Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 273: Elegance in the midst of intense activity
Opposite the tea plantation is the tea set making garden with small pavilions, green trees, gurgling springs and the aroma of tea.

Shishi and Bei'er sat side by side with a piano table in front of them.

Shishi's slender fingers were playing the piano leisurely and comfortably.

The sound of the zither is subtle, wonderful, round and fluent. As the master plays the instrument like flowing clouds and water, tranquil and elegant music rises up. The melody is clear, subtle, light and distant, which complements the fragrant Longjing tea.

In this situation, why do we need incense?

There are fragrant tea, elegant zither, poetry and beauties, and the fragrance comes naturally.

The spice business that these Persian and Arab women were planning to run would still take a considerable amount of time, even if they did not wait for Yang Yuan's sea trade to be successful. The selection of a site, decoration, and purchasing of goods for the spice shop would still take quite a long time.

They are all a group of energetic girls, and Shishi knows very well how boring it would be for them to be confined to "Niaohua Cottage" all day long.

However, if they were allowed to have nothing to do and wander around the Imperial Street, their exotic looks would inevitably attract unnecessary attention and onlookers.

So, Shishi took them to Shifeng Tea Farm.

This was their second day at the tea plantation.

Yesterday the girls went to the mountains to pick tea, and today they went to learn how to roast tea with great interest.

Belle discussed the art of playing the piano with Shishi.

In the past year, Belle has been taught music, chess, calligraphy and painting by a famous teacher hired by Pu Yama, and has achieved a certain level of accomplishment in the art of playing the music.

But now when I listen to the teacher's casual playing, I can clearly see that the use of pressing and plucking notes is more than off-tune, glissando and vibrato. And because of this, the music sounds like a stream flowing outside a pavilion, more fluent, natural and beautiful.

Belle couldn't help but praise: "Mrs. Li's piano playing is so fascinating and intoxicating. It is very different from the style Belle has learned, and seems to be more elegant and mellow."

Shishi asked curiously, "Oh, who did you learn the art of playing the qin from?"

Bei Er said, "That gentleman is a famous zither player in Longxing Prefecture, his name is Du Qixi."

Shishi smiled and said, “When I was young, the capital, Liangzhe, and Jiangxi were famous for the many people who could play the qin.

Different places have different landscapes and customs, so the music naturally has different styles and fingerings. "

As Shishi spoke, she played a piece of music and said, "This Beijing-style music is a little too strong for my taste."

She played another section and said, "This Jiangxi Qin method uses a lot of off-tune, glissando, and vibrato. It's a bit frivolous and too showy."

Then she played another piece, which was very similar in style to the first piece.

Shishi said: "The qin techniques of Liangzhe have their own style. In my opinion, the qin techniques of the Zhejiang school are simple but not wild, elegant but not historical. It is just like the saying 'great sound is silent'. It also gives people the feeling that the qin is the voice of the heart, and the fun is especially natural."

As Shishi spoke, she played a song called "Zhi Chao Fei".

Her fingering technique reduces the use of deliberate showy walking, sliding and trembling fingering. The right hand fingering follows the ups and downs of the music, unrestrained, while the left hand fingering is distinct and natural. Not only is her playing posture elegant, but the sound of the piano is also clear and pleasant.

Suddenly, amid the music of the piano, there seemed to be the sound of horse hooves.

Shishi and Bei'er looked out of the pavilion at the same time.

Sure enough, a fast horse galloped into the garden and arrived in front of the pavilion. The rider reined in the steed, and the horse stood up, looking unusually agile.

Belle's eyes lit up. She was a female knight, and seeing Yang Yuan so heroic, she couldn't help but admire him and felt a sense of joy at seeing a prey.

It's a pity that it's hard to find a horse, especially such a majestic one. Belle thought that when she had money, she would definitely buy a good horse. After being stranded here, she could no longer think about the status of a lady, but... she could still keep her status as a female knight.

Shishi gently pressed the strings of the zither to stop the lingering sound, smiled and stood up and said, "Erlang, why are you here?"

Erlang? He is indeed a very close friend of Mrs. Li, Emmanuelle thought secretly.

Her "memo" recorded Yang Yuan's name and identity, but did not include the title Erlang.

Yang Yuan pushed the saddle and jumped off the horse. He nodded to Bei'er first, then walked to Shishi, took out a note from his arms, and said to Li Shishi, "I got it."

As he said this, he gave Shishi a wink.

Although there was no one else here except Belle who was "forgetful", he still didn't say it out loud because he felt guilty.

Shishi understood immediately. Did you get the test questions? Shishi was eager to win and said happily, "Okay, let me take a look."

After saying that, Shishi took the book and turned to walk into the bamboo hut on the side. It was a small study.

Li Shishi sat down behind the desk, opened the note, and saw a piece of paper inside with only three paragraphs written on it.

Li Shishi understood it at a glance. This was a test consisting of three parts: one for the meaning of the classics, one for essays, and one for policies.

The meaning of the classics is to take a sentence from the Confucian classics and ask the candidates to explain the meaning contained therein.

This is the eight-legged essay during the Ming Dynasty.

However, it was not rigid at this time. Candidates did not have to follow the annotations of the predecessors. They could freely interpret the classics, pass on the annotations, question the ancient sayings, and expound new views. The second question tests "discussion", which is similar to the proposition composition. Usually, candidates are asked to comment on a certain allusion or historical figure recorded in the classics and history, and the creative freedom is also very high.

When Su Shi wrote this examination essay, he made up an anecdote in the article as an example to support his point of view.

If this had happened during the Ming and Qing dynasties, if someone had discovered it, it would probably have been considered blasphemy against classics and deceiving the emperor.

The third test is on "policy", which is similar to the "essay writing" in modern civil service examinations.

Generally, the examiner will ask questions about current affairs, and the candidates will express their views and propose "countermeasures" to solve the problems.

The "policy" issued by Lin'an Prefecture this year is very closely following current affairs. It asks what countermeasures the court should take to crack down on rampant smuggling and ensure the healthy operation of the national economy.

Shishi was excited to see the opportunity, and when she saw the test questions, she had many insights and ideas in her mind.

So she spread out a piece of paper and wrote down the ideas that came to her mind one by one, and then went back to think carefully about them and form an article.

Because if you start writing without careful consideration, the number of words will inevitably be too many.

For policy essays, a thousand-character essay will suffice, but if you can write tens of thousands of words, that's fine too.

There is no limit to the number of words for this, as long as your words are brilliant, your ideas are clear, and your reasons are convincing.

If Shishi could write like this, it would not be difficult for her to write tens of thousands of words per article.

If Yang Yuan is just asked to recite it, the young man will suffer.

Yang Yuan knew that time was running out, so he didn't dare to go into the room and disturb Shishi's thoughts, so he sat down next to the piano.

Yesterday, Ji Ruoxun, the secretary of the Central Secretariat, went to the "Shuiyunjian" restaurant and asked Dan Niang to help him contact the "Youqiusi". He was willing to offer four priceless calligraphy and paintings to beg for help from the "Youqiusi".

When Dan Niang found Yang Yuan, Yang Yuan was really unable to hold back.

He had already arranged for Emperor Zhao to use "the chicken" to test his sword, and that was Zhang Yunyi, the commander of the Dinggong Army.

But he didn't expect that Ji Sheren couldn't keep his temper and actually came to him crying and shouting to give him gifts. There was no need to be polite. Of course he accepted it!

After getting the four masterpieces, Yang Yuan gave Ji Sheren a "reassurance pill" and told him to go back with peace of mind, as the government's knife would never chop his neck.

Because of the Cao Yong incident, Ji Ruoxun had developed an almost fanatical trust in the abilities of "Youqiu Si", so he happily went home and waited for his demotion and exile.

Early this morning, Yang Yuan arrived at the Privy Council, waiting for the "unexpected discovery" of the search of Zhang's house. However, before he could get any news from Zhang Yunyi, he got the news from the Goose King's men first, and got the test questions!
Helpless, Yang Yuan had to take the test papers, ride a fast horse, and go find Li Shishi first.

When Bei'er saw Yang Yuan coming towards her, she stood up nervously and saluted, saying, "Hello, sir."

Due to her memory problems, she felt a sense of joy and closeness towards Yang Yuan the first time she met him, but the "memo" reminded her to be wary of him.

"Hello too, Belle!" Yang Yuan smiled at her and walked to Shishi's seat and sat down.

Emmanuelle Belle smiled at him happily, then moved her bamboo stool back to create some distance between herself and Yang Yuan.

Yang Yuan was a little confused. What was wrong with this girl? Why did she look so surprised and... distance herself from me?
Emmanuelle Belle sat a little further away from Yang Yuan, and then she asked politely, "I remember that I agreed to be Mr. Yang's secretary. When will Mr. Yang arrange something for me to do?"

Thinking of the terrible things that the whimsical Goose King had arranged for him, Yang Yuan couldn't help but sigh, "I've been busy with various things these days."

"Wait a few days. When I finish these chores, I will go to Shanyin to handle a matter. I will take you there then."

"Okay, Belle promised you, please believe me, I will be a competent secretary, Mr. Yang."

At this time, Master Li came out of the bamboo hut and said to Yang Yuan, “Erlang, I need some time to finish.

If you are not busy with work, just wait here. I think it should be done in the afternoon.

If you are busy with official business, please go back first and wait for me to finish writing and have someone send it to you."

These three articles will be tested in the Fajie examination room for three consecutive days, one article per day.

Shishi actually said that she could give it to him in the afternoon. Yang Yuan couldn't help but be very surprised. He was worried that he would not be able to memorize it if the time was too short.

Yang Yuan said, "I am waiting for a very important message. I really cannot stay away from the government office for the whole day. I will go back to the Privy Council first."

Yang Yuan came and left in a hurry. He rode on a fast horse and galloped away again.

Shishi asked Bei'er to play the piano by herself, or go and watch the girls make tea, and then returned to the bamboo hut to write.

These three articles did not seem difficult at all for her.

However, in order to be as condensed as possible, you still need to spend some time and thought on it.

Emmanuelle Belle sat beside the piano, took out the "memo" from her arms, opened it on the piano, took out the pencil that was stuck in it, and first updated Yang Yuan's information, adding the title "Erlang".

Then, she wrote carefully at the bottom: "Erlang is a good rider. He is very busy at work. In a few days, he will take me on a business trip. This is a bit risky, God bless you!"

(End of this chapter)