Chapter Fifty-Six: A Small Dagger

The impoverished villagers had long suffered from hunger and overwork, so it was only natural that many among them fell ill. For seven consecutive days, Tan Yunxian worked tirelessly in Baiyue Village, and only then did the number of those seeking her treatment begin to dwindle.

During these seven days, as she needed to check on Zhou Shaocheng daily, Tan Yunxian simply stayed and took her meals at the Zhou household. Living simply herself, she found even the rough fare at the Zhou’s remarkably delicious. Over the course of these days, she had many opportunities to interact with Zhou Zhi, and the bond between them grew ever closer.

She was especially impressed to discover that Zhou Zhi loved to read. For a poor farmer’s son to steal moments from his grueling days to borrow books was, to her, almost beyond belief. As an itinerant physician, she had traveled far and wide, yet had rarely seen a destitute peasant who did not let go of learning.

Great Ming held literature in high regard; regardless of whether Zhou Zhi had achieved scholarly rank or not, this alone inspired Tan Yunxian’s deep respect.

No wonder Zhou Zhi, though a farmer’s son, carried himself with a presence unlike any she had met before.

What astonished her even more was Zhou Zhi’s ambition to grow fresh vegetables in the harshest depths of winter. Where others would not even dare to dream, Zhou Zhi had already begun his experiments. Whether he ultimately succeeded or not, his daring alone earned Tan Yunxian’s admiration.

She thought to herself, this young man is no ordinary soul—he is destined to accomplish great things.

On this day, Tan Yunxian removed the silk suture from Zhou Shaocheng’s wound. As she had expected, he was able to walk about. After seven days lying on the heated brick bed under her careful care, his color had improved greatly.

Once on his feet, Zhou Shaocheng began to move about slowly, feeling his body lighten. After all, he was but a child, and soon could not resist breaking into a run. Startled, Tan Yunxian hurried to restrain him, admonishing, “For the next three to five days, you must not run or exert yourself. After that, little brother, you may play as you wish, just as before!”

Zhou Shaocheng blinked innocently and nodded.

Though young, he understood he had narrowly escaped death. He knew he owed his life both to Physician Tan and to his brother Zhou Zhi, who had persuaded their mother and boldly entrusted his care to Tan Yunxian. Without their intervention, he feared he would not have survived.

Despite his age, the boy was thoughtful, able to consider matters from several angles—a rare quality indeed.

Tan Yunxian’s days in Baiyue Village had come to an end; as an itinerant physician, she was bound for many other places.

For days, Zhou He, their mother, had tended to Shaocheng with care. Seeing her youngest recover so quickly, her fondness for Tan Yunxian grew daily. Learning that Physician Tan would depart today, Zhou He felt a pang of sadness in her heart. For the midday meal, she sent Zhou Luyun to pull a cabbage from the garden, added ample lard, and slaughtered an old hen that no longer laid eggs—all to honor Tan Yunxian.

Though the hen could have fetched dozens of coins at the market in Gaochang Town, Zhou He did not hesitate, demonstrating the depth of her respect and affection for Tan Yunxian.

As the time to leave approached, Tan Yunxian found herself surprisingly reluctant to part from this family—especially Zhou Zhi, with whom she felt such a deep connection after just a few days.

After some thought, Tan Yunxian took from her medicine chest a small knife, three inches long, its blade gleaming and finely wrought. The blade, however, was chipped at the tip, rendering it unfit for surgery.

“Brother Zhou Zhi, this was once my favorite knife for operations, but alas, it slipped and struck a stone, breaking its tip. It is now of little use to me, so I present it to you. Though I have not met many great and powerful men in my travels, I have seen countless people in the wilds and villages, tended their wounds, and treated their illnesses. This knife is ordinary, but it bears my name, Tan Yunxian.

Perhaps, in my view, this small knife may bring you help one day.”

She had long seen that Zhou Zhi was no common man; someday, he would leave Baiyue Village, Qingdu County, perhaps even Baoding Prefecture. As an itinerant physician with little to her name, this was the most valuable thing she could offer Zhou Zhi—a token of her connections and support.

She truly admired this young man from the countryside, so distinguished in his words and actions, so full of purpose.

Zhou Zhi accepted the knife with both hands, immediately expressing his gratitude.

Tan Yunxian’s delicate yet world-weary face took on a stern look and she feigned annoyance, “The brothers of the Zhou family are always so polite—is that really necessary?”

Repay even the smallest kindness with deep gratitude. Tan Yunxian had been so good to him, yet Zhou Zhi had no way to return the favor.

There was nothing to be done—such is fate. Zhou Zhi could only make a face at her and laugh, saying, “Well then, I won’t be polite with Sister Tan.”

“That’s just as it should be!” Tan Yunxian’s frown melted into a smile.

Only now did Zhou Zhi examine the knife in his hands—exquisitely made and razor-sharp, with the only flaw being the missing tip.

He said nothing more of gratitude, but carefully tucked the small surgical knife away.

…

With his younger brother Shaocheng fully recovered, the Zhou household settled once more into its peaceful, if impoverished, routine.

Zhou Zhi rose early each day to study, fed the horse, tended the greenhouse vegetables, and practiced his calligraphy at home. This orderly life filled him with contentment and brought a deep calm to his heart.

Though he had offended the Chen family, they seemed to have quieted down as well; there had been no further acts of revenge. Zhou Zhi suspected this was due to the intervention of the Chen clan’s patriarch, Chen Zonghe, keeping both Chen Wenju and that so-called Daoist Qingyun in check.

Baiyue Village itself was tranquil. It was said the Yue family had celebrated a wedding—Yue Shujie’s youngest daughter had married as the third concubine of the county magistrate in Qingdu. The Yue family hosted a grand celebration, inviting wealthy landowners from neighboring villages, and the festivities lasted two whole days.

Though the Yue family had long been prominent in Baiyue Village and kept close ties with the county, they had never enjoyed such a powerful connection. The county magistrate was a proper official of the eighth rank and the second most powerful man in the county. By marrying their daughter into his household, even as a concubine, the Yue family had truly climbed high. Their status rose instantly, now surpassing even the prestige of the Chen family.

Of course, as a poor farmer’s son, Zhou Zhi had little to do with the affairs of the wealthy, and spared them no concern.

His mind was still occupied by his greenhouse vegetables and the Four Books he studied each day.