Chapter 37

Because Hu Xiaotian had been a fool from birth until the age of sixteen, Hu Buwei and his wife had devoted much effort and energy to his condition, almost inviting all the renowned doctors in Dakan. Li Yifeng had once visited the Hu residence six years ago to diagnose Hu Xiaotian, and at that time, he had given a definitive conclusion about the young Secretary's condition. The diagnosis was still fresh in his memory: incurable, beyond help! Li Yifeng had firmly believed that this boy would remain a fool for life. When news spread six months ago that Hu Xiaotian had suddenly returned to normal, he didn't believe it at all. Li Yifeng was very confident in his medical skills. The idea of a fool turning into a smart person was more absurd and laughable than a mute suddenly learning to speak, yet both miracles had somehow happened to Hu Xiaotian.

Although Li Yifeng had heard these rumors, he had always dismissed them, thinking they were just hearsay. However, when he truly met the now-normal Hu Xiaotian and saw with his own eyes that this boy, who had been a fool for sixteen years, had mastered a miraculous medical skill, his feelings were beyond description.

Hu Xiaotian had his eight followers wait outside the Yi Yuan Hall. After all, there were many patients inside, and bringing eight followers in would not only be ostentatious but would also take up a lot of space, causing unnecessary panic. The patients might mistake them for troublemakers.

Yuan Shiqing was busy diagnosing patients and couldn't get up to greet Hu Xiaotian. He merely nodded from a distance, which was considered a greeting. These doctors were inherently proud, and although they had to force a smile for the nobles and officials, they often looked down on them. However, Hu Xiaotian was different. His talent in medicine had unknowingly earned the respect and recognition of these renowned doctors.

Someone specially led Hu Xiaotian to the Dihuang Pavilion. Each consultation room in the Yi Yuan Hall was named after a Chinese herb, a very distinctive feature.

When Li Yifeng saw Hu Xiaotian, he hurriedly got up from his armchair to welcome him, smiling and saying, "It's an honor to have you here, Master Hu. I apologize for not greeting you properly. Please forgive me!" His politeness was not due to Hu Xiaotian's status but because of his medical skills. To make these doctors truly admire and respect you, you must have something to impress them.

Hu Xiaotian smiled and拱ed his hands to Li Yifeng, "Mr. Li, you are too polite!"

Li Yifeng invited Hu Xiaotian to sit by the long table and had his subordinates serve tea. Hu Xiaotian said, "Is Inspector Murong not here yet?" It was almost noon, past the agreed time.

Li Yifeng replied, "It seems Inspector Murong has been delayed." He gestured for Hu Xiaotian to have some tea.

Hu Xiaotian picked up the teacup and took a sip. The tea at Yi Yuan Hall had a medicinal flavor, which he was not used to, and he couldn't help but frown.

At this moment, a middle-aged man entered. He was the head of the warehouse at Yi Yuan Hall. After bowing to Li Yifeng, he placed a rectangular wooden box on the table and then bowed respectfully to Hu Xiaotian. He slowly backed up three steps and only turned to leave when he reached the door. His respectful attitude towards Li Yifeng clearly showed the latter's authority in Yi Yuan Hall.

Li Yifeng shook his sleeves to expose his hands. Ancient robes were troublesome, although they looked elegant and flowing, they were cumbersome. Hu Xiaotian didn't like such clothes and had specially made several sets of martial attire, all with neat, tight sleeves.

Li Yifeng opened the wooden box in front of Hu Xiaotian, revealing a set of exquisitely crafted surgical instruments. Hu Xiaotian's eyes lit up. "Why didn't you show these to me that day? You old fox, you were hiding them."

Li Yifeng said, "Master Hu, these tools were all commissioned from the most famous Tian Gong Xing in the capital, based on the diagrams you drew that day."

Hu Xiaotian now understood that these instruments had been specially made after the fact. The set included surgical blades, handles, needle holders, surgical needles, and hemostatic forceps, all of which were perfectly crafted. He picked up the hemostatic forceps and held them, finding them flawlessly made. Not only did they function perfectly, but the details were even more exquisite than the ones he had used before. The handles were intricately carved, though the carvings seemed superfluous, they added a lot of visual appeal.

Hu Xiaotian picked up one instrument after another, clearly fascinated by the set. "Talents emerge in every generation. I never thought the craftsmen in Dakan could be so skilled, creating such exquisite instruments based on my diagrams."

Li Yifeng said, "This set is a gift I specially prepared for you, Master Hu."

Hu Xiaotian, hearing this, immediately became suspicious. There's no such thing as a free lunch. I have no special relationship with you, Li Yifeng. Why would you go to such lengths to give me such a beautiful set of instruments? Don't tell me you admire my medical skills and are impressed by my high moral standards. I don't believe that. Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, "I cannot accept a gift without doing anything in return. I appreciate your gesture, Mr. Li, but I cannot accept this gift." He closed the wooden box and slowly pushed it back to Li Yifeng.

Li Yifeng said, "A fine sword for a brave warrior, and fine powder for a beautiful lady. There is no one more deserving of this set than you, Master Hu."

Hu Xiaotian thought, "It's not a significant gift. Since you insist on giving it to me, I'll reluctantly accept it." He smiled and said, "Since Mr. Li is so kind, I will accept it."

Li Yifeng's face lit up when he saw Hu Xiaotian finally accept the gift. He cleared his throat and said, "Master Hu, there is something I have always wanted to ask."

Hu Xiaotian nodded, thinking, "There's always a reason when someone gives you a gift. Now the request is coming."

Li Yifeng said, "When I saw you treating Inspector Murong, your techniques were so skilled and refined. I wonder who your teacher was? I have never seen such healing techniques before. To which school do they belong?"

This was a difficult question to answer. If Hu Xiaotian told him he learned it in medical school, the old man wouldn't believe it. But if he didn't answer, Li Yifeng might make all sorts of guesses, and it wouldn't be good if the news spread. Fame can be dangerous, and if his reputation spread, he would be overwhelmed with patients. Refusing ordinary people was one thing, but what about nobles and officials? He couldn't refuse them, and it could be dangerous. In this era, being a doctor wasn't a good profession. Treating ordinary people was one thing, but treating nobles and officials could be a matter of life and death if the treatment failed.

Hu Xiaotian, who had only focused on saving people at the time, now regretted not considering the consequences. He probed, "Mr. Li, is there something you want to ask?"

Li Yifeng was honest and nodded, "To be frank, Prince Jin broke his left arm in a fall from a horse three months ago, and it has not healed. I want to ask you to take a look."

Hu Xiaotian cursed inwardly. "Sure, nothing good comes from this." Regardless of the severity of Prince Jin's condition, the fact that the fracture had not healed in three months indicated that it had been mishandled. They couldn't solve it, so they wanted him to clean up their mess. He thought, "If I can't help, Prince Jin might blame me. You old fox, you're trying to trick me. I'm already tired of being a doctor from my past life. I want to start anew. I won't get involved in this troublesome affair."

If Li Yifeng had mentioned an ordinary person, Hu Xiaotian might have agreed without hesitation. But hearing about Prince Jin, he immediately backed off. He was cunning and knew the importance of self-preservation, especially with the Hu family's recent troubles. It was better to avoid trouble and not add to the family's problems.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Mr. Li, I don't know anything about medicine!"