Chapter Fifty-Six: The Young Lady of the Li Family

Li Guyu became Wei Yang's apprentice, bringing him closer to the An family. Jiang was reluctant for Li Guyu to learn martial arts from Wei Yang, but her concerns over An Kang’s status as a scholar and the fact that Li Guyu’s training didn't interfere with his snake-catching business prevented her from raising a fuss.

Seeing the vigor and spirit that An Jian and Li Guyu displayed after practicing martial arts inspired An Yi. She couldn’t manage to rise as early as they did to join their mountain practice, but every morning in the backyard, she would run through the Five Animal Frolics taught to her by her old mentor, leaving her refreshed and energized.

Five days after the Lantern Festival came Rain Water, the second of the twenty-four solar terms. Spring was not like winter; even with lingering chills, the burgeoning of plants could not be contained. It seemed as if overnight, the fields and hills donned a coat of green, vibrant and full of spring's promise.

An Yi wandered with Physician Lu across a patch of wasteland near his home. It wasn’t yet time to dig for herbs, and Physician Lu, growing older, had long been forbidden by Zhang to climb the mountains and dig for medicine. An Yi couldn’t fathom his purpose in coming out, trailing behind him in confusion.

After about half an hour, Physician Lu halted, hands on hips. "Xier, what do you think of this place?"

An Yi glanced around. It was nothing but a patch of grass-choked, untended land—what could possibly be special? Frowning, she asked, "Master, what are you planning?"

"To plant medicinal herbs," Physician Lu said, drawing a broad circle in the air with his right hand. "I mean to speak to the village chief and fence off this plot. We, master and apprentice, will plant herbs here. Only by growing our own can we have enough ingredients for making pills."

An Yi had considered cultivating some herbs in the backyard to sell, but hadn’t contemplated such a grand undertaking—fencing off land for herb cultivation and pill making. Her eyes flickered, and she laughed, "Master, fencing land costs silver. Have you spoken to Mistress about this?"

"She’s already agreed," Physician Lu smiled, eyes narrowed. "I told her that growing medicinal herbs can both heal and earn money. Those medicine merchants are all rolling in wealth."

"Master, do you truly intend to become a medicine merchant?" An Yi asked, skeptical.

"Shh, that's just to placate your Mistress. Don’t tell anyone," Physician Lu lowered his voice, his sly expression making it seem as if Zhang was nearby.

An Yi covered her mouth, laughing, then inspected the surroundings carefully. "Master, though it's a bit far from the pond and fetching water is troublesome, we can avoid planting water-demanding herbs and focus on drought-resistant ones. It’s quite a good spot."

"Exactly. Because water is hard to fetch, no one bothers to cultivate it, and so this good land has become overrun with weeds," Physician Lu sighed.

Master and apprentice descended from the hillside, heading to find the village chief.

The village chief, hearing their request to rent the wasteland, asked no questions, measured the plot, and offered them a very cheap rate—five and a half acres for fifty coins a year. Some herbs require a year’s growth before harvest, so Physician Lu signed a five-year lease. Both master and apprentice had to sign their names on the contract.

An Yi watched as Physician Lu wrote the name "Lu Zitong" and burst into laughter, thinking, at least he isn’t surnamed Du.

Physician Lu flushed, glaring at her. "No laughing. Do you even understand what it means to respect your master?"

"I do. I’m not laughing at your name, Master, but admiring you. Even your name is a medicinal ingredient," An Yi said, stifling her laughter.

"You ignorant girl, that’s the 'Lu' with the grass radical, not 'Lu' as in reed—even if they sound alike, the meaning is entirely different," Physician Lu replied sternly, though his eyes were smiling, chiding his clever apprentice who dared tease him.

"Oh," An Yi nodded, taking up the brush to write her own name, An Yi, on the contract.

With the contract signed and the rent paid, work could begin. The wasteland was overgrown with weeds taller than a person and thorn bushes, which all had to be cleared. Stakes had to be set and a fence built, to keep chickens and ducks from wandering in. Master and apprentice, one old and one young, couldn’t manage it alone and decided to hire help.

Better to keep the profits within the family, An Yi went to find Luo Fugui. "Granduncle, I’d like to ask you and my uncles for help. One day’s work, fifteen coins per person."

"You child, what are you saying? Your granduncle helps you and wants your wages? Aren’t you afraid people will point at my back and call me shameless for taking your money?" Luo Fugui replied.

"Granduncle, I’d pay anyone else the same. Better to benefit family than outsiders. If you won’t accept wages, I’ll find someone else," An Yi said, rising to leave.

Yang grabbed her, laughing, "All right, you both compromise. Fifteen coins is too much; eight coins for your granduncle is plenty."

"Grandmother, that won’t do. I’ve checked—the going rate is twelve coins a day. Granduncle and my uncles will work wholeheartedly, faster and better than others. Paying fifteen coins is actually a bargain," An Yi insisted. In life, one must be clear about gratitude and grudges. This little bit of pay could never repay the Luo family's care; if she had the means, she’d pay back tenfold, a hundred times.

"Xier, I won’t take wages," Luo Fugui insisted.

"Granduncle, let’s settle it at that. Fifteen coins a day. Tomorrow morning, gather my third granduncle and the others," An Yi said, refusing to argue further and running off.

Early next morning, Luo Fugui led the Luo men to clear the little hillside. Wei Yang and An Kang joined them; Wei Yang, unused to farm work, handled the hoe so awkwardly he amused everyone.

"Uncle, don’t bother pulling weeds—just carry them over there to pile up," An Kang laughed.

Wei Yang joined the youngsters in piling up the weeds, which were then set ablaze—the ash made good fertilizer.

Everyone worked for four days. The wild wasteland was transformed, divided into several plots and retaining a few original trees. Physician Lu had An Kang write a wooden plaque reading "Hundred Herbs Garden" to hang above the gate.

"Xier, do you know why I named this place 'Hundred Herbs'?" Physician Lu asked, hands behind his back, gazing at the sign and testing An Yi.

"Master, even if I’m not well-versed, I know the story of the Divine Farmer tasting a hundred herbs," An Yi replied, smiling.

"In ancient times, people ate grass and drank water, gathered fruits, ate shellfish and worms. Many diseases and poisons plagued them. Thus, the Divine Farmer taught the people to sow grains according to the land’s suitability, dry or wet, rich or poor, high or low, and tasted the flavors of a hundred herbs and the sweetness or bitterness of springs, so people would know what to avoid or seek," Physician Lu recited, shaking his head.

An Yi listened to another long story about the Divine Farmer, her head spinning, and went to deliver wages to Luo Fugui’s group. Knowing he wouldn’t accept them, she handed the money directly to Yang and the women. They protested briefly before accepting.

As February approached, the new emperor had not yet decreed the reopening of the spring imperial examinations and the child scholar tests. An Kang was not anxious—he spent his days reading and practicing calligraphy at home, visiting his teacher and classmates in town every ten or fifteen days.

Cheng Zhilin had failed the exam and returned to the academy. The Luo family originally intended to send An Jian back to private school to try the child scholar exam next year.

An Jian insisted, "Mother, I want to learn martial arts from Uncle. I won’t go to school. Besides, my brother passed the exam—he can teach me better than any tutor."

Amid the bustle of embroidery, An Yi looked up sympathetically at An Jian. Foolish second brother—didn’t he suffer enough from his brother’s difficult couplets?

Luo agreed, seeing the logic, and didn’t force him into school.

A shadow flickered in An Kang’s eyes; he smiled, "Mother, rest assured, I’ll teach Second Brother well."

Thus began An Jian’s days of torment. The tasks An Kang assigned: ten sheets of calligraphy daily, a poem every two days, a rhapsody every five days.

An Jian complained endlessly, even muttering during his horse stance and boxing, "Qi Ni Ni Xi Qi are eight Qi, not eight Geng. Jing Ying Ying Ying Ying are eight Geng, not eight Qi."

All the muddy and crystalline nonsense left Li Guyu baffled and deeply sympathetic, but he could offer no help.

One evening in mid-February, the village chief had people beat gongs and drums to inform the villagers that the rental fields, woods, and dry land around Jingtang Village had changed hands. Those renting fields, woods, or land were to come to his house the next afternoon to sign new contracts with the new landlord.

Near noon the next day, two carriages arrived at the village, stopping before the village chief’s gate. A middle-aged man in silk robes, with a broad sash and scholar’s cap, and a steward-like man alighted. The village chief welcomed them, bowing, "Master Li, you must be tired from your journey. Please, come inside."

"Chief Luo, you are too kind," Master Li replied with a smile, surveying the scenery—mountains and waters, a beautiful place. No wonder a fourteen-year-old scholar emerged from here. He glanced back at the carriages, "Wu’er, why aren’t you getting out?"

The curtain of the second carriage lifted. Two girls, about fourteen or fifteen, with matching double buns—one in green jacket and blue skirt, the other in blue jacket and green skirt—stepped out and stood beside the carriage. They called politely, "Fifth Miss, please get out."

A slender white hand reached from inside, and the girl in green helped a young girl, about twelve or thirteen, dressed in a white jacket with red flowers and a moon-colored skirt, her hair in a hanging bun, whose beauty was striking.

"Father," the girl walked up to Master Li and called sweetly.

Master Li smiled and said to the village chief, "This is my daughter. She had nothing to do at home, so I brought her along for the trip."

"Greetings, Miss Li," the village chief said, smiling.

Miss Li nodded demurely.

Master Li and his daughter, together with the steward, entered the village chief’s house. In the spacious courtyard, two long tables and four wooden chairs were set. The village chief invited them to sit and had his wife bring tea.

Master Li picked up his cup, stirring the floating leaves with the lid without drinking.

Miss Li didn’t even touch her cup, her gaze showing a hint of disdain. What good tea could the countryside possibly offer? They had the nerve to serve it.

"Master Li, here is the record of all rented fields and land in the village. I’ve gathered all the tenant farmers today for your review," the village chief respectfully offered a ledger.

"Chief Luo, I trust your management. No need to look. Let them come in one by one to sign," Master Li said, smiling.

The village chief called in the tenants one by one. The steward took their old contracts, and with brush and ink at the table, transcribed them with the landlord’s name changed.

After five people had signed, Miss Li grew impatient. "Father, how much longer?"

Master Li glanced at her and asked, "Chief, I heard there’s a young scholar in the village. Could you have him come to meet me?"

Before the chief could answer, An Kang entered with An Yi and Physician Lu. The chief smiled, "Here he is."

Master Li saw the youth enter, clad in a blue scholar’s robe and square cap, handsome and elegant—a fine young gentleman. His smile deepened.

"Young Master An, this is Master Li," the chief introduced, formally addressing An Kang.

An Kang bowed, "An Kang greets Master Li."

Master Li rose and returned the gesture. "You are polite, Young Master An. Last time we missed meeting; today, I see you in person—your reputation is well deserved."

"Perhaps it’s all empty fame; meeting me may disappoint," Miss Li said rudely.

Master Li was himself a former scholar by the imperial examinations, but for reasons unknown, lost his ambition after passing, never entered officialdom, and enjoyed a leisurely life in his hometown.

An Kang had once visited Master Li as his teacher advised, but Master Li was away, escorting his daughter’s marriage. This visit to Jingtang Village was truly to see the young scholar; the contract signing was but a pretext.

As for Fifth Miss Li, she was a famed talent among the city’s noblewomen. Talented women cherish talent, and she took a keen interest in An Kang’s sudden rise. Yet An Kang, after passing the exam, rarely attended social events, and even then, as a secluded maiden, she could not meet him. This time, she had pestered her father to bring her along to the village.

"Wu’er, mind your manners," Master Li admonished gently.

"You’ve passed the exam, so you must have some talent. I have a few couplets; if you can match them, you’re worthy. If not, you’re a pretender," Fifth Miss Li, ever pampered, knew her father’s mild rebuke was mere formality in front of outsiders. She raised her chin, challenging An Kang.

An Kang smiled slightly, "Miss Li, please recite your first line."

"White cloud peak, on the peak the maple, wind stirs the maple but not the peak," Fifth Miss Li began with a homophonic couplet.

"Green thread road, road passes the egret, dew strikes the egret to fly but not the road," An Kang replied instantly.

"On the staff a carved dove, lift the staff and the dove moves by itself," she continued.

"In the drum a painted crane, strike the drum and the crane sounds," An Kang responded.

Fifth Miss Li, seeing him match two couplets with ease, grew dismissive, stood up and said, "Azure sky joins water, water joins sky, water and sky as one."

"Bright moon with stars, stars with moon, star and moon shine together," An Kang replied quickly and precisely.

Fifth Miss Li bowed her head in thought. "Jade in the mouth, truly jade."

"Is that a riddle couplet, Miss?" An Kang asked.

"Indeed. Can you match it?" Fifth Miss Li raised her brow.

"Heart below the platform, truly no heart," An Kang replied with a smile.

"Scattered willow seeds in the ink pool, close to vermilion, red; close to ink, black," she continued.

"Paired swallows at the curtain, same voice responds, same spirit seeks," An Kang replied.

Fifth Miss Li offered four lines without stumping An Kang. She bit her lip, thought a moment, and her eyes brightened, "Almond, peach kernel, cypress seed, seeking virtue in benevolence."

An Kang, still young, had dedicated recent years to the classics and poetry for the exam, and knew little of herbal medicine. He could not immediately form a reply.

Seeing this, An Yi stepped forward to rescue her brother, "Such a simple line, Miss, and you boast about it. Even I can match that couplet."

Fifth Miss Li snorted, rolling her eyes, "White teeth, red lips, speaking big words."

"Cinnabar, divine sand, luminous sand, seeking gold in the sand," An Yi answered sweetly.

Fifth Miss Li was stunned—she hadn’t expected An Yi to answer.

Master Li, who had watched the exchange, showed surprise and asked, "Chief, who is this young lady?"

"She’s Young Master An’s sister, Miss An," the chief introduced.

Master Li smiled, "Young Master An, both you and your sister possess talent."

"Master Li, you flatter us. My sister knows only a few words; her reply was merely a lucky guess," An Kang said modestly.

"Father, her brother said so—she knows only a few words. Her answer was just luck," Fifth Miss Li stepped forward. "I’ll give one more line; if you match it, I’ll concede."

An Yi pressed her lips together; she wasn’t skilled at couplets, and her reply before was something she’d heard the old man say.

"What, afraid to try?" Fifth Miss Li pressed, "Are you here to sign the new contract? If you don’t match the couplet, I won’t sign with you."

An Yi frowned slightly.

An Kang pulled her behind him, shielding her. "Miss Li, if you have another couplet, please recite it. I will answer; don’t trouble my sister."

Fifth Miss Li pouted, "I’m not troubling her; I just want her to match a couplet."

An Yi’s eyes flickered. "Miss Li is talented. I have a line—dare you to match it?"

"You can compose a couplet? Fine, say it. If I can’t match it, you win," Fifth Miss Li agreed.

An Yi smiled gently, "Gentleman’s herb walks the frontier, three and seven return."

Fifth Miss Li looked to her father for help. The last herbal couplet she had learned from him—she knew nothing of herbs herself.

Master Li, unwilling to see his daughter embarrassed, pondered and finally replied, "Old man at the gate, half-summer attached."

Fifth Miss Li, stumped by An Yi’s herbal couplet, dared not challenge further and retreated to her chair, though her gaze at An Yi was still somewhat unfriendly.

"Chief, can we sign the contract now?" Physician Lu asked.

"Yes, yes," the chief replied, taking the contract from Physician Lu and handing it to the steward.

The steward copied two versions, handing one to Master Li.

"This land has lain fallow for years. What use does Miss An have for it?" Master Li asked.

"My master rented it to plant medicinal herbs," An Yi answered truthfully.

"Oh, so you study medicine. No wonder you’re familiar with herbs," Fifth Miss Li realized, feeling her defeat was justified and her heart eased.

An Yi smiled faintly, signing her name on the new contract.