Volume 1: Forgetting Each Other in the Jianghu Chapter 351

Zhang Xiaohua returned the brush, ink, and other items to the shopkeeper, then, in high spirits, set off to the pharmacy to fetch some medicine. Little did he know, he had already revealed a flaw in front of others.

Though dusk had already settled and cooking smoke drifted up from every home, many shops were still brightly lit, their doors open to welcome customers. The pharmacy, too, had not yet closed. Naturally, Zhang Xiaohua would not return to the previous medical hall; instead, he picked a shop at random and went in. The shop assistant was not particularly busy. He took the prescription Zhang Xiaohua handed over, frowned slightly, but showed no sign of surprise. In this market town, while there were certainly those who brought neatly written prescriptions from physicians, there were far more like Zhang Xiaohua, people who copied prescriptions themselves or had someone else do it. Zhang Xiaohua’s crab-like scrawl merely added to the assistant’s experience; it served no other purpose whatsoever.

After receiving the medicine the assistant had prepared, Zhang Xiaohua paid and left, casually tossing his “masterpiece” into the shop’s rubbish bin. Meanwhile, back at the inn, Nie Qianyu was smiling as she explained to the puzzled Little Orange: “Little Orange, I’ve always told you to pay attention to details, for details determine success or failure. Didn’t you notice? That Ren Xiaoyao kept insisting he’d only studied the ‘Three Character Classic’ for three months, but what he doesn’t realize is, it was his handwriting that gave him away!”

“Really, Miss? I thought his writing was truly awful. Even when he was copying your characters, it was hideous beyond compare. Did you see through his deception?”

“No, that handwriting is indeed his true level. It’s precisely because he wasn’t pretending that I could see the truth.”

“Oh, Miss, please don’t keep me guessing! Where exactly was the flaw? Tell me quickly!”

Nie Qianyu remained unhurried and said: “Do you remember how my father evaluates the calligraphy of famous masters?”

Little Orange thought for a moment. “From what I recall, he always says things like, ‘The writing reflects the person, ’ ‘round and smooth as pearls’, that’s all.”

Nie Qianyu couldn’t help but laugh. “Round and smooth as pearls? Might as well say it’s plump and charming!”

Little Orange pleaded: “Then what do you say, Miss?”

“My father’s praise usually goes like this: ‘A perfect balance of bold and delicate, skillful and dense in form, vigorous and natural, sometimes simple and honest, sometimes elegant and clever; sometimes firm and strong, sometimes soft and gentle; sometimes restrained, sometimes flamboyant. The brushwork floats like drifting clouds, twists like a startled dragon, vigorous and full, powerful and lively’.”

Little Orange was still bewildered, staring blankly at her mistress. “Are you saying that Ren Xiaoyao’s calligraphy possesses all these qualities? Why can’t I see it at all?”

Nie Qianyu spat lightly at Little Orange and said: “His handwriting doesn’t have that many merits, there’s only one, really.”

“Huh?” Little Orange asked in surprise. “That crab-like scrawl actually has a major merit?”

“That’s right,” Nie Qianyu mused. “It’s vigorous and forceful, the brush strength piercing right through the paper. My father once told me, many folks in the martial world are rough and untrained in calligraphy, but when they write, they often unconsciously channel their inner force. The strength of their brushwork is something even true calligraphy masters can’t always match. Don’t you think that Ren Xiaoyao is just like this?”

One has to admire Nie Qianyu, a true expert even at such a young age.

Although Zhang Xiaohua was enlightened by the [Shuowen Jiezi] and had read countless herb manuals in a short time, calligraphy is an art that demands time and practice. He had never spent time honing his brushwork, and often didn’t even know the correct strokes for most characters, let alone study the art of calligraphy. Naturally, his brushwork was extremely unsightly.

Yet, his body brimmed with True Qi, and having just glimpsed a trace of the Dao, calligraphy was but a minor skill to him. Though Zhang Xiaohua could not truly write, every stroke and dot of his brushwork was unconsciously infused with boundless inner strength and a hint of the way of heaven. Nie Qianyu, with her keen mind, could recognize the force in his brushwork, but as she was not a true master, she failed to perceive the natural rhythm of the Dao hidden within.

Even so, this simple realization was enough to confirm Nie Qianyu’s suspicions: this fellow was definitely a martial arts expert.

But soon, another question arose: just how old was this young man?

From Nie Qianyu’s limited experience, only those who had cultivated their inner force for decades could wield such brush strength. Only when one’s mastery of internal energy reached a certain level could one’s understanding flow into their calligraphy. Even among the renowned martial heroes, few older than Zhang Xiaohua could write with such power.

Even as Zhang Xiaohua returned with the medicine, Nie Qianyu was still pondering this question.

Zhang Xiaohua entered the small room, took out the still-warm medicine, and said: “Miss Nie, the medicine is still warm. Should you take it now, or should I heat it up in the kitchen?”

Nie Qianyu looked at Zhang Xiaohua with a beaming smile and said: “It’s fine, the medicine is just right while it’s warm.”

Only then did Zhang Xiaohua notice that both Nie Qianyu and Little Orange were looking at him with a strange expression. He couldn’t help but become more alert and replied, “Mm, that’s for the best.”

With that, he handed the medicinal decoction to Little Orange and was about to excuse himself and leave.

But how could Nie Qianyu let such a good opportunity slip by? She called out: “Ren Xiaoyao, wait a moment, I have something to ask you.”

“Oh? What is it, Miss Nie? Please, go ahead.” Zhang Xiaohua asked cautiously.

Little Orange gave Zhang Xiaohua a complicated look and said: “Just wait a bit, let me help Miss finish her medicine first.”

That look from Little Orange made Zhang Xiaohua even more uneasy. He instinctively stepped back a little and stood there with his hands at his sides.

After Nie Qianyu finished her medicine, she stared at Zhang Xiaohua for a while. Standing there, Zhang Xiaohua felt like a fish being watched by two female cats, a chill running down his spine. He couldn’t help but ask: “Miss Nie, is there something you wish to discuss? If so, please say it quickly. I’ve been busy all day and need to get some rest.”

Noticing Zhang Xiaohua’s evasive tone, Nie Qianyu became even more composed. She smiled and asked: “Ren Xiaoyao, where is the prescription you copied earlier?”

Zhang Xiaohua frowned, thinking for a moment. He had no idea what was so unusual about the prescription he’d written. “I tossed it after leaving the pharmacy. Does Miss still need it? Oh, right, do you need to take another dose tomorrow morning? I completely forgot.”

Little Orange scolded: “The prescription my lady wrote doesn’t require a second dose. One bowl is more than enough.”

Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua’s heart stirred, and he probed: “So, Miss Nie’s medical skills must be quite profound?”

Nie Qianyu waved her uninjured left hand and said: “That’s just Little Orange exaggerating. While I do know a little medicine, I can only treat minor ailments. My current condition is merely due to anxiety, plus a slight injury to my wrist, nothing serious at all. Naturally, a single dose of medicine is enough to cure it. If it were anything else, I wouldn’t dare make any promises.”

“Oh, I see.” Zhang Xiaohua replied, feeling a bit disappointed.

Seeing Zhang Xiaohua like this, Nie Qianyu asked curiously: “Could it be that someone in your family is ill and you’re in need of a skilled physician?”

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Xiaohua recounted the illness of Ji Xiaohua’s mother, though he left out the details of how he met Ji Xiaohua, merely saying it was about a neighbor of his.

After listening, Nie Qianyu smiled and said: “From your description, it sounds like a simple case of pulmonary tuberculosis. It’s not complicated, but the family has probably been poor for a long time and couldn’t get timely treatment. Any ordinary physician in town should be able to cure it. If you’re still worried, I can write a prescription for you to get some medicine. With ten days to half a month of treatment, there should be improvement. However, since the illness has lasted so long, a full recovery may be difficult.”

Zhang Xiaohua was overjoyed upon hearing this and was about to ask her for a prescription, but then he remembered that even an ordinary doctor could treat it. Considering he had left some silver for Ji Xiaohua, it should be enough. Smiling, he said: “Since Miss Nie says so, I’ll just let them go to the clinic. I thought it was some terrible disease.”

Nie Qianyu felt a bit disappointed but added: “Of course, that’s just based on your description. Treating illness requires careful observation, inquiry, and examination. Everything should be checked thoroughly. If it’s convenient, or if I happen to pass by, I could take a look myself.”

But Zhang Xiaohua had no intention of letting her know the details and quickly replied: “That would trouble you too much, Miss Nie. You’re not fully recovered yourself, let’s leave it for another time, if the opportunity arises.”

He then prepared to take his leave, and only then did Nie Qianyu realize that Zhang Xiaohua had once again steered the conversation away from her original question. Both exasperated and amused, she called out: “Ren Xiaoyao, wait! I haven’t even asked what I wanted to ask you.”

Zhang Xiaohua thought to himself, “Of course I know you haven’t, that’s exactly what I’m trying to avoid.”

But outwardly, he said: “Then please, Miss Nie, go ahead.”

Nie Qianyu asked: “May I ask, how old are you this year?”

Zhang Xiaohua replied quite naturally: “Miss Nie, why don’t you tell me your age first, and then I’ll answer your question?”

Little Orange, standing to the side, was displeased and scolded: “Ren Xiaoyao, what kind of thing is that to say? Don’t you know a girl’s age is a secret? How can you just ask so casually?”

Zhang Xiaohua scratched his head and replied: “A girl’s age can be kept secret, but a boy’s can’t? My teacher once told me, ‘If you want others to treat you a certain way, you must first treat them that way yourself.’ I’m not sure I fully understand it, so I’d like Miss Nie to teach me: if you want to ask someone a question, shouldn’t you answer their question first?”

Nie Qianyu and Little Orange were both momentarily speechless. Wasn’t that exactly right? Asking someone a question out of the blue, naturally, you should be prepared to answer one in return. Nie Qianyu couldn’t help but feel a tinge of annoyance: “How can this fellow be so lacking in consideration for a lady?”

After thinking for a moment, Little Orange said: “Ren Xiaoyao, I’m fourteen this year. Now you can rest assured, right? You can tell us your age now.”

Zhang Xiaohua grinned: “Heh, when did I ever say that if you told me, I’d tell you?”

Miss Nie snapped: “You… Don’t you dare play tricks!”

But Zhang Xiaohua remained unruffled and said with a smile: “Besides, even if I were to answer, I’d have to wait for Miss Nie to say hers first. After all, it was Miss Nie who asked me first.”