Chapter 712

Hu Xiaotian heard the words and secretly thought, This Xue Shengkang seems to have a conflict with his wife too; don't be fooled by the royal family's imposing reputation—their domestic life is not harmonious. When the emperor falls ill, they tightly seal the news, not even telling his own wife. It seems in Xue Shengkang's mind, his blood sister is still the most trustworthy. This let Hu Xiaotian feel somewhat relieved, since the empress herself doesn't know, then the princes and princesses can't be found out; having him summoned to the palace probably isn't these people scheming behind his back. At first Hu Xiaotian even suspected Xue Daohong or Xue Daoming might want to harm him.

It's not that Hu Xiaotian likes conspiracy theories, but being in this danger-filled Yongdu, he must keep an eye out for everything.

The Eldest Princess Xue Lingjun entered the Hall of Diligent Governance first; as for Hu Xiaotian, he still had to wait obediently outside, awaiting the summons of the Da Yong Emperor. After waiting the time it takes to smoke a cigarette, he finally saw Xu BaiChuan come out; from his solemn expression, the situation likely was not optimistic.

Hu Xiaotian followed Xu BaiChuan toward the Hall of Diligent Governance, and along the way he whispered, "How is the Emperor's condition?"

Xu BaiChuan glanced around and didn't hide it from him: "It suddenly worsened."

Hu Xiaotian silently cursed the trouble; if Xue Shengkang's illness were severe, even if he lacked the ability to treat him, these people would not let him leave.

Xu BaiChuan said, "There's someone Sir Hu should know."

Hu Xiaotian asked, "Who?"

Xu BaiChuan lowered his voice and said, "Zhou Wenju!"

Hu Xiaotian's heart shook violently; how could he forget the Divine Physician of Xichuan, Zhou Wenju? Back in Harmony Prefecture, if it weren't for Zhou Wenju's righteous courage risking his life to save him, Hu Xiaotian probably couldn't have escaped. Since then he had lost all news of Zhou Wenju; now hearing Xu BaiChuan mention Zhou Wenju, how could Hu Xiaotian not be moved?

Xu BaiChuan said, "Wenju is my junior disciple."

Hu Xiaotian excitedly said: "Sir Xu, do you have any news of him?"

Xu Baichuan said: "He is in Xizhou..." At this moment a little eunuch walked out. Xu Baichuan hurriedly stopped speaking.

Although Hu Xiaotian did not get Zhou Wenju's exact whereabouts, from Xu Baichuan's words he already understood that Zhou Wenju was still alive in this world, and he felt extremely relieved; fortunately Zhou Wenju was unharmed, otherwise he would surely regret it for life.

Xu Baichuan said: "I have long heard of Sir Hu's medical skill."

Hu Xiaotian smiled, it seemed that Xu Baichuan truly understood his medical skill through Zhou Wenju. No wonder he recommended himself to the Da Yong Emperor Xue Shengkang. Still, even so he felt the reason was not sufficient enough, after all treating a monarch's illness, as the head of the Imperial Medical Institute Xu Baichuan should understand some things must be avoided.

Inside the Qinzheng Hall, lights were bright, a group of eunuchs and palace maids stood there silently like cold cicadas, ready to obey orders at any moment. They were insignificant little figures, their fates closely tied to the emperor's well-being; if the emperor made any mistake, they would be the first to bear the blame, possibly losing their lives.

Hu Xiaotian followed Xu Baichuan around the screen and entered; two palace maids drew back the curtain, and the air was filled with a strong medicinal herb scent. Although he had not carefully examined the interior layout of the Qinzheng Hall, Hu Xiaotian already had a rough idea: the hall, though large, was very empty; its decoration was very simple, the furnishings mostly old, lacking the expected grandeur. It seemed that this Da Yong Emperor Xue Shengkang lived much more frugally than his brother Xue Shengjing, and even less comfortably than Princess Xue Lingjun's residence.

Upon entering the curtains, the first thing that caught the eye was a bookshelf against the wall, filled with various books, certainly not mere decorations. Emperor Xue Shengkang was well-read and widely versed.

Princess Xue Lingjun walked over from beside the dragon bed, her eye sockets slightly reddened, came before Hu Xiaotian and softly said: "Xiaotian, you need not worry; just go ahead and do it."

Hu Xiaotian thought to himself, "You say it so simply, yet you don't even know what illness your imperial brother has."

Upon reaching the dragon bed, he finally saw the true appearance of this Da Yong emperor: Xue Shengkang, forty-nine years old, leaning on the dragon bed with two soft cushions behind him, his face as pale as gold paper, brows tightly furrowed. Hu Xiaotian initially thought it was due to the lighting, but upon closer look he immediately judged that Xue Shengkang likely suffered from obstructive jaundice.

Hu Xiaotian respectfully bowed to Xue Shengjing and said: "Envoy of Dakang for marriage, Hu Xiaotian, pays his respects to Your Majesty, the Da Yong Emperor, long live, long live..." Before he could finish, Xue Shengkang interrupted: "No need, this is not the court, and you are not my subject..." He then winced in pain and said: "Imperial Physician Xu recommended you, saying your medical skill is superb, you have a unique approach to treating difficult and miscellaneous ailments, and quite effective... My mother's chronic illness was cured by you." After saying so much, he was obviously short of breath.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Your Majesty, outside rumors are not reliable; I indeed have mastered a few secret formulas passed down from my ancestors, but my medical knowledge is truly limited. Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will do my utmost, but you must first promise me that regarding the condition you will never conceal anything."

Emperor Xue Shengkang looked at the young man before him, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth: "The envoy from Dakang indeed has some gall; go ahead and ask."

Hu Xiaotian asked: "Your Majesty, how many years have you had this illness?"

Xue Shengkang replied: "Nine years. The first pain occurred nine years ago; initially it flared up once every two years, then became increasingly frequent, and this year it is the second occurrence."

Hu Xiaotian silently calculated that it was only March now, indeed quite frequent. He softly asked: "Your Majesty, is the pain in your upper right abdomen coming in waves and continually worsening?"

Xue Shengkang nodded and said: "Exactly!"

Hu Xiaotian further asked: "Does the pain radiate to your right shoulder and back?"

Xue Shengkang began to feel that this young man was not ordinary, and whispered: "That's right!"

"Has Your Majesty vomited today?"

Xue Shengkang said: "I have vomited three times."

"Is it that you have no appetite, and seeing greasy food makes you feel disgusted?"

The little palace maid at the side furtively glanced at Hu Xiaotian; indeed, today a palace maid who brought food that did not suit the emperor's taste was dragged out and beheaded—just thinking about that scene is terrifying.

Xue Shengkang nodded.

Hu Xiaotian said: "I dare to ask, may I take Your Majesty's temperature?"

Xue Shengkang said: "I am running a fever! You are forgiven!"

Hu Xiaotian steeled himself and touched Xue Shengkang's forehead; previously in Yongdu he had tried every means but could not see the Da Yong emperor, yet now he could have close contact—he feared no other nation's envoy would ever receive such treatment.

After taking his temperature, Hu Xiaotian also examined Xue Shengkang's sclera; based on his symptoms, the diagnosis was not difficult—this Son of Heaven of Da Yong undoubtedly had gallstone disease. Xue Shengkang's condition should already have caused bile duct obstruction; if not treated surgically in time, it could very well lead to a series of serious complications, possibly even endangering his life.

After a moment, Xue Shengkang's forehead was again covered in cold sweat, and he whispered: "Do you have a way?"

Hu Xiaotian pursed his lips.

Xu Baichuan stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, would you like to take another Courage‑Pain Pill?" Originally meant kindly, he never expected it to touch Xue Shengkang's reverse scale; the emperor roared: "Scoundrel, I don't want to take any Courage‑Pain Pill—are you mocking me? Even if the pain stops temporarily, that damned pain will surely return, I've had enough of you useless good‑for‑nothings!"

Xu Baichuan, frightened, fell to his knees with a thud, knocking his head like pounding garlic, pleading: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger; Your Majesty, please calm your anger..." He had never seen the emperor fly into such a rage before; it seemed today the pain was unbearable, and his pent‑up anger finally burst forth.

Hu Xiaotian said: "Your Majesty, anger harms the liver, and the liver and gallbladder mirror each other; your illness stems from the gallbladder, and becoming angry is detrimental to your condition."

Xue Shengkang's eyes flashed, an invisible aura like Mount Tai pressing down surged toward Hu Xiaotian, making his heart tremble as well; he finally truly felt what the imperial aura was—Xue Shengkang's presence far surpassed that of the Dakang Emperor Long Yelin. Although his heart quivered, Hu Xiaotian showed no trace of fear; these Da Yong guards, though tightly on alert, still had a lapse, and Hu Xiaotian suddenly realized that if he wished to harm Xue Shengkang, at this distance a single strike would surely not miss.

Xue Shengkang whispered: "Do you have a way?"

Hu Xiaotian pursed his lips, his heart filled with hesitation.

Xue Shengkang said: "Are you worried that if you fail to cure my illness, I will surely kill you?"

Hu Xiaotian laughed: "Your Majesty's illness is not some incurable disease; although I am not talented, I still have some methods."

Xue Shengkang said: "Then you should worry that if you cure me, the news will reach Dakang, and you will become a public enemy of Dakang, a criminal condemned by thousands."

Hu Xiaotian silently sighed; Xue Shengkang was indeed extraordinary, seeing through at a glance why he hesitated.

Xue Shengkang said: "Rest assured, as long as you yourself do not speak of it, it will never spread within Dakang."

Hu Xiaotian, having also read the Twenty‑Four Histories, understood a bit of imperial tactics; their promises are worthless, and the likelihood of these emperors turning face and denying people is truly too high.

Xue Shengkang added: "If you are still uneasy, anything Dakang can give you, I can give you as well!"

Hu Xiaotian said: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but my treatment method may not be acceptable to you."

Xue Shengkang said: "Speak freely!"

Hu Xiaotian smiled at the Grand Princess Xue Lingjun and said: "Trouble the Grand Princess to fetch me paper and brush."

Princess Xue Lingjun immediately ordered someone to do it.

With paper and brush in hand, Hu Xiaotian immediately sketched the partial anatomy of the gallbladder on the paper, and said to Xue Shengkang: "Your ailment lies here; if I have not misjudged, there should be a stone lodged in the gallbladder's neck, causing Your Majesty's jaundice." (To be continued~^~)