Chapter 51: Cross Out Cross Out
Chapter 49 of "The Great Ming in the Box" introduces new challenges: Gao Yiye was presently essentially a large decorative vase, standing gracefully as she was unable... Keep following!
Gao Yiye was presently essentially a large decorative vase, standing gracefully as she was unable to do anything. Seeing the massive, scalding blisters on the injured servantâs leg, she really wanted to help. However, recalling Third Ladyâs words, âThe more graceful you are, the more respect others will show to the Deity,â she refrained from moving.She didnât want to embarrass the Deity.
Just as she wrestled with her thoughts, amidst the parting clouds in the sky, the Deityâs âimposingâ visage emerged. A gigantic hand extended down, reaching before Gao Yiye.
The Deity had something for her again. But when she looked closely, she was baffled; the Deity had handed down a strange mass of materialâyellowish, soft, and viscous.
Gao Yiye: âHuh? What kind of tasty treat is this?â
Li Daoxuan was both amused and exasperated: âFood again! The last time I gave you the iron plate, food was your first thought too.â
Gao Yiyeâs small face flushed bright red instantly.
âThis is medicine, for treating burns. Take it.â
Gao Yiye was overjoyed. She had just been heartbroken over her injured companion, and now the Deity bestowed divine medicine. Of course, she needed to accept it quickly. She immediately extended both her hands to receive it.
The ointment was tinier than a sesame seed on Li Daoxuanâs fingertip, but to Gao Yiye, it was an enormous and heavy lump. She failed to hold it steady; it slipped straight towards the ground.
Fortunately, Third Lady was always âguarding the divine envoyâ nearby. Seeing Gao Yiye about to drop it, she quickly lent a hand. The two women exerted their strength together and managed to support the massive clump of ointment.
Third Lady hadnât heard the earlier conversation and was bewildered by this âsuddenly appearingâ strange substance. âWhat is this thing? How did it suddenly appear in your hands? Such a potent medicinal fragrance.â
Gao Yiye said: âThis is burn ointment graciously bestowed by the Deity. Quickly apply it to the injured servant.â
Third Lady was elated: âDivine medicine? Oh my! Extraordinary, absolutely extraordinary!â
She called out loudly: âSomeone! Somebody! Quickly bring an empty jar!â
Because of the recent battle, many women were behind the city wall, gathered beside numerous jars ready to be filled with oil. Empty jars were plentiful. A maid from the Bai family hastily brought a large jar.
Third Lady wore a reverent expression as she carefully placed the large lump of ointment into the jar, securing it well. With lightning speed, she found some oiled paper, sealed the mouth of the jar, wrapped it tightly with string, and tied it fast, projecting an aura of âDonâts let anyone touch this!â
Gao Yiye exclaimed: âHuh? Why seal it? We still need to treat that servant!â
Third Lady replied: âMedicine descended from the heavens must naturally be preserved carefully. As for that injured servant, just casually smear whatever residue remains on your hands onto his wound.â
Gao Yiye looked down. Sure enough, her hands were smeared with plenty of sticky, cool ointment.
She walked over to the injured servant, striving to maintain her graceful poise: âDonât move about. The Deity grants you divine medicine.â
The servant froze for a moment before delight flooded his face. He immediately tried to kowtow but found it inconvenient with his injured leg. He hastily bowed deeply towards the sky: âThe Deity is benevolent and kind-hearted.â
Gao Yiye slowly crouched down and smeared the ointment residue from her hands onto the servantâs wound. Her hands were covered in the medication, forcing her to apply it in haphazard swipesâleft, right, even with the back of her hand. Her technique was utterly unprofessional.
The servant hissed sharply several times in quick succession, sucking in cold air through his teeth, thinking: So painful! Iâd probably be better off without this medicine.
However, after Gao Yiye finished applying it and stood up, the servant finally sensed: Huh? The wound seems to hurt less now? The spot where the blister formed had been intensely burning, but this heavenly medicine emitted a cool sensation that calmed the stinging pain, making him feel much better.
The servant was ecstatic: âMedicine from the immortal realm is truly miraculous! I feel a lot better.â
Envious looks appeared in the eyes of those nearby: âSo fortunate, you actually got to benefit from medicine of the immortal realm.â
The servant retorted: âStone and mud, want me to pour a jar of boiling oil over you guys so you can enjoy it too?â
The onlookers laughed: âAh, we wouldnât dare presume such good fortune. Having you experience it on our behalf is enough.â
Mr. Bai parted the crowd and approached: âThat injury of yours⌠it truly doesnât hurt anymore?â
The servant: âIt still hurts a little, but itâs much better than before the medicine was applied.â
Mr. Bai nodded. He said no more. As a wealthy lord, his brief concern for a servant counted as an act of âgrace.â There was no need to show excessive attention.
He turned his head and glanced at the Dao Xuan Deity Cave at the center of the village, his heart swelling with greater reverence. This Dao Xuan Deity wasnât a fabricated pseudo-god like those invented by the White Lotus cult, nor shrouded in the mystique common to Taoist deities whom no one truly saw; who knew if they even existed?
The one before him was a real deity!
It seemed that he too needed to pay a proper visit to the shrine, to pay his respects.
With the current threat gone, everyone felt relaxed, their minds free to ponder other matters.
Thirty-Two approached, leading Mr. Bai, and presented him to Gao Yiye: âThis is Gao Yiye, the divine envoyâ the Saint Ladyâ of the Dao Xuan Deity Teachings. All of the Deityâs commands are conveyed through her.â
Mr. Bai had already discerned this, but still, he saluted with clasped fists: âMy respects to you.â
Addressing Gao Yiye, Thirty-Two said: âThis gentleman is Bai Yuan (White Kite), a renowned gentleman and benefactor of Chengcheng County. He organizes the local militia, guarding our region, and is deeply beloved by the common people.â
The Gao Yiye of old would likely have been terrified upon encountering such a wealthy lord, possibly kneeling or prostrating by the roadside. But her courage had grown, and now she represented the Deity. She couldnât diminish the Deityâs stature. She merely nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
Bai Yuan swept his gaze around Gaojia Village before bringing it back: âProtected by the Deity, this Gaojia Village is truly remarkable. Lofty city walls, a large pond with clean, clear water, ample food and drink⌠Rare indeed in these times of calamity.â
Thirty-Two laughed with pride: âNaturally! Why else would I forsake the county town to reside here? This, as they say, is âChoosing the best wood to roost upon.'â
Bai Yuan was both amused and exasperated. Scolding, he said: âThis Third Lady⌠you have some learning but not enough, constantly misusing idioms. Youâve compared yourself to a bird! The proper phrase is âA virtuous minister chooses his lord to serveâ!â
Thirty-Two: ââŚâ
Bai Yuan added: âThatâs why you can only ever be a private advisor, never pass the imperial examinations to gain a degree.â
Galled by the jibe, Thirty-Two muttered in retort: âAnd you? You didnât pass either.â
Bai Yuan stiffened as if struck by an acupoint hit, frozen for a few seconds before sighing: âIndeed. I too am half a bucket of water, my learning insufficient. Among the Six Arts of Gentlemen, writing⌠cross out, cross it out.â
Thirty-Two muttered again, lower still: âCalligraphy is separate from scholarly learning.â
Bai Yuan: ââŚâ
An odd silence fell, lasting several seconds. Then, suddenly, Bai Yuan beamed with delight: âCalligraphy! So writing⌠put that back! No need to cross it out.â
Everyone: ââŚâ
Li Daoxuan, overhearing this, couldnât help but laugh inwardly as well. This Bai Yuan fellow, initially seeming quite imposing, was clearly a source of amusement.
Come to think of it⌠Did writing refer to calligraphy or scholarly knowledge?
Li Daoxuan pondered this for a long moment only to realize he himself wasnât entirely sure. Might as well just⌠cross out, cross it out.