Chapter 119: I Believe in Him! (Please Vote)

"Father, I shall take my leave now." Princess Yuzhang curtsied to Li Shimin at the opportune moment. She cast a fleeting glance at Liu Yitiao, who was walking into the main hall, before turning gracefully toward the side hall of the Lizheng Palace. By the time Liu Yitiao stepped inside, all he caught was the silhouette of a woman departing.

"Commoner Liu Yitiao pays his respects to Your Majesty! May the Emperor be blessed with ten thousand years of good fortune!" Liu Yitiao bowed deeply to Li Shimin. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Wang Zikui and the others still kneeling nearby, and his heart gave a slight jolt; it seemed the atmosphere here had been far from pleasant.

Li Shimin looked Liu Yitiao up and down, unable to suppress a flicker of disappointment. It was not because of Liu Yitiao’s attire or his humble status, but simply that he was far too young. Even though Li Shimin was a layman, he understood that medicine was unlike other disciplines; while talent played a part, experience was paramount. One only had to look at the graying beards of the imperial physicians kneeling on the floor to realize this. Was this young man truly the one who had saved the Crown Prince? Li Shimin felt a surge of doubt.

However, Liu Yitiao’s demeanor and attitude took him by surprise. There was not a hint of nervousness; when he greeted Li Shimin, it was as casual as if he were addressing an uncle from the neighborhood. To act so composed despite knowing the Emperor’s identity—was this something an ordinary person could do? Li Shimin narrowed his eyes, a spark of interest igniting within him.

"Master Liu, there is no need for such formalities," Li Shimin said with a light wave of his hand. "I summoned you to the palace in the middle of the night, and you surely know why. I am aware that your medical skills are unparalleled in this age, but I wonder, what are your thoughts on this respiratory ailment? Do you have any effective remedies?"

Having longed for the divine healer’s arrival, Li Shimin now found himself hesitant and indecisive, unable to resist testing him.

"Your Majesty is too kind." Liu Yitiao looked up, observing this legendary monarch of the ages. He stood about 1.75 meters tall, slightly taller than himself. His face was lean, his eyes bright and piercing, his nose prominent, and his chin was graced with a thin, short beard. He was a man of great presence—more handsome and composed than any actor who had ever portrayed him on television.

"Though I have dabbled in the art of medicine, I have only scratched the surface. I am unworthy of such high praise from Your Majesty," Liu Yitiao said calmly. "Since ancient times, the practice of medicine has relied on observing, listening, questioning, and feeling the pulse. Each case must be analyzed on its own merits; the same illness may require different treatments for different people. As for how I would treat this respiratory condition, I must ask for your forgiveness—I cannot say until I have examined the patient."

Since he was here, he would remain composed. With things having reached this point, Liu Yitiao allowed his mind to open up. He spoke with such logic and eloquence that he had the wise monarch mesmerized.

*Analyze each case on its own merits.* Excellent! Li Shimin deeply agreed with this sentiment. It was just like warfare; if one blindly followed military manuals without assessing the situation, defeat was inevitable!

"Master Liu’s words are wise indeed!" Li Shimin nodded, stepping toward him and praising him loudly. "To be able to speak with such insight, I know your medical skills must be extraordinary. Please, proceed to examine the Empress at once."

"Your Majesty!" Wang Zikui knelt forward again, emboldened to remonstrate. "Fine words are easily spoken, but the healing of the sick requires true ability. This Master Liu is not yet twenty. Even if he began his studies at age five, he has only a dozen years of experience. His skills are open to question. To entrust the Empress’s life to him based on a few words seems imprudent. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider!"

Seeing how young Liu Yitiao was, Wang Zikui felt a surge of confidence. He began to doubt the claims that this man had healed the Crown Prince. He simply could not believe that a teenager could possess such profound medical prowess.

Liu Yitiao turned his head to glance at Wang Zikui. It seemed this little old man was not very fond of him.

"Hmph!" Li Shimin let out a cold snort, glancing at Wang Zikui. "And in your opinion, Minister Wang, what should I do?"

"I dare not say!" Wang Zikui prostrated himself, speaking carefully. "We only suggest that, in accordance with protocol, a formal examination by the Imperial Medical Bureau would be the most prudent course of action."

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and the Prince of Wei have arrived," a palace attendant announced from the doorway. Empress Zhangsun’s eldest and second sons had come as well.

Li Shimin waved his hand. "Send them in."

A moment later, two young men walked in with bowed heads. Liu Yitiao looked up, seeing one dressed in pale yellow and the other in deep purple. Were these Li Chengqian and Li Tai?

"Your sons pay their respects to Father!" they said in unison.

Li Shimin nodded without a word. Liu Yitiao moved forward to pay his respects, bowing low. "Commoner Liu Yitiao greets the Crown Prince and the Prince of Wei!"

Li Tai gave a slight nod, acknowledging the greeting.

Li Chengqian, however, enthusiastically stepped forward to support Liu Yitiao. Looking at the "divine healer" who was close to his own age, he said, "Master Liu, there is no need for such ceremony. Your medical skills are brilliant, and you saved my life. I have long hoped to meet you to express my gratitude in person, but my previous attempts to find you were in vain, which I deeply regretted. To finally meet you today is a great fortune."

This Prince seemed quite warm. Liu Yitiao couldn't help but feel a favorable impression. He looked Li Chengqian over—a young man in the bloom of youth. Though he didn't quite share his father’s features, his face was well-proportioned, and he seemed much healthier than when they had last met.

However, there seemed to be an issue with his gait. As he had entered the hall, Liu Yitiao noticed that the Crown Prince had a limp; he walked with an uneven, bobbing rhythm that looked quite awkward.

*This will be detrimental to his future,* Liu Yitiao mused. *Could this be why Li Shimin eventually decides to depose him? After all, a monarch must represent the image and dignity of a nation beyond his own talents. A lame man like Li Chengqian hardly seems suited for the position.*

"Your Highness is too generous. I am humbled!" Liu Yitiao said softly, bowing.

Li Chengqian bowed back to Liu Yitiao, looking at him with sincerity. "I know you possess great talent and skill. I beg you to use your marvelous hands once more to save my mother!"

His words were filled with genuine filial piety; it was no performance. Liu Yitiao’s favorable opinion of him rose even higher.

*To be unfilial is to be unworthy of being human!* Though Liu Yitiao had grown up in the modern era, the ancient sentiment that "filial piety is the foremost of all virtues" remained in his bones. He always enjoyed befriending those who possessed a kind and filial heart.

"Your Highness, please, I am unworthy of such a gesture!" Liu Yitiao hurriedly reached out to steady Li Chengqian, not daring to let him finish the bow. He was only joking—if he let a dignified Crown Prince bow to a commoner, he would be courting death.

"While I have every intention of treating the Empress," Liu Yitiao said, glancing at the still-kneeling Wang Zikui, "this must be decided by His Majesty!"

"What? Is there someone who objects?" Li Chengqian swept a glance toward Wang Zikui and bowed to his father. "Father, Master Liu is the divine healer who saved me. I have the utmost faith in his skills. I am willing to vouch for him. I implore you to let him treat Mother as soon as possible!"

"I implore Your Majesty to reconsider! We believe an examination by the Medical Bureau is the only safe path," Wang Zikui insisted, ready to die for his cause.

"Father," Li Tai stepped forward then, glancing at Liu Yitiao before bowing to Li Shimin. "I also believe Minister Wang’s words are reasonable. It is not that I distrust the Crown Prince, but Master Liu is truly too young, and it is difficult to convince others of his merit. I have even heard rumors that Master Liu was once a veterinarian in Sanyuan County. Whether that is true or not, I do not know. Therefore, having the physicians of the Medical Bureau examine him is the best strategy."

"Fourth Brother!" Li Chengqian’s face darkened instantly. "What do you mean by this? Do you think I would do anything to harm Mother?!"

"Crown Prince," Li Tai replied calmly with a bow. "Your filial piety is known to the entire court; I would never doubt you. But this concerns Mother’s safety; it is always better to be cautious. If Master Liu truly has the talent, why would he fear an examination by the Medical Bureau?"

Seeing this, Liu Yitiao shook his head helplessly. It was clear from their expressions and tone alone that Li Chengqian was no match for Li Tai.

Seeing Li Shimin remain silent—knowing that even a wise monarch might hesitate when the life of his wife was at stake—Liu Yitiao stepped forward and offered a boost of confidence. "Your Majesty, if you are not in too great a hurry, I am willing to undergo the examination by the imperial physicians!"

"There is no need!" A soft voice drifted from Empress Zhangsun’s bed. Though weak, every person in the room heard it clearly. "Your Majesty, I trust Master Liu! Let him treat me."