Believing in Ningxiang

"Hoo..."

Song You stood at the entrance of the entertainment district, holding his hands in front of him and breathing warm air into them.

The days were getting colder.

His clothes, however, were still thin.

Great Yan had cotton long ago and had started using it for clothes and bedding, but it wasn't common yet. Currently, only high officials and nobles could afford it. Commoners mostly wore paper clothes and used paper bedding, having to find other ways to keep warm. Song You's robe offered less warmth than the plain paper clothes worn by passersby on the street.

The entertainment district had a large flow of people and was a hub of commerce.

Song You looked at a few shops and bought a paper-lined fur coat. These clothes were cheap, warm, and had a simple, plain color. They were so plain that scholars would sometimes paint on them, turning them into whatever they liked.

Song You liked plain clothes.

It was also the season for warming oneself by the fire.

He didn't need to buy a stove; he had one at home.

Without realizing it, he had circled back to the entrance of the entertainment district. Opposite was a shop specializing in the "Four Treasures of the Study." Song You paused and thought. The brush he had bought before was getting a bit rough from use, and it was a large brush. He actually wanted to buy a smaller one for writing small characters, a better quality one.

He had been out for a long time; it was time to write a letter home.

So he walked into the shop.

He didn't find any good brushes, but he did see some excellent ink.

This shop actually stocked "Ningxiang" ink from Yang Prefecture.

Ningxiang ink was one of the most famous inks in Great Yan, the highest pursuit of scholars and literati. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was worth its weight in gold.

Ink was mainly divided into two types: Pine Soot Ink and Oil Soot Ink.

Regardless of the type, it was made by adding medicinal ingredients and glue to the soot collected from burning, and some also added unique fragrances.

Pine Soot Ink used soot from burning pine wood. Oil Soot Ink used soot from oil lamps. The oils used included tung oil, sesame oil, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, and so on. Among these, tung oil produced the most soot when burned, resulting in ink that was black and glossy. After writing, it would deepen over time, and the characters could last for a thousand years. Other oils produced less soot, resulting in ink that was pale and dull, and the characters would fade over time. Therefore, Tung Oil Soot Ink was the most common and useful type of Oil Soot Ink.

Pine Soot Ink was black and dark, with a slight bluish tint. Oil Soot Ink was black and bright, with a slight purplish tint. Both had their own uses in calligraphy and painting.

Ningxiang was Tung Oil Soot Ink.

It was made using tung oil for soot, mixed with dozens of precious traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients for glue, and then unique fragrances were added. It underwent ten thousand strokes of light glue and was air-dried for several years, resulting in Ningxiang ink that was as black and glossy as lacquer, would not fade for a thousand years, and had a faint fragrance when writing.

This was the ultimate luxury item of the era, a representation of traditional craftsmanship and the pinnacle of the artisan spirit, capable of representing a culture and the ultimate achievement of a skill.

Song You, who was not skilled in painting or calligraphy, was still interested in such an item.

Unfortunately, it was prohibitively expensive, costing ten thousand coins per unit.

Song You looked again and again, and could only say goodbye.

He lacked money today, but there would be other days. Since he was traveling the human world, he naturally had to see the finest works of craftsmanship of this era.

In the end, he only bought a brush, spending two hundred coins.

Meanwhile, across the street, Prefect Yu sat in a shed for a while before emerging from the entertainment district. He saw Song You standing at the entrance again and watched him for a moment. His attendant held the horse, waiting quietly.

Only after Song You left did he ponder for a long time before saying:

"Go and ask."

An attendant immediately responded and went to inquire. A moment later, he returned to report that it was Ningxiang ink from Yang Prefecture.

"How much per unit?"

"Asking price is ten thousand."

"Buy one... buy two."

"Yes."

Prefect Yu then mounted his horse and trotted away.

It was quite strange--

When Song You returned home, he found that Three Flower Lady had inexplicably passed the transformation stage.

However, it was different from what he had imagined. He had thought that Three Flower Lady was already an adult cat. Even if she had lived in a village temple for a long time with a pure mind, she should have transformed into an adult woman. Instead, she was just a little girl of a few years old.

When he pushed open the bedroom door, the little girl was wearing his long gown, which was much taller than her. It looked like a floor-length skirt, loose and baggy. She was sitting in the middle of the bed, staring at him blankly.

"Three Flower Lady succeeded in transforming?"

"Three Flower Lady succeeded in transforming."

The little girl sat cross-legged in the middle of the bed, tilting her head up to stare at him as she answered. She answered very seriously.

After transforming, her voice had changed somewhat. It was more clearly a human voice now, and her gender was discernible. However, her tone and phrasing were still the same – serious but rigid, not the way ordinary people spoke. She sounded somewhat unintelligent.

"How did you succeed in transforming?"

"It transformed on its own."

"Tell me in detail."

"It's just…"

The little girl stammered, unable to say anything.

"Alright…"

Song You had no choice but to drop it and asked again, "Isn't Three Flower Lady a big cat? How did she transform into a little girl?"

"She transformed into a little girl herself."

"Then how did Three Flower Lady know to wear clothes?"

"Three Flower Lady saw you wearing them too." The little girl stared at him intently, her expression serious. "Anyone who doesn't have fur on their body needs to wear clothes."

"So that's how it is."

"So that's how it is…"

"I should buy you some clothes that suit you."

"I want to wear the same as you."

"That won't do."

"Why?"

"Because…"

It took Song You a long time to explain it clearly to her.

So he went out again to buy her clothes.

When Three Flower Lady was finally dressed in clothes that fit, she looked much more presentable. However, she still retained some cat-like habits, and her every move seemed a little strange.

Later that evening, there was a sudden knock on the door.

"Knock, knock, knock…"

"Since Three Flower Lady has transformed into human form, please help me open the door." Song You glanced at Three Flower Lady. "If it's someone you know, invite them in. If not, ask them who they're looking for."

"Okay."

The little Yao hopped and skipped towards the door.

"Creeeak."

Three Flower Lady looked up.

"Who are you looking for?"

Not a single extra word.

"May I ask if Mister Menglai resides here?" A man stood outside the door, cupped his hands in greeting, and bowed respectfully.

"Don't know him."

"Hmm? Mister doesn't live here?"

"Which Mister?"

"Mister Song Menglai."

Three Flower Lady fell silent.

She knew Mister Song, but Mister Song hadn't taught her what to do next. It wasn't difficult, she knew what to do, she just didn't feel like doing anything at the moment and simply stared at him.

She'd observe this person first.

Until Song You walked up behind her.

"I am Song You."

"Greetings, Mister." The man immediately bowed, holding a small wooden box with both hands. "I come from the yamen of Prefect Yu Jianbai, bringing a small gift on behalf of my Prefect, and a message. My Prefect thanks you for your discussion this afternoon at the entertainment district, and hopes for another opportunity to converse with you. Please accept it."

Song You could already smell the ink.

So it was the Prefect.

"This afternoon was just a casual chat. Not only did Prefect Yu enjoy himself, but I also benefited. Why has Prefect Yu specifically sent someone to present a gift?" Song You said. "Moreover, the gift is valuable, how can I possibly accept it?"

"It is but a humble gift; no matter how valuable, it is still an earthly object, while the conversation between my Prefect and you is a rare treasure in this world." The man paused. "Furthermore, it is a refined act for scholars to exchange artifacts, not a vulgar exchange of favors. Please do not refuse."

"You are quite eloquent."

"Mister, please don't make things difficult for me." The man immediately showed a troubled expression. "If you do not accept it, even if the Prefect does not blame me, I fear I will not be at ease."

"……"

Song You smiled, thought for a moment, and then accepted it.

"Please thank the Prefect for me."

"I take my leave."

Only then did Song You turn around and rub the little girl's head. "From now on, when you transform into human form, I'll tell people you're my attendant."

"Why?"

"To have an explanation."

"Child."

"Mm."

Song You closed the courtyard gate and walked inside.

He opened the small carved wooden box. Inside was a small strip wrapped in red cloth. He unwrapped the red cloth, revealing the Ningxiang Ink he had seen that afternoon, a two-liang regulation size, with patterns imprinted on it.

The Three Flower Cat stretched its neck to stare.

"It's burnt firewood!"

"It's ink."

"Oh."

"Since the Three Flower Cat has already taken human form, help me grind some ink," Song You said to the child.

"What is grinding ink?"

"It's like when I occasionally write, you add water to the inkstone and grind this inkstick in the water, turning the water black."

"What is an inkstone?"

"It's the thing that holds the water."

"Oh."

"Can you do it? Three Flower Cat."

"Why?"

"Please."

"Alright then."

Although the Three Flower Cat didn't understand why they had to do this, or why she had to do it, she still walked over with a puzzled look. She took the burnt firewood from Song You's hand and obediently stood still, waiting for Song You to roll up her sleeves to her elbows, revealing a section of her slender, fair forearm.

She looked at her clothes, then at her arm, then at the inkstick held in her hand. It was as if her hand wasn't her own, and the world wasn't the world she had known.

The little Yao that had just taken form was full of curiosity about everything.

"Do I add water first?"

"How did the Three Flower Cat know?"

"The Three Flower Cat saw you do it."

"I see."

"Do I swirl it like this?"

"The Three Flower Cat is exceptionally wise."

"The Three Flower Cat has seen you do it."

"After seeing it only a few times, you can grasp it so thoroughly. Such wisdom is truly rare. I am deeply impressed, Song."

"..."

The Three Flower Cat fell silent and ground the ink more and more diligently.

Ningxiang Ink had no skin, so it ground quickly. Once it was ground open, a fragrance would emanate, a peculiar medicinal scent, neither strong nor faint, possessing its own unique charm.

Song You laid out paper beside her.

"It's done."

"Is it ready?"

"Thank you, Three Flower Cat."

"You're welcome."

The new brush touched the ink, scraping against the inkstone again and again.

Song You thought for a long time before lifting his brush to write.

"Greetings as if we were face to face, may your face soften upon reading."

The ink's fragrance was pleasant, the wet characters reflected light, and every stroke was exquisite.

The ancient cypresses of Jinyang Road, the potholes on the bluestone slabs, the mortal world of Yidu City, the clouds rolling and unrolling over Eagle Mountain, the monks unable to resist their greed, the masters with divine skills—Song You used ordinary ink and brush to tell his master about his experiences and insights since descending the mountain, and the fruits of his Cultivation.

He also wrote about the Three Flower Cat.

It was strange, he had only decided to travel with the Three Flower Cat on a whim, to alleviate the loneliness of the long journey. But unexpectedly, he had gained so much. Now, simply having her company had brought much joy to this trip.

He couldn't forget the governor who yearned for immortality.

This ink was the finest in the world. He wondered if the old Daoist had ever seen it before. He had to remind her to smell it.

As he was writing, a furry cat's paw suddenly reached out, playfully hooking the tassel dangling from the brush. The little cat's claws had a glazed texture.

Song You stopped writing and turned his head.

He saw the Three Flower Cat looking serious, her paw hooking and pulling.

He then searched the room.

The newly bought clothes for today had already fallen to the ground.

"Three Flower Lady, what are you doing?"

"Mew?"

The Three Flower Cat seemed to just now notice he had stopped writing. It turned its head to stare at him, thought for a few seconds, and then even said with utmost seriousness, "You write yours, I'll play mine."

"..."

Song You continued writing.

Three Flower Lady continued playing.

The scene was harmonious and quiet, the sound of the wind in the bamboo forest drifting in through the window.