Lan Yu Xi furrowed her brow slightly. "Master, how long has Uncle been ill?"
Elder Duan sighed. "On and off for about half a year."
Nan Xiao reached out and took Lan Yu Xi's hand. "Take a look at Uncle later, won't you?"
The Duan family members all looked on with anticipation.
Madam Duan choked back a sob. "Actually, we wanted to find you sooner, but second uncle said you two were too busy and he felt embarrassed to ask."
Lan Yu Xi shot Elder Duan a playful glare. "Master, you're not embarrassed, you just don't trust me, do you?"
Elder Duan uncomfortably scratched his nose. "None of that is the reason. I just don't want to beg Hong Lao Tou's disciple!"
Lan Yu Xi let out a snort of laughter. "What did my master ever do to offend you?"
"He's stealing disciples from me!"
"When did he ever steal Nan Xiao from you?"
"Not Nan Xiao, you!"
Lan Yu Xi exchanged a glance with Nan Xiao, and they both burst into laughter.
Nan Xiao chuckled. "Now that Xi Bao calls you master too, your dream can finally come true."
Elder Duan snorted. "That's not the same! Unless this girl learns martial arts from me, she'll never be my true disciple."
Lan Yu Xi smiled. "I'm already this old; learning from scratch would be quite difficult. But you could teach Chao Chao. Chao Chao's talent is even higher than mine and Nan Xiao's."
Elder Duan looked at the two children in his arms and smiled. "These two children are so adorable, I'll teach them both!"
Lan Yu Xi smiled. "You teach Chao Chao. Mu Mu is a girl, and Duan Sect's martial arts might not be entirely suitable for her. My master can occasionally guide her."
Elder Duan immediately objected. "You little scamp, you're still siding with your master. Mu Mu is such a good prospect, why should she be taught by that old fogey?"
Lan Yu Xi raised her hand to her forehead. "Husband, I have a headache. I'm afraid I can't see Uncle today."
Nan Xiao, seeing her wink at him repeatedly, knew she was faking.
The Duan family members grew anxious when they heard this. They had finally managed to get this esteemed guest to visit, only for her to feel unwell.
Elder Duan snorted. "Stop pretending with me! At worst, I'll just teach Chao Chao. So, as long as you cure your Uncle's illness, I'll go to the capital and live with you, teaching Chao Chao every day."
Lan Yu Xi immediately sat up straight and smiled. "Deal!"
"You little rascal, you've tricked me again!"
"Haha..."
"No wonder second uncle always praised Yu Xi. This girl is truly not just ordinarily cute!"
"A little spirit!"
As they chatted and laughed, they soon arrived at the front courtyard.
The younger generation of the Duan family, having heard that distinguished guests were arriving, had gathered to welcome them.
When Miss Duan saw Nan Xiao, her eyes lit up instantly. However, when she saw Lan Yu Xi holding Nan Xiao's hand tightly, her gaze dimmed. After being separated for so many years, the two of them had still ended up together.
"Is dinner ready?" Elder Duan asked impatiently, holding the two children.
The butler's mouth twitched. "Second Master, dinner isn't quite ready yet, but the pastries are done."
"Then quickly bring out the pastries. Don't let my two precious grandchildren go hungry."
Seeing the elder impatiently stride inside with the two children, Madam Duan smiled at the younger generation. "You all, come and greet your Brother Xiao and Sister-in-law Yu Xi."
Miss Duan, Duan Ning, was the first to approach. She cast a shy glance at Nan Xiao and said softly, "Nan Xiao, hello. It's been a long time."
Seeing this, Lan Yu Xi's brow furrowed slightly, and she subtly squeezed Nan Xiao's hand.
Nan Xiao squeezed her hand back, gave Duan Ning a slight nod, and then said to the others, "My wife is eager to see Uncle. We'll chat later."
Duan Ning's brow furrowed slightly. "Let the butler accompany her. You haven't been here for several years, and everyone misses you."
Nan Xiao said sternly, "I haven't seen Uncle for years. I'll go see him first."
Duan Ning pursed her lips. "Then I'll accompany you."
Nan Xiao's face immediately darkened. "My wife doesn't like outsiders present when she's treating patients."
Madam Duan displeasedly tugged at Duan Ning's hand, then smiled at Nan Xiao. "I'll escort you there."
"Alright." Nan Xiao, holding Lan Yu Xi's hand, followed Madam Duan to the main courtyard of the Duan family.
As they entered the courtyard, Madam Duan said apologetically, "Nan Xiao, Yu Xi, please don't take it to heart. My elder brother had only one daughter, Duan Ning. When my brother was alive, he doted on her, and after his death, her brothers doted on her excessively. As her sister-in-law, I dare not say much to her, no matter how out of line she is."
Nan Xiao frowned slightly. "Sister-in-law, if you can't control her, then find her a husband soon. That way, she won't have idle time to covet other people's husbands. If this gets out, it will disgrace your Duan family."
"How I wish I could marry her off sooner, but she doesn't want to get married, and who would dare force her?" Madam Duan sighed softly. "You two go in. I'll wait for you in the courtyard."
Lan Yu Xi released Nan Xiao's hand and linked arms with Madam Duan. "Sister-in-law, let's go in together. Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes observation, listening, inquiry, and pulse-taking. Sometimes patients can't explain things clearly, and relatives need to provide supplementary information."
"But Nan Xiao said you don't like outsiders present when you're treating patients?"
"You're not an outsider."
Madam Duan paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded.
The three of them, accompanied by a servant, entered the bedroom of the head of the Duan family.
Lan Yu Xi walked to the rosewood grand bed and leaned down to look at the Duan family head, whose eyes were closed.
The Duan family head sensed someone had arrived and slowly opened his eyes.
"Dad, this is Nan Xiao's wife, Yu Xi. She's here to see you."
The Duan family head nodded slightly. "Good, good... Xiao'er is also married."
Lan Yu Xi smiled and sat down by the bed. "Uncle, let me take a look."
The Duan family head shook his head, his eyes clouded. "I'm old. It's time to go. Let's not bother."
"How can we not bother! Nan Xiao and I haven't had our wedding ceremony yet. Don't you want to toast us?" Lan Yu Xi said, taking his hand and placing her fingers on his pulse.
Five minutes later, Lan Yu Xi removed her fingers and smiled. "Uncle, as long as you listen to me, I guarantee you'll be able to move freely in half a month."
The Duan family head's clouded eyes instantly brightened, and even his voice gained strength. "Little girl, are you telling me the truth?"
"Uncle, I am the successor of the Blue Ling Golden Needle. I even saved Nan Xiao. Your little illness is nothing to me."
Madam Duan looked over with joy. "I believe you! I believe you! Yu Xi, please save my father quickly. This family cannot function without him!"