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

Inside the carriage, Li Lizhi carefully recalled the events of the day—

Everything was normal when they left the palace. When they arrived at the free clinic, the Empress Dowager observed Shen Chang'an treating patients and even sent Cuizhu to inquire about the situation. Her attitude gradually changed from suspicion to trust.

The emperor got out of the carriage to greet Shen Chang'an, but his expression changed when he returned.

Then the emperor got into the carriage and whispered something to his mother. She was standing outside the carriage at the time and didn't hear a word.

From then on, although the Empress Dowager did not show it on her face, a hint of worry appeared between her brows.

Later, Shen Chang'an examined the Empress Dowager's pulse and administered acupuncture. The Empress Dowager personally experienced the effects and should have been happy, but she remained silent on the way back.

The only unusual thing was after the Emperor returned from Shen Chang'an.

—What exactly did Shen Chang'an say to his elder brother?

Li Lizhi racked her brains but still couldn't figure it out.

She had an urge to turn back immediately and ask her directly for clarification.

But right now, she's following her mother's carriage and can't go anywhere.

We can only return to the palace first and then discuss the matter further.

After the carriage had traveled for a while, Empress Zhangsun suddenly opened her eyes, looked out the window at Li Chengqian riding alongside her, lifted the curtain, and spoke softly:

"Chengqian".

Li Chengqian immediately rode closer and respectfully asked, "What are your orders, Mother?"

"Your leg isn't fully healed yet, so don't ride a horse for too long."

Empress Zhangsun spoke gently, with the concern typical of a mother: "Go back and study hard, don't run around aimlessly."

Li Chengqian was slightly taken aback, but then he understood the deeper meaning in his mother's words.

The phrase "running around everywhere" doesn't refer to riding a horse, but rather to—not investigating that matter.

"Your subject will follow Your Majesty's teachings." Li Chengqian nodded solemnly.

Empress Zhangsun glanced at him and lowered the carriage curtain.

Before long, the carriage entered the palace.

At the palace gate, Li Chengqian dismounted, bowed to Empress Zhangsun to take his leave, and then returned to the Eastern Palace in his own carriage.

Empress Zhangsun and Li Lizhi's carriage continued towards the inner palace.

When they arrived near Lizheng Palace, the carriage stopped. Li Lizhi got out of the carriage and was about to bow to her mother to take her leave when Empress Zhangsun suddenly called her back.

"Beautiful".

"Mother?"

Empress Zhangsun looked at her daughter with a complex expression. After a moment of silence, she slowly said, "Rest well in the palace these next few days and do not go out. If you need anything, just have the palace servants take care of it."

Li Lizhi's heart sank suddenly.

"Mother, your daughter—"

"Listen to me." Empress Zhangsun's tone was gentle, but left no room for argument. "Your health is also weak, so take good care of yourself for a few days."

Li Lizhi opened her mouth, but ultimately swallowed the words that were about to come out, and lowered her head to say, "Yes, daughter obeys."

She curtsied and turned to walk towards the Lizheng Hall.

My steps were much heavier than when I came.

She wasn't stupid; the meaning of her mother's words couldn't be clearer—she wasn't allowed to leave the palace.

Moreover, although the Empress Dowager did not say it explicitly, she could sense the weight of her words. If she left without permission, the eunuchs and maids in the palace would likely be implicated.

Thinking of this, Li Lizhi became even more certain: what Shen Chang'an told her brother must be related to her.

But what exactly happened?

She returned to Lizheng Palace and sat by the window for a long time, gazing at the distant palace walls, completely baffled.

……

Empress Zhangsun's carriage continued its journey and eventually stopped in front of the Lizheng Hall.

The palace servants in the hall were somewhat surprised to see the Empress suddenly return to the palace, and they hurriedly came forward to serve her.

Empress Zhangsun alighted from the carriage, straightened her clothes, and stepped into the palace.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty is reviewing memorials in the Ganlu Hall. Shall I go and inform him?" a maid asked as she stepped forward.

Empress Zhangsun thought for a moment, then shook her head: "No need. I'll go change my clothes first, and then go when His Majesty takes his afternoon rest."

She entered the inner palace, changed into casual clothes with the help of her maids, removed her hairpins and ornaments, and restyled her hair into a simple bun.

She sat before her dressing table, her face reflected in the bronze mirror.

She examined it carefully for a moment, then sighed softly in her heart.

Her complexion has indeed improved a lot.

Although Shen Chang'an's two acupuncture needles were applied in less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, she could clearly feel the changes—her chest no longer felt so stuffy, and her breathing became much smoother.

This feeling was something that the people in the Imperial Medical Academy had never given her.

That young man is indeed very capable.

Thinking of this, another layer of worry arose in Empress Zhangsun's heart.

A marriage between cousins, the child has a birth defect...

If what Shen Chang'an said is true, then the marriage between Lizhi and Chong'er...

She shook her head, suppressing the thought for the time being.

—This matter must be made known to His Majesty.

……

After noon, Li Shimin finished reviewing the memorials in his hand, stood up to stretch his limbs, and was about to go to the Lizheng Hall to see if the Empress had sent back a message from the Tangquan Palace when a eunuch came to report:

"Your Majesty, the Empress has returned to the palace."

"Back to the palace?" Li Shimin was slightly taken aback. "Didn't you just go to the Hot Spring Palace? How come you're back so soon?"

"Her Majesty is already in the Lizheng Hall, saying she wishes to see His Majesty."

Li Shimin put down his vermilion brush and strode towards the Lizheng Hall.

He was thirty-seven years old this year, in the prime of his life, with a robust physique and a powerful stride. His bright yellow casual clothes accentuated his heroic and extraordinary appearance.

Although he has been on the throne for six years, he still carries the awe-inspiring air of someone who once fought on the battlefield.

Upon entering the Lizheng Hall, Li Shimin immediately saw Empress Zhangsun sitting on the couch.

He had only intended to see why the Empress had suddenly returned to the palace, but when he saw her face clearly, he stopped abruptly in his tracks.

"Guanyinbi?" Li Shimin's voice carried a hint of surprise. "Your complexion..."

Empress Zhangsun smiled slightly, stood up and bowed: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

"Get up quickly."

Li Shimin stepped forward, took her arm, and carefully examined her face. "You look so much better today! There's more color in your face."

His surprise was undisguised.

Empress Zhangsun was helped to sit on the couch by him, and said softly, "Your Majesty, please don't be in a hurry, I will tell you slowly."

"Okay, go ahead."

Li Shimin sat down beside her, his gaze never leaving her face.

"I left the city today to rest at the Tangquan Palace," Empress Zhangsun said slowly, "but I encountered Chengqian on the way."

"Chengqian?" Li Shimin raised an eyebrow. "He's left the palace too?"

"Yes. He said he met a miracle doctor outside the city who treated him yesterday, and he feels much better now. He's going for a follow-up appointment today."

Empress Zhangsun paused for a moment, then said, "At first, I didn't believe it either, but when I saw that Chengqian's complexion was indeed much better than usual, I began to have an idea."

"A miracle doctor?" Li Shimin's interest was piqued. "What kind of miracle doctor?"

"A young doctor named Shen Chang'an practiced free medicine at the southeast corner of Qixia Gate outside the city. He treated the people every day without charging a penny, and the people called him 'Dr. Shen'."

"Free medical consultation? Absolutely no charge?"

A hint of approval flashed in Li Shimin's eyes. "That's quite rare."

"I personally witnessed him treating the patient."

Empress Zhangsun's tone was tinged with emotion, "Although Doctor Shen is young, his medical skills are truly superb. He administered acupuncture to a lame old soldier, and in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the old soldier was able to walk on his own again. I have never seen such acupuncture technique before."

Li Shimin listened attentively, his expression becoming more solemn.

"And then? You showed it to him?"

"I've seen it."

Empress Zhangsun nodded. "He took my pulse and said that the illness he described was exactly the same as the suffering I have endured over the years. He also prescribed a medicine and performed a set of acupuncture techniques."

"How is the acupuncture technique?" Li Shimin pressed.

Empress Zhangsun closed her eyes, recalled for a moment, and said softly, "I have never felt anything like that before. After the silver needles were inserted into the acupoints, a warm current spread from my arm to my chest, and the tightness in my chest was relieved on the spot, and my breathing became much smoother."

She opened her eyes, looked at Li Shimin, and said with a hint of disbelief, "Your Majesty, in all the years I have seen imperial physicians, no one has ever been able to do this."

A glint of light flashed in Li Shimin's eyes.

Where is this person now?

"He is providing free medical consultations outside the city. I have arranged to meet him for a follow-up appointment in seven days," said Empress Zhangsun. "If Your Majesty is interested, you might as well have someone investigate his background."

"Hmm." Li Shimin nodded, already having made up his mind. "If he really has such abilities, I would like to meet him."

"Your Majesty, please do not be hasty." Empress Zhangsun smiled slightly. "I will introduce you to Your Majesty after I have recovered."

"Very well." Li Shimin's mood had clearly improved a lot. He was about to ask a few more questions when he noticed that Empress Zhangsun's expression was somewhat strange.

Although she was smiling, there was a lingering worry between her brows.

"Guanyinbi," Li Shimin grasped her hand, "is there something you're hiding from me?"

Empress Zhangsun remained silent for a moment, then took a deep breath.

"Your Majesty, I do have something to report." Her voice lowered slightly. "This matter is of great importance, and I dare not act on my own initiative."

Li Shimin's expression also turned serious: "You speak."

Empress Zhangsun carefully considered her words before slowly saying, "Today, when Chengqian went to greet Doctor Shen, he stood by the examination table for a while and happened to meet a couple with their child who came to see a doctor."

She recounted in detail Shen Chang'an's diagnosis of the child, his inquiry into whether the couple were cousins, and his remarks about the dangers of consanguineous marriage.

"Dr. Shen said that he has seen many similar cases in his years of medical practice. Children born to couples who are too closely related by blood often have problems—some are intellectually disabled, some are born with disabilities, and some are weak and sickly and difficult to raise." Empress Zhangsun's voice grew softer and softer. "He said that this was based on his experience and was almost certainly true. He told Chengqian that if he did not believe it, he could investigate in Chang'an."

Li Shimin's previously relaxed expression gradually froze.

He held Empress Zhangsun's hand, unconsciously tightening his grip.

"You mean..." Li Shimin's voice was somewhat hoarse, "Lizhi and Chong'er..."

Empress Zhangsun did not answer, but simply nodded slightly.

The hall fell into a deathly silence.

Li Shimin sat there, motionless, staring straight ahead, as if petrified.