Old Master Lu fell silent for a moment.
"Father, we can't agree to this. Let Shu'er go in one piece," the eldest master said in pain.
The others shared the same opinion. The room buzzed with discussion. Even Xiao Mingyu did not approve of Zheng Qian taking the risk with Lu Shu.
Lying on the bed, Lu Shu finally spoke with great difficulty: "I… I want to try…"
The one who most wanted to survive was him.
Zheng Qian had saved Wen Zhao before. At the time, Wen Zhao had looked completely dead—everyone was shocked, believing it impossible—yet she had succeeded. Her elder brother had been crippled, and she had created prosthetics to help him stand again.
If there were truly immortals in this world who could create miracles, it was the person standing before them.
Even if he were to die, Lu Shu would rather die quickly and cleanly, rather than endure days of torment only to die in the end.
"Have you thought this through?" Old Master Lu's voice trembled slightly. "The pain of opening the abdomen—perhaps…"
"It won't hurt," Zheng Qian interrupted. "I have anesthesia. You all know what that is—it's the kind Hua Tuo used. Mine is even better."
The room erupted once more in an uproar.
Everyone began asking where she got the anesthetic and from whom she had obtained Hua Tuo's secret formula. The recipe had been lost for ages.
Zheng Qian ignored them.
She urged Old Master Lu: "If you want to save him, we must act quickly. If we delay any longer, the chance of success will drop from fifty percent to twenty."
"Very well. Miss Zheng, please save my grandson. If you succeed, the Lu family will acknowledge you as Lu Qi's disciple—and even recognize you as our ancestor," the old master said.
"Will you go back on your word?" Zheng Qian asked.
"I will not. The Imperial Physician Sun and His Highness the Prince are both here—they can serve as witnesses. Would Miss Zheng like a written agreement?"
"Yes, it's best to have one," she said. "So there won't be disputes later. I'll also write one—if I fail, I'll accept whatever the Lu family decides."
Zheng Chi did not try to stop her.
Instead, Xiao Mingyu spoke: "Miss Zheng, reconsider. Lu's injuries have already been declared hopeless by all the experienced physicians."
"I know what I'm doing. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness," Zheng Qian replied.
She did not take the out he offered.
Both she and Old Master Lu wrote agreements and handed them to the Prince of Anying as a neutral witness.
This was already the second time Xiao Mingyu had acted as their intermediary.
What kind of fate tied him to her so persistently, refusing to let things rest?
He took both documents, his expression no longer as relaxed as before, glancing at Zheng Qian with a hint of concern.
Zheng Qian didn't look at him. She only asked Old Master Lu, "May I begin treatment?"
The old master nodded.
"Everyone else, leave. Old Master, please assist me," Zheng Qian said.
Once again, there was objection.
The first to object was the Prince himself.
"I am the witness. How can I be fair if I do not see it with my own eyes?" Xiao Mingyu said.
"I'm afraid Your Highness may not be able to handle the sight of blood."
"Thank you for your concern, but I can bear it. I must stay and watch," he replied.
Others also insisted on staying.
Zheng Qian said, "I need a clean room. Too many people increase the risk of infection. Only four people may enter the operating room besides me and the patient."
The Lu family erupted in arguments again.
They did not trust entrusting Lu Shu to her.
Zheng Qian added, "You may choose a room with large windows. You can watch from outside, as long as you don't come in."
At last, she turned to Old Master Lu. "We're running out of time!"
The old master gave orders.
Soon, the east wing room in Lu Shu's courtyard was prepared.
It had windows on both sides, allowing people to see inside.
Zheng Qian requested many candle stands—some placed on the floor, others hanging from beams—filling the room with bright light.
Lu Shu was moved onto two tables pushed together.
Zheng Qian took out all her surgical tools from her space, including surgical garments.
Those allowed into the room—besides her and Lu Shu—were Old Master Lu, Prince Anying, Lu Shu's father, and Imperial Physician Sun.
She had them all put on surgical clothing and wear masks.
These strange outfits confused them.
She also required them to disinfect.
Then she took out surgical gloves and had them put them on.
Everyone was shocked again.
"Whatever is this?" Prince Anying asked curiously.
"Gloves," Zheng Qian replied simply.
"…"
With preparations complete, the five entered the operating room.
Zheng Qian asked the old master to assist her, believing he would remain calmer due to his experience. The other three were merely there out of curiosity.
She placed sterile sheets under Lu Shu, with the Prince and Imperial Physician Sun helping to arrange them.
Her medicines were taken from her space and placed in a small box.
She said to Old Master Lu and Lu Shu, "We'll begin with a puncture to determine if there's bleeding."
Pressing on Lu Shu's abdomen, she said, "This is McBurney's point—the location of the appendix. I'll puncture on the left side, symmetrical to it."
She measured the position with her fingers.
Though the old master did not fully understand, he did not ask questions.
After confirming the puncture site, Zheng Qian disinfected with iodine and administered local anesthesia.
The needle she produced drew wide-eyed stares.
"What is that?" Prince Anying asked.
"A needle," Zheng Qian replied.
"…."
She used lidocaine for local anesthesia, then took out a puncture needle.
This time, no one spoke. The room fell silent.
She inserted the needle into Lu Shu's abdominal cavity. Seeing such a thick needle go in, Imperial Physician Sun's eyes widened.
"He doesn't feel pain?" he asked.
"No, he's anesthetized," Zheng Qian replied. "Please help steady the needle."
Old Master Lu came forward to assist.
She drew blood using a syringe. Soon, blood flowed out—everyone was shocked again.
"There is blood. There must be internal organ rupture," Zheng Qian confirmed.
Imperial Physician Sun wanted to ask how she managed this but didn't know where to begin.
The Prince did not understand.
Lu Shu's father suppressed his confusion and shock with great effort.
Zheng Qian asked Old Master Lu, "I have two possibilities: liver rupture or intestinal rupture. Which do you think it is?"
"This…" The old master was stunned. "Can that even be determined?"
"It cannot," Zheng Qian replied.
Without CT imaging, they couldn't even assess internal bleeding—let alone identify which organ was damaged.
There was no choice but to open the abdomen.
"Then let's open it and see," Zheng Qian said. "Old Master, I'll need your help to absorb blood. If you feel afraid, turn away—but if you feel like vomiting, go outside. Do not vomit inside the operating room."
The others scoffed. They were not cowards.
Zheng Qian then administered general anesthesia to Lu Shu.
After that, he fell into a deep, unconscious sleep.
She marked the incision lines, then used a scalpel to cut into his right upper abdomen.
Prince Anying was the first to falter, his hands and feet trembling.
Then she continued cutting through the layers of tissue. Imperial Physician Sun's face turned pale.
When the abdominal cavity was finally opened, Lu Shu's father nearly broke down.
All of them changed expression, yet still forced themselves not to vomit.
Outside, those watching through the window gasped and whispered in shock.
The cat perched on the beam instinctively fluffed its fur along its back.
"Cutting open a person's belly like this… Mei'er, can you really handle the aftermath this time?" Xiao Zhan asked worriedly.