Hu Xiaotian had been a fool from birth until the age of sixteen. Hu Buwei and his wife had worn themselves out over their son's condition, inviting practically every renowned physician in Great Kang to examine him. Six years ago, Li Yifeng had visited the Hu Residence to diagnose Hu Xiaotian, and he had reached a firm conclusion about the minister's son. He still remembered that diagnosis vividly: no medicine could cure him, and nothing could be done! Li Yifeng had been certain the boy would remain an idiot for life. When word spread six months ago that Hu Xiaotian had suddenly become normal, he had refused to believe it. He remained highly confident in his own medical skills. An idiot becoming intelligent was even more absurd than a mute suddenly learning to speak, yet both miracles had actually happened to Hu Xiaotian.
Although Li Yifeng had heard the rumors, he had always scoffed at them, dismissing them as hearsay distorted with every retelling. But when he truly met the restored Hu Xiaotian and witnessed this boy, who had spent sixteen years a fool, display medical skills bordering on the miraculous, even the word "shock" could not describe what he felt.
Hu Xiaotian had his eight attendants wait outside Easy Origin Hall. There were plenty of patients inside, after all. Bringing eight attendants in would not only attract attention but also take up considerable space and cause unnecessary alarm. Patients who did not know who they were might even mistake them for troublemakers there to harass the physicians.
Yuan Shiqing was busy examining patients and could not rise to greet him. He merely nodded to Hu Xiaotian from a distance by way of greeting. These physicians were proud to their very bones. Though they had to force smiles for high officials and dignitaries, they usually looked down on such people in their hearts. Hu Xiaotian was different, however. The talent he had displayed in medicine had already earned their respect and recognition without him realizing it.
Someone escorted Hu Xiaotian into Rehmannia Hall. All the consulting rooms in Easy Origin Hall were named after medicinal herbs, giving them a very distinctive character.
Seeing Hu Xiaotian arrive, Li Yifeng hurriedly rose from his Grand Tutor Chair to welcome him. "Young Master Hu, you honor us with your presence. Forgive this old man for failing to greet you outside!" His courtesy was not directed at Hu Xiaotian's birth or status, but at his medical skills. To make these physicians admire and respect you from the heart, you had to possess abilities worthy of their admiration.
Smiling, Hu Xiaotian cupped his hands toward Li Yifeng. "You're far too kind, Master Li!"
Li Yifeng invited Hu Xiaotian to sit beside a long table and ordered a servant to bring fragrant tea. Hu Xiaotian asked, "Has Chief Constable Murong not arrived yet?" It was nearly noon, already past their appointed time.
"It seems Chief Constable Murong has been delayed by something," Li Yifeng said. He gestured for Hu Xiaotian to enjoy the tea.
Hu Xiaotian lifted his cup and gulped down a mouthful. The tea at Easy Origin Hall all carried a medicinal, herbal flavor. He could not get used to the stuff and could not help frowning.
Just then, a middle-aged man entered. He was the keeper of Easy Origin Hall's storeroom. After bowing to Li Yifeng, he placed a rectangular wooden case on the table, then respectfully bowed to Hu Xiaotian as well. He slowly backed away three steps, only turning to leave once he reached the doorway. The storeroom keeper's respectful manner toward Li Yifeng made it clear that the latter's word was law at Easy Origin Hall.
Li Yifeng shook back his long sleeves, exposing his hands. These ancient robes were such a nuisance. Though their billowing sleeves looked elegant and dashing, even lending the wearer a touch of immortal grace, they were far too cumbersome. Hu Xiaotian disliked clothing like that. He had specially commissioned several warrior outfits for himself, all with neat, fitted sleeves.
Li Yifeng opened the wooden case in front of Hu Xiaotian, revealing a set of exquisitely crafted surgical instruments. Hu Xiaotian's eyes lit up. Damn, why didn't you bring these out that day? So you've been holding out on me, you old fox!
"Young Master Hu," Li Yifeng said, "I commissioned all these instruments from the Heavenly Crafts Workshop, the most celebrated establishment of its kind in Capital City, using the diagrams you drew that day."
Only then did Hu Xiaotian understand: the instruments had been specially made afterward. Scalpel blades, handles, needle holders, surgical needles, Hemostatic Clamps—everything was there. He picked up a Hemostatic Clamp and tested its grip. It was flawless. Not only did it have every function required, but its details were far more exquisite than those of the Hemostatic Clamps he had used before. More remarkably still, delicate patterns had been specially engraved on its handles. Those patterns admittedly smacked of drawing legs on a snake, but they were certainly pleasing to the eye.
Hu Xiaotian picked up one instrument and set down another, unable to tear himself away from the set. Truly, every generation brought fresh talents into the world. Who would have thought Great Kang's craftsmen were so dexterous that they could produce such exquisite instruments from his diagrams alone?
"I had this set made especially as a gift for you, young master," Li Yifeng said.
Hearing this, Hu Xiaotian immediately began weighing his motives. There's no such thing as a free lunch. We barely know each other, Li Yifeng. Why would you go to all this trouble to give me such an exquisite set of instruments? Don't tell me you admire my medical skills, that you've been won over by my superb technique and noble medical ethics. I'm not buying it. He smiled. "I can't accept a reward I've done nothing to earn. I appreciate your kindness, Master Li, but I cannot accept this gift." He closed the wooden case and slowly pushed it back toward Li Yifeng.
"A fine sword belongs with a brave warrior, and rouge with a beautiful woman," Li Yifeng said. "There is no one in the world more deserving of these instruments than you, Young Master Hu."
Hu Xiaotian liked the sound of that, and he agreed. Looking across this entire world, there was probably not a single person who could surpass him in surgery.
"This is a heartfelt gift from an old man," Li Yifeng said. "Please don't refuse it, Young Master Hu."
It's hardly some extraordinary gift anyway, Hu Xiaotian thought. Since you're so shamelessly determined to give it to me, I suppose I'll reluctantly accept. He smiled. "Since you mean so well, Master Li, I can only accept."
When Hu Xiaotian finally agreed to accept his gift, Li Yifeng's face blossomed into a smile. He coughed once. "Young Master Hu, there is something I've been wanting to ask you."
Hu Xiaotian nodded. So it's true: anyone offering a gift must want something in return. Accept a man's gift, and your hands are tied. Here comes the request.
"When I watched you treat Chief Constable Murong," Li Yifeng said, "your movements were practiced and your technique exquisite. May I ask who taught you? I've never seen such methods of treating injuries before. What school do they belong to?"
That question was genuinely difficult to answer. If Hu Xiaotian said he had learned it in medical school, this old fellow would never believe him. But if he refused to answer, there was no telling what Li Yifeng might imagine. Nor would it necessarily be a good thing if word spread. A man feared fame as a pig feared growing fat. If his reputation really spread far and wide, wouldn't patients trample his doorstep to pieces? Ordinary people were easy enough to turn away, but what if imperial relatives, nobles, generals, ministers, and princes came calling-people he could neither refuse nor dare refuse? In this era, being a physician was hardly a good profession. Treating ordinary folk was one thing, but treating royalty and nobles was another. If he failed to cure them, he might very well lose his head.
At the time, Hu Xiaotian had only thought of saving a life, never considering the consequences that might follow. Now he could not help regretting it a little. He probed indirectly. "Is there something you need, Master Li?" He kept feeling that Li Yifeng's questions about his teacher were not so simple.
Li Yifeng was quite frank. He nodded. "To tell you the truth, His Highness Prince Jin broke his left arm in a fall from a horse. Three months have passed, but it still hasn't healed. I would therefore like to ask Young Master Hu to examine him."
Hu Xiaotian cursed inwardly. Sure enough, nothing good was waiting for me. Never mind how serious Prince Jin's condition is-if a fracture hasn't healed after three months, chances are you people delayed his treatment. You can't fix it, so you want me to come wipe your asses. Asking my advice is just a pretense; setting me up is what you're really after. If I can't do anything either, Prince Jin might take his anger out on me. You've worked out a lovely little scheme, you old fox. Do you take me for an idiot? I was already sick of being a doctor in my last life. Now that I've finally gotten a second chance at living, I want to start everything afresh. Find whoever you like for this thankless drudgery. I'm not wading into these muddy waters.
Had Li Yifeng been speaking of an ordinary commoner, Hu Xiaotian might have agreed without hesitation. But the moment he heard it was Prince Jin, he began beating the drums of retreat. He was a cunning fellow and knew the importance of protecting himself, especially with the Hu Family currently swaying in the wind and rain. Better one less complication than one more; the wisest course was to spare his family further trouble.
"Mr. Li," Hu Xiaotian said, "I don't know anything about medicine!"
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