Onlookers, Same Wounds Different Fates

Make a decision?

Is it your life or your leg?

Felix Fuller has never faced such a choice in his life; he doesn't want to choose at all, because he wants both.

"Serena, I want both my life and my leg." Felix said in agony, his eyes red as tears slowly slid down his cheeks...

He doesn’t want to die, but he also doesn’t want to be crippled. If his leg is ruined, how is that any different from losing his life?

"I'm human, not a god. Even a god couldn't grant all your wishes, Lord Fuller. You need to face reality. You know how bad your leg wound is—I don’t need to reopen it to show you again."

Lord Fuller, I’ll give you one stick of incense’s time to think it over. Whatever you choose, I’ll respect it—after all, it’s your life, and only you have the right to decide what kind of future you want." Serena said, almost coldly.

Her words left the imperial physicians exchanging awkward glances. They wanted to explain, afraid Prince Colin might think all doctors were so heartless, but after opening their mouths, none knew what to say. They could only stand quietly aside, blending into the background.

Prince Colin didn’t rebuke Serena at all. On the contrary, he thought her words were exactly right. Whether Felix Fuller lives or dies depends on his own choice; whichever path he picks, he must accept it.

It isn’t that Serena can’t save him—it’s that Felix himself can’t accept reality. It has nothing to do with anyone else.

"Serena, if I want to save my leg, is there really not even the slightest chance?" Felix covered his face with his hands, utterly drained—he just couldn’t make the decision.

"There is—a ten percent chance. You’ll have to pray for a miracle." Medical miracles do happen, but not everyone is lucky enough to encounter one.

Every patient hoping for a miracle thinks they’re the main character, convinced Heaven will show them special favor. They always believe they’re different, that the miracle will happen to them. But...

Miracles written in textbooks are one in ten thousand; very few ever encounter one, and most simply die waiting.

As a doctor, Serena doesn’t recommend Felix bet on such a tiny chance. Miracles aren’t scientific—they’re like winning the grand lottery: everyone hopes, but almost no one wins.

But Felix didn’t see it that way. Hearing Serena’s words, he snapped to attention and said loudly, "Fine, I’ll gamble on that ten percent chance. Serena, I refuse amputation."

Once it’s cut, it’ll never grow back. He couldn’t accept becoming disabled—if he was crippled, he’d never be able to restore the Fuller clan. If that’s the case, let this disgrace of House Fuller die instead.

"Lord Fuller, do you understand what you’re choosing? Miracles aren’t just about having faith." Serena wasn’t trying to discourage him—she was simply stating the truth.

"I know, Serena. You don’t need to worry. With Prince Colin here as witness, I’ll write a formal statement that this is my own choice—my life or death is none of your concern." Felix was truly gambling now.

The statement would mean that even if Serena made a mistake during treatment and Felix died, the Emperor couldn’t hold her responsible.

"Lord Fuller, this isn’t really appropriate."

"Lord Fuller, the risk is just too high."

"Lord Fuller, please think it over carefully."

The imperial physicians all looked worried, trying to persuade him, but Felix’s mind was made up. No matter what anyone said, he was determined and wouldn’t change his mind.

Felix making this decision was second only to agreeing to amputation in terms of difficulty.

Serena saw that Felix had made up his mind and wouldn’t change it, so she turned and fetched paper and brush for him. "Alright, write it."

This was the patient’s decision. Either way, she wouldn’t bear medical responsibility; as long as she did her best in treatment and upheld her professional principles, that was enough.

Felix didn’t say anything about trusting Serena. He simply took the paper and brush and started writing. Prince Colin wanted to persuade him several times but held back.

If Felix died, Prince Colin would at most lose the Emperor’s favor. So be it—judging by the Crown Prince’s attitude, he didn’t want to fight for the throne either. If his father disliked him, maybe he’d finally get to leave the Capital and be free.

Prince Colin stepped back, making his position clear. If even the Emperor’s son was withdrawing, the other physicians, though worried, could only stay silent. When Felix finished writing, the doctors finally spoke up, asking Prince Colin to let them stay and observe.

The imperial physicians were worried Serena might not treat Felix wholeheartedly, or might make a mistake. Having them watch was actually a good thing.

Prince Colin didn’t agree right away. Instead, he asked Serena, "Miss Feng, what do you think?"

"That’s fine, but I have one condition—I don’t want to be interrupted." Serena wasn’t afraid of being watched now; this wasn’t an amputation, so she didn’t need any complex equipment. She’d already set out everything she needed, and the physicians watching wouldn’t get in the way. In fact, their presence could serve as proof for her.

Felix only had a ten percent chance of surviving. If she tried to hide anything and Felix died, she’d be suspected. Doing everything openly and under supervision was better—any downside was outweighed by the benefits.

Serena’s straightforwardness struck the physicians and Felix as real integrity. She didn’t care what they thought—she simply handed Felix’s written statement to Prince Colin. "Thank you for your help, Your Highness."

"It’s my duty." Prince Colin accepted the paper without ceremony.

Serena motioned for the physicians to step back and clear enough space before she began.

She’d already administered anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing medicine earlier, so Serena didn’t need another IV. She gave Felix a local anesthetic injection and unwrapped the freshly bandaged leg.

Previously, the wound had been treated for amputation. Now that Felix refused surgery, she had to clean it again—the usual procedure known as scraping the bone to treat the wound.

"Lord Fuller, I’m giving you Ma-Fei Numbing Draft—it will help with the pain, but even so, it’ll still hurt a lot. I hope you can bear it." Serena undid the bandages, revealing Felix’s rotting leg.

"I’ll bear it." Felix took a deep breath and gripped the bedsheet tightly.

He was extremely nervous!

Everyone understood this—because they were nervous too. In that room, probably no one except Serena was calm.

When all the bandages were undone and Felix’s wound was exposed, Prince Colin finally understood why Serena had insisted on amputation.

Only in the Capital, with imperial physicians and a steady supply of top-grade medicine, could Felix survive this kind of injury. On the frontier, a soldier wounded like this would be as good as dead—no chance to save both life and limb.

Same injury, different fate. Felix had dozens of imperial physicians and endless rare medicines, while his own men—forget imperial doctors, even army medics might not be available...

Prince Colin watched Serena lift the blade and begin to cut, his expression distant and distracted.

He’d always heard Serena was skilled at treating trauma. If only he could lure her to the army as a military doctor—it would be a blessing for his soldiers.

In the Capital, Serena’s patients were all wealthy or noble; healing them brought trouble, not gratitude. In the army, things were different—doctors were honored, and Serena would be truly free.

It was a pity Serena was a woman, not suited for the army. Even if she was, Ninth Royal Uncle would never agree. Prince Colin could only imagine...