"Xia Zhu, quickly, bring along the musk and borneol, also my medical kit, is there a carriage?" Lin Miao and Sun Youwei had just arrived at the consultation point and heard Xia Zhu’s conversation with the old servant, urgently issuing orders.

"There is a carriage, Mr. Lin."

"Sorry everyone, I need to leave for an emergency right now. You can keep your tokens and I’ll attend to you once I return." Lin Miao apologized to the queue of people, "Time is of the essence, it could be half a day or possibly a full day."

"Lives are at stake, Mr. Lin, go ahead, we’ll wait for your return."

"That’s right, we understand, you go on ahead, I’ll come back tomorrow..."

The patients were understanding, knowing that emergencies involving lives couldn’t be delayed.

"Mr. Lin, you go ahead, I’ll handle things here." Guan Biyun approached with Lien Yurou from the back, assessed the situation, and decisively took over.

"Thank you, Mr. Guan."

"Brother, let me come too, at a time like this, extra help is needed." Sun Youwei grabbed Lin Miao’s arm, wanting to assist him and not always be the one being protected.

"Alright, let’s go together."

Old servant Mr. Lu from the Xia Family came to call them, naturally driving the carriage, so Lin Miao, Xia Zhu, and Sun Youwei hurried into the carriage, rushing towards Xia Yuan’s residence.

Giddyup!

Mr. Lu was doing his utmost, urging an old horse to sprint forward under his whip.

The journey, which would normally take the duration of a single incense stick, took less than the time needed for a cup of tea.

The mansion gates were wide open.

"Father..." Not waiting for the carriage to stop, Xia Zhu hurriedly jumped down with the medical kit, dashing into the house.

Lin Miao couldn’t neglect Sun Youwei; she had no martial arts skills and couldn’t jump off the carriage like Xia Zhu.

Lin Miao alighted first, then received Sun Youwei, lifting her down from the carriage.

He quickly followed Xia Zhu into the Xia residence.

Lin Miao and Sun Youwei had both visited the Xia residence before, knowing the way without a guide, heading straight to Xia Zhu’s mother’s living quarters.

Since Xia Zhu’s mother fell ill, Xia Yuan had been sleeping separately from his wife; however, one slept in the east wing and the other in the west wing, with a reception room between them, connected for convenient night-time care.

Given Xia Yuan’s income, he could easily hire someone for caregiving, but he refused, always serving personally.

Their marital relationship was exceptionally good.

"Ah Luo, Ah Luo..." Xia Yuan half-knelt at the bedside, gripping his wife’s hand, eyes red with emotion.

A physician might lose composure and make errors when faced with their closest kin.

Moreover, in Xia Yuan’s eyes, Xia Zhu’s mother’s condition was beyond cure, leaving him helpless.

He called for Mr. Lu to fetch Xia Zhu, hoping his wife could see their daughter one last time before passing.

His wife’s main concern was Xia Zhu’s marriage; a thirty-year-old unmarried woman was rare in Dongshan City.

"Father, wasn’t mother fine yesterday? How could this happen today?" Xia Zhu placed the kit down, urgently asking.

"I don’t know either. This morning, I mentioned taking her out when it gets warmer for a change of scenery. Suddenly, she said she felt uncomfortable and then complained of chest pain, and she quickly worsened..." Xia Yuan explained.

"Mother’s angina was improving, how could it suddenly relapse so severely?" Xia Zhu looked at her mother, who was clutching her chest in agony, momentarily panicking.

"It’s not angina, it’s severe heart pain!" Lin Miao and Sun Youwei had entered, Lin Miao having treated Xia Zhu’s mother before, understanding her condition well.

Observing Xia Zhu’s mother Ah Luo on the bed, Lin Miao immediately identified an acute myocardial infarction, what traditional medicine calls severe heart pain.

Xia Zhu’s mother previously had angina and coronary heart disease, which were improving, but now faced acute external-triggered onset.

This condition, if not treated immediately, is usually fatal.

"Severe heart pain?" Xia Zhu turned pale, knowing this ailment was nearly always deadly.

Is her mother going to leave her today? No wonder her father Xia Yuan looked helpless when she arrived.

"Xia Zhu, quickly, prepare the musk and borneol." Lin Miao commanded calmly, someone needed to stabilize the situation.

Neither Xia Yuan nor Xia Zhu could assume responsibility at that moment.

Upon hearing Lin Miao, Xia Zhu remembered that he had specifically requested musk and borneol before arriving. Could Mr. Lin have anticipated her mother’s condition?

"Xia Zhu, let me help you!" Sun Youwei stepped forward, assisting Xia Zhu in preparing the emergency supplies.

Lin Miao approached, with Xia Yuan relinquishing the space. Lin Miao touched Xia Zhu’s mother’s hands and feet—both were ice-cold.

Opening her mouth, he examined the tongue, which was gray, thick, and greasy with petechiae forming patches at the edge. Feeling the pulse revealed faint and chaotic signs, indicative of severe yang deficiency.

Lin Miao inhaled sharply, recognizing the patient’s critical condition as near death.

If medication is to be administered, the patient must first endure the preparation time for the medicine, so emergency measures need to be employed first; otherwise, it might be too late.

"Xia Zhu, two fen of musk, one li of borneol, administer with warm water, quickly." Lin Miao ordered directly. He didn’t have Rapid-Acting Heart-Saving Pills or Su He Xiang Elixir on hand, and unfortunately, he had indeed forgotten to prepare these life-saving items.

Since he actually hadn’t encountered such cases, and the preparation of these two medicines is extremely difficult, they’re protected national formulas. Even he wasn’t clear on the specific ratio, and trial and error is necessary.

It seems I’ll have to find a way to prepare a batch of emergency medicine for future use, rather than facing this dilemma without resources when urgently needed.

"Sister, bring my silver needles here, and by the way, record the prescription!"

Sun Youwei nodded, swiftly entered a focused state, and methodically took out Lin Miao’s needle bag from the medical kit, spreading it out on the bedside cabinet—both quick and effective.

At this stage, Lin Miao couldn’t be bothered with avoiding misconceptions, directly undid Xia Zhu’s mother’s shirt, used strong stimulation techniques, directly needling and puncturing the Jiquan and Ximen points, then strongly stimulating the Neiguan acupoint on the left hand with lifting and thrusting techniques.

"Sister, record the prescription: half a jin of aconite, two liang of cinnamon twig, trichosanthes, leech, salvia, licorice..."

"Leech, brother, where would we find leech at this moment?" Sun Youwei asked while recording, "Also, why are you using so much aconite? It’s too toxic."

"Heavy medicine for severe illness. Stop asking so many questions; quickly note down the prescription. Skip the ones we don’t have and go to the nearby medical hall for the herbs. Quickly brew with hot water!" Lin Miao continued to manipulate the silver needle with his fingers, further stimulating Xia Zhu’s mother’s vitality.

"Oh, alright."

"Sister-in-law, give me the prescription, I’ll go get the medicine." After recording the prescription, Xia Zhu reached for it, sprinting away.

After needling, Xia Zhu’s mother’s face showed signs of relief, and her sweating slowed significantly compared to before; excessive sweating could lead to a collapse of Yang energy and result in death.

Within the time it takes for a cup of tea, Xia Zhu returned with the medicine. Lin Miao checked and found the leech missing, but there was nothing to be done as they’re unavailable this season and not sold in pharmacies. Missing an ingredient isn’t ideal, but thankfully it’s not a primary medicine. The urgent task now is to pull her back from the brink of severe illness; the rest can be adjusted gradually.

There’s no need to worry about whether this ingredient is effective. This is a critical emergency; if it weren’t an emergency, one could find alternatives.

"Add two liters of hot water; if there is no hot water, use cold water. Boil vigorously," Lin Miao instructed, "Use three large bowls, one at a time. As soon as it’s ready, administer it immediately!"

Half an hour later.

The medicine was ready.

The boiling hot medicine was cooled slightly until it was drinkable, and Lin Miao had Xia Yuan lift his wife up and poured it directly into her mouth.

About fifteen minutes later, Xia Zhu’s mother’s painful expression gradually disappeared, her excessive sweating subsided, and her breathing returned to normal.

When sweating ceases, Yang energy stabilizes.

This is a sign of obvious improvement in the patient.

Lin Miao wiped the sweat off his forehead. After these urgent rescue measures, all the efforts were worthwhile. Especially since he had taken the risk of using a large dose of aconite; failing to revive the patient would be unforgivable to Xia Yuan and his daughter, Xia Zhu.

Xia Yuan was also a renowned physician. He possessed a degree of insight and judgment but being the person lying in bed was his long-married wife, it disturbed his thoughts, preventing him from making a diagnosis, let alone prescribing boldly.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, especially Xia Zhu. Seeing her mother escape danger, she relaxed completely, and she sat on a chair, crying tears of joy.

"Mr. Xia, previously sister-in-law’s health had slightly improved. Why did she suddenly fall ill?" Lin Miao finally had the chance to ask. According to his prescription, if taken daily and maintained well, there shouldn’t be a sudden heart attack.

However, the human body is a complex system. Healthy individuals without ailments can suddenly fall critically ill. This is not surprising since some triggers are unobserved or uncontrollable.

"Some days ago, there were visitors from Ah Luo’s family regarding Xia Zhu and Shen Haidong’s marriage, and they said some unpleasant things. Ah Luo was in a bad mood, which resulted in insomnia and reduced appetite..." Xia Yuan glanced at Xia Zhu.

"No wonder. Emotional distress coupled with insufficient rest led to this real heart pain." Lin Miao sighed. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

As for other people’s personal matters, he decided not to pry deeply. Knowing the reason makes it easier to handle; just integrate counseling with medication.

As long as the person is alive, everything is manageable.

"Xia Zhu, feed her once every hour. You also need to purchase another dose, administer two doses in succession. Stay home to care for your mother today, later I’ll come by to check up." Lin Miao instructed after checking Xia Yuan’s wife’s pulse once more.

"Alright, Mr. Lin." Xia Zhu agreed.

"Mr. Xia, the most perilous stage is over now. Next, sister-in-law will gradually recover, so try not to worry too much. Take good care of her; in the future, pay attention to her emotional stability and maintain a light diet," Lin Miao advised Xia Yuan.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Lin." Xia Yuan expressed his deep gratitude. Despite knowing the likelihood of his wife predeceasing him due to this illness, their long-time bond and affection made him emotionally resistant to the idea of her leaving him now.

Suffering through the agony of illness and only recently experiencing some comfortable days, to leave so suddenly would be too crushing.

...

A pile of patients at the consultation point were still waiting for him. Since Xia Zhu’s mother was out of danger, there was no need for Lin Miao to remain.

So he returned to the consultation point with Sun Youwei.

This entire round trip, including the time spent at the Xia residence, resulted in their arrival back at the consultation point right around lunchtime.

Most of the patients with a number ticket had left, except for those who found a long journey inconvenient; they were still waiting.

Lin Miao prioritized the patients over his meal, asking his sister to organize the order to see these patients.

The family understood the situation, and Mrs. Luu had lunch prepared and delivered by Lin Mao and Ling Yu’Er.

Of course, it included Guan Biyun and Lien Yurou as well. These days, except for breakfast, Mr. Lin and his disciple usually had lunch and dinner with Lin Miao and his team.