Chapter 3: The Charming Little Nun

Is that really so? Hmm, you have a point! Ning Qing let out a slight sigh of relief, but her disappointment was still evident. "I just feel that you look very familiar, as if I have seen you somewhere before, but I just can't recall. I originally wanted to ask what kind of person you are!"

"It's nothing, I know you will ask!" Ning Qing's face broke into a smile again, "Let's not talk about these matters, let's discuss something else!"

After awakening and accepting the fact of his transmigration, he, engaged in the medical field, naturally needed to attend to the injuries on his body. After being rescued by the master and disciple Sun Simiao, this contemporary divine physician had already treated all his wounds, applying medicine to some deeper cuts, which were of course traditional Chinese medicine that Chen Yi was not familiar with. Chen Yi was unsure whether his wounds had been disinfected, nor did he know the efficacy of these medicines for wound recovery. Considering his extensive experience, he also employed some of his own methods for healing. He discussed some medical principles with Ning Qing, who was attending to him, and he believed that Ning Qing would inform Sun Simiao. This skilled physician would come to inquire about related matters.

My master is already seventy-five years old this year!" Ning Qing said somewhat proudly, "My master has a profound understanding of health preservation, and no one can tell how old he really is...

I see... um! I apologize for bringing up the young lady's sorrowful matter!" Chen Yi felt somewhat awkward

This remark instantly caused Ning Qing to blush deeply, yet she felt very happy and proud inside. To receive such praise from a handsome young man would delight any woman. However, she was shy and found it a bit overwhelming, not knowing how to respond.

In the house where Chen Yi resides, Sun Simiao comes over only once a day, and most of the time, it is the young Taoist nun Ning Qing who comes to attend to him. After a few days of interaction, he has become somewhat familiar with this charming young nun, who is full of youthful vitality. However, Chen Yi, who has not fully adapted to his current life, does not dare to be too casual in front of Ning Qing, who is about the same age as him, and most of the time, he treats her with courtesy.

According to historical records, during the Tang Dynasty, young women were referred to as "little lady" or "lady." Chen Yi also used these terms as recorded, and judging by Ning Qing and others' reactions, this form of address was not incorrect; he simply found it quite awkward

"Is Young Master Chen really feeling much better?" Ning Qing's large, bright eyes were fixed on Chen Yi.

Healing the sick and saving lives is the fundamental duty of a physician. There is no need for you, my young friend, to mention it as a trivial matter! Furthermore, although I have practiced medicine for many years and have achieved some modest success, I do not dare to accept the titles of 'Divine Doctor' or 'King of Medicine' that you have attributed to me. " Sun Simiao retracted the smile on his face, shook his head, and said with a hint of emotion: "I have merely studied medicine since childhood and have only a superficial understanding of medical principles. I remain powerless against many ailments; how could I dare to claim the titles of Divine Doctor or King of Medicine! Haha... From my observations, you have also treated your own injuries these past few days and have employed some healing methods that I am unfamiliar with. It seems that you are also knowledgeable in medical principles. May I ask which school you have studied under?"

This is a very perplexing fact, and Chen Yi is eager to know the specific circumstances

Sun Simiao did not pursue the matter further; he let out a sigh of relief

Sun Simiao's gaze was filled with inquiry as he spoke

"Are you asking me why I am in the Temple of the Sacred Sage?" Hearing Chen Yi's question, Ning Qing's face showed a hint of desolation. "I have been an orphan without parents since childhood, taken in by my master. I have been with my master for over ten years, and it is my master who raised me! That is why I wear the Daoist robe!"

Oh? Could it be that the young lady has truly met me before?" Chen Yi was quite astonished in his heart

Ning Qing followed Sun Simiao out, but after a short while, she turned back

Ning Qing did not expect Chen Yi to bestow such a grand gesture upon him, and hurriedly stepped back, waving his hands, "Young Master Chen, please don't do this, it's nothing; my master often helps others!" After evading Chen Yi's grand gesture, he revealed a peculiar expression, sizing Chen Yi up a few times before smiling and saying, "Hehe... we originally thought you were just a hunter who accidentally fell off a cliff, but we didn't expect you to be such a handsome young man!" Ning Qing stared at Chen Yi's face, smiled gently, and a hint of blush appeared.

There is no need for excessive courtesy! Sun Simiao walked over to the bowing Chen Yi, examined him from head to toe, and then raised his hand to gesture: "Please, young friend, follow me into the house, so that I may check your injuries!"

Ning Qing seemed to understand Chen Yi's confusion and said with a hint of shyness: "I am only fourteen years old this year, the youngest disciple of my master... Did you think I was the same age as my master, so old? Hehe... You guessed wrong!"

So it was like this! Chen Yi felt a bit disappointed, realizing it was just this. After letting out a slight sigh, he continued: "As for the young lady Ning Qing from the Tu Shu, if I remember anything, I will definitely tell you at the first opportunity, sharing everything with you. Who knows... we might have seen each other by chance when we were children!"

He was quite gossipy in his heart. According to his vague understanding of Sun Simiao's birth and death, Sun Simiao should have been born during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. By the time Li Shimin became emperor, he was already over fifty years old. Now, with Li Zhi as emperor and Li Shimin having passed away many years ago, it can be roughly calculated that Sun Simiao's age should be around seventy or eighty. However, the current Sun Simiao does not look like an elderly man in his seventies or eighties at all. Although his hair has turned slightly gray, his face is very handsome, and he has almost no wrinkles. He looks at most in his forties or fifties, making it somewhat forced to call him "Old Daoist"; it would be more appropriate to refer to him as a young Daoist.

Well, alright! Let's sit down and talk

Observing Ning Qing, whose expression seemed somewhat unnatural, Chen Yi also casually returned the greeting. He smiled at the slightly shy young lady, and his tone became a bit more relaxed, saying, "What the young lady just mentioned is indeed true; great kindness need not be expressed in words. I am being rather conventional; from now on, I shall refrain from saying thank you or not thanking you."

"Alright, you must keep your word!" Ning Qing beamed with a radiant smile

Ning Qing shook her head, "I grew up in the temple and rarely went out, so I have seen very few people. I definitely haven't seen you before; I just feel that you look familiar, as if I have seen you somewhere. Therefore... I wanted to ask you, who exactly are you?"

Ning Qing spoke, once again revealing a proud smile, her shallow dimples reappearing, and the sparkling light in her eyes was incredibly captivating. Her charming and lovely appearance left Chen Yi momentarily stunned. The girl before him was so pure that it made his heart tremble.

I am no longer in serious trouble!" Chen Yi moved his arm and smiled, expressing his gratitude: "Thank you for bringing me back, and also thank you to Miss Ning Qing for taking care of me these days. I am deeply grateful!

Chen Yi was very grateful and also very fortunate upon learning this. Being rescued after an injury certainly evokes gratitude! Furthermore, having a very beautiful young lady like Ning Qing attending to him made him feel proud and honored, so it was only natural for him to express his gratitude

The words of Sun Simiao made Chen Yi feel a bit startled, and he hurriedly nodded in agreement: "Yes, Daoist Sun, I understand, thank you, Daoist!"

Hmph! My master is certainly formidable; he possesses a secret that is not to be passed on!" Ning Qing looked at the curious Chen Yi, who was flipping through the book, rolled her eyes twice, and continued, "Don't ask me; I also don't know what this secret of my master is!"

Sun Simiao took his seat and gestured for Chen Yi to sit beside him. Once Chen Yi complied, Sun Simiao extended his hand to take Chen Yi's pulse for a while, then carefully examined the condition of the wounds on Chen Yi's body. After a thorough inspection, Sun Simiao smiled and nodded, saying, "Young friend, your body is inherently strong, and the injuries you sustained are not severe, as they did not affect your muscles, bones, or internal organs. Therefore, your recovery will be swift. You only need to rest for a few more days to fully recuperate! I was initially concerned about the injury to your head... Haha, it seems my worries were unnecessary!"

Ning Qing shrugged dismissively, saying, "It's nothing; I am merely following my master's instructions. He often helps others!"

Sun Simiao had two other male disciples, Wang Chong and Liu Hai. It was they who carried the injured Chen Yi down the mountain that day. In recent days, they had been following Sun Simiao's orders to gather herbs in the mountains. Meanwhile, Ning Qing had been responsible for attending to Chen Yi's daily needs during this time

Chen Yi did not expect that today Sun Simiao would come to inquire. However, he did not know how to explain it. He did not dare to concoct any far-fetched story to deceive Sun Simiao, so he could only respond ambiguously, hoping that this immortal-like old Daoist would not press further.

Ning Qing's smile made Chen Yi feel very comfortable, and his heart completely relaxed. After hesitating for a moment, he also wanted to clarify the questions in his mind: "Ah... Ning Qing, I would like to ask you a question as well. How old is your master, Daoist Sun, now?"

"Yes, Daoist!" Chen Yi replied, then performed another bow and followed Sun Simiao into the room. Although he remained silent, Ning Qing, who occasionally glanced at Chen Yi with her beautiful large eyes, also entered. Once inside, she stood with her hands at her sides, appearing very proper.

"Miss Ning Qing, I do not quite understand why you... why you have become a little..." Chen Yi originally intended to ask why she had become a little Taoist priestess, but he felt that addressing the young lady in such a manner was somewhat disrespectful, so he swallowed the last two words. He had wanted to ask this question yesterday; it seemed such a pity for such a beautiful young lady like Ning Qing to become a Taoist and renounce the world. What a waste of heavenly beauty!

I see! Chen Yi felt a bit disappointed, but he quickly thought of another question. With a puzzled expression, he cautiously looked at the delicate young girl in front of him and asked, "So... how old are you... what is your age?"

Several days had passed, and Chen Yi could completely understand what others were saying. Unconsciously, his speaking tone had become similar to theirs, which was something he found difficult to comprehend. He could not understand why, after having been accustomed to speaking Mandarin in his later years, he would change his way of speaking within just a few days.

Chen Yi was taken aback. He fixed his gaze on Ning Qing, who was nervously clutching the hem of her clothes, and hurriedly explained: "Miss Ning Qing, there are many things I truly cannot recall. It is not my intention to hide anything from you. I am also at a loss trying to figure out who I am! It is not that I am unwilling to tell you; rather, I genuinely cannot remember! Otherwise, I could send a message for my family to come here and take me back!"

This is the result of Master Sun's rescue. Chen Yi appeared extremely grateful, respectfully bowed, and then said: "Master Sun is a divine physician of our time. I am fortunate to have been saved by him, which is why I have recovered so quickly. If it were not for his rescue, not only would I not have recovered, but I might have even been left to die in the wilderness!"

Sun Simiao took two steps, then stopped, turned around to look at Chen Yi, and said meaningfully: "If you have any questions, little friend, feel free to come and ask this humble Taoist at any time. If there is anything you wish to discuss, do not hesitate to approach me. You may also discuss matters of medical theory!"

Hmph... I knew you would make wild guesses! Seeing Chen Yi like this, Ning Qing let out a snort and couldn't help but chuckle, her sparkling smile even more vivid, leaving Chen Yi in a daze for quite a while before he came back to his senses

Perhaps the phrase "a feast for the eyes" refers to the feeling one experiences when facing a girl like Ning Qing

"Miss Ning Qing, you jest at my expense... I am indeed quite ugly, while you are a stunning beauty!" Chen Yi said, glancing at Ning Qing with a smile, and added, "You are truly a sight to behold!"

After a long time, Ning Qing, whose expression had finally returned to normal, raised her face to glance at Chen Yi. After a moment of hesitation, she asked, "Young Master, I would like to know, have you truly forgotten many things... or are you simply unwilling to share them with me?" In recent days, Ning Qing often tried to inquire about Chen Yi's situation, but he could never provide a clear answer, which left her somewhat disappointed. Thus, she posed this question today.

Sun Simiao had a kind appearance and looked quite young, yet his hair and beard were white, giving him an air of ethereal wisdom. In the presence of this equally kind and wise elder, Chen Yi from the He-Tu-Shu felt he could not show any disrespect, speaking with utmost caution and reverence

Hehe, it seems that the young friend has some unspoken difficulties, so I shall not inquire further! Since your injury is no longer a concern, I will attend to my matters first and come back tomorrow to examine you again!" Sun Simiao said as he stood up, pointing to Ning Qing beside him: "Young friend, you should focus on rest these days and not overexert yourself. If there is anything, just let Qing'er know!

It was rather presumptuous of Chen Yi to ask this question, and he was also hoping that the charming young Taoist priestess before him was not someone of considerable age, perhaps an aunt or grandmother figure, a real-life version of the Tianshan Child Aunt, as that would be quite disappointing

Ah... your master truly possesses remarkable skills in beauty maintenance, I am in awe! Chen Yi was once again astonished; his predictions were accurate. Sun Simiao, despite his advanced age, remarkably maintained such a youthful appearance, which is truly astonishing. It seems the historical records are not false; Sun Simiao is indeed 'extraordinary.' His expertise in beauty maintenance shows no signs of aging, and living past a hundred years is certainly an easy feat. Having crossed over and met such a remarkable person, there will surely be many future interactions, and we can exchange insights on health preservation!

In recent days, Chen Yi learned from Ning Qing about how he was rescued. Sun Simiao needed to prepare a certain prescription, which required various medicinal herbs. Some of these herbs were difficult to find in the still cold Zhongnan Mountains, particularly the rare Bai Ji during this season. However, in the Liangshan area, it was often possible to gather some herbs that were not easily found elsewhere. Therefore, he took several disciples to the Liangshan region. When Ning Qing accompanied his two senior brothers up the mountain, he unexpectedly encountered the injured Chen Yi and brought him back to safety.

"Yes, Daoist Sun!" Chen Yi quickly got up, performed a bow, and responded with gratitude: "Thank you very much, Daoist!"

I hope you will forgive my boldness, young lady... Chen Yi could only feign an awkward expression, scratching his head

Regardless of the circumstances, I must express my gratitude to Miss Ning Qing for her care over these past few days" Chen Yi said, respectfully bowing.

What the Daoist said is not wrong; I have a slight understanding of medicine, but I am not a professional healer. I have merely read a few ancestral medical texts and remembered some of their contents. Chen Yi felt somewhat at a loss as to how to explain his knowledge of medicine. Speaking falsely in front of Sun Simiao made him very uncomfortable, and he even dared not look at this old Daoist, who seemed to possess the ability to see into the hearts of others.