Chapter 140: Safeguards

"I pay my respects to the Empress!" Liu Yitiao approached the grand hall and bowed deeply.

"Mm, you have worked hard, Mr. Liu," Empress Zhangsun said with a gentle smile. "Please, take a seat."

Once Liu Yitiao was seated, little Zhi Nu and little Si Zi climbed down from the daybed. With small, unsteady steps, they walked over to Liu Yitiao, cupped their hands, and offered a greeting: "Greetings, Mr. Liu. Zhi Nu and Si Zi pay their respects."

"My respects to the two little Highnesses," Liu Yitiao replied, hurriedly rising to return the gesture, stepping aside to avoid receiving their bow directly.

"Alright, Zhi Nu, Si Zi, come back to your mother. Do not disturb Mr. Liu; I have matters to discuss with him." Empress Zhangsun smiled and beckoned to the children, signaling them to return.

"Yes, Mother." With one last lingering look at Liu Yitiao, the two children obediently retreated to the daybed.

"It is clear that Zhi Nu and Si Zi are very fond of you, Mr. Liu. They kept running over to your quarters these past few days; I hope they haven't been a nuisance," the Empress said with an apologetic look. "I hope they haven't caused you any trouble?"

"Haha, their Highnesses show me too much favor; it is my honor. Besides, they are both clever and well-behaved. I find great joy in playing with them." Looking at the two little ones who had just climbed back onto the bed, a smile unconsciously tugged at the corners of Liu Yitiao's mouth. Setting aside their status as prince and princess, they were truly adorable, intelligent, and easy to love.

Hearing someone praise her children—and without the hint of sycophancy—it was only natural for a mother to be pleased. Empress Zhangsun nodded with a faint smile and gestured for Liu Yitiao to sit. "They are mischievous little things. Thank you for your patience, Mr. Liu. Please sit; here in the Lizheng Hall, you need not be so formal."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Liu Yitiao bowed once more, then sat upon the round stool.

"The reason I requested your presence today, aside from thanking you, is to inquire about the Crown Prince," Empress Zhangsun said, watching him intently. "Some time ago, you mentioned that once Daoist Sun arrived, you could relieve the Prince of his foot ailment. Now that Daoist Sun is in Chang'an, when do you intend to begin the treatment?"

"Tomorrow," Liu Yitiao answered firmly. "In fact, I visited the Eastern Palace with Daoist Sun this afternoon, and he conducted an examination. Just now, before coming to the Lizheng Hall, I instructed Li Jihe to prepare the instruments required for tomorrow's surgery. I expect everything to be ready by tomorrow morning, and we shall proceed with the operation in the afternoon."

"Then I leave it in your hands, Mr. Liu." Empress Zhangsun sighed in relief. The matter of Li Chengqian’s foot had weighed on her heart for a year, and now, at last, she could set it down. However, she then asked, "Mr. Liu, surgery involving bone and flesh must be exceptionally dangerous. How much confidence do you have in its success?"

"Seventy percent," Liu Yitiao replied. "I have seventy percent confidence. If successful, the Prince’s foot will heal and return to normal. If it fails... well, I believe there will be no immediate threat to his life. However, Your Majesty, in the practice of medicine, even for a minor cold, no physician can offer a guarantee of absolute certainty. Therefore, if there should be any unforeseen complications..."

Liu Yitiao wanted to secure some sort of guarantee; after all, didn't hospitals require family members to sign liability waivers? If he weren't afraid of losing his head, he would have loved to produce one himself.

"On that point, please set your mind at ease, Mr. Liu." Empress Zhangsun perceived his concerns and offered comfort. "I understand the stakes, and the Emperor sees them clearly as well. You may proceed with peace of mind. If successful, it will be a joyous occasion for everyone; I shall be deeply grateful, and the Emperor will surely bestow great rewards upon you. If it fails, no one will blame you; after all, the Imperial Medical Bureau has already given its verdict on the Prince’s condition. Moreover, both the Emperor and I trust in your medical skills. If even you cannot cure him, we can only lament that the Prince lacks the fortune."

"Your Majesty is wise. I shall certainly give my all to minimize the risks of the surgery." Seeing the Empress so reasonable, Liu Yitiao’s heart settled, and he offered his own assurances to put her at ease.

"Mm, thank you, Mr. Liu." Empress Zhangsun nodded, then relaxed her demeanor and began to chat about household matters. "I hear that in a month or so, you will be taking a wife. That is truly something to be congratulated. I wonder what the date is set for? At that time, I—"

They chatted about everyday trifles for nearly half an hour. Throughout the conversation, Liu Yitiao felt more and more that Empress Zhangsun was truly the mother of the nation—kind, approachable, and so much like a loving mother that he nearly mistook her for Mother Liu.

"Well, it is getting late, and I am feeling a bit weary. I have kept you here quite long, Mr. Liu; I apologize for the trouble." Having just recovered from her own illness and spent the afternoon playing with the children, fatigue finally showed on the Empress's face.

"Your health is of the utmost importance, Your Majesty. I shall take my leave now." Liu Yitiao rose and followed Xiao Dezi out of the Lizheng Hall.

Returning to his quarters and consuming two small pastries, Liu Yitiao sent Xiao Suo to rest and lay down on his bed, still fully clothed. He recalled the "Evergreen Chant" scroll that the old Daoist Sun Simiao had given him earlier that day, and a spark of interest flickered in his heart. He sat up, pulled the scroll from his robe, and studied it intently.

The "Evergreen Chant" was, as Sun Simiao had claimed, simple. It was so simple that it was almost unbelievable. Opening the cloth scroll, he found only two basic breathing techniques and a set of not-so-complex methods for circulating internal energy. Liu Yitiao read through it once and easily committed it all to memory.

"Can this really develop internal energy?" Liu Yitiao glanced at the scroll in his hand, tossed it onto the bed, and felt a wave of disappointment. He began to wonder if he had been duped by the old Daoist. With that thought, he laid his head back down and drifted off.

The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, Liu Yitiao began his daily martial arts practice. Seeing Wang Dacheng arrive, he took the opportunity to show him a few moves and gave him a sound thrashing.

In recent days, Wang Dacheng had grasped the pattern of Liu Yitiao's morning routine, so he would crawl out of bed early every day to stand outside Liu Yitiao’s door, begging for instruction. Although he was beaten quite severely each time, he always gained something from the experience. Liu Yitiao never struck randomly; every blow was aimed at one of Wang Dacheng's openings. Over time, Wang Dacheng had naturally learned to defend and dodge, reducing the gaps in his technique.

After knocking Wang Dacheng to the ground with one punch, Liu Yitiao exhaled and said, "Dacheng, that is enough for today. Any more, and you might truly get hurt."

Xiao Suo seized the moment to hand over a hot towel and served Liu Yitiao as he sat in the courtyard, giving him the air of a young master of a great house.

"Mr. Liu," Wang Dacheng climbed up, rubbing his aching backside, and grinned as he thanked him. "Thank you for the guidance. Even though I am no match for you, I feel my skills have improved significantly. Just the day before yesterday, when I sparred with Captain Feng, I managed to hold out for five more moves than before before losing! Heh, this is all thanks to your training."

"Dacheng, sit down." Having finished his workout, Liu Yitiao was in a good mood. He gestured for Wang Dacheng to sit beside him. "You have a good foundation and a sturdy frame. It’s quite satisfying to spar with you. I have high hopes for you. If you keep at it, one day it might not be impossible for you to fight Captain Feng to a draw."

This was not empty flattery. Through their daily bouts, Liu Yitiao had noticed that Wang Dacheng possessed a good aptitude; if he was hit twice in the same weak spot, he would realize it and correct it. In this regard, he was far superior to Gongsun Helan, who could be hit in the same spot five or ten times and still not learn. Wang Dacheng simply lacked a good teacher.

It was a pity he wouldn't be here much longer; otherwise, teaching him a few more moves would be no bother. Looking at Wang Dacheng’s slightly swollen lips and his face, which burned with a desire for success, Liu Yitiao suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. To beat a man like this without ever having taught him anything substantial felt wrong.

"Dacheng," Liu Yitiao called out softly, turning to him. "Actually, I have another method to improve your martial arts. The process is quite arduous—are you interested in trying?"

"Please, teach me!" Wang Dacheng stood up and bowed respectfully.

Liu Yitiao nodded. Wang Dacheng loved martial arts; otherwise, he wouldn't endure the daily beatings just to seek instruction. He would certainly not pass up an opportunity to improve.

"It is very simple," Liu Yitiao said slowly: "Weight-bearing."