The lingering aroma of medicine tells of my true feelings
Ever since that day, Yiqing and I have felt a new, invisible bond. He remains busy with his daily spiritual practice and alchemy, but he always finds time to spend time with me. Sometimes we discuss Taoist scriptures, sometimes we instruct me in the "Lingtai Jingye Mantra." More often, we simply sit quietly together, each minding our own business, yet there's an unspoken understanding between us.
That morning, I finished my practice in the courtyard as usual and was about to go to the study to find some scriptures to read, but I saw Yiqing walking towards me from the direction of the alchemy room, holding a small celadon bowl in his hand.
"You've arrived just in time." He saw me and raised the corners of his lips. "This newly refined Hundred Flowers Dew is best taken in the morning. It nourishes the soul."
I took the bowl. It was warm to the touch, and the dew inside was clear and had a faint floral fragrance. "You're always so thoughtful."
"It's just a piece of cake." He looked at me gently, "Take it while it's hot."
I took small sips as instructed. The condensed dew was sweet and delicious. After entering my stomach, it turned into a warm current, which really made me feel refreshed.
"Do you like the taste?" he asked.
"Very good." I nodded. "It's sweeter than the lotus seed soup from the other day."
A hint of smile flashed across his eyes. "If you like it, I'll make some more tomorrow."
Such meticulous care warms my heart. Since we met, he has treated me with caution and distance at first, then with careful guidance, and now with such thoughtfulness. Every step of change makes me more convinced of his intentions.
In the afternoon, I practiced my pipa by the stream. The early summer sun filtered through the branches and leaves, casting a golden shimmer on the water. The gurgling sound of my pipa harmonized with the gurgling of the stream, startling a few fish.
Yiqing had already sat down on a bluestone not far away, eyes closed, listening. His hair was untied today, cascading down his shoulders like a waterfall, adding a touch of leisure and elegance to his demeanor.
After I finished playing, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze filled with admiration: "You played 'Song of a Mountain Dwelling' beautifully. It's a true pleasure to behold in the tranquility."
"It's the beautiful scenery here." I put down my pipa and sat down beside him. "It makes you want to play music like this."
The stream gurgled, the breeze blew on our faces, and we sat side by side on the bluestone, speechless for a moment, but not feeling awkward.
"Do you remember the song 'Ten Sides of Ambush' you played when we were in Liangshan?" he suddenly asked.
I was slightly startled, thinking back to the scene when we first met: "Back then, I didn't know how high the heavens were, and I almost got myself into trouble."
"If it weren't for the song 'Ten Sides of Ambush,' I wouldn't have noticed you." He turned to look at me, his eyes deep. "Maybe this is fate."
My heart moved slightly, and I lowered my eyes and chuckled softly: "If I had known what would happen later, I might not have dared to be so presumptuous."
"I'm actually glad you were so 'impudent' back then," he said softly. "If not, I might still be wandering alone in the clouds, unaware that such warmth exists in the human world."
The implication of these words made my cheeks heat up slightly, and I couldn't help but look up at him. The sunlight filtered through the branches, casting mottled shadows on his face. In those eyes, which were always cold and clear, there was now a tenderness that I could understand.
"Yiqing..." I called him softly, but I didn't know what to say next.
He looked at me quietly, then suddenly reached out and gently brushed away a strand of hair that had been messed up by the wind. His fingertips accidentally brushed against my earlobe, causing a slight numbness.
"Your hair is messy." He withdrew his hand, his tone natural, but his ears were slightly red.
I lowered my head to hide my throbbing heartbeat, and my fingertips unconsciously fiddled with my belt.
"Tomorrow I'm going to start refining a batch of Qingxin Pills." He changed the subject, his voice still gentle. "Would you like to come to the alchemy room to help? The processing of several of the herbs requires extra care."
"Of course I would." I agreed quickly. "It's a good opportunity for me to learn the art of alchemy from you."
A hint of smile flashed across his eyes: "Then I'll wait for you in the alchemy room at noon tomorrow."
"Okay." I replied softly, feeling anticipation in my heart.
The next morning, I arrived at the alchemy room on time. It was already busy, with flames dancing in the furnace and the aroma of medicinal herbs filling the air.
"You're here." He saw me and handed me a plain white coat. "Put this on first to avoid getting contaminated by the medicine dust."
I took the coat. It was soft to the touch, and had a faint pine scent. It was clearly his. This intimate gesture warmed my heart, and I followed his instructions and put the coat over my dress.
"Today we'll be dealing with these three herbs." He pointed at the herbs on the table. "The cinnabar needs to be ground very finely, the poria needs to be sliced thinly, and the borneol needs to be crushed carefully, without applying too much force."
He explained and demonstrated. I watched intently, asking questions from time to time. He patiently answered my questions, occasionally holding my hand and personally guiding me on the grinding force and angle.
"Is this correct?" I asked while grinding cinnabar according to the method he taught me.
He leaned in for a closer look, his hair falling down, almost touching my cheek. "Be gentler, like a spring breeze."
His breath brushed against my ears, slightly disturbing my mind. I calmed myself down and readjusted my strength, finally achieving a more refined grinding.
"Very good." He nodded with satisfaction and stood up straight. "You learn quickly."
I was delighted by his praise and worked even harder.
At noon, the herbs were preliminarily processed. He took out the lunch box and said, "Let's take a break and have some refreshments."
We sat down at the stone table outside the alchemy room. He poured tea and pushed a plate of delicate osmanthus cake toward me. "Try it! Qingsong bought this at the foot of the mountain this morning."
I picked up a piece of sweet-scented osmanthus cake. It was sweet and soft, just the way I like it. He even remembered such a small thing, which made me feel sweet.
"Is it tasty?" he asked.
"Very good." I nodded. "You can try it too."
He picked up a piece and ate it slowly. The sunlight fell on his focused profile, and his long eyelashes cast a faint shadow under his eyes.
This kind of peaceful coexistence gave me the illusion that we had been living like this for a long time.
In the afternoon, he continued processing herbs. He taught me how to identify medicinal properties and explained the principles of combining the main, secondary, auxiliary, and guiding ingredients. I listened attentively, occasionally raising questions, which he patiently answered.
"You have a talent for medicine." He said with approval in his eyes, "Given time, you will surely achieve great things."
"It's my master's fault for teaching me well." I said modestly, but deep down I was happy about his praise.
As the sun set, all the herbs were finally processed. I rubbed my wrist, which was a little sore, and he noticed it immediately.
"Are you tired?" he asked with concern. "You've worked hard today."
"It's not hard." I shook my head. "I'm happy to be able to help."
He looked at me softly, then suddenly reached out and gently grasped my wrist, pressing lightly with his fingertips on the sore spot, applying just the right amount of pressure.
"Is this better?" he asked in a low voice.
I stared at his focused profile, feeling the warmth from his fingertips, forgetting to respond for a moment. This intimate contact made my heart beat faster.
"Yiqing..." I called him softly, my voice trembling slightly.
He raised his eyes and met mine. The moment our eyes met, it was as if something quietly blossomed in the air.
He slowly let go of her hand, his ears slightly red. "Sorry, I was so abrupt."
"It's okay." I lowered my head to hide my slightly hot cheeks. "It's indeed... much better."
In the alchemy room, filled with the aroma of medicinal herbs, we sat in silence, yet we could feel the resonance of each other's heartbeats. At this moment, all words seemed superfluous, only the increasingly clear affection flowed quietly in the medicinal fragrance.
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