Do you know: I am Qi Heng

"Yuan Ruo!"

When Qi Heng arrived at the school that day, the Sheng brothers, Changbai and Changfeng, were already there.

Upon seeing Qi Heng arrive, Sheng Changfeng excitedly stood up to greet him.

"Among the Su brothers we met at Daxiangguo Temple last time, wasn't one of them named Su Shi?" Sheng Changfeng asked.

"That's right, their brother Zizhan's real name is indeed Su Shi."

Qi Heng nodded, somewhat puzzled, and asked, "Why are you suddenly asking this?"

"Yuan Ruo, haven't you heard?"

Sheng Changfeng said excitedly, "Scholar Ouyang and many other scholars in the court have praised Su Zizhan's writing highly. Yesterday, I attended a tea banquet and heard people mention it. They all expressed their admiration for his writing and their desire to read it!"

That day, Su Shi only introduced his name at the beginning, and then referred to him by his courtesy name.

Because of his age, and because the Su brothers' clothing wasn't very nice, Sheng Changfeng didn't pay much attention.

Last night, a rich young man he knew treated him to dinner, and the conversation turned to Su Shi.

When Sheng Changfeng heard the name Su Zizhan, he felt it was familiar. After thinking about it carefully, he realized that one of the Su brothers he had met at the Daxiangguo Temple was named Zizhan.

However, he did not make a fuss, because in his mind, the Su brothers were just ordinary scholars from moderately wealthy families.

I didn't think there was anything special about the two of them. What if I got it wrong? Wouldn't I be laughed at?

So he inquired about Su Zizhan's name and came to the school early today, hoping to confirm it with Qi Heng.

"Brother Zizhan is exceptionally talented, but I am not aware of his writing abilities. I have not heard of the matter you mentioned, and I do not know if it is the same person."

Qi Heng naturally knew Su Shi's literary level. To tell a dry joke, some people in later generations were curious as to why Li Bai and Du Fu were not among the Eight Great Masters of Tang and Song.

The answer is simple: the Eight Great Masters of Tang and Song refers to literature, not poetry.

Li Bai and Du Fu were indeed great poets; even three-year-old children in later generations can recite several of their poems.

But who has actually read their articles?

Poetry is just a minor art, and that's no joke.

Most famous poets wrote their masterpieces when they were poor or unhappy.

Su Shi did not write any lyrics in his early life; he only started writing them after experiencing setbacks in his life.

Because his lyrics are indeed very impressive, many people subconsciously believe that the poems and lyrics of the Eight Great Masters of the Tang and Song Dynasties are also very impressive.

"Yuanruo, I also admire Zizhan's articles. Could you help me obtain a manuscript of one?" Sheng Changfeng said.

As the saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. The young men who were on good terms with Sheng Changfeng were just the sons and grandsons of officials of the fifth or sixth rank.

These people are nothing in Bianjing. Su Shi is now only slightly famous. Given their family circumstances, they can't even see Su Shi's articles, let alone get their hands on his manuscripts.

Within this small circle, Sheng Changfeng's status wasn't the lowest, but it wasn't much better either.

The small circles formed by the second generation not only considered the official positions of their elders, but also whether they were legitimate or illegitimate children.

In other words, Sheng Changbai was so focused on his studies that he rarely even left the house, let alone had any private dealings with those rich young men.

Only Sheng Changfeng could enter that circle; otherwise, he wouldn't even have the qualifications to get in.

If someone could get their hands on Su Shi's manuscripts, they would be incredibly influential in that circle.

"I'll ask Zizhan for you when I see him later," Qi Heng said.

Sheng Changfeng bowed and said, "Thank you, Yuan Ruo."

"Second brother Xie Yuanruo, what?"

At this moment, Mo Lan walked in and saw Sheng Changfeng bowing and thanking Qi Heng, so she asked him curiously.

"younger sister…"

Sheng Changfeng explained the situation.

"Brother Yuanruo has a discerning eye."

Upon hearing this, Mo Lan's eyes lit up, and she looked at Qi Heng with a smile, saying, "Now it seems that Brother Yuan Ruo had already seen that the two of them were extraordinary, which is why he went forward to befriend them."

"Fourth Miss is joking. I simply liked that calligraphy. Brother Zizhan took a liking to it first, and I didn't want to take what others loved."

Qi Heng said, "I only learned that Brother Zizhan was already famous in Bianjing from Brother Changfeng."

"Forehead…"

Mo Lan's expression froze upon hearing this; she had intended to use the opportunity to praise Qi Heng.

These were things her mother taught her, saying that men like to be praised so that their vanity can be satisfied.

However, you can't just praise anyone; you have to find a good angle and praise them subtly.

She keenly sensed that this was an opportunity, and Qi Heng should have said a few humble words, but unexpectedly, Qi Heng directly stated his position.

He also claimed that he knew Su Shi was exceptionally talented and wrote excellent articles.

Qi Heng chuckled inwardly at Mo Lan's dejected look and went to his seat.

Just as they sat down, Rulan's laughter and chatter came from outside, and soon the two of them came in.

"Greetings, elder brother, second brother, and Yuanruo brother." Rulan bowed slightly.

Minglan also bowed, but addressed Qi Heng as "Young Master".

Mo Lan also came to her senses at this moment, and a forced smile appeared on her face. After a simple bow, she sat down in her seat.

As Rulan passed by Molan, she gave her a suspicious look.

There's a saying that goes, "The person who knows you best is often your enemy."

Rulan and Molan have been at odds since they can remember.

Although Rulan is straightforward and doesn't have much of a mind, she hasn't figured out Molan's personality.

But Mo Lan was in a bad mood, which she could still tell.

Although she didn't know the reason, it didn't stop her from feeling happy.

"Fourth sister, why do you look so miserable? It's like someone owes you money."

Rulan sat down in her seat, smiling sweetly as she whispered, "What's bothering you? Tell me so your little sister can cheer you up!"

"you…"

Mo Lan was already annoyed, and upon hearing this, she turned around in anger. Seeing her expression, Ru Lan smiled even more happily.

However, Mo Lan still had her senses. Afraid of being seen by Qi Heng and the others, she smiled but said coldly, "There's no need for Fifth Sister to worry about that. Fifth Sister was just scolded by Father last night, and she can still smile. I can't learn to be so shameless."

"you…"

Rulan was all smiles one second, but the next she broke down, angrily pointing at Molan and raising her voice involuntarily.

Sheng Changbai and Qi Heng looked over when they heard the commotion.

Mo Lan reacted quickly, her expression a mix of innocence and grievance, saying, "Fifth Sister, I heard Father scolded you because of your poor handwriting. He kindly wanted to give you two calligraphy samples, but you didn't appreciate it, and why did you take it out on me?"

"When did you say you were going to give me a calligraphy practice book? Besides, whether my handwriting is good or bad is a matter for the family..."

"alright!"

Ru Lan retorted immediately, but was interrupted by Sheng Changbai before she could finish speaking.

"The scholar should be here soon; we can discuss other matters after class!"

"yes!"

Mo Lan responded and turned to sit up straight.

Rulan could only turn her head away angrily.

Qi Heng lowered his head and chuckled to himself. Reading was indeed very boring, let alone studying the classics, histories, philosophical works, and literary collections in ancient times.

He had thought that by studying at the Sheng family's school, he could see Mo Lan and Ru Lan bickering and arguing, which would add some fun to the otherwise tedious study time.

But both Mo Lan and Ru Lan were very restrained, which disappointed him somewhat.

This fight between the two should be the beginning, right?