Cries of surprise rose one after another.
Most of those who had come to wish the Old Marquis a happy birthday were of distinguished backgrounds, and they were naturally well acquainted with the world.
Apart from Mr. Yue Ming, Xiao Jinghong, Xiao Wan'er, and Chen Yi, who had been prepared, everyone else was taken by surprise.
Even the Old Master's delighted smile froze. He stared at the Calligraphy Copybook, muttering:
"Character reveals brilliance, character reveals brilliance... Yue Ming, you old bastard, you knew all along?"
Never mind the Birthday Ode on the Calligraphy Copybook. The characters alone could make its writer famous throughout Shuzhou.
Add the words "New Style," and it was only a matter of time before his name spread across the Great Wei Dynasty.
Mr. Yue Ming ignored him. Stroking his beard, he gazed at the copybook with excitement filling his slightly clouded eyes.
"This is it. This is it—the New Style Characters whose brilliance shines through on its own."
"Zhuo Ying, Huang Shi, do you see it? Did this old man lie to you?"
The other teachers from Guiyun Academy beside him had no attention to spare for him. They had already risen and crowded around the copybook, tracing the strokes in the air with their fingers.
The Duke of Gan wanted to take a look too, but Sun Fu grabbed him.
"Old Sun, what are you doing?"
Sun Fu gestured toward Chen Yi. "The man who wrote it is right here. Why chase the branch and lose the root?"
Understanding dawned on Zhang Xuan. He gave Sun Fu a knowing look, then sat back with an air of calm authority and murmured, "You're not to stop me this time. You have to help me."
Sun Fu knew he meant the Birthday Ode. He nodded, looking at