Chapter 58: The Perilous Path of Medicine

“Liu’s Calligraphy?” A bead of cold sweat trickled down Liu Yitiao’s temple. If not for him, Song-style script would never have appeared in the Tang dynasty. Now that Song-style characters were becoming popular in Chang’an, it was almost as if he’d seen a ghost. Could it have been Wang Zhihong? As far as he knew, only Wang Zhihong was currently in the capital.

But Wang Zhihong had always been steady and reserved. The calligraphy scroll Liu Ertiao gifted him when he became his apprentice shouldn’t have been displayed publicly. How could it have spread so widely?

“I used to hear Brother Bofang speak highly of you,” praised Gongsun Wenda. “He said Yitiao is a rare talent with a promising future. And your chess set—us old fellows are quite taken with it, haha… Now I see that Brother Bofang’s praise was well warranted. You’ve mastered that new calligraphy style taking Chang’an by storm, almost to perfection! Far better than that conceited son of mine.”

“Uncle Gongsun, you flatter me.” Liu Yitiao felt a bit embarrassed by the old man’s words. After all, he was the originator of those calligraphic works—his versions were the genuine article; there was no need for him to imitate anyone else.

Since Gongsun Wenda had mentioned his son, Liu Yitiao casually inquired, “May I ask, what is your son’s name? Should I have the opportunity, I’d love to call on him at your residence.”

At the mention of his son, Gongsun Wenda’s smile faded, and he sighed, “Don’t mention that brat. He fritters away his days idly, wandering around with that battered folding fan of his, thinking himself the epitome of elegance. Just seeing him is irritating.”

“Folding fan?” Just those few words conjured in Liu Yitiao’s mind the image of the young man with a folding fan he’d encountered that very evening. If that was indeed him, Gongsun Wenda’s criticism seemed apt. Liu Yitiao ventured, “Uncle Gongsun, is your son’s name Helan, by any chance?”

“Oh? So you know him as well? Has that rascal offended you in some way?” Gongsun Wenda shot up from his chair and said earnestly, “If he has, Yitiao, just tell me. I’ll see to it that you get justice!”

What a fiery temperament this old man had.

Truly, no one knows a son better than his father—it seemed Gongsun Wenda had cleaned up after his son’s mischief more than once.

Liu Yitiao quickly shook his head. “No, not at all, Uncle Gongsun. Please don’t be upset—here, do sit down.” He rose to invite Gongsun Wenda back to his seat, then added, “Though your son’s actions may be a bit eccentric, I believe he is nonetheless a man of talent. Please don’t take it to heart. After all, no gold is without alloy, and no man without flaws. Even the renowned Master of the Five Willows from the Jin era was a notorious drunkard.”

Everyone loves to hear praise, and Gongsun Wenda’s heart softened considerably at these words, which were not only complimentary but also reasonable. The anger faded from his face, and he looked at Liu Yitiao with newfound approval. Yes, this young man has a bright future.

“Well, let’s not talk about that rascal anymore.” Gongsun Wenda waved a hand, saying, “I’ve heard that you’re quite the prodigy at chess, Yitiao. I’ve long wanted to play a game with you. Since we have a free evening tonight, how about a match between us?”

A chess game in the dead of night? This old man was certainly… something. Seeing Gongsun Wenda’s eager expression, Liu Yitiao could hardly refuse. He forced a smile and replied, “It would be my honor. I only hesitate to ask, as the chess set and board are all in Uncle Yang’s study; it may be a bit inconvenient.”

“No trouble at all! I know my way around the Yang household perfectly well. Just come with me!” Without waiting for agreement, Gongsun Wenda took Liu Yitiao by the arm and led him straight toward Yang Bofang’s study.

Sure enough, not a single servant in the Yang household tried to stop them, and many even bowed to Gongsun Wenda as they passed. It was clear he was very well acquainted with everyone here—well enough to enter the master’s study at will.

After instructing the servants to light the lamps in the study, Gongsun Wenda cheerfully fetched the chessboard from the shelf and said, “Shall we begin, Yitiao?”

“Father!” Li Chengqian bowed low before Li Shimin. “I know of a divine physician who might be able to save Mother.”

“Oh? Is it the same healer who saved you in Sanyuan County?” Why hadn’t he thought of that before? Li Shimin seemed to glimpse a glimmer of hope.

Last time, the crown prince had suffered a terrible wound beneath his ribs—such an injury would have been fatal anywhere else. Yet this mysterious doctor had somehow stitched him back together with needle and thread. Perhaps he truly might have a way.

“Yes, that’s the one!” Li Chengqian replied. “I’ve already sent Li Ji and the others to find him. I believe they’ll be able to bring the divine physician here in a day or two. If we can have him examine Mother, perhaps we can avoid the dangerous remedies Imperial Physician Wang has prescribed.”

“Your Majesty, Your Highness!” Wang Zikui, seeing that Li Shimin was wavering, stepped forward again. “Her Majesty’s illness cannot be delayed any longer! The Empress is extremely weak, and with winter’s chill at its peak, if we do not treat her immediately, I fear—she may not survive the night!”

“What?!” Li Shimin was startled, his tall frame swaying before he turned to the physicians and barked, “Why didn’t you say so sooner? Why are you still standing here? Go and prepare the medicine for the Empress immediately!”

“Yes, Your Majesty! At once!” The court physicians hurried off.

When all the physicians had left, Li Chengqian stepped forward to support Li Shimin. “Father, please sit and rest for a while. Mother is a woman of great virtue—she will surely pull through.”

“Yes. And do not neglect the search for the divine physician—bring him here as soon as possible. If Wang Zikui and the others fail, we still have that hope.” Li Shimin nodded and sat by the bed, glancing with concern at the young Li Zhi, who kept watch at his mother’s side. He said gently, “Tonight, Chengqian, you and I will stay here. Zhinü is still young—he should sleep.”

“No, Father, I don’t want to sleep! I want to stay here with Mother!” Little Li Zhi sat beside his mother, head held high, his resolve unwavering.

For an eight-year-old child to show such filial piety was truly rare.

Li Shimin gently patted his youngest son’s head and said warmly, “Very well. Since you are so devoted, I’ll allow it. Stay with your elder brother, then. May your devotion move Heaven itself and help your mother to awaken soon.”

“Thank you, Father! I’ll wait for Mother to wake up. She will wake up, I know she will!”

At that moment, an attendant entered the hall and bowed before Li Shimin. “Your Majesty, Prince Wei has arrived and is waiting outside.”

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin wearily waved his hand. “Show him in.”