Chapter 297: When Insight Peaks, It Hurts

Inspection, listening, questioning, and pulse‑taking are the four diagnostics of Chinese medicine; Chi Grandma used only inspection, without asking about past conditions, and simply observed Ping'an's every move.

She gradually let him help hand her things; each time Ping'an would glance at Director Tang and Jiang Lai for approval before proceeding, and if he couldn't find them, he didn't anxiously pace but just stood there blankly, looking around.

The child is actually very clever.

He is only lost, like standing in fog.

He needs guidance and instruction.

When Jiang Lai mentioned that Ping'an had watched the Materia Medica Documentary last night, Chi Grandma's eyes flicked, she called Chi Ce over and whispered two words to him.

Chi Ce led Ping'an to the Medicine Hall's herb‑grabbing area and told him he could do whatever he wanted.

Ping'an simply stood quietly aside, watching the people in the Medicine Hall collect herbs for a long time, as if observing something very interesting.

At first Chi Ce did not disturb him; after a while, he walked over saying he wanted to take a batch of medicine, placing the block‑shaped Herbal Slice on the scale, and Ping'an suddenly moved.

He reached out and took a Medicine Pill from inside.

Chi Ce asked, "What's wrong?"

Ping'an said nothing, just placed the pill aside and stood in the corner of the medicine cabinet, slightly hunching.

Seeing this, Chi Ce put the pill back, and Ping'an came over to take it away again.

Chi Ce smiled, "Take this medicine and go find your sister."

Hearing the words "find sister," Ping'an tucked the pill and left.

Chi Ce poured the Herbal Slice from the scale into a bag, then pulled out a single medicinal herb from a drawer, took a few pieces, and followed Ping'an's pace.

Jiang Lai saw the Herbal Slice before her and looked puzzled.

"Interesting, Grandma," Chi Ce said as he walked over, "He can actually distinguish between Niu Xi and Chuan Niu Xi."

He said this while mixing the few Chuan Niu Xi he just took into the Niu Xi, and Ping'an moved again, slowly separating them.

Jiang Lai and Ke Zhongyu watched together, and at first they could not tell any difference between the two.

Chi Grandma pointed to the cross‑section and said, "The outer edge of Niu Xi's cut surface shows white dotted vascular bundles arranged intermittently in two to four rings, while Chuan Niu Xi forms several concentric rings."

She asked Director Tang, "Has Ping'an studied this?"

Director Tang shook his head, "No, but he does like plants more than other children."

Chi Grandma's gaze at Ping'an brightened, and she sighed, "As the old saying goes, extreme wisdom brings injury."

"Director Tang, Jiang Lai, why not let this child stay here and learn medicine with me?"

Jiang Lai felt a slight tremor in her heart.

Director Tang rose even more excitedly, "Chi Grandma, what do you mean?"

Chi Grandma nodded, "Perhaps he's a good material for learning Chinese medicine, just not talkative."

Ke Zhongyu looked at Chi Ce, who whispered, "Distinguishing Niu Xi from Chuan Niu Xi isn't a great skill, but he has never studied or even tasted them, yet can tell by appearance. This child is not only calm but meticulous; his control over Chinese medicinal dosages is extremely precise—an error of a millimeter leads to a thousand‑mile mistake. It seems my grandma can still take a Closed‑door Disciple even in old age."

"Chief Ke, our relationship is already distant; Jiang Lai's younger brother counts as my fellow‑school junior brother."

Ke Zhongyu didn't mind; he only knew that if Ping'an is well, Jiang Lai's heart can be at peace. If Ping'an stays in A City, at the Chi Family Medical Clinic, Jiang Lai will have native family there.

Jiang Lai and Director Tang hadn't expected such a gain from a visit to the Medicine Hall; they certainly hope Ping'an can have his own life, but Director Tang had a concern—Jiang Lai is only twenty‑eight, and carrying a fifteen‑year‑old brother might be a burden.

Jiang Lai didn't see it as a burden; she patted Ping'an's head and asked, "Do you want to stay here and study with Chi Grandma?"

Ping'an may not understand studying medicine, but he gets the idea when you say "go to school."

Ping'an looked at Director Tang, who told him to nod if he wanted to.

Chi Grandma said, "Don't worry, this child won't be wronged here. I'll treat him like my own grandson—food, clothing, shelter, all under my care; only learning medicine is a bit tough."

Director Tang said, "The children in our institute fear hardship the least. Chi Grandma, thank you for being willing to give Ping'an a path."

Chi Grandma smiled and waved, "It's all fate; even if he never becomes great, he can still be self‑reliant here in my Medicine Hall."

Jiang Lai looked earnestly at Chi Grandma, "Chi Grandma, after we prepare for two days, we'll perform the Apprenticeship Ceremony."

Chi Grandma smiled lightly; although such customs are out of fashion now, Jiang Lai's child does have the intention.

Just then, someone from the Medicine Hall came over saying, "Someone outside is looking for Doctor Chi."

The Doctor Chi of the Medicine Hall is Chi Grandma; in her era, after marriage a woman took her husband's surname, unlike Chi Ce's mother, whom modern people would call Dr. Qu or Director Qu.

Doctor Chi's title has already been established, and Chi Grandma sees no need to change it, so she continues to let everyone call her that.

Chi Ce supported Chi Grandma as they went out.

The people standing in the Medicine Hall were Gu Sen and Gu Hui.

Chi Ce was startled for a moment.

Gu Sen, who didn't know Chi Ce, looked at the elderly yet still black‑haired old person and politely called, "Doctor Chi."

Chi Grandma looked at them, "Who is looking for me?"

Gu Sen nodded slightly, "It's me. I'm Gu Sen, Doctor Chi. Lately I haven't been sleeping well, so I came to see if I need to take a batch of Chinese medicine."

Chi Grandma happened to be free then, walked to her consulting seat and sat down, "Come over and I'll do Pulse Diagnosis."

Gu Sen sat over.

Gu Hui glanced around but did not see Jiang Lai's figure.

Chi Ce thought the Gu family members were a bit odd and turned toward the back courtyard.

Gu Hui's gaze followed.

Chi Grandma quietly performed Pulse Diagnosis, then asked, "Lately have you been having frequent frightening dreams?"

Gu Sen nodded.

These past days he kept dreaming of events from his time serving in G Province.

Chi Grandma bluntly said, "It's a heart ailment; taking Chinese medicine only treats the symptoms, not the root."

Gu Sen understood, withdrew his hand and said, "Work and family affairs are both busy; poor sleep makes it easy to mishandle things."

Chi Grandma: "Being constantly tense isn't the issue; if the inner matter isn't resolved the knot stays, you can prescribe some calming medicine to drink."

Gu Sen politely expressed thanks.

When Chi Grandma was writing a prescription, she learned that Ke Zhongyu of the Chi Family Medical Clinic had come out; no matter what, elders here should greet each other, otherwise if they found out later, the two families would lose face.

"Uncle Gu."

Gu Sen lifted his eyes and smiled: "Zhongyu, you're here too."

Ke Zhongyu: "Uncle Gu, you came to see a Chinese medicine practitioner?"

Gu Sen nodded and spoke frankly: "I haven't been sleeping well these past few days; I came to get checked. How about you?"

Ke Zhongyu thought it was because of Gu Zhiyan's matter, didn't continue asking, and replied: "I'm accompanying a friend."

Gu Sen: "Jiang Lai?"

Ke Zhongyu startled.

After asking, Gu Sen also froze a moment; the name Jiang Lai came out of his mouth too quickly; people in high positions are suspicious, so Ke Zhongyu probably suspected.

Gu Sen pretended not to understand Ke Zhongyu's deep suspicious gaze and smiled amiably.

Coincidentally, Dean Tang took a call and walked out; passing by Gu Sen's side, he suddenly halted his steps.

This person seems somewhat familiar.