Chapter 120: Chronic Heavy Metal Poisoning (Requesting Votes)

“Your Majesty! You’re awake?!” Li Chengqian exclaimed with joy, quickly approaching Empress Zhangsun and carefully helping her to sit up, leaning her gently against the bed.

Emperor Taizong also came closer, speaking softly, “Empress, you’re awake?” His voice was gentle, filled with deep concern, clearly showing how much he cared for Empress Zhangsun.

“Mm,” Empress Zhangsun nodded faintly, taking a light breath. Her complexion was even paler than before, but she smiled faintly at Taizong and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. I have come back to life once more.”

“That’s good, very good!” Taizong sat down beside the bed, holding her slightly chilly hand. “You must rest well now and speak little. The imperial physicians and the skilled doctors summoned by the Crown Prince are all here. With them present, your illness will surely be cured. You need not worry.”

“I know,” Empress Zhangsun said softly. “Though I lay here unable to rise or speak earlier, I heard Your Majesty, the Director of Imperial Physicians, and Mr. Liu’s words clearly. My illness has caused Your Majesty much worry. But Your Majesty must not neglect state affairs on my account. I do not wish for the empire’s great matters to be hindered by my singular ailment.”

“It’s nothing to worry about,” Taizong gently patted her hand. “With Fu Ji and Xuan Ling attending the court, a single afternoon’s absence won’t cause any harm. Rest assured.”

“Mm,” Empress Zhangsun nodded, feeling reassured. Then she glanced at Li Chengqian and quietly instructed, “Son, please invite Mr. Liu to come here. Your mother has something to say to him.”

Li Chengqian looked to Taizong, who nodded, then rose and called Mr. Liu Yitiao to Empress Zhangsun’s bedside.

“Your humble servant Liu Yitiao pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress!” Liu bowed slightly to the woman on the bed, whose face seemed strangely familiar.

So this was Empress Zhangsun? Liu Yitiao observed her discreetly, noting how much she resembled his own mother, Lady Liu He—both with delicate features and gentle voices. The look in her eyes carried a faint kindness, giving Liu a warm sense of familiarity.

Only her complexion was too pale, her hair tips slightly yellowed and dry. Her breathing was labored, as if she might stop at any moment, which made the heart ache to behold.

“Mr. Liu, no need for formalities,” Empress Zhangsun struggled to sit upright. Looking at him sincerely, she said, “I have always remembered your great kindness, and wished to thank you face to face. Though until now, we had no chance to meet. Now that I am fortunate to see you here, please accept my bow in gratitude for saving my son. Thank you, Mr. Liu.”

She bowed slightly from her waist, her hands resting weakly by her side, performing a difficult but heartfelt gesture.

“Your Majesty, there is no need,” Liu quickly knelt, lowering his head. “I do not deserve such thanks. As physicians, we are bound by the heart of a parent—to save lives and heal the suffering is our duty. Please do not trouble yourself with this.”

“A parent’s heart for their child,” Taizong and Empress Zhangsun brightened at his words. This was truly the virtue of a healer.

“Please rise, Mr. Liu,” Taizong stood and helped him up. “Your dedication as a healer is admirable. From now on, we entrust Her Majesty’s health to your care.”

Li Tai, standing nearby, sighed softly in disappointment. This Liu Yitiao seemed truly his nemesis—first saving the Crown Prince from death, then dismantling his secret plans in an instant, and now poised to heal the Empress from the brink of death.

As for Wang Zikui, the Director of Imperial Physicians, seeing both Emperor and Empress had agreed, he wisely refrained from further opposition, knowing resistance would only provoke the Emperor’s wrath. Moreover, many doubted that such a young man as Liu Yitiao could truly cure Empress Zhangsun.

“Your Majesty, I will do my utmost,” Liu bowed to Taizong. “However, whether I can cure Her Majesty depends on my thorough diagnosis.”

Taizong nodded approvingly. Liu’s candor only strengthened his trust. Rising, he said, “Please begin the examination at once.”

“From now on, I shall rely on Mr. Liu’s care for my health,” Empress Zhangsun smiled softly, nodding to Liu.

“Then I shall begin,” Liu bowed to both Emperor and Empress before approaching the bedside. He sat on a round stool at the bed’s end and instructed, “Please lie on your side and follow my commands carefully.”

Once Empress Zhangsun settled, Liu began, “Please stick out your tongue.”

He observed quietly. “The tongue coating is pale yellow, with a purple spot at the tip.”

“Please open your eyes wide and look at my forehead.”

“There are impurities in the whites of the eyes, and red veins beneath.”

“Please part your hair so I may examine your scalp.”

“It is clean, indicating regular care, but the hair ends are split and yellowing, with signs of shedding.”

“Please roll up the sleeve on your right arm and expose your forearm.”

Empress Zhangsun hesitated briefly but complied. The attending physicians and princes closed their eyes respectfully.

“There are scattered red spots on the forearm, seemingly recent.”

“Alright, you may lower your sleeve now,” Liu nodded, then asked, “Her Majesty, have you experienced intermittent abdominal pain these days?”

“Yes.”

“Have you felt nausea in your abdomen, with vomiting but unable to expel anything?”

“Yes.”

“Do you frequently suffer from dizziness and headaches?”

“Yes.”

Just as Liu was about to inquire further, he suddenly remembered something and turned to Emperor Taizong. “Your Majesty, do you have paper and pen nearby? Some questions are delicate and better communicated in writing.”

“Later, I will have them prepared,” Taizong promised, then instructed a servant, “Go quickly and prepare ink, brush, paper, and inkstone for Mr. Liu.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” the servant hurried off.

“Mr. Liu, what do you make of the Empress’s condition? Is there a cure?” Taizong seized the moment to ask. Though Liu’s earlier behavior had seemed odd and even impolite, his probing questions gave Taizong a glimmer of hope.

“Your Majesty, I have a preliminary understanding of Her Majesty’s health, but the final diagnosis must wait until I finish my last two questions. Please bear with me a little longer.” Liu took the paper and pen from the servant and sat again. He wrote carefully: “May I ask Her Majesty, recently, has your urine been white in color?”

Handing the paper to the Empress, he explained, “This question is somewhat private. Please do not speak your answer aloud—just nod or shake your head. But I ask that you answer truthfully; do not conceal illness from your healer.”

“Mm, I shall not conceal anything. Rest assured, Mr. Liu.” Empress Zhangsun glanced at the paper, and a faint blush colored her pale cheeks. Such questions were indeed embarrassing, yet she nodded gently.

Liu wrote another: “May I ask, recently, when you have bowel movements, have you experienced diarrhea with stool that appears somewhat white?”

Seeing her nod again, Liu rose, his mind already forming a plan. Before anyone could ask, he bowed to Taizong and said, “Your Majesty, after my initial diagnosis, though I cannot yet specify the nature of Her Majesty’s ailment, it is clear she suffers from a chronic poisoning.”

Chronic heavy metal poisoning.

From the moment Liu first saw Empress Zhangsun, he suspected this, and these questions confirmed it.

“This poisoning has accumulated in Her Majesty’s body over a long period but has only recently begun to manifest symptoms,” Liu continued. “If no antidote is found soon, forgive my bluntness, but even if her respiratory issues improve, I fear she may not survive beyond three months.”

This was no exaggeration; no one understood the dangers of heavy metal poisoning better than Liu, who had endured it himself.

Back in 2007, Liu and some classmates had eaten seafood, drank beer, and devoured a large basket of strawberries. They all ended up hospitalized with vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and fainting—nearly dying.

Empress Zhangsun’s symptoms, though milder, would be fatal without timely treatment.

“Chronic poisoning?” Taizong’s gaze shifted to Wang Zikui, Director of Imperial Physicians.