"Go pay your respects to everyone you need to see first, then hurry back. Today, your grandfather is leaving Luoyang to return home."
"You'll come with me to see him off."
"Yes!"
Sima Yan hurried off to visit everyone as planned. Since his father was away, his first visit was to his elder uncle.
Sima Yan had thought that bowing outside the door would count as paying his respects. After all, his uncle was in poor health and had important matters to attend to, so he probably would not receive him. To his surprise, however, his uncle sent someone to call him inside.
An unpleasant medicinal smell filled the room.
Sima Yan covered his nose, then suddenly realized it was rude and hurriedly lowered his hand.
"It's all right. Cover it if you like."
Sima Shi spoke.
Sima Yan looked up and saw his weakened uncle sitting at his desk, his right eye gazing intently at him.
Sima Yan hurriedly bowed and was about to offer some "filial" words, but Sima Shi merely beckoned him over, motioning for him to sit beside him.
Sima Yan carefully sat down beside him and studied him. "Elder Uncle, are you all right?"
"Mm..."
"Does your eye hurt?"
Sima Yan took a silk handkerchief from his sleeve, unfolded it, and set it before Sima Shi.
"Elder Uncle, this is willow bark. When I was little, whenever I was in pain, I would steep it in water and drink it... It works very well. If you're in pain, you could try it."
Sima Shi's right eye settled on the willow bark, then turned back to Sima Yan.
"Anshi... I intend to send you to the Central Army's main camp as General of the Central Ramparts, in command of the Central Rampart Camp."
"Huh?"
Sima Yan's