Chapter Three: Chaotic Pulse?

At this most awkward of moments, a sudden thud resounded through the birthday banquet, followed closely by a startled cry.

"Master Lian!"

All eyes turned in alarm as someone reported, "Elder Shi, someone has fainted!"

Shi Tianhe wasted no time in issuing orders. "Quick, carry the patient into the main hall!"

…

Inside the main hall of the Shi residence, the guests gathered in anxious discussion.

"Isn't that the head of the Lian family, Lian Yixian?"

"What happened? Why did he collapse so suddenly?"

"I've heard Master Lian suffers from a chronic illness—his health has never been good!"

…

At the front of the hall, Shi Tianhe furrowed his white brows deeply, his hand pressed to Lian Yixian’s pulse. Ten minutes passed, yet his face remained clouded with uncertainty.

"Well? What's the situation, old Shi?" Yao Xinghuai asked, his voice edged with worry.

Everyone in the hall knew of Shi Tianhe’s medical prowess; if even he was at a loss, who else could hope to intervene?

Shi Tianhe shook his head with a heavy sigh, his face dark as dusk before rain. "Master Lian’s pulse is in utter disarray—one moment deep, the next floating, with intervals of sluggishness! In all my decades of practice, I have never encountered such chaotic pulses!"

He spoke in the language of ancient medicine; apart from Yan Yuanqing, few in the hall could grasp his meaning. Even Shi Tianhe himself felt a growing urgency.

"Then—does he suffer from any particular malady? Can’t you diagnose the problem and treat it accordingly?" Yao Xinghuai prompted.

Shi Tianhe nodded; that was precisely his intention. Since the pulse revealed nothing, he resolved to examine the patient’s entire body. Soon, his scrutiny of Lian Yixian’s tongue coating revealed a clue.

"Black plum blossom?" Shi Tianhe’s expression betrayed his shock. This was a contagious strain of malaria—how could Master Lian have contracted it?

Yet, having identified the cause, Shi Tianhe’s brow unknotted and his heart found its footing. He issued a brisk command: "Bring me my silver needles!"

Seeing that Shi Tianhe had reached a conclusion, the guests could not help but admire his seasoned expertise. Yet Yan Yuanqing, standing aside, wore a look of hesitation.

"Sallow complexion, stiff limbs, blocked meridians—could it be the illness of stagnant blood?"

"If he recklessly applies the needles, it may cost the patient his life!"

Just as Shi Tianhe took up the silver needles to begin treatment, Yan Yuanqing’s expression grew urgent, and he called out to stop him.

"Grandfather, you mustn’t!"

The crowd turned, surprised, while Shi Tianhe’s face showed displeasure. "Why not?"

Yan Yuanqing, seeing every eye upon him, knew he must speak clearly or else be deemed rude.

"Grandfather, Master Lian has not contracted the so-called ‘Plum Blossom’ disease. It must be a case of stagnant blood. If you insist on needling him, the sudden rush of blood to the brain may endanger his very life!"

Yan Yuanqing’s face was creased with concern.

At once, some guests snickered. "Are we to believe Old Shi’s skills are inferior to a mere boy?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Wenle grew furious and rebuked sharply, "Yan, just because you gifted a ginseng root, you think you can act like a know-it-all? This is a critical moment for saving a life! If your medical skills are lacking, keep your nonsense to yourself!"

"Are you trying to upset Grandfather? How can he treat the patient with you interfering? If your meddling costs a life, can you pay that price?"

The guests chimed in as well: "Exactly! Who do you think you are, boy? And to speak of death at such a time—that’s the greatest insult to a healer!"

"What’s wrong with the Shi family, marrying in such a son-in-law? No sense of propriety at all!"

Ji Chunyan, still simmering with anger from the earlier fiasco, heard the guests’ criticisms of the Shi family. Her rage flared once more; she strode forward and, with a sweeping hand, dealt a resounding slap.

Smack—

"You fool! What do you know of medicine? Do you really imagine your skills surpass your grandfather’s?"

"Disgraceful! You’re an embarrassment!"

"Get over here!"

Her fury surged, crashing like stormy seas across her face.