The Idle Man of Zhenguan Intercepts Wu Zetian at the Start

Wu Yuanqing didn't actually have much hope for Changsun Dan.

After all, the reputation of being the number one incompetent fool in Chang'an is hard to change in people's minds in a short time.

His approach to contacting Changsun Dan was also based on a "nothing to lose" attitude.

After all, he had always looked down on and ostracized Wu Zetian and her daughter, and the two sides had become irreconcilable enemies.

If there's a chance to ease tensions, doing something is always better than doing nothing.

But now this Preface to the Orchid Pavilion is right in front of me. Although the ink is not yet dry, it is a perfect blend of strength and gentleness, with a flowing spirit that seems to transcend a century and possess a subtle divine quality.

Pei Shun'er had naturally heard of the incompetent Changsun Liulang's reputation. At first, seeing her husband being so polite to her, she thought he was trying to curry favor with Empress Changsun.

Although she doesn't understand calligraphy, she can at least tell the difference between good and bad.

Seeing all this with my own eyes now, the contrast is truly shocking.

"Brother Dan is truly a divine being."

Wu Yuanqing's voice trembled slightly as he spoke.

Although I have never seen the original copy of the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion, there are many copies circulating in the market. Most of them have elegant and graceful characters, but they are ultimately too heavily imitative and lack the spirit of the original.

The painting by Changsun Dan is grand and majestic, natural and unrestrained, showing no trace of craftsmanship.

Changsun Dan smiled and said, "I wonder if I meet your sister's approval?"

Wu Yuanqing's lips twitched. He didn't care that the ink was still wet. He almost leaned on the table to read the words carefully. The more he read, the more he felt that it was mysterious.

"Brother Dan's work is a masterpiece; my sister will be completely captivated by it!"

"Butler, quickly, take this calligraphy to Fourth Sister..."

Wu Yuanqing rubbed his hands excitedly, pacing back and forth in the room. Wu Zetian was quite talented and had a great love for calligraphy and painting. Upon seeing this masterpiece, she would surely turn around and ask him for help.

Thinking about it this way, I couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Pei Shun'er tugged at Wu Yuanqing's sleeve:

"My lord..."

Wu Yuanqing realized his rudeness and quickly pulled Chang Sun Dan down to sit:

"Haha, Brother Dan, let's keep drinking, let's drink!"

Changsun Dan took a small sip. People in the Tang Dynasty did not know how to distill alcohol; they relied entirely on grain fermentation, resulting in a very low alcohol content. If someone could die from being drunk in their previous life, it was most likely due to a heart attack or stroke.

Having been reborn into this frail body, I must find a way to strengthen it, otherwise, there will be endless troubles in the future.

Seeing that Changsun Dan seemed lost in thought, Wu Yuanqing leaned close to his ear and grinned wickedly:

"If my younger sister hadn't already been selected as a concubine, I would really like to marry her off to Brother Dan."

"My fourth sister is beautiful, needless to say. Although her talent cannot compare to that of my brother Dan, she is still one in a million."

Pei Shun'er coughed softly:

"My lord, you have had too much to drink. Such treasonous words, if they reach His Majesty's ears, could bring disaster."

He does not mean that.

Changsun Dan had a sudden thought: that's right, he was completely clueless before.

It was really thanks to Wu Yuanqing's reminder.

As long as Wu Zetian's innocence is proven, and he makes it public, Li Shimin will naturally not let her enter the palace again.

The risk is too great. I don't know if the Changsun family is powerful enough to protect my life.

He then laughed and said, "Sister-in-law, don't worry, it's just some private gossip, it certainly won't reach His Majesty's ears."

However, some calculations began to form in his mind.

If the Changsun family's influence isn't enough, then add my own little head, brimming with 21st-century modern knowledge.

Let's bet on whether Li Shimin truly has the heart to cherish talent and the ambition to become a great emperor for all time.

"Lord Wu, you have quite the nerve."

A crisp, clear voice rang out.

Changsun Dan turned around and saw Wu Zetian holding the Lanting Preface, her pretty face cold, standing gracefully at the door.

Many 3D reconstructions of Wu Zetian have been created in later generations, but seeing the real person standing right in front of him still brought a huge shock to Changsun Dan.

At this time, Wu Zetian was only thirteen or fourteen years old. Her skin was as white as jade, and she had dragon eyes and a phoenix neck. In terms of appearance alone, she could be described as an absolute beauty.

What's even more astonishing is the sharp and cold aura she exudes.

Changsun Dan was momentarily stunned.

Indeed, without such overwhelming wildness and wisdom, how could she have won over Li Zhi while Li Shimin was ill, and then seized the Tang Dynasty while Li Zhi was ill?

But when he thought of Wu Zetian's absurdity in her later years, Changsun Dan felt somewhat bored.

Although every step she took was forced and gradually distorted by her environment, it was also due to her nature.

Changsun Dan smiled slightly, turned his head away from her, and looked away with a hint of loneliness and indifference.

Wu Yuanqing slammed his hand on the table, about to explode in anger, when Pei Shun'er quickly said:

"Fourth Sister, this is the sixth son of the Changsun family, the Empress's own nephew. Your eldest brother knows that you love calligraphy and painting, so he specially invited him to give you some pointers."

Changsun Dan couldn't help but think more highly of Pei Shun'er. Her words were impeccable, both subtle and forceful, yet neither humble nor arrogant.

Even if Wu Zetian entered the palace and gained favor, she was still under the control of the Empress.

Wu Zetian, whose nickname was Meiniang, was naturally adept at assessing situations and knew how to be gentle when facing a strong opponent. She gave a cold snort but no longer confronted Wu Yuanqing directly.

He walked straight up to Changsun Dan, his expression arrogant:

"It is rumored that Changsun Liulang started frequenting brothels and taverns at the age of twelve and was not good at poetry, calligraphy and painting. It seems that rumors cannot be believed entirely."

Changsun Dan chuckled:

"What is true and what is false, what is a mirage, why bother with it?"

Wu Zetian pursed her lips slightly, and most of her fierce aura dissipated, revealing the demeanor of a little girl:

"Can...you teach me?"

Wu Zetian wore a moon-white satin coat, her fair cheeks glowing faintly in the lamplight, and her voice was soft and sweet. Changsun Dan seemed to forget for a moment the first empress in history who was ruthless, cruel, and licentious.

A tingling sensation spread throughout her body, and even if she were to die now, it would possess a kind of irresistible allure.

Changsun Dan took a deep breath.

Wu Zetian seemed quite pleased with Changsun Dan's current expression, and pouted slightly:

"Hey, I'm asking you a question."

A hint of jealousy flashed in Pei Shun'er's eyes as she quietly tugged at Wu Yuanqing's sleeve.

Wu Yuanqing quickly stood up:

"Fourth sister, no matter how unpleasant we siblings were in the past, we are still family behind closed doors. Your eldest brother doesn't want you to enter the palace and be all alone."

"Brother Dan has already agreed to be my elder brother, and I will teach you everything I know."

Wu Zetian was well aware of Wu Yuanqing's intentions, but she didn't bother with him at the moment. She simply stared at Changsun Dan, waiting for his answer.

Changsun Dan was amazed by Wu Zetian's innate charm and how her joy and anger could be expressed in an instant.

Changsun Dan adjusted his mindset and regained his cool and aloof expression:

"Skills can be practiced, but the state of mind is hard to replicate. If Ms. Wu wants to write the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion well, she must first understand Wang Xizhi's state of mind at that time."

"After all, once he sobered up, he couldn't write a second copy of the Preface to the Orchid Pavilion."

"Only if Miss Wu can let go of her desire to imitate can she truly understand its essence."

Wu Yuanqing and his wife were stunned by Changsun Dan's ambiguous words.

Wu Zetian pondered for a moment, seemingly understanding Changsun Dan's meaning, and raised the Orchid Pavilion Preface in her hand:

"I'll keep this and look at it again. If I have any questions, I'll come back to you."

After saying that, he turned and left, but turned back and said one last thing before leaving:

"The title of 'Chang'an's Number One Incompetent Fool' is more fitting for my two older brothers!"

His eyes were filled with contempt and resentment.

Wu Yuanqing was so angry that he trembled all over, and his eyes were practically spitting fire.

At the same time, his heart began to waver. If his fourth sister were to gain power one day, it was truly unknown whether it would be good or bad for him and the Wu family.

Wu Yuanqing and Pei Shun'er exchanged a glance, their gazes falling on Changsun Dan, and an evil thought resurfaced in their minds.