Chapter 103 - 103: A Test
When the Li family heard this, they were more willing to treat Chu Qingshuang as a part of their family. The way they looked at Chu Qingshuang also became kinder.
The guests smiled and thought to themselves, “Li Zhenzong’s disciple is indeed not bad. She might even be able to help the Li family rise again”
Wu Quancai did not expect a 13 year-old girl to have the courage to say such words. After hearing it, he could not help but be slightly stunned.
Li Zhenzong smiled, but his voice was a little cold. “Wu Quancai, if you’re here to eat, my Li family welcomes you. If you’re here to cause trouble, don’t blame me for being merciless.”
“Of course I’m here to eat.” Wu Quancai would not let go of the opportunity to embarrass Li Zhenzong. “However, I did come here today for something else.”
Li Zhenzong did not look happy. “If you have something to say, say it!”
Wu Quancai took out a piece of paper from her sleeve. On the paper was a vase with four sides.
This vase was very unique. There was the pattern of morning glory vines coiling around the body of the vase. Those vines looked very realistic, as if they were real morning glory.
He unfolded the paper and showed it to everyone. “Do you see this? This is a recent work of the porcelain design master, but so far, no one has been able to make the porcelain embryo. Li Zhenzong, since your disciple is so good, why don’t you let her try?”
Li Zhenzong looked at the paper and said with dissatisfaction, “Wu Quancai, my disciple has only learned for two days, and you’re letting her make such a difficult porcelain embryo. Aren’t you deliberately making things difficult for her?”
“That’s right, I’m deliberately making things difficult for her.” Everyone knew that they were enemies, so Wu Quancai decided not to hide it. “Li Zhenzong, it’s just an apprenticeship banquet, but you beat the drum about it and invited everyone. Aren’t you just showing off? Do you have the right to show off though?”
Li Zhenzong scolded, “Wu Quancai, you’re just jealous. You couldn’t find such a good disciple, so you came to make things difficult for my disciple. You’re really bored.”
Wu Quancai was very stubborn. “I’ll just ask you one thing. Do you dare to let your disciple make this porcelain embryo?”
Li Zhenzong was put on the spot.
At this moment, Chu Qingshuang suddenly said, “Master, let me try.”
Wu Quancai shouted, “I admire your courage.”
Li Zhenzong looked at Chu Qingshuang with even more admiration. She had already done a good job by not showing any fear.
He looked at Wu Quancai. “There’s no clay here, nor are there any tools. How is she supposed to make it?”
Wu Quancai was already prepared. “I prepared everything. Don’t worry.” As he spoke, he waved his hand. “Bring the tools and clay over.”
The crowd made way for a few servants to carry the things over and place them in front of Chu Qingshuang.
Li Zhenzong glared at Wu Quancai. It was obvious that he was up to no good.
Li Qingyu held Chu Qingzhi’s hand nervously. Qingshuang had never seen such a big scene since she was young. Could she handle it?
In fact, Chu Qingshuang was very nervous. She was so nervous that her back was covered in cold sweat. However, when she thought about how her master and family would be humiliated if she backed down, she beat the bullet and agreed to the challenge.
Chu Qingzhi comforted her gently, “Mother, don’t worry. Qingshuang can definitely do it.”
Li Shaoliang walked to Chu Qingshuang’s side and carefully patted her shoulder. “Junior Sister, just do your best.”
Chu Qingshuang nodded.
Wu Quancai watched all of this calmly. He was certain that Chu Qingshuang would not be able to make it. How could a thirteen-year-old girl make a porcelain embryo that even her master could not?!
Today, he would make Li Zhenzong lose all his face!
Li Qingyu walked towards Chu Qingshuang. “Qingshuang, we are all here supporting you. Don’t be afraid. Just do your best.”
The other Chu family members looked at Chu Qingshuang with concern and encouraged her with their eyes.
Chu Qingshuang’s gaze swept past everyone. When she saw the concerned faces of her family, she nodded heavily. Then, she rolled up her sleeves and sat in front of the potter’s wheel. She began to check the tools and clay. After confirming that there were no problems, she took the paper and looked at it carefully. An outline slowly appeared in her mind and she began to work.
Li Zhenzong glared at Wu Quancai. He would definitely not let this old man off!
He suddenly said, “Wait.”
Wu Quancai smiled sarcastically. “Why? Are you going back on your word?”
“I won’t go back on my word.” Li Zhenzong looked at Wu Quancai with a cold expression. “1 know you’re certain that Qingshuang won’t be able to make it, but what if she does?”
Wu Quancai indeed didn’t think Chu Qingshuang could make it, but he would not say it. He pulled off the jade pendant at his waist. “If she can make it, 1’11 give this jade pendant to her as a gift.”
The jade pendant was translucent and green without any impurities. It was obvious that the material was top-notch. Coupled with the butterfly patterns carved on it, it was worth at least a hundred taels of silver.
Li Zhenzong snatched the jade pendant over. “Don’t worry, this jade pendant will belong to my disciple. 1’11 keep it for her first, lest some people regret it.”
Wu Quancai looked at Li Zhenzong disdainfully. “Do 1 look like someone who lacks a jade pendant?”
Li Zhenzong did not say anything else and focused on watching his disciple make the porcelain embryo.
He thought to himself that it didn’t matter if she couldn’t make it. She had only learned for a few days, and the porcelain was so complicated. No one would laugh at her if she failed.
However, if she did it well, her reputation would be renowned in the porcelain world. Even some seniors would have to be respectful to her. Most importantly, she could also embarrass Wu Quancai. It was killing two birds with one stone.
Many people looked at the young girl in the crowd worriedly. They did not expect her to encounter such a huge test right after becoming Li Zhenzong’s disciple.
Everyone prayed for Chu Qingshuang.
Chu Qingzhi felt that this test was not bad.
If Chu Qingshuang passed, her career could take a giant leap forward.
If she did not pass, it could teach Chu Qingshuang a lesson that difficulties and obstacles were unavoidable in her life.
At this moment, a slender figure in dark blue walked over. His voice was calm. “Qingzhi.”
Chu Qingzhi turned her head and saw Tang Jinghong’s well-defined jawline. It looked even more chiseled under the sunlight. “You’re here too?”
“Uncle Li invited me.” When Tang Jinghong looked at Chu Qingzhi, there was a light in his dark eyes..