Serena Feng’s heart gave a jolt, but the smile on her face didn’t waver. Internally, she mused, this Prince Samuel Zhai really is an old fox—if she’d been timid, she’d probably have been scared to death already.
Unshaken by shock, unmoved by favor or humiliation.
Prince Samuel Zhai nodded slowly, withdrawing his intimidating aura as he spoke: “I’ve heard your medical skills are impressive. Come and take a look at me, then. This toothache has tormented me for over twenty years. If not for this pain, I’d never have returned to the capital.”
His tone was thick with regret and unwillingness.
"Whoo..."
Serena secretly let out a breath of relief.
She understood that treating powerful leaders seemed prestigious, but was actually a dangerous job. She’d just never imagined it could be this perilous.
If she made even the slightest mistake today, she’d probably be killed on the spot.
For Prince Samuel Zhai, killing her would be easier than crushing an ant.
Because she had to examine him up close—and because he was so wary of her—Serena didn’t dare make any sudden moves. Using her Smart Med-Pack was absolutely out of the question; she could only rely on symptoms and experience.
Since it was a toothache, naturally she needed to examine the mouth. Serena spoke up without hesitation: “Your Highness, could someone fetch me a small bronze mirror, a bowl of strong liquor, a chopstick, and, if possible, a luminous pearl for light?”
“Go get them.” Prince Samuel was puzzled, but didn’t ask what they were for. He waited for Serena to explain, but she simply stood there, making no effort to elaborate.
It was probably Prince Samuel’s first time encountering a doctor like Serena Feng; his eyes widened in surprise.
Serena knew, but pretended not to notice. She lowered her gaze to her shoes, while William Wang Jinling picked up his teacup, sipping quietly to hide his amusement.
Serena Feng was never one to swallow her grievances without fighting back.
A gentleman waits ten years to avenge a wrong—but Serena took her chances the moment they came.
While Serena waited for the servants to bring the items, news of her arrival at Prince Samuel Manor had just reached the Emperor in the palace.
The Emperor’s brows furrowed, anger flickering in his eyes as his fists clenched tightly.
Prince Samuel’s toothache wasn’t a recent problem. Serena had chosen neither to come early nor late—her timing spoke volumes, and everyone knew it.
“Ninth Royal Uncle, Ninth Royal Uncle... You’ve forced my hand. Don’t blame me for making an example out of you.”
"Attendants." The Emperor rose to his feet. "Summon Minister Zuo to discuss matters at the Taihe Hall."
With that, he strode away, his steps long and forceful.
Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night.
Ninth Royal Uncle lay in the Sky Prison, unable to sleep because of the heavy incense. So the entire imperial city would have to keep vigil with him.
The servants brought the requested items. Serena Feng beckoned William Wang Jinling over to help: "Hold the bronze mirror and stand steady."
Serena positioned the mirror toward Prince Samuel’s mouth, soaked the chopstick in strong liquor, and gestured for him to open wide. Prince Samuel was used to imperial physicians examining him like this, so he cooperated.
Serena held the luminous pearl in her left hand and the chopstick in her right. She looked a bit comical, but her face was all seriousness.
Her manner was rigorous and professional, her presence commanding—no one dared underestimate her.
Prince Samuel opened his mouth. Serena adjusted the angle of the mirror in William’s hand, shook the luminous pearl for light, and discovered...
The bronze mirror revealed everything inside Prince Samuel’s mouth.
Prince Samuel thought to himself, "She’s got some clever tricks."
Serena didn’t care about Prince Samuel’s thoughts. She focused on his upper and lower left teeth—eight had been pulled in total. Her brows furrowed unconsciously.
In ancient times, tooth extraction never blocked the pain nerves. Such rough pulling caused not just agony, but major problems with wound care.
With the teeth gone, only bloody holes remained. The early ones had mostly healed, but the recent extractions still had blood clots, and the gums were severely swollen and red.
"Your Highness, when I ask if it hurts, please answer honestly." Serena was genuinely worried Prince Samuel would try to tough it out and refuse to admit the pain.
"Mm." This time, Prince Samuel was surprisingly cooperative—probably because he’d suffered enough.
Serena tapped each tooth with the chopstick, top and bottom. Prince Samuel reported pain every time, as if every tooth hurt.
By the end of the round, Serena’s hand was sore.
It was a bamboo chopstick, so she had to use just the right amount of force to tap accurately.
But looking at Prince Samuel’s teeth, they all seemed perfectly healthy. If he hurt like this, wouldn’t they have to pull every tooth?
Of course, that was impossible. Serena wasn’t a dentist, but she knew toothaches didn’t work like this.
"That’s enough." Serena signaled for Prince Samuel to close his mouth and for William to stop holding the mirror. She returned the luminous pearl to the prince’s staff and fell silent, lost in thought.
No one dared disturb her.
Thinking over the results, Serena hesitated, then stepped forward: "Your Highness, please try pressing on your left cheek."
She was pretty sure of her diagnosis, but didn’t dare say it aloud. If she did, she’d be overturning every previous doctor’s verdict—a dangerous taboo.
"Reason?" Unfortunately, Prince Samuel was not someone to be fooled.
Serena’s brow tightened. Speaking up would offend so many people—and worse, it might get them killed.
Sigh...
"Serena, just say it. His Highness won’t blame you." William Wang Jinling nodded reassuringly at her.
"Go ahead, girl. Don’t play games in front of me." With his own health at stake, Prince Samuel couldn’t help but worry.
Knowing there was no way out, Serena voiced her conclusion: "Your Highness, I suspect it isn’t your teeth—it’s your face that hurts."
In Western medicine, facial pain is called trigeminal neuralgia—a recurring, stabbing nerve pain in the area supplied by the trigeminal nerve.
It’s easily confused with toothache—even in modern times it’s often misdiagnosed, let alone in ancient days.
Besides, Prince Samuel had always complained of tooth pain, never thinking to consider his face.
"What did you say?" Prince Samuel’s face darkened, killing intent radiating from him.
Serena had known this would happen, but she steeled herself and stepped forward: "Your Highness, I’m seventy percent certain. Try pressing your fingertip into your cheek—does the pain intensify?"
Facial pain is known as the worst pain under heaven. When it strikes, it can knock a person out cold. Prince Samuel was truly tough—he could still joke and talk while suffering attacks.
Prince Samuel eyed Serena, half-believing, half-doubting, then pressed his finger to his cheek.
"Hiss..." Prince Samuel gasped in pain, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead, his eyes still full of murderous intent.
"Facial pain. It really is facial pain." He pressed a few more spots, his expression growing uglier with each one.
At this point, he couldn’t help but believe Serena. The facts were clear: tapping the teeth hurt, but didn’t make it worse.
But pressing the cheek... the difference was obvious.
Prince Samuel had always thought it was his teeth, never considering facial pain. In his mind, how could the face hurt? Even when he covered his face, it was the whole thing, never a single spot.
"Quack doctors! Quack doctors! Those fools have harmed me. Attendants! Drag that pack of quacks out and execute them!" Prince Samuel, wracked with pain and fury, slammed the table and shot to his feet.
The room was still the same, but with Prince Samuel standing, it felt much smaller. Serena jumped in fright, stepping back again and again, but seeing his rage, she forced herself to stay in front of him...