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

Inside the Imperial Palace, in the Hall of State Administration.

Empress Zhangsun was taking a nap on the couch. Since taking Shen Chang'an's medicine, her complexion had improved day by day, and she was also full of energy.

Previously, I needed to take a nap for an hour every afternoon, but now I only need to close my eyes and rest for a short while to restore my energy.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty has sent someone." A maidservant stepped forward and announced softly.

Empress Zhangsun opened her eyes, took the imperial edict, glanced at it, and frowned slightly.

"To the Ganlu Palace? Now?"

"The messenger said that His Majesty requests the Empress to come immediately."

Although Empress Zhangsun had doubts, she still got up to change her clothes and walked towards Ganlu Palace with her maid.

Meanwhile, at the Reijeongjeon Hall.

Li Lizhi was sitting by the window, lost in thought.

Since returning from outside the city that day, her mother has forbade her to leave the palace. She is trapped in this Lizheng Palace and can't go anywhere.

All I could do each day was read books and embroider, and my days were incredibly boring.

The image of that young doctor always appeared in her mind.

His focused demeanor as he sits behind his consultation table, examining patients; the steady touch of his fingers as he applies acupuncture; the gentle tone of his voice when he speaks…

"Princess, His Majesty summons you." Cui Zhu's voice interrupted her thoughts.

Li Lizhi came to her senses, took the imperial edict, and was also filled with doubt.

Why did the Emperor suddenly summon me?

She dared not delay, so she quickly changed her clothes and do her makeup, and then took Cuizhu to Ganlu Palace.

……

Inside the Ganlu Hall, Empress Zhangsun and Li Lizhi arrived one after the other.

As Li Lizhi entered the hall, she immediately saw Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang standing to the side.

Why are the Grand Astrologer and the Volcano Magistrate here too?

Her doubts deepened, but she didn't show it on her face. She and her mother bowed to Li Shimin.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

"Your daughter greets Your Majesty."

"Rise." Li Shimin raised his hand to signal, his gaze sweeping over the mother and daughter before turning to Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang. "My two beloved ministers, we may begin."

Empress Zhangsun and Li Lizhi exchanged a glance, neither of them understanding what had happened.

"Your Majesty," Empress Zhangsun began, "what is the purpose of summoning me and Lizhi here?"

Li Shimin pondered for a moment and briefly recounted the events that Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang had just predicted for him—an increase in lifespan, a change in fate, and the intervention of external forces.

Finally, he looked at Empress Zhangsun and Li Lizhi, and slowly said:

"I suspect that the person who changed my fate was that Physician Shen. And you had contact with Physician Shen earlier than him. I would like to ask the Grand Astrologer and the Fire God to make a prediction for you as well, to see if your fates have also changed."

Empress Zhangsun and Li Lizhi were both shocked upon hearing this.

"Your Majesty means... that Doctor Shen can change people's fate?" Empress Zhangsun's voice was somewhat hoarse.

"It's just a suspicion, not yet confirmed." Li Shimin looked at Li Chunfeng, "Grand Historian, you speak."

Li Chunfeng stepped forward, bowed to Empress Zhangsun and Li Lizhi, and then explained in detail the situation he had just predicted—how he divined, how Yuan Tiangang read their faces, the result, and how they suffered divine retribution.

"We two humble servants would like to presume to perform a divination for Her Majesty the Empress and Her Highness the Princess as well."

Li Chunfeng bowed and said, "If the fates of the two princes also change, then it can be confirmed that the source is that Doctor Shen."

Empress Zhangsun remained silent.

She recalled the feeling when Shen Chang'an applied acupuncture to her—the warm current, the sudden sense of relief and openness in her chest.

She had lived for over thirty years and had never had such an experience before.

If you say that person has some extraordinary qualities, she believes it.

"Your Majesty, I agree." Empress Zhangsun nodded.

Li Lizhi also came to her senses and said softly, "My daughter agrees too."

Li Shimin glanced at them and nodded slightly: "Then let's begin."

Li Chunfeng and Yuan Tiangang exchanged a glance.

They each took a deep breath and began to perform the spell.

Li Chunfeng took out three copper coins from his sleeve, held them in his palm, and closed his eyes to concentrate.

This time, he didn't rush to throw it. Instead, he took a moment to regulate his breathing and waited until his breathing was steady before tossing the coin into the air.

The copper coins fell to the ground, making a clinking sound.

He saw the divination result, frowned slightly, and tossed the divination again.

Upon landing a second time, his pupils contracted slightly.

After the third throw, Li Chunfeng's body trembled slightly, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, but this time, he did not vomit blood.

"Grand Historian?" Li Shimin asked with concern.

"I am unharmed."

Li Chunfeng wiped the sweat from his brow, his voice slightly hoarse, "The Empress's divination... is similar to His Majesty's. The Empress's fate has also changed."

"What changes?" Empress Zhangsun couldn't help but ask.

Li Chunfeng hesitated for a moment and looked at Li Shimin.

Li Shimin nodded: "Tell me the truth."

"Yes."

Li Chunfeng took a deep breath. "I previously performed divination for Her Majesty the Empress, and the divination indicated... that Her Majesty is destined for a great calamity, which should occur around the tenth year of the Zhenguan era. If she overcomes this calamity, she will be safe; if she does not..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was already quite clear.

The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly became heavy.

Empress Zhangsun's face turned slightly pale.

Li Lizhi gripped her mother's hand tightly, her eyes filled with worry.

"And now?" Li Shimin's voice was low.

"Now……"

Li Chunfeng looked at the copper coins on the ground, a hint of disbelief flashing in his eyes. "The ominous sign of that tribulation has faded considerably. Although it hasn't completely dissipated, it's not as dangerous as before. If this trend continues, Her Majesty might... be able to get through it safely."

Empress Zhangsun was stunned.

She knew she was in poor health and had a vague feeling that her days might not be long, but no one had ever told her so bluntly that she would face a life-or-death calamity in the tenth year of the Zhenguan era.

But Shen Chang'an only treated her twice, and he changed this calamity?

"Princess Chang Le," Yuan Tiangang suddenly spoke.

All eyes turned to him.

Yuan Tiangang was looking at Li Lizhi, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions—shock, doubt, and relief.

"Your Highness," his voice was somewhat hoarse, "when I examined your face and bone structure, I discovered... that your destiny has also changed."

"What changes?" Li Lizhi asked nervously.

Yuan Tiangang remained silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Your subject dares not conceal the truth. The princess's fate was originally... destined for an early death."

Li Lizhi's face turned deathly pale.

Li Shimin abruptly stood up: "What did you say? How dare you speak so arrogantly?!"

"Your Majesty, please calm down." Yuan Tiangang quickly knelt down. "What I said is all true. Her Highness the Princess's fate is inherently weak and unstable. Without external intervention, I'm afraid... she won't live past twenty."

Li Lizhi's fingers gripped her sleeve tightly, her knuckles turning white.

She knew she was in poor health, having been frail and sickly since childhood. The imperial physicians always told her to take it easy and recuperate, but no one ever told her that she wouldn't live past twenty.

"And now?"

Li Shimin's voice was low, but everyone could hear the anger in it.

"Now……"

Yuan Tiangang raised his head, his eyes filled with disbelief. "The signs of Her Highness's untimely death have faded. That deathly calamity is receding. Although it has not completely disappeared, the princess's lifespan is much longer than when I last saw her."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Empress Zhangsun held Li Lizhi's hand, her eyes reddening.

Li Lizhi stood there in a daze, her heart churning with turbulent emotions.

Shen Chang'an… the doctor who provided free medical services outside the city, the young man who administered acupuncture to her mother, the "Divine Doctor Shen" she discovered by chance—

He not only cured their illnesses, but also changed their destinies.