My Wife is Unbeatable in the Whole World, Touch Me If You Dare!-Chapter 251 - 133 Phoenix Seeking His Mate

"Today is truly a day for the unexpected," the wife actually took the initiative to call him husband.

Although it was only once, it was the very first time it had ever happened.

Once there’s a first time, there will be a second, a third... the hundredth time.

Li Nuo had always believed that sincerity could be met with sincerity; even if she were a block of ice, there would come a time when she melted.

Fortunately, the ability he had exchanged yesterday had not yet expired, so he had drawn for her a painting identical to the one from yesterday, and he wrote a new poem on it.

The wife visibly brightened up with joy.

Regarding this painting, she treasured it even more; once the pigments and ink on it had dried, she locked it away in a cabinet.

Li Nuo left the room for a moment and it took quite a while before he returned.

Sitting at the desk, a look of puzzlement spread across his face.

He had just gone out to make inquiries about the servants of the Song Family.

The painting had not been stolen by anyone from the Song Residence.

He was all too familiar with the Thief Sect, and Li Nuo was very certain that in the whole of Chang’an, not a single thief had the guts or the skill to sneak into the Song Residence to steal something.

What was more strange was that, out of all the valuable possessions in the Song Residence, the thief chose to steal a painting of little value?

Was something wrong with the thief’s brain?

This wasn’t the first time the wife had lost something.

Last time, during the Old Lady’s birthday banquet, that pair of Jade Ruyi had also mysteriously gone missing, and the thief had yet to be caught.

He looked at Song Jiaren and asked, "Wife, do you suspect anyone?"

Song Jiaren shook her head and said, "No."

She had only taken Mumu out for a while today, and by the time they returned, the painting was gone.

Before they left, she had clearly placed the painting on the table.

It was pointless to think about a matter with no leads.

Li Nuo waved his hand and said, "Forget it, if it’s lost then it’s lost, when you feel like having a painting, I’ll draw it for you."

Song Jiaren nodded and then asked, "Aren’t we practicing archery today?"

Li Nuo was momentarily stunned, then replied, "Of course we are practicing; the Imperial Examination is just a few months away, of course we must. How about this, tomorrow, you give me another lesson in horse riding?"

Song Jiaren didn’t hesitate and quietly said, "Yes..."

...

Early the next day.

Li Nuo had originally made plans with his wife to learn horse riding at the Horse Field, but she had been called away early in the morning by the Old Lady; she was to accompany the Old Lady to the Holy Mother Temple for a sacrificial offering, so horse riding would have to wait until tomorrow.

With nothing else to do, he planned to give Phoenix the last few poems he owed her.

Before that, however, he needed to make a trip to the Ministry of Justice.

His Calligraphy ability was not permanent, each use dwindled his lifespan; this was of no consequence to his wife, but his relationship with Phoenix had not yet reached that stage.

In a room at the Ministry of Justice,

Li Nuo watched the girl transcribing the poems and said, "Gu, ..."

Gu Yanran looked up and asked, "Young Master, what is it?"

Li Nuo asked, "Do you only know how to write in Hairpin Flower Small Regular Script?"

On another piece of paper, Gu Yanran wrote several lines in different styles, saying, "I know a bit of the other styles, but I’m not very skilled at them."

It wasn’t that Li Nuo looked down on Hairpin Flower Small Regular Script, just that this style was almost exclusively used by women; few men would choose to write in it.

When he was at the Jade Sound Pavilion, Phoenix had looked at him a bit strangely upon seeing his writing.

Li Nuo looked over the paper she handed him.

To him, those lines were all quite attractive.

Experts in Calligraphy would typically know many different styles, though not all could achieve the pinnacle with each.

At present, compared to her proficiency in Hairpin Flower Small Regular Script, Gu Yanran’s grasp on the other styles was clearly not as masterful.

But still, they were out of reach for Li Nuo.

Looking at her, he said, "Why don’t you also practice the other styles? By broadening your horizons and integrating various techniques, you can further develop your Calligraphy. Perhaps one day, there might even emerge a ’Gu Style’..."

Gu Yanran rapidly shook her head, "I can’t do it..."

To have a style named after one’s surname or given name happens once in centuries; each such calligrapher is a historical figure, a profound master whose ability with the brush compares to that of a Saint.

Such an esteemed master in Calligraphy hasn’t emerged in hundreds of years.

She dared not even dream of such heights.

Li Nuo looked at her, earnestly encouraging her, "Hey, you have to have dreams. Don’t deny yourself; with your talent being so good, perhaps there really will come a day when you achieve mastery through the brush. How about this, next time I come, I’ll bring you some model calligraphy works to study in your free time. Maybe you really can make a name for yourself in the art of Calligraphy one day..."

The girl quietly wiped away tears from the corner of her eye.

She remembered how she had treated the Young Master before, and yet he still cared about her, giving her oranges, allowing her the chance to reduce her sentence and redeem herself. She truly hated her former self...

Before long, Li Nuo took a stack of papers and left the Ministry of Justice.

The fact that his Stealing Technique ability became permanent was an accident; replicating other abilities proved difficult.

Training Gu was easier.

She was still in jail, and as she improved in Calligraphy, Li Nuo’s ability would grow along with her.

Once she mastered the other styles, he would no longer have to embarrass himself by writing Hairpin Flower Small Regular Script in public.

Li Nuo arrived at the Jade Sound Pavilion and placed a stack of papers on the table in front of Phoenix, saying, "They’re all written."

Phoenix picked up the poems and examined them, growing more astonished the more she looked.

These verses, although they did not match the excellence of the one before, far surpassed the works of those so-called talents outside.

Moreover, each poem was written for a courtesan.

The author was exceptionally skilled at depicting the emotions between men and women.

These poems could all be sung; they were a bit vulgar, but that made them remarkably suitable for use in brothels.

With the Oiran competition imminent, releasing these poems could fetch several hundred to even thousands of taels of silver apiece.

Phoenix even wondered if the author had specialized in creating such amorous verses for courtesan women in his past life.

But she was very clear that it wasn’t that he couldn’t write elegant ones.

He just didn’t want to write elegant ones for her.

When writing about his wife, she was described as a peerless beauty who could topple cities and nations. But when writing for her, it was all singing and dancing girls with willowy waists, the papers filled with the scent of the secular world…

Although he was polite on the surface, in his heart, he must look down on them.

Phoenix’s reaction was different from what Li Nuo had expected, and he couldn’t help being startled, asking, "What’s wrong, you’re not satisfied?"

These were custom-made based on her request. Could it be that the lyrics by Liu Yong didn’t satisfy her?

Phoenix shook her head and said, "Very satisfied, thank you, Young Master."

Li Nuo replied, "That’s good. If there’s nothing you want to be revised, I’ll take my leave. If there’s any issue, feel free to find me. I will either be at the Song Residence or the Ministry of Justice..."

Phoenix remembered something and added, "The line ’Twin butterflies upon an embroidered skirt, first met at Jade Sound Pavilion,’ doesn’t quite rhyme. Could it be changed? And this poem, it seems to lack a tune’s title..."

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The name of this poem’s tune was Drunk Whip, an original creation by Mr. Zhang. Li Nuo had checked this world did not possess a tune by that name.

After thinking for a moment, he said, "Indeed, ’Jade Sound Pavilion’ doesn’t rhyme. You could change it to something banquet, as if we met at a certain banquet. As for the name of the tune, you can choose whatever you like. I think ’Phoenix Song’ is quite good..."

Phoenix waved her hand dismissively, "It’s fine, you may go now."

Jiaren showed as much care in her writing as Phoenix Song was dismissive.

Forget it; indifference would have to do. After all, she wasn’t anything to him. How could she ever compare to the stunning Song Jiaren, who could topple cities and nations?

As Li Nuo stepped out, Phoenix’s voice suddenly followed, "In Young Master’s heart, am I like the flirtatious women described in these poems?"

Li Nuo turned back, surprised, "Not at all. Why would you think that?"

Phoenix smiled indifferently, "Every poem here is suffused with profanity and vulgarity, but no matter, we are indeed women of the secular world..."

Liu Yong’s verses, except for a few exceptional pieces, were often criticized as "paltry and vulgar," even described as "lewd language fit for women’s chambers."

Li Nuo was simply following her specifications.

She had wanted to maintain the same style as that poem; how could she blame him?

But customers are gods, especially when this particular one was his first major customer, who was exceedingly generous. Li Nuo was looking forward to more in-depth collaboration in the future.

He had already walked out when he heard her words and turned back, "Don’t like them because they’re too vulgar? You want elegance? There’s elegance, but..."

Phoenix looked puzzled, "But what?"

Li Nuo said, "There’s an extra charge."

Phoenix blinked, "How much more?"

Li Nuo intended to add another fifty or hundred taels, but thinking it over, since he had already earned a thousand from her and there might be more opportunities for collaboration in the future, he said, "Never mind, you’ve already bought ten pieces. I’ll gift you another one. I’ll compose, and you write..."

Li Nuo stood by the table, Phoenix sat behind it. One dictated, the other copied.

Li Nuo cleared his throat and began slowly:

"There is a beauty, unforgettable upon sight.

A day without her sight, thoughts of her rage like madness.

The phoenix flies high and wide, in search of his mate.

Alas, the lovely lady, nowhere by the eastern wall.

Taking the zither as my messenger, to express my deepest feelings.

When shall I be granted an audience, to soothe my wandering heart?

To be matched in virtue is my desire, to walk hand in hand with thee.

Should thou not permit me to ascend, lead me to my downfall."

After writing the last line, Phoenix picked up the paper; the tartness in her heart had been swept clean.

This was not a poem, nor a verse, but an ode.

An Elegance Ode.

It contained not a hint of vulgar air, only the passionate and fervent emotions.

This ode was every bit as peerless as Jiaren.

Eagerly, she looked to Li Nuo, "What is the name of this ode?"

Li Nuo took a drink of water and replied, "Phoenix Seeking His Mate."

The Imperial Examination did not require odes, and such a piece would be unsuitable for his wife; thus, he simply gave it to Phoenix.

However, it was, after all, a love poem, and he cautioned Phoenix, "Don’t tell others that I wrote this ode for you..."

Comparatively, Phoenix Seeking His Mate’s value was immeasurably higher than the vulgar verses, though he meant nothing by it. If his wife heard of it, she might overthink things.

Phoenix rejoiced secretly; her name was finally included in a poem that would be passed down for generations.

Treating the paper like a precious treasure, she smiled at Li Nuo, "Thank you, Young Master. How does 500 taels sound for this ode..."

Li Nuo waved his hand, "No need, I said I’d gift it, and so I shall. I must take my leave now; there are other matters to attend to..."

Feeling embarrassed, Phoenix said, "Please wait, Young Master. With such a generous gift, I hardly know how to thank you. Allow me to arrange a vase of flowers for you..."

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