[Nanqin] Chapter 5 - Brother and Sister

 

　　Among all counties of Still Bamboo Province, Changping county was outstanding in its beautiful sceneries and a great number of noble families. With its unique charm, Changping county had attracted literati and poets from all over North County, which in turn cultivated the strong cultural atmosphere. The most famous academy of North County is unarguably the Jingan Academy in the imperial city, closely followed by the Still Bamboo Academy in Changping County.

During the last several decades, graduates of the Still Bamboo Academy had made a huge impact in North County. Some became the most powerful officials in the imperial city, some became the legendary generals with their names spread over the rivers and lakes, some could found noble families in the Cloud States. Once a man became a student at Still Bamboo Academy, he became superior in the eyes of the common people.

But Zhang Nanqin was not common person.

Zhang Nanqin was sitting underneath a paifang across the street outside of Still Bamboo Academy, holding a long bamboo cigarette smoking pipe, glancing at the students who came out.

　　The students also noticed Zhang Nanqin, who was looking a bit shabby. The bamboo cigarette smoking pipe were mostly used by labor workers with humble social status, or by elders from the remote countryside. Zhang Nanqin did not care about the contempt. His focus was on the appearance and dress of these students, more specific, young ladies.

Just as Zhang Nanqin was admiring the beautiful scenery in front of him, a girl suddenly appeared from behind the thick gates of the academy. Her face was not extremely stunning on the first glance, but it became so much beautiful for another look. What most intoxicating were her eyes, like dazzling light on purely black pearls, and one just could not help but look at it squarely.

The girl was somehow different from other students. She was sitting on a wheelchair.

Seeing the girl, Zhang Nanqin immediately banged the head of the pipe on the ground a few times and stuck the pipe in his waistband. He ran over and started pushing the wheelchair, with a big smile on his face.

　　"Brother, are you imitating Uncle Li again? Did you beg him for that big smoking pipe?" The girl had a beautiful voice, mixing a hint of affectionate care.

　　"That stingy old man is always watching his smoking pipe closely. He does not even let me touch it, let alone giving it to me."  Zhang Nanqin giggled and turned around to display the smoking pipe under his waistband. "This is made by me. It is not as good as the iron pipe, but it can still be used. You know, I am not picky.”

　　It has been more than three months since Zhang Nanqin left the Bodhisattva Temple and returned from his mission of saving Liu Yiyi’s father. During these days, he has been escorting Qin Ruoan rain or shine. For the rest of the time, he walked down the streets and sharpened knives to make a living.

              Qin Ruoan was the name of the girl. She is the only bloodline left by Qin Shaocheng, the State-Pillar General of North County, and the only person in the entire world that Zhang Nanqin care.

Zhang Nanqin and Qin Ruoan completely ignored all eyes on them. Only after several years, those students could know what those two brother and sister meant for the Cloud States.

“Brother, I bet you could never make a living by your knife sharpening skill.” Qin Ruoan turned around and said with a sly smile.

Zhang Nanqin was surprised, “Why? My skill is not good?”

“No. You are too good.” Qin Ruoan laughed, “A cobbler never makes a shoe too sturdy, otherwise no one needs buy new shoes. After your sharpening, I am afraid no one need next service in several years.”

“Ah ha…” Zhang Nanqin could not find a reason to refute. After a short silence, he changed the topic, “Ruoan, it has been hard on you all these years.”

"Brother, I have nothing to complain about." Qin Ruoan's tone was calm, "Meeting my brother again was all Ruoan wished for. Everything else is not important."

After Qin Ruoan’s words, the brother and sister became quiet. Zhang Nanqin pushed Ruoan’s wheelchair slowly through the streets and finally came to a dilapidated courtyard. Suddenly, Zhang Nanqin spoke with a firm voice, “Don't worry, little sister. I know that to be alive is the most important thing. I will not step into Jingan County within three years. That is the promise that I made to our grandpa the day he passed away.”

Qin Ruoan gently pushed the door, "How about after three years?" After she asked, she twisted her head to look at the Zhang Nanqin’s face.

　　Zhang Nanqin crouched down and gently hold Qin Ruoan's hands, "Little sister, you know the answer."

　　Qin Ruoan held Zhang Nangin's hands tightly, "Brother, I don’t want you to go there. Can you do it for me?"

Zhang Nanqin did not answer directly, "The Qin family has fought for the North County for generations. Most men in Qin family have died in battles to defend the invasion from Eastern Que! Even some women and youths in Qin family took up their swords to the battlefield, just to protect every inch of the North County! But what did those people in Jingan County do?"

''Grandpa was entitled as the State-Pillar General of North County, and a lot of people were jealous. They dared not do anything while grandpa was still alive. But how dare they did such things after grandpa’s death?!” Zhang Nanqin’s voice started trembling, “Look at your legs! You were just fine before I left, but what did I see when I came back? You told me it was an accident. Ruoan, your brother I am not a fool …”

Qin Ruoan looked into Zhang Nanqin's murderous eyes and called out softly, "My brother ..."

Zhang Nanqin stopped Qin Ruoan, “You are the only bloodline left by the Qin family. Although I am not surnamed with Qin, but I was picked up on the battlefield and raised by grandfather. I have been bonded to the Qin family. Whoever owes a single silver coin of the Qin family, I will let them pay back by double. Whoever crippled your legs, I will destroy their family and make them regret coming into this world." Zhang Nanqin’s voice sounded very calm, so calm as stating a simple fact.  

"Here we go. Brother will prepare your favorite dishes today." Zhang Nanqin pushed Qin Ruoan inside, and then went to the kitchen in a remote room. Meanwhile, Qin Ruoan was meditating in the courtyard. No one knew what she was thinking.