Chapter 619

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Empress Dowager Jiang nodded and said: "Not bad, but how to lift it up? Could it be that I have to have someone constantly pinching my eyelids?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "If that's the case, why would the Empress Dowager need to summon us? The Empress Dowager has always had a single eyelid, right?"

Empress Dowager Jiang said: "Yes, speaking of it, it's truly a bit regrettable. If I had double eyelids back then, these eyes would be even more perfect."

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Double eyelids have their benefits, but single eyelids have their charm. Each excels in its own way; only those with distinctive features are truly beautiful. If everyone in the world had double eyelids, it might not be as charming as single eyelids."

Empress Dowager Jiang laughed: "What a fine saying, 'each excels in its own way'—that makes sense."

Hu Xiaotian unintentionally met gazes with Hou Shengnan, only to be glared at again by her; he suddenly realized that Hou Shengnan also had a single eyelid. He hadn't meant to imply anything about her, but as the saying goes, the speaker intends nothing while the listener takes offense—Hou Shengnan likely thought he was again alluding to her.

Hu Xiaotian said: "My method is to turn the Empress Dowager's single eyelid into a double eyelid, and then her inverted eyelash problem will naturally be completely cured."

Empress Dowager Jiang said: "Can it really be cured?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "It will certainly be cured; moreover, the Empress Dowager will become even more beautiful."

Empress Dowager Jiang chuckled: "That sounds pretty good, but what method will you use to turn me into a double eyelid?"

Hu Xiaotian bowed deeply to Empress Dowager Jiang and said: "Empress Dowager, my method may be somewhat bold; please hear me out. If you find it feasible, I will do my utmost to accomplish this for you. If you have any reservations, just pretend I never said anything."

Empress Dowager Jiang said: "Go ahead, no need to hold back."

Hu Xiaotian said: "My method is to use a small knife to remove a portion of skin above the Empress Dowager's eyelid, then re-suture it."

"What?" Steward Dong beside him said: "Outrageous! You actually want to use a knife on the Empress Dowager—utterly lawless. Guards..."

Liu Yucheng turned ashen with fright, thudding to his knees on the ground, while Hu Xiaotian still stood there smiling: "Empress Dowager, if you find my method infeasible, let's just drop it—we'll pretend we never came here and leave now."

Steward Dong urged: "Absolutely not! Absolutely not!"

Empress Dowager Jiang's face darkened and she said: "Enough! I find his words quite reasonable; to cure this inverted eyelash condition, I might as well give it a try. You will treat me now—if you can cure me, I will surely reward you handsomely."

Hu Xiaotian said: "Empress Dowager, although I am willing to treat you, I lack the necessary instruments."

Empress Dowager Jiang laughed: "That's no problem—I'll have someone fetch them."

Double-eyelid surgery was merely a minor procedure for Hu Xiaotian, but unfortunately the surgical instruments he brought had been lost in the Yong River. Hu Xiaotian said: "Even the Medical Union doesn't have them. We'll have to find a craftsman to make them, so please have some patience, Empress Dowager. Once I'm ready, I'll come back to treat you."

Empress Dowager Jiang, however, was impatient; she shook her head and said: "I can't wait that long—just tell me what instruments you need, and I'll have them prepared right away."

Seeing the Empress Dowager's urgency, Hu Xiaotian could only nod; he followed Steward Dong to the Study, where he sketched out all the instruments he needed, drawing each item in as much detail as possible. He held no hope that they could be finished today, for although the tools were not complex and are commonplace in modern society, in this era even if a skilled artisan could be found, they might not grasp his meaning.

Steward Dong took the drawings and left immediately.

Liu Yucheng was now at his wits' end; after Steward Dong left, he groaned: "Hu Brother, you must think this through carefully—this is the present Empress Dowager; if you make any mistake..."

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Don't worry, Liu Brother has been so kind to me—I could never harm him."

Liu Yucheng said: "It's not that I fear being implicated; this matter is truly no small affair."

Hu Xiaotian said: "I find it strange that the Empress Dowager doesn't know my identity—did Tie Zheng not tell them?"

Liu Yucheng said: "If they learned your identity, things would only get more complicated." He suddenly thought of something: "Hu Brother, should we come clean and reveal your identity fully?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "If they don't ask, there's no need to volunteer it; moreover, if we disclose my identity now, others might accuse me of plotting against the Empress Dowager."

Liu Yucheng sucked in a breath of cold air: "What should we do, then?"

Hu Xiaotian said: "I harbor no ill will toward the Empress Dowager, and I am confident I can cure her illness. Liu Brother, you needn't worry or feel lost; instead, calm down and help me think of how to make her feel no pain during the procedure, or whether there is any potent medicine that could speed up the healing of her postoperative wound without leaving a scar."

Liu Yucheng knew the situation had become a case of riding a tiger; Hu Xiaotian's words were sound. Since the arrow was already on the bow, it was better to settle down and consider how to handle this as well as possible. Liu Yucheng said: "Our family's anesthetic is remarkably effective—even bone-scraping therapy wouldn't cause pain. My father's secret formula, 'Withered Wood Meets Spring Ointment,' works extremely well on external wounds; ordinary injuries heal completely in just two days."

Upon hearing this, Hu Xiaotian was overjoyed—this was exactly the effect he needed. Although he had no trouble with the surgery itself, he lacked confidence in the healing time. Performing surgery on the Empress Dowager, though minor, the key to gaining her trust was to let her see results quickly; if it healed in two days, that would prove his medical skill.

Hu Xiaotian asked: "Do you have mulberry bark thread?"

"Yes! It's in the medicine box!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled: "Everything is ready except for the final condition; if they can truly bring the surgical instruments I need, today I will relieve the Empress Dowager of her ailment."

Light footsteps sounded outside; Hu Xiaotian looked up and saw Hou Shengnan striding in, her steps agile, full of rhythm and elasticity—at a glance one could tell she was a martial arts expert. Hou Shengnan was tall, about Hu Xiaotian's height, though male and female proportions differ; her pair of beautiful legs were especially slender, quite eye-catching—if she were in modern society, she would definitely be a nine-heads-tall beauty.

Liu Yucheng rose to greet her: "General Hou!"

Hou Shengnan's expression was cold, she gave no courtesy, her gaze locked on Hu Xiaotian as she said: "Who are you? What is your purpose in coming to Cien Garden?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "General Hou, that's a strange question—Prince Yan sent people to fetch us from the Medical Union, saying we were to treat the Empress Dowager; otherwise, even with great courage we wouldn't dare come uninvited."

Hou Shengnan stepped forward, her aura aggressive and pressing. Hu Xiaotian stood his ground, not retreating; in fact, he puffed out his chest. She did the same, thrusting her chest forward—this gesture made Hu Xiaotian realize something: this General Hou was practically flat-chested. Though her physique was fine, she had a weakness—her chest was a bit too small.

Hou Shengnan said: "Are you a disciple of the Medical Union?"

Hu Xiaotian shook his head: "You overestimate me—I'm just a porter."

Hou Shengnan carefully observed Hu Xiaotian's expression; he showed not a trace of panic despite her fierce questioning. He maintained his composure, which was rare—by contrast, Liu Yucheng had already changed color. Hou Shengnan knew Liu Yucheng's identity: he was the junior chief of the Medical Union, yet the attendant before her seemed even more imposing than his master—this was truly odd.

Hou Shengnan said: "What is your name?"

"Hu Xiaotian!"

Hou Shengnan nodded and said: "Hu Xiaotian, if you dare harbor even the slightest intention to harm the Empress Dowager, I will surely take your life." She then turned sharply, glaring at Liu Yucheng and said: "And you!"

Liu Yucheng said: "General Hou, our Medical Union has always been loyal to Da Yong—how could we harbor any intention to harm the Empress Dowager?"

A shrill voice sounded from outside: "Best if there isn't—Zajia also believes Master Liu wouldn't risk the lives of everyone in the Medical Union." It was Steward Dong returning.

Hu Xiaotian hadn't expected him to return so quickly—less than two hours since he left. He exclaimed in astonishment: "Steward Dong, did you find what I needed?"

Steward Dong said: "Mission accomplished!" He opened the wooden box in his hand, displaying the surgical instruments Hu Xiaotian had just sketched. Hu Xiaotian almost thought he was mistaken, blinked, and confirmed they were real. He picked up the willow-leaf knife from the box—exquisitely crafted, razor‑sharp, nearly identical to his drawing. Making such an exact copy wasn't remarkable; what was remarkable was completing it in such a short time. Hu Xiaotian clicked his tongue in praise: "Not bad, not bad! Where did you get these, Steward Dong?"

Steward Dong said: "No need to worry about the details—everything is ready now; you just need to treat the Empress Dowager properly."

Hu Xiaotian placed the instruments in the previously prepared boiling water to sterilize them; Hou Shengnan watched his every move closely. Although Empress Dowager Jiang had agreed, the other people in Cien Garden could not fully trust Hu Xiaotian and Liu Yucheng, monitoring their every action for fear of some trick. In fact, they still trusted the Medical Union's reputation—it was Hu Xiaotian they doubted.

After everything was ready, it was already midafternoon; Hu Xiaotian and Liu Yucheng hadn't even managed to eat lunch. Liu Yucheng, tense, didn't feel hungry, but Hu Xiaotian's stomach was already growling. He protested to Hou Shengnan: "Come on, you should at least prepare something to eat—how can we operate on the Empress Dowager on empty stomachs?"

Morning: Two More Updates, seeing the comments section some readers' complaints, this month's updates are already not slow, guaranteed two updates, occasional bursts, Zhangyu is not a machine, holidays no rest, keep writing, this dedication, I ask myself, lives up to each of your Monthly Tickets! (My novel Medical Unification will have more fresh content on the official WeChat platform, plus a 100% draw grand prize for everyone! Now open WeChat, tap the '+' in the top‑right corner 'Add Friends', search for the public account 'qdread' and follow—hurry up!)(To be continued~^~)