BFDNS 022

Chapter 22: Please Calm Down

The Xing family estate.

Located in Anju Lane on West Street, it was a three-courtyard compound with three sections going in and three coming out. The corridors connecting the courtyards were lined with famous flowers of every variety, forming clusters of blossoms. The winding galleries featured exquisite relief carvings above and beautiful benches below for people to rest.

Xing Yuesen brought Xu Yi in through the main gate. They had just reached the front courtyard when a servant boy quickly ran off to report their arrival.

A’mu stood nearby with downcast eyes, explaining, “It’s the old master’s instruction. He said if the young master brings Doctor Xu, we must report immediately.”

“Then let’s go to Grandfather’s place first,” Xing Yuesen said, looking at Xu Yi.

Xu Yi nodded in agreement.

He had come to the Xing residence specifically to examine Grandfather Xing, so naturally he should go to his courtyard first.

As the retired former head of the Xing family, Grandfather Xing’s quarters were arranged in the main house of the second courtyard. Outside stood a mama in her forties keeping watch. She had already received word before Xu Yi and the others arrived and was quietly waiting in the outer room.

“Brother Sen, the old master is inside waiting for you,” the mama said, approaching with a face full of smiles when she saw Xing Yuesen. “This must be Doctor Xu. How spirited and handsome he looks! Our old master has mentioned him several times recently, hoping you would come soon.”

Xing Yuesen coughed lightly and said, “Mama Lin, I’ll take Brother Yi inside to see Grandfather first.”

Mama Lin curtsied, lifted the silk curtain at the door, and ushered them in.

Inside, there was the scent of medicinal herbs mixed with a trace of ethereal incense. It wasn’t ordinary sandalwood or agarwood; the fragrance was lighter, hidden within the medicinal smell, and not at all jarring.

Xu Yi suppressed his curiosity and turned his gaze to the bed platform in the main room. Thanks to the prescription Xu Yi had provided, Grandfather Xing could now barely manage to walk for a minute or two.

At this moment, he sat supported by a servant boy at the edge of the platform, his swollen legs covered with thin brocade patterned with longevity symbols. After three years of serious illness, his face appeared haggard, looking older than his actual age. His silver-yellow and black hair was wrapped in an auspicious white jade square scarf, and though his eyes carried some cloudiness, they remained spirited. He was an elder who naturally commanded respect.

As Xu Yi sized him up, Grandfather Xing was also observing this young gentleman whom his grandson praised so highly.

Wearing plain old clothes yet standing straight as a pine, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, a handsome face, and an aura of calm composure; he was quite an excellent youth.

“Grandfather.”

After entering, Xing Yuesen respectfully performed the junior’s salutation to his grandfather.

Just as he was about to introduce Xu Yi, he saw his grandfather beckon to Xu Yi with a warm smile. “Young Master Xu, have you eaten lunch? Did you enjoy visiting the market with Sen’er today?”

Xu Yi calmly walked to his side, first bowing in greeting, then sitting down. At this close distance, he could better observe the patient’s condition.

He spoke unhurriedly, “Greetings to you, Elder. Brother Xing and I have both eaten lunch. Thank you for your kind concern, sir.”

“Good that you’ve eaten.” Grandfather Xing took his hand, patted it, and began making small talk.

Nothing more than whether he had any troubles living alone, whether his meals were taken care of, whether he had considered continuing his studies in the future…

Xu Yi had always handled elders with ease. Facing Grandfather Xing’s many questions, he conversed eloquently without falling short in the least.

Watching from the side, Xing Yuesen unconsciously raised his eyebrows, inwardly marveling at Xu Yi’s capability. He could never be this relaxed when he came to pay respects to his grandfather.

Soon, Xu Yi moved to today’s main topic, taking Grandfather Xing’s pulse for examination.

“Observation,” “listening and smelling,” “inquiry,” and “palpation.” While chatting, Xu Yi had already been observing Grandfather Xing’s complexion and mental state. Being seated close, he could clearly smell the scents emanating from Grandfather Xing’s body.

Next, he opened the medicine chest he had brought and took out the pulse pillow he’d just bought at the market, asking Grandfather Xing to extend his left hand.

Xu Yi first carefully felt the pulse. The pulse was wiry, thin, deep, and slow, proving that cold-damp pathogenic factors had obstructed the flow of qi and blood, causing the swelling in both legs. The obstruction was primarily at the joints where blood circulation was poor, which was one reason why Grandfather Xing would suddenly be unable to walk when his bi syndrome (gout) flared up.

From the right pulse, he diagnosed that over these three years, Grandfather Xing had exercised little, had poor appetite, weakened resistance, and suffered from quite severe hyperactive yang energy.

Hyperactive yang meant high blood pressure, though it differed from the elderly man at the market who had yin deficiency with yang hyperactivity. Roughly speaking, it was an age-related condition that Grandfather Xing had developed due to his advanced years, affluent lifestyle, and poor health; a disease of the elderly.

It seemed he would need to write another prescription…

Xu Yi asked Grandfather Xing if he experienced headaches.

“Yes, my left temple occasionally aches at night, and I also experience tinnitus.”

“Do you feel dizzy?”

“That happens quite often. I frequently feel dizzy when I try to turn over in bed.” After finishing, Grandfather Xing asked with a heavy heart, “Young Master Xu, do I have other ailments as well?”

Because of the bi syndrome, the doctors who came for consultation afterward had all focused on treating the bi syndrome, neglecting other conditions.

Grandfather Xing’s hyperactive yang was a “disease of affluence.” In his youth, he had loved drinking wine and eating fried, fatty foods. Even in old age, he had shown little restraint. Only after developing bi syndrome did he gradually shift to a lighter diet.

According to contemporary medical diagnosis, this would be classified as blood-stasis type hyperactive yang, typically treated primarily through bloodletting, combined with adjacent point selection, which would have some therapeutic effect.

However, achieving a complete cure was extremely difficult.

Given Grandfather Xing’s current advanced age and degree of hyperactive yang, at most they could only stabilize his blood pressure. A cure was impossible.

Xu Yi paused, then chose to tell Grandfather Xing and Xing Yuesen the truth in measured, veiled terms.

“Elder’s pulse is thin, weak, deep, and slow, with signs of blood stasis. A prescription is needed for proper treatment. Due to the bi syndrome, it has also caused poor spleen and stomach function. When feeling bloated and uncomfortable, digestive pills may be taken.”

When Xing Yuesen heard about the blood stasis syndrome, his face instantly darkened. He had read several medical books and knew what this blood stasis syndrome meant.

But in front of his grandfather, he still managed to suppress that trace of unease.

After Xu Yi had written the prescription and walked out of Grandfather Xing’s room carrying his medicine chest, Xing Yuesen immediately pulled him to his own courtyard without a word.

He called for A’mu to prepare tea and refreshments, then personally closed the door.

Only then did he anxiously ask Xu Yi, “You said my grandfather has blood stasis syndrome. Is this the hyperactive yang syndrome written about in books?”

Xu Yi looked at him. “Yes.”

Xing Yuesen became agitated. “Then isn’t it like the old man we saw this morning? He… like how he suddenly collapsed unconscious.”

If Xu Yi hadn’t been present at the time, that old man would surely have died. Having just witnessed the scene firsthand, the image was still vivid in his mind. But now, in just half a day, his grandfather might face the same situation.

Thinking of this, his heart suddenly clenched painfully and his breathing grew labored.

Seeing this, Xu Yi immediately grasped his palm and pressed and rubbed the Neiguan point in the middle, located three finger widths above the wrist crease on the palm side.

“Brother Xing, please calm down.” Xu Yi guided him in a steady voice. “As long as we prescribe the right medicine and don’t let the old gentleman become emotionally agitated, nothing will happen.”

He massaged for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Seeing Xing Yuesen’s breathing gradually stabilize and his complexion return to normal, he calmly released his hand.

After Xing Yuesen calmed down, he looked at Xu Yi gratefully and spoke from the heart, “Brother Yi, that I, Ziteng, have had the fortune to meet you in this life is truly the blessing of three lifetimes.”

With that, he bowed deeply.

Ziteng was Xing Yuesen’s courtesy name.

Xu Yi hadn’t yet turned eighteen to have his coming-of-age ceremony, so he didn’t have a courtesy name. Therefore, he had never addressed Xing Yuesen as Ziteng.

Hearing him suddenly refer to himself by his courtesy name, Xu Yi scratched his head, a bit unaccustomed to it. After a long while, a question occurred to him… did he still have elders in his family?

…

Leaving the Xing residence, Xu Yi brought back many things. Part of them were gifts from Grandfather Xing in his capacity as an elder. Upon learning that Xu Yi had pawned all the household items to save his parents, he specifically ordered servants to deliver a set of zelkova wood furniture.

Though made of ordinary zelkova wood, the craftsmanship was exquisite, with carved cloud patterns. Placed in the simple grass and wood house, it seemed somewhat out of place.

Come to think of it, when the Xing family servants needed two carts to deliver the furniture to Stone Well Lane on South Street, it attracted quite a crowd of onlookers.

Before long, all the neighbors knew that Xu Yi was acquainted with the young master of the Xing family on West Street and was even on friendly terms with him.

This made Chen Erwang, who later learned of this, deeply regretful. He regretted looking down on Xu Yi so early and ending up in such a state.

But all that is a story for later.

The next day was the appointed day for the transaction with Doctor Yan.

Xu Yi woke when it was barely light. As usual, he first practiced the Five Animal Exercises and Thunderclap Tai Chi for one shichen, then after eating breakfast, he packed up the digestive pills and went out.

Before leaving, he brought along Little Huang, who had been pitifully keeping watch alone at home everyday.