Chapter 109: The Divine Healer, Liu Yitiao

Page 1/3

Chang’an City, Lizheng Palace.

Crown Prince Li Chengqian sat sideways on Empress Zhangsun’s bed, his heart aching as he watched his mother grow thinner by the day.

Empress Zhangsun waved away the attendants and gently touched Li Chengqian’s cheek, speaking softly, “My son, do not grieve. Since ancient times, who among us has not faced death? Everyone must walk this path; no one can escape it. The only difference lies in the timing—some arrive early, others late. Your mother has long seen through it all.”

“But once I am gone, the only thing I worry about is you, my dear son.” Empress Zhangsun’s gaze was filled with tender concern as she looked at Li Chengqian. “You have few companions in the palace. Your father is busy with state affairs, and your brothers are caught in their jealous strife, all hoping you will move out of the Eastern Palace. Once I am gone, there will be no one by your side to speak frankly or help guide your decisions. How can your mother rest easy at that thought?”

Thinking of those around Li Chengqian, most were either incapable or reckless—some brave but lacking strategy, others talented but dull. Not one was truly fit to assist him. Where could he find a statesman like Fang Qiao or Zhangsun Wuji?

“Mother is in the prime of her life; nothing will happen to her!” Li Chengqian’s eyes glistened with tears. He clasped Empress Zhangsun’s cold hand and said, “Mother, I have already instructed Yan Liben, the Vice Minister of Punishments, to begin drawing the portrait of the divine healer. It should be completed in a few days. Then I will send someone to find the healer. He will surely have a way to cure you.”

“But the healer who saved you last time?” A spark of hope flickered in Empress Zhangsun’s eyes. The healer’s skill had been indispensable in saving Li Chengqian’s life before. As a mother, Empress Zhangsun was endlessly grateful and had long wished to thank the healer in person. Yet after saving Li Chengqian, the healer had vanished without a trace.

Moreover, so long as there was even the faintest hope of survival, who would willingly accept death? Empress Zhangsun, after all, was human and yearned for life.

“Yes, since he saved me once, he must be able to save you again.” Speaking of the divine healer, Li Chengqian seemed to glimpse a sliver of hope. He squeezed Empress Zhangsun’s hand tightly and said, “Mother, please don’t worry. Within ten days at most, I will bring the healer to Lizheng Palace to treat you!”

Seeing Li Chengqian’s resolve, a faint smile appeared on Empress Zhangsun’s pale face. She gently patted his hand and said, “My son, with such thoughtfulness, I am content. The world is vast, and searching for one person among countless others is like finding a needle in a haystack—it is no easy matter. If you truly cannot find him, do not force it.”

“Also, when searching, be careful not to recklessly spread news and cause a stir throughout the city. Send only trusted confidants. Do not reveal the cause or details of this matter, lest it disgrace the royal family and displease your father, or endanger the healer’s safety and implicate yourself unjustly. Such a fault would be grave.” Empress Zhangsun spoke softly but firmly.

Page 2/3

“Your mother has yet to reproach you for secretly leaving the palace last time. Now that you are Crown Prince, every action reflects the dignity of the royal family. How can you indulge such rebellious impulses again? If not for the protection of the ancestors of the Li family, and the timely appearance of the divine healer when you were in peril, you, Crown Prince, might have perished.” A trace of lingering fear showed on Empress Zhangsun’s face as she spoke. The scar on Li Chengqian’s side still haunted her.

“Mother, I know my mistake. I have caused you worry.” Li Chengqian lowered his head in repentance and solemnly assured, “I will be more careful from now on and will never act rashly again. Please rest assured.”

———

“Big brother, is this the gift you’re giving me?” Gongsun Helan half-lay on the bed, staring at the object in his hand that Liu Yitiao had called a cane. “With this, I can walk freely?” His face was full of disbelief; they were just two oddly shaped wooden sticks. How could they possibly help him walk? Surely Liu Yitiao wasn’t joking.

Liu Yitiao smiled quietly, then asked the servants for two clean wooden sticks about half an arm’s length and some strong, wide ropes. Sitting at the bedside, he carefully bandaged the broken bones in Gongsun Helan’s leg.

After finishing, Liu Yitiao took the crutches from Gongsun Helan’s hands, stood up, and demonstrated their use.

He placed the two crutches under his arms, grasped the handles, and used the two points of support to bear most of his weight. After pacing back and forth twice, he said, “Young Helan, do you see? With these crutches, you can move around freely and no longer be confined to bed every day. Regular movement also promotes circulation and metabolism, which is immensely beneficial for the healing of your leg bones.”

Liu Yitiao demonstrated confidently, intending to gift the crutches in a couple of days. But since he was leaving for Chang’an the day after tomorrow with no definite return date, he had brought them earlier.

“Big brother, let me try too!” Seeing how easily Liu Yitiao walked, Gongsun Helan was eager and looked at the crutches like a treasure. “I’ve been bedridden for so long I feel like my bones are rusting. If I can’t get up and move around soon, I’ll go mad!”

“Heh, no rush.” Liu Yitiao seemed to tease him, handing the crutches to a nearby servant. Then he sat again at Gongsun Helan’s bedside and said, “You must wait until the physician confirms your internal injuries have healed before getting up. Otherwise, if your organs aren’t right and your circulation is uneven, getting up will only worsen your condition.”

“Master, Physician Wang from Jihe Pharmacy has arrived.” Just then, a servant came to report.

Page 3/3

“Physician Wang? Which one? Wang Zhenghe?” Gongsun Helan asked.

The servant bowed and replied, “Yes, Master. The physician Li who treated you earlier had some family matters, so the head of Jihe Pharmacy came in his place.”

“Hmm, send him in quickly.” Gongsun Helan waved the servant away and then said to Liu Yitiao, “Big brother, this Wang Zhenghe is a well-known physician in Sanyuan County. If he says I’m fine, then I can start moving around, right?”

“Yes.” Liu Yitiao nodded but thought to himself, “Jihe Pharmacy… why does that name sound so familiar?”

“Divine healer?! Divine healer! It’s really you!” Wang Zhenghe entered the room carrying a medicine box and immediately spotted Liu Yitiao sitting by the bedside. Excitedly, he called out and hurried toward him. Upon reaching Liu Yitiao, he bowed deeply and said with emotion, “Divine healer, you made it so difficult for us to find you!”

———

Recommended reading: “Good Fortune to Immortality,” Book No. 1029062

Synopsis: Urban youth Cao Tong embarks on the path of cultivation through a stroke of luck and an unexpected chemical reaction!