Chapter 715: [Gallbladder Removal Surgery] (Part 2)

He cut the cystic duct between the two vascular clamps and ligated both ends. Hu Xiaotian, relying on his deep knowledge of local anatomy, located the cystic artery and performed its transection and ligation.

Next, the gallbladder removal could proceed. Beneath the peritoneum at the junction of the gallbladder's sides and liver surface, one finger's width from the liver edge, he opened the gallbladder peritoneum. Xue Shengkang's gallbladder likely had recent acute inflammation with severe adhesions; Hu Xiaotian used his finger to separate along the loose space beneath the opened peritoneum, approaching from the gallbladder fundus and neck toward the middle. After separation, he excised the gallbladder and transected and ligated the communicating vessels between gallbladder and liver and the small cystic ducts of the vagus, to prevent postoperative bleeding and bile leaks.

For the minor bleeding in the gallbladder fossa, he achieved hemostasis by applying pressure with saline-soaked gauze. After hemostasis, he sutured the peritoneum on both sides of the gallbladder fossa with interrupted stitches to prevent bleeding or adhesion.

Seeing that the surgical field was clean with no bleeding or bile contamination, and that all ligation devices were reliable, Hu Xiaotian decided not to place a drain. Finally, he positioned the greater omentum between the liver, gallbladder, and duodenum to prevent postoperative adhesions between the liver and gastrointestinal tract, had Shi Kuan withdraw the lumbar support from Xue Shengkang, and performed layered closure of the abdominal wall.

Shi Kuan watched Hu Xiaotian's orderly movements, deeply impressed to the utmost, wondering how one could be so familiar with human anatomy; only seeing it with his own eyes made him believe it.

After Hu Xiaotian finished closing the abdomen, Xue Lingjun finally dared to turn around, anxious yet expectant, and asked in a trembling voice, 'Is it done?'

Hu Xiaotian smiled and said, 'I have not failed the mission.'

Xue Shengkang opened his eyes; Xu BaiChuan's anesthetic worked extremely well—although he felt sensations throughout the procedure, he felt no unbearable pain, and he whispered weakly, 'It's over…'

Hu Xiaotian leaned close, smiling, 'Your Majesty, would you like to see the treasure inside your belly?' He handed a small bowl to Xue Shengkang. Xue Shengkang looked up and saw the bowl already filled with about half a bowl of stones, the largest the size of a peanut; this was only part of them, for the swollen gallbladder, as large as an eggplant, still held many more.

Xue Shengkang said, 'I never imagined… my belly actually contains so many… jewels…'

Hu Xiaotian chuckled inwardly, 'Jewels? Because you're an emperor, your belly must hold jewels? They're just ordinary stones. He really likes to flatter himself.' Hu Xiaotian said, 'Your Majesty, you are blessed with boundless fortune; these are all relics inside.'

A faint smile appeared on Xue Shengkang's lips, but being weak after surgery, he could hardly be bothered to speak.

Hu Xiaotian instructed, 'Your Majesty must remain flat in bed; if there is nothing tomorrow afternoon, you may change to a semi‑sitting position, and any resumption of eating must have my approval.'

Shi Kuan summoned the palace maids and eunuchs, ordering them to clean the scene; for safety, Xue Shengkang simply lay there.

Hu Xiaotian went over all the precautions once more; although the surgery was finished, he would not be allowed to leave the palace until Xue Shengkang's improvement was certain.

He took off the surgical gown, removed his cap and gloves, and Hu Xiaotian felt a sense of relief; although the gallbladder removal was not complex for him, the pressure he bore this time was immense. Arriving outside the Hall of Diligent Governance, he saw Xu BaiChuan leaning pale‑faced against the front hall's columns. Xu appeared utterly exhausted, his gaze vacant as he stared ahead, unknown what he was thinking.

Hu Xiaotian walked over and lightly patted his shoulder; Xu BaiChuan then came to. Seeing Hu Xiaotian's smile, he immediately guessed the surgery must have gone smoothly and perfectly, and eagerly asked, 'How is the Emperor?'

Hu Xiaotian smiled, 'Everything went smoothly!'

Upon hearing the news, the stone weighing on Xu BaiChuan's heart finally fell, yet he suddenly lost his support and plopped down onto the ground with a thud.

Hu Xiaotian hurriedly reached out to help him up, but Xu BaiChuan waved his hand, saying, 'No, no… I'm fine… I'm fine…' Overjoyed to the point of tears, he realized that Hu Xiaotian's surgical success meant their lives were all spared.

At that moment, Princess Xue Lingjun emerged from the Hall of Diligent Governance, her noticeably relaxed. Her gaze fell on Xu BaiChuan's face, showing some dissatisfaction; she had clearly observed his performance in tonight's surgery. As the chief imperial physician, his conduct was utterly incompetent. Actually, it's not entirely his fault—he had never before seen Hu Xiaotian's medical method. Though he had been mentally prepared, witnessing it firsthand still overwhelmed him, making him feel that half a lifetime of medical experience and belief had been completely overturned.

Xu BaiChuan, face flushed with shame, said, 'I pay my respects, Princess.'

Xue Lingjun couldn't even be bothered to acknowledge him, turning instead to Hu Xiaotian with a warm smile.

Knowing Xu BaiChuan was extremely embarrassed, Hu Xiaotian intervened: 'Sir Xu, the Emperor still needs someone to attend him; with your experience, you'll have to work hard tonight.'

Hearing Hu Xiaotian's words, Xu BaiChuan felt genuine gratitude; he certainly understood Hu Xiaotian's good intentions. His poor performance tonight might have angered not only the Princess but also the Emperor, and Hu Xiaotian's arrangement was meant to give him a chance to redeem himself. Xu BaiChuan clasped his hands and said, 'I'll go at once!' After bidding farewell to Princess Xue Lingjun, he hurried into the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Princess Xue Lingjun watched Xu BaiChuan's retreating back and said softly, 'You're not bad to him.'

Hu Xiaotian laughed, 'In fact, Chief Physician Xu also rendered great service; without his anesthetic, today's surgery would not have gone so smoothly.'

Princess Xue Lingjun sighed, 'Compared to you, I now realize that all those imperial physicians are utterly useless.'

Hu Xiaotian replied, 'Knowledge has its order, specialties have their focus; everyone excels in different areas, so one cannot say who is higher or lower.'

Princess Xue Lingjun said, 'It's hard on you to speak up for him; don't you know why he recommended you to my imperial brother?'

Hu Xiaotian smiled silently; he certainly knew that Xu BaiChuan and those physicians faced a tough problem—if anything happened to the Da Yong Emperor Xue Shengkang, they would all lose their heads.

Princess Xue Lingjun said, 'You have rendered great service this time; my imperial brother will surely reward you handsomely.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Such a trifle is hardly worth mentioning; I saved the Emperor not only because he is the Da Yong emperor, but also because he is your elder brother; otherwise I would not have taken the risk.'

Hearing this, Princess Xue Lingjun felt warm inside and immensely pleased; it was as if she had been given full face.

Hu Xiaotian said, 'It would be best to pretend this never happened; the Emperor does not want it spread.'

Princess Xue Lingjun meaningfully said, 'It's you who doesn't want this to get out, isn't it?'

Hu Xiaotian laughed, 'I don't mind; compared to the Emperor's reward, I care more about your gift—what do you plan to give me?'

Upon hearing Hu Xiaotian's words, Princess Xue Lingjun sensed a hint of flirtation; her lovely face naturally blossomed with an extremely charming expression, and she cooed, 'Little Brother Tian, how would you like me to reward you?'

Her alluring demeanor made Hu Xiaotian's breath catch, then his mind cleared—he was a eunuch; if he displayed lustful behavior before her, given Xue Lingjun's experience in love, she would surely see through his pretense. Hu Xiaotian said, 'I'm hungry; could you give me something to eat?'

Xue Lingjun laughed softly, 'Sure, tell me what you want to eat, and I'll have the imperial kitchen prepare it for you right away.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'A bowl of plain noodles will suffice!'

Xue Lingjun blinked and said, 'That simple.'

After eating the plain noodles, Hu Xiaotian went to the Hall of Eternal Spring; the resting room had been prepared for him, and the hot water in the bathtub was ready. Jianping stood before the tub, smiling brightly, her cheeks slightly flushed, her smile betraying a hint of shyness that added to her charming allure. She softly said, 'Sir Hu, Jianping, acting on the Princess's order, has come specially to serve you in your bath.'

Hu Xiaotian blinked; the idea of a beauty serving his bath sounded delightful, yet he knew he could not enjoy it. To let her attend him would expose his false eunuch secret to the world—like a mouse volunteering to be a cat's third companion, courting death.

Hu Xiaotian laughed, 'Sister Jianping, you're being too polite; I couldn't possibly accept such service.'

Jianping replied, 'It is the Princess's command.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'You will go tell the Princess that this had better be waived; since childhood I have served others, and if others served me I would surely feel ill at ease. Besides, Sister Jianping should know my background—there are secrets I do not wish her to see.'

Jianping's cheeks flushed crimson; she naturally understood what he did not want her to see. Since Hu Xiaotian insisted, she could only relent, biting her lip and saying, 'Then I'll wait outside the screen; call me if you need anything.' She still dared not defy the Princess's order.

Hu Xiaotian was about to persuade her to leave.

A knock sounded at the door, and Princess Xue Lingjun entered. Hu Xiaotian inwardly wondered: could it be that, because he had saved her brother, she also intended to personally attend his bath? Such favor was unimaginable—how could he endure it, and how dare he?

Princess Xue Lingjun handed the jade bottle to Jianping, saying, 'Xiaotian, this is Ice Skin and Jade Bone Dew sent by the Black Hu people; after bathing, applying it to the body relieves fatigue and brings overall comfort; later, have Jianping rub it on you.'

Hu Xiaotian said, 'Elder sister, I really am not accustomed to……'

Xue Lingjun said: "Ah, you have achieved such great merit tonight; just relax a bit. Jianping is very good at serving people, and her massage technique is top-notch. If it were someone else, I would be reluctant to let her attend to them. Jianping, you must serve my brother well; if he feels even the slightest dissatisfaction, see how I deal with you!"

Jianping said: "Yes!" (To be continued~^~)