The gleam fell upon the beam hung with red lanterns, faintly revealing characters that drifted with untrammeled grace.
In an instant, guests had crowded around Mr. Yue Ming.
Some had seen the Running Script at Marquis Xiao's birthday banquet before; others had only heard of it and never beheld it in person.
Even those scholars who had held quite a few grievances against Chen Yi stretched their necks. Clearly, though, their status was insufficient for them to seize spots at the front.
"These characters are free-spirited and elegant. Unlike the Wei Qing Style, they are not bound by rigid rules. They truly do have their merits."
"Merits? Elder Bian, though you are a senior, this junior must still say a word or two. Someone who cannot even write the artistic conception of youthful splendor in the Wei Qing Style should not dare pass judgment on New Style Characters so lightly."
"This old man... is ashamed."
"This script could establish a school of its own. No wonder Yue Ming invited this young friend to the academy."
As the voices merged into one, someone noticed the poem as well.
"Advise?"
"What a grand tone indeed."
"He is merely a live-in son-in-law. Though he holds scholarly honors, what right does he have to advise the Third Place Scholar?"
Several faintly mocking voices echoed through the side room before anyone realized it.
The scholars naturally did not dare join in again, but quite a few people of noble status felt the same way.
Chen Yi merely listened and watched, refusing to argue or explain himself, just as before.
The scholars' earlier criticism had made him somewhat displeased only because it involved Xiao Die.
Now that they were speaking only of him, it had no effect on him at all.
Not to mention that he