Chapter 2991

Yan Xiwan stepped aside to make a phone call to Old Yuan. After hearing the details, Old Yuan explained the old master’s specific condition and shared the prescription he had written, ensuring Yan Xiwan had a clear understanding of the situation.

Once she grasped the specifics, Yan Xiwan arranged for Zhang Liguo to pick her up the following afternoon, as she had some matters to attend to in the morning. Zhang Liguo had no objections. They agreed on the time, sat for a while longer, and then the couple took their leave.

The next afternoon, Zhang Liguo arrived as scheduled to take Yan Xiwan to the Zhang residence.

Yan Xiwan met the old master. He was not tall, but despite leaning on a cane, his spirit remained vigorous.

Yan Xiwan bowed slightly. "Old Master, I have come on behalf of my master to take your pulse."

"I appreciate your trouble," the old master said, surprised by her words.

She understood the medical etiquette: unless a doctor abandons a patient, they do not casually hand over care to another. This was why Yan Xiwan had called Old Yuan the previous day. Old Yuan had agreed because Yan Xiwan was her disciple, the old master truly needed treatment, and she herself could not make it in time. To show respect to Old Yuan, Yan Xiwan would not claim she was taking over the case, but rather acting under her master’s orders to examine the old master.

Yan Xiwan placed a pulse pillow on the table. The old master rested her hand on it, allowing her to check her pulse.

After a moment, Yan Xiwan said, "Old Master, your poor sleep these past few days has caused your heart rate to be slightly unstable, and your blood pressure is also an issue."

"You can tell that just from a pulse check?" The old master was impressed. she hadn’t expected her to know she hadn’t been sleeping well.

Yan Xiwan smiled gently. "It is easy to detect through pulse diagnosis. However, Old Master, you are advanced in years. It is best to let go of certain matters and leave them to the younger generation."

"You can see that too?" The old master looked at her in disbelief.

Yan Xiwan laughed. "I didn’t see it; I have ears, too. These past few days, the capital has been buzzing with news that over ten countries are visiting our nation. Of course, no one knows their true intentions, so it is understandable that you are worried."

The old master chuckled. "So that’s it. I thought you could divine my worries through pulse reading. That would have been truly miraculous."

Yan Xiwan smiled lightly. "I treat illnesses, I do not tell fortunes. I cannot know the past or the future."

She paused for a moment. "But I speak from the heart, Old Master. When it is time to let go, you must do so. There are many outstanding young people today. Take me, for example. My master has allowed me to complete my apprenticeship. We must walk our own paths. You elders have nurtured us; you cannot hold our hands forever."

Zhang Liguo, standing nearby, added, "Grandfather, listen to Dr. Yan. He is right. You should stop worrying about these things. At your age, maintaining your health is the most important thing. Besides, even if you don’t think of yourself, think of Junjun. she has just returned from a dangerous journey. Can you bear to let her worry?"

Older generations are often immune to logic but soft for children. Hearing this, the old master fell silent. It seemed he truly needed to let go.

Yan Xiwan smiled to herself. She did not ask for specifics but performed acupuncture on the old master and wrote a prescription. "Take this medicine for three doses."

"Thank you, Dr. Yan," Zhang Liguo said on his grandfather’s behalf.

Yan Xiwan replied gently, "Daily maintenance is also important. Avoid greasy foods, especially heavy meats. Try to eat lightly, and avoid spicy foods as well."

"No, no! I love spicy food. I can tolerate giving up meat, but a meal without chili would kill me," the old master said, acting a bit shamelessly.

"Grandfather," Zhang Liguo sighed, watching his grandfather’s antics.

"If you have the ability, make your great-grandson eat chili with you," Yan Xiwan said with a grin. "If your great-grandson can eat chili, I won’t stop you."

Everyone knew that children have delicate stomachs and cannot handle stimulating foods like chili.

The old master was stunned by Yan Xiwan’s tactic. "Wait and see. I will wait until Junjun grows up and can eat chili. Then we’ll see how you stop me."

Yan Xiwan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Rest assured, Junjun will likely be able to eat spicy food only after he is five years old. So, if you take good care of yourself these next few years, you can occasionally have a spicy meal then."

The old master instantly lost her steam. She had been waiting for her with this argument.

Knowing further resistance was useless, he merely pouted in dissatisfaction.

Yan Xiwan smiled, gave a few more instructions, and then took her leave.

As the saying goes, the old are like children. The old master had none of his former威严 (majesty); instead, he seemed like a playful, humorous elder.

Yan Xiwan left the Zhang residence in a good mood. After returning home, she told Ouyang Tianyun about the old master when she returned.

"I originally thought the old master would be very stern, but he turned out to be an old child," Yan Xiwan said.

"This shows the clarity of the previous generation. Having seen and experienced much, they naturally became more enlightened," Ouyang Tianyun said, kneading dough for dumplings.

Yan Xiwan helped season the filling. "Actually, my great-grandfather was also quite enlightened when he was here."

Ouyang Tianyun glanced at her. "Missing Zengzeng again?"

"I know Zengzeng has entered the Underworld. With my father and mother there, I have no need to worry. But I still miss her. She was always so good to me," Yan Xiwan said, her tone filled with longing.

Ouyang Tianyun smiled. "Don’t you have the Yanluo Order? If you wish to see Zengzeng, you can ask the Underworld to bring her here for a visit."

Yan Xiwan shook her head. "No need for that. I am just unaccustomed to her absence. It will pass with time."

She added, "Mainly, I still cannot see things clearly."

"That is why you are here to temper yourself," Ouyang Tianyun said with a smile. "If you were already clear on everything, would you need to come to this plane to experience life as a mortal?"

Yan Xiwan raised an eyebrow. It seemed he was right.

Three years passed in this state of anxiety and uncertainty.

During these three years, Grandpa Yan and Grandma Yan passed away one after another. In such a short span, the older generation of the Yan family was gone. After discussion, the Yans decided to leave Yan Village to Yan Tiebao. Yan Tieniu and his family decided to settle in the capital permanently.