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

Just as Li Lizhi and her maid Cuizhu were talking in hushed tones, the time for the free clinic scheduled by Shen Chang'an had arrived.

He rummaged through his medicine chest, finding it empty of herbs, then stood up and bowed to the people still in line, saying:

"Fellow villagers, we have run out of medicinal herbs for today. I will see you all again tomorrow at dawn. Thank you for your help."

After much persuasion, the people gradually dispersed, and before leaving, they repeatedly expressed their gratitude.

As the crowd slowly walked away, Shen Chang'an stood there, a trace of memory surfacing in his eyes.

He was not originally from this world.

Several years ago, he traveled to the Tang Dynasty and became the adopted son of a wandering doctor.

Although the Tang Dynasty had been established at that time, the country was not yet settled and war was raging.

During a period of military turmoil, he was separated from his adoptive parents and, after several twists and turns, eventually settled in the vicinity of Chang'an.

After all, he knew some of the historical trends, and the area around Chang'an was definitely the safest place.

As the son of a traditional Chinese medicine doctor, he was exposed to medicine from a young age and developed some basic medical skills.

What truly changed his fate was a notification that suddenly sounded in his mind while he was treating someone—[The Merit System has been activated.]

The system is very simple: as long as you heal the sick and save lives, you can earn merit points.

Merit points can be exchanged for various items in the system, including recipes, pills, spiritual herbs, medicinal herbs, cultivation techniques, and spiritual objects, though the prices vary.

As a perk for a transmigrator, he also received a newbie gift pack: a cultivation technique called "Azure Wood Longevity Manual" and a space for spiritual plants.

With the help of this cultivation method, he has diligently practiced it over the years, and now his cultivation level has reached the sixth level of Qi Refining.

As for that spiritual plant space, it actually exists in an unknown, independent space, which he can open with his mind.

When it was first activated, the area was only one hundred square meters. As his cultivation level increased, the space continued to expand—now it is about one thousand square meters.

Moreover, the flow of time within this space differs from that outside.

The higher the cultivation level, the greater the difference in flow rate.

With his current Qi Refining Level 6 cultivation, the time flow ratio between the space and the outside world is 1:2. Two days pass in the space, but only one day passes in the outside world.

The ointments and powders that Shen Chang'an usually uses to treat patients are mostly made from medicinal herbs grown in his space.

Those medicinal herbs absorb spiritual energy to grow, and their medicinal effects far surpass those of ordinary plants. This is the real reason why he can always cure diseases with his medicine.

Pulling his thoughts back, Shen Chang'an looked around and found that most of the people had already left.

But about a hundred meters away from him, two women were whispering to each other, completely absorbed in their conversation, unaware that everyone else had already left.

Shen Chang'an understood.

He had encountered this kind of thing countless times; after all, he was too young.

Although he would deliberately wear makeup to make himself look a few years older, he was still only in his early twenties.

Whether they were young ladies from prominent families or wealthy households, they would always observe him for a while upon first meeting him to make sure he was truly skilled before bringing their relatives to consult him.

Moreover, this place is quite remote, and under normal circumstances, it is rare for young ladies from prominent families to appear here.

Without further thought, he slung his medicine box over his shoulder, picked up his other belongings, and walked toward the two women.

He stopped a dozen paces away from them, cupped his hands in greeting, and said loudly:

"Ladies, your free clinic session is over for today. If you need anything, please come early tomorrow."

After saying that, Shen Chang'an nodded slightly and turned to leave.

Li Lizhi was discussing something with Cuizhu when she heard the sound and suddenly came to her senses, only to find that there was no one around.

She looked up and saw Shen Chang'an turning away, and quickly spoke:

"Dr. Shen, please wait!"

Shen Chang'an paused and turned to look at her.

Li Lizhi took a deep breath, composed herself, and said softly, "Doctor Shen, do you have some free time? I... I would like to ask you some questions."

(According to Tang Dynasty customs, unmarried women could refer to themselves as "woman" or "little woman" in front of strange men. "Concubine" was slightly more formal but could also be used. Here, "little woman" is used.)

Shen Chang'an nodded slightly, took a few steps closer, and said gently, "Please speak, Miss."

Only then did Li Lizhi truly see Shen Chang'an's appearance and attire.

He was tall and slender, about six feet tall, wearing a faded blue cloth robe with some medicine stains on the cuffs, a coarse cloth belt around his waist, and hemp shoes on his feet, extremely simple.

(Note: One foot in the Tang Dynasty was equivalent to thirty centimeters.)

However, even in such an ordinary outfit, she couldn't hide her otherworldly aura.

His features were extremely handsome, with sword-like eyebrows that slanted upwards into his temples, eyes as bright as stars, a high nose bridge, and a faint, gentle smile on his lips.

His skin wasn't the pampered whiteness of someone who lived a life of luxury; instead, it was a light tan from years of walking in the countryside, giving him a healthy and dashing appearance.

What is most striking about him are his eyes—clear and serene, like a deep mountain pool, or perhaps holding the stars within.

Li Lizhi glanced at him, and her heart skipped a beat. She quickly lowered her eyes and bowed to Shen Chang'an.

"This humble woman, Li, greets Doctor Shen."

Shen Chang'an returned the greeting: "Miss Li, you're too kind."

Li Lizhi pursed her lips and carefully began to speak: "Dr. Shen, to be honest, a relative of mine has been ill for many years. We have seen many doctors, but none of them have helped. Today, seeing Dr. Shen's skillful and compassionate treatment, I am filled with admiration and would like to ask Dr. Shen to examine my relative."

She paused, then added, "My relative is in poor health and cannot wait long. I wonder if Doctor Shen is available this afternoon? I would like to find a quiet place in the city so that you can examine her carefully."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chang'an did not reply immediately.

He heals the sick and saves lives in order to accumulate merit.

Healing an ordinary patient earns you only a little merit; if the illness is more serious or takes longer, the merit will increase accordingly.

As for the "Li" in front of him—although he did not deliberately eavesdrop, with his sixth level of Qi Refining hearing, he could clearly hear the sound of mosquitoes and flies within a hundred meters, let alone the whispers of two women.

"Father Emperor", "Empress"...

These words sent a slight jolt through Shen Chang'an's heart.

He remained outwardly calm, but several thoughts were already racing through his mind.

He had never treated members of the royal family.

If I recover, how much merit will I gain?

Moreover, as a cultivator, although he was only at the sixth level of Qi Refining, he still had ways to protect himself when facing the mortal royal family—whether it was lightness magic, attack methods, or emergency pills in his storage space, they were all enough to allow him to advance or retreat with ease.

However, he has no intention of revealing anything.

After a moment's hesitation, Shen Chang'an said apologetically, "Miss Li, I already have an appointment this afternoon, and I also have patients scheduled for tomorrow. If you don't mind, how about the day after tomorrow?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of anxiety flashed in Li Lizhi's eyes.

Just as she was about to speak up again to plead her case, Cuizhu beside her gently tugged at her sleeve and whispered in her ear:

"Princess, Her Majesty the Empress is of noble birth, and it is not easy for her to leave the palace. Besides... we haven't yet personally verified the true skill of this Doctor Shen. This servant has an idea—"

"What idea?"

"His Highness the Crown Prince has been seriously ill since last year, and the Imperial Medical Bureau has been at a loss. If Doctor Shen truly has the power to bring the dead back to life, we should ask him to treat His Highness first. Firstly, this will allow us to verify his abilities, and secondly... if His Highness is truly cured, he will be grateful and will naturally speak up for the Princess before His Majesty and the Empress. Then, wouldn't it be perfectly logical to ask Doctor Shen to treat the Empress?"

After listening, Li Lizhi felt enlightened.

This is indeed a win-win solution.

She nodded slightly, turned around, and said to Shen Chang'an, "Doctor Shen, the day after tomorrow is indeed a bit late. I wonder if tomorrow would be alright? My relatives... happen to be in the city tomorrow."

Shen Chang'an had heard Cuizhu's whispers clearly and had already made up his mind.

His expression remained unchanged. After a moment's thought, he finally nodded and said, "In that case, tomorrow at Shenshi (3-5 PM). However, I will be making house calls in the city this afternoon. May I ask where Miss will be staying?"

Li Lizhi was overjoyed and quickly said, "There is a Zuixianlou restaurant by the Qujiang Pond in the east of the city. It is a quiet and secluded place with few people. Tomorrow at Shenshi, I will be waiting for Doctor Shen at Zuixianlou."

Shen Chang'an nodded: "Alright, I will definitely be there tomorrow at Shenshi (3-5 PM)."

He bowed to Li Lizhi again, turned around, picked up his medicine box, and walked away into the distance.

The setting sun cast a long shadow of him, and his blue robes fluttered gently in the evening breeze.

Li Lizhi stood there, watching his figure gradually disappear into the distance, and a strange feeling suddenly welled up in her heart.

This person seems to be different from everyone else.

"Princess, it's time for us to return to the palace," Cuizhu whispered a reminder.

"Um."

Li Lizhi withdrew her gaze, turned and walked towards the carriage, but stopped abruptly after taking two steps. "Cuizhu, go to the East Palace later and tell the Crown Prince... that I have found a doctor who may be able to cure his illness."

Cuizhu responded, then asked with some concern, "Princess, what if His Highness the Crown Prince inquires about this doctor's background..."

"Just say..."

Li Lizhi paused, and those clear and calm eyes appeared before her eyes. "Just say he is a hermit master."

The carriage rumbled towards Chang'an as dusk deepened.

In another direction, Shen Chang'an walked alone on a country path, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Crown Prince... Empress..."

He murmured to himself, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

[System Notification: Potential Quest Detected – Rescue Crown Prince Li Chengqian. Reward: 500 Merit Points.]

[Rescuing Empress Zhangsun will reward you with 1000 merit points.]

【Whether to accept? 】

Shen Chang'an silently murmured to himself, "Accept."

The next moment, he quickened his pace and walked towards his small courtyard.

Tomorrow, I'll have to make some good preparations.