Chapter 4, Red Medicine

Bu Nuan felt somewhat fatigued, leaning against the railing of the couch as she watched them pack their luggage. Glancing around, she suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness wash over her. In this unfamiliar environment, with her parents not by her side, she found herself alone in this place. Returning to Luoyang was no longer an option, and she was uncertain about how to proceed on the road ahead. For a moment, she sat in silence, burying her face in the crook of her arm.

She shook her head and said, "I have only seen my uncle once, and he was only seventeen at that time. Even if I remember, it wouldn't be of much use, as a person's appearance can change." She glanced at the jade incense burner, feeling a playful urge to tease her, and deliberately added, "I only remember that he had a face full of acne, downturned eyes, and spoke in a rough voice. He had a huge appetite, able to eat two large bowls in one sitting, and could swallow a whole braised pork knuckle in one go."

The jade furnace glanced at the jade drip on the curved foot stool: "Uncle has not returned yet. To be honest, I am quite scared! He is a grand commander, leading troops into battle, and he must have killed people. I wonder what he is like. My lady, do you still remember him?"

She often expresses such strange remarks, her heart is too full, and she is misunderstood many times. Just like now, Yu Lu does not understand the difference between sadness and sorrow, yet she can distinguish between the two clearly.

The Bu family consists entirely of scholars, timid as little chicks, and has never dared to entangle themselves with military generals. When Shen Rong shouted, they were instantly as if pulled out of the water, dejectedly dragging their wives and children away. At that moment, she glanced at this young military talent a couple of times, but he was by no means the same as what Bu Nuan had described.

Bu Nuan leaned closer, resting her shoulder against her: "I can compromise on anything, but not on love. In this lifetime, I will either live as a solitary nun with a single lamp and quilt, or I will love passionately to the point of life and death. I will never settle for less just to ensure a comfortable living."

She is a complex contradiction, at times sentimental and melancholic, at other times carefree and indifferent. Even when she is feeling repressed and lost, there remains a certain nonchalance within her negativity. Unable to break free from the constraints of her family, she can shut her heart away, even selectively retaining her memories. Just like the young man from the Xia family, if she does not like him, she simply expunges him from her mind, decisively and without hesitation

Yulu covered her mouth and spoke with a sobbing tone: "How terrifying! Why did you come to Chang'an earlier? Your uncle from Jizhou can't possibly look this way!"

Lan Sheng escorted them to the overpass. As it was getting late, and ahead lay the young ladies' chambers, which should be avoided, he bid farewell at the bridge's head: "I will take my leave here. Below the bridge are the red herbs I planted. Last time I heard Rong Yu say they have bloomed, so I will go and take a look. Farewell"

The wet nurse, seeing their increasingly outrageous remarks, interjected with a laugh: "Stop talking nonsense. Living in someone else's house and gossiping behind their back is quite inappropriate! It would be terrible if they heard you! Don't listen to her nonsense; there is no one else in this world who can match the looks of your uncle, he is truly handsome!"

The wet nurse twisted the handkerchief for her and reluctantly tidied up the loose strands of hair at her temples, saying: "It is good that you think this way, so you won't be trapped inside and unable to escape. All those matters of summer scenery and the lonely woman at the door are things of a past life; just turn around and let them go. Once you arrive in Chang'an, everything will start anew. Although you won't be by your mother's side, at least you have your uncle here, who will also care for you."

This person is difficult for her to understand, acting so strangely, planting flowers and nurturing grass in someone else's residence. With the left hand caressing the petals, the right hand grips thorns; beneath the warm exterior may lie a cold and hard heart

The wet nurse said: "Indeed! Uncle, you are very considerate. After the Dragon Boat Festival, summer is approaching quickly, and living by the lake where the wind is strong is most suitable, as my lady is afraid of the heat."

Bu Nuan raised her eyes and said: "Do you not plant peonies?"

Yulu pulled her over to take a look. Bu Nuan was at a loss due to the commotion. She slipped on her cloud-patterned shoes and went to the window to gaze outside, her gaze drifting beyond the crape myrtle forest. The west window faced Zui Jin Lake, where the setting sun hung halfway above the fish-scale tiles of the Bamboo Branch Pavilion, casting a beautiful red glow across the lake, indescribably enchanting. The winding corridor resembled cotton floating on the water's surface, with dark green old bamboo forming the railing, extending towards the heart of the lake alongside the wooden planks made of Kundi wood. In front of the Bamboo Branch Pavilion, there were potted flowers and plants. Amidst the evening glow, it was indeed beautiful, yet it conveyed an indescribable sense of solitude and the passage of time.

Bu Nuan smiled with great satisfaction upon seeing the two girls turn pale, and said: "A large appetite signifies great strength. When a man goes into battle, it is precisely that strength he relies on. Raise the axe and strike; with a crack, one can cleave a person in two. The upper half may still crawl, while the lower half's intestines spill all over the ground"

Yulu asked: "My lady, have you ever missed the young master of the Xia family?"

On a windy spring day, the window swayed precariously as the gusts blew through, causing the paper to flutter up and down. The sun had descended halfway, and dusk gradually began to settle in. Bu Nuan intended to close the window, so she held the crossbar with one hand while reaching for the window frame with the other. Just as she had closed two panels, she noticed a figure squatting by the edge of Drunken Sleeve Lake. Even in the shadows, it was discernible that it was none other than the leisurely and carefree General Lan Sheng.

He watered the soil and loosened it, tending to a flower and a stem as if that flower were his most cherished possession. After a busy spell, he sat down to rest on a stone under a tree, and upon raising his eyes, he caught sight of a person standing in front of the window of the Smoke and Waves Pavilion, so he casually waved his hand.

Xiang Nong pushed open the west window, propped up by several forked poles, and said with a smile: "What a vast sea of flowers! I have heard that crape myrtle absorbs dust, and the air here is indeed better than elsewhere"

Yulu exclaimed "Heavens!" and both she and Xiangnong were left dumbfounded. The wet nurse merely laughed on the side, having seen the young master of the Shen family before, she knew that Bunuan was intentionally teasing them. At that time, Bunuan was young and perhaps did not remember, but she had a deep impression of this noble young master.

He quickly calmed down, his expression serene, and he said in a steady voice: "It is easy to distinguish between the two. The peony grows solitary at the top of the branch, while the red medicine plant grows beneath the leaves and in clusters. This flower is not as ambitious as the peony; its value lies in its sincerity. The peony is the king of flowers, while the red medicine plant is the counterpart of flowers. Although it has not reached the pinnacle, it is more approachable."

In the past, when she suffered from asthma, her mother did not allow her to go out during the months of April and May, which made it difficult for her to distinguish between peonies and red flowers. She bent down to take a closer look and felt that the flower heads and buds were quite similar: "Red flowers and peonies, the two types of flowers look very alike!"

His personality is likable, genuine and unpretentious. Although it is inevitably somewhat mercenary, it is far better than those who are ostentatious in their words.

Lan Sheng shook his head: "I am not a poet who sings of flowers and willows, and I do not have that much time and energy. The peony is easy to care for; a little light fertilization is sufficient. Moreover, the blooming period of the peony is after that of the peony, unlike the peony that competes for spring, which is a gentleman who understands the timing. " He suddenly grinned and said cheerfully, "That sounds pretentious; in fact, I am not that detached. I am a very practical person. No matter how splendid the peony is, it only blooms for a short while. What remains after the flowers wither? The peony is different; it can be used for medicine, so at least it still has some value.

At that time, the Bu family was embroiled in domestic disputes, with a household full of scholars. The men demanded wontons while the women wanted noodles, and it nearly escalated into a fight at the memorial hall of the late Mr. Bu. The uncles and aunts had lost all decorum, rolling up their sleeves and preparing to throw punches. Shen Rong, who had just been appointed as the chief of the Grand Protectorate at a young age, already displayed considerable courage. The wife of the second son lunged at Bu Nuan's mother with claws bared, and he drew his sword, striking down half of the spirit canopy with one blow, his face darkened as he said: "You Bu family members can make all the noise you want; I have no intention of getting involved. Just be careful how you beat each other to a pulp; do not harm my Shen family members, or else do not blame me for being ruthless."

It is indeed rare for men to take pleasure in tending to flowers and plants; if they were cultured scholars, it would be understandable. However, Lan Sheng is a military general, and since he holds an official position of the third rank, it is clear that he is not someone who engages in such pursuits for mere amusement at the court's discretion.

Lansheng said, as his fingers brushed over the leaves, "These flowers have grown to half a person's height and have been planted for three or four years. Every year during the blooming season, I come to take a look, not only because they are beautiful, but also because they are an excellent remedy for injuries. " He smiled and added, "We soldiers all have some old ailments, and using this medicine is the best option."

The warmth of the fabric enveloped me as I made my way towards the bridge. Upon entering the Smoke and Wave Pavilion, I surveyed my surroundings; the interior was elegantly arranged, with tables adorned with paintings, and a towering kumquat tree alongside a massive bronze cauldron. In the second-floor boudoir, heavy drapes hung, and against the southern wall stood a finely crafted writing desk, equipped with all the necessary stationery. As the sun's rays shifted westward, a narrow beam of light fell upon the mud corner paper, its intricate patterns intertwining and resembling the quiet bloom of magnolias.

He passed away at a young age, and I will feel sad, but there will be more regret and less sorrow

The warmth enveloped her face, leaving her in a daze, and despite racking her brain, she could not recall the appearance of Xia Jiulang. With a helpless expression, she said: "Yulu, I suppose I am a rather indifferent person, as I can no longer remember what he looked like."

Bu Nuan scoffed, "I am not marrying a maid, so why should I choose someone based on looks? That is my uncle; no matter how unattractive he may be, I will not disdain him!"

The young girls are most interested in handsome men, and they surrounded the wet nurse to inquire further. Bu Nuan retreated to the window and vaguely heard something about "a full moon for a face" and "blue lotus in the eyes," spoken as if about the Buddha. She couldn't help but laugh; she had disparaged her uncle, while the wet nurse was making every effort to embellish him, probably fearing to frighten the pure and kind-hearted young ladies.

Warmth is lacking in the body: "May you travel well, my lord."

What a beautiful scenery! Xiang Nong said softly, It is even more beautiful than the embroidery building in our residence

"Are these all grown by you?" Bu Nuan's gaze never left those charming and vibrant flowers. The red medicine is actually peony, but it has different names; in Luoyang, it is called "Jiang Li," while in Chang'an, it is referred to as "Red Medicine"

Throughout history, emperors have not necessarily favored literati who dare to speak out against them, but they have certainly cherished military generals who are willing to fight to the death for them. Therefore, to rise through the ranks in the military is not reliant on luck, but rather on genuine military achievements. Lan Sheng's attainment of the title of General of the Cloud Banner was achieved by stepping on the corpses of countless individuals

Her voice is pleasant, smooth, warm, and kind. She has clean eyes and an elegant demeanor, yet in such a prime of life, she displays a reserved preciousness that is incongruous with her age, which truly puzzles people

The jade furnace sighed deeply: "You have always been indifferent to him, just like a passerby; what is there to say about being cold and detached!"

He did not expect her to come, which surprised him to some extent

Reflecting seriously, how deep can the memories of a five-year-old child be? Over a decade has passed, and it has long been forgotten completely

The Smoke and Waves Pavilion is built on a notably elevated foundation, with its corridors extending upwards, one end resting on the platform at the other side. The pavilion stands out uniquely, surrounded by blooming crape myrtle, creating a scene of vibrant floral clusters that resembles a paradise between heaven and earth.

She bent slightly at the waist in front of a large expanse of flowers, the silk draped around her arm lightly falling onto his knee. A sudden jolt surged through Lan Sheng's heart, as if that piece of silk had gained weight, leaving him at a loss. He laughed self-deprecatingly, wondering what this was. Love at first sight? If that were the case, it certainly wasn't good news worth celebrating

The servant bowed and said: "Madam, please rest for a while. I will have the maids bring fragrant bath water for you to relieve your fatigue. When the master returns, I will send someone to inform you."