Tang Ning sat cross-legged on the grassy floor of the Gu family's medicinal garden, her brow furrowed in concentration. The earthy scent of the soil mixed with the faint aroma of herbs hanging in the air. Gu Yan knelt beside her, pointing to a slender plant with small purple flowers.
"This is **Gisheng**, also known as the 'Soul Calmer.' It's a powerful herb, often used in medicinal teas to soothe anxiety and calm nerves. But, if prepared incorrectly, it can cause paralysis."
Tang Ning stared at the plant, nodding slowly. "It looks so ordinary," she murmured.
Gu Yan smiled faintly. "That's the first lesson—nothing in this garden is ordinary. Every herb has its purpose, its power. The key is knowing how to harness it."
The rustle of leaves stirred in the distance, blending with the soft hum of the wind. Tang Ning nodded slowly, her fingers brushing the soft petals of the Gisheng.She felt the weight of her task settle heavily on her shoulders.
For the past week, Gu Yan had spent every waking moment teaching Tang Ning about the various herbs in the Gu family's garden. The challenge of the Old Master's test weighed heavily on her shoulders, but Tang Ning had proven herself to be a quick learner, though frustration often flickered in her eyes.
Gu Yan picked up another plant, this one with broad, dark green leaves. "This is **Goldenleaf**, prized for its ability to heal wounds quickly. Soldiers used to carry it into battle, chewing the leaves to stop bleeding. But you must never confuse it with **Snakevine**, which looks similar but is highly toxic."
Tang Ning reached out to touch the leaves, her fingers brushing the soft texture. "I see. So, not only do I need to learn the plants themselves, but also their look-alikes."
"Exactly," Gu Yan confirmed. "The wrong herb can mean the difference between life and death."
Tang Ning exhaled slowly, the weight of the task settling in her mind. "I still don't know if I can do this," she admitted. "There's so much to learn, and I only have a month."
Gu Yan placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You're stronger than you think, Tang Ning. This isn't just about memorizing herbs. It's about trusting yourself and using intuition. You'll pick it up, trust me."
Her gaze met his, and for a moment, the doubt faded, replaced by the same determination that had brought her to the Gu family in the first place.
"Alright," she said, her voice firm. "Let's continue."
Over the next few days, Gu Yan pushed Tang Ning harder, testing her ability to differentiate between plants that shared similar characteristics. He taught her not only the appearance of the herbs but their scents, their textures, and the way they reacted in different conditions. Each day, she grew more confident, her natural intuition for detail surprising even herself.
Between lessons in the garden, Tang Ning trained with a martial arts instructor Gu Yan had arranged. The balance between physical and mental discipline seemed to ground her, sharpening her focus. She practiced forms, learned the basic stances, and studied the flow of energy, though her body ached from the strain of it all.
On one particular evening, as the sun began to set and the garden glowed with a golden hue, Gu Yan handed her a small, yellow blossom.
"And this," he said, his tone almost playful, "is **Moonshade**."
Tang Ning inspected the flower closely. "What does it do?"
Gu Yan raised an eyebrow. "That's for you to figure out."
She blinked at him, surprised. "You're testing me now?"
"You'll be tested soon enough. Consider this a warm-up."
Tang Ning took a deep breath, recalling everything Gu Yan had taught her. She studied the shape of the petals, the faint scent of the blossom, and after a few moments, a smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.
"It's used to treat fevers," she said confidently. "But too much can cause hallucinations."
Gu Yan's smile broadened. "Well done. You're starting to think like a healer."
Tang Ning grinned, the small victory fueling her resolve. But there was no time to rest; the Old Master's test still loomed ahead, and the next few weeks would be crucial.
"I'm ready for more" she said, her voice steady with determination.
Gu Yan nodded, his expression serious once again. "Very well, but be prepared. The next set of herbs won't be as straightforward."
The days that followed were grueling. Gu Yan was relentless in his instruction, pushing Tang Ning to her limits, challenging her at every turn. She rose with the sun, her mornings spent memorizing herbs, not just from sight but also by smell, taste, and feel. Each leaf had a distinct texture, each flower a unique fragrance that could either soothe or signal danger.
The next day, Tang Ning rose before dawn. She dressed quickly and made her way to the garden. The air was cool and crisp, and the sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hints of dawn. She breathed deeply, taking in the fresh scent of dew and earth. This place had become familiar to her now, almost like a second home.
Gu Yan was already there, standing by the edge of the medicinal garden, his posture relaxed but alert. He turned as she approached, a glimmer of surprise in his eyes."You're early," he remarked.Tang Ning nodded, her expression resolute. "I want to be ready."Gu Yan studied her for a moment, then smiled—a real, genuine smile that warmed the cool morning air. "Good. Then let's begin."
This time, the lesson was about combining herbs—how their properties could amplify or neutralize one another. Tang Ning knelt beside a bed of plants, carefully picking out the herbs Gu Yan had instructed her to gather: Goldenleaf, Gisheng, and a third she didn't recognize. She hesitated.
Gu Yan stepped beside her. "Do you know why I've chosen these?"
Tang Ning thought for a moment, recalling what she'd learned. "Goldenleaf heals wounds, Gisheng calms the mind... but this last one—" she glanced at the spindly plant with red berries, "—I don't know it."
"That's Bloodthorn," Gu Yan said, picking one of the berries and holding it up for her to inspect. "On its own, it causes severe dizziness and weakness. But when mixed in the right proportions with Goldenleaf, it enhances the healing properties and speeds up recovery. It's all about balance."
Tang Ning nodded thoughtfully. This was the deeper knowledge she had been yearning for—how the plants worked together, how the natural world was interwoven with possibilities. It wasn't just about identifying them individually anymore; it was about understanding how they could complement or destroy one another.
Hours passed, and by the time the sun had reached its peak in the sky, Tang Ning felt a strange satisfaction settle in her chest. She was beginning to see the bigger picture.