Chapter 122: Sun Simiao

Who is this child? A little fellow about the same age as Xiao Hui, already bowing and paying respects so politely—it truly warms one’s heart.

Liu Yitiao did not dare let the boy bow fully. Judging by how he addressed Emperor Taizong and Prince Li Chengqian, this young lad must also be of princely rank. If he were allowed to bow completely, although Emperor Taizong would not say much, he might harbor some resentment in his heart. In this feudal society, where imperial authority was supreme, even a wise ruler like Emperor Taizong could not help but be mindful of rank and status.

Quickly, Liu Yitiao crouched down, gently blocking the little prince’s hands, and spoke kindly: “Your Highness, there’s no need for such formality. This humble servant would never be angry with you. Treating Her Majesty the Empress’s illness is my duty. Rest assured, I will do my utmost and will not disappoint the Emperor or Your Highness.”

The little prince nodded vigorously and then blinked his large, watery eyes full of hope as he asked, “Mr. Liu, can you cure Mother’s illness? She has been bedridden for so long and can’t play with me.”

“Uh? Well...” Liu Yitiao found this question difficult to answer.

He glanced up at Emperor Taizong, who was watching him intently, clearly eager to hear his response.

Could Empress Zhangsun be cured? Or more specifically, could her asthma be cured? Liu Yitiao was troubled. Asthma is not incurable but is notoriously persistent, like diabetes or hypertension—very difficult to completely heal. The right approach is careful management.

Yet, Liu Yitiao did not know how to manage it.

This was understandable; Liu Yitiao was not a physician. Treating specialized conditions like asthma would be beyond his expertise. If not for occasionally watching television and browsing the internet in his free time, knowing some basic emergency measures for asthma attacks, he would have been helpless when Empress Zhangsun suffered her episode.

Seeing Liu Yitiao’s troubled expression, Prince Li Chengqian stepped forward, lifted the little prince, and gently said, “Zhinu, be good. Let’s invite Mr. Liu into the inner hall to talk, shall we?”

“Okay.” The little prince obediently nodded in Li Chengqian’s arms.

“Mr. Liu, let us proceed to the inner hall,” Emperor Taizong said, leading the way. Taking his seat at the main spot, he waved to Liu Yitiao and Li Chengqian, “Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” They both bowed and took their seats according to rank.

Li Chengjin held the little prince to the right, Li Tai sat on the left, and Liu Yitiao, a commoner with the lowest status, took the seat farthest from the throne, beside Li Chengqian.

“The Empress had an attack just now. I observed that Mr. Liu’s treatment was skillful and effective. May I ask, have you encountered such a condition before?” Emperor Taizong inquired immediately.

Liu Yitiao stood and bowed, replying respectfully, “Your Majesty has keen insight. I have indeed seen such cases before. Patients with this illness appear no different from ordinary people—some are even stronger—but once an attack occurs, it causes severe shortness of breath, coughing, and gasping for air, just like Her Majesty’s episode. Without prompt treatment, they may faint or, at worst, suffocate to death.”

“Does Mr. Liu have a good remedy for this illness?” Though Emperor Taizong knew the details Liu Yitiao described, it was not what he truly wanted to hear.

He only wanted to know if Liu Yitiao could cure the Empress.

“Your Majesty,” Liu Yitiao bowed again and replied frankly, “To my knowledge, there is no cure for this disease. The only way to protect Her Majesty is through careful prevention and control. Or,” he suddenly thought of something and said, “perhaps if Your Majesty could find a certain person, with his presence, the Empress’s condition might be cured.”

“Oh? Who is this person, Mr. Liu?” Emperor Taizong’s expression shifted, hope kindling in his heart.

“Sun Simiao!” Liu Yitiao answered firmly. “The ‘Medicine King’ Sun Simiao!”

A medical genius who authored the classic “Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold,” perhaps only he could truly heal Empress Zhangsun’s asthma.

“Sun Simiao? That one?” Emperor Taizong nodded slightly. He had some impression of this figure. Now in his seventies, with a lean face and a beard on his chin, he had the appearance of a Daoist sage, though somewhat stubborn and unwilling to engage with court affairs.

When Emperor Taizong first ascended the throne in the first year of Zhenguan, he had summoned him and, impressed by his virtue, wished to grant him a noble title. But Sun Simiao adamantly refused and retreated into the mountains to cultivate his legendary “Taiyi Divine Elixir.” Seeing his advanced age and dedication to Daoism, the Emperor did not press him and let him be.

In hindsight, that old sage’s medical skills were already highly regarded, even famous around Chang’an. But he did not seem to carry the title “Medicine King” then. Was Liu Yitiao exaggerating?

Emperor Taizong glanced at Liu Yitiao and asked, “How does this Master Sun compare to you, Mr. Liu?”

Liu Yitiao respectfully answered, “If my humble skills are a clear stream, then Master Sun’s are a vast ocean. I am far inferior to him! So, if Your Majesty could invite Master Sun here, Her Majesty’s illness would be without worry.”

“Good! As you say, I will dispatch someone to find Master Sun immediately!” Though unaware of his current whereabouts, as the sovereign of a great nation, finding a person should not be difficult.

“However, until then, I rely on you to care for Her Majesty’s condition,” Emperor Taizong said.

“Your Majesty, rest assured. With me here, Her Majesty will remain safe in the short term.” Liu Yitiao felt reassured. Inviting the “Medicine King” was partly for the kind and familiar Empress Zhangsun, and partly for himself—to find a sheltering tree under which he might rest.

With the “Medicine King” present, this half-skilled doctor could go home early.

Truth be told, while Chang’an was bustling, it was also a gathering place for the powerful and influential, where hierarchical consciousness was intense. As a commoner, Liu Yitiao often felt uneasy here. Compared to this, he preferred staying in Sanyuan.

“Very well,” Emperor Taizong nodded, waving them away. “That will be all for today. You may leave.”

“Yes, Your Majesty! This servant takes his leave!” After setting down the little prince, the group, led by Li Chengqian, exited the hall one by one.

---

“Mr. Liu,” Li Chengqian limped alongside Liu Yitiao, speaking softly, “I would like to invite you to the Eastern Palace for a chat, to thank you for your assistance in Sanyuan. Might you find it convenient?”

At General Gongsun’s residence, Yang Bofang and Gongsun Wuda were engaged in a fierce game of chess.

“Brother Gongsun’s skill seems to have improved again, haha…” Yang Bofang smiled as he leapt his horse across the river, capturing a pawn.

“Ha ha, Young Brother Yang,” Gongsun Wuda retorted, blocking Yang’s cannon with his chariot, “This game of chess is designed for those seasoned in battle. Of course, one learns faster. I wonder what kind of person your nephew’s teacher is, to devise such a clever board. Truly admirable!”

“Yes,” Yang Bofang conceded as he moved his cannon away, “Besides the chess, my nephew’s literary talent, calligraphy, and medicine all seem closely tied to his teacher.”

“I wonder how your nephew fares at court now?” Yang Bofang’s face grew somber.

Gongsun Wuda swiftly captured Yang’s horse and said casually, “Why worry? If he can save her, it will be a great merit, and he will benefit. If he cannot, with your connections in Chang’an, can’t you keep him alive?”

“Still, I have confidence in my nephew. Even if he can’t cure Empress Zhangsun, he will find a way to escape unscathed. No need to fret over him,” Gongsun Wuda expressed his faith.

“Haha,” Yang Bofang laughed and fired his cannon, knocking Gongsun’s chariot away, “That’s true. That kid’s not dumb, or he wouldn’t have earned your second son’s favor. He even managed to get Xiaolan to acknowledge him as her elder brother—quite a feat.”

Gongsun Wuda defended with his horse, smiling, “That’s my second son’s cleverness—finding Xiaolan a big brother who can keep her in line, far better than having her follow Du Xian’s cunning son all day.”

“Indeed,” Yang Bofang nodded, freeing his left corner chariot and asked, “Brother Gongsun, do you think that last assassination attempt has already dragged my nephew into the palace’s internal conflicts?”

“Hard to say,” Gongsun Wuda clicked his tongue, “That depends on his experiences and choices during this Chang’an visit.”

“Ha ha, General!” Gongsun Wuda positioned his cannon beside Yang’s general. Yang’s general was immobilized. Gongsun Wuda grinned triumphantly, “Young Brother Yang, this time you lose, haha…”

“Haha, Brother Gongsun, you’re too impatient,” Yang Bofang remained calm and raised his chariot to press down on Gongsun’s general’s head.