A Smile as One Holds a Flower
Silk shoes were similar to the embroidered shoes from later generations, lightweight and pleasing to the eye. They were also more comfortable than clog shoes but the wearer had to be aware of the road, otherwise stepping on a stone and the likes would be quite painful.
In the countryside, Ran Yan thought it was still best to wear clog shoes. It was too troublesome to have to watch out for every step.
It was already nearing dusk, the setting sun tilted, and the summer breeze brushed lightly. The air contained a unique smell of the patchwork of waterways characteristic of Jiang Nan, that mixed with the fragrance of flowers, invaded one’s senses. Ran Yan let out a breath, knowing that they were soon to arrive at their destination.
“Niang Zi!” Wan Lu suddenly said in a quiet voice next to Ran Yan’s ear, “Such a pretty Lang Jun (male version of the term Niang Zi) ah!”
Ran Yan looked up and followed Wan Lu’s infatuated gaze. Under the orange tinged setting sun, wearing a moon-white, wide-sleeved long robe that rose in the wind, his fine black hair was bound with a few stray strands fluttering around his forehead. The orange light on his blemish free profile gave him a glowing effect. Red lips and white teeth, his complexion was like white jade, as if it were a splendid and magnificent painting.
The man’s build was tall and lanky. This wide-sleeved long robe resembled the style from the Wei Jin dynasties (~220-420). Presently, he was concentrating on a white peony in front of him. Leaning over, he gently smelled it. His enchanted expression of infatuation was pleasing to the point one could not shift one’s gaze away.
The corner of Ran Yan’s mouth slightly twitched, a man who is fond of smelling flowers! Smelling a flower in his current state is really……Ran Yan couldn’t help but move her fingers with an urge to want to dissect him (figure him out).
The man appreciated the flowers for a while. As he wanted to turn to leave, he paused his steps and bent over to find a twig from next to the flowerbed. He then proceeded to dig up a wildflower growing next to the peony tree.
“He is digging our family’s flowers.” Ran Yan stated without sparing anyone’s feelings. This interrupted Wan Lu from her current daze.
Wan Lu unexpectedly came back to the present and said unhappily, “Niang Zi, that is just a wildflower weed, not what we have planted.”
Hearing their conversation, the man, while still cupping the wildflower, turned distractedly towards them. His face showed that he was slightly embarrassed, suggesting that he had heard everything Ran Yan said. Stammering he explained, “Zai Xia (humble way to refer to oneself)……Zai Xia only thought that this wildflower born under the gorgeous and incomparable peony tree was pitiful, and wanted, wanted to move it.
The delicately tiny yellow flower cupped in the man’s hands contrasted with his handsome complexion, making it seem even more lovely. Ran Yan trembled slightly, this man is unexpectedly similar to……Tang Seng. Wait, he can’t be really Tang Xuan Zang right? Thinking this over, she realized that the dynasty was not right and she relaxed.
Separated by the cloth cover, Ran Yan’s gaze fell on his hands that held the flower.
This person was still tall and skinny, so he was not that old in age. Based on his appearance, Ran Yan determined that he was around seventeen years old.
“Zai Xia is the new village teacher, surname Sang, name Chen, given name Sui Yuan.” The young man quickly said as he bowed, with his hands held in front.
Ran Yan subconsciously wanted to respond “I got it,” with the unspoken words of “You can leave now”, but remembering Xing Niang’s many, many warnings and urgings for her to be meek like a virtuous woman, she quickly swallowed those words. Slightly bowing she said, “Nice to meet you Sang Xian Sheng”
Sang Chen quickly waved his hands, “Dare not (accept the honor), dare not!”
Pausing for a bit, Sang Chen seemed to want to say something. He slightly moved his lips but only said, “Dare not disturb Niang Zi any longer, Zai Xia will take leave!”
This said, he hastily fled along the small trail. As he was going around the corner, he seemed to have stepped on something and stumbled, almost taking the fall. After this, his lanky figure appeared more panicked and embarrassed.
Wan Lu paused and said, “Niang Zi……What’s wrong with Sang Xiang Sheng?”
“Don’t know.” Ran Yan said showing no interest for Sang Chen and concentrating on the flowers.
A bed of beautiful purples and brilliant red flowers were blossoming, that were so full of life, they were exceptionally brilliant. Only, to Ran Yan, these flowers were just differently colored. After the newness faded, her interests waned. Relatively speaking, the mystery and oddities that come with corpses were still much better at igniting her excitement.
“Let’s go back.” Ran Yan said.
“Niang Zi, why do you wish to leave as we have only just come?” Wan Lu said puzzled. In the past, her Niang Zi loved these flowers and plants the most, to the point she even asked the Great Doctor Wu for herbal medicine to plant. Where did her interest go?
Ran Yan did not explain but started to plan to earn an income. Should she earn some privately or try to return to the Ran Family?
Ran Yan’s position is Ran Shi Qi Niang which is something she could not escape. Even if she earned a living and excelled in what she was doing, the decision of marriage is dictated by parents and guided by the matchmaker. If she doesn’t keep an eye out and just gets given away casually, there will be no hope of comfort in the next half of her life. Escaping? That was even more unrealistic. A weak girl with not even enough physical strength to truss a chicken, alone out in the world would encounter exponentially more danger than she did now. But she couldn’t immediately return to the Ran family home—the opportunity was not yet right.
Taking all things into consideration, Ran Yan thought that she should stay and first earn some money privately. This way whether she leaves or is brought back to the Ran family home, she would still have a safeguard.
Returning to the estate, Ran Yan discussed going out into the town the next day with Xing Niang and Wan Lu. Coincidentally Wan Lu had mentioned wanting to make her a new dress and Xing Niang did not object.
Before sleeping, Ran Yan looked over all of the original owner’s possessions and found three hairpins, one jade bracelet, four pairs of shoes, and just over ten outfits that were either old or too small. Additionally, there were five poetry anthologies that were well used.
Seemed like the life of the eldest daughter of a well-off family was indeed difficult.
In her former life, Ran Yan had never worried about money. This time she truly experienced the saying “without money even advancing a centimeter is difficult.” It’s only been a week or so since selling the hairpin for fifteen Liang and now only eight Liang were left. Far from cozy and carefree, even eating a good meal hit a sore spot.
With no other choice, she had to go into the town to see if there was any business opportunity. When Ran Yan was in medical school, her roommate’s friend specialized in gynecology. Since her grades were not very good, she changed tactics and started researching how to take care of and beautify female parts which proved quite profitable.
That classmate often came to chat with Ran Yan to consult and ask questions. Gradually, Ran Yan learned some methods and prescriptions. If she made and sold these prescriptions, there should be a market for them……
But what method is best for selling? These medicines were perhaps the kind that only upper class women and wealthy daughters could afford. The original Ran Yan did know a few wealthy ladies, but unfortunately were not more than acquaintances and it was not feasible to go around peddling drugs.
Just as Ran Yan finished putting away the items and sat next to the small table, she heard a knock on the door.
Wan Lu said, “Niang Zi, the Great Doctor Wu has returned.”
Ran Yan had told Wan Lu to watch for Wu Xiu He and let her know when he had returned so she could formally become his apprentice.
“Wan Lu, come in and help me tidy up.”
“Niang Zi, you are too hasty.” Wan Lu saw that Ran Yan was still dressed neatly and knew that she had been waiting for Wu XIu He’s return, “To become one’s apprentice formally can be done any day so there is no need to stay up all night. It is now Hai hour!”
The beginning of Hai hour was just 9pm. In Ran Yan’s eyes, this did not belong to resting time and it was best to become his apprentice sooner rather than later.
With slight preparation, Ran Yan hurried towards the courtyard where Wu Xiu He lived.
West mountain was home to many lingzhi (Ganoderma lucidum). Excited, Wu Xiu He momentarily forgot the time and thus returned so late. Seeing four lingzhi of differing sizes, Wu Xiu He was so happy that he could not stop grinning from ear to ear.
Just as he sat down he heard knocking on his door followed by Wan Lu’s voice, “Great Doctor Wu, are you resting yet?”
Pouring tea, Wu Xiu He’s hand halted halfway and he jumped up from his mat. Hurriedly he took his medicine basket and rushed towards the area behind the screen. Only when the medicine basket was situated properly did he fix his clothing at a normal pace and go get the door.
Wu Xiu He saw that Wan Lu was not the only one at the door. There was also Ran Yan which stumped him for a second before he promptly fixed a profound yet friendly expression, “Not sure what has caused Shi Qi Niang’s visit, is there something you want to see me about?”
Ran Yan organized her thoughts and rose to pay her respects, “Er is here to become your apprentice. Originally it would have been best to ask Great Doctor for your teaching before becoming your apprentice but your movements are ever so elusive, and Er was afraid that Er will not find Great Doctor’s trail tomorrow. Thus coming this late at night, if it is rude please pardon this.”
Er is a term that Tang Dynasty women use to refer to oneself. Usually one only uses this term when talking with elder or when showing modesty. Not only did Ran Yan wait so late, she also exhibited additional politeness which showed the sincerity in her request.
“Wan Lu.” Ran Yan signaled.
Wan Lu’s expression was as if someone had stabbed her, took out a handkerchief wrapped around an object from her sleeve.
“Here is eight Liang of silver, as a first gift from an apprentice. Although it is truly too slight for Great Doctor, but with Shi Qi’s current situation……” upon saying this Ran Yan kneeled in front of Wu Xiu He outside his door.
Although Wu Xiu He was only a folk doctor, he was one who had seen a lot. Affluent families sometimes gave hundred Liang. With Ran Yan’s eight Liang, he naturally did not see this as a significant gift.