The Lucky Farmgirl
Chapter 673 - 662: Suturing

Chapter 673: Chapter 662: Suturing

Physician Fan gently released his hold and observed only a small amount of blood oozing out, which soon ceased to flow; he quickly took the needle and thread and commenced stitching up the wound swiftly.

Manbao had been standing on her tiptoes, watching intently; she already had the scissors in hand to cut the thread just as he had tied the knot, quickly moving to remove the needle.

The organ that had paled due to blood loss gradually regained its rosy hue.

Everyone watched anxiously, noticing only faint traces of blood seeping out, they all breathed a sigh of relief, spirits lifting as they turned their gaze to Ji Hao’s face.

Doctor Fan felt his pulse and nodded to the other physicians, "Let’s try again."

Doctor Ji also exhaled a sigh of relief, and a maid attending to him immediately brought over a towel to dab at his sweat. Seeing Manbao, still inserting needles, with perspiration also beading on her forehead, after a moment’s thought, she took a handkerchief from her sleeve and carefully wiped the sweat from Manbao’s brow.

Manbao turned her head and gave her a sweet smile, then bowed her head to feel Ji Hao’s acupoints again, carefully considering before inserting the needle.

With Manbao’s help, Physician Fan stitched up the three bleeding points he had found, and then he searched for the one beneath the liver that Manbao had mentioned.

The maid standing by did not dare to look down; she simply focused on the faces of the four physicians and Manbao, ready to wipe away any sweat that appeared.

Manbao’s eyes, however, were wide open; this was her first time witnessing a living person’s abdomen being cut open and sutured.

After all, she had only ever seen mock-up models with bellies, which, although very similar in detail, were not real, were they?

Not only was it Manbao’s first time seeing such a sight, but Doctor Ding, standing opposite her, was also experiencing this for the first time, which left him somewhat pale. Only Doctor Ji and Doctor Chen, with their wide-ranging experience, managed to keep their composure.

Physician Fan gently turned over the area and finally found the small lesion beneath the liver. The light was dim, and he looked up. Having worked with Doctor Ji several times, the latter immediately turned to instruct someone to bring over a light. He carefully crouched down, cautiously illuminating the area without contaminating the patient.

Physician Fan took the needle and thread and carefully began sewing up the wound, securing all of the bleeding points; Ji Hao still clung to life.

Even Physician Fan couldn’t help but remark, "This young fellow sure is tough."

Doctor Ji handed the lamp to an assistant and said, "Now, let’s cut what needs to be cut, and replace what needs to go back where it belongs."

The following procedures had nothing to do with Manbao, but Doctor Ji did not ask her to leave; instead, he whispered to her, "You help me out, and pay close attention."

Physician Fan glanced back at them, gave a slight smile, and after re-cleansing his hands, he returned to the task.

Some internal organs were damaged, with fragments present; they had to be cleaned thoroughly, the intestines that had fallen out had to be washed and placed back inside carefully...

Doctor Ding, who had been so tense earlier that he could hold a bleeding point without feeling a thing, now felt a bit uneasy, but he knew the opportunity was rare, so he watched wide-eyed.

Physician Fan was famously skilled with trauma, and had he not been lame and wishing to retire to his hometown, the Prince of Yizhou’s house would never have managed to secure his attendance.

Physician Fan himself tied off the last suture, having checked for any problems, and then moved on to examine Ji Hao’s injured leg.

After feeling it, he breathed a sigh of relief. Although he could not get a response from the patient, he was confident the leg was only broken, not shattered beyond repair.

If it had been shattered, that would mean a lifetime confined to bed.

Doctor Ji, more adept at internal medicine, held Ji Hao’s pulse and pondered deeply.

Doctor Chen and Doctor Ding also examined Ji Hao one more time, and the four doctors gathered to discuss, "He has lost too much blood, it’s critical."

An old nurse, who had been quietly observing the whole scene, quietly excused herself and whispered to the Old Madam.

Old Madam, who had been dabbing her tears, immediately stopped crying and, with the support of the old nurse, approached the physicians.

Physician Fan and the others quickly bowed in respect.

Old Madam bent down to kneel before them, startling the physicians, who quickly reached out to catch her, "Old Madam, please don’t do this, you would bring us to our knees."

"Physician Fan, he is my only grandson who stayed by my side to offer filial piety and the one I cherish the most; he is merely sixteen, still young. Please, I beg of you, save his life at all costs, and Doctor Ji, you are renowned for your benevolence as a healer, please have pity on an old woman—" Old Madam pleaded.

Being of similar age, Doctor Ji couldn’t quite pull her to her feet, so he simply said, "We will do everything in our power."

"Please, tell me the truth—can my grandson survive, and if so, what shape will he be in afterwards?"

Doctor Ji hesitated, then looked at Physician Fan.

Physician Fan did not speak, mulling over the situation.

Old Madam immediately turned and ordered the old nurse, "There are too many people in the tent, which might lead to contamination; kindly ask them all to step out."

Bai Shan and Daji, who had been spectating from a corner, were also asked to leave, as were all the servants, classmates, and teachers.

Doctor Ji quietly patted Manbao’s hand, signaling her to leave without getting involved in the matter.

Manbao lowered her head and moved to leave, but as the old nurse noticed her, before she could say anything, Manbao had already scurried away.

The old nurse: ...

The tent was left with only the old nurse, the two ladies of the Ji Family, and the four physicians—oh, and Ji Hao, who lay on the bed, unconscious.

Doctor Ji looked at Physician Fan, who felt the weight of a mountain on his back, a weight he thought he had left behind in the palace. Despite some concerns, he was not panic-stricken. After weighing the situation and another look at the expressionless Ji Hao and the two anxious young physicians, he sighed quietly and decided to tell the truth.

"The young master has lost too much blood; whether he can survive depends one-third on his constitution and two-thirds on fate."

Old Madam staggered, and upon hearing this, Second Madam Ji also covered her mouth, unable to hold back her sobs.

Physician Fan carefully explained the injuries suffered by Ji Hao, essentially briefing Doctor Chen and Doctor Ding, who had been the first to arrive at the scene and the first to treat the wounds.

"His injuries are severe; the tree branch scraped across his abdomen, and it was fortunate that the bleeding was halted or else—he would have..." Physician Fan paused, then continued, "I am not saying this to exonerate ourselves but to inform Old Madam that even if he survives, his condition will be weaker than others, and he probably won’t be able to engage in rough play or ride horses as before."

"Never again, never again," wept Old Madam, "If he ever misbehaves again, there’s no need for him to break his own legs, I’ll do it myself."

After Physician Fan detailed the visible injuries, Doctor Ji was to supplement with the invisible ones and illnesses. Together, they informed the Old Madam that although Ji Hao’s abdomen was now stitched up, it was still uncertain whether he would survive.

If he lived, it was by the will of Heaven; if not, they had done what they could.

Doctor Chen and Doctor Ding stood by, remaining silent. They were young and less experienced, and in this situation, they dared not claim credit, only hoping that no trouble would come their way.