Chapter 11: Ink-scented Afternoon, Old Memories, New Warmth
On a Jiangnan afternoon, sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, casting tiny specks of light on the study's blue brick floor. Rice paper lay spread out on the desk, and the finely ground ink in the inkstone exuded a delicate fragrance, mingling with the scent of gardenias wafting in from outside, a gentle touch of warmth.
Little Swallow, wearing a water-green skirt with a few delicate orchids embroidered on the hem, sat slanting forward on an embroidered cushion, a wolf-hair brush in hand, her brow furrowed like a worried kitten. The tip of the brush hovered over the paper, refusing to drop, ink gathering in tiny drops on the tip, ready to drip onto the rice paper.
"Ci'er, hold the pen steady and calm your mind." Madam Fang walked in, carrying a plate of freshly cut loquats. Her voice was as gentle as the afternoon breeze. She wore a moon-white dress, her hair loosely tied with a jade hairpin. She walked behind Xiaoyanzi and gently took her hand. "Hold your wrist in the air, and let the strength flow from your fingertips. Look—"
Mrs. Fang's pen tip slowly moved across the paper, leaving behind a string of beautiful small characters. However, Xiaoyanzi's attention was not on the characters. Her nose moved quietly, and she smelled the sweet fragrance of loquats. Her eyes immediately lit up. While her mother was not paying attention, she secretly reached out with her other hand, trying to reach for the largest piece on the plate.
"Focus." Madam Fang patted the back of her hand gently, her eyes full of smiles. "Finish this post, and you'll have plenty of loquats."
"Mom!" Little Swallow pouted and turned the pen in her hand. "This character is too difficult to write. The horizontal lines are not straight and the vertical lines are not horizontal. How can it be as fun as practicing martial arts?" She remembered the morning in the bamboo forest. Although her legs hurt from exhaustion, she could feel the wind passing by her ears. It was much more interesting than sitting quietly in the house.
Madam Fang put down her hand, picked up the plate of loquats and placed it on the corner of the table. She sat down on a chair beside her, picked up her needle and thread, and began to mend Xiao Jian's old clothes. "Girls should always learn some music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, so that they can be well-educated and well-mannered in the future. Look at your brother, he can write poetry and paint, and he can also strengthen his body with martial arts. You should learn from him."
When Xiao Jian was mentioned, Xiao Yanzi curled her lips, then couldn't help laughing. "He's a bit rigid. When he practices martial arts, he's like a stone, and when he writes, he's like an old scholar." Even so, a glint of pride glints in her eyes. "But when he taught me the horse stance, it was quite realistic."
Mrs. Fang paused her sewing and looked up at her daughter. The sunlight fell on the little swallow's fluffy hair, like a layer of gilded fringe. The child had been clever since she was little. Although she was occasionally naughty, she was kind-hearted and a quick learner. She just couldn't sit still. She smiled and shook her head: "You, all you do is play around with your brother."
Little Swallow stuck out her tongue, picked up her pen again, and began writing slowly on the paper, imitating her mother's instructions. The tip of the pen slid across the paper, leaving behind crooked handwriting. Some were written horizontally like a small snake, while others were tilted vertically like a bamboo pole blown sideways by the wind. She couldn't help laughing at herself, throwing down her pen. "My handwriting is bad! Mom, I better go practice Qinggong so I can fly and show you!"
"Qinggong requires a solid foundation; otherwise, how can you fly steadily and far?" Mrs. Fang put down her needlework, picked up the handwriting, and examined it carefully. Far from criticizing, she nodded. "This 'yan' is written with spirit, like a little swallow spreading its wings." She pointed at the character and said, "You see, as long as you put your heart into it, you can write well."
Little Swallow leaned over to take a look, and after her mother's guidance, she really felt that the character "燕" was much more pleasing to the eye. She was moved, remembering her previous life in the palace, when Ziwei always quietly wrote and painted. She had found it boring then, but now she felt that being able to sit at home peacefully, with her mother accompanying her in writing, was a blessing.
"Mom, let me try again." Xiaoyanzi picked up her brush again and dipped it in ink. This time, she didn't rush to write. Instead, she took a deep breath, remembering Xiao Jian's advice to her when he taught her to do the horse stance: "Keep your mind calm." The tip of the brush fell. Although it was still a little crooked, it was much neater than before.
Mrs. Fang's smile deepened as she observed her earnest expression. The sun shone down on the mother and daughter, bringing warmth and warmth. The gardenias outside the window were in full bloom, their fragrance filling the study, blending with the scent of ink, creating a tranquil and warm scene.
As Xiaoyanzi was writing, she suddenly looked up and asked, "Mom, when will Dad be back? I want to show him my handwriting and the horse stance I practiced today."
"Your father has gone to visit a friend and should be back before dinner." Mrs. Fang picked up a loquat and handed it to her, "Eat a loquat first and take a break. Look at your forehead, it's sweaty."
Xiaoyanzi took the loquat, took a big bite, and the sweet juice flowed down the corners of her mouth. She said vaguely: "When Dad comes back, I will tell him that I can not only write, but also martial arts. I can protect you in the future!"
Mrs. Fang smiled and wiped the sweet juice from the corner of her mouth, her eyes full of love: "Our Ci'er has grown up and knows how to care for others."
The study was silent, the only sound being the rustle of the pen across the rice paper and the occasional laughter of mother and daughter. Little Swallow continued writing while eating a loquat, her heart filled with a warm feeling. This life was wonderful, she thought. She had a loving father, a loving mother, and a brother to teach her martial arts. She must study hard, practice diligently, and protect this hard-earned happiness.
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