Chapter 122: Diagnosing the Illness!

Li Shimin’s eyes widened. "You brat, is this any time to be cracking jokes? Where is the person? Bring him in at once!"

Seeing Li Er (Li Shimin) was getting angry, Li Yi hurriedly replied, "He is right outside the door!"

Li Er gave a signal to the attendant, who stepped out. Before long, Sun Simiao was ushered in.

"Daoist Sun? So it is you! It has been quite a long time since we last parted ways!" After a brief moment of surprise, Li Er felt a sense of clarity. Indeed, if one were to speak of medical expertise in the Great Tang, this man was truly the finest. He really wondered how this boy had managed to invite him.

Years ago, Li Er had invited Sun Simiao to serve in the imperial court, but was rejected. To say Li Er was not angry would be a lie, but knowing the old man had no desire for officialdom and cared only for the healing arts, he had let the matter go. Still, meeting again, he couldn't help but tease him a little.

Sun Simiao first bowed to Li Er and Empress Zhangsun. Only after being told to rise by Li Er did he calmly reply, "This humble Daoist has been wandering deep in the mountains for the past few years and has not visited Chang'an, which is why I have failed to pay my respects to Your Majesty."

"Haha, I know you are devoted to the medical arts. I have heard reports of you traveling far and wide, saving countless lives. I must say, I am quite curious—how did this boy manage to bring you here?"

"It is because..."

Just as Sun Simiao was about to answer, he was interrupted by Li Yi.

"Uncle Li, it is a long story. Let us focus on the treatment first!"

Li Er slapped his own forehead and said sheepishly, "Ah, I got carried away and forgot the matter at hand. Please, Daoist, take a good look at Guanyinbi (Empress Zhangsun) and Changle."

Sun Simiao bowed and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this humble Daoist will do his utmost."

With that, Sun Simiao set down his medicine chest and began his examination. After a series of observations—looking, listening, asking, and feeling the pulse, which Li Yi watched with only a vague understanding—Sun Simiao stood up, his brow furrowed.

Seeing him rise, Li Er asked anxiously, "Daoist, how is it?"

Li Yi’s gaze was also fixed intently on Sun Simiao.

After a moment of contemplation, Sun Simiao said, "Your Majesty, Princess Changle’s illness appears to have been passed down from the Empress. However, the good news is that it is not yet severe, and since the Princess is still young, there is hope for a complete cure with careful treatment. There is, however, one caveat: she cannot conceive for the next five years."

Upon hearing she could be saved, Changle was on the verge of tears from joy. But when she heard about the five-year restriction on childbirth, her face turned deathly pale. In ancient times, for a woman to be unable to bear children was a profound misfortune. Even if it were only for five years, it was still considered a significant flaw.

Li Er and Empress Zhangsun were also filled with distress. To be unable to conceive—no matter whose daughter it was—would be seen as a "disability." How could they, as parents, be at ease?

Only Li Yi felt joy rather than concern. To hear that Changle could be saved made him happier than anyone else. As for not conceiving for five years? Was that even an issue?

"Hahaha, I told you! When the Daoist makes a move, success is guaranteed! Hahaha!"

Li Er frowned. "You brat, what madness has taken you? If you don't want to marry her, just say so; why act like this?"

Changle also looked at Li Yi with a despondent expression.

"What are you saying? Who said I didn't want to marry her? Uncle Li, you aren't thinking of going back on your word again, are you?" As soon as the words left his lips, Li Yi realized the atmosphere had shifted. Thinking it over, he understood the reason. "Oh! I see, you are talking about the five-year restriction on conceiving? Is that all? Uncle Li, I actually wanted to tell you about this for a long time, but I never found the right opportunity. Well, it’s a bit complicated to explain, so let’s talk later. But I can guarantee one thing: not only for Changle, but even for Xueyan, I do not intend for her to conceive before she turns eighteen!"

Once Li Yi finished, Li Er and Empress Zhangsun were stunned, and Changle was left in a daze.

After a long pause, Li Er asked, "Boy, are you serious? This is no laughing matter!"

Li Yi replied with a solemn face, "Your nephew keeps his word!"

Li Er fell silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into hearty laughter. "Haha, good boy! I did not misjudge you. In that case, I will give you my word today: I agree to the marriage between you and Changle!" In Li Er's view, for Li Yi to agree to such a thing was a massive sacrifice. Regardless of his reasons, Li Er felt a sense of gratitude, for if Li Yi had backed out, the royal family would have lost all face.

Empress Zhangsun nodded gently. She now looked at Li Yi as if he were her own son-in-law. She knew she had made the right choice; Li Yi was worthy of Changle’s lifelong trust.

Upon hearing Li Yi’s words, Changle felt enveloped in a wave of immense happiness. She felt her heart melting. She had only one thought: *If you do not leave me, I shall stay with you through life and death, loving you for lifetimes to come, never to be parted.*

However, there is something called Murphy's Law, where things often turn out differently than expected, and Li Yi was the creator of such surprises. I don't know what possessed him, but in such a touching moment, he suddenly added, "Hehehe, Uncle Li, what about Li Xueyan?"

As soon as he finished, Li Er instantly wiped the smile off his face and snorted coldly. Empress Zhangsun was left between laughter and tears. Changle glared at Li Yi in mock anger. Yet, no one was truly mad; they were just annoyed that Li Yi had broken the heartwarming atmosphere.

Li Yi rubbed his nose awkwardly. "Err, Daoist, let us continue."

Sun Simiao also gave Li Yi an amused look before returning to his serious expression. "Your Majesty, Princess Changle’s condition is manageable, but the Empress’s illness is somewhat more troublesome."

Li Er and the Empress were startled. Li Er steadied himself and asked, "Daoist, please explain in detail."

"Yes. Your Majesty, the Empress’s illness is due in part to the delay in treatment, and in part to its severity. However, the most critical issue is..." Sun Simiao paused, his brow furrowing. "It is because Her Majesty’s constitution is excessively weak—far weaker than others of her age. Furthermore, I have discovered that this weakness is not caused by the illness itself. To cure her, we must first resolve this frailty, which means finding the root cause. But even after much thought, I am at a loss."

This result was within Li Er’s expectations, yet hearing it left him unable to accept the reality. Li Er asked bitterly, "Daoist, how much time does Guanyinbi have left?"

Sun Simiao pondered and replied, "It is hard to say. If Her Majesty’s weakness does not worsen, then with my treatments, she might extend her life by a dozen years or more. But if the illness flares up again, I cannot guarantee anything; it will depend on the circumstances."

Li Er and Empress Zhangsun were overcome with sorrow.

As Li Yi watched the two little ones beside Li Er, he suddenly seemed to have an epiphany. "Uncle Li, perhaps... I know the reason!"