THE GIRL was no more than eighteen, in the spring of her youth. Her hair was pulled into braids that hung down to her waist, her complexion dewy and radiant. She wore robes the green of rippling lake water, or perhaps fluttering willow leaves. Yet though she was young and fresh-faced, she couldn't be classed as a beauty, let alone the kind that made someone stop in their tracks.
Three people sat with her. One was a maid, the second an elderly man with a snowy beard. The third was a young boy carrying a medicine chest.
"Thank you, sir." The girl in green boldly took a seat beside Cui Buqu. When her gaze alighted upon Feng Xiao, she gaped at him.
Almost every young girl had the same reaction when they saw this man. After so many years of it, he'd grown indifferent to the attention. He simply poured his tea; no amount of staring could make his hand tremble.
The girl in green was a high-born young lady. Though she was curious, she didn't speak rashly. It was the old man who took the initiative to strike up a conversation with Cui Buqu.
"This young master looks unwell. Do you often find yourself plagued by illnesses and coughing?"
"I do," said Cui Buqu. "I was born sick but was fortunate enough to survive. Now I'm just holding on, taking one day at a time."
"If you don't mind," said the old man, "may I check your pulse?"
Cui Buqu gave the man a small smile. "Thank you very much for your kindness, sir. I'm afraid I was poisoned in the womb, and it's settled deep in my body. Reversing it is beyond the abilities of mortal men. Please don't trouble yourself."
The old man understood he was being politely rebuffed. He sighed, then produced a ceramic bottle from his lapels and placed it in Cui Buqu's hands. "These are heart-cleansing pills this old man made himself, concocted from common plants like licorice and goji berries. They can unclog the meridians of your lungs, detoxify your liver, and moderate your internal heat. The young master should take two pills per day. While they can't cure serious illnesses, they'll still nourish your body. If you take them diligently, over time, you'll feel the effects."
This time Cui Buqu didn't refuse. He took the bottle of medicine. "Thank you very much, sir. May I ask the price?"
The old man's shoulders shook in a hearty laugh. "As I said, the ingredients are all common plants and cost very little. If you find that they help, come to Baoning Hall in Anping to purchase more."
"In that case, it would be rude of me to decline," said Cui Buqu.
They were still talking when a carriage stopped outside—another party who'd come too late to enter the city. An elderly man alighted, followed by a young child. The man's eyesight must have been excellent; he spotted the old man beside Cui Buqu even at a distance.
"Doctor Sun!" With a look of surprised pleasure, the elderly man took his grandson's hand and led the child over to greet him. "I didn't expect to meet you here. Are you heading back to the city?"
Sun Jimin patted the boy's head and said kindly, "I am, but I was a bit too late. It seems I'll have to enter early tomorrow morning. Where are you two going?"
"I was taking my grandson back to my hometown. Dalang, pay your respects to Grandpa Sun!" He pushed the child's head down in a bow.
Sun Jimin chuckled. "No need for such courtesies. Please, rise."
"We must," insisted the old man. "A man must not be ungrateful. This child should always remember the kindness Doctor Sun did us!"
People came and went from the teahouse, and some who weren't locals grew curious about this old man and his grandson. Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao took the chance to listen as the story was shared.
It seemed the old man's surname was Cong, and he had only one son. When this little grandson of his was born, his daughter-in-law had a difficult labor—she hemorrhaged and almost died. They'd been a poor household at that time, without money for a midwife. The family could only helplessly watch as the young woman's life slowly drained away. By a great stroke of fortune, Sun Jimin passed by the house and heard the wailing inside. Heedless of the squalor, the good doctor had rushed inside with his young assistant and personally delivered the child. Both mother and son were safe and sound, and he'd prescribed the young woman some medicine to restore her to health. Seeing that the Cong family was destitute, he hadn't asked for single copper. He'd paid for it out of his own pocket, and several times even sent his assistant to deliver more.
Later, the old man's son apprenticed himself to a merchant group and traveled far and wide. With the keen insight gained from his experiences, the Cong family's situation gradually improved, and by the time his own son was five, they'd transformed into an affluent household. Yet they never forgot the grace they received. They named their grandson Nianen, meaning in memory of kindness, and sent Doctor Sun poultry and fish every time there was a festival.
The girl in green finally spoke up. "Doctor Sun used to run his own clinic, but he couldn't stand to see his patients suffering when they couldn't afford medicine and kept waiving the cost. Over time, he could no longer keep the clinic open that way, so he came to our Baoning Hall to work for us instead. But he still insists on waiving fees for the first ten patients he sees every day. Patients who can't afford to pay will line up outside the hall the night before their appointments."
"And how should I address you, miss…?" asked Cui Buqu. "Are you one of Doctor Sun's apprentices as well?"
The girl smiled. "My surname is Cui. I'm the ninth-born, so you can call me Cui-jiuniang. I do wish to learn medicine from Doctor Sun, but he refuses to accept me as a pupil. I was only permitted to accompany him in his work after pleading with both him and the elders of my household."
At her words, Sun Jimin turned from chatting with the grandfather and grandson. "Practicing medicine is a lifelong commitment. One must memorize medical texts and learn to recognize all manner of herbs. Great doctors cannot remain in one place; they have a duty to travel the world helping others. You're a young lady from a noble family, brought up with every comfort. When you come of age, you should marry and raise your children in peace. Why pursue such a difficult path?"
"Doctor Sun, every day I rise at dawn and follow you out of the city to visit villages, pick herbs, and perform diagnoses. Does this not demonstrate my sincerity in wanting to become your apprentice?" Cui-jiuniang asked earnestly.
Sun Jimin sighed. "Jiuniang, I've known your grandfather for many years. I watched you grow up. He only agreed to let you follow me for a few days. If he'd known you wished to study medicine seriously, he'd never have allowed it."
"If I have to, I'll beg him until he agrees!" the girl declared.
At this point, Feng Xiao, who had been listening quietly, interrupted. "Please forgive my rudeness. May I ask if Jiuniang is a member of the Cui clan of Boling?"
Cui Jiuniang blinked. "That I am, but I'm afraid the two gentlemen have the advantage of me."
Feng Xiao didn't bat an eye. "Surname Pei, given name Jingzhe—a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I've been traveling the world, seeking to expand my knowledge. I've heard the Cui family hosts a literary festival around this time every year. I lack experience, but I've been hoping to attend and absorb what I can from watching the master scholars." He pointed at Cui Buqu. "This is a fellow scholar I met along the way. We got on so well that we decided to travel together. His name is—"
"Feng Xiao," Cui Buqu cut in. "Feng as in phoenix. Xiao as in high heavens."
Feng Xiao blinked.
"What a beautiful name!" exclaimed Cui-niangzi.
"I wish I agreed," said Cui Buqu. "But I find it too vulgar. I was a weak and sickly child, so my mother nicknamed me A-Gou—dog—in hopes that a humble name would ward off misfortune. Personally, I think A-Gou is a better name. Cui-jiuniang may also call me Feng A-Gou."
The corners of Feng Xiao's mouth spasmed, and he jabbed Cui Buqu hard in the ribs below the table. Cui Buqu almost leapt out of his seat.
"Feng-gongzi, what's wrong?!" cried Cui-niangzi.
"A pesky rat has followed me this entire journey," said Cui Buqu. "The wretched thing keeps trying to bite me; just now, it bit me again."
Alarmed, Cui-jiuniang looked around in alarm. "Where is the rat?!"
"Worry not; I drove it away," said Feng Xiao. "But what about this literary festival? Please do tell us, Jiuniang."
The moment he said her name, Cui-jiuniang forgot all about the rat. "That's right—the first festival was organized by my fourth uncle, Cui Pei. As it grew in fame, so did the number of attendees, and my grandfather decided it would be held annually in the fifth month of the year—between late spring and early summer. This year's theme is pomegranate flowers. I heard the new commandery governor will participate as well—it should be a rare sight! My grandfather is a generous man, and he has a great appreciation for young talent. Since both gentlemen here are scholars, why not come with me to meet him? If he takes a liking to you, you can stay at the Cui residence. That way you won't need to look for an inn; you can save yourselves some money."
Although she addressed them both, her gaze hardly strayed from Feng Xiao. It was clear whom she was really interested in, and equally clear that she hoped Feng Xiao would agree. Feng Xiao's attention, however, was elsewhere. When Cui-jiuniang had mentioned her grandfather, a faint sneer had curled Cui Buqu's lips. Though it'd disappeared as quickly as it'd come, it hadn't escaped Feng Xiao's notice.
"Wouldn't that be too much trouble?" Feng Xiao asked, hesitant. "We only just met you after all…"
Cui-jiuniang smiled. "It's nothing to worry about! My grandfather and fourth uncle often invite passing scholars to stay the night. Since my fourth uncle isn't home at the moment, you'll have to meet my grandfather first. If you show enough promise, my grandfather is certain to welcome you both as honored guests."
Feng Xiao, now the image of youthful eagerness, readily agreed. "Then of course we'll meet him! We aren't unsophisticated fools who only know how to fish for praise."
Cui-jiuniang smiled sweetly. "It's settled then. We'll enter the city together tomorrow!"
By now, their rooms at the inn had been tidied and prepared. As the sky purpled with dusk and the teahouse made ready to close for the evening, everyone finished their conversations and retired to their beds. This was a busy relay station on the outskirts of a city; changing the bedding every day was impractical—even once a month was a luxury. Feng Xiao looked everywhere for the innkeeper to ask him to change the sheets, to no avail. Even so, he refused to compromise.
Cui Buqu had just finished washing when he heard from the Zuoyue guards that Feng Xiao had moved all the pillows and cushions from the carriage into his own room. He saw at once what Feng Xiao was trying to do. Cui Buqu waved the guards away and stepped into the neighboring room.
The fragrant scent of soap accosted him the moment he entered. Deputy Chief Feng was lying on his side on the bed, his long hair loose and damp from his bath. Head propped in one hand, he had one leg drawn up casually as he tossed a dried fruit into his mouth. A porter stood beside him, flipping through a book and reciting melodiously: "The sun was high in the sky, yet Lady Song took her maids and left the city to offer incense at Yufo Temple. As she ascended the stone steps of the temple, the weather turned, and a mighty storm…"
He recognized the porter as the one who'd earlier been leading guests to their rooms and running errands. The man appeared to be more or less literate, having sung the names of the inn's various dishes as he'd escorted them upstairs. It seemed Feng Xiao had put the man's skills to immediate use.
Cui Buqu looked at the inn's original bedding, now piled high atop the table. Feng Xiao narrowed his eyes and beckoned to Cui Buqu, who was hovering in the doorway. "Come in, A-Gou. Why are you standing there?"
After a moment of silence, Cui Buqu said seriously, "I want to know something. Do the top ten martial masters all act this way in private?"