In this era, the paper invented by Bai Zheng hadn't been circulated yet. If people wanted to write or paint with a brush, they could only use bamboo slips or silk cloth. That's why ordinary people rarely read or wrote in this era.
Bai Yinan craned her neck and scanned bit by bit. Her posture was enough to convince Bai Zheng that if it weren't for the restrictions of etiquette, Bai Yinan would probably jump up and go over to stare at each of them one by one.
Bai Zheng smiled helplessly. Suddenly, she felt a pair of eyes on her. She turned her head sharply and saw Feng Linyuan's gentle gaze.
Feng Linyuan was still holding the teacup in his hand instead of a brush. The moment she turned her head, he gave her a dazzling smile.
Bai Zheng subconsciously glanced at the incense on the table that had burned two - thirds. She looked at Feng Linyuan, who had been staring at her, somewhat puzzled.
Wasn't this guy claiming that he would marry no one but her to solve his fate? The show had just started. What was he doing just staring at her without moving his brush? Was he going to quit with a blank paper?
The incense was getting shorter and shorter. Several quick - witted young masters had already stopped their brushes. Song Yiqing was also waving his fan and had returned to his leisurely state.
But Feng Linyuan still hadn't started writing.
"Is the Marquis of Dingyuan going to give up in the first round?" After looking at Feng Jingyi's work and apparently being very satisfied, Feng Jingye turned his head and found that there was nothing on the table in front of Feng Linyuan. He couldn't help but ask.
"If the marquis doesn't start writing soon, he'll have to find another woman to solve his fate." Feng Jingxuan said coolly.
Looking at the almost burned - out incense, Feng Jingyi also got a little anxious and reminded in a low voice, "My lord, the time is almost up."
Feng Linyuan gave a faint smile and just looked at Bai Zheng without saying a word.
The sun gradually rose. Suddenly, it leaped over the high eaves of the roof behind Bai Zheng, bathing Bai Zheng in the bright but gentle light. Bai Zheng turned her head, and the pearls on her hairpin sparkled in the sunlight.
Feng Linyuan's eyes lit up. Finally, he picked up his brush and lowered his head to draw.
Bai Zheng stared intently. Unlike some young masters who hunched over almost putting their heads on the silk cloth, Feng Linyuan's writing was still very elegant. His well - defined hands held the brush, and with a few quick strokes, it was a smooth performance.
Bai Zheng suddenly felt a bit of anticipation and nervousness. She wondered what kind of work this marquis, whose talent had once shaken the world, would present.
In early spring, the chirping of sparrows had already started. It was especially loud in the quiet garden, drowning out Bai Zheng's pounding heartbeat.
"Patta", the last bit of incense ash fell. Almost at the same time, Feng Linyuan put down his brush. He looked at the silk cloth and subtly hooked the corner of his lips.
"The time of one incense stick is up. Please stop your brushes, young masters." The voice of the Marquis of Gaochang rang out. Several young masters who were still writing reluctantly put down their brushes, and some even sighed deeply.
Soon, six maids walked forward and lined up. Starting from the easternmost side, they picked up the silk cloths in front of the six young masters one by one and walked to the main seat for the Marquis of Gaochang, Feng Jingye and others to comment and appreciate.
Bai Zheng, sitting on one side, could also clearly see that these young masters were indeed from prominent families. Although there were a few playboys whose poetry and painting skills were sub - standard, generally speaking, their levels were not bad.
Among them, the most outstanding ones were Chen Yanzhi from the Duke of Chen's Mansion with his Snow - Covered Plum Blossoms, Liu Zhixuan from the Censor's Mansion with his Summer Night Scene, Qin Siming from the Prefect of the Capital's Mansion with his vividly painted Blood - Sweating Horse, and the fourth young master from the Duke of Jiang's Mansion with his Mountain Stream and Clear Spring.
Bai Zheng raised her eyebrows. These were all the ones who had been "recommended". Their excellent performance was indeed expected.
But there was an unexpected one among these outstanding performers - Song Yiqing. His Frost - Flowered Richness painting. Not to mention the painting itself, just the poem beside it: "The green and secluded path is narrow. Who will help me adjust my slanting hat? The frost - laden flowers are plump. Even autumn light can't match their beauty." made Bai Zheng look at him with new respect.
She never thought that this always - amorous Song Yiqing had such skills!
As if seeing the surprise in Bai Zheng's eyes, Song Yiqing lazily leaned back in his chair and gave her a flirtatious smile.
Bai Zheng couldn't help but hold her forehead and turned her head away, not looking at him anymore.
After a round, almost all the poetry and paintings on the scene had been appreciated, except for those of Feng Jingyi and Feng Linyuan sitting in the main seats.
According to the order, a maid walked up to Feng Jingyi. After giving a slight courtesy, she picked up the silk cloth in front of him and showed it to the others in the main seat.
"What a wonderful painting and poem! Truly worthy of the Fifth Prince!" the Marquis of Gaochang couldn't help but sigh.
Bai Zheng took a closer look. On the small white silk cloth, on the left side was a slanting waterfall. There were dense trees on both sides, and the black branches looked even more desolate. A round, crimson setting sun was embedded in the sky on the right side of the painting.
There was a deer standing on the top of the cliff, looking into the distance at the source of the waterfall.
There were a few scattered black dots below the waterfall, which made people think of the vast ocean. The splashing waves of the waterfall near the cliff at the bottom disappeared in the distance, leaving only the reflection of the setting sun and a distant end that could not be seen.
Although this was just a small painting, after looking at it, one couldn't help but feel a sense of grandeur and a mind that embraced the world.
Judging from the painting, one could tell what kind of mind the author of this painting had.
Bai Zheng read the poem beside it carefully.
"The wind subsides, the clouds disperse, and the waves suddenly calm. The blue sky is inverted into the bottom of the sea. At first, the setting sun sinks red in the waves. The moon is about to rise, looking solemn. In a moment, it suddenly appears on the wave. A mirror - like surface spreads for more than ten feet. Such a scene in the world is hard to find. Joy comes from the unexpected!"
It was grand, magnificent, bold and ethereal.
Truly a wonderful poem!
The reactions of those in the main seat aroused the curiosity of the young masters. So the maid took the silk cloth and showed it to the seats on the southeast and west sides.
"Wow—"
Seeing the painting, everyone couldn't help but let out a gasp of admiration.
"The Fifth Prince is truly talented and has a magical painting brush. I'm really impressed!" Among the praises, Chen Yanzhi's voice was especially loud.
Soon, others echoed, "We were really overestimating ourselves to come here and compete with the Fifth Prince. Aren't we just asking for humiliation?"
This caused another burst of laughter.
It must be said that although Feng Jingyi's painting was excellent, it wasn't to the point of being divinely inspired. However, the charm of this painting lay in its artistic conception. After all, it was just the time of one incense stick, and on such a small canvas, ordinary people wouldn't dare to draw such a grand - scale scene. Most of the other young masters, like the previous ones, were already doing well to draw a few plum blossoms or horses.
Especially in this era when transportation was under - developed, these young masters might not have even seen the wonders in Feng Jingyi's painting with their own eyes since they were born.
Presumably, this was also the reason why Feng Jingye had been so confident in him. Being born into the royal family, the education he received was far beyond that of ordinary young masters. Just his vision and bearing alone were enough to leave others far behind.
Feng Jingxuan pursed his lips, looking very ugly.
This Feng Jingyi. He had really underestimated him before!
"It seems that today, the Fifth Brother will take the first place in both poetry and painting." Feng Jingye smiled slightly.
Feng Jingxuan said coldly, "Is the Second Brother ignoring the Marquis of Dingyuan because he's afraid that the marquis will steal the Fifth Brother's limelight?"