His Wife Calls The Shots - Chapter 11
Chapter 11: Master Calligrapher
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
It was 9 pm by the time Tang Qianmiao settled her personal matters and returned to the Feng family.
The Feng residence was huge and beyond luxurious. It was like a mini version of those western palaces, dignified and grand. The Old Master resided in the central tower, which separated the East and West wings. His younger son and family lived in the East Wing, while his elder son and family lived in the West Wing.
Normally, the two families would go about their own business, gathering for a meal in the Old Master’s central tower on specific days.
Old Master had assigned Tang Qianmiao to the West Wing because there was a girl about her age living there – she was the family’s only granddaughter, Feng Chuchu.
Tang Qianmiao walked some distance before she came to the drawing-room where the Old Master practiced calligraphy.
Works of calligraphy covered the walls of the drawing-room, while new works were laid out to dry on the floor and table. The fragrance of Chinese ink hung in the air.
There were only two people in the drawing roomーthe Old Master and Chu Chu, who was grinding ink for him. The both of them were looking closely at a piece of calligraphy work and didn’t seem to notice her.
Tang Qianmiao rested her gaze on that piece of work for a moment, seemingly forming a few thoughts on it. Afterward, she looked away from the piece and knocked on the door.
“Grandpa Feng.”
The Old Master looked up and at once smiled kindly. “Miao Miao, you’re back. Come, have a look at this piece of work I’ve copied. What do you think of it?”
She casually swept her gaze over the original work and asked, “Grandpa likes this piece of work?”
The Old Master nodded and replied, “That’s right. Although it’s made by a new artist, his ability to control the strokes and form of his writing far surpasses that of many well-known and more senior artists. This style could even be said to be in a league of its own.
Before the Old Master could finish, Feng Chuchu interrupted coquettishly, “Grandpa, this calligrapher is one of the best known original calligraphers in the circle in recent years. He’s not some unknown newbie. This piece of work has won many prizes. I tried many ways and means to secure this piece of work for you, Grandpa.”
The Old Master smiled and nodded without saying anything. His gaze fell on Tang Qianmiao again as he asked her, “What do you think, Miao Miao?”
Tang Qianmiao said with a subtle smile, “The original work is mediocre, but Grandpa’s copy is rather well-executed.”
A hearty laugh rumbled in the Old Master’s chest. “This child indeed knows how to humor her Grandpa.”
Feng Chuchu pulled a sullen expression and mumbled, “Brown noser, what do you know about calligraphy.”
“Chu Chu, don’t be rude,” the Old Master said rather sternly.
Feng Chuchu pouted and kept silent.
The Old Master set his brush and paper aside and asked the servant to put them away. Then he looked at Feng Chuchu with a serious expression and said, “Chu Chu, now that Miao Miao is home, what should you say to her?”
Immediately, the girl’s expression changed as she lowered her head without saying a word. She clasped her hands together and intertwined her fingers.
When the Old Master saw this, his expression darkened and he said, “Have you learned nothing about manners in the Feng family?”
Feng Chuchu then slowly looked up. She glared at Tang Qianmiao and said reluctantly, “I misunderstood you last night, I… I’m sorry.”
Scenes from the night before flashed through Tang Qianmiao’s mind.
She had come home rather late last night. The moment she stepped in, Eldest Young Miss Feng had given orders for her to be thrown out. She had even thrown out her packed suitcases. The reason for this was because the Eldest Young Miss’ lost necklace had been found in her room.
Eventually, she managed to retrieve a segment of the surveillance video that showed very clearly what had happened. It turned out that the family’s pet dog had taken the necklace and dropped it outside Tang Qianmiao’s door. The servant then thought that Tang Qianmiao had dropped it, and placed it back on her dressing table.
Once the misunderstanding was cleared, the family in the West Wing started to, instead, focus on the fact that Tang Qianmiao had this surveillance video, and went on to believe that she had bad intentions.
Tang Qianmiao did not try to defend herself over this matter. And because of that, she was thrown out of the residence. At the same time, because she also had a private matter to attend to, she left the Feng family.
When she was in the car, she had a chat with the Old Master on the phone and assured him that she didn’t leave out of spite, and the Old Master believed her.
Who would have thought that he’d send Feng Xian to take her home today?
To be honest, there was no benefit for her to pursue this matter. At this thought, she only nodded faintly as a gesture that she had accepted Feng Chuchu’s apology.
Feng Chuchu glared at her, then gave the Old Master a perfunctory greeting before she turned to leave.
After she had gone, the Old Master said to Tang Qianmiao, “Child, after last night, your Aunt Wan came looking for me. She wanted to move you over to the East Wing to stay with them. What do you think about that?”
To this, Tang Qianmiao nodded expressionlessly and replied, “I’m happy to go along with Grandpa’s arrangement.”
