Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

Gu Qingping paused and looked up at the female official: "Madam."

"Your stitching is indeed delicate, but the color of the plum blossom petals is a bit monotonous. If you can add some gradient colors, will it have a more layered feel?"

Gu Qingping was slightly startled, then she looked down at her embroidery and said softly, "Your Excellency is right. Gradient colors can indeed make the petals more vivid. I will adjust it as soon as possible."

The female officer nodded: "Okay, continue."

Su Jinyun sat at the small table, her wrists lightly turning, the silk thread shuttled across the snow-white silk cloth, forming a delicate plum blossom outline. Her movements were as smooth as flowing water, and the stitches were so fine that they seemed to be deliberately carved.

Her team members couldn't help but turn their heads to take a look and sighed in a low voice: "Sister Jinyun, your craftsmanship is really amazing. The plum blossoms are embroidered as if they were alive."

Su Jinyun smiled slightly, her eyes still on the embroidery cloth: "You are too kind, it's just that I have practiced embroidery for a few more years. In fact, the most important thing is to keep calm."

Another woman asked softly, "Sister Jinyun, did you start embroidering from the petals? I always think it's better to start from the branches."

"Each has his own way." Su Jinyun said gently, without stopping the movement of his hands. "But the charm of plum blossoms lies in the layers of petals. If you can show the layering of the petals through gradient colors, even if the branches are a little simple, the whole thing can be much more vivid."

Hearing this, several team members nodded, and one of them couldn't help but ask, "Sister, can you teach me how to match colors?"

Su Jinyun looked up and smiled faintly: "Of course. Here, use a slightly darker red in the center of the petals, and then gradually transition to light pink... It looks simple, but it actually requires patience and touch. Give it a try."

After hearing this, the team members nodded repeatedly and hurriedly lowered their heads to try, but they could not find the smooth feel of Su Jinyun. They secretly sighed in their hearts that she was indeed a woman from a famous family, and she was born with a sense of calmness and nobility.

The situation of another group not far away was completely different.

Wang Yueru sat at the table with a frown on her face. The plum blossom lines on the embroidery cloth were crooked and had no aesthetic appeal. She held the needle and thread in her hands, embroidering back and forth impatiently, and even the color matching seemed random.

"This embroidery is driving me crazy!" Wang Yueru suddenly threw the embroidery cloth on the table, complaining, "The stitches are so small, it took me a stick of incense to finish just one petal!"

Her team member whispered, "Sister Yueru, please don't be anxious. Embroidery requires patience. If you are too anxious, you will easily make mistakes."

"Patience?" Wang Yueru sneered and glanced at the embroidery cloth beside her. "Look at you guys. You've been busy for so long, but you're not much better than me."

Another team member couldn't help but reply: "But sister, it's not just a matter of finishing, the key is the neat stitching and color matching."

Wang Yueru's face darkened when she heard this, and she snorted coldly: "What a hassle! If it weren't for this imperial concubine selection, I wouldn't bother with these trivial matters!"

As she spoke, she hurriedly packed up the embroidery cloth, obviously not intending to continue.

The female official not far away noticed this scene, frowned slightly, and whispered to the old palace maid beside her: "This Wang Yueru, although somewhat pretty, has an impetuous temperament and lacks patience. I'm afraid she can't take on the position of Crown Princess."

The old maid nodded in agreement: "Yes. People who are impatient cannot handle important tasks."

On the other hand, Zhao Wan'er seemed particularly quiet. Her embroidery skills were not particularly advanced, but she tried to make every stitch neat and even. She did not choose a complicated gradient color scheme, but used the simplest red thread to embroider the main trunk of the plum blossom.

"Sister Wan'er, why are you only embroidering the main trunk?" the girl in the same group asked curiously.

Zhao Wan'er raised her head and said calmly, "Although plum blossoms are beautiful, the branches are their bones. If the branches are unstable, no matter how beautiful the flowers are, they will lose their foundation."

"But isn't this too simple?" the woman asked worriedly.

Zhao Wan'er shook her head and smiled faintly: "Simplicity is not necessarily a bad thing. As long as you do it with your heart, it will be the best answer."

The female official passed by her and nodded after hearing these words. She whispered to the palace maid who was recording beside her: "Although Zhao Wan'er is not outstanding, she has a peaceful temperament, which is rare."

When the incense stick burned out, the female official came forward to check the embroidery results of each group one by one.

She first came to Su Jinyun's desk, picked up her embroidery cloth and examined it carefully, nodded and said, "The plum blossoms are cleverly matched in color, the petals are clearly layered, and the stamens are delicate and vivid. Jinyun, your embroidery skills are indeed extraordinary."

Su Jinyun bowed slightly and said modestly, "Thank you for the compliment, sir."

Then, the female official came to Zhao Wan'er's desk, picked up her embroidery cloth and looked at it, her brows slightly relaxed: "The main body is clear, the stitches are even, although it is a bit simple, but it wins the heart."

Zhao Wan'er bowed gently: "Your Excellency is so kind."

Finally, she came to Wang Yueru's desk, took a look at the crooked embroidery, and her face suddenly darkened: "The stitches are rough, the colors are messy, and there is no order. Wang Yueru, do you think such a result can be accepted by the Crown Princess?"

Wang Yueru's face froze, she gritted her teeth, and lowered her head reluctantly: "I will pay attention next time."

The female official snorted coldly, put the embroidery cloth back on the table, and said with a cold look: "If there is no next time, what will you do?"

Wang Yueru's face became even uglier, but she didn't dare to refute anymore and could only lower her head and remain silent.

On the corridor outside the courtyard, Zhu Han and Zhu Biao stood side by side, staring quietly at the scene in the courtyard.

"Uncle, these women do have their own merits." Zhu Biao frowned slightly and said, "However, I think some of them seem too ostentatious, which may not be a good thing."

Zhu Han raised his lips slightly, with a hint of amusement in his tone: "Biao'er, this is exactly what you need to see. A person's skills are important, but what is more important is his character. Look at Su Jinyun, her skills are indeed superb, but she is too sharp, and she may not be able to be kind to others in the future."

Zhu Biao nodded: "Uncle Huang is right. I think Gu Qingping's performance is more in line with the demeanor of a Crown Princess. Not only does she have outstanding skills, she also knows how to help her companions and has a gentle temperament."

Zhu Han smiled, his tone more gratified: "It seems that you have observed her very well. Remember, choosing a crown princess is not only choosing your partner, but also choosing the person who will be the mother of the Ming Dynasty in the future."

Zhu Biao looked determined and said softly, "I understand."

The courtyard is bathed in sunlight in the early morning, and the air is filled with the fresh scent of flowers.

Dozens of selected women were still divided into five groups, each sitting quietly in their own area, with pens, ink, paper and inkstones placed in front of them. This time, the test was calligraphy. In the middle of the courtyard, an elderly female official slowly walked in front of everyone, followed by several female officials, holding several rolls of exquisite rice paper in their hands. She looked around and said majestically: "Today's test is calligraphy. Calligraphy not only tests skills, but also shows a person's inner cultivation and character."

She turned around and unfolded a scroll of silk in her hand. On the scroll was written a passage in neat handwriting: "Flowers in the courtyard fall to tell the season, geese fly silently into the cold frost."

The female official said slowly: "Everyone needs to copy this text within one stick of incense. Whether the strokes are smooth and the characters are neat are the criteria for assessment. But please remember that the most important thing about calligraphy is 'spirit and charm'. Writing is like being a person. If your mind is not calm, it is difficult to write good characters."

The women bowed their heads and replied, "Yes, sir."

Gu Qingping slowly unfolded the rice paper, picked up the brush and dipped it in ink, her eyes lingered on the words on the silk for a moment, then she took a deep breath, gently raised her wrist, and prepared to write.

Yurong beside her seemed a little flustered. Her hands were shaking, and the ink dripped onto the edge of the rice paper. She frowned immediately, "Oh no... I made a mistake right at the beginning."

Gu Qingping looked up at her and said softly, "Don't panic. The edge of the rice paper will not be counted in the score. Just start over."

"But..." Yurong gritted her teeth, "My handwriting has always been bad, I'm afraid I'll lose points this time."

Gu Qingping comforted her, "Writing is indeed not easy, but this test focuses more on your character. Don't be anxious, write slowly, and keep your mind calm."

On the other side, Su Jinyun had already picked up the pen and started writing. Her wrist was as steady as a rock, and each stroke carried an elegant rhythm. The women around couldn't help but sneak a peek and secretly sighed: "Sister Jinyun is really extraordinary. The handwriting is as smooth as flowing water. It's really beautiful."

When Su Jinyun heard the discussions, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, but she did not look up. She just focused on the writing in her hands, as if everything had nothing to do with her.

Wang Yueru from the other group seemed a little impatient. She used too much force, and the tip of the brush pressed the ink through the paper. She frowned and complained in a low voice: "This brush is really hard to use, it's not as easy as my embroidery needle."

A woman next to her warned, "Sister, if you use too much force, the paper may tear easily. Try to be gentler."

Wang Yueru waved her hand impatiently: "I know, stop arguing."

On the corridor outside the courtyard, Zhu Han and Zhu Biao stood side by side, staring quietly at every woman in the courtyard.

"Uncle, calligraphy may be a small thing, but it can really reveal a person's character." Zhu Biao whispered, "Look at Su Jinyun, he is calm and composed, and every stroke is full of confidence."

Zhu Han raised his lips slightly, his eyes were full of meaning, "Jinyun is indeed excellent, but her edge is too exposed, which easily arouses jealousy. The position of the Crown Princess requires not only outstanding talents, but also a low-key and steady attitude, and the ability to tolerate others' shortcomings."

Zhu Biao nodded and turned his gaze to Gu Qingping: "What about Qingping? Although her calligraphy is not as fluent as Jinyun's, it looks simple, steady and upright."

Zhu Han nodded slightly: "Yes, although Qingping's handwriting is not amazing, it is steady. Her handwriting is just like her, low-key and introverted, but with its own power. Biao'er, remember, a person who is the mother of the country must not be impatient."

After hearing this, Zhu Biao's eyes showed a hint of approval: "Uncle Huang is right."

In the courtyard, dozens of women were immersed in paper and pens, and the scent of ink filled the morning breeze.

The ladies walked around, their eyes scanning each woman who was writing. Every stroke was a display of character, and every stroke could determine their fate.

Su Jinyun sat at the table with an upright posture. He raised his wrist slightly and the brush slid smoothly across the rice paper like flowing water.

She chose to use a slightly thin font, trying to show the charm of plum blossoms in the cold. The strokes are smooth and free, the strokes are powerful, and the strokes are clean, as if every word has life.

A woman beside her couldn't help but look up at her handwriting and whispered, "Sister Jinyun, your handwriting is so beautiful. The strokes are just like the work of a famous calligrapher."

Su Jinyun smiled slightly, and said calmly with a hint of confidence: "The key to calligraphy is to keep your mind calm. As long as you calm down, every stroke will reveal your temperament."

"But I always feel that my handwriting lacks a sense of agility." The woman said in a low voice.

Su Jinyun raised her head slightly, glanced at her rice paper, and said in a gentle voice: "Your problem is that you pursue the neatness of your strokes too much, and lack a sense of casualness and naturalness. Why not try to relax your wrist a little and let the tip of the pen find its own way."

The woman suddenly realized and nodded, "Thank you, Sister Jinyun, for your advice."

Su Jinyun's expression was calm, as if she had expected all these compliments and sighs. She lowered her eyes and continued to concentrate on her writing.

Gu Qingping sat diagonally opposite Su Jinyun, with a focused expression and a hint of calmness between her brows.

Her pen-holding posture was a little cautious, but she tried to make every stroke correct, strong and powerful. Although her handwriting was not gorgeous, it revealed a restrained ancient charm.

Yurong, who was standing by, was a little anxious. She looked at the ink on her paper and felt a little helpless: "Sister Qingping, my handwriting is always too scattered. I can't write with the same sense of stability as yours."

Gu Qingping looked up at her handwriting and said in a gentle tone, "Yurong, writing is like being a person, and you should avoid being impetuous. You can try to use strokes to connect the aura of the characters. You don't have to pursue perfection in every stroke, but you have to make the whole character look seamless."

Yurong lowered her head and tried it, and sure enough, she had made some progress. She looked up at Gu Qingping in surprise: "Sister is really amazing, she pointed out my problem in just a few words."

Gu Qingping smiled calmly: "It's not that I'm good, but that you are willing to study hard."

On the other side, Zhao Wan'er sat quietly in the corner. She wrote slowly, but every stroke seemed to be written with all her heart and soul.

Her handwriting is not elegant, but it reveals a simple power, with a stable structure, clean strokes and no unnecessary decorations.

The woman at the side asked softly, "Sister Wan'er, why is your handwriting always so plain? Don't you want it to look better?"

Zhao Wan'er raised her head and smiled faintly, without a trace of impetuousness in her eyes: "Simplicity is not necessarily bad, and gorgeous words may not be able to carry true feelings. I think calligraphy is to express one's inner heart, rather than simply pursuing the beauty of appearance."

The woman nodded thoughtfully: "Sister is right, it seems that my understanding of calligraphy is still too shallow."

Zhao Wan'er lowered her head and continued writing. Her whole body seemed to be immersed in the fragrance of ink, isolated from the noise around her.

In stark contrast to Zhao Wan'er's calmness was Wang Yueru. She picked up the brush with an impatient look on her face and drew back and forth on the rice paper. Her characters were crooked and her brush strokes were so heavy that they almost pierced the paper. (End of this chapter)