Tang Dynasty: Saving Lives and Helping Others, Li Lizhi Falls for Him

In the teahouse, Empress Zhangsun's eyes lit up slightly after hearing Shen Chang'an's words.

She had been plagued by this illness for many years, suffering greatly from it. She consulted countless imperial physicians and folk healers, but all she received was the same answer:

"This illness cannot be cured by medicine; it can only be treated through self-cultivation and gradual recuperation!"

Therefore, she was still somewhat skeptical of Shen Chang'an's words.

Then Empress Zhangsun heard Shen Chang'an say:

"The root cause of the lady's illness lies in the deficiency of both the lungs and kidneys, coupled with the obstruction of phlegm and dampness. Treatment should start from three aspects: tonifying the lungs and consolidating the exterior, tonifying the kidneys and promoting the intake of qi, and resolving phlegm and eliminating dampness."

As he spoke, he took out paper and pen from the medicine box and began to write.

"I will first prescribe a formula with ginseng and astragalus to tonify the lungs and strengthen the exterior, with cornus officinalis and schisandra chinensis to tonify the kidneys and promote qi circulation, and with poria cocos and atractylodes macrocephala to strengthen the spleen and dispel dampness. Madam, please take seven doses first. After seven days, I will make adjustments based on the changes in your pulse during my follow-up visit."

He wrote down the prescription and handed it over with both hands.

Empress Zhangsun took it and examined it carefully.

The handwriting is neat and elegant, and the prescription is meticulous and thorough; it's clear that the person is an expert.

But she still had a lingering doubt.

Although Dr. Shen spoke eloquently and prescribed a well-structured formula, she had never personally verified his medical skills—she had not experienced her son's acupuncture techniques firsthand.

"Dr. Shen," Empress Zhangsun said calmly, setting down the prescription, "I heard that you treated my son with acupuncture yesterday, and it was effective immediately. I wonder if acupuncture could also be used for my illness?"

Shen Chang'an smiled slightly: "Acupuncture is also effective for Madam's illness. I have a set of acupuncture techniques called 'Lung-Tonifying and Kidney-Benefiting Acupuncture Technique,' which uses acupoints such as Feishu, Shenshu, Taiyuan, and Taixi to tonify lung qi and benefit kidney essence, greatly benefiting Madam's qi ailment."

"May I give it a try?"

"Of course."

Shen Chang'an took out the green wooden needle box from the medicine box, opened the lid, and nine silver needles were neatly arranged, gleaming coldly in the sunlight.

"Please extend your arm, Madam, so I may first take the Taiyuan and Taixi acupoints."

Empress Zhangsun rested her arm on the table. Shen Chang'an took out a silver needle, wiped it with alcohol to disinfect it, gently pressed the Taiyuan acupoint, and after confirming that everything was in place, slowly inserted the silver needle.

A wisp of extremely subtle [Azure Wood True Qi] flowed along the needle and silently entered the acupoint.

Empress Zhangsun's body trembled slightly.

She felt a warm current slowly spreading from the needle tip, extending upwards along her arm, and warming her all the way to her chest.

At the same time, her breathing... seemed to have become a little easier.

After calmly applying the Taiyuan acupoint, Shen Chang'an took a second silver needle and inserted it into the Taixi acupoint.

The same warmth spreads upwards from the calves, converging into the waist and abdomen.

"Madam, how are you feeling?"

Empress Zhangsun closed her eyes, pondered for a moment, and when she opened them, her eyes were filled with disbelief.

"My chest... doesn't feel as tight anymore." Her voice trembled slightly. "And my breathing is easier than before."

Li Lizhi and Li Chengqian exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with surprise and delight.

"Dr. Shen," Empress Zhangsun's tone was much more serious than before, "where did you learn your acupuncture technique?"

Shen Chang'an put the silver needles into the needle box and said calmly, "I learned from a wandering doctor; it's just a trivial skill."

"A trivial skill?"

Empress Zhangsun shook her head, her eyes full of admiration, "I have seen many imperial physicians perform acupuncture, but none of them can achieve the same effect as you."

She stood up, straightened her clothes, and solemnly curtsied to Shen Chang'an.

"Dr. Shen, thank you very much."

Shen Chang'an quickly stood up and returned the greeting: "Madam, you flatter me. It is my duty as a doctor, and I dare not thank you."

Empress Zhangsun sat down again, her gaze lingering on Shen Chang'an for a moment, her eyes full of scrutiny and admiration.

This young man was neither arrogant nor humble, remained calm in the face of praise or criticism, possessed superb medical skills, and had impeccable character...

She suddenly turned her head and glanced at her daughter.

Li Lizhi was looking at Shen Chang'an, her eyes filled with an indescribable light.

Empress Zhangsun's heart stirred slightly.

"Dr. Shen," she said, withdrawing her gaze and speaking gently, "is your follow-up appointment in seven days at the same place?"

"Yes."

Shen Chang'an nodded, "I provide free medical consultations here every morning. If you come, Madam, I can administer acupuncture to you after my consultations."

"Alright." Empress Zhangsun stood up. "Then we'll meet again in seven days."

"Please take care, Madam."

Shen Chang'an cupped his hands in farewell, watching the three board the carriage and slowly depart.

Inside the carriage, Empress Zhangsun leaned against the side wall, closing her eyes to rest, but a slight smile played on her lips.

"How is Mother Empress feeling?" Li Lizhi asked cautiously.

"very good."

Empress Zhangsun opened her eyes, looked at her daughter with a meaningful gaze, and said, "This Doctor Shen is indeed a rare talent."

She paused, then said, "Lizhi, you did a very good job this time."

Li Lizhi was delighted, but she remained outwardly composed, saying softly, "Your Majesty flatters me. It was just a coincidence."

"happen?"

Empress Zhangsun smiled and said, "There aren't that many coincidences in this world."

She glanced out the window at the clinic site receding into the distance, her gaze distant.

"This person might be of great use in the future."

Li Lizhi understood the deeper meaning in her mother's words, and her heart skipped a beat.

But she didn't press further, simply replying softly, "Yes."

The carriage rumbled into the distance, carrying the thoughts of both mother and daughter.

.........

Meanwhile, in the teahouse, Shen Chang'an was packing his medicine chest.

The system's voice was quietly ringing in my mind.

[Ding—Task triggered]

[Treatment of Empress Zhangsun's Illness]

[Task Description]: Empress Zhangsun suffers from a chronic illness and has already begun treatment. If the host can effectively alleviate her symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks, they will surely gain the Empress's favor.

[Task Rewards]: 1000 merit points, one bottle of spiritual spring water.

[Task Time Limit]: Sixty days

……

Upon hearing the system's voice, Shen Chang'an's lips curled up slightly.

Two members of the royal family, two system tasks.

Five hundred plus one thousand, once the treatment is over, you'll receive one thousand five hundred merit points.

At that time, he will be able to purchase Foundation Establishment Pills.

Thinking of this, Shen Chang'an's enthusiasm grew even higher. This is how you cultivate immortality!

He shouldered his medicine chest and headed into the city.

I still have several patients to visit this afternoon.

……

Meanwhile, Empress Zhangsun's carriage left the tea house and headed towards the palace along the official road.

However, the atmosphere inside the car was completely different from when they arrived.

Although they were somewhat reserved when they arrived, the mother and daughter chatted and laughed. Li Lizhi was full of hope, and Empress Zhangsun was also filled with curiosity and anticipation.

But at this moment, the carriage was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Empress Zhangsun leaned against the carriage wall, her eyes slightly closed, her face calm, but her slightly furrowed brows and the fingers that occasionally tapped the window sill betrayed her inner turmoil.

Li Lizhi sat to one side, glancing at her mother and then at her elder brother riding alongside her outside the window, her heart filled with increasing doubt.

Her mother and brother must be hiding something from her.