Silk shoes are similar to the embroidered shoes of later generations, light and pretty, much more comfortable than wooden clogs, but one must be careful on the road, as stepping on something like a stone could be very painful.
Ran Yan felt that, in the countryside, she still needed to wear wooden clogs, and having to keep her eyes fixed on the path ahead of her toes was truly torturous.
It was nearing the end of the hour of the Monkey, the sunset slanting, a summer breeze gently caressing, carrying with it the unique moistness of Jiangnan water towns mixed with the scent of flowers rushing towards her; Ran Yan sighed in relief, knowing she was almost there.
"Wife!" Wan Lu suddenly whispered in Ran Yan's ear with a sigh, "Such a beautiful young lord!"
Ran Yan lifted her head and followed Wan Lu's infatuated gaze, under the slightly orange sunset, a figure in a robe with moon-white wide sleeves fluttered with the wind, his black hair tied up with a few loose strands fluttering in front of his forehead, the orange light casting a halo on his flawless side profile, lips red, teeth white, his face like white jade, looking like a beautifully enchanting painting.
The man was tall and thin, wearing a robe with wide sleeves, bearing the remnants of Wei and Jin styles; he was currently intently sniffing a white peony in front of him, his look of intoxication also irresistibly beautiful.
Ran Yan's mouth twitched a few times, a man, liking to smell flowers! To smell flowers with such an expression, really... Ran Yan couldn't help moving her fingers, feeling an urge to dissect him.
The man admired the flower for a while, and just as he was about to turn and leave, he paused, stooped down beside the flower bed to pick up a tree branch, digging up a wildflower from beneath the peony.
"He's digging up our family's flowers," Ran Yan mercilessly interrupted Wan Lu's obsession.
Wan Lu snapped back to reality, dissatisfied, "Wife, those are just weeds and wildflowers, not planted by us."
Hearing their conversation, the man still holding the wildflower turned around, looking somewhat embarrassed, probably having heard Ran Yan's words, and stammered an explanation, "I... I just felt, that this wildflower living under the brilliantly incomparable peony is quite pitiful, wanted to... wanted to relocate it."
The tender yellow flower, held in the palm of the man, framed by his handsome face, actually added a few more charms. Ran Yan shivered slightly, this man actually seemed so... like Tang Seng. Wait, he couldn't really be Tang Xuanzang, right? Thinking about it, it seemed the eras didn't match, and Ran Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Behind the gauzy silk screen, Ran Yan's gaze fell on his hand holding the flower.
This person was indeed slender, but quite young, Ran Yan estimated by his physical features; he was likely only around seventeen years old.
"I am the new village Tutor, last name Sang, first name Chen, styled Sui Yuan," the young man hastily bowed to Ran Yan.
Ran Yan instinctively wanted to reply, "I know," with the subtext of "you may go," but remembering the countless reminders from Madam Xing to be gentle and virtuous, she quickly swallowed the words that had reached her lips, slightly inclining her body, "I've seen Mr. Sang."
Sang Chen quickly waved his hands, "I dare not, I dare not!"
Pausing, Sang Chen seemed to want to say something, his lips slightly moving, but he only said, "I dare not disturb the Wife, I take my leave!"
With that, he hurried along the narrow path, but at the turn, he stepped on something, and staggered almost falling, making his slender figure seem even more flustered and disheveled.
Wan Lu paused, asking, "Wife... what's wrong with Mr. Sang?"
"I don't know." Ran Yan had no interest in paying attention to Sang Chen, focusing instead on the flower field in front of her.
A field vibrant with luscious colors, exceptionally splendid, but in Ran Yan's view, these flowers were just different in color; after a while, her enthusiasm waned compared to the thrill fascinating corpses could ignite within her.
"Let's go back," Ran Yan said.
"Wife, why do we want to leave just after arriving?" Wan Lu didn't understand, her own wife used to love these plants and even got herbal seeds from the Divine Doctor to plant; why did her interest suddenly wane?
Ran Yan didn't explain, but started to secretly ponder whether she should start her own business quietly or find a way to return to the Ran Family?
Ran Yan's identity as Ran Shiqi was inescapable; even if her own business thrived, matters of marriage, decreed by her parents and facilitated by matchmakers, if she wasn't there to oversee, they could casually betroth her, and the rest of her life would not be peaceful. Running away? That was even less realistic; a delicate woman alone in the world faced unknown dangers dozens of times greater than now, but she couldn't just go back to the Ran Family either. The time was not yet right.
After a comprehensive analysis, Ran Yan felt that staying and secretly earning some money would give her some security, whether she chose to leave or was taken back to the Ran Family eventually.
When she returned home, Ran Yan discussed with Xing Niang and Wan Lu about going to the town the next day. Coincidentally, at noon, Wan Lu had mentioned making her new clothes, and Xing Niang did not object.
Before going to sleep, Ran Yan looked through all the belongings of the original owner and found three hairpins, a jade bracelet, four pairs of shoes, and more than ten items of clothing that were either worn-out or too small. Additionally, there were five poetry collections that had been leafed through extensively.
Indeed, the life of this legitimate daughter from a noble family was truly difficult.
Previously, Ran Yan had never worried about money, but now she experienced firsthand what it was like to be hampered without funds. In just seven or eight days, the fifteen silver pieces from selling hairpins had dwindled to eight. Not to mention a comfortable and carefree life, even splurging on a good meal was painful.
She could only go to the town the next day to see if there were any business opportunities. During her time at the Medical College, her roommate, who specialized in gynecology but had poor grades, changed strategies to study how to maintain female reproductive health for achieving beauty and preserving youth, and she saw quite a success. That classmate often asked Ran Yan for advice, and over time, Ran Yan also learned some methods and prescriptions. If she could sell these prescriptions, there might be a market...
But how to sell them? These medicines were probably only affordable for wealthy women; the original Ran Yan did know a few Noble Ladies in town, but unfortunately, they were mere acquaintances, and she couldn't simply show up and start selling medicine.
After putting everything back in its place, Ran Yan had just sat down when she heard a knock on the door.
Wan Lu said, "Wife, the Divine Doctor Wu is back."
Ran Yan had told Wan Lu before going to sleep to inform her when Wu Xiuhe returned—she wanted to become his apprentice!
"Wan Lu, come in and help me get ready." Ran Yan knew that ancient people placed great importance on etiquette. Although that Divine Doctor seemed unreliable, she needed to be exceedingly respectful since she was asking for his help.
"My lady, you're in too much of a rush," Wan Lu said, seeing that Ran Yan was still neatly dressed, knowing she had been waiting for Wu Xiuhe, "Any day is suitable for becoming an apprentice. Why stay up late? It's already the hour of Hai!"
The hour of Hai had just begun, which was around nine o'clock. In Ran Yan's view, it was not yet time to rest, and when it came to seeking an apprenticeship, earlier was better than later.
After a quick tidying up, Ran Yan hurriedly headed to the courtyard where Wu Xiuhe stayed.
West Mountain recently produced many Lingzhi mushrooms, and Wu Xiuhe, delighted, had lost track of time, returning later than usual. However, seeing the four Lingzhi mushrooms of various sizes, Wu Xiuhe could not stop smiling.
He had just sat down when he heard the knock at the door, followed by Wan Lu's voice, "Divine Doctor Wu, have you rested?"
Wu Xiuhe, who was halfway through pouring tea, suddenly paused, jumped up from his mat in a rush, grabbed his medicine basket, and hurried behind the curtain. After putting the basket safely away, he leisurely adjusted his clothes before going to open the door.
Wu Xiuhe was surprised to find not only Wan Lu at the door but also Ran Yan. He quickly assumed an expression of profound mystery yet amiability, "I wonder why Lady Seventeen visits so late at night. What can I do for you?"
Ran Yan organized her thoughts, bowed, and said, "I am here to request apprenticeship. I should have asked for your permission and chosen an auspicious day to become an apprentice, but since you are as elusive as a dragon, I feared I might not find you tomorrow, hence my intrusion at this late hour. Please forgive my rudeness!"
Lady, a form of self-address used by women in the Tang Dynasty to show humility or respect toward elders, was fitting as Ran Yan had waited until late at night and was very humble in her approach, showing sincere intentions.
"Wan Lu," Ran Yan gestured.
Wan Lu, appearing as if she had been stabbed, took out a handkerchief-wrapped item from her sleeve.
"Here are eight silver pieces. As an apprenticeship gift, it indeed falls short, but given my current circumstances..." Ran Yan spoke and then knelt outside Wu Xiuhe's door.
Although Wu Xiuhe was only a village doctor, he had seen the world; wealthy families sometimes gave thanks with few to several or even a hundred silver pieces. Thus, he naturally did not regard Ran Yan's eight silver pieces very highly.