Chapter Seven, one mountain is higher than another mountain

"Ah Xun, how is your mother?" Daqiao asked casually as he walked forward.

Aunt, I was scolded by my mother yesterday." Zhou Yu pouted, playfully shaking the arm of Daqiao: "Aunt must compensate me.

I see, then I can rest assured. Today, I can have a good drink with my elder brother. Although Zhou Yin felt somewhat disappointed, he insisted, saying: I hope my elder brother will not make excuses to decline today

Just thirteen years old, wearing a pink flared dress, Zhou Yu immediately launched an attack on Sun Shao upon meeting Zhou Yin, unable to help but cover her mouth and chuckle softly

"Dear brother, I heard that you were unwell a few days ago. Are you feeling better now?" Zhou Yin asked with a smile.

My mother asked me to write a letter to my aunt, and my aunt replied. Her calligraphy was exceptionally graceful, and when compared to my work, I felt like a chicken standing before a phoenix, utterly outshone. As a result, my mother scolded me, saying that I was not diligent enough. Aunt, do you think it would be appropriate to impart some essential techniques of calligraphy to me as compensation?" Zhou Yu smiled mischievously, her eyes crescent-shaped like a moon, resembling a cunning little fox.

The competition among the scions of noble families has never been a straightforward confrontation; they always speak with veiled meanings. If the other party pretends not to understand, it is either because they are avoiding conflict or they genuinely fail to grasp the underlying implications. Regardless of the reason, they can never be explicit about it. Zhou Yin pressed on relentlessly; had it been in the past, Sun Shao would have turned pale with anger and retorted sharply, which would have played right into Zhou Yin's hands. However, today, if he responded calmly and showed no signs of anger, Zhou Yin would momentarily be at a loss regarding his true intentions. After much contemplation, he could only conclude that Sun Shao was willingly conceding and was intent on avoiding conflict. With one side lacking fighting spirit, the other naturally lost interest as well. Zhou Yin shook his head and had no choice but to abandon his plan of relentless pursuit.

Sun Shaoqian smiled faintly, seemingly a bit nervous: "I am truly ashamed, my skills have deteriorated after my illness, this is merely a hasty work, and it is indeed unworthy of your esteemed eyes, I am really embarrassed."

Thank you for your concern, dear brother; I am already well. Sun Shao replied calmly, his expression unchanged. He was already aware of the grievances between the Zhou family's three siblings and himself, and with the prior warnings he received from the bridge yesterday, he certainly would not be easily deceived. Although Zhou Yin took the initiative to provoke him, he chose to brush it off lightly.

With a clear shout from Wei Shidunwu, the two plodding horses slowly came to a stop in front of the Zhou residence. Sun Shao leaped down from the carriage, quickly taking a small stool from the back of the carriage ahead of Qiao Ying. He then extended his hand to the tall figure of Qiao, who was dressed in a simple, deep-colored robe. Qiao's lips curled into a faint smile as he cast a satisfied glance at Sun Shao, taking his hand and carefully stepping down from the carriage onto the small stool.

Daqiao was somewhat surprised: "Ayu, how did you come to say that?"

While the two of them were talking, Zhou Xun supported himself against the bridge and walked in, neither stopping Zhou Yin nor interjecting, his smile remaining undiminished, as if he had not heard anything. On the other hand, Zhou Yu was all ears, her two pitch-black eyes darting across the faces of those speaking, hoping to witness an entertaining scene. However, she did not expect Sun Shao to be as unresponsive as a wooden gourd, showing no inclination to engage, which left her somewhat disappointed. She playfully pushed Zhou Xun aside and said, "Elder brother, let me get a little closer to my aunt."

Thank you for your concern, Aunt. My mother is well and is waiting inside the door. Zhou Xun replied with a beaming smile while supporting the grand bridge on the other side: "I received your letter yesterday and learned that you will be visiting our humble abode. My mother is very happy and got up early to personally prepare several hometown dishes, hoping to have you taste them.

Zhou Yu was taken aback. She glanced at the bridge, which was smiling back at her, and that smile clearly carried a hint of pride. She found it somewhat hard to believe, so she turned to look at Wei Wei and the taciturn Sun Shao, then looked back at the bridge: "Aunt, you cannot play tricks on us younger generations. If you cherish your skills and do not teach Yu'er, then it can only be said that Yu'er is of coarse talent, unworthy of refinement. However, to say there is another person of talent, that would be incorrect. Is there perhaps another master in the residence? You wouldn't say that the letter of reply was written by my elder brother, would you?"

Sun Shao's calligraphy is familiar to the three siblings; it is rough and chaotic, with long spears and halberds, making it barely recognizable. There is no artistic merit to it whatsoever. Sun Shao often claims that as long as one can recognize the characters, it suffices; there is no need to fuss over it too much. A true man should be like Wei Huo, wielding a mighty army, traversing thousands of miles, achieving great deeds and establishing a legacy. Calligraphy is a minor pursuit, not something a true man should concern himself with. Therefore, upon receiving the reply from the Grand Bridge, from the Small Bridge to the three siblings, they unanimously recognized it as the calligraphy of the Grand Bridge, and no one ever thought of attributing it to Sun Shao. There is no need to fuss over it too much; a true man should be like Wei Huo, wielding a mighty army, traversing thousands of miles, achieving great deeds and establishing a legacy. Calligraphy is a minor pursuit, not something a true man should concern himself with. Thus, upon receiving the reply from the Grand Bridge, from the Small Bridge to the three siblings, they unanimously recognized it as the calligraphy of the Grand Bridge, and no one ever thought of attributing it to Sun Shao. As the saying goes, 'Calligraphy reflects the person'; such an ethereal style of calligraphy cannot possibly be associated with Sun Shao, a common and uncouth individual.

Zhou Yu's lips curled slightly, wanting to smile but unable to do so. As a woman, she would not achieve much in martial arts. Among the three siblings, she excelled in the arts, particularly in calligraphy. Tomorrow, Xiao Qiao asked her to write in front of Da Qiao, intending to show off a bit in front of Da Qiao. However, it unexpectedly backfired, as she was overshadowed by Sun Shao, whom she had always looked down upon. How will she face the future after this?

Zhou Xun, who had been waiting on the steps for quite some time, quickly walked down and greeted the bridge and Sun Shao, saying: "Aunt, elder brother, it has been a long journey."

Zhou Xun smiled and nodded, stepping aside. Sun Shao also released his grip on Daqiao's arm and took a step back, walking alongside Zhou Yin. He was three years older than Zhou Yin and a head taller. As he stood next to Zhou Yin, Zhou Yin immediately felt the pressure, feeling uncomfortable all over. He wanted to step aside but was afraid of weakening his presence, so he could only endure it.

Upon hearing this, Daqiao's lips curled into a beautiful arc as she gently patted Zhou Yu's small hand resting on her arm and said, "Ah Yu, you have misunderstood me. This has nothing to do with me. If you are looking for someone to compensate you, you cannot blame your aunt."

Upon hearing this, Da Qiao slightly nodded. The three entered the gate and proceeded into the courtyard, where the newly attired siblings Zhou Yin and Zhou Yu greeted them respectfully and paid their respects to Da Qiao. Zhou Yin, aged 15, was a handsome young man, slightly more robust than Zhou Xun, giving him a more formidable appearance. His lively eyes were restless, and after briefly scanning Da Qiao's face, they quickly shifted to Sun Shao's face, revealing a meaningful smile, reminiscent of a wolf spotting its prey. Like Zhou Xun, he was well-versed in both literature and martial arts, but his martial skills were somewhat superior, allowing him to hold his own against Sun Shao in a cautious exchange. In contrast to Zhou Xun's gentle demeanor, he was more extroverted.

"A worthy brother has made an appointment, and it is only right to accompany him." Sun Shao smiled faintly

Zhou Yuxin felt a mix of emotions, while Zhou Xun and Zhou Yin were also taken aback. Upon seeing Sun Shao today, they sensed he was different from before. Initially, they thought he had resigned himself to his fate after suffering a setback, but to their surprise, the formal contest had just begun, and he had already gained the upper hand

Zhou Xun and the other two were taken aback, and they simultaneously turned their gaze towards the calm-faced Sun Shao. Zhou Yu exclaimed, "Elder brother, it has only been a few days since we last met, how have you made such remarkable progress?"

In her heart, Daqiao felt a sense of pride. After all these years, this was the first time Sun Shao had brought her honor. She adored her sister's three children, each one more clever and lively than the last. However, every time she compared them to Sun Shao, she felt a twinge of discomfort. Sun Shao had indeed been a rough man in the past, not someone she could take pride in. This time, a rare opportunity had presented itself for Sun Shao to outshine the three of them, and she certainly would not let it slip away easily. Observing Zhou Yu's incredulous expression, she remained silent for a moment, building anticipation among the three of them, before finally nodding and saying: "Yu'er is indeed clever; you guessed it right at once, it is indeed A Man's handiwork."

"Hey, you children, you have no sense of etiquette at all. Your aunt has arrived, yet you do not invite her to enter and take a seat, instead standing idly in the courtyard and chatting?" A delicate and petulant voice came from behind the hall, and a young woman dressed in a deep red, intricately patterned gown with curved hems quickly stepped out.