010, medicinal decoction, gift

Jing Qingmu’s decision was met with enthusiastic support from his father. A man should exercise, gain experience, and endure some hardships—he himself had once done the same in his youth. If it were his own daughter proposing such a venture, he might have hesitated, counseling her repeatedly, for even though she could protect herself, he would never be entirely at ease letting a girl take part in those matters.

But it was different for a boy. Boys needed to face adversity and be tempered by life to grow strong and resilient. So, after breakfast, Jing’s father went off to work with complete peace of mind.

As for Mu Yan, his mother, she too harbored worries in her heart. Yet she understood that as children grew, they needed their own sky beneath which to spread their wings. All she could do as a mother was to care well for the home, to ensure her children were free of worries, and to preserve for them a land of pure tranquility.

“Here you go!” Jing Qingsin filled a bottle with water from the Five Brooks and handed it to her brother, having retrieved it from her interdimensional space. As for medicines and such, her space was never short of those.

“Thanks!” Jing Qingmu smiled as he accepted it, flipping his wrist so the bottle vanished at once—it had been stowed away in his “Hall of Flowing Light.”

After seeing their brother off, Jing Qingsin and Mu Yan returned to their rooms. Jing Qingsin took out the books she had borrowed from her grandfather the day before—three volumes chronicling that harsh and difficult era. She planned to spend the day reading, to better understand that world.

“Yuanyuan, will you come with me to ‘Beauty’s Abode’?” her mother asked softly from the doorway.

Jing Qingsin looked up and smiled, “No, Mom, I’d like to stay home and read.”

“All right, then.” Her mother replied gently and left.

Jing Qingsin soon became absorbed in her reading, more and more drawn in by that era. The words on the pages seemed to open a door to another world, entirely different from her own, drawing her in completely. It was only when Mrs. Chen knocked to call her down for lunch that she finally emerged from her reverie.

After lunch, she returned to her room, locked the door, and slipped into the “Flowing Light Brocade” space to search her medical tomes for a secret recipe that could help Gao Shen recover his tendons and bones. After some research, she found a suitable prescription.

Her brows arched with delight as she began to prepare the medicine. The secret formulas in the “Hall of Flowing Light” were always astonishingly effective. Yet, to avoid raising suspicion by having his injuries heal too quickly, she reduced the dosage so that his recovery would appear gradual.

For now, she had no intention of telling Gao Shen about her “Flowing Light Brocade.” Their mother had always warned the siblings never to reveal the existence of the interdimensional space lightly, no matter how close they became with someone. It was their ultimate safeguard, to be shared only when they had found their destined partner and were certain of their choice. According to her mother, if they ever found their true soulmate and created a bond of blood, the “Flowing Light Space” would permit their other half to enter as well.

Although she felt an inexplicable trust and affinity toward Gao Shen, Jing Qingsin heeded her mother’s advice. Even as they experienced miraculous events together, she would not yet reveal the secret of the space.

Once the medicinal decoction was ready, she divided it into many small porcelain vials—one to be used every three days, making it easy to administer. She also selected some restorative medicine pills, knowing that in that era of hardship, nutrition was lacking and the body’s needs were seldom met. These would help him restore his strength.

Jing Qingsin then found a small backpack and packed everything inside, planning to carry it with her when she slept, so she could bring it along when she crossed over. Suddenly, she wondered if she should bring a gift for Gao Shen as well.

But what would be suitable? She set aside the backpack and began searching the house. Items that were high-tech, required signals, or needed charging were quickly eliminated—they’d be useless in that world.

After a sweep through the home, Jing Qingsin considered the conditions of Gao Shen’s era, where the greatest hardships were in food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. Rather than bringing novelty items, it was better to bring practical supplies or food.

She recalled that Gao Shen lived alone, seemingly uncared for, with only a simple-minded fellow delivering meals at regular times. His living conditions were poor, and being cooped up indoors all day would do nothing for his recovery.

After some thought, Jing Qingsin went to the kitchen and packed two boxes of medicinal pastries—her family always kept these on hand. Whenever someone was hungry, they could pair them with floral tea. These pastries, made with medicinal herbs and sold at her mother’s women’s club “Beauty’s Abode,” were popular for their nutritious and healthy qualities.

Next, she packed two boxes of the floral tea her mother brewed for her father—a flavor more suited to men. Glancing around the living room, she noticed a pile of snacks on the coffee table, among them chocolate. She smiled. Chocolate—it was perfect: not only could it lift one’s spirits, but it also replenished trace nutrients.

She took a box containing eight round chocolates and packed the selected foods into her little backpack. It swelled with the bounty. Hopefully, she thought, it would come with her when she crossed worlds.

Hugging the backpack, Jing Qingsin curled up on the sofa, her chin resting on the rounded bag as she pondered what other practical items she could bring. Food would keep him from hunger and supply energy, but with nothing to do all day, he would certainly be bored. Unlike the present day, there were no phones, computers, or endless entertainment.

Perhaps she should bring a few books? Something to pass the time while lying in bed. Then a doubt arose—could Gao Shen read? She recalled her grandfather mentioning that few people in that era were literate, especially those from poor rural backgrounds. Families preferred their children to work in the fields rather than spend money on schooling—at least that way, they could keep from starving.

But then she remembered, Gao Shen was a soldier. Surely the army provided basic education? In any case, she would bring a couple of books just in case. Happily, she ran to her father’s study to select two volumes he often read—after all, military men would likely enjoy similar reading material.

Why not choose her brother’s books? Because his tastes were too advanced—mostly high-tech, weapon development, thermal energy, electronics, and such. Wouldn’t those just bewilder or even frighten Gao Shen? Would he even understand them?

– – –

Alas, with no one to chat with, the author must continue writing in silence.

Onward, onward.

This book is published first by Xiaoxiang Book House. Please do not reprint!