Chapter Six, Eternal Absoluteness

If it were not for Xie Chuan's natural brilliance, who is highly esteemed among scholars, and the fact that the Minister of Personnel oversees other officials and manages their promotions, this time would have resulted in a significant loss of face

Xie Chuan respectfully stated that although his natural talent is higher than that of many others, he works even harder than many people

The smoke entwines the willows by the pond, what a peculiar couplet

Young Master

Wu Ruhai spread out the paper ball, and just took a glance. Immediately, his brows furrowed, and his expression became stern

However, Xie Chuan did not expect that even a master like Teacher Wen Dao, with his level of attainment, seemed unable to produce it, and even referred to it as absolute

Good, very good! Pursuing knowledge is akin to being a person; one must be diligent and meticulous, leaving no room for carelessness. You attended the Zhuyuan Poetry Meeting while still keeping up with your studies; truly, you are my esteemed disciple!

Wu Ruhai looked at Xie Chuan with a piercing gaze. Although he was very fond of this closed-door disciple, it was precisely because of this affection that he became increasingly strict, even harsh, towards him

At this moment, even Xie Chuan was stunned

Xie Chuan received the snow-white note from the servant, holding it with both hands and respectfully presenting it forward

Teacher, please take a look

The master has just returned and is currently drinking tea in the hall

Xie Chuan was about to explain when he was interrupted by Wu Ruhai

Although Wu Ruhai holds no official position, as one of the representative figures of the Zizhang school, he possesses significant prestige and influence both within the court and among the general populace

Hahaha! Chuan'er, you have truly surprised me! I have wronged you; I never expected you to be able to create such couplets. Indeed, you are worthy of being a disciple of our Zizhang school, and it brings me great joy!

Xie Chuan looked at the teacher in front of him, his entire being filled with uncertainty. This couplet was indeed exquisite; otherwise, he would not have felt remorse after destroying that person's snow paper in the bamboo garden and subsequently copied it out himself.

A familiar voice came from beside him. Before Xie Chuan could bend down, Wu Ruhai in front of him had already taken the lead and picked up the crumpled paper from the ground

Wu Ruhai quickly left with the crumpled piece of paper, but Xie Chuan stood at the door, unable to calm his heart for a long time

... ...

Three days later, there will be a banquet hosted by the Grand Tutor, with all the esteemed scholars and masters in attendance. At that time, I will present your couplets to them and recommend you to the Grand Tutor. Chuan'er, with your talent, your future achievements are bound to be limitless

Xie Chuan's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly raised his head

Xie Chuanqia has committed his greatest taboo

Young master, we have arrived

Come here! Help me call Zhou Yuan and Lu Zhi over!

Teacher, I ... ...

Xie Chuan quickly stood up straight, respectfully performed a bow, and even displayed a hint of reverence in his expression

Zhou Yuan, Lu Zhi, convey a message for me, just say that Chen Shaojun is gathering in the bamboo grove, plagiarizing verses, which brings disgrace to our Confucian reputation

Teacher, the students never dare to be negligent; they have already answered all the assignments left by the teacher yesterday

Teacher, that is ... ...

Bring my coursework over

Xie Chuan raised his head and saw Wu Ru Hai's eyes fixed on the unfolded paper ball, as if he were caught in some immense confusion

The artistic conception of this couplet is merely of a moderate level, but when combined with the radical components of the five elements: fire, metal, water, earth, and wood, everything becomes entirely different. The artistic conception is easy to match, but the five elements are difficult to align; when the five elements do align, however, such artistic conception is absent. It is astonishing that such a couplet exists in the world... this is absolute!

Before Xie Chuan could finish speaking, Wu Ruhai patted Xie Chuan on the shoulder and laughed heartily

Student Xie Chuan, sends greetings to the teacher

Buzz

Upon hearing the teacher's words, Xie Chuan's gaze became disordered, and a sudden wave of intense panic surged within him. He had never anticipated that a couplet he had transcribed would attract such significant attention from the teacher

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through Xie Chuan's mind, and he ultimately performed a respectful bow. This bow was very stiff, yet Wu Ruhai showed no sign of noticing it

Confucianism and Daoism are categorized according to the depth of their literary style into the following ranks: student, scholar, Confucianist, master, great Confucian, grand Confucian, patriarch, head of Confucianism, sage, half-saint, and saint

What on earth is going on? Why has that Chen Shaojun suddenly become so formidable?

It is not good... it is that couplet.

Wu Ruhai gazed at Xie Chuan from above the snow-covered paper, his expression filled with admiration

What is this

He gestured behind him, and soon a servant in a dark blue robe from m.hetushu.com quickly slipped into Xie Chuan's carriage, then came over with a thick stack of snow-white paper.

What he never expected was that the teacher, who had always disliked couplets, actually experienced a significant increase in cultivation while reading the couplets, as a stream of literary energy surged into his mind from all directions.

At the entrance of the residence of the Xie family, two large vermilion characters are inscribed, elegantly and powerfully, exuding an aura of authority and status

This is the phenomenon of sudden enlightenment that occurs when a person in the realm of literature and philosophy gains insight

Xie Chuan murmured in acknowledgment, regaining his focus. Taking a deep breath inside the carriage, Xie Chuan opened the carriage door, stepped out with one foot, and walked out.

A person around fifty or sixty years old, dressed in a blue Confucian robe, was walking out of the Xie residence with one hand behind his back and holding a volume of scriptures in the other hand. This was Wu Ruhai, Xie Chuan's teacher, and also a senior figure of the Zizhang school.

The voice is rich and authoritative, exuding an air of scholarly demeanor

However, unexpectedly, just a couplet allowed his cultivation to grow once again

Teacher! Please allow me to explain!

Chuan'er! How have I taught you? Regardless of the type of writing, your handwriting must always be neat! Moreover, what you have produced is merely the most basic couplet. Our Zi Zhang school is renowned as the foremost among the eight schools. If this matter were to spread, what kind of reputation would we have? What face would our Zi Zhang school have left?

Draft

Wu Ruhai lifted his head from the paper, suddenly coming to his senses. He realized that his literary skills had improved, and could not help but brighten his eyes, laughing out loud

Chuan'er

Alright, it is decided! Chuan'er, do not let your master down!

You have arrived just in time; I was about to look for you. May I ask, during this recent attendance at the Bamboo Garden Poetry Meeting, have you neglected your studies?

Outside the carriage, a grand mansion, austere and solemn, suddenly came into view

More than a decade ago, Wu Ruhai's cultivation had already stagnated.

It is well known that what Uruhai values most is the reputation and honor of the school.

A magnificent azure gilded carriage rolled slowly down the street, flanked by guards in crimson robes, creating an impressive spectacle.

The teacher has praised me excessively, and the student does not dare to accept it

Even the fact that Xie Chuan's father, Xie Mingyuan, was able to hold the position of Minister of Personnel was largely due to the recommendation of Wu Ruhai. Therefore, the Xie family, including Xie Chuan's father, Xie Mingyuan, holds him in great esteem.

Upon seeing that crumpled piece of paper, Xie Chuan was taken aback. Just as he intended to conceal it, it was already too late

Thank you, teacher

Understood

Xie Chuan was taken aback; having followed Wu Ruhai for so long, he was all too familiar with him. The teacher would only make such a sound upon encountering exceptionally good poetry or prose.

"Chen Shaojun, since the Chen family has already fallen from grace, you are unlikely to achieve much. For the sake of my own fame and fortune, I can only impose on you."

It is already commendable that most people can achieve the status of a great scholar, while those who reach the level of a master are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns; beyond that, every step becomes increasingly arduous

Teacher

How is it? Has the master returned?

Recalling the events that just transpired in the bamboo garden, Xie Chuan felt a wave of discomfort in his heart. In front of so many people, Xie Chuan took a great tumble, an occurrence that had never happened before.

Xie Chuan's demeanor was humble; as he spoke, he respectfully bowed. With a soft thud, a crumpled paper ball fell out following Xie Chuan's movement

In the distance, two guards had already spotted Xie Chuan and were striding towards him.

Couplets, poetry, and prose—these three forms of scholarship—Wu Ruhai has always believed that couplets are the most fundamental and also the most rudimentary. Therefore, he is extremely averse to composing couplets and strictly prohibits his disciples from doing so.

Xie Chuan's complexion was ashen; little did he expect that the couplet he brought back from the Bamboo Garden poetry meeting would cause such a significant trouble. However, before he could explain, he heard a soft sigh of discontent.

Xie Chuan looked up and said

Xie Chuanxin absentmindedly responded with a sound, lowered his head, and immediately walked inside. Just after taking a few steps, suddenly, a familiar voice reached his ears

Understood

Wu Ruhai took it over and studied it carefully. After a moment, a faint smile appeared on his face as he nodded repeatedly

Just as Xie Chuan was deep in thought, the carriage suddenly jolted, and a voice came from outside the carriage

However, not many people know that inside the magnificent azure carriage, Xie Chuan lowered his head, feeling restless.

In the end, Wu Ruhai was so enraged that his palms began to tremble

After a long time, Xie Chuan raised his head and looked at the hazy sky, finally making up his mind