Volume 1, Chapter 10: Princess Zhu Yingrao Undergoes Cataract Surgery

Zhang Sanfeng, dressed in a blue-and-white patient gown, was admitted to a three-person ward on the second floor of the clinic. Liu Bowen had just been discharged, making it convenient to arrange for Zhang Sanfeng to stay in the ward.

“Master Zhang, let me show you how to use the restroom!” Xia Jingtian said.

Thus, Xia Jingtian proceeded to explain the operation of the faucet, the shower, and the toilet to Zhang Sanfeng.

“Doctor Xia, this clinic is truly marvelous. The faucet turns on automatically, the shower provides hot water, and that toilet is incredibly convenient. This ward is so comfortable!” Zhang Sanfeng exclaimed in admiration.

“Master Zhang, you rest here for now. I’ll prepare to perform your cataract surgery,” Xia Jingtian said.

After descending from the second floor to the first, Xia Jingtian realized that to perform cataract surgery on Zhang Sanfeng, specialized equipment and an operating room were necessary. However, the clinic lacked these facilities. So, Xia Jingtian activated the Time-Space Doctor System.

Host: Xia Jingtian currently holds 18,000 merit points.

Xia Jingtian had earned 10,000 merit points for saving Zhu Xiongying, 5,000 for treating Empress Ma, and another 5,000 for treating Liu Bowen.

[Advanced Sterilized Operating Room – requires 1.5 million yuan]
[Cataract Femtosecond Surgical Equipment – requires 2 million yuan]
[Cataract Surgery Technique – requires 3,000 merit points]

Xia Jingtian found that purchasing equipment from the shop required money, while exchanging for techniques required merit points.

[Successfully purchased Advanced Sterilized Operating Room]
[Successfully purchased Cataract Femtosecond Surgical Equipment]
[Congratulations, host’s treatment room upgraded to Advanced Sterilized Operating Room. Cataract femtosecond surgical equipment has been installed.]

Host: Xia Jingtian’s merit points: 16,600. Wealth: deducted 3.5 million yuan.

Although 3.5 million yuan was spent, Xia Jingtian still had over 50 million yuan in wealth.

Upon entering the treatment room, Xia Jingtian found it had transformed into a modern, advanced sterilized operating room, complete with the cataract femtosecond device, plus diagnostic equipment, oxygen supply, shadowless surgical lights, surgical bed, and computers.

“This operating room’s equipment is comparable to what I saw during my internship at a top-tier hospital. Now I can finally perform surgeries here,” Xia Jingtian muttered happily.

He had once interned at a top-tier hospital during graduation and had observed surgeries in the operating room, though he had never had the chance to perform one himself—until now.

“Doctor Xia, where are you?” Empress Ma’s voice came from outside.

Xia Jingtian stepped out of the operating room and noticed a young girl of about ten standing beside Empress Ma.

“Mother, is this the miraculous doctor who saved Xiongying? He’s so young?” the girl asked curiously.

“This is Xia Jingtian, the divine doctor. Not only did he save Xiongying and me,” Empress Ma introduced, “this is my youngest daughter, Zhu Yingrao. She’s been in the clinic all these days and somehow sneaked in.”

The clinic’s Moon Gate was very special—only historically significant figures or those connected to them could enter. For instance, Liu Bowen’s daughter, Liu Ruolan, could enter the clinic.

Zhu Yingrao, as the daughter of Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma, could also pass through the Moon Gate to enter.

This Zhu Yingrao was Princess Anqing, historically married off to Cavalry Commander Ouyang Lun.

Ouyang Lun often broke the law. In the late Hongwu era, he secretly sent people to sell tea abroad, and wherever he went, officials dared not intervene. His household slaves were particularly unruly, even assaulting and insulting officials at river checkpoints. Unable to tolerate this, officials reported the matter. Zhu Yuanzhang was furious and later sentenced Ouyang Lun to death.

“I’ve heard of this miraculous clinic for a long time—a clinic that suddenly appeared inside the palace, with a divine doctor of unparalleled skill. Only you, Father, my elder brother, and Xiongying can enter, yet I can too. Does that mean I’m someone quite extraordinary?” Zhu Yingrao asked with innocent curiosity.

Zhu Yingrao was lively and endearing, winning affection easily.

“Greetings, Princess. Someone as clever and charming as you naturally can enter the clinic. I must prepare for Master Zhang’s surgery now. Excuse me, Your Majesty, Your Highness,” Xia Jingtian bowed and then left.

Seeing Xia Jingtian leave so abruptly without even a bow, Zhu Yingrao was quite upset.

“Mother, this Xia Jingtian is so disrespectful. He didn’t kneel before you or me and just left like that,” she complained.

Having grown up pampered in the palace, Zhu Yingrao had never met such an ill-mannered doctor and was quite angered by it.

After preparing the operating room and arranging all the instruments, Xia Jingtian approached Zhang Sanfeng.

“Master Zhang, I am going to operate on your eyes now. Rest assured, I am using the most advanced equipment from six hundred years in the future. This is femtosecond bladeless technology, which removes cataracts without making incisions.”

“The femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, also known as ‘bladeless’ surgery, isn’t just an auxiliary technique; it replaces some manual steps of conventional surgery.”

“This technology revolutionizes the age-old tradition of using a knife in cataract operations, achieving a qualitative leap in precision and comfort.”

“However, since this is my first time using this equipment, I might be a bit slow.”

“I trust your skills. I’ve lived over a hundred years; even if I die now, I’ve had my fill. Just proceed,” Zhang Sanfeng encouraged Xia Jingtian.

Thus, Xia Jingtian began the surgery.

Upon entering the operating room and seeing the equipment, Zhang Sanfeng was thoroughly astonished.

“Master Zhang, just lie back and leave everything to me,” Xia Jingtian said.

The cataract surgery took five hours to complete successfully, removing the proteins inside Zhang Sanfeng’s eyes and then carefully covering his eyes, which should not be uncovered for three days.

After escorting Zhang Sanfeng back to the ward, Xia Jingtian suddenly realized a grave problem.

Since Zhu Yingrao could enter the clinic, it was very likely that King Jinlun would try to enter as well.

Now that Zhang Sanfeng’s eyes were bandaged post-surgery, completely unable to see, if King Jinlun did find the clinic, it could be dangerous.

Contemplating this, Xia Jingtian purchased a Type 92 pistol from the shop.

Holding the hefty pistol and feeling the weight of the bullets inside, he was deeply moved.

This was the real deal, far heavier than any toy gun he’d played with before. With this pistol, he could better prevent unforeseen accidents.