When he reached the bedside of Yang Longjing, King of the Fragrant Kingdom, he saw that the king had begun taking small amounts of liquid food with the palace attendants' help. Hu Xiaotian examined his wound and found his recovery reasonably satisfactory. People in this era generally had excellent constitutions, and postoperative complications were rare. Hu Xiaotian arrived at one conclusion: the environment had an enormous effect on the human body.
Yang Longjing also knew how to show gratitude. Looking at Hu Xiaotian, he said, "Young Master Hu, thank you for everything you've done. I will remember your kindness."
Hu Xiaotian smiled. "There's no need to thank me, Your Majesty. Perhaps fate ordained that I should come here to treat you. Please rest without worry. I believe you'll make a full recovery very soon."
Yang Longjing said, "Once I've recovered, I must join you for a good, hearty drinking session."
Smiling, Hu Xiaotian patted his shoulder. "There's no need to hurry, Your Majesty. I'm sure that day will come soon."
Seeing that both patients were now stable, Hu Xiaotian asked to return to Emerald Garden. Everyone in the palace now treated him with the utmost respect, so naturally they granted his request. Before he left, Zhou Desheng handed him a green jade plaque carved with a dragon. "Young Master Hu, the Empress Dowager instructed me to give you this Dragon Token. With it, you may enter and leave the palace freely." Granting an outsider a pass was a first since the founding of the Fragrant Kingdom Palace.
Hu Xiaotian accepted the Dragon Token. Zhou Desheng continued, "Please remain in contact with us at all times over the next two days. Should the Empress Dowager or His Majesty suffer a relapse, we'll be able to ask for your assistance."
Hu Xiaotian