Chapter 44

No matter how lively the fight outside was, Hu Xiaotian paid no attention to it. Fang Zhiting was seriously injured and needed immediate first aid to stop the bleeding. Hu Xiaotian asked Yuan Shiqing to go to Yiyuan Hall to fetch some strong liquor. Although Yan Yun Building was not short of alcohol, the alcohol content was generally low and could not effectively disinfect.

Hu Xiaotian used the hemostat from the brocade box, disinfected it simply, and clamped the broken blood vessel. Then he cut the hair around the wound with scissors. By this time, Yuan Shiqing had already returned from Yiyuan Hall with the necessary tools and brought two assistants. Hu Xiaotian asked everyone else to leave the room, leaving only Yuan Shiqing and Fang Zhiting's daughter, Fang Fang.

The brocade box contained needles and threads of different sizes. Hu Xiaotian had to admire Li Yifeng's thorough consideration, though he hadn't expected these tools to be used so soon. He chose the appropriate needle and thread and began to suture the broken blood vessel. The silk thread was very useful, and from the prognosis of Murong Feiyun, it was very similar to modern surgical sutures, almost a perfect substitute.

Although the medical conditions were relatively poor and could not meet the requirements of a sterile operation, the pathogens of this era were clearly fewer than in modern society, and the risk of infection seemed much lower.

Hu Xiaotian examined Fang Zhiting's wound and found that it had not damaged the dura mater of the skull. All that was left was to suture the scalp wound. After disinfecting again with the strong liquor, Hu Xiaotian sutured Fang Zhiting's scalp. Yuan Shiqing stood by, rarely needed to help. Although this was the second time he had seen Hu Xiaotian suture a wound, he was still amazed by Hu Xiaotian's skilled technique. Such medical skills were truly magical, something they had never attempted before, and external injuries often led to significant blood loss and large scars.

Yuan Shiqing's gaze fell on the blood-stained hemostat. This tool was truly remarkable; just by clamping it on the bleeding area, it stopped the blood flow. The tension could be adjusted by the teeth on the handle, a design so ingenious that he wondered how Hu Xiaotian had come up with it.

After suturing Fang Zhiting's wound, Hu Xiaotian bandaged it with white gauze. These gauzes were leftovers from treating Murong Feiyun, not strictly sterile but much cleaner than ordinary gauze.

Fang Zhiting regained consciousness and felt a splitting headache. The surgery had been performed without anesthesia, but fortunately, he had been unconscious. His first action upon waking was to look for his daughter. Fang Fang, led by Yuan Shiqing, came to her father's side, holding his hand and weeping with joy.

Hu Xiaotian said, "Rest for the next two days. If there are no complications within two days, you should be fine. The stitches can be removed in seven days, and the wound will heal."

Although Fang Fang was blind, she understood clearly. She knelt down in front of Hu Xiaotian. Hu Xiaotian quickly stepped forward to help her up.

Just then, Murong Feiyun entered the room and, seeing the scene, angrily said, "Hu Xiaotian, what are you doing?"

Hu Xiaotian was truly wronged. It seemed Murong Feiyun had a deep misunderstanding of him. He was doing a good deed, yet she misunderstood him again. Did she think he would take advantage of a blind woman? He wasn't that morally corrupt. Hu Xiaotian let go of Fang Fang's arms and said, "Inspector Murong, focus on your job. Did you catch the troublemakers?"

Murong Feiyun said, "What troublemakers? In my eyes, the law applies equally to all!"

Hu Xiaotian said, "Whatever, that's outdated. Let me teach you something: before the law, all are equal!" He stepped outside and, despite some mental preparation, was still shocked by the scene.

Shi Xuedong and his gang were all sitting on the ground, restrained by Hu Xiaotian's servants. It turned out that while Hu Xiaotian was busy with the surgery, his servants hadn't been idle. Seeing Zhan Peng and Murong Feiyun take action against Shi Xuedong's gang, they joined in. With the help of the eight servants, Zhan Peng and Murong Feiyun, who were already much stronger than Shi Xuedong's gang, easily subdued the six men. Zhan Peng had disappeared, having left at some point.

Seeing Hu Xiaotian come out, Liang Dazhuang hurried over to report, "Young Master, Young Master, we caught all the bad guys!"

Hu Xiaotian nodded and fixed his eyes on the green-robed Shi Xuedong, walking over with a mocking smile. Murong Feiyun grabbed Hu Xiaotian's arm and whispered, "Don't cause trouble. Let's handle this officially. I'll take them to the Jingzhao Prefecture for punishment."

Hu Xiaotian said, "Who is this guy?"

Murong Feiyun said, "Like you, he's a young master." She paused and lowered her voice, "His father is a fifth-rank official!" She answered Hu Xiaotian's question and indirectly insulted him.

Hu Xiaotian didn't bother to argue with Murong Feiyun. Although his chest wasn't as big as hers, his heart was much larger. He didn't know Shi Xuedong's background, but hearing he was a fifth-rank official's son, he laughed. A fifth-rank official? What's so great about that? His father was a third-rank official, and he wouldn't dare do such despicable things. A young master? More like a pile of shit!

Hu Xiaotian walked over, and Shi Xuedong glared at him. His acupoints were sealed, making him unable to move or speak. However, he wasn't afraid. Being caught by the authorities wasn't new to him; his father always managed to resolve the situation, and the constables always ended up in trouble. So Shi Xuedong looked at Hu Xiaotian with arrogance. He didn't recognize Hu Xiaotian, who was still known as a fool in the capital when Shi Xuedong was already notorious.

Hu Xiaotian said, "In broad daylight, you harass virtuous women and bully the weak. Don't you have any shame?"

Shi Xuedong opened his mouth, trying to intimidate Hu Xiaotian, but Hu Xiaotian slapped him twice. "You bastard, can't you hear me? I'm hitting you to teach you a lesson." Hu Xiaotian's frustration from Murong Feiyun burst out. Beating someone was a way to relieve stress. He had been under pressure during the surgery, and the two slaps made him feel much better. Punishing evil and promoting good, it felt great!

Yuan Shiqing came out and was surprised by the scene. Although Hu Xiaotian was of noble birth, Shi Xuedong wasn't an ordinary child. Their fathers were both high-ranking officials, one the Minister of Revenue and the other the Minister of Personnel. They should have known each other, so why was Hu Xiaotian so ruthless? He looked at Murong Feiyun, who had a smug look on her face, seemingly enjoying the situation. Yuan Shiqing felt even more puzzled.

After slapping Shi Xuedong twice, Hu Xiaotian realized he couldn't speak, so he turned to Murong Feiyun and said, "Hey, release his acupoints. I want to hear what he has to say."

Murong Feiyun had deliberately sealed Shi Xuedong's acupoints and misled Hu Xiaotian by telling him Shi Xuedong was just a fifth-rank official's son, which made Hu Xiaotian act so arrogantly and hit him. Murong Feiyun was indeed cunning, deliberately making Hu Xiaotian the target of hatred.

Murong Feiyun went over and released Shi Xuedong's acupoints. Shi Xuedong, with swollen cheeks and stars in his eyes from the slaps, roared, "Brat, remember this. If I don't tear you to pieces, I'll change my name to yours!"

Hu Xiaotian sneered, "Threatening a government official, that's a more serious crime! If I had a son like you, I'd be dead from anger!" He said, "Arrogant? My father is the Minister of Revenue, and I'm not this arrogant. You really don't know what 'death' means." Hu Xiaotian kicked Shi Xuedong in the stomach. Shi Xuedong, unable to move, could only grit his teeth and say, "You'll see... you'll see your heads roll..."

Seeing Hu Xiaotian's domineering attitude, Murong Feiyun suddenly felt a bit guilty. Was she being too harsh on him? It seemed a bit too much, and her conscience was bothering her.