Re-embroidering life

Yuquan Mountain is beautiful in shape, surrounded by clouds and mist all year round, as if there are immortal spirits. On the mountain is Zhiyuan Mountain Villa, with flying eaves, brackets, pavilions and towers, which are scattered in an orderly manner. It is obvious that it is not something that ordinary people can own. Dong Siqi, the most famous scholar in Jiangxia Prefecture, lives here.

Dong Siqi is a legend in Jiangxia. He was known as a child prodigy since he was young. He passed the imperial examination at the age of 18 and was appointed as an editor in the Hanlin Academy. He once served as a lecturer for the third son of the emperor, and was like an enlightenment mentor. Later, he served as an education commissioner in Huguang, Fujian, and Henan, and was in charge of education in a certain area. He returned to Beijing to serve as the chief priest of the Imperial Academy, and his students were all over the world. About seven or eight years ago, Dong Siqi resigned from his post due to illness and returned to his hometown in Jiangxia. Since then, he has lived in seclusion and never accepted a disciple again.

In addition to his outstanding academic achievements, Dong Siqi was also good at calligraphy and painting. His paintings were elegant and harmonious, tranquil and spacious, and his calligraphy was inspired by the Jin and Tang dynasties, forming a unique style. Although he did not hold an official position, Dong Siqi's reputation among scholars never faded, and many people wanted to meet him but were unable to do so.

Ji Zimo stood in front of the gate of Zhiyuan Villa, looking calm, but feeling nervous and nervous. He knew that becoming a disciple today would not only affect his personal future, but also the future of the Ji family. The Galloping Horses had been carefully framed as a door-opener and was ready to be presented to Dong Daru.

The gate of the villa slowly opened, Ji Zimo straightened his clothes, and followed Tang Hao into the villa. Along the way, there were rockeries and strange rocks, gurgling water, lush flowers and trees, and winding paths. Every flower window was carefully carved, and every bonsai had a different shape. As a child of an aristocratic family, Ji Zimo could naturally see that this garden was built by a gardening master, and the materials and workmanship were all top-notch.

In Ji Zimo's imagination, Dong Daru should be an old man with white hair and beard, and an immortal-like appearance. However, the Dong Daru in front of him looked to be no more than forty years old. He was wearing a silk satin robe with a green background and peony brocade. He had thick black hair, a slightly plump figure, kind eyes, and two dimples on his lips when he smiled.

Ji Zimo didn’t expect that Dong Daru looked so... festive. He almost lost his composure and quickly bowed his head.

Dong Daru asked with a smile: "Are you the Ji Zimo that the Tang family kid mentioned?

Ji Zimo took a deep breath, stepped forward, clasped his hands together, and performed a standard junior greeting: "Junior Ji Zimo, I have long admired your knowledge, and today I have come to pay my respects to you. I am willing to receive your teachings and continue to study hard."

Dong Daru nodded slightly and said in a loud voice: "I heard that you wanted to give me a painting. Did you bring it?"

Ji Zimo nodded, took out the scroll and slowly unfolded it.

Dong Daru carefully observed the Galloping Horses and nodded his head: "The brushstrokes are strong, the colors are light, and the lines are vigorous. It has a refreshing, unrestrained and romantic feeling!"

"You know, I haven't accepted any disciples for many years. I have a few requirements for my disciples: I won't accept those who are not extremely talented, those who are not broad-minded, those who are not elegant, and those who are not eloquent. In short, I find those who are stupid, jealous, ugly, and dull annoying! How many of these do you think you can meet?"

Ji Zimo held his head high, his face unchanged: "In terms of aptitude, I have been known for my talent since I was young; in terms of character, I am indifferent to fame and gain, but I have great ambitions; in terms of demeanor, I dare not compare myself to Pan An, but my appearance is still acceptable; in terms of speech, I can also speak eloquently and with substance. If you are interested in accepting me as a disciple in Jiangxia, I believe I am the best choice."

"Okay, I like your madness! You are a bit like me in my old age. But you are already 27, too old. I passed the imperial examination at the age of 18. What have you been doing all these years?"

Even though Ji Zimo was always calm and composed, he couldn't hold back his expression. He was known as a young talent, so how old was he? Uh, twenty-seven, it seemed like he was indeed not young...

Ji Zimo suppressed the pain in his heart and said respectfully, "I have admired the sages of the bamboo forest since I was young, hoping to indulge in the mountains and rivers, and I have no intention of becoming an official. But I study hard every day, delve into knowledge, and I think I am still good at poetry, calligraphy and painting, and I am worthy of the name of the Ji family's ancestors."

Dong Daru stroked his short beard, shook his head and said, "No! You think you have a noble character and are different from those who are busy pursuing fame and fortune. Unfortunately, the glory of your Ji family comes from the influence of your ancestor who was once a tutor, and from your brother's achievements in the officialdom. Your brother got into trouble and the whole family suffered. As a man of the Ji family, you were unable to help! Just because you pursued the word "noble", your brother was isolated in the officialdom and the women and children in your family were frightened. What use is your talent, except for admiring yourself?

Dong Daru's words were like the sound of a huge bell, directly hitting Ji Zimo's weak spot and shocking him.

"I know a thing or two about your family. It's really not easy for you these years. But you've been too timid and wasted a few years. It's such a pity! Young people should dress in fine clothes and ride horses, and be unbridled and romantic. You look so lifeless, you look even older than me!"

Ji Zimo almost vomited blood. This was the second time he was ridiculed for being old!

Dong Daru's expression eased a little, "I value your talent and want to revive the Ji family and protect the safety of my family. You are not qualified to be born into the world, you can only enter it. If you are willing, today, I will accept you as my last disciple."

Ji Zimo immediately knelt down, kowtowed three times, and performed the ceremony of paying respect to his teacher: "Disciple Ji Zimo, I pay my respects to the Master."

Dong Daru nodded and said, "I have always hated red tape, so this is a formality. The way of learning should be like the galloping horse in your writing, with its head held high and its hooves galloping, full of vigor and vitality. Come to me every day at noon and study for two hours. In addition to the imperial examination system, the six arts of a gentleman should not be neglected."

Ji Zimo responded respectfully and left with Tang Hao.

On the way home, Ji Zimo could not hide his frustration. After his wife, this was the second person to scold him harshly. He had been praised since he was a child. He was used to being called a child prodigy, a talented man, and a jade man. No one was like Dong Daru. His words, translated, didn't they mean that he seemed noble but was actually incompetent? Oh, and there was also the old man!

Tang Hao was really puzzled when he saw his expression: "Brother Zimo, being able to worship Master Dong is a blessing that many people cannot ask for. You have succeeded, why are you still crying?"

Ji Zimo shook his head: "You don't understand." After thinking for a while, he asked quietly: "Do I really look old?"

Tang Hao was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Brother Zimo, you are really becoming more and more human, I like you like this!"