Chapter 14 (Continuation): A Month of Learning II
The challenge of the Old Master's test weighed heavily on her, but each passing day also brought a new sense of accomplishment. Gu Yan remained patient, guiding her through every misstep, pushing her to see beyond the surface of things.
In the mornings, Tang Ning practiced horse stance with her martial arts instructor, her movements becoming sharper, more fluid as she learned to control her body and energy. Though her muscles ached, she never complained. She had learned to endure pain, to press on when her body wanted to quit. Each lesson on physical discipline mirrored the mental strength she needed for her herbal studies.
In the afternoons, Tang Ning returned to the garden with Gu Yan, where he quizzed her relentlessly. They would sit in the cool shade of the bamboo grove as Gu Yan presented her with herbs, sometimes easy, sometimes deceptively similar to poisonous ones. She would examine each plant with care, her brows furrowed in deep concentration, knowing that a single mistake could mean failure.
One afternoon, a particularly difficult session had her stumped. Gu Yan handed her two plants, nearly identical in appearance. Their leaves were of the same shape, their stems similarly slender.
"Identify them," he said, his voice calm but firm.
Tang Ning studied the plants, comparing their textures, smells, and the faint veins running through the leaves. Her frustration mounted as she struggled to recall the differences between the two.
"They're the same," she muttered under her breath, her fingers gripping the stalks tightly.
Gu Yan watched her in silence, waiting. When she finally looked up, her frustration showing, he spoke softly.
"They're not the same. One is Whisperleaf, used for soothing headaches and reducing fevers. The other is Silentroot, a deadly plant that can stop a heart if even a small amount is ingested."
Tang Ning's face paled as her eyes widened in realization. She could sense Gu Yan wasn't telling her just to memorize the names. His voice hinted at a deeper: lesson that small differences can have profound consequences, just like with plants.
"Look again," he said, moving closer and pointing to a subtle difference. "See how the veins on Silentroot are darker, almost purple? And the leaves of Whisperleaf are smoother. It's easy to miss these details, but a healer must always see the whole picture, not just what's on the surface."
Tang Ning exhaled slowly, focusing on the minute details that had escaped her at first glance. Finally, she nodded, determination flickering in her eyes once more.
"Thank you, Uncle Yan" she said quietly, feeling the weight of her task but also understanding the depth of what she was learning.
Gu Yan gave her a small smile, proud of her progress but knowing that the hardest part still lay ahead. "You're doing well, but you must be sharper. The Old Master's test will be even more demanding so you have to prepared."
He stood up and stretched his arms, the creak of his joints audible in the quiet of the bamboo grove. "Enough for today," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "You need to let the knowledge settle."
Tang Ning rose to her feet, wiping the sweat from her brow. Her mind buzzed with the day's lessons, the subtle differences between the plants still fresh in her thoughts. She felt a tug of curiosity—there was something else, something more Gu Yan hadn't yet shared.
"Uncle Yan," she began tentatively, her hands folding behind her back. "Is there anything else I should be looking out for? Beyond just memorizing plants and their differences?"
Gu Yan paused, turning to face her. His eyes narrowed slightly as if weighing whether she was ready for what came next. "Yes," he finally said, stepping closer. "A great healer must trust their instincts even when there's no clear answer."
He crouched down by a small patch of herbs growing near the bamboo, motioning for Tang Ning to join him. "Here," he said, pointing at the plants. "Look at these three. What do they tell you?"
Tang Ning knelt beside him, staring at the small patch. She could see the distinct differences between them—one had bright, thin leaves, another had a thick, woody stem, and the third was a delicate, pale flower—but none of them resembled anything she had been quizzed on before. She hesitated.
"You want me to identify them?" she asked.
Gu Yan shook his head. "No, I want you to learn something else. In a moment, you'll have three choices: to test the herb on yourself, to throw it away, or to try to combine it with another plant. There's no one right answer. This is about sharpening your instinct and learning to trust it."
Tang Ning blinked, surprised by the test. "But what if I make a mistake?"
Gu Yan's expression softened. "You will. That's the nature of learning. But making the wrong decision is sometimes the path to discovering the right one. Now," he gestured to the three herbs in front of her, "what will you do?"
Tang Ning's heart raced as she considered her options. She glanced at Gu Yan, who watched her intently, and then back at the plants. This was different from the usual tests—there were no clear guidelines, no easy answers.
Tang Ning took a deep breath, her eyes narrowing as she considered the three herbs in front of her. She reached out slowly, selecting the delicate pale flower in the center. Its soft petals and gentle scent reminded her of calming herbs used for minor ailments.Then, her gaze shifted to the plant with the bright, thin leaves, which looked resilient and full of energy—perhaps it had stimulating properties.
"I'll try to combine them," she said, her voice steady despite the uncertainty gnawing at her.
Gu Yan raised an eyebrow, but said nothing, waiting for her to continue.
Tang Ning carefully plucked a few petals from the flower and crushed them between her fingers, releasing a faint fragrance. She did the same with a few leaves from the second plant, mindful of the textures and smells. Her hands moved deliberately as she mixed the two together, hoping the combination would reveal something about their interaction.
"Why these two?" Gu Yan asked, his tone still calm but probing.
Tang Ning glanced at him, considering her answer. "The flower seems soothing, maybe even medicinal for calming the nerves or easing pain. But on its own, it feels too weak. The bright leaves, though—they're full of life, almost like they'd stimulate the body. I'm hoping they'll balance each other. The flower will calm, and the leaves will give energy without overwhelming."
"And what risks are you considering?" Gu Yan asked, his voice cool, challenging her assumptions. For a brief moment, Tang Ning's heart sank—had she overlooked something crucial?
Tang Ning hesitated, her mind racing through possibilities. "If I'm wrong, the leaves could overpower the flower's effects, maybe making it dangerous for someone already weak. And if the flower is stronger than I think, it could dull the effects of the leaves and leave the person drained instead of balanced."
"Good," Gu Yan said. "Now, test it."
Tang Ning's stomach tightened. She had expected as much, but the idea of testing her combination on herself still unsettled her. What if she was wrong? But she knew hesitation would only hold her back. She pressed the mixture against her wrist, the safest way to test for any immediate reactions before ingesting it.
After a few minutes, a warm tingling sensation spread from her wrist, but nothing alarming happened. Encouraged, she took a small amount and placed it on her tongue, waiting for any changes.
At first, nothing. Then, slowly, she felt a faint sense of calm wash over her, along with a subtle rise in alertness. It wasn't overpowering, but it was there—a gentle balance of the two effects.
She smiled slightly, relieved.
Gu Yan's expression softened, though his eyes remained sharp. "Not bad," he said. "Your reasoning was sound. The combination wasn't perfect, but you showed an understanding of balance. That's what I wanted to see."
Tang Ning let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "So… I did it right?"
"Mostly," Gu Yan said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "But don't get too comfortable. You'll need to refine this instinct even more. There will be times when the smallest miscalculation could cause harm, and in those moments, you won't have time to second-guess yourself."
Tang Ning nodded, feeling the weight of his words. She understood now that this test wasn't just about plants—it was about trusting her instincts, learning to act with both knowledge and caution.
As they stood up, Gu Yan gave her a rare, approving nod. "Good work today, Tang Ning. You're progressing well, but there's still much more to learn. Tomorrow, we'll push your limits further."
Tang Ning allowed herself a brief moment of pride as they walked back to the house. Her gaze wandered toward the Old Master's study. The real test— it would take more than just knowledge to pass.
But for now, she felt ready for whatever came next.