"Have you studied medicine, Mr. Lin?"
"A little. I've read a few medical books."
Dr. Fang said nothing more after hearing that. He stood and pushed open the door at the side of the main room. Beyond it was a short corridor, with a bedroom door standing half-open at the far end.
"Old Master Chen is lying in the inner room. You may go in and take a look, but don't disturb him."
Lin Taichu stood and walked to the side doorway, looking into the inner room. Light streamed through the window onto an old wooden bed, where a thin, shriveled old man lay beneath a light quilt.
He did not go inside. After standing in the doorway for a while, he withdrew and returned to his chair in the main room.
"Old Master Chen's face is puffy, but not from deficiency. Dr. Fang, your prescription focuses on strengthening the spleen and kidneys. That's the right direction, but you haven't used anything to drain the excess fluid."
Dr. Fang glanced at him. "I used poria and alisma."
"Poria and alisma aren't strong enough to drain it. The old master's fluid retention isn't just superficial anymore. It has penetrated deeper. His pulse is thin and weak because the retained fluid is compressing the pulse channels. The swelling obstructs the flow of qi and blood. Once the excess fluid is drained, his pulse will strengthen naturally, and his vital qi can recover."
Dr. Fang did not immediately argue. He sat in silence for a moment, then took a silver needle from his sleeve, rolled it between his fingers, and put it away again.
"That's easy to say, Mr. Lin. The old master is seventy-three. His spleen and kidneys are already weak. If the fluid-draining herbs are too strong, they'll damage his vital