Critical Illness and a Doctor’s Methods

Serena Feng smiled faintly and said nothing. Once Walter Wang had calmed down, she glanced at the armed guards behind him and asked, "Master Wang, you flatter me. May I ask what brings you here today?"

Serena suddenly realized that the Feng Manor’s feng shui really was terrible—every few days it was surrounded by soldiers. There was only one residence on this street, hers, so what exactly was Feng Manor attracting? Why did the authorities love to come here so much, as if they got itchy if they didn’t show up for a few days?

"Miss Feng, Miss Su Wan of the Southern Lyn Su Clan suddenly developed severe abdominal pain. The imperial physicians diagnosed her with an intestinal abscess. They can only suppress it with medicine, but to truly cure her, the necrotic part must be removed. Imperial Physician Sun said that only you, Miss Feng, in the entire Eastlyn Empire, can perform this operation. Miss Su Wan requests your help."

Even if Serena hadn’t promised to mention Walter’s name to William Wang Jinling, Walter Wang still wouldn’t dare hide anything from her. He was hoping to use Serena as a way to make a name for himself in the Wang family.

"Su Wan, intestinal abscess—she really picked the perfect time to get sick." Serena called out Su Wan’s name playfully, a hint of amusement flashing in her eyes.

Retribution comes to everyone; it’s just a matter of time.

That's why you should never cross a doctor—everyone gets sick sometime, and Su Wan was unlucky enough to fall right into her hands.

Intestinal abscess refers to diseases of the intestines. In modern terms, it means acute or chronic appendicitis, or an appendiceal abscess—common surgical conditions that, if severe, can be fatal.

It’s just a pity this illness came a little too late. If Su Wan had gotten sick during the Imperial Menagerie Grounds horse-taming trial, Serena wouldn’t have had to go tame horses herself.

Thinking of that horse-taming event, Serena remembered how unusually quiet and low-profile Princess Serenity had been lately. Could it be that the princess was spooked by Prince Quentin Northlyn’s marriage proposal?

With Noble Consort Helena Hsieh battling the Empress in the palace, Serena Feng wasn’t worried about the Empress having time to make trouble for her. But Princess Serenity was a different story.

She’d stolen Princess Serenity’s thunder at the Menagerie Grounds, and now the princess might be sent off to marry Prince Quentin Northlyn. Who knew if Princess Serenity would take out all her anger on Serena?

Even if Princess Serenity decided to vent on her, Serena would just have to accept it—after all, she was the Emperor’s daughter. Better to focus on Su Wan’s situation: "Master Wang, how is Miss Su’s condition? Is it serious?"

If it wasn’t serious, they wouldn’t have come to her—though Serena suspected Su Wan’s illness might not be as bad as it sounded.

With Sun Zhengdao’s medical skills, relieving abdominal pain was no problem at all. Serena knew just how powerful his golden needle technique was. Clearly, Sun Zhengdao was doing this on purpose—deliberately proposing surgery as the cure, and insisting only she could do it.

Imperial Physician Sun, you really are an interesting character. Serena let a smile slip at the corner of her mouth, and everyone present lowered their heads, pretending not to notice.

This is the benefit of having allies.

"It’s said Miss Su Wan’s pain started last night. She thought it was an old problem and used her usual prescription, but for some reason it didn’t work—in fact, it got worse. She went to the palace for help, but all the imperial physicians were at Serene Hall, so it wasn’t until dawn that Imperial Physician Sun rushed over." In other words, Su Wan was another victim of the Liam Li incident.

"I see," Serena nodded thoughtfully, looking serious. Walter Wang was clearly on her side, and with only abdominal pain, Su Wan wouldn’t die as long as Imperial Physician Sun was there.

Serena suddenly realized her medical ethics seemed to be slipping. She’d always tried not to let personal grudges affect her work, but in the end, she’d let her emotions bleed into her professional decisions.

But she enjoyed it. She wasn’t some kind of saint—Su Wan had schemed against her so many times, and if Serena kept putting Su Wan’s interests first, she’d be a fool. What, was she supposed to offer up her other cheek after being slapped on one side?

The real question was whether her Medical Ethics Points would be affected by this. After all, she’d worked so hard and only managed to accumulate two points so far. If she lost any, she’d be in trouble.

Walter Wang saw Serena silent for a long moment and hesitated before advising, "Miss Su Wan’s pain has eased a bit, but her condition isn’t good. The maids say her face is deathly pale and she’s barely conscious." In other words, Imperial Physician Sun was being very conservative with the medicine—he hadn’t cured her yet.

Imperial Physician Sun really had picked up some bad habits. Stifling a laugh, Serena put on a serious face and said, "In that case, let’s go now. We shouldn’t delay Miss Su Wan’s treatment."

Serena didn’t even mention her medicine chest, just signaled for Walter to bring a horse. She swung herself into the saddle: "Master Wang, let’s go!"

Walter pretended not to notice, thinking to himself: Miss Su Wan is really going to suffer today. Offending both Imperial Physician Sun and Doctor Feng at once—she’s brought this pain on herself.

The imperial capital was huge, but the official residences and noble homes were all clustered in the center. Serena didn’t dawdle on the way; with guards clearing a path, she reached Tranquil Autumn Garden, Su Wan’s temporary residence, in less than half an hour.

Su Wan’s courtyard was busy—maids were constantly running in and out, hauling out bloody rags and bringing in fresh water. Every so often, you could hear Su Wan’s muffled groans of pain from inside.

"Imperial Physician Sun, gentlemen," Serena greeted the physicians as she entered the outer room.

"Not good," Sun Zhengdao and the others replied, their faces exhausted, dark circles under their eyes, and swollen lids—clearly they hadn’t slept all night. Seeing Serena so refreshed, Sun Zhengdao couldn’t help but find her irritating.

"You had it easy—slept soundly in Everpeace Hall last night, while us old men didn’t dare close our eyes. Before dawn, we rushed straight to Tranquil Autumn Garden." The other physicians didn’t know Serena had only pretended to faint, but Sun Zhengdao did. He couldn’t say it outright, so he just cursed Serena, that sly little fox, in his heart.

Serena grinned, "Imperial Physician Sun, you’re just more capable, so you do more work. I’m just frail—if you don’t believe me, you can check my pulse." She offered her wrist without hesitation.

She knew her own body—her vitality was damaged, and that needed slow, careful recuperation. Western medicine couldn’t fix it.

Of course Sun Zhengdao understood. Hearing her words, a flash of concern crossed his eyes, though his face stayed stern. "A doctor with such a weak constitution—you’re really making us look good. I have some donkey-hide gelatin at home; I’ll have Simon bring you some later. Why does a perfectly healthy young woman insist on acting sickly—who are you trying to impress?"

He pitied those without loving parents. Seeing Serena, Sun Zhengdao thought his own son Simon, for all his awkwardness, was lucky—only with parents’ care and protection could a child keep that innocence.

"No need to trouble Simon—I’ll pick it up myself. Madam Sun already invited me over for lotus-seed soup." Another reason to visit Sun Estate, Serena thought, and figured the Noble Consort Helena Hsieh matter would go smoothly.

The two were chatting happily when, inside, Su Wan heard her maid report Serena’s arrival but still didn’t see her come in. Furious, she ordered her personal maid to go out and hurry her along; the maid appeared at the door, face dark and sour.

"Miss Feng, my mistress asked you here to treat her illness, not to socialize. As a doctor, you show no concern for your patient and instead waste time making connections. Your medical ethics are questionable. Are all Eastlyn physicians like you?"

Su Wan’s maid was furious, thinking of all the pain her mistress had suffered, and how Serena had made things so difficult with Ninth Royal Uncle. No wonder her attitude was so hostile.

But she hadn’t expected that her words would not only offend Serena, but also insult all the other imperial physicians present...