Chapter 126: Li Chengqian's Right Foot

Li Zhi? The next emperor of the Tang Dynasty. A faint sense of anticipation stirred in Liu Yitiao’s heart.

Entering the hall together with the young attendant, they found only three or five servants inside. Liu Yitiao stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Empress Zhangsun. “Your humble servant pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty be in good health!”

“Hm, Mr. Liu, your courtesy is appreciated.” Empress Zhangsun sat upright on the bed, amusing the little prince Zhi Nu as he played. Seeing Liu Yitiao enter, she gently set the boy aside, smiled, nodded, and gestured for Liu Yitiao to take a seat. “Mr. Liu, please sit. Today’s invitation is merely for a meal; no need to observe formalities.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” Liu Yitiao clasped his hands in gratitude, then bent and took a seat at a small square table about ten meters opposite Empress Zhangsun.

“Xiao Dezi,” Empress Zhangsun called to the young attendant, “please invite Princess Yuzhang to join us, and also inform the kitchen that the meal may be served.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Xiao Dezi responded softly and bowed before leaving the hall.

“Mr. Liu, greetings!” The little prince Zhi Nu climbed down from the bed and ran over earnestly. He respectfully clasped his hands and bowed, saying, “Zhi Nu wishes to dine at the same table as you. I wonder if you mind?”

Liu Yitiao quickly rose, clasped his hands, and replied, “Your Highness, your courtesy humbles me. It is my honor to dine alongside you!”

By now, Liu Yitiao had roughly guessed that this little one named Zhi Nu was none other than the future Emperor Gaozong, Li Zhi. Dining with the young emperor himself would certainly be a source of great prestige in the future.

“Please, Your Highness, take this seat.” Liu Yitiao offered the seat at the center and then sat beside him.

“Mr. Liu, it seems Zhi Nu likes you very much,” Empress Zhangsun said tenderly, looking fondly at the boy. “It is rare for him to approach strangers so readily. You are the first in two meetings to have gained his desire to dine together.”

“Ah, haha,” Liu Yitiao smiled modestly, glancing at the boy. “It is Your Highness’s kindness that I do not deserve.”

Empress Zhangsun smiled and shook her head without replying.

“Your Majesty, breakfast is prepared and can be served at any time. However, Princess Yuzhang has some urgent matters and cannot come. She sends her apologies and will greet you this evening,” Xiao Dezi reported softly as he entered the hall.

“Hm? That girl Yuzhang is still so flighty?” Empress Zhangsun frowned slightly, then waved Xiao Dezi away. “Very well, you may send in the meal. After waiting so long, Mr. Liu must be hungry.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Xiao Dezi called out softly outside the hall, and several palace attendants soon came in carrying the dishes.

Empress Zhangsun’s breakfast was the medicinal meal prescribed by Liu Yitiao—fruit and vegetables, with only a single egg, which was still raw.

The table for Liu Yitiao and little Zhi Nu was similarly simple: two meat dishes and two vegetables—a chicken, a fish, tofu, and greens.

“The menu is somewhat plain; please don’t mind, Mr. Liu,” Empress Zhangsun apologized, glancing at him. During the difficult years of the court, this was the standard fare for the palace—emperor, empress, princes, and princesses alike.

Although life had improved somewhat, the simple meals continued as a sign of frugality.

“Your Majesty is too kind.” Even in modern times, this would be considered a modest but decent meal. Liu Yitiao’s own family had only been able to afford such fare during New Year celebrations. Otherwise, his younger siblings would drool at the sight of a piece of fatty meat, their eyes shining like gold.

Liu Yitiao bowed politely to Empress Zhangsun before beginning to eat.

Though simple, the dishes were carefully prepared by the palace chefs. Authentic imperial cuisine naturally tasted far better than that of any grand restaurant.

Thus, Liu Yitiao ate heartily, chewing contentedly. Little Emperor Gaozong watched, his appetite stirred, and soon he picked up his chopsticks to compete for food with Liu Yitiao.

Empress Zhangsun smiled approvingly and began eating her fruit and vegetables.

In less than fifteen minutes, the whole chicken, fish, and two vegetable dishes were consumed clean by the two of them, while Empress Zhangsun’s medicinal meal neared its end.

“Mr. Liu,” Empress Zhangsun instructed the servants to clear away the leftover dishes. Then she reclined on the bed, and after some polite exchanges, she spoke solemnly. “I invited you here not only to thank you for your healing skills but also to ask a favor. I hope you will grant it.”

“Your Majesty is too gracious,” Liu Yitiao quickly stood and bowed. “Please command whatever you wish. I shall do my utmost within my abilities.”

“In that case, I thank you in advance,” Empress Zhangsun bowed slightly, looking at Liu Yitiao earnestly. “I wish for you to examine and treat the Crown Prince’s foot ailment.”

She dismissed the servants with a wave and smiled wryly. “You must have seen him yesterday. The Crown Prince’s right ankle is afflicted, causing him to walk unevenly, with one foot higher than the other. It mars his dignity. If he ascends the throne with this condition, it will damage the prestige and image of our great Tang Dynasty.”

“I know you possess great talent, and your medical skill far surpasses that of the imperial physicians. For the sake of the Crown Prince, for our Tang Dynasty, and as a mother’s heartfelt wish, I beg you to heal the Crown Prince’s foot ailment.”

Her words were sincere and earnest; tears glimmered faintly in her eyes.

Li Chengqian’s foot ailment had long been a source of worry for Empress Zhangsun, as it not only affected his character and daily life but also his standing in Emperor Taizong’s heart.

Since Li Chengqian’s injury a year ago, Empress Zhangsun sensed the emperor’s thoughts leaning toward replacing the heir apparent. Yet, constrained by ancestral traditions and political stability, Emperor Taizong had not acted on these thoughts.

“Your Majesty is too kind.” Liu Yitiao bowed deeply. “Healing the sick is the physician’s duty. I will certainly do my utmost for the Crown Prince’s ailment. However, whether it can be cured depends on my diagnosis.”

At that moment, a servant entered, reporting, “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived!”

Ah, speak of the devil, he’s here—what a coincidence.

Liu Yitiao glanced at Empress Zhangsun, wondering if they had arranged this together.

“Let him in,” Empress Zhangsun nodded and then smiled at Liu Yitiao. “Since the Crown Prince is here, please take the opportunity to examine him. It will save you a trip to the Eastern Palace later.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Liu Yitiao bowed.

“Mother, your son has come to pay respects!” Li Chengqian limped into the hall, stepping unevenly, and bowed to Empress Zhangsun.

“Hmm, my dear son, you are thoughtful. Please sit here,” Empress Zhangsun said softly with a smile.

“Thank you, Mother!” Li Chengqian bowed again, then sat beside Liu Yitiao and clasped his hands respectfully. “Greetings, Mr. Liu.”

“Your Highness, I greet you!” Liu Yitiao returned the bow promptly.

“Chengqian,” Empress Zhangsun glanced at him. “Your mother and Mr. Liu were just discussing your foot injury. Mr. Liu has agreed to treat you. Why don’t you let him examine you now?”

“Ah?” Li Chengqian’s heart leapt with joy. When he had worked so hard to invite Liu Yitiao to Chang’an, it was not only to help his mother but also for his own right foot. Though Liu Yitiao had refused his invitation yesterday due to Empress Zhangsun’s illness, now his mother had already arranged everything for him.

He stood and bowed deeply to Empress Zhangsun. “Thank you, Mother, for your concern.” Then he clasped his hands towards Liu Yitiao. “And thank you, Mr. Liu, for your efforts.”

“You are too polite, Your Highness.” Liu Yitiao bowed to Li Chengqian, then said, “Please sit and remove your shoes and socks so I may examine you properly.”

“Very well.” Li Chengqian sat beside Liu Yitiao as instructed, removing his shoes and socks to reveal his injured, pale right foot. Fortunately, he did not suffer from athlete’s foot, and his foot, seemingly recently washed, bore no offensive odor.

Liu Yitiao knelt, holding the swollen bony ankle, and began diagnosing Li Chengqian in the manner of a veterinarian.

“May I ask how Your Highness sustained this injury? How long has it been? And what have the imperial physicians diagnosed?” After careful examination, Liu Yitiao released the foot and stood, directing his questions to Li Chengqian.