Chapter 118: Entering the Palace to See the Emperor (Request for Votes)

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Ji He did not stay long at the Gongsun residence before taking his leave and returning to the Eastern Palace to report to Li Cheng. Once he left, only Gongsun Wuda and Liu Yitiao remained in the main hall. Gongsun Wuda sipped his tea, glanced at Liu Yitiao, and spoke gently, “My worthy nephew, a few days ago, Prince Wei, Li Tai, visited this general’s residence and brought quite a number of gifts.”

“Oh?” Liu Yitiao raised his eyebrows in surprise. That Li Tai actually dared to come to the Gongsun residence? He certainly had a lot of nerve. He asked, “I wonder what brought His Highness Prince Wei here? Did he say anything?”

“Nothing more than a simple visit,” replied Gongsun Wuda. “He urged me to take care of my health and chatted about mundane family matters. He also heard that little Lan is ill and insisted on going to see her. It was a heartfelt gesture.”

“Just that?” Liu Yitiao was somewhat surprised. If that was all, then this Li Tai truly was a figure to reckon with. He would need to be cautious of him in the future.

“He was showing goodwill toward me, with an undertone of apology,” Gongsun Wuda looked at Liu Yitiao and said, “So, my worthy nephew, in the near future, Prince Wei will not make any further moves against you or little Lan. You can stay in Chang’an with peace of mind. Now, you should tell me about your situation with the Crown Prince.”

With Gongsun Wuda, such a powerful figure, willing to back him up, Liu Yitiao finally felt some relief. At least for the time being, he need not worry about Prince Wei.

Upon hearing Gongsun Wuda’s inquiry about the Crown Prince, Liu Yitiao lowered his head slightly and answered, “Before the New Year, I happened to meet His Highness the Crown Prince at the Jihe Pharmacy in Sanyuan County. At that time, the Crown Prince had been severely wounded and was in critical condition. So, I, along with the shopkeeper Wang Zhenghe of Jihe, saved His Highness.”

“That’s why Master Li earlier referred to you as a miracle doctor. As for the Crown Prince’s identity, I only learned of it yesterday. Since then, I’ve been wondering if the assassin who tried to kill me and my brother Helan was actually targeting me because I saved the Crown Prince.”

Liu Yitiao briefly looked up at Gongsun Wuda and quietly analyzed, “That must be the reason.”

“Hm,” Gongsun Wuda nodded. It was indeed possible.

Though Gongsun Wuda had little contact with Li Tai, the recent visit left him with the impression that Li Tai resembled a young Li Shimin — patient, strategic, and ruthless. Gongsun Wuda had destroyed Li Tai’s three years of hard work and caused over a hundred deaths, yet Li Tai still sat face-to-face with him, chatting as if nothing had happened. Such a person was truly frightening.

Liu Yitiao’s meaning was clear to Gongsun Wuda: that Li Tai was very likely the mastermind behind the Crown Prince’s assassination attempt. It was not impossible. Li Tai’s secret office was established precisely for such deeds.

Could Li Tai be trying to imitate his father and usurp the throne by killing his brother?

“Uncle Gongsun, though it was unintentional, I have indirectly made an enemy of Prince Wei. While your protection shields me for now, your strength is limited and cannot guarantee my lifelong safety. Therefore, I wish to seek a long-term means of protection from you. I hope you can teach me,” Liu Yitiao said, eager to hear the advice of this seasoned veteran who had survived decades in officialdom without harm.

“Your Highness,” Gongsun Wuda regarded Liu Yitiao with admiration, “If you want absolute safety, there is only one way: to have the Emperor know you and remember you.”

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“The current Emperor is a man of extraordinary talent, in the prime of his life. As long as you find a way to leave a good impression on him, your safety for the next decade or so will be assured!”

The seasoned veteran spoke straight to Liu Yitiao’s heart.

Li Shimin was a rare enlightened ruler, only in his thirties and at the peak of his power. If Liu Yitiao wanted a reliable patron, clinging to Emperor Li Shimin’s favor was the right path.

“You speak wisely, Uncle Gongsun. I am grateful for your guidance,” Liu Yitiao bowed slightly in thanks.

“Heh, nephew, you are too polite. These are just some experiences. If they help you, all the better,” Gongsun Wuda smiled gently, then continued, “But right now, you have a very good opportunity. The question is whether you can seize it.”

Liu Yitiao’s eyes brightened as he leaned forward, “Please, Uncle, enlighten me!”

Gongsun Wuda lifted his tea cup and blew on it softly. “Empress Zhangsun.”

“You understand medicine, and are considered a miracle doctor. If you can treat Empress Zhangsun’s illness, you will surely leave a deep impression on the Emperor’s heart. In the future, if anyone dares to harm you, they will hesitate.”

“Moreover, treating Empress Zhangsun is likely the real reason the Crown Prince urgently summoned you to Chang’an. The Crown Prince is known for his kindness and filial piety. He will undoubtedly be grateful to you, adding another layer of protection.”

“Uh,” though the words were encouraging, Liu Yitiao felt uncertain. The palace was full of top imperial physicians, yet none could cure her. How could he, a mere barefoot doctor, possibly succeed?

“Master, Young Master Liu!” At that moment, Gongsun Li entered the hall, saluted Gongsun Wuda and Liu Yitiao, and reported, “A message just arrived from the palace. The Emperor has urgently summoned Young Master Liu to the palace!”

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“Ruer, is this the same miracle doctor who saved your elder brother the Crown Prince?” Li Shimin paced anxiously in the Lixing Hall. Usually composed, even he was now somewhat unsettled. The medicinal decoction from the Imperial Pharmacy had been administered to Empress Zhangsun for nearly half an hour, yet she showed no sign of awakening.

Looking at the Empress lying unconscious on the bed, Li Shimin asked Princess Yuzhang, who was gently wiping the Empress’s face, “Is he truly capable of curing your mother’s illness?”

Princess Yuzhang rose, stepped softly to Li Shimin’s side, and whispered, “Father, Mr. Liu was specially summoned from Sanyuan by the Crown Prince’s elder brother Li Ji He. Li Ji He repeatedly praised him as a miracle doctor and showed great respect. He must be capable. As for whether Mr. Liu can cure Mother’s illness, Ruer believes that the Empress, blessed by heaven and mankind, will surely overcome this crisis.”

Medicine can soothe but not always heal; only fate can decide. Princess Yuzhang hoped sincerely that Mr. Liu would save the Empress, but she dared not make any promises to avoid bringing misfortune upon him.

“Hmm, since Miracle Doctor Liu saved your Crown Prince brother, he will certainly save your mother. Xiao Dezi!” Li Shimin called out loudly, instructing, “Go wait outside the hall. When the miracle doctor arrives, do not announce it. Just bring him directly to the Lixing Hall.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Xiao Dezi responded promptly and bowed before hurrying out.

“Your Majesty,” at this moment, Wang Zikui stood and bowed deeply to Li Shimin. He spoke firmly, “If an external doctor is to practice medicine in the palace, protocol requires three imperial physicians to test and approve him before he may officially enter. Your Majesty’s current actions may be improper. Furthermore, if the summoned doctor seeks only a reputation, he may jeopardize Her Majesty’s life. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!”

“Reconsider!” echoed the imperial physicians, all bowing and urging Li Shimin.

Hiring an unknown countryside doctor to treat the Empress was a slap in the face to the Imperial Pharmacy. If the doctor failed, it would be a disaster; if by some fluke he succeeded, what purpose would the Imperial Pharmacy serve?

Thus, no matter what, the imperial physicians would not allow Liu Yitiao to set foot in the Lixing Hall.

“Hmph!” Li Shimin shot a cold glare at the physicians and scolded loudly, “Improper protocol? Seeking fame? Wang Zikui, you witnessed the Crown Prince’s injuries yourself. Tell me, if you were faced with such wounds, could you have saved him?”

“Uh, I… I am not capable,” Wang Zikui stammered, recalling the huge scar on Li Chengqian’s lower abdomen. He stepped back silently.

“You are the head of the Imperial Pharmacy and the best doctor there. If you cannot surpass yourself, does that mean the tests are meaningless? Does that mean you are only after fame?” Li Shimin’s cold gaze swept the physicians’ faces. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re really thinking, what schemes you have. Hmph! I understand perfectly!”

Li Shimin furrowed his brow, his anger palpable, frightening the physicians into dropping to their knees, shouting, “Your Majesty, please calm your anger!”

“Father,” Princess Yuzhang stepped forward and took Li Shimin’s arm gently, coaxing softly, “Please calm down. Although the imperial physicians acted improperly, their concern is for Mother’s health and the propriety of our Tang court. Please do not be angry.”

“Your Majesty,” just then, Xiao Dezi hurried back into the hall, bowed, and reported, “Miracle Doctor Liu has arrived!”