15 The Apprenticeship Begins (Second Update)

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Even if that elderly woman was not Lady Yang, wife of Yang Ruren, Miaozhen still used her own money to purchase several yards of bright satin and gifts. She planned to deliver them to Madam Ru’s trusted confidante at the Tao household, hoping she could lend a hand.

For people like them, one word spoken was worth more than ten from others.

In the heat of summer, the family ate porridge-like meals for lunch and dinner. Tonight’s meal was made from yellow soybean flour, accompanied by a plate of shredded cucumbers and braised pork, which the whole family enjoyed heartily.

After dinner, Xu Erpeng brought up a matter. “Third brother came to the shop today, saying that eldest brother wrote a letter asking both our families to each gather a hundred taels for him, or else disaster would befall. I looked at the letter; it’s in eldest brother’s handwriting and neatly written. I don’t know the reason behind this. Hopefully, he’s not being extorted.”

“What should we do then?” Madam Mei was unwilling to give money to this eldest brother. Their own savings were hard-earned. Their daughter was about to turn twelve, and in a year would reach marriageable age. Without a proper dowry, she’d have to marry beneath her station.

Xu Erpeng sipped his tea and said, “I had someone invite my sister-in-law’s uncle over to ask if they knew anything about eldest brother’s situation. They seemed equally in the dark. So, I plan to send a letter first, asking about his condition. I’ll send it to his friend in Jinling. If things are not right, we’ll have him report it to the authorities.”

As for brotherly respect, Xu Erpeng didn’t care much for such niceties. Though plump, he was no soft-hearted man. In his eyes, the brothers had been independent for many years. Eldest brother had taken over a thousand taels from others back then, not to mention the family’s support money, yet he never contributed a single coin. Last year, when he stayed at their home nearly ten days to avoid the rain, he treated his friends to fine wine and dishes but never once invited their family to a meal.

Call him ruthless if you will; he simply refused to pay. At worst, they would help him report to the authorities. As a tribute student pursuing legal matters, would the court refuse to hear his case?

Miaozhen thought of her eldest sister Miaoyun and sighed. Her uncle was poor at managing daily life. Tong Pan’er’s father was only a county-level student who secured a minor position in the local government. Tong Pan’er was betrothed to an official’s family. Meanwhile, her aunt devoted herself to training the eldest sister, who learned more than many noble ladies, yet still lived a wandering life.

However, these thoughts were merely sighs.

By late August, Miaozhen heard that Lady Yang had arrived at the Tao household. She had just delivered a few yards of satin and two pewter bottles of three-hundred-proof wine to Madam Ru’s chief maid, who had been Lady Ru’s servant since youth and remained unmarried all her life. Usually, since Lady Ru was busy with her medical practice and had a strained relationship with her mother-in-law, this maid handled all household affairs.

This woman was neither petty nor unfair. She was helpful whenever possible and held an unusual status within the Tao family.

Most importantly, although Lady Ru and her mother-in-law were at odds, she managed to maintain good relations with both.

The chief maid merely smiled and said, “It’s not a festival or holiday; young lady, why bring these now?”

“You’ve taken good care of me. I ought to give you these,” Miaozhen replied without revealing her true intent.

Seeing that the gifts included fine three-white wine sealed in pewter bottles, along with a box of snacks such as roast chicken, pork knuckles, candied fruits, and nuts, the maid hesitated. Only after Miaozhen’s repeated insistence did she accept them.

Miaozhen left immediately afterward. The next day, when she came to help prepare the bone-in abalone snails, she happened to meet that elderly woman from before. She truly had some good fortune to encounter Lady Yang herself.

Madam Ru hastily introduced, “Aunt, this is my apprentice.”

Miaozhen quickly bowed. Lady Yang smiled and said, “I’ve already seen her at Lotus Pond.” Then she recounted the day she witnessed Miaozhen assisting the housekeeper with moxibustion prescriptions.

Though Madam Ru had initially asked Miaozhen if she feared needles when taking her in, her practice mainly focused on gynecological pattern differentiation and direct prescriptions. Acupuncture and moxibustion were less frequent, though she still taught Miaozhen some basic needle techniques.

Hearing Miaozhen modestly say, “Lady Yang overpraises me. I merely try my best. I am far from deserving praise from you or my master,” Lady Yang smiled silently.

Miaozhen said little more. Madam Ru then instructed, “In three days, come again to do some more. I’ll trouble you then.”

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“My master has business; her disciple naturally must serve,” Miaozhen replied.

Madam Ru then asked, “Do you know who this lady is?”

Seeing Miaozhen shake her head, she added, “My aunt has served as a physician to the empress and imperial concubines in the palace and is deeply trusted. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.”

Though this was polite phrasing, Miaozhen promised earnestly, “I certainly will.”

That afternoon, Miaozhen deliberately “ran into” the chief maid again, who knew of the generous gifts Miaozhen had brought before and now saw her carrying a bundle containing several pairs of thick socks from Songjiang.

“How long will Lady Yang stay here?” Miaozhen inquired.

The maid replied, “She has no sons or grandsons, though she has three daughters, all married off. Our mistress wishes to keep her here longer.”

“Chief maid, is Lady Yang’s medical skill truly as good as my master said?” Miaozhen asked.

The maid nodded, “Need I say? Frankly, our mistress can’t compare to her.”

“If only she could guide me a bit. But I lack the standing to ask,” Miaozhen feigned distress.

At this point, the maid, having accepted Miaozhen’s gifts, naturally replied, “No problem at all, young lady. Just ask her to teach you. Mistress won’t say no, and even if she did, I’m here.”

Exactly the encouragement Miaozhen wanted. She quickly said, “In that case, many thanks, madam. There’s also a plate of bone-in abalone snails. I’ll bring it over soon.”

She knew she had to proceed gradually, not rush.

The next morning, after arriving at Madam Ru’s, Miaozhen went to consult Lady Yang about moxibustion. She had basic skills from the modern era and only needed some renown. If she could later claim Lady Yang as her moxibustion mentor, others would not doubt her.

Lady Yang was already up, practicing the Five Animals Qigong in the courtyard. Seeing Miaozhen, she smiled, “Young girl, what brings you?”

“I wish to learn from you, especially about moxibustion,” Miaozhen said sincerely.

Lady Yang smiled gently. “Seems we are fated. I’m old now, my memory isn’t as sharp. In all things, return to basics. Read the ‘Spiritual Pivot’ over and over; you can’t go wrong.”

Miaozhen nodded slightly.

Lady Yang wiped sweat with a towel and invited Miaozhen inside, asking not about moxibustion but about her family situation. Miaozhen answered truthfully, “My father was a county student but lost interest in officialdom, so he opened a bookstore. When my mother gave birth to my younger brother, the midwife was illiterate and performed moxibustion recklessly. Father told me to learn medicine to care for the family. Gradually, I came to love medicine.”

“Hmm, your father had foresight. Do you read books?”

“Yes, I started at six years old and studied for five years until last year.”

Lady Yang nodded. “It’s hard for women to study medicine. To distinguish yourself from midwives, you must be cautious in treating patients and, most importantly, diagnose accurately. I’ll stay here only half a month. Come by at dawn; leave at dusk. If you’re late, I won’t wait.”

“Yes,” Miaozhen said, surprised Lady Yang would truly teach her, and knelt to kowtow three times.

Lady Yang’s reputation was immense. Upon learning she arrived in Suzhou, many Wu region locals came seeking her medical help. Miaozhen arrived a quarter-hour early, the sky still dark, and waited quietly outside without knocking.

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Xiao Xi asked, “Miss, are you tired?”

“No, today I’m grateful to have you with me. Next month, I’ll reward you,” Miaozhen smiled.

Xiao Xi and Xiao Tao both hurriedly said it wasn’t necessary.

When the Tao household opened, Miaozhen entered, expecting Lady Yang to teach her diagnosis. Instead, she was told to first learn to roll mugwort.

“You first learn to roll moxa cones. Don’t buy moxa sticks. For hands and feet, the size is about the length of the pinky’s first knuckle; limbs are about two knuckles. For the torso, about a whole pinky’s length. Try rolling these three sizes.”

Miaozhen didn’t ask much, noting the requirements carefully before rolling continuously.

Even when patients came, Lady Yang let her keep rolling. Miaozhen was attentive, listening to Lady Yang patiently inquire about patients’ conditions and origins.

One woman had suffered months of continuous uterine bleeding, later passing blood in her urine. Various medicines had failed.

Miaozhen thought that if it were her, she’d prescribe the “Small Thistle Drink” from the “Medicine for Life” formula, as it treats heat accumulation causing bloody and painful urination.

But Lady Yang prescribed “Tonify the Middle and Benefit Qi Decoction” with added Scutellaria, Cyperus, and Large Thistle, followed by “Great Nourish Yin Pill.”

Suddenly, Miaozhen understood: the woman’s chronic labor caused qi and blood deficiency, preventing rest even during menstruation. The core issue was depletion of primal qi, leading to qi’s inability to hold the blood.

First, tonify qi; then use Scutellaria and thistle to stop bleeding and promote urination.

After the woman left, Miaozhen shared her insight. Lady Yang was surprised, “You’re right; stopping bleeding temporarily won’t work.” She admired Miaozhen’s understanding and recounted treating several similar cases with such success.

Miaozhen eagerly reorganized her notes despite having moxa fluff on her hands.

Then came relentless moxa rolling until she returned home permeated with the scent of mugwort.

Madam Mei saved a meal for her. Seeing her hard work, she said, “You should rest a little.”

“I have half a month to learn well. By the way, mother, don’t we have plum sauce at home? I want to pack two jars—one for my master and one for Lady Yang. Can’t favor one over the other.” Miaozhen wanted to establish her name but wouldn’t neglect Madam Ru.

Madam Mei told her to come early the next day to pack it. Worried Miaozhen might forget, she personally fetched it from the kitchen that night and gave a silver coin to Yuxiang in the kitchen to buy two boxes of top-quality crispy cakes.

Miaozhen actually disliked social niceties, but learning a craft involved many such dealings. Without understanding these, one couldn’t succeed.

The next day, she arrived punctually. Lady Yang’s expression was even kinder. Seeing the plum sauce, she said, “I’m old now and no longer patient with household chores. When I was younger, our family always stored these.”

“My mother is the best at making these. Our family’s preserved spring apricots are so famous that neighbors and relatives come to ask for them every year,” Miaozhen smiled.

Lady Yang, who had liked her at their first meeting by the ferry, as if seeing her younger self, grew more fond of her after a few days. She saw that Miaozhen’s family was fairly well-off yet she was willing to endure hardship.

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