Chapter 137: The Consultation

Li Chengqian paced back and forth in the main hall of the Eastern Palace on his tiptoes, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Liu Yitiao and Sun Simiao.

Ever since he learned a year ago that his right foot was crippled and he had become a lame man, Li Chengqian had felt as though he might as well be dead; the world before him had turned pitch black. Nothing he looked at pleased him. Because of this, he had smashed countless cups, beaten numerous attendants, and for a long time, had not dared to step a single foot out of the Eastern Palace. He had become consumed by inferiority, regret, and a darkening state of mind.

How could a cripple serve as Crown Prince? How could a cripple ever have a chance to become Emperor? Even if Li Shimin did not depose him, he had no confidence in himself.

"Li Tai! Wang Zikui!" Li Chengqian gritted his teeth in hatred, wishing he could flay them alive and eat their flesh. If not for them, he would never have ended up in such a state.

Yet, Li Chengqian felt utterly helpless against them. So much time had passed, and there were neither witnesses nor physical evidence; who would believe him if he spoke out?

Furthermore, he was now almost certain that the assassination attempt he had suffered previously was the work of that boy, Li Tai. And yet, Li Tai could still swagger about in front of him. Whenever they met, he still had to call him "Fourth Brother" with feigned affection. It was infuriating, but with no other recourse, he could only remain vigilant and keep his guard up.

"Your Highness, Divine Doctor Liu and Daoist Sun have arrived," Li Jihe said, entering the hall to report to Li Chengqian.

"Quick, bring them in!" Li Chengqian’s eyes lit up. Whether his foot could be healed and whether he could return to being a normal man now depended entirely on these two.

Guided by Li Jihe, Liu Yitiao, Sun Simiao, and Sun’s disciple, Daoist Changmei, walked into the hall. When Sun Simiao saw the Crown Prince limping forward to greet them, his gaze sharpened. How was it that the heir to the nation was a cripple?

"This commoner pays respects to Your Highness."
"This poor Daoist pays respects to Your Highness."
"This poor Daoist pays respects to Your Highness."

Regardless of the circumstances, the formalities could not be neglected. The three men hurried forward, reached Li Chengqian, and bowed in unison.

Li Chengqian raised his hands in a gesture of welcome and smiled. "Please, no need for such formalities. Everyone, please be seated!"

Li Chengqian limped to the head seat and sat down, then gestured for the three men. They bowed once more before taking their seats on the chairs nearby.

Once the palace maids had served tea, Li Chengqian spoke. "I just visited the Lizheng Palace and saw that the Empress's complexion has improved significantly; her voice is no longer as weak as before. This is all due to the efforts of Master Liu and the two Daoists. I thank the three of you here."

As he spoke, Li Chengqian bowed sincerely to the three men.

"Your Highness is too kind," Sun Simiao said with a bow. "Regarding the Empress's illness, my disciple and I did not play a major role; we merely added flowers to the brocade by teaching her a method of nurturing qi. The Empress's recovery is primarily due to Master Liu’s dietary therapy."

"Daoist, you are too modest," Liu Yitiao replied, bowing back to Sun Simiao. "The art of qi therapy is a profound practice that I can only look up to; I am nowhere near as skilled."

"Haha, let us stop the false modesty, Master Liu and Daoist Sun," Li Chengqian laughed. "You both possess exceptional medical skills and are masters at saving lives. I admire you both greatly. I invited you here today to ask for your help in treating this lame leg of mine."

Li Chengqian extended his right foot and said to Sun Simiao with a bitter smile, "As you must have seen, Daoist Sun, this foot was injured over a year ago and has remained like this ever since. I ask that you examine it. If it can be cured, I would be eternally grateful!"

"Oh?" Sun Simiao glanced at Liu Yitiao. Seeing the calm expression on Liu's face, it was clear he had expected this and had likely already diagnosed the Prince. He wondered what Liu had concluded.

Sun Simiao stood up, took a cushion from Daoist Changmei, placed it on the table, and bowed to Li Chengqian. "If I may, Your Highness, please extend your right hand so I may check your pulse."

"I trouble you, Daoist Sun!" Li Chengqian gestured for Sun Simiao to sit beside him and placed his right hand on the cushion.

Sun Simiao sat opposite him, placed his middle and index fingers on Li Chengqian’s right wrist, and focused.

"Hmm, your pulse is steady and robust, Your Highness, and your internal organs are all in good order. There is nothing amiss. However, when the qi and blood flow toward the right ankle, there seems to be a slight obstruction. It is like a river encountering a reef; though it can flow past, it creates ripples. I believe this is the source of your lameness."

After releasing his hand, Sun Simiao stood up and bowed. "Your Highness, please lift your right leg so I may examine it in detail."

"Certainly, Daoist Sun, please!" Li Chengqian lifted his right foot and placed it in Sun Simiao’s hands.

Sun Simiao crouched down, removed the boot, and felt along the bones of the foot through the sock.

"The bones were damaged and slightly fractured, but they have healed completely. There is no reason for a limp. This is truly strange." A look of confusion appeared on Sun Simiao’s face as he felt the bones more carefully.

"Hmm? That’s not right!" Sun Simiao pinched the two joints at the ankle. Li Chengqian winced and let out a soft cry of pain. Seeing this, a flicker of realization crossed Sun Simiao’s eyes. He pointed to the spot he had pressed and said to Li Chengqian, "There seems to be a foreign object lodged here, Your Highness. It blocks the flow of qi and blood between the two bones, causing pain when pressure is applied, which prevents you from walking normally."

"What you say, Daoist Sun, is exactly what Master Liu told me a few days ago. Do you have a cure to remove this object?" Li Chengqian pulled back his foot, put his boot back on, and looked at Sun Simiao with hope.

So it was true. Sun Simiao turned to look at Liu Yitiao and asked, "Do you have a plan, Master Liu?"

Liu Yitiao stood up and said, "My knowledge is shallow. The only method I can think of is surgery to remove the object. I seek your guidance, Daoist Sun!"

Liu Yitiao wanted to hear the opinion of a traditional expert like Sun Simiao. How would Chinese medicine handle a situation like this?

"Surgery?" Sun Simiao frowned. Traditional medicine emphasized the harmony of Yin and Yang and the balance of the five elements; it excelled in internal treatment but was less suited for external trauma. He truly lacked a good method for an injury like this. However, surgery seemed far too dangerous.

"Regarding your condition, Your Highness, the only method I can envision is acupuncture, though it would require long-term treatment—perhaps a year, two years, or even longer," Sun Simiao said, though his tone lacked conviction.

"I have heard of the art of surgery before. I know it can be effective quickly, but the process is fraught with peril. If there is even the slightest error during the procedure, your right foot might end up worse than just lame—there is a risk to your life." Sun Simiao looked at Li Chengqian. "Unless absolutely necessary, I would not recommend this surgical path."

Unless necessary? Li Chengqian smiled bitterly. If it were not necessary, would he have begged them to come?

Sun Simiao’s suggestion might be fine for an ordinary person—being able to walk while keeping one's life was enough. But for a Crown Prince, it was unacceptable. Li Chengqian would not allow himself to remain a cripple for long.

"Thank you for your concern, Daoist Sun," Li Chengqian said, bowing to both men. "I have endured this for over a year and truly do not wish to endure it for another. I choose the faster method. I ask that you both carefully treat me."

"Surgery is not my specialty; I fear I am powerless to assist in that regard," Sun Simiao said, bowing in refusal.

"This," seeing Li Chengqian shift his gaze to him, Liu Yitiao knew it was his turn to speak. He stepped forward and bowed to Sun Simiao. "Daoist Sun, I do know a little about surgery, but I would need your assistance. Things like stopping the bleeding, pain management, and post-operative care are your areas of expertise. I hope you can provide your support."

"That is no problem; you may leave that to me." Sun Simiao looked at Liu Yitiao doubtfully. "However, are you truly proficient in surgery? This concerns the life of the Crown Prince; this is no laughing matter. You must think carefully."

It was understandable that Sun Simiao was skeptical. Surgery was extremely rare in Chinese history; throughout the ages, only Hua Tuo was recorded as having performed such feats. It was only natural for Sun Simiao to be astonished.

"I trust him, Your Highness," Li Chengqian said, rising from his chair. "A month ago, Master Liu performed a similar treatment on me and saved my life."

As he spoke, he loosened his robe, pulled up his inner garment, and revealed a scar on his lower rib. "See for yourself, Daoist Sun. If not for Master Liu, I would have long since departed to the underworld!"

"This..." Sun Simiao drew a sharp breath, his belief growing. It was no wonder the Crown Prince, the Empress, and the Emperor treated this young man with such respect. It seemed he truly possessed some skill. He turned to Li Chengqian and said, "Since that is the case, I will cooperate fully. When does Your Highness intend to begin the treatment?"

"The sooner, the better!" Li Chengqian looked at Liu Yitiao again. The decision on the surgery rested with the Divine Doctor.

"Your Highness, the Chief of Attendants, Li Ran, has arrived. He says the Emperor wishes to have a word with Master Liu in the study." Before Liu Yitiao could reply, an attendant entered the hall and bowed to report.