Opening a Tavern in the Tang Dynasty

Yuyu lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly and said softly, "Master Yu, I really just wrote it casually. There's nothing special about it. I'm actually quite overwhelmed by your praise."

Yu Shinan waved his hand and continued to persuade, "Young lady, such talent should not be buried. Just treat it as a chat with me, so that we, who are obsessed with calligraphy, can gain more insights."

Xiaoyu beside him also smiled and nodded, pulling Yuyu aside: "Yuyu, this person is a calligrapher and is close to the emperor. It's not easy to refuse. You can teach him calligraphy later."

Yuyu nodded and was about to say something, at this time the man in black beside the emperor came to the kitchen and said: "The emperor is coming, you guys get ready quickly."

Xiaoyu quickly pulled Yuyu out of the hall. She looked up and saw the emperor wearing a dragon robe, walking in front with great dignity, followed by several ministers.

The emperor's eyes revealed a bit of majesty and curiosity. He stood with his hands behind his back, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

"Your Majesty has arrived. We are sorry for not welcoming you in person. We hope Your Majesty will forgive us." The Yu Yu family hurriedly knelt down to pay their respects.

Yu Shinan also bowed slightly: "Your Majesty"

Li Shimin said: "I brought the ministers to Zuixianlou. The wine I brought back earlier was very good to them."

Yu Shinan also bowed slightly and said, "Your Majesty is wise and wise. The wine in this building is indeed delicious. Your Majesty and the ministers are here. It is truly a noble occasion."

Li Shimin stood in front of the Zuixian Tower, looked up at the high-hanging plaque, and could not help but exclaim: "The calligraphy on this Zuixian Tower plaque is so beautiful, I have never noticed it before, it is really wonderful!"

Yu Shinan, standing by, smiled faintly, bowed quickly, and said, "Your Majesty, I was just discussing this with Yu Yu's family. The brushstrokes and charm of this calligraphy are both extraordinary, which is why it has attracted so much attention."

Li Shimin's eyes flickered with curiosity when he heard this, and he raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Tell me, how did you and the Yuyu family come to talk about the words on this plaque?"

Yu Shinan nodded hurriedly and replied, "...That's right, Your Majesty."

Li Shimin was intrigued by what he heard. He looked at Yuyu beside him with a burning gaze and said with some expectation, "Is that so? Yuyu, can you teach me calligraphy? I really like the words on this plaque and hope to be able to write as well as she does."

Upon hearing this, Yuyu's face immediately turned awkward. He quickly bowed and said with a hint of fear, "Your Majesty, your status is noble. How dare I trouble Your Majesty to learn such a trivial matter from Yuyu? Besides, my calligraphy skills are only so-so. I cannot take on such a heavy responsibility."

Seeing Li Shimin's earnest look, Yuyu knew she couldn't refuse, so she said, "Since Your Majesty is so interested, I will do my best."

"Your Majesty, the art of calligraphy lies first in the pen-holding posture. You need to hold the pen with five fingers, like this..." As he spoke, Yu Yu picked up the brush and demonstrated.

Li Shimin watched carefully and imitated Yuyu's movements: "It's indeed different."

It is rare for him to be an emperor and yet he is so humble and eager to learn.

Yu Shinan and Yu Yu's family were standing by. Yu Shinan nodded slightly from time to time and gave Yu Yu an admiring look.

Yuyu continued, "Your Majesty, after you hold the brush properly, you need to move it. The strokes should be light, heavy, slow, and fast. Look at this horizontal stroke. The stroke starts slightly heavier, then gradually becomes lighter as it goes along, and finally heavier again at the end. It's like human breathing; rhythm is key to success."

Li Shimin listened and tried to write on paper. "Hahaha, very good, Yuyu, you really have talent. There's so much meaning in this horizontal stroke. Although I've written often before, I haven't grasped the subtleties. It seems that today I'm truly beginning to appreciate the joy of calligraphy."

As he spoke, he prepared to write the next stroke with great interest, his eyes full of joy brought by his new understanding of calligraphy.

Yu Shinan smiled and said, "Your Majesty is already very intelligent. With Yuyu explaining it to you, your calligraphy skills will surely reach new heights in the future."

Xiaoyu also nodded: "Yes, yes, it is Yuyu's luck to be able to teach His Majesty."

At this time, a minister hurried over. It was Lord Zhang. He bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, it's getting late. Do you want to have dinner first? Everyone is clamoring."

Before he finished speaking, Cheng Yaojin's loud voice rang out: "Yes, yes, your majesty, I've been protesting my hunger for a long time, let's eat quickly."

Li Shimin waved his hand, his eyes still fixed on the paper under his pen. He smiled and said, "You should learn calligraphy first. I have just realized the beauty of calligraphy. Don't just think about eating. Come and experience the fun of it together."

After saying that, he continued to practice calligraphy. He looked so focused that he seemed to have completely forgotten about being hungry.

Yu Shinan couldn't help laughing, while Yu Yu looked at the ministers nervously. Yu Yu's family also stood quietly, not daring to say much.

Yuyu listened to everyone's words, thought for a moment, and then said softly, "How about we go prepare the meal first? Your Majesty and the others have been practicing for so long, they must be hungry. Let's prepare it in advance so that you can eat right after Your Majesty finishes practicing calligraphy."

Xiaoyu hurriedly tugged at the corner of Yuyu's clothes and whispered, "You'd better wait a while before going. Didn't you see that the emperor was so engrossed in practicing calligraphy?"

Li Hao also quickly said, "It would be bad if we prepare the meal now and disturb His Majesty's interest. Let's wait a little longer."

After hearing this, Yu Yu thought it made sense, so she stopped talking and just watched quietly with her family, watching Li Shimin immersed in the world of calligraphy.

After practicing the strokes in his hand, Li Shimin looked up and asked with some anticipation, "What do you think of this calligraphy?"

Yuyu was the first to speak, her face full of admiration, saying, "Emperor, your calligraphy is amazing! Look at your strokes, they're becoming more and more refined, and your control over the weight and speed of your brushstrokes is becoming even more exquisite."

Xiaoyu also nodded: "Your Majesty is truly gifted. It's only been a short time since you started learning, and you've already achieved such excellence."

The ministers beside him nodded in agreement. Cheng Yaojin shouted at the top of his voice, "Yes, yes, your majesty's handwriting is so beautiful. It's much better than mine. I'm jealous just looking at it. Your majesty is worthy of being your majesty!"

Seeing the emperor so absorbed in calligraphy, the onlookers outside Zuixian Tower began to speak in unison:

"Your Majesty's handwriting is truly excellent. It exudes an extraordinary aura!"

"Yes, yes. I've always heard that Your Majesty is a man of both civil and military strategy, and this word you wrote today really opened my eyes."

"I've always heard that Your Majesty's calligraphy is superb, but I never thought that after practicing for a while, your handwriting is just as good as it gets. You truly deserve to be the emperor!"

Li Shimin smiled heartily, put down the brush in his hand, and said loudly: "Hahaha, all right, then Yuyu's family and all the ministers, please follow me to have dinner."