Chapter 6: Utterly Embarrassing

Liu Huan’an couldn’t help but lower his head and chuckle. “This is what you call brilliant?”

Liu Shunhua’s lips twitched uncontrollably.

But laughter aside, Liu Huan’an finally felt relieved. With He Xuandu setting the lowest standard, his sister couldn’t possibly perform any worse.

Not just Liu Huan’an, but all the remaining participants who hadn’t written yet breathed sighs of relief, their faces glowing with serene confidence.

He Rongxuan sneered contemptuously: “What a disgrace.”

He Xuandu walked through the crowd and casually returned to his seat on the waterside bench. Flicking his sleeve, he picked up the wine cup before him and began drinking by himself once more.

“He Xuandu is nothing but a wastrel. You’d do best to stay away from him.”

“What are you afraid of? Someone will cover for you anyway.”

Liu Shunhua’s ears buzzed, her temples throbbing as she felt the world spinning around her.

That He Xuandu who had always maintained his dignity even while confined to a wheelchair, whose white robes remained untouched by worldly dust, who carried the faint scent of cool lotus and shone as brightly as the moon had truly become a wastrel despised by all.

“The handwriting is delicate yet possesses strong bone structure. One can tell briefly that considerable effort has been invested. Truly worthy of being a young lady of the Her family.”

“Miss He’s calligraphy truly makes us scholars feel ashamed.”

Amid the continuous stream of praise around her, Liu Shunhua gradually regained her composure.

He Rongxuan grew increasingly proud as she received everyone’s admiration, instinctively lifting her chin to cast a glance toward Liu Shunhua.

As the legitimate daughter of the Chancellor’s household, He Rongxuan, like her brother He Xuanhui, had studied under the great scholar Master Nie since she was six years old. Though not particularly devoted to academic pursuits, she excelled at calligraphy and took great pride in this skill.

She refused to believe that Liu Shunhua, born into an obscure minor family and completely unknown, could possibly surpass her.

Liu Shunhua’s mind was in turmoil, and she completely ignored He Rongxuan’s gaze.

Instead, Liu Huan’an nodded and murmured quietly: “I’ve long heard that both young masters of the He family excel at poetry and calligraphy, particularly Miss He. On the Empress’s birthday, her celebratory calligraphy amazed everyone. Seeing it today, it’s indeed true. What a pity…”

He Rongxuan grew increasingly furious when she saw that Liu Shunhua dared to ignore her.

Suppressing her anger, she curved her lips into a smile, her eyes filled with provocation: “Miss Liu, since your brother is such an outstanding talent of our Great An, surely your knowledge must be considerable as well. I wonder how your calligraphy fares?”

A woman in crimson standing beside He Rongxuan chimed in: “Indeed, Miss Liu. You’re the only one left now.”

With He Xuandu’s poor performance as the baseline, Liu Huan’an wasn’t overly concerned, though his sister’s handwriting wasn’t much better either.

He still stepped forward. “My younger sister usually prefers handling household affairs and isn’t particularly skilled in academics or calligraphy. I’m afraid she’ll only amuse everyone.”

The back-and-forth exchanges helped clear Liu Shunhua’s mind somewhat.

She looked at He Rongxuan, raising her willow-like eyebrows. “My brother is my brother, and I am I. At home, I don’t focus on academic pursuits, and as for calligraphy, it’s not even worth mentioning.”

Liu Shunhua’s words sounded like surrender, which pleased He Rongxuan greatly.

Putting on a magnanimous act, she smiled toward the crowd: “Today is merely for amusement, Miss Liu. Don’t worry, even if you write poorly, no one will laugh at you.”

Li Jifang laughed heartily: “Exactly! You’re a woman you’re not going to become an official anyway. Good handwriting is just icing on the cake, but poor handwriting doesn’t matter at all.”

With things having reached this point, Liu Shunhua stopped being modest and gracefully moved to the long table.

She smoothed her sleeve with one hand while holding the brush with the other, her strokes flowing naturally and effortlessly.

In her previous life, half a year after entering the Chancellor’s residence, she often found it difficult to sleep peacefully.

He Xuandu had told her that, as stated in the Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine: “Calmness stores the spirit, while restlessness dissipates it.”

If you are truly troubled, perhaps writing characters can calm your mind and nourish your spirit.

During countless sleepless nights at the ministerial residence, she had passed the time by imitating He Xuandu’s calligraphy.

Over time, her handwriting improved greatly, yet her heart grew increasingly unsettled.

A moment later, Liu Shunhua gently set down the brush and turned to stand beside Liu Huan’an.

Liu Huan’an smiled at her, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you pick up a brush. Regardless of anything else, the spirit in your writing is quite remarkable.”

Li Jifang stepped forward and exclaimed “Marvelous!” even before picking up the paper.

When He Rongxuan finished writing earlier, Li Jifang hadn’t offered any praise. Now his spontaneous admiration sparked everyone’s curiosity, and they craned their necks to see Liu Shunhua’s calligraphy.

A sudden east wind arose, causing the paper on the long table to flutter and drift. It spun several times in the air before slowly landing at He Xuandu’s feet.

He Xuandu appeared not to notice, tilting his head back to drain the remaining wine in his cup.

Then, catching sight of the writing on the floor from the corner of his eye, he hastily set down his wine cup and reached to pick up the paper.

Just as his indigo robe brushed the ground, a hand reached it first, slowly lifting the paper.

He Xuanhui held the paper in his hand, a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes.

“Who taught you calligraphy, Miss Liu? To have achieved such excellent handwriting?”

Everyone looked and saw characters flowing with graceful elegance, refined and free-spirited, carrying a touch of unrestrained charm that perfectly matched the words “Floating Rosy Clouds.”

Liu Huan’an also looked pleasantly surprised. He hadn’t expected his sister’s calligraphy to surpass his own.

“So ethereal and free, yet broad and relaxed to think this comes from a woman’s hand. I’ve truly been blinded by my own prejudice.”

“Floating like clouds, radiant like rosy clouds nothing could be more fitting.”

For a moment, praises filled the air.

Liu Shunhua didn’t look at He Xuanhui but deliberately glanced at He Rongxuan instead, smiling modestly: “I’m not skilled at calligraphy I merely practice for fun. After all, I lack technique. How could I compare it to all of you who have studied diligently?”

He Rongxuan burned with fury. Liu Shunhua’s words clearly implied that her casual writing could surpass He Rongxuan’s own efforts.

He Xuanhui, focused entirely on the paper, didn’t notice the undercurrents between the two women.

“You’re too modest, Miss Liu,” he said. “It’s precisely the lack of excessive technique that makes it more natural and livelier, perfectly suited to ‘Floating Rosy Clouds.'” He paused before continuing, “This should be today’s winning piece.”

He Rongxuan’s eyes reddened with anger. “Brother, when evaluating calligraphy, how can you disregard technique and skill?”

He Xuanhui’s eyes darkened slightly as he frowned. “Rongxuan, your handwriting is excellent. But today’s task is to inscribe for Floating Cloud Pond, so the most suitable should take precedence. Besides, if we’re discussing technique, Miss Liu’s is not lacking.”

He Rongxuan refused to accept this. “What do you mean ‘not lacking’? You clearly just want to ”

He Xuanhui cut her off sharply: “He Rongxuan, don’t make a scene.”

He Rongxuan snorted tears welling in her eyes, then stood and strode out of the waterside pavilion.

Li Jifang quickly shot a meaningful glance at Li Shujun.

Understanding, Li Shujun bowed to the others. “Please excuse me. Enjoy yourselves.”

Liu Shunhua breathed a quiet sigh of relief. It seemed today’s objective had been achieved.

But when she lifted her head, she froze.

She distinctly noticed two pairs of probing eyes watching her.
He Xuanhui likely her calligraphy had piqued his interest. She didn’t care about that.

But what about He Xuandu?

After He Rongxuan’s commotion, the gathering lost all its charm. The group wandered around the garden a while longer until, noticing the late hour and needing to return to the city, they dispersed.

At the entrance of Floating Cloud Garden, carriages gradually dwindled.

Li Jifang personally escorted Liu Huan’an out, saying, “Brother Liu, my apologies for the inadequate hospitality today.”

Liu Huan’an replied courteously, “Not at all, you flatter me, Your Highness.”

Li Jifang turned to Liu Shunhua with a smile, “I am deeply grateful for the calligraphy you gave me, and I must offer thanks in return. Common gifts seem too vulgar, so I’ve sent several jars of Liangzhou grape wine. They’ll arrive shortly, I sincerely hope you won’t refuse.”

Liu Shunhua glanced at Liu Huan’an and saw his nod, bowing with a smile to express her thanks.

They waited for some time, but the wine still hadn’t arrived.

Li Jifang grew somewhat embarrassed, offering the two an awkward smile.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, someone finally arrived pushing a cart in haste.

Li Jifang looked displeased, “I asked you to fetch wine why the delay? You’ve kept Master Liu waiting all this time for nothing.”

The servant sighed helplessly, explaining in a ramble, “Young master, when I went back to fetch the wine, I somehow ran into the Second Young Master He. He took a fancy to a Great White Goose, saying it was exceptionally handsome, and insisted I catch it for him. I went through all sorts of trouble, barely managing to…”

Before he could finish, Li Jifang waved his hand, “Enough, enough. Just load the wine first.”

Once everything was settled, Liu Huan’an and Li Jifang formally bid farewell, and the carriage finally rumbled out of the estate.

When the carriage reached the flowing stream, Liu Shunhua remarked, “Why do I feel that His Highness Li was unusually attentive today?”

Her brother had only been promoted to the position of Honglu Temple Assistant. In Chang’an, where nobility abounded, such promotion hardly seemed worthy of such grand treatment.

Yet now, with the Prime Minister’s estate actively courting them and the Changling Marquis’s household being so humble, she became more convinced that things weren’t as simple as they appeared.

In her previous life, she hadn’t paid much attention to court affairs and wasn’t clear about the deeper implications behind her brother’s promotion.

“Even you noticed it.”

Liu Huan’an lifted the curtain, gazing at the boundless spring scenery with a grave expression. “In a few days, regional lords will arrive in the capital. I’ve been put in charge of all related matters.”
Liu Shunhua was surprised, “It’s only March why are the lords coming to the capital now?”

Liu Huan’an’s expression shifted slightly, “Since the beginning of the year, the Emperor’s health has declined. Growing increasingly nostalgic for family, he has permitted the lords to visit and see him in his illness.”

In her previous life, Emperor Rui passed away in September of the sixth year of Yuanshi. By this time, his condition must have already been quite poor. Emperor Rui was barely twenty, with no heirs his foremost concern was determining who would inherit the great legacy. By summoning the regional lords, he likely intended to observe and select a successor from among them.

Her brother’s appointment as Honglu Temple Assistant at this juncture clearly demonstrated Emperor Rui’s trust and high regard for him.

Liu Shunhua suddenly recalled that Emperor Rui had also advocated Legalist policies during his lifetime, but his declining health had prevented many reforms from being implemented. Her brother held incisive views on Legalist governance, making it natural for him to gain the Emperor’s favor. She remembered clearly that her brother had served as Honglu Temple Assistant for less than half a year. Before she married into the Prime Minister’s estate, he had been promoted again to the position of Imperial Censor.

Belatedly, she realized that the Honglu Temple Assistant role was merely the first step in her brother’s rapid ascent the Emperor intended to groom him as a trusted confidant.

He Liushan had served as chancellor for many years with keen insight. This time, he had likely caught wind of something or already understood the stakes, which explained his vigorous efforts to win over her elder brother.

Liu Shunhua felt as if waking from a dream.

In her past life, when she saved the elderly madam, the chancellor’s residence had ostentatiously sent gifts of gratitude now she realized there had been this underlying intention. Later, her engagement to He Xuanhui, aside from all the twists of fate, had undoubtedly been another means for the chancellor’s residence to secure her brother’s allegiance.

What cunning calculations from the chancellor’s residence!

Liu Huan’an lowered the carriage curtain and suddenly asked, “Zhenzhen, why did you deliberately provoke He Rongxuan?”

Liu Shunhua collected her thoughts and smiled. “Brother, you saw through me.”

Liu Huan’an gently tapped her head. “Others might not know you, but how could I not? Twice in the peach grove and again at the waterside pavilion.”

Liu Shunhua rubbed her head. “Today, both the chancellor’s residence and the Changling Marquis’ estate made overtures, clearly trying to win us over. I’m not foolish I could see that. I know you don’t wish to accept the chancellor’s overtures, but as you’ve just entered officialdom, rashly offending them wouldn’t be wise. Yet today, in front of everyone, He Rongxuan publicly humiliated me. I am your own sister, humiliating me means humiliating you. This naturally gives you reason to question the chancellor’s sincerity. As for how long this deliberation might take… well, that’s another matter.”

Warmth spread through Liu Huan’an’s heart his sister was trying to help him navigate this predicament.

He gazed at Liu Shunhua and chuckled. “Remarkable. I always thought you just had minor clever ideas, but I never realized you were so perceptive. How did I miss this before?”
Liu Shunhua linked arms with him. “Like brother, like sister. I’m sixteen now, no longer a child. Can’t you allow me to mature?”

In her past life, she had always lived sheltered under her father and brother’s wings. When the Liu family fell from power, she could only watch helplessly as her father and brother were suppressed in court until they couldn’t hold their heads high. Her father became despondent, eventually falling ill, while her brother’s promising future was destroyed, leaving him confined to their estate, drowning his days in drink.

This lifetime, she had awakened.

She too had a responsibility to protect her father and brother, to safeguard the Liu family.

Liu Huan’an sighed. “I’d rather you never grew up, remaining carefree forever.”

Liu Shunhua leaned closer. “What do you want me to catch frogs and toss them at you while you study, like when we were children?”

Liu Huan’an shuddered, swatting her head again. “Just when I thought you were becoming sensible, you started acting foolish again.”

“Ouch, ouch, ouch! Brother, I was wrong!”

Liu Huan’an released her, then remembered something else. “When did your calligraphy improve so much?”

Liu Shunhua’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “Lots of practice. My writing isn’t that exceptional; I just performed well today. Besides, this event was organized precisely because the He family and Changling Marquis’ estate intended to promote you. They were worried about being too obvious, and I happened to provide the perfect opportunity. They simply went with the flow to grant you favor.”

Liu Huan’an nodded, though after some thought, he still felt something was amiss.

He was about to press further when the carriage gradually slowed and came to a stop by the roadside.

Liu Huan’an asked, “What’s happening?”

The coachman replied through the curtain, “Young master, the road ahead is blocked.”

When the two lifted the curtain to look, they stared in astonishment.

On the long path ahead, misty green mountains stretched into the distance, with wisps of cooking smoke curling upward.

Beneath the setting sun, He Xuandu was sprinting frantically in front, while chasing behind him was… a Great White Goose.

The man and the goose raced back and forth, creating quite the lively spectacle.

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