The Heart Given to Brighten the Moon - Chapter 9

As they walked along the paths, the palace servants occasionally cast glances their way. Most of the women would look once, then steal a second glance; some who were familiar with Song Mingjue would even cover their mouths and giggle for reasons unknown. Shen Danxin, naturally, was not about to miss such a perfect opportunity to show off. She responded to each one with a flirtatious wink, drawing silver-bell-like giggles from the young maids.

“Master Shen, pray do not forget the cover story we discussed last night,” Song Mingjue reminded her, feeling a surge of injustice in his heart. Before this Shen Danxin existed, his own handsome features had always been a magnet for attention wherever he went. Now, with her around, these fresh and tender young ladies didn’t even spare him a direct glance.

Shen Danxin, a seasoned veteran in the “field of flowers,” immediately spotted the jealousy in the novice Song Mingjue. She patted his shoulder and sighed. “Do not lose heart, little brother. Women are always looking at what’s in the bowl while eyeing what’s in the pot. Perhaps they are simply tired of you and looking at me for a change of pace. When they grow tired of me tomorrow, they shall return to thinking you are the handsome one.”

Song Mingjue didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. This Miss Shen was clearly a woman, yet she spoke such brazen words without a hint of hesitation.

The Qingmo Academy and the Scholars’ Academy both sat on the western side of the forbidden city, separated by only two walls, yet they were worlds apart. Even someone as oblivious as Shen Danxin could tell that the Qingmo Academy from its sheer scale and grandeur to its gates and inner courtyards, was far more meticulously crafted than the Scholars’ Academy.

Like “Grandma Liu entering the Grand Prospect Garden,” Shen Danxin was not stingy with her praise. “The scenery here truly deserves to be called elegant elegant yet not gaudy. Where I come from, this would be a first-class protected historical monument. Forget painting here; even getting in for a look would cost a pretty penny.”

Song Mingjue only half-understood her words and, unable to respond, could only offer a polite smile. Shen Danxin clicked her tongue and continued her monologue: “Hey, look at that. Being the favorite of the Emperor truly makes a difference. See those two narcissuses? They bloom much more delicately than the ones at the Scholars’ Academy next door!”

The mild-tempered Song Mingjue didn’t want to interrupt the “country bumpkin” Shen Danxin, but they were approaching the main hall. He had to cut off her chatter, pressing a finger to his lips in a “shushing” gesture. Only then did Shen Danxin compose herself, bowing her head slightly and obediently following behind him.

Before entering, Song Mingjue’s worry persisted. He leaned in and whispered a reminder: “I hear His Majesty sent over a painting today. Lanxi Stream Play by the great master Shi Sanqian of the previous dynasty. The Three Masters are all in the Academy today appraising it. Do not let your nonsense lead to a disaster.”

“I know, I know,” Shen Danxin replied dismissively.

Song Mingjue greeted the two attendants at the door and led Shen Danxin inside. As she crossed the threshold, a light scent of ink wafted over her. Shen Danxin stole a glance and couldn’t help but grumble internally: good heavens! You couldn’t tell from the outside, but this place was vast large enough to hold two hundred people, she estimated. Furthermore, the interior decoration was not as luxurious as the exterior suggested, but rather simpler and more refined.

Dozens of tables were arranged in the hall, each spaced ten paces apart clearly used by the scholars for their daily work. At the very end, in the central position facing the door, sat a dark red table over thirty feet long. At that moment, three old men with graying temples were gathered around it, observing something and discussing it from time to time.

Song Mingjue stopped five paces away. Shen Danxin stopped a pace behind him, not daring to ask a word. Half an incense stick’s time passed. Shen Danxin’s calves grew numb and her eyes grew hazy. Just as her mind was beginning to drift, she finally heard a voice like a broken gong: “Eh? When did the young Master Song arrive?”

“This student pays respects to the Three Masters.” Song Mingjue bowed deeply, showing absolute reverence.

One of the long-bearded old men beckoned to him warmly. “Come, come and see this Lanxi Stream Play. It is truly beyond words; come and broaden your horizons.”

Song Mingjue did as told, observing the work meticulously for a while. He looked up and offered sincere praise: “It is indeed a genuine work by Master Shi. The brushwork is incredibly delicate; even a peacock’s tail feather would be hard-pressed to match such fine detail. More remarkable is the spirit of the women in the painting they are captured perfectly, supple and charming yet shy and reserved!”

Another old man, wearing a scholar’s cap, gave a calm smile. “What did this old man say? Mingjue’s talent for ink painting is far superior to those in the inner palace. His eye is sharp, sharp indeed!”

Before Song Mingjue could offer a humble retort, the goat-bearded old man on the other side let out a cold snort. “What use is talent? Will it allow him to ascend to high office, or keep him fed and clothed?”

The long-bearded man huffed, pointing a finger at the goat-bearded one. He said irritably, “Old Cai, you really have a knack for bringing up the wrong topic. If the Empress hadn’t been supporting you these past few years, that broken mouth of yours would have invited trouble long ago!”

The goat-bearded man the Seekless Taoist, Cai Xun retorted with his own huff, rolling his eyes. “Does this old man fear trouble?”

Seeing the two old men about to put on a show, the one in the scholar’s cap noticed Shen Danxin, who was standing there nearly asleep. He asked, “And who is this?”

Song Mingjue, not about to miss this golden opportunity, quickly replied: “To answer Master Meng this is a young attendant I encountered at the Laundry Bureau recently. By chance, while delivering clothes to my sister, I saw this attendant using a twig to draw on the ground. I was deeply impressed and did not wish for such talent to be buried, so I brought him here to try his luck. If he is fortunate enough to gain the favor of the Three Masters, it shall be a good deed on my part.”

With that, he turned to Shen Danxin. “Come quickly and pay your respects to the Three Masters!”

A dazed Shen Danxin stumbled forward a few steps, gave a full kowtow, and shouted: “This lowly one, Shen Danxin, pays respects to the Three Masters!”

The Three Masters were all taken aback. How badly does this boy want to succeed, to perform such a grand salute upon the first meeting? Song Mingjue, seeing the poor expressions on their faces, delivered a sharp kick in desperation and explained hastily: “This boy has only recently entered the palace and has been doing menial labor at the Laundry Bureau. His etiquette is lacking; I hope the Three Masters will forgive him.”

The three old men’s faces softened slightly. However, Shen Danxin remained sitting on the floor with a bewildered look, rubbing her bottom and staring at Song Mingjue with a resentful gaze. Song Mingjue gave an awkward smile, stepped forward, and yanked her up. He whispered, “In the palace, one only kneels to the Imperial Family. Do you understand no etiquette at all?”

Shen Danxin clearly did not understand. Her eyes were as wide as bronze bells and her heart was even more resentful. Television dramas have truly misled me!

Once steady, Shen Danxin followed his example and bowed deeply. “This lowly one, Shen Danxin, pays respects once more to the Three Masters!”

Song Mingjue covered his face and sighed, unable to watch.

The long-bearded elder gave a peaceful smile. He was not one for petty details and asked warmly, “The name is quite good. Does ‘Danxin’ mean ‘A bird’s heart reflects the loyal red’?”

Song Mingjue looked at Shen Danxin in terror.

Shen Danxin was taken aback, then fulfilled Song Mingjue’s fears by replying: “Master is wise; it is indeed that ‘Danxin’.”

The elder, Yan Mengqing, stroked his long beard and laughed. He turned to the other two. “This boy is quite interesting, and fair-skinned as well. There is no harm in giving him a trial. What do you two think?”

The capped elder, Yu Mengren, smiled without a word. The goat-bearded Cai Xun huffed through his nose.

“Then it seems both are in agreement. Mingjue,” Yan Mengqing called out.

Where did he see ‘agreement’? A totally confused Shen Danxin watched as Song Mingjue stepped forward happily. “Student is here.”

“What is your young friend skilled in painting?”

Song Mingjue hesitated. If he said Shen Danxin was a master of portraiture, wouldn’t that be a direct challenge to Master Cai? Since her portraits were world-shaking, her other skills likely weren’t poor, but just as he opened his mouth to say, “This, he is skilled in”

Shen Danxin, for some unknown reason, spoke up with a grand air: “Portraits! This lowly one is most skilled in portraiture!”

Song Mingjue’s soul nearly fled his body. He stared at the triumphant Shen Danxin, his mouth hanging open.

“Oh?” Cai Xun narrowed his eyes slightly, meticulously studying the “little bamboo-pole” of a youth. A hint of a smile touched his lips at the boy’s ignorance. “Since that is the case, I shall take you at your word. Portraits it is.”

“You got it!” A Shen Danxin who knew not whether she faced fortune or disaster did not forget to pat her flat chest toward Song Mingjue.

Song Mingjue stole a glance at Cai Xun’s face and wanted nothing more than to kick Shen Danxin back into the lake.

Yu Mengren then shouted toward the door, “Someone! Put this Lanxi Stream Play away carefully, and bring out the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone!”

Four or five attendants hurried in. Two stepped forward to meticulously roll the painting from both ends toward the middle. Shen Danxin’s eyes suddenly lit up. Regardless of propriety, she spoke up: “Could this lowly one have a look at that painting?”

Yu Mengren was about to speak when Yan Mengqing, standing between the three, said, “No matter how marvelous a painting is, it is meant to be seen. There is no harm; look, young friend.”

Before Song Mingjue could stop her, Shen Danxin had already walked enthusiastically to the long table. After just two glances, her brow furrowed. Seeing this, Yu Mengren asked with a hint of contempt in his smile, “What? Does our young friend have some profound insight?”

Song Mingjue, terrified that the “country bumpkin” Shen Danxin would utter some arrogant nonsense and offend Master Meng as well, whispered a hasty warning: “Brother Shen! Watch your words!”

But Shen Danxin was lost in the work. She treated his words like a wind in the ear, gesturing at the scroll as she spoke: “Though it can be called a first-class landscape, the people are drawn quite poorly. These women are far too reserved. Who dresses so formally while playing in a stream? The viewer feels not even a shred of wonder.”

Yu Mengren and Yan Mengqing exchanged a glance. Instead of being angry, they laughed. “In your view, then, how should it be?”

“In my view…” Shen Danxin rubbed her chin.

“Brother Shen! Watch your words!”

“A few touches of ‘fragrant elegance’ [sensuality] should be added. Only then would this painting be worthy of a master’s title!”

Song Mingjue nearly fainted. Just as he was about to beg for forgiveness, Cai Xun said calmly, “Someone. Prepare the ink.”

Attendants carefully placed the scroll into its box while two others spread fresh paper and ink on the table. Cai Xun arched a brow and gestured to Shen Danxin. “If you please.”

Everyone in the Qingmo Academy knew that the Seekless Taoist’s temper was the most eccentric; he had no good face for others when he was happy, and even less of one when he was angry. Song Mingjue’s heart hammered as he looked at the unreadable Cai Xun. Yet the ignorant Shen Danxin picked up a brush without a second thought, giving a smile that wasn’t at all humble.

“This lowly one shall show off his poor skills!”