Chapter 7: Chapter 7 Tan Yun Practices Calligraphy in the Night
Editor: Atlas Studios
A gentle, lodious voice resounded within Jishi Hall.
“Zhang San next door is in dire straits, can’t afford his next al.”
Tan Yun humd a tune while dusting the counter with a feather duster, cheerfully singing, “Such a sorry state is self-inflicted, all because of laziness and playfulness.”
“Tan Yun, you’re becoming more and more diligent.”
Tan Yun put down the feather duster and looked at the couplet on the wall, musing, “These characters are half-baked, yet still sowhat decent…..”
“You can understand them?”
Just then, a voice rang out from behind.
Startled, Tan Yun turned around to find An Jing. She patted her chest and said, “You gave a fright, sir!”
“This is my proud work.”
An Jing looked at the wall and said slowly.
“I wish for no suffering in this world, so that the dicine may gather dust on the shelves.”
The couplet was written in a cursive style rarely legible, even a month ago an elderly scholar couldn’t recognize the characters.
Tan Yun had joined the Demon Sect from a young age, and martial arts had been taught to her by the elders of the sect. Killing a few people was easy, but as for words, she only recognized the two characters for the Demon Sect. How could she decipher the complex cursive in front of her?
As for becoming the Sect Hierarch’s maid, that was a temporary assignnt from the Human Sect’s Sect Master. Zhao Qingi’s personal maid was from the Vermilion Bird Seat…..
I can’t let this young doctor know I’m illiterate; he might mock ….
Tan Yun chuckled dryly twice, then said earnestly, “Sir, my mistress cos from a prominent family, she practiced calligraphy since childhood. Following her for so many years, recognizing these characters is no big deal.”
“Impressive!”
An Jing gave a thumbs up, sighing internally: No wonder she hails from a distinguished family, even the maid is so talented, it’s truly admirable, “A talented maid like you…”
“Sir, the missus has already prepared the food, let’s eat.”
Before An Jing could finish, Tan Yun interrupted with animated gestures, “The missus has been busy since early morning, you mustn’t let her effort go to waste.”
“Really? I’ll go see. Here, you can have this candied fruit.”
An Jing, filled with anticipation, quickly headed towards the back hall.
Watching An Jing leave, Tan Yun heaved a sigh of relief, “I nearly lost my lifeti’s reputation just now.”
……
An Jing and Tan Yun eagerly sat at the table, and shortly Zhao Qingi brought plates of delectable dishes.
The dishes included stir-fried chives, braised pork with bamboo shoots, sweet and sour carp, and braised tofu.
“Wife, it’s plenty already, let’s sit and eat.”
An Jing looked at the dishes, swallowing hard.
“There’s still a pork rib and winter lon soup.”
Zhao Qingi lastly brought a pot of rib soup, topped with freshly sprinkled green onions, emitting a tantalizing aroma.
“Sir, let pour you so wine.”
Tan Yun quickly picked up the wine pot and obediently poured An Jing a small cup.
An Jing took a sip of sake, a sense of satisfaction washing over him.
A month ago, he was all alone, who would’ve thought that now he would have such a virtuous, gentle, and beautiful wife.
“Husband, try this.”
Zhao Qingi picked up a piece of braised pork and placed it into An Jing’s bowl, “I simred it for more than an hour, it should be flavorful.”
“Delicious, lts in the mouth, rich but not greasy.”
An Jing took a bite of the braised pork, surprised at how good Zhao Qingi’s cooking was.
Seeing An Jing’s satisfied expression, Zhao Qingi felt a sense of happiness too.
“Husband, there’s sothing I want to discuss with you.”
“What is it, just say it.”
“There is only one doctor in this clinic: you. It’s quite busy, and when it cos to female patients, it’s sowhat inconvenient. How about having Tan Yun learn so dical skills from you to share your burden?” Zhao Qingi said gently.
Tan Yun, who was eating heartily, looked up, bewildered at Zhao Qingi.
Sect Hierarch, why didn’t you discuss this with beforehand?
An Jing chuckled, “Since my wife suggests it, there’s no objection. Tan Yun is sharp and knowledgeable, surely a good student of dicine, as long as she is willing.”
“She will be willing.” Zhao Qingi smiled, looking at Tan Yun.
“Miss… Tan Yun is willing.”
Tan Yun forced a smile, then said, “Sir, you just got married, and you’re quite busy. How about starting in half a month?”
“That works too.”
An Jing thought for a mont and agreed.
Zhao Qingi nodded in satisfaction. With Tan Yun around, An Jing could avoid those flirtatious won, and she would have another pair of eyes to help her out.
After the al, the task of cleaning up naturally fell to Tan Yun.
The crescent moon hung high, the night was sparsely starred.
“Husband~!”
Zhao Qingi’s voice was lodious, trailing off at the end.
She then pulled An Jing into their room.
An Jing felt a warm sensation arise, his body heating up. Looking at the beautiful face in his arms, how could he not understand?
……..
The night was silent and still.
In Spring Breeze Alley.
“This is just the beginning, I can still drink more, co, let’s drink a few more cups.”
Zhou Xianmin staggered ho, carrying a wine jar, drunk.
Zhou Xianmin wasn’t just anyone; he was the storyteller at the teahouse.
Since ancient tis, scholars have been known for their amorous affairs. In his free ti, apart from earning so silver coins by storytelling at the teahouse, he indulged in pleasure at various brothels.
“Bang!”
Zhou Xianmin kicked open his courtyard door and took a step into his house.
“Don’t move!”
Suddenly, a bright blade was held to his neck, if he moved another step, the blade would decapitate him.
Zhou Xianmin sobered up instantly, cold sweat dripping.
“M-m-master, spare .”
“Get inside first.”
Zhou Xianmin swallowed hard, not daring to shout, and walked inside.
Inside was a figure dressed in black, holding a bright blade, standing straight by the table.
Though he was a Jianghu storyteller, Zhou Xianmin had no martial strength, his body went limp at the sight, and he cried, “Master, spare , I’m just a poor scholar…”
“A scholar is just right.”
The black-clad person spoke hoarsely, a grating voice, difficult to hear.
“A scholar?”
Zhou Xianmin was puzzled, did robbers now choose their victims based on profession?
“Do you recognize this book?” The black-clad person produced a book.
“I do, this is the prir book for students in Yan Country.” Zhou Xianmin picked up the book from the ground and answered honestly.
“Teach .” The black-clad person said.
“Ah!?”
Zhou Xianmin thought he misheard, this person wanted him to teach a prir book for students.
Could this be an unusual test?
“I said, start teaching from the simplest characters.” The black-clad person said coldly.
“Alright, alright.” Zhou Xianmin quickly said, “As long as you spare , you can do whatever you want with my life.”
Then, Zhou Xianmin lit a candle and opened the prir book.
Under the weak candlelight, Zhou Xianmin began teaching the black-clad person.
“Let’s start with the simplest numbers, this character is ‘one’.”
“I got it.”
“This character is ‘two’.”
“Keep going.”
“This character is ‘three’.”
“It seems recognizing characters isn’t hard. I already know how to write ‘four’.”
The black-clad person chuckled, pride evident in their voice.
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