Chapter 175 The Game of Divine Understanding: This Cultural Figure's Demotion

The five people calmly took their seats, one in charge and the other in order of seniority.

Without the disturbance of outsiders, the atmosphere of the meal was less formal and more peaceful.

Song Wan sat in the main seat, her demeanor dignified.

She picked up the serving chopsticks and gracefully picked up a Longjing shrimp.

The freshly cooked shrimp meat is crystal clear, with a thin layer of clear oil on its surface.

The Longjing tea tips, garnished around the shrimp, are stir-fried to the perfect temperature, resulting in a vibrant green color.

As the steam rises, it releases a delicate and elegant aroma of tea.

Song Wan lowered her head slightly, put the shrimp into her mouth, and chewed it carefully.

The shrimp meat is plump and springy, with a unique sweetness characteristic of the Jiangnan water towns, instantly filling the entire mouth.

Immediately afterwards, the subtle bitterness and mellow sweetness of Longjing tea slowly melted on the tip of the tongue.

It perfectly neutralizes the slight, barely perceptible fishy smell of the shrimp.

This Peking University professor is used to eating at all kinds of private restaurants and delicacies.

A clear look of amazement flashed involuntarily in his eyes.

"The timing of the heat control was perfect, and the aroma of the tea did not overpower the flavor."

Song Wan put down her chopsticks, picked up a tissue from the table, and gently dabbed her lips.

"Xiao Lin not only has excellent cooking skills, but also a thorough understanding of the essence of this famous Jiangnan dish."

Zhou Yang and Wang Zuncun, who were standing nearby, had already started eating. The two old scholars ate while nodding repeatedly, not wanting to waste even a moment to say another word.

Lin Mo picked up the rough pottery teacup in front of him and took a small sip of the warm tea.

"Auntie, you flatter me. I just followed the nature of the ingredients and didn't overdo it."

His tone remained relaxed, neither hurried nor impatient.

He did not show any obsequiousness or flattery just because the lady opposite him was his mother-in-law.

Song Wan smiled, her gaze sweeping over the plate of bright green stir-fried water celery.

The atmosphere at the dinner table softened considerably with the arrival of these two impeccable home-style dishes.

"You said that piece of broken jade had the style of the Imperial Workshop during the Xuanhe period of the Northern Song Dynasty."

Song Wan changed the subject, speaking casually as if she were chatting about ordinary family matters.

"The aesthetics of the Northern Song Dynasty have always been known for their minimalism and restraint."

"Especially the crackle pattern and sky-blue color of Ru ware, which emphasize the natural way of harmony between man and nature."

Song Wan placed her hands on the edge of the table, her deep gaze fixed on Lin Mo.

"But why do jade carvings from the Xuanhe era have such an elaborate, down-to-earth feel?"

This is a rather obscure and tricky academic question.

Even doctoral students in the History Department at Kyoto University cannot access specific internal files without having done so.

Faced with this unexpected question, they would stammer and be unable to answer.

Wang Cunzhuan and Zhou Yang exchanged a glance, both understanding the hidden test in Song Wan's words.

Lin Mo put down the rough pottery teacup in his hand, his expression still calm and composed.

He picked up his chopsticks and slowly picked up a stalk of stir-fried water celery.

"Because of Emperor Huizong of Song's saying about abundance and prosperity."

Lin Mo's voice was calm, revealing a deep-seated confidence.

"During the Xuanhe era, on the surface it was a time of peace and prosperity, with people living in peace and contentment."

"In reality, the imperial treasury was already empty, and there were constant troubles on the northern border, with undercurrents surging."

"That kind of extremely intricate carving is not for aesthetic purposes at all."

"It's not to create a false impression of peace."

Lin Mo placed the water celery on top of the rice, raised her eyes, and looked up with a clear gaze.

"The rulers attempted to use intricate patterns to conceal their inherent insecurity and vulnerability."

"Like that piece of broken jade, its appearance is incomparably gorgeous."

"In fact, the internal structure collapses on its own when exposed to even slightly extreme temperatures."

Song Wan's eyes lit up instantly.

This insight goes beyond the surface of the artifacts; it penetrates directly into the very fabric of history.

Zhou Yang couldn't help but slam his hand on the stone table and exclaim in approval.

"That's very insightful! No wonder I always felt that the calligraphy and paintings from the Xuanhe period lacked a certain spirit."

This eccentric, national treasure-level painter looked at Lin Mo.

The previous disdain was completely gone from his eyes, replaced by the gleam of appreciating those who shared his ideals.

"Xiao Lin, since you've mentioned Emperor Huizong of Song..."

Zhou Yang leaned forward slightly, like an old child who had met a kindred spirit.

"Then how do you interpret the large areas of blank space in Emperor Huizong's own painting, 'Auspicious Cranes'?"

Lin Mo did not appear flustered when faced with questions from a leading figure in the art world.

He gently stroked the rim of the rough pottery teacup with his fingers, as if searching for a specific rhythm.

"When critics judged paintings, they always said that the blank spaces were like clouds, ethereal beauty, and auspicious omens for the imperial court."

Lin Mo shook his head, a hint of mockery in his voice.

"But to me, that blank space is suffocating."

He raised his head, his gaze passing over the courtyard wall to the hazy, gray sky of late autumn.

"The sky was without a single blemish, and flocks of cranes circled above the majestic palace, yet refused to come down."

"That's not a paradise at all."

"It was an isolated island with no way out. The cleaner and clearer the blank space, the heavier the sense of oppression of the dynasty's demise."

"What he painted was not auspicious cranes, but his own unsettled anxiety."

Lin Mo's words resonated like a great bell in the courtyard.

Zhou Yang gasped for breath in the cold autumn air.

He spent his whole life painting in ink and wash, and he was particular about the blank spaces on rice paper.

Yet, no one has ever analyzed that timeless masterpiece from this oppressive yet incredibly precise perspective.

That sudden, profound sense of enlightenment made the hairs on his body stand on end.

"Absolutely brilliant...that's a truly insightful solution!"

Zhou Yang picked up his teacup, his hands trembling slightly with excitement, and toasted Lin Mo with tea instead of wine.

Wang Cuncun watched from the sidelines, feeling itchy to join in, and then offered his own expertise.

"What about the Tang Dynasty? Kobayashi, don't just talk about the weakness of the Song Dynasty."

Wang Cun pointed to the eaves above his head.

"I've been examining the way you repaired this courtyard for a long time, and it looks a bit like the woodwork of the Tang Dynasty."

Lin Mo smiled and naturally picked up a shrimp that he hadn't touched.

It was placed steadily across most of the table into the small dish in front of Jiang Ruoyun.

"Tang Dynasty woodwork emphasized thick beams and stout pillars."

Lin Mo put away his chopsticks and answered casually.

"The dougong brackets of the Song Dynasty, in their later development, were more for decoration and elaborate eaves."

"But the brackets of the Tang Dynasty didn't have so many fancy features; they were purely for the purpose of bearing weight."

"I didn't use a single modern nail to repair this yard."

"It relies on the hidden mortise structure of the early Tang Dynasty."

"The fulcrum of the load is hidden deep in the core of the pillar, and it looks simple and unadorned from the outside."

"But when faced with strong winds and heavy rain, it remains as stable as a mountain, its internal structure more tightly interlocked than steel."

Three industry giants who have long been legendary figures in their respective fields.

They were now gathered around a young man in his twenties, listening intently.

A simple meal was transformed into a cultural salon of divine quality.

Faced with a barrage of questions from the three professors.

Lin Mo, this young man, was surprisingly witty and composed, responding to every move with ease.

They were not at all inferior, and even offered unique insights from time to time.

It even made these three knowledgeable bigwigs fall into deep thought, and then exclaim in surprise that they had suddenly realized something.

Song Wan became more and more excited as they talked.

Her eyes, which had seen countless people and were accustomed to all kinds of scions of prominent families in Beijing, were now filled with admiration.

She looked at Lin Mo as if he were a rare treasure that had just been unearthed.

He possesses profound knowledge, exceptional skills, and unique insights, yet remains humble and unassuming.

This is hardly a case of a daughter marrying a poor young man.

This is clearly a stroke of good luck for the Jiang family in their past life, as they have picked up a hidden gem!

And what about Jiang Ruoyun, who was standing to the side?

This is the chaebol heiress who usually commands the company and makes decisive decisions in the group's conference room.

At this moment, I couldn't join in on these intellectuals' profound discussions at all.

What Xuanhe era? What blank space concept? What fat beams and pillars?

She listened, completely bewildered, finding it even more mentally taxing than reading about cross-border mergers and acquisitions.

If it were in the past, if anyone dared to use such flowery language in front of her, she would have already walked away with a cold face.

But now, she not only shows no impatience, but is actually enjoying it.

She stood obediently beside Lin Mo, holding a small insulated purple clay water bottle in her hand.

Those eyes seemed to be permanently attached to Lin Mo; he couldn't bear to look away for even a second.

Seeing that Lin Mo was thirsty, they quickly tiptoed and added hot water to his earthenware cup.

She acted exactly like a well-behaved, obedient maid who only had eyes for her husband.

A faint blush appeared on her fair and delicate face.

In his usually cool and aloof eyes, little stars of adoration were now twinkling wildly.

He stared intently at Lin Mo's eloquent and fatally charming profile.

Even when pouring water, my wrist was a little distracted.

The scalding hot water almost splashed from the rim of the cup onto the table.

Even when Lin Mo was discussing academic matters with Song Wan, he was always keeping an eye on the girl beside him out of the corner of his eye.

He naturally reached out and placed his warm palm on the back of Jiang Ruoyun's hand.

He steadied her wrist, took the teapot, and poured himself a cup steadily.

This is a natural and protective gesture.

Jiang Ruoyun's ears turned bright red instantly, like a startled yet sweet little rabbit.

Song Wan took in their little actions, but instead of stopping them, she picked up her teacup to hide her wildly upturned lips.

The courtyard was filled with a joyful atmosphere, and the harmonious meal continued like that of immortals.

Laughter and the aroma of food drifted out of the wall on the autumn breeze.

And at this very moment.

It's right below that three-meter-high blue brick wall outside the courtyard.

A hilarious yet tragic high-difficulty acrobatic performance is underway.