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墨書 Inktalez
Qing Wu relaxed for a moment before letting out a sigh of relief. She nodded slightly and softly said, "Hmm."
Huo Yun'ai noticed that she had regained her composure and supported her to stand steady. Once she indicated that she was fine, he released his hand.
Qing Wu knew that with Huo Yun'ai present, Zheng Ning would likely not come in for a while. However, she was still preoccupied with the painting from earlier, and since the teacher couldn't provide feedback at the moment, she decided to ask Huo Yun'ai for guidance.
Huo Yun'ai had a different teaching method compared to Zheng Ning.
When Zheng Ning taught Qing Wu, whether it was writing or painting, he would first demonstrate, and then Qing Wu would follow suit. He would then repeatedly correct her mistakes with words.
In the initial steps, Huo Yun'ai and Zheng Ning were completely different. However, when it came to the "correction" phase, he not only spoke but also placed his hand over Qing Wu's hand, teaching her stroke by stroke.
As a result, with him as her teacher, Qing Wu learned much faster, whether it was writing or painting.
Now, in front of Qing Wu was a desk, and behind her stood Huo Yun'ai.
"... You need to gather the strokes here in advance. Otherwise, when you reach the tip of the leaf, you won't be able to outline it properly."
The Young Emperor placed his left hand behind his back, leaned slightly forward, and held the girl's hand. He replicated the painting she had just made from start to finish, emphasizing the mistake she had made earlier.
Qing Wu silently noted his words in her heart. Occasionally, she raised one or two questions. Huo Yun'ai, while continuously painting, answered her casually.
Once they finished this painting together, Qing Wu took her previous work and set it aside. She then went to another desk and placed the one that Zheng Ning had painted earlier next to it.
Comparing the three pieces side by side, she couldn't help but laugh.
The same few orchids clearly had identical postures and styles; however, upon closer inspection, their meanings were vastly different. Zheng Ning's work was free and expansive; hers was delicate and charming; while the one painted together with Huo Yun'ai, infused with his touch, exuded a cold elegance and pride.
Looking at her own piece and then at the other two, Qing Wu couldn't help but sigh, "Mine still lacks some spirit."
"Your painting has its own charm; do not belittle yourself."
Huo Yun'ai, before Qing Wu could react, casually folded the orchid drawing that Qing Wu had mistakenly drawn and tucked it into his own embrace. He continued, "Hearing your words today, you have improved a lot compared to before. I suppose you won't need me to teach you anymore."
Hearing him praise her improvement made Qing Wu very happy. However, when she heard that he would no longer teach her, she felt a bit empty and sad inside.
But before that sadness could fully settle in, Huo Yun'ai continued, "From now on, I will teach you calligraphy. Whenever you have questions about what you've read but don't understand, feel free to ask me. I will do my best to answer you."
This meant they would still see each other often for lessons.
Although she knew he was usually very busy and that taking up his time would tire him out more, ever since Qing Wu was saved by him upon arriving in this world, she had developed an undeniable dependence on him.
She did not want to lose the opportunity to see him. After much thought, she ultimately could not bring herself to refuse and thus happily thanked him and agreed.
Seeing that she did not reject his offer, Huo Yun'ai secretly breathed a sigh of relief, his brows gradually relaxing and revealing an unmistakable joy.
He touched the item at his waist, intending to take it off and give it to her when he heard Qing Wu say, "The pouch was originally a New Year gift. I sent it to you early, so I made another one."
Huo Yun'ai was completely unprepared for her to say such a thing.
Just after arriving in Zheng Ning, Zheng Ning had already shown him the pouches that Qing Wu had given to both Zheng and Qin, laughing with Huo Yun'ai that he should be able to receive one embroidered with bamboo soon.
Only then did Huo Yun'ai realize that the pouch Qing Wu had given him filled with rock candy was a New Year gift. He thought to himself how fortunate he was to have brought a gift for the girl today; otherwise, he would truly feel guilty for her kindness.
Who would have thought that Qing Wu would now tell him that because she had already given him a pouch, she prepared another one.
Huo Yun'ai felt a mix of anticipation and surprise. He slowly lowered his hand from his waist and asked with a smile, "I wonder what Mist has prepared for me?"
In front of her, he did not hide his gaze, and Qing Wu naturally saw his expectations.
Seeing him like this, she felt a bit shy. Slowly taking something out from her fragrant pouch, she blushed and handed it to him.
It was a net made of green silk thread. It wasn't particularly well-crafted, but the care of the maker made it neat and beautiful.
"I didn't know what to make, but I remember when I went out with Dou Mama, I bought some thread and asked her to teach me."
Qing Wu said, looking up at Huo Yun'ai.
The young man slightly lowered his gaze, focusing intently on the item in his hand. His long eyelashes partially obscured his eyes, hiding all thoughts and making it impossible to see his expression.
Qing Wu grew increasingly nervous, tugging at the hem of her clothes, and said, "I'm afraid of being seen by others and not being able to explain what it's for. I could only weave it when I was alone or when only Dou Mama was around. I haven't practiced much; it's too... ugly..."
The last four words were spoken very softly.
But Huo Yun'ai heard them clearly.
His long fingers closed around the net, suddenly gripping it tightly in his hand. A warm smile appeared on his lips as he said, "Who is ugly? I really like it."
Huo Yun'ai initially wanted to tuck the net away but thought better of it and relaxed his hand.
His slender fingers moved to his waist, and with a few twists, he tied it around the jade pendant at his waist.
After securing it, he inadvertently noticed a new sachet hanging at his waist. The sachet was plump, clearly stuffed with quite a few things inside.
Huo Yun'ai paused for a moment, sighed inwardly, and did not look at it again.
Actually, the Sachet was filled with many gold trinkets.
He had inquired before and knew that girls liked delicate and intricate things. During the New Year, elders often crafted gold and silver into various beautiful shapes to give to the younger generation to play with.
Because of this, Huo Yun'ai specifically sent someone to find over a hundred types of gold trinkets. He carefully selected from them, rejecting those that were poorly made, simply carved, or of impure quality.
Whenever he had free time, he would sift through the many gold trinkets, examining each one. In the end, he chose the one he liked best from the Sachet.
Originally, he thought it would be a perfect New Year gift for Wu. However, compared to the thoughtful and heartfelt things she made for him, he felt that these items were too ordinary.
The sentiment was not enough.
She treated him with utmost care, yet he did not reciprocate with equal sincerity.
After pondering for a long time, Huo Yun'ai finally reached into his neck and pulled out a pendant.
This was a Sheep Fat Jade Pendant, warm and flawless. It was shaped like a Golden Eagle, with a hole in its back through which a fine thread made of Braid of White Silk was threaded.
"This was sought for me by the Grand General when I was five years old."
Huo Yun'ai walked over to Qing Wu's side, slightly bent down, and arranged her hair behind her back.
"I heard from my father that this jade has been blessed and can protect one’s safety and health. I have always worn it."
Qing Wu listened attentively, word by word, when suddenly she felt a chill around her neck and realized that the young man had wrapped the white silk thread around her neck and was about to tie it for her.
As he spoke, his warm breath brushed against her neck.
Reflecting on his previous words, Qing Wu suddenly understood the significance of the pendant. Startled, she hurried to push him away, but he gently smiled and raised his hand to brush her aside.
"The Great General seeks this item because he hopes for the safety and health of the person who wears it. My greatest wish now is for you to be so."
As he spoke, the knot was already tied.
Huo Yun'ai adjusted the pendant, looked at it for a moment, and then personally placed it into her collar.
Seeing the girl’s shocked expression, he couldn't help but smile. He pointed playfully at her nose and asked, "Are you still going to paint?"
With the precious gift left by the Grand General suddenly around her neck, Qing Wu could no longer focus on painting.
She quickly shook her head.
Huo Yun'ai smiled knowingly and took her hand to walk outside. "Since that's the case, why not play for a while?"
Qing Wu initially thought this was a great idea. After all, studying and practicing writing required full concentration. However, she believed she lacked the composure to remain calm after receiving such a precious item. Rather than wasting time inside, it would be better to come out and do something else to relax. Once she calmed down, she could return indoors to study.
But it didn't take long for her to realize that this idea wasn't as wonderful as she had imagined.
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