keeping things hidden in your heart impedes your freedom."
Wensheng said, "It is not that I am evasive and unwilling to speak directly, but my sister wants to exchange it for something that is not commonly seen."
"My sister wants to use this painting to exchange for a genuine ink treasure!"
"Does Brother Liu have it at home?"
"As he spoke, everyone inside and outside the pavilion listened, and most people didn't know what the 'True Learning Ink Treasure' was."
"Two maidens behind exchanged glances and concealed their laughter, while Lianyun's smile was also evident under her headscarf."
She said, "The painting skills of my sister have not reached the true level, yet she wishes to exchange for a genuine ink masterpiece. Isn't that exchanging silver for gold?"
Hearing this, Wen Sheng dared not underestimate further and turned to Liu Yan, saying, "I also know it's difficult to make an exchange. But my sister insists that if she encounters a true master who appreciates her artwork, she can make the exchange."
Liu Yandao said," What the young sister said is not wrong. The ink and wash of this 'Portrait of a Lady' is light and elegant, and the colors are exquisite. The lady in the painting seems to come to life. By taking it a step further, the true form can be achieved."
"I quite appreciate it," said the gentleman.
Listening to him, like enjoying a gentle breeze in spring, we discussed the exquisite works of his talented sister and invited her to the pavilion to appreciate my own paintings.
His painting skills also come from his father, excelling in depicting flowers, plants, and landscapes.
The several paintings displayed in the pavilion are all considered fine works of art.
Liuyan asked about his family background and learned that Wensheng is from Yuhang and his father is the renowned painter, Mr. Daoru from Yuhang.
When inquiring about Mr. Daoru's well-being, he was informed that he has passed away.
Currently, only he and his sibling are managing the family business.
Her younger sister has been smart and talented since childhood, studying both calligraphy and painting, and admiring true learning.
The two of them sat down for a chat over a cup of tea.
Hearing about the many visitors at Liu Xiong's house, she inquired, "Could it be that there are precious ink treasures of true learning at Brother Liu's residence? I am willing to exchange my own humble works for a glimpse of true learning."
Liu Yan rolled up his sleeves and examined the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone. He said, "The calligraphy and painting in my home do not showcase my learning. However, I can write a piece myself. Please, brother, have a look and let our sister showcase her outstanding work."
With that, he picked up a brush, and Lian Yun, the maid, prepared the ink and laid out the paper nearby.
Wen Sheng suddenly looked at him again, watching his eyes follow the tip of the pen as he wrote.
When he was young, Liu Yanzhen learned to put down his pen and write the eight characters of "Duxing Zhiyuan, Weishi Lixin".
This saying is from "The Book of Rites: The Conduct of the Confucians," and the great righteousness means 'setting lofty goals and not wasting the best years.'
Hearing Sheng holds a trace of literary brilliance in his heart and carefully watches these eight characters.
The words are written in two lines, expressing their meaning clearly, allowing him to directly face the meaning of the eight characters.
The profound principles are transformed into precious pearls and jade-like colors, entering his eyes and making his mind more enlightened.
"This is undoubtedly a true masterpiece of learning, and the person in front of us is a true Confucian scholar!"
With a thought, Wen Sheng considered and respectfully saluted, taking a step back and politely saying, "I am Wen Shiming. May I ask for the courtesy name of the gentleman?"
Seeing the lady by Liu Yan's side, he returned the gesture with another bow and humbly said, "I am Liu Secai."
Wen Shiming, the word "Wen" is like being enlightened, and the joy in my heart is like a spring.
The eyes meet with you, but it is difficult to express in words.
……