The Tang Dynasty’s Female Forensic Doctor Chapter 8

Guidance

When Wan Lu came back, she excitedly told Xing Niang everything that had happened, embellis.h.i.+ng[1] the story with a few details along the way.

After Xing Niang heard, she frowned and lightly reprimanded Ran Yan, “On this matter Niang Zi did not respond appropriately.”

Just as Ran Yan was about to eat, she set down her chopsticks and prepared to listen attentively. In the end this only caused Xing Niang to sigh. This was truly depressing.

“How was it not appropriate?” Ran Yan couldn’t help but ask.

Xing Niang raised her hands and gently touched Ran Yan’s hair but suddenly paused. She noticed that the Ran Yan of today no longer looked like a young kitten that provoked a sense of affection and care from others. Though she heard Wan Lu say that Niang Zi laughed more than before, she felt that there was a slight feeling of distance.

Xing Niang put her hands down and thought to herself that Niang Zi will need to grow up eventually and momentarily felt both sorrowful and happy, “It’s not that saving someone is not appropriate, it’s just that Niang Zi left the villagers who were moved to tears without saying anything which did not show etiquette. This may be bad for Niang Zi’s reputation.”

“Saving someone is doing a good deed. Would they not be grateful but backstab Niang Zi?” Wan Lu could not resist coming to her aid, feeling indignant she said, “Besides Niang Zi still gave some courteous words.”

Xing Niang reached her hand out and tapped Wan Lu’s head and chided with a serious face, “Such a temper, Niang Zi is an unmarried young lady and in this unfavorable situation, there is no wrong in bettering her reputation.

After saying that, she turned towards Ran Yan and said, “Niang Zi reached marriageable age half a year ago and soon after getting through the winter will fully be sixteen. If she were still at the main estate, matchmaking would have started long ago. But under these circ.u.mstances……Ai! Niang Zi, nowadays you reside in a remote and far off place. While not seeking any talents or position, only seeking health and becoming educated and well-balanced, a gentle and virtuous reputation would make matchmaking easier……”

As Xing Niang talked, tears welled from her eyes. She promptly took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped them dry before saying, “Niang Zi’s health nowadays is getting better by the day, and old servant can finally let go of a stone in her heart. Now, old servant is just afraid that second wife will make an issue out of Niang Zi’s marriage, especially since s.h.i.+ Ba Niang was angered a few days ago.”

“I understand my mistake.” Ran Yan knew Xing Niang’s concern was not without reason. If she does not gain a good reputation now, perhaps even if she is the daughter of the first wife, she would still not marry[2] into a good family. Marriage was a major issue that could not be neglected. Ever since Ran Yan decided to live well in the Tang Dynasty, she reminded herself constantly that these are the olden times where many things could not go as she pleased. She will only obtain the future she wants if she can endure these things.

Xing Niang held Ran Yan’s hand and gently patted it twice. Rea.s.sured she said, “Seeing Niang Zi pull herself up, old servant is happy from the bottom of her heart. Madam did good works her whole life which will surely be favorable for Niang Zi.

Because it was almost time to eat, Xing Niang didn’t say anymore and only told Wan Lu to serve Ran Yan as she went to heat the bath.

After the meal, following Ran Yan’s normal schedule they waited on her as she showered and changed. Afterwards they took the wooden comb to her.

Wan Lu stubbornly fanned Ran Yan with a circular embroidered fan next to her causing Ran Yan to feel discomfort from the unfamiliar actions. Ran Yan read from Ban Jieyu’s “The Fan”[3] and was already falling asleep. After recovering from her illness, her body was not completely healed yet so after today’s vigorous efforts, easily fell into a slumber.

Xing Niang brought some well water in to cool the room. Seeing Ran Yan asleep she waved to indicate to Wan Lu to come outside to talk.

Wan Lu put down the circular fan and softly covered Ran Yan with a quilt before following Xing Niang.

The two of them followed the porch until they reached a nook in the second dwelling under a Musa basjoo[4] tree. Xing Niang looked around, seeing that there was no one around she took Wan Lu’s hands and said, “When you went into the town a few days ago, did you ask around about the main estate?”

“No, what’s the matter?” Wan Lu asked confused.

Xing Niang sighed, “Oh you, are an intelligent one but it’s just that you are not aware[5]enough. Your sieve is as big as a dipper. Let’s not even talk about matters the size of sesame seeds, even if it were the size of a pastry, you would still miss it! Even with big matters you cannot catch on. Fortunately I heard a few male servants privately discuss this matter.”

Wan Lu did not deny it, this was her nature. Her careless nature was not a matter of only these past few days. Although Xing Niang had a weak temperament, she really was smart. Wan Lu heard her teachings and asked, “What matter?”

“These past few days after careful thinking, I still couldn’t figure out what s.h.i.+ Ba Niang was playing at to come attack us which gave me a feeling of unease. Today I coincidentally heard the male servants say that the second wife was planning s.h.i.+ Ba Niang’s marriage and wanted to set her up with w.a.n.g family from Lang Ya. But w.a.n.g family head found out that s.h.i.+ Ba Niang was not really the daughter of the first wife and refused. How could s.h.i.+ Ba Niang not resent this?” said Xing Niang.

w.a.n.g family from Lang Ya were at the top in the Wei and Jin dynasties. During the Dong and Jin[6] dynasties they were highly regarded. In the Tang dynasty although not equal to what it had been, but its far extending history and foundation was still there. Besides, each of the males from this family was handsome, confident and carefree. Making connections through marriage with this family was indeed not an easy task.

But this type of rich and powerful family cared most about one’s family background. In addition, Ran family could not be compared to w.a.n.g family so the w.a.n.g family would naturally not let the tiniest problem go if everything did not line up exactly.

Wan Lu rejoiced in their misfortune saying, “Even if s.h.i.+ Ba Niang were the real eldest daughter of the first wife, what then? The way she is, w.a.n.g Jia only needs to inquire a bit around Su Zhou and they definitely would not agree!”

Xing Niang raised her hand and hit her head, saying in a low voice, “I’m discussing this with you to remind you to be more aware in the future. Be more careful and remind Niang Zi from the side! Such as today, you always say Niang Zi did this and Niang Zi did that, what were you doing?”

Seeing Wan Lu’s slim complexion, Xing Niang felt a pang in her heart and softened her voice, “Before, Niang Zi was very ill and there were only the two of us to serve her so there was not much time to gather information. Now, Niang Zi’s health has greatly improved and she is at that age so we must make some plans. You are not small anymore and must eventually marry too. If Niang Zi marries well, you can then marry well also.”

Wan Lu was grateful and hugged Xing Niang’s arm, swaying she said, “Xing Niang, I know I was wrong. Next time I will definitely increase my awareness so I can even catch an embroidering needle!”

Smiling, Xing Niang reprimanded that she could not be serious. After talking some more they returned to wait upon Niang Zi.

The Ran estate was as quiet as it usually was, on the other hand Zhou family village was lively and not what it was normally. Because Zhou San Lang rose from the dead, every household and every person celebrated like it was New Year’s.

Liu s.h.i.+ brought Zhou San Lang with her here a couple of years ago, because her husband’s family’s surname was also Zhou. The head of the family (in the village) pitied them and discussed with the elders to take them in. Even though they were unrelated to those in the village, still the people from that time valued family lines. The same surname usually meant that they could most likely find some relation looking at genealogy. Thus with the help of the villagers, Liu s.h.i.+ settled in the village.

Moreover the villagers were cheering not just because Liu s.h.i.+’s son did not die. “Rising from the dead” this kind of matter was truly miraculous—seeing this once in a lifetime was indeed uncommon.

Thus at the same time, within a day, out of everyone in the village, there was not a single person who did not know about Ran Yan who had been low key this whole time. They were all saying that she is the Pusa[7] reincarnated.

Ran Yan slept for half an hour and got up to wash and rinse.

This was the first time she had a chance to look at herself carefully. In the polished copper mirror, there was a clear reflection of a pale and stiff face, nose high[8] especially near the tip giving an elegant arc, and cherry lips curved in a gentle and beautiful way. Skin white as snow, one could imagine how lovely and moving the former Ran Yan was, provoking tender affection and coddling. Long and bright eyes, with elegant eyebrows slightly raised at the ends showed natural grace and charm with the slightest movement of her eye. Unfortunately, Ran Yan was used to being solemn and inflexible so she did not know how to communicate with her remarkable eyes.

Xing Niang stealthily looked over at Ran Yan and was surprised to find that Niang Zi felt sorry for herself. Clearly this was still the old Niang Zi and now she is only more sensible.

“Niang Zi, old servant will comb your hair.” Xing Niang picked up the comb from the low table, kneeled at Ran Yan’s side and gently combed her long hair.

Tang dynasty did not have chairs so everyone sat in kneeling position so they were constantly kneeling. Ran Yan was not quite used to this but her body seemed used to this kneel sitting position.

The afternoon suns.h.i.+ne came through the tight-knit bamboo screen cracks leaving stripes of suns.h.i.+ne on the wooden floors. Through the bamboo screen one could faintly see the newly blossoming peony tree flowers.

“Yi?[9]” Ran yan watched the flowers outside for a long while, “When do Peonies bloom?”

As Wan Lu came bringing in clothing, she heard Ran Yan’s words and smiled as she said, “They bloomed today. This morning they were still a flower bud, but after a day of sunlight they opened up to this big.”

Wan Lu sat in a kneeling position in front of Ran Yan, “Here we have a half a Mu[10] of land growing rare peonies. The peonies from our Ran Estate have a reputation in Su Zhou town. If Niang Zi would like to we could go view the flowers.”

There were very few books in the estate with only a few poetry anthologies on grief and resentment. Ran Yan did not really want to read those, flower viewing and appreciating the scenery……Ran Yan was slightly antic.i.p.ating this.

Xing Niang also didn’t want Ran Yan to be filled with grief and sorrow like she was before, so she encouraged, “Flower viewing and appreciating the scenery is fitting, so if you like you should go.”

Ran Yan nodded and Wan Lu pulled open the clothing she had brought saying, “Niang Zi, you haven’t made new clothing in the past half year. How about another day we go into town to measure some fabric and servant help make a new outfit?”

As Wan Lu said this she helped Ran Yan change into the clothing. It was a light green embroidered silk dress. The dress from this time period was not the same as from the mid to late Tang dynasty which looked more oversized so it gave an impression of being slender. In this, if one walked lightly in it, one would truly look graceful and delicate.

After she finished putting on the clothing, Wan Lu draped a thin and nearly transparent painted floral silken cloth over her arms. When standing, it naturally draped giving a sense of tranquility and gracefulness. When she moved, it was as if the wind was blowing into the willow, drifting elegantly as it rose behind her.

“Niang Zi was born beautiful and looks good in everything!” Wan Lu praised.

Xing Niang handed over the cloth cover and urged, “Go early and return early. Today we will ask the Great Doctor Wu to take a wellness pulse. Healing from a great illness so take it easy.”

Wan Lu had already ran to the door to prepare footwear, looking back she replied, “I will watch over Niang Zi!”

“Niang Zi is usually gentle and refined, I think you should be the one who needs watching over.” Xing Niang said smiling.

Seeing their close and natural interactions, Ran Yan felt quite carefree and cheerful and urged herself to think of these leisurely days as a vacation.