Chapter 167: Chapter 157: Meeting the Real Person

Though he said they were in a hurry, Tang Qingshan would still stop the car whenever they came across a memorable backdrop or a particularly nice view. He would pull Xiao Man out to snap a few pictures of her before they hurriedly got back in the car and left. Watching his skilled handling of the camera, Xiao Man finally understood. ’I’ve run into a photography enthusiast.’

Seeing Xiao Man holding the camera and examining it, Tang Qingshan told her, "This is a German model. It’s a lot of fun using a camera to capture magnificent landscapes and beautiful scenery, preserving all sorts of wonderful moments. Some other day, Dad Tang will teach you. If you end up liking it, I’ll get you a new one, too!"

The car drove straight through the black-painted iron gates of the Tang Mansion, and Xiao Man was filled with mixed emotions. ’After two lifetimes, I’ve finally entered these gates. Even though I’m not forcing the issue in this life, my heart is anything but calm.’

Mr. Tang was standing on the steps. When he saw Tang Qingshan leading Xiao Man over, his eyes widened. He hurried down the steps in a few quick strides, nearly tripping over himself.

A nearby aide rushed to steady him. Tang Qingshan quickened his pace and said, "Father, be careful!"

He then turned to Xiao Man. "This is Grandpa."

Xiao Man greeted him graciously, "Hello, Grandpa Tang!"

’In my past life, I saw a photo of you and Mr. Gu at Gu Shaojun’s home. In this life, I’m finally meeting you in person.’

Mr. Tang placed his hands on Xiao Man’s shoulders and studied her face carefully. He then turned to look at Tang Qingshan and marveled, "It’s uncanny. How can the resemblance be so strong?"

Then he pulled her into the house. "Quick, let your grandma see you. She’s been waiting all morning!"

The group went up to the second floor and entered Old Mrs. Tang’s room. The air was thick with the smell of disinfectant, making it feel just like a hospital.

"Mom, I’m back! I’ve brought your granddaughter home!" Tang Qingshan announced.

Mr. Tang chuckled. "Qing Lan, look! She really is our biological granddaughter!"

Xiao Man was speechless.

’Have they figured out the truth so quickly? Impossible. It can’t be that simple!’

’Also, why is Old Mrs. Tang’s name Qing Lan? Her sons are named Qingshan and Qingyun... Doesn’t that mess with the naming convention? Ugh, I can’t figure it out, and it’s not my business anyway.’

Tang Qingshan pulled Xiao Man to stand in front of him, about two paces from the bed. He smiled and said, "Call her Grandma."

Xiao Man called out, "Grandma Tang."

Old Mrs. Tang gazed absently at Xiao Man, her expression shifting several times. She reached out to her, but then, as if recalling something, she drew her hands back, murmuring, "My child... She has to be one of our family’s children!"

Seeing how haggard and gaunt the woman was, so thin she was nothing but skin and bones, and how her outstretched hand trembled, Xiao Man felt a pang of sorrow. She stepped forward and took her hand. "Grandma, let me check your pulse."

Old Mrs. Tang instinctively tried to pull her hand back. She knew what kind of illness she had; whenever she was around her husband or son, she had to remind them to disinfect themselves and take preventative medication. This girl before her was so young and delicate. ’The moment I saw her, I felt she had to be my real granddaughter. But she’s too young, her immune system can’t be strong enough. No matter how much I like her, I can’t risk harming her.’

"Child, stay away from Grandma! My illness..."

Mr. Tang nudged Tang Qingshan, signaling for him to pull Xiao Man away. ’Pulse diagnosis takes time,’ he thought. ’She should at least wear a mask.’

But Tang Qingshan remained motionless. Watching Xiao Man firmly grasp his mother’s hand, seeing the mixture of joy and fear on his mother’s face, he felt his eyes well up again.

’Mother is critically ill. She finally relented and let her beloved grandson be sent to the South, and she never asked Wu Xiaowen and her granddaughter to come visit. It was all because she was terrified of infecting the children!’

’Mother may be domineering and overbearing, but her love for her grandchildren is genuine and profound. She would rather suffer the torment of her illness in solitude, her heart aching for them. This is a burden she chose to bear, but Qingyun and his wife are taking it far too casually! With the two children in their care, it’s unlikely they will ever understand their grandmother’s sacrifice and affection!’

Mr. Tang called out softly, "Qingshan."

Tang Qingshan took a deep breath, turned, and smiled. "Dad, this girl studies medicine. She knows what she’s doing!"

With that, he moved a chair to the bedside. Xiao Man sat down, laid Old Mrs. Tang’s hand flat on the edge of the bed, and reassured her, "Grandma Tang, it’s all right. Your illness can’t be transmitted to me. Let me check your pulse first to see how far the condition has progressed, and then I can write a prescription. Rest assured, I..."

She paused and glanced back at Tang Qingshan. Amused, he said, "We’re family here. It’s okay to boast a little in front of your grandma and grandpa!"

Xiao Man was speechless. ’I’m really not boasting!’

’Old Mrs. Tang’s illness is indeed severe. Modern medicine has no cure, and even the most brilliant TCM doctors would be powerless. The doctors must have already given her a death sentence; she’s just waiting for the end.’

Xiao Man was secretly relieved. ’It’s a good thing I came to Beijing. If she were to pass away, it would be a major regret, no matter how you look at it!’

’For the rest of my life, I would have felt uneasy just thinking about it. I clearly had the power to save her but did nothing. And no matter what, this woman is my biological grandmother!’

After the pulse diagnosis, Xiao Man briefly described the symptoms, which perfectly matched Old Mrs. Tang’s daily condition. Mr. Tang was left in awe. ’Even veteran TCM doctors aren’t this precise. This is the skill of a divine physician! Who has ever seen a divine physician this young?’

Tang Qingshan urged her, "Hey, kid, you just said you were going to write a prescription. You gather the herbs yourself, don’t you? So why write one out? Just get the herbs, and I’ll brew them!"

Xiao Man replied, "Are you sure you don’t want to see the prescription? When I treated Mr. Gu at the hospital yesterday, Granny Gu had four renowned physicians study my prescription for a good while before they gave their approval. Then they watched me as I prepared the herbs!"

Tang Qingshan laughed. "They’re outsiders, so it’s only right for them to be skeptical. But we’re family. Grandpa, Grandma, and Dad—we believe in you!"

Xiao Man nodded. "Okay, no prescription then. But as for brewing the medicine..."

Her eyes shifted as she considered the situation. ’Old Mrs. Tang’s condition is different from Mr. Gu’s; she’ll need the spiritual spring water more frequently. I can’t stay at the Tang Mansion forever, but I could leave some of the water behind. If I do that, I won’t need the excuse of having to brew the medicine myself. Still, the Spiritual Spring is a huge secret. I can’t trust a staff member to brew the herbs. It would be best to designate someone from the Tang family to handle it.’

Xiao Man had no idea that the sight of her deep in thought, her mind clearly working hard, had amused Old Mr. and Mrs. Tang and Tang Qingshan. ’She’s exactly like Tang Qingyun was as a child!’

When Xiao Man explained that she would provide ten doses of precious herbs for Old Mrs. Tang to take over ten days—and that these first ten doses were the most critical, so she couldn’t trust an outsider to brew them—Mr. Tang immediately volunteered for the task. The process was actually quite simple: each dose of herbs just needed to be boiled with water three times. Xiao Man’s real concern was preventing anyone unrelated from coming into contact with the spiritual spring water.

There would also be a twenty-day supply of herbs for follow-up conditioning. Those weren’t as crucial; the herbs from her space brewed with regular tap water would suffice. As long as Old Mrs. Tang took the medicine on schedule, after a month of the decoctions, she wouldn’t need any other medication. They could have a doctor re-examine her then, and a full recovery would be guaranteed!

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