Winter passed quickly for the first time.
Previously, winter had always been unbearably long with Lu Yan stuck in bed, trying and failing to find ways to amuse herself.
This winter, she's been busy from the moment she woke up to the moment she fell back into bed to sleep.
In fact, she felt it was going too fast!
She didn't have nearly enough time to revise and memorize everything master was teaching her or to practice calligraphy.
Going to bed later gave her some additional time. Luizhu grumbled about it, but it was the only way Lu Yan could manage to stay on top of all the things she wanted to learn.
This morning, the air outside was still cold.
But hints of green could be seen everywhere. An occasional dandelion could be seen growing out of some undisturbed patch of soil. And in the small hill in the outer ring, pink and white flowers seemed to have appeared overnight on the trees. More were blossoming everyday.
Lu Yan had gone there yesterday with brother Ashan, and seen bees buzzing everywhere.
Today, master walked with her to the treatment hall.
On the way, he said, "You've become good at dealing with simple injuries. Now I want you to learn about keeping records."
Lu Yan was slightly disappointed. She'd seen Tan with those patient scrolls, and they were always a pain to fill in.
"You mean I'll be filling in patient scrolls for Tan?"
"No, you'll be in charge to treating simple injuries for two of our most troublesome squads. While doing that, you'll fill the scrolls, get the medicines, diagnose the patients, treat them, follow up, write their leave reports. Everything. You'll do everything yourself."
Lu Yan stopped walking, her heart beating in excitement, "Really?"
Master smiled faintly, "Really."
Lu Yan couldn't help skipping a few steps. This was amazing! "Which squads?"
"We'll go meet them now."
They reached the treatment hall, and Lu Yan saw Shan standing at the entrance with several other soldiers.
She waved, and called out excitedly, "Brother Ashan!"
He waved back energetically, a big grin breaking out on his face.
Just as he opened his mouth to call back, he saw young master Ji.
Restraining himself, he smoothed his expression out and bowed in unison with the other soldiers.
Young master Ji nodded briefly.
Lu Yan rarely restrained herself in front of young master Ji these days. She went up to Shan and tugged at his sleeve.
"Guess what brother? Today, I'm becoming a real physician. I'll be responsible for treating two squads!"
Seeing young master Ji had already passed by and walked inside, Shan didn't try to hide his emotions, "Really?! Wow, so fast. You're getting promoted even faster than brother Han."
Lu Yan coughed, her face pink with embarrassment and pleasure, "It's not as good as brother Han's promotion. I'll only be treating minor injuries."
Shan patted her head, "It's still a big step forward. You've worked really hard this winter."
He started rummaging in his pockets, and produced a something wrapped in oil paper.
Lu Yan too took a small package from her pouch.
They looked up at each other and found they were both holding treats for the other.
Such exchanges had become frequent since the first time he gave her candied fruit when she fell.
Lu Yan loved anyone who gave her food. Shan was much the same.
They smiled with giddy happiness at each other, and wordlessly exchanged the packages.
He watched Lu Yan undo the paper, "Yesterday, the old advisor's wife made some cherry blossom cakes."
He leaned in closer to confide, "I smelled it from far away, and 'unexpectedly' visited. She likes me a lot, so she gave me some. I saved a piece for you."
Lu Yan saw the small beautiful cake with a pink blossom on top. She wrapped it back up carefully, and placed it securely in her pouch.
Sincerely, she said, "Thank you brother. I'll save it for later. Open mine now!"
She watched eagerly as he opened the package she'd give him, telling him, "I finished learning the meridians flawlessly and master gave me honey walnut cake as reward. It's soft and sweet and filling. I saved a bit so you could try it brother."
He too had just eaten breakfast, and wanted to save the snack for later.
Behind them, young master Ji had reappeared at a window of the treatment hall. He was accompanied by platoon leader Han.
The two of them wordlessly watched Lu Yan and Shan whispering to each other with their heads close together.
"The discipline in the squads under your command is really slack," young master Ji commented.
"Your disciple started it," Han pointed out.
Lu Yan and Shan seemed lost in their own world of snacks and sweets, unaware that everyone else was waiting for them.
Young master Ji huffed out a small breath, "And you. You have no reverence for your superiors."
"I can fawn if that's what young master likes," Han said.
"I'm bored by fawning."
Han didn't reply. Everyone in the Ji family camp knew that. Young master Ji always lashed out against things he thought were boring or useless.
Han looked at the happy smile on Shan's face.
Finally, he said, "When it truly matters, he's disciplined."
Young master Ji hummed, "I've seen the reports. He's hard working. As is your other brother. What was his name? Heng?"
Han looked over at Heng who was watching Lu Yan and Shan coldly.
At that moment, Heng moved.
Shan was putting the snack away, when someone bumped into him.
The little oil wrapped package fell to the ground.
Shan immediately picked it up, and dusted it off, before turning to the offender.
Before he could say a word, the cold faced boy said harshly, "You're a squad leader. How can you indulge in these stupid games when you're on duty? You have no respect for yourself."
"Shut up, you idiot!" Shan said loudly, turning to face him.
Heng hit a pressure point in the elbow of the hand with which Shan was holding the cake.
Shan's fingers slackened, and the package feel to the ground again.
Heng made a move to step on it. Shan immediately pushed him away, making him stumble two steps back. Lu Yan flitted in and grabbed the cake.
She looked coldly back at Heng who was almost glaring at her.
Dusting off the oil cloth, she put the package back in her pouch.
She turned to Shan with a sweet smile, saying, "I'll keep this for bother Ashan for now. Let's meet again when you're not on duty."
Shen smiled back, a little sheepish, "Alright then."
Heng glanced at them before turning back to his squad and leading them into the treatment hall.
Shan hurriedly whispered to Lu Yan, "That's is my other brother, Heng. He has a bed temper. Don't mind him."
Lu Yan smiled reassuringly back at him.
Shan gestured to his squad and followed Heng into the treatment hall.
Lu Yan secured her pouch, took a breath and with Luizhu beside her, she too entered the hall.