A month had passed. Suixing Mountain, with its radiant emerald light, remained as majestic as ever. Inside the main hall of Suixing Academy, the spring sunshine was brilliant. Sparrows chirped as they perched on the ledge and branches, their chatter blending with the bustling noise coming from the East Wing classroom.
The classroom was boisterous and lively. A few mischievous kids were throwing chalk at each other; some were shouting, others were egging them on, and a few were engrossed in their own animated conversations about everything under the sun. However, in the last two seats by the window, a boy and a girl presented a stark contrast. They were Lan Jiang and Jing Hua. Lan Jiang had her face planted on the desk, while Jing Hua was silently reading.
Truth be told, Lan Jiang was as active as the other kids. But ever since that strange outburst on the first day of school, coupled with the fact that a month had passed and she still couldn't write the character 德 (Dé - Virtue), the class had gradually begun to avoid her. No one wanted to talk to her, thinking she was intellectually disabled.
Master Su stepped into the classroom and walked up to the lectern.
"Alright, you little rascals, settle down."
Hearing the master's command, the children immediately stopped their games and private chats, quickly straightening their clothes and returning to a solemn posture.
Most of these children came from prestigious, high-born families or lineages of scholars and excellence. Thus, they knew when to play and when to be serious, and they could be extremely solemn when required.
"Very good. Now, I will write a few more characters on the board for you to practice."
The class replied in unison.
"Yes, Old Master!"
Hearing the class's unified response, Lan Jiang stirred from her deep sleep, her cheek still marked with impressions from the desk. She rubbed her eyes with her small hands and let out a big yawn.
Huh? I'm in class?
Sigh... I just dreamed I became a fairy. Who knew I'd wake up back in the classroom? I'm so bored. I want to go home. Not only do I have no one to play with every day, but now I have to sit next to this little ice block.
Plus, I can't even write. Just thinking about it makes me discouraged.
Her face clearly showed her disappointment. While the other students had already placed their bamboo slips and writing tools on their desks, Lan Jiang slowly reached into her bamboo basket to take hers out.
The whole class practiced diligently, their attitudes focused.
Jing Hua was truly talented at writing. Whatever character the old master wrote on the board, he could immediately replicate it. This was truly extraordinary for a seven-year-old boy. Even the most gifted children usually needed at least a ke (一刻 ~15 minutes) to manage it.
"Look! Jing Hua can already write the new character Master Su just wrote!"
"So talented! And look at the girl next to him, she's the complete opposite, hahaha."
"I wonder if her brain is normal?"
...
Ai Lan Jiang heard all of this. She felt terribly wronged, pursed her lips, and her eyebrows furrowed as if she was about to cry.
I... I don't know how. I tried, but I just can't write it.
I really hate Jing Hua. He's so good, so talented at writing, and no matter how hard I try, I'm just no good.
Lan Jiang felt a surge of jealousy, but she was too young to realize that these feelings were envy towards someone else.
Having finished reading and practicing, Jing Hua was free. He suddenly deliberately spoke a sentence meant to tease and sarcastically mock Lan Jiang.
"It's been a month and you still can't write 德 (Virtue). Does that mean your Virtue is problematic...
Ai
Lan
Jiang?"
A wave of snickers rose from a few mischievous boys. Some girls giggled behind their hands, seeming embarrassed for Lan Jiang. Others stayed silent, only exchanging glances filled with pity, but didn't dare speak up for fear of becoming the next target.
"Right, right! Jing Hua makes perfect sense. Her Virtue must be flawed."
The old master thought to himself:
This kid joking with his classmate like that is a bit too much. Could he have a demonic heart from such a young age?
But he immediately dismissed the thought.
I must be overthinking it.
I want to help little Jiang, but going through hardship is the best training for her, even ten thousand times better than practicing the character 德 (Virtue).
After hearing the sarcastic remark from the boy next to her, a trace of resentment flickered in her eyes. She puffed out her cheeks and kicked out with her right foot to strike Jing Hua, but he deftly dodged to the side. Losing her balance, she fell flat on her back.
"You... you just wait! When I become an immortal someday..." she said, pointing her index finger at Guo Jing Hua's face.
Having fallen painfully, she hurriedly rubbed her bottom, then slowly stood up and returned to her seat, sitting cross-legged again.
"I'm so scared of you. See you in three years, then?!" ;)
As he spoke, Guo Jing Hua's face held a mocking attitude, his left hand propping up his chin, glancing at Lan Jiang with disdain.
Feeling bored and having this little brat to tease is quite entertaining.
"Look, a show! That girl is clowning around again!"
"What is she thinking, challenging Jing Hua? Hahaha."
The words of a few girls began to pick on Lan Jiang.
Ai Lan Jiang didn't want to say anything more. But suddenly, her heart filled with fervor. She wanted to show others that she wasn't useless.
After class, I'll go to the Library Pavilion and ask the old master to help me practice writing!
Her small hands clenched tightly, showing immense determination.
The Library Pavilion
Outside: The towering pagoda had dark blue Yin-Yang tiles layered like giant blooming lotus petals. On the rooftop was a statue of a strange spirit beast—perhaps a Biniu (a mythical beast that loves eating books, symbolizing the protection of knowledge)—its eyes shining brightly like two jewels, always gazing toward the horizon. Spirit lanterns hung from the four corners of the eaves, silent during the day but emitting a soft white light at night to dispel the darkness.
Light: Sunlight streamed through exquisitely carved jadeite windows, casting intricate, maze-like patterns on the wooden floor, like magical curses.
Little Lan Jiang had just stepped outside and was already staring open-mouthed at the Library Pavilion, not even blinking.
After a few breaths, she finally stepped inside.
Lan Jiang entered the Library Pavilion, her heart full of awe and curiosity. The silent, ancient atmosphere made her steps naturally slow, and she held her breath. The soft light from the Night Illumination Pearls shone down, casting the shadows of impossibly high bookshelves onto the wooden floor.
Amidst the vast rows of bookshelves, a figure was faintly visible. It was a young woman dressed in pure white, her long hair flowing down like a night stream, hovering a few inches off the ground, gently caressing the ancient books as if comforting their souls. Around her, a few flickering points of light—small Book Spirits—were diligently rearranging scrolls on the shelves.
Lan Jiang stopped, slightly timid. The young woman turned her head to look at her. Her eyes were clear but deep like an ancient well, containing a sky full of knowledge and endless time. A faint smile appeared on her lips, warm yet distant, like a fairy greeting a mortal.
"Fairy..." Lan Jiang whispered, bowing her head slightly, her voice trembling with reverence. "This disciple is Ai Lan Jiang, Beginner Class 1. I request permission to see Master Su. I heard he is here."
The Librarian Fairy didn't answer immediately. She gently raised her hand, and a small Book Spirit flew over, whispering something in her ear.
"Master Su is a little busy right now," her clear voice rang out, soft as a breeze through the pages. She gently waved her hand, and a small wooden chair automatically moved beside Lan Jiang. On a small table nearby, a hot teapot poured tea into a cup itself, the rich aroma of tea spreading.
"Wait a moment," she said with a smile, her figure gradually fading into the air, merging into the pages of the books as if she had never been there.
This won't do. I came here to practice writing, not to drink tea.
Maybe I should find a desk somewhere to practice temporarily.
She then clasped her fists and bowed to the fairy before heading to the 1st floor of the Library Pavilion, where there were rows of wooden tables and chairs for practicing writing.
Sitting down on the chair, she took a bamboo scroll from her basket, along with an inkstone to grind the ink.
She was nervous. Her right hand was stiff, scratching out rigid lines that didn't form any proper shape.
"Again!!!" Lan Jiang muttered under her breath.
Try again...
Attempt 1
Attempt 2
Attempt 3
Attempt 4
....
Attempt 10
After ten attempts, she was utterly discouraged.
Could it be that I have no talent for writing at all?
Her face darkened, her mood sorrowful.
Suddenly, a clear voice sounded from behind.
"Do you need me to teach you how to write the character 德 (Virtue)?"
Lan Jiang hurriedly replied.
"Of course! I'd be so grateful if you helped me." As she spoke, Lan Jiang turned to see which classmate was helping her.
The girl's hair was a short royal purple—a deep, noble shade—carefully trimmed to frame her elegant face. Her emerald green eyes sparkled, sharp and full of curiosity, always shining with an intelligence quite different from Lan Jiang's innocence.
The most striking feature was the large dark purple silk bow fastened carefully behind her hair, from which two long, soft ribbons flowed down, reaching all the way to her calves. Whenever she moved, the two ribbons seemed to dance with her every light, graceful step.
The girl offered a gentle smile.
"My name is Jingru. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"You shouldn't grip the brush so stiffly like that; you can't make smooth strokes. You need to hold it loosely and guide it gently, stroke by stroke." As she instructed, Jingru gently took the brush and wrote the character 德 (Virtue) on the bamboo slip.
Lan Jiang gasped:
"Your writing is so beautiful!"
Jingru then softly handed the brush back to Lan Jiang.
Lan Jiang followed Jingru's instructions, loosening her grip and moving the brush more fluidly than before. Thanks to that, the result looked much neater than before, though it still couldn't be called meticulous.
Jingru clapped her hands lightly to encourage Lan Jiang:
"You're doing it right! Just a bit more practice and you'll be able to write beautifully!"
Thanks to Jingru's encouragement and comfort, the little girl tried 19 more times and finally wrote the character 德 (Virtue) perfectly.
"Wow, congratulations! You finally succeeded." Jingru once again gave Lan Jiang a kind, gentle smile.
Moved, Lan Jiang hugged Jingru tightly, taking her by surprise.
"Thank you so much! It's all thanks to you, huhu." Hearing this, Jingru raised her right hand and patted Lan Jiang's head.
Suddenly, a voice sounded from behind the two girls, startling Lan Jiang and Jingru.
"Well done, little one."
Lan Jiang was startled and screamed: "AHHH~"
The senior disciples who had been focused on reading also turned to look at the little girl.
Embarrassed and blushing, she repeatedly apologized.
"Ahahaha, it's just me, the old master," he laughed, stroking his beard leisurely.
"You scared me, Old Master," Lan Jiang's tone carried a hint of complaint.
The old master patted both children on the head, Lan Jiang and Jingru.
"Practicing the character 'Virtue' on paper is important, but hidden within each stroke, what's more valuable is your 'heart' for self-cultivation. It is a mindset of unyielding perseverance, the courage to ignore all scorn and insults, and also the victory over the jealousy in your own heart. It is these things that are the true 'Virtue' residing within you."
After listening to the old man's words, Ai Lan Jiang tilted her head to the left, tons of question marks appearing in her mind.
Jingru, however, understood about three parts of it.
The old master laughed heartily, stroking his beard: "You are still young. You will understand what I mean when you grow up."
Outside the Library Pavilion, Lan Jiang excitedly ran up to Jingru, her sparkling black eyes shining like little stars.
"Let's be friends!" - the little girl said excitedly, her clear voice ringing out in the quiet space.
Jingru smiled slightly, her demeanor gentle as she nodded lightly, her emerald green eyes reflecting agreement and a bit of amusement at Lan Jiang's enthusiasm.
"Yay! Awesome! So from now on, I have a friend!" - Lan Jiang cheered, unable to hide her joy. She spontaneously grabbed Jingru's soft hands, spinning around in happy circles. In that moment, the two girls' ringing laughter blended together, like cheerful musical notes dotting the peaceful atmosphere of the academy.