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

After Li Lizhi left, Shen Chang'an finally spoke:

"Sir, I have a few questions I would like to ask you."

"you say."

"Does the gentleman often experience a throbbing or aching headache?"

Li Shimin's gaze sharpened slightly: "Occasionally."

Do you tire easily and lack energy?

Li Shimin nodded slightly: "That's true. Sometimes, I can't concentrate for even half an hour before I feel dizzy."

Are you sensitive to heat? Do you feel particularly uncomfortable in hot weather?

Li Shimin did not answer immediately, but glanced at Empress Zhangsun.

Empress Zhangsun nodded slightly, indicating that he should tell the truth.

"I am indeed afraid of the heat," Li Shimin said slowly. "Every summer, I feel uncomfortable all over and wish I could soak in ice water."

Shen Chang'an remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

"The young master's pulse is wiry and forceful at the cun position, floating at the guan position, and deep at the chi position. This indicates liver yang hyperactivity and kidney yin deficiency. If this continues, I fear..."

He paused, carefully choosing his words.

"It may develop into a disease called 'wind disease'."

Upon hearing this, Empress Zhangsun's expression changed slightly.

She had heard of the term "wind disease"—a hereditary illness of the Li Tang royal family. The retired emperor suffered greatly from it in his later years, experiencing splitting headaches, numbness in his limbs, and even being unable to walk in severe cases.

Li Shimin's brows furrowed as well.

"Wind Strike?" His voice was low, carrying a hint of barely perceptible gravity.

"The man's symptoms—headache, fatigue, and heat intolerance—are all manifestations of liver yang rising."

Shen Chang'an explained, "If liver yang rises for a long time, it will deplete yin fluids. When yin fails to control yang, wind-yang will stir internally, which is the initial stage of wind disease."

"But other doctors didn't say that?" Li Shimin pressed.

The imperial physicians in the palace knew Li Shimin's health best, and the other doctors he mentioned were precisely those imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau.

"Other doctors might tell the wealthy man that this is just due to overwork and lack of rest," Shen Chang'an said calmly. "But in reality, the wealthy man's constitution is inherently prone to excessive Yang, and coupled with years of hard work and excessive thinking, it has led to Yin deficiency in the liver and kidneys, causing internal heat to rise. If it is not treated in time, I'm afraid... within five to ten years, the symptoms will worsen significantly."

Five to ten years.

Li Shimin remained silent.

He was aware of his physical condition; the imperial physicians always said, "Your Majesty is in good health, but you are overworked. You just need to rest more."

After resting for so many years, the symptoms not only did not lessen, but became more and more obvious.

This young doctor's explanation was far more insightful than that of the imperial physicians.

"Dr. Shen," Li Shimin's voice became more serious, "is there any way to treat this?"

"Of course there is," Shen Chang'an replied crisply. "The master's illness affects the liver, kidneys, and heart. Treatment needs to address these three aspects: calming the liver and suppressing yang, nourishing the kidneys and replenishing yin, and clearing the heart and calming the mind."

He took out paper and pen from the medicine box and began to write.

"I will first prescribe a formula, using Gastrodia elata and Uncaria rhynchophylla to calm the liver and subdue yang, Rehmannia glutinosa and Cornus officinalis to nourish the kidneys and replenish yin, and Salvia miltiorrhiza and Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa to clear the heart and calm the mind. Please take seven doses first, and I will adjust the prescription according to the changes in your pulse after seven days."

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

Li Shimin 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.

"Dr. Shen, besides medication, do you have any other suggestions?"

"Yes, there are some." Shen Chang'an smiled slightly. "First, eat a light diet and avoid greasy and spicy foods, especially warm foods such as mutton and dog meat."

"Secondly, maintain a regular schedule. Although you are busy with national affairs, it is best to take a short nap at noon every day to nourish your mind and calm your nerves."

"Third, I will teach you a breathing technique called the 'Six Healing Sounds.' Daily practice can harmonize the five internal organs and calm the liver yang."

Li Shimin listened attentively, nodding from time to time.

"Dr. Shen," Li Shimin put away the prescription, his eyes filled with admiration, "so young, yet your medical skills are so remarkable, it's truly rare."

"You flatter me, sir." Shen Chang'an cupped his hands in greeting. "I was merely fulfilling my duty as a physician."

"A doctor's duty..." Li Shimin repeated these four words, seemingly lost in thought.

"Sir," Shen Chang'an added, recalling something, "what I just said was only a judgment based on the pulse. If it is convenient for you, sir, you can come for a follow-up visit in seven days, and I will make further adjustments based on the overall changes in your tongue coating, complexion, and other factors."

"Alright." Li Shimin nodded. "Seven days from now, at the same time."

"Yes."

Shen Chang'an stood up, cupped his hands in farewell, and took his leave.

Cuizhu saw him off as he left the teahouse.

After taking a few steps, Shen Chang'an suddenly looked back.

Li Shimin was standing at the entrance of the teahouse, his hands behind his back, gazing at him with a deep and distant look.

In that instant, their eyes met.

Shen Chang'an felt a slight chill in his heart, but remained outwardly calm, nodded slightly, and turned to leave.

……

Inside the teahouse, Li Shimin sat down again, and Li Lizhi also came in, her gaze fixed on the direction Shen Chang'an had left, lingering there for a long time.

"What does Your Majesty think?" Empress Zhangsun asked softly.

Li Shimin remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "This young man is no ordinary person."

"I also think he is extraordinary." Empress Zhangsun smiled slightly. "His medical skills are superb, yet he is neither arrogant nor impatient; he is neither servile nor overbearing in front of you and me; and he treats all people equally. Such a person is rare."

"Hmm." Li Shimin nodded, a deeper meaning appearing in his eyes. "After we get back, have someone investigate his background."

"I have already investigated," Empress Zhangsun said. "Shen Chang'an is eighteen years old and his place of origin is unknown. He appeared outside Chang'an City several years ago, claiming to be a disciple of a wandering physician and making a living by practicing medicine. He started providing free medical services outside Qixia Gate half a month ago and cured many people. The people call him 'Divine Physician Shen'."

"Eighteen years old?" Li Shimin raised an eyebrow. "Not much older than Chengqian."

"Yes."

Li Shimin remained silent for a moment, then suddenly turned to look at Li Lizhi.

"Beautiful".

"Father?" Li Lizhi looked up.

"Did you find this Shen Chang'an first?" Li Shimin asked.

Li Lizhi was slightly taken aback, then nodded: "It was my daughter... who met her by chance when she went out of the palace to relax."

"A coincidence?" Li Shimin smiled. "There aren't that many coincidences in this world."

He didn't press further, but a meaningful glint appeared in his eyes.

Empress Zhangsun and he exchanged a glance, and both husband and wife saw the same thought in each other's eyes—

This Shen Chang'an might be of great use in the future.

……

The carriage slowly drove away, heading towards the palace.

Shen Chang'an stood beside the free clinic stall, watching the carriage disappear at the end of the official road before slinging his medicine box over his shoulder and walking towards the courtyard.

The system's voice quietly sounded in my mind.

[Ding—The progress of the task to treat Empress Zhangsun's illness has been updated.]

[Diagnosis complete, acupuncture treatment implemented, target's condition shows significant improvement]

Rewards will be distributed once the target's physical condition continues to improve.

……

[Ding—New Quest Triggered]

[Regulating Li Shimin's physical condition]

[Task Description]: Li Shimin suffers from liver yang hyperactivity and kidney yin deficiency. If not treated promptly, it may develop into a wind-related illness. If the host can effectively improve his physical condition, he will surely gain the emperor's trust.

[Task Rewards]: 2000 Merit Points, Foundation Establishment Pill x1.

[Task Time Limit]: Ninety days