The next morning, Luizhu woke Lu Yan up earlier than usual.
Though she couldn't take a bath, Luizhu helped her clean up thoroughly using a basin of hot scented water and a wet cloth.
Emerging into the outer room, the doctor and Gu Sheng were already awake and prepared for the day.
The blankets had been folded into a corner, leaving the bed free to become another sitting area.
The table was set up with tablets of legendary physicians. Incense was burning before the tablets.
Somehow, these small changes made the atmosphere within the dimly lit small hut feel solemn.
Lu Yan took careful steps into the room with Luizhu standing behind her.
After greetings were exchanged, the doctor gestured for them to start the ceremony.
Both the doctor and Lu Yan bowed before the table.
Then the doctor took a seat.
Gu Sheng had brewed tea. Lu Yan carefully poured a cup and kneeling, offered it to the doctor, calling out, "Master."
The doctor accepted it and emptied the cup.
Lu Yan know-towed to the doctor. Still on her knees, she then recited the oath of loyalty to the master, dedication to study, and ethical practice of medicine that the doctor had had her memorize the night before.
Upon finishing, she raised her head to find the doctor looking down at her.
He handed her a small bag, "This is your medical bag. It's filled with the tools you'll be starting with. As you learn more, you can fill it on your own."
Lu Yan accepted the gift.
In return, she handed a red envelope to the doctor. It was filled with the remaining three copper coins she had promised him before.
The doctor seemed to understand, and smiled in amusement.
The ceremony ended with a meal.
Breakfast this morning was richer than before.
In addition to savory porridge, Gu Sheng had managed to get several pastries, both sweet and savory, as well as several kinds of cake.
Lu Yan looked happily at the table filled with delicacies she hadn't eaten for a long time.
Unfortunately, her appetite still wasn't good, so she mostly feasted her eyes.
After the meal ended, the ceremony was formally finished.
Gu Sheng disappeared.
Luizhu went to brew her medicine.
Lu Yan opened up her new physician's bag and went through it's contents attentively, while the doctor drank his tea and watched her.
When she was done, he pointed to the go board, "Let's play a game."
Soon, they were immersed in another go game.
Luizhu brought medicine.
Lu Yan drank it distractedly, forgetting the bitterness. She was immersed in the game, studying the board intently to decide on her next move.
After the game, the doctor said, "I'll start teach you about yin-yang balance now."
Lu Yan nodded, and listened carefully as he began, "Everything exists because yin and yang are in harmony. Understanding this duality is the foundation of becoming a good physician. Let's talk about the nature of yin and yang..."
At intervals, he paused and asked her to repeat back to him what she'd understood.
Identifying gaps in her understanding, he would repeat the information or provide more examples if required.
After discussing the nature of yin and yang at length and providing many examples, he finally ended the lecture.
"We'll discuss the properties of yin-yang in detail later. For the rest of today, I want you to choose five objects or phenomena and meditate over their inherent yin and yang natures. Tomorrow, you'll start our discussion by discussing these examples."
The morning had passed in a blink, and Lu Yan's mind was buzzing with the information she'd just been given.
They took a long break.
Gu Sheng had reappeared at some time to cook again, with a cautious and fearful Luizhu helping him.
They ate lunch together.
After, Lu Yan and Luizhu went together to the outhouse.
Outside, the snow was piled even higher. As before, a path had been cleared.
Gu Sheng was astonishingly competent, Lu Yan thought. He'd managed to get supplies for the ceremony in addition to doing all his usual tasks.
Today, the sky was covered by fewer clouds, and occasional hints of blue were visible amidst the grey.
Lu Yan's throat no longer hurt at the slightest exposure to cold air.
Still, she breathed in carefully, and felt a sense of satisfaction at being outside.
Luizhu grabbed Lu Yan's hand tightly, "Miss, what are we going to do? We're trapped here with them."
Lu Yan turned to look at her maid's panicked face. Her eyes looked tired.
Lu Yan suddenly realized that Luizhu probably hadn't slept all night.
"Do you like the food Gu Sheng makes?"
Luizhu blushed, "I do... But that doesn't mean they have good intentions. They could kill us any time."
She pulled urgently at Lu Yan's hand, "Miss, we cannot stay here! Let's run away now. We can go to the neighbors, and tell them everything."
Lu Yan laughed, "Tell the neighbors, and then what? The doctor and Gu Sheng will leave. You and I might keep our lives, but for how long? Even if they let us go, what if I fall sick again?"
Luizhu rubbed her hand, coaxing, "You're already better now! I'll take good care of you after they leave."
Lu Yan nodded, "I know you will. But if not this year, then what about next year? You sent so many messages to aunt. Has she ever sent anyone to take care of us?"
"Miss, staying alone in this village is temporary," Luizhu tried to persuade her, "But there's no way you can stay in the same house as two strange men! If this gets out, your reputation will be ruined."
"Luizhu, don't you understand? Master is sincere about teaching me. This is a chance! There will never be another chance like this again!"
"Miss, you should know better than me," Luizhu was frustrated enough to want to pull her hair out, "That apprenticeship ritual is not valid! The Lu family knows nothing of it."
Lu Yan laughed, feeling carefree, "It doesn't matter what the Lu family knows. In fact, it's better if they don't! Do you think aunt and grandmother will find me a master if I ask nicely? They haven't even allowed me to learn characters and calligraphy like my younger cousin!"
"You don't need to learn from a master."
"Luizhu, if I go on like before, I'll always be uneducated and unable to change my life. With master, as long as he's willing to teach me, I can learn a skill. We'll never need to worry about not having food and coal again! Don't you want that?"
"I do," Luizhu said, slowly, thinking furiously to convince Lu Yan, "But miss, your parents will return sooner or later. This situation is only temporary. Your aunt won't always be able to undermine you."
Lu Yan sneered, her good mood at pulling one over the Lu family instantly evaporating, "If they cared so much, they would have left someone behind to take care of me. Or taken me with them, like they took my bothers. Besides, who knows when they'll return? It has already been a decade!"
The topic of her parents was always a landmine. Discussing them would either send Lu Yan into a thundering rage or a crashing depression. In either case, it always took hours or even days for Lu Yan to calm herself down.
"Alright, alright," Luizhu said soothingly, patting her back, "Let's not think about them."
"You're right! Let's do our own thing," Lu Yan cheered up again, feeling warm in her heart, "Don't worry Luizhu, I've thought it through. We'll have good food and stay warm this winter. I'll learn everything master has to teach me. This is good enough for now. Whatever comes in the future, we'll face it."
Luizhu was unconvinced, but had no choice but to mumble, "Yes, it's good enough."