Chapter 2932

What was lacking now was merely a touch of experience.

Of course, for doctors, especially those of Traditional Chinese Medicine, experience was gained primarily through practice.

So, when this patient case arose, Old Yuan decided to take her apprentice along, mostly to let her learn.

"I remember Master saying that my eldest senior brother is in Yunjin City, right?" Yan Xiwan asked casually.

Old Yuan hummed in agreement. "This patient was beyond your senior brother's ability, so he sought my help. That is why I am going."

Besides Yan Xiwan, Old Yuan had two other disciples. One was in Yunjin City, and the other in Huangpu City. Usually, these two disciples only visited Old Yuan during holidays.

Naturally, Yan Xiwan had met them a few times. However, due to the large age gap, they treated her more like a beloved junior than a peer.

"Your eldest senior brother is good in every way, except he lacks adaptability," Old Yuan said with dissatisfaction.

In truth, Yan Xiwan knew that both her senior brothers possessed high medical skills. They had cured countless patients. Only Old Yuan would complain about them.

"By the way, I heard from my father that Grandpa Zhang and the others are returning," Yan Xiwan mentioned. The Zhang family had finally been vindicated, and their medicines were being transported back to the capital.

"What is that liar Old Zhang doing returning to the capital?" Old Yuan grumbled, though he often asked about Old Zhang’s well-being despite their friendly rivalry.

"I heard the Capital University is establishing an Archaeology Department with an elective course on the I Ching. Grandpa Zhang seems to be appointed as the professor for this course," Yan Xiwan explained.

Old Yuan snorted. "Old Zhang always acts so mysterious. Really… but," Old Yuan looked at Yan Xiwan, "he does have some skill."

Hearing his insincere words, Yan Xiwan smiled. "Master, why are you and Grandpa Zhang still like this?"

"What do you mean 'still like this'? We have never been on good terms, okay?" Old Yuan absolutely refused to admit that he had ever cared about Old Zhang.

Yan Xiwan naturally wouldn’t expose this thought. She just smiled. "Fine, you have never been on good terms. You only occasionally shared a meal in the past."

"Go away, go away! I’ve never seen such an annoying apprentice," Old Yuan scolded with a laugh.

"Master, I am in a car. Where do you want me to roll? Besides, if you really dislike me, I won’t bring you any good food next time," Yan Xiwan threatened playfully, seeming delighted to tease Old Yuan.

Old Yuan let it slide. Mostly, the journey was too quiet. Having an apprentice to banter with felt quite nice.

From the capital to Yunjin, the drive took only an hour and a half, so they arrived quickly.

They went to a private residence. It was an independent villa, reportedly built by foreigners in the past. Since all foreigners had been sent back to their own countries, these houses were allocated to domestic residents.

Yan Xiwan got out of the car with Old Yuan and saw someone coming out from the entrance.

"Master, Junior Sister, you are finally here." It was Old Yuan’s eldest disciple, Zhou Tong.

Zhou Tong had opened his own pharmacy in Yunjin. Because of his good medical skills, he had gained some reputation and connections in the city.

"Hello, Eldest Senior Brother," Yan Xiwan said obediently.

"I heard Junior Sister took the college entrance exam. Are you confident?" Zhou Tong asked.

"I feel good about it, but whether I succeed depends on the final graded results," Yan Xiwan said modestly.

"Enough small talk. Let’s go save the patient first," Old Yuan said, looking at Zhou Tong.

Zhou Tong hurriedly said, "Master, please follow me."

Zhou Tong led the way in front, Old Yuan walked behind, and Yan Xiwan helped carry the medical box.

Entering the villa, a middle-aged woman came out. Seeing them, she said hurriedly, "Doctor Zhou, is this the Divine Doctor Yuan?"

"That is my Master," Zhou Tong replied.

She then turned to Old Yuan. "Master, this is the patient’s mother, surnamed Shen."

"My maiden name is Shen, and my married name is Wang," Mrs. Shen said.

"Mrs. Shen, let us see the patient first," Old Yuan said.

Mrs. Shen agreed immediately and led the way. "My son is on the first floor. Because he was injured, we arranged his room here for easier care."

Opening the door, a faint smell of medicine wafted out, indicating the patient had taken many medications.

Walking into the room, they saw the patient lying in bed with his eyes closed. If not for his faint breathing, one might have thought he was dead.

"My son was brought here like this. He cannot wake up. His external injuries have mostly healed, but he just won’t wake up," Mrs. Shen said.

Old Yuan went over, first checking the patient’s pupils, then taking his pulse. After finishing, he said nothing but turned to Yan Xiwan. "Guai Guai, come try taking the pulse. See how much you can discern."

She then addressed Mrs. Shen. "This is my final disciple. She is following me for practical training. I let her try taking the pulse for every patient I see."

"Since she is Master Yuan’s high disciple, there is no problem," Mrs. Shen said, seemingly unbothered.

It was understandable. Old Yuan had already examined the patient, so only the conclusion remained. Moreover, she had clearly stated it was just a trial pulse-taking, not direct treatment, so she did not stop them.

Yan Xiwan stepped forward and took the patient’s pulse. After about a minute, she released her wrist.

Old Yuan looked at Yan Xiwan. "Speak."

Yan Xiwan paused briefly to organize her thoughts. "The patient has thirteen injuries. Nine have been gradually healed. According to the pulse, strong root-curing methods were used, and recovery is beginning. The remaining four are hidden injuries. Three are located one centimeter from the left atrium, at the left knee joint, and at the right shoulder joint.

Among these three hidden injuries, the left knee and right shoulder issues are due to poor aftercare, causing sequelae. They can be treated with gold needle acupuncture. The left atrium area contains a piece of shrapnel. If not removed, the shrapnel might enter the heart via blood vessels or sever nearby arteries, which would be fatal.

The last and most critical injury is on the forehead. It was likely caused by an impact from artillery fire, causing the person to fall forward and hit their forehead on the ground. This created excessive blood stasis, suppressing the nerves, which is why he cannot wake up.

To wake him, we must drive out the blood stasis in the frontal brain. We can first try acupuncture. If acupuncture fails to remove it, the only option is manual removal via surgery."

Yan Xiwan stopped there. "Master, that is all I can discern."

"Guai Guai, you are ready to graduate in pulse diagnosis," Old Yuan said with great satisfaction.

Mrs. Shen was surprised that such a young Yan Xiwan possessed such medical skill. In just over a minute of pulse-taking, she had accurately described her son’s injuries.

Even Zhou Tong looked admiring. "Junior Sister, amazing. I haven’t even introduced you, and you already know everything."

Yan Xiwan smiled shyly. With Zhu Yanyi’s inheritance, such minor illnesses were not difficult.

Old Yuan turned to Mrs. Shen. "I will perform acupuncture. The blood stasis on the head and the sequelae on the right shoulder and left knee are not major issues. With daily acupuncture, he should wake up in about a week. However, after he wakes, you must arrange for surgery."

Old Yuan did not take full responsibility for the patient, as this was his disciple’s case.

"Master, can you perform the surgery?" Zhou Tong asked.

Old Yuan pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Yes. But surgery near the heart can only be performed when his body has recovered at least fifty percent."

"As long as it can be done," Mrs. Shen said, her eyes full of gratitude. "I don’t expect my son to achieve great things. I just want her to be safe and healthy."

Mrs. Shen then bowed to Old Yuan. "Old Yuan, I entrust this child to you."

Old Yuan waved his hand slightly. "I will start with acupuncture first." He then said to Yan Xiwan, "Guai Guai, prepare the gold needles for me."

"Yes, Master." Yan Xiwan went to the side, opened the medical box, and began preparing the gold needles.

Although the gold needles had been disinfected at home, they needed to be disinfected again before use to prevent any risk.

Watching Yan Xiwan skillfully complete the preparations, Old Yuan went to wash his hands and fumigated them with mugwort for disinfection. Then he returned and signaled Yan Xiwan to uncover the patient.

Old Yuan skillfully performed acupuncture on the patient.

Old Yuan’s technique was very familiar to Yan Xiwan. Through acupuncture to detoxify, the patient’s breathing seemed to deepen slightly.

"In the coming days, blood will occasionally flow from his seven orifices. That is the blood stasis from the forehead. Do not panic. After seven days, when it is all expelled, he will be fine," Old Yuan instructed Mrs. Shen as he put away the gold needles.

"I have noted it," Mrs. Shen said, memorizing Old Yuan’s words.

"I will come at this time tomorrow to perform acupuncture again," Old Yuan added.

"This troubles you greatly, Old Yuan," Mrs. Shen said.

Old Yuan nodded, then looked at Zhou Tong. "Let’s go to my temporary residence."

Old Yuan’s temporary residence was arranged by Zhou Tong, a guesthouse next to Zhou Tong’s home.

Originally, Zhou Tong had offered his own house, but Old Yuan disliked troubling others. Zhou Tong had a wife and children, and the house was small. It would be inconvenient for Old Yuan to stay there, so the guesthouse was more suitable.

Zhou Tong booked two rooms for Old Yuan and Yan Xiwan. Old Yuan shared a room with the driver who had brought them, and Yan Xiwan had a room to herself.

The guesthouse conditions were decent, at least very clean.

After putting down their luggage, Yan Xiwan planned to go out for a walk.