Chapter 121: Asthma (Please Vote)

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Emperor Taizong glanced at Prince Wang Zikui, seeing him still kneeling obediently without any intention of defending himself, and sighed softly in his heart, choosing not to speak further.

From the very beginning, Taizong knew that the prescription issued by the Imperial Medical Department was essentially a slow-acting poison.

If taken, the Empress could live for a while; if not, she would die immediately. Between temporary survival and sudden death, Taizong could only choose the former. The ancient saying about drinking poison to quench thirst perhaps aptly described this situation—alas!

Liu Yitiao noticed that the nobles present showed no surprise upon hearing about the Empress’s poisoning. Sensing that something deeper was at play, he quietly stood aside without uttering another word.

On the other hand, Empress Zhangsun smiled lightly as if unaffected, breathing gently. She spoke to Liu Yitiao, “Mr. Liu, your insight is keen. The medicine I ingested contained a small amount of arsenic. Prolonged consumption has turned it into poison. Given my current state, it is no surprise. Do you have a remedy to counter this arsenic poisoning?”

Though smiling, Liu Yitiao detected a profound helplessness and a desperate hope in her eyes.

Even ants crave life, let alone humans. Liu Yitiao bowed deeply to the Empress and offered her a glimmer of hope: “Your Majesty, the poison can be neutralized.”

“What?!” His words drew all eyes sharply upward in shock, especially those of the Imperial Medical Department’s physicians, whose faces were filled with disbelief.

Is there truly a cure for arsenic poisoning?

“Mr. Liu, are you certain?” Emperor Taizong asked in disbelief. “Can you really dispel the arsenic poison?”

Liu Yitiao stood tall, smiling gently. He bowed to the Emperor and said, “Acute poisoning may be beyond my ability, but this chronic poisoning, I can attempt to treat.”

Arsenic, in essence, is just a natural heavy metal. It seemed that last time, the brothers were indeed poisoned by it.

“Then please, Mr. Liu, quickly detoxify the Empress!” Taizong urged. “If you require anything, just ask. I will fulfill your every need.”

Removing the toxin meant the Empress would gain a chance at life. How could Taizong not be anxious and eager?

“Your Majesty,” Liu Yitiao replied calmly, “the Empress suffers from chronic poisoning; many toxins have deeply infiltrated her lungs and bloodstream. Complete cleansing will take time. To prevent residual toxins from lingering or new toxins entering, I respectfully request that the arsenic dosage in her current medication be reduced.”

“Hmm,” Taizong turned to Wang Zikui and asked, “Minister Wang, what is your opinion on Mr. Liu’s proposal?”

“Your Majesty,” Wang Zikui respectfully reported, “arsenic is an essential adjunct in treating the Empress’s condition. To suddenly stop it might cause her respiratory ailment to spiral out of control. Therefore, I do not approve.”

“Hmm,” Taizong nodded lightly, furrowing his brows. This was indeed a dilemma.

Liu Yitiao knew arsenic could be used medicinally, but the dosage must be precise—just enough to heal, but an overdose could be fatal. The Empress’s current condition clearly indicated the doctors had overdosed her.

Since they refused to halt the medication, the only solution now was to add a counteracting remedy to the Empress’s prescription.

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Seeing Taizong’s hesitation, Liu Yitiao stepped forward and said, “If that is the case, then we shall proceed as the chief physician suggests. I will now prepare a detoxifying prescription for Her Majesty.”

He sat once more on a round stool, picked up a brush, and began writing:

“Fresh eggs, three—one to be taken each morning, noon, and evening. Be sure they are raw.”

“Green tea, three cups—one each morning, noon, and evening.”

“Fresh grapes, three bunches—one bunch to be eaten each morning, noon, and evening.”

“Tofu, an appropriate amount, to be included in meals.”

“Garlic, an appropriate amount, to be eaten raw with meals.”

Having finished, Liu Yitiao gently blew on the paper to dry the ink before handing it to the Emperor. “The prescription is ready. If Her Majesty follows this diet for a month, the toxins will naturally be expelled, and her symptoms will gradually ease. Please examine it, Your Majesty.”

“Mr. Liu, is this truly the detox prescription?” Taizong read through it carefully, then looked at Liu Yitiao with astonishment.

The list consisted mostly of fruits and vegetables—more like a menu than a remedy. Could these simple items really counteract such a deadly poison as arsenic?

“Heh,” Liu Yitiao smiled calmly and whispered, “Your Majesty, extraordinary poisons require extraordinary cures. This is a dietary therapy I have devised for the Empress. Within three days of use, initial effects will be visible.”

“Your Majesty, may I—” Empress Zhangsun, noticing the surprise and hesitation on Taizong’s face, wished to review the prescription herself.

“Certainly,” Taizong sat beside her bed and handed over the paper. “Empress, please have a look.”

“Eggs, tea, grapes, tofu,” she read aloud, then looked at Liu Yitiao. He stood composed, expression serene and steady, neither nervous nor excited, exuding a calm confidence. She smiled and said to Taizong, “Your Majesty, let us follow Mr. Liu’s prescription. I trust him.”

“Very well, as Your Majesty wishes.” Whether it would work or not, it was worth trying. Taizong passed the prescription to the attendant and instructed, “Prepare the Empress’s dinner tonight according to Mr. Liu’s prescription. Go at once!”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” The attendant responded and hurried off with the prescription.

As the attendant left the hall, Empress Zhangsun suddenly began severe wheezing, her head thrown back, body tense, face pale. She inhaled deeply but exhaled little, and a faint wheezing sound came from her chest.

“Asthma?” Liu Yitiao’s expression changed. How could it be such a troublesome ailment? No wonder the old physicians were helpless. Even with twenty-first-century technology, asthma remained a stubborn disease.

Seeing the Empress’s distress, Liu Yitiao abandoned formalities and called loudly to Li Chengqian, who was beside her, “Crown Prince, quickly help Her Majesty sit up. Do not let her lie flat!”

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“Oh, oh,” Li Chengqian came to his senses and hurriedly complied, lifting the Empress into a sitting position and gently rubbing her back.

Liu Yitiao approached the bedside, took hold of the Empress’s hands, and pressed firmly on the webbing between her thumb and index finger. He spoke softly, “Your Majesty, do not be anxious. Relax. Try to swallow repeatedly—yes, just like that. Relax your body. Breathe, swallow, breathe, swallow. Good, keep calm.”

He pressed firmly while soothing her with gentle words.

Gradually, the Empress’s breathing eased, her complexion returned to a healthier hue, and her expression calmed. Seeing this, Taizong and Li Chengqian both sighed in relief, their anxieties momentarily abated.

Meanwhile, Li Tai’s heart grew increasingly dark with gloom.

“All right, she’s stable now,” Liu Yitiao exhaled and released her hands. He then instructed the Crown Prince, “Help Her Majesty lie down now. She is out of danger.”

“Thank you, Mr. Liu,” Empress Zhangsun said softly as she reclined on the bed, turning to him. “Had you not been here, I might have fainted again.”

Liu Yitiao bowed respectfully. “Your Majesty, you are too kind. Healing and saving lives is my duty. You are still weak; please speak little and rest well. A good sleep will restore you.”

“Yes, Empress, rest well. Do not worry about anything else now—your health comes first,” Emperor Taizong gently urged.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” The Empress nodded slightly and closed her eyes, drifting into a deep sleep.

She was truly exhausted.

Taizong looked on with affection, then gestured for the Imperial Medical Department doctors and attendants to leave, leading Liu Yitiao and two of the princes to another hall in the Lijing Palace.

Upon entering, Liu Yitiao was greeted by an adorable little boy who approached them.

“Father! Big Brother! Fourth Brother!” The child came forward respectfully, clasped his hands formally, and bowed to Taizong and Li Chengqian. Then, with watery, wide eyes, he timidly asked Liu Yitiao, “Are you the divine doctor Big Brother invited to heal Mother?”

“Zhinu, do not be rude to the doctor!” Taizong gently reprimanded. “Mr. Liu is very talented, a masterful physician who saved your older brother and is now treating your mother. You must be respectful to him, understand?”

“Yes, Father,” the little boy nodded earnestly, then bowed to Liu Yitiao and in a childlike voice said, “Zhinu is sorry for any disrespect. Please forgive me, do not be angry, and please keep healing my mother.”