Chapter 58: A Narrow Escape for the Doctor

  "Yan's calligraphy?" A cold sweat trickled down Yan Yitiao's forehead. If it wasn't him, Song typeface would never have appeared in the Tang Dynasty. Now that Song typeface is popular in Chang'an, isn't this a ghost? Could it be Wang Zhihong? It seemed that among the people he knew, only Wang Zhihong was in the capital.

  But Wang Zhihong has always been steady and introverted, so he shouldn't have hung out the painting that Liu Er gave him when he came to pay his respects last time, how could it have spread around?

  "Previously, I often heard Old Brother Baofang mention that a talented nephew like you is hard to come by and has great prospects. Your chess skills are quite impressive to us old folks, haha...". Gong Sun Wenda praised: "Now it seems that Old Brother Baofang's words were not in vain, haha! You can already learn 80% of the calligraphy style that just became popular in Chang'an City, great! Much better than that arrogant little brat in our household."

  "Grandfather Gong Sun is overpraising." Liu Yitiao was somewhat embarrassed by the old man's words. Those things were originally spread by him, and what he had here was the authentic version, did he still need to learn?

  When Gong Sun Wenda mentioned their son, Liu Yitiao casually asked: "I don't know what to call you? Another day when I'm free, I'll come to your house for a visit."

  As soon as he mentioned his son, Gong Sun Wenda's smile disappeared and he sighed: "Don't mention that stinky kid anymore. He has nothing to do all day, carrying that broken fan everywhere, thinking he's so elegant, it's really annoying just looking at him."

  "Zhe Shan Nan?" Gu Sun Wenda's few words reminded Liu Yitiao of the Zhe Shan Nan he met at night. If it was really him, then Gu Sun Wenda's evaluation of him was quite fitting. Liu Yitiao asked: "May I ask Uncle Gu, is the young master's name He Lan?"

  "Oh? Young Master also knows him? Has this little scoundrel offended you somewhere?" Gong Sun Wenda suddenly stood up from his chair and said to Liu Yi: "If there is, Young Master can tell me, I will definitely uphold justice for you!"

  This old man has a fiery temper.

  It is said that no one knows a son better than his father. It seems that Gong Sun Wenda had wiped his son's butt many times before.

  Liu Yitiao hastily shook his head and said, "There's no such thing, there's no such thing. Uncle Gongsun, please don't get angry, let's sit down first." He then stood up to invite Gongsun Wenda to take a seat, before continuing, "I observe that Brother Gongsun's behavior is indeed somewhat strange, but he's not without talent either. Uncle Gongsun doesn't need to worry too much. As the saying goes, 'gold has no flaws, people are imperfect', wasn't even the great Wuliu of the Jin dynasty a drunkard?"

  Everyone loves to hear good words, and when they see someone praising their own son, and saying it so reasonably, Gong Sun Wenda's heart feels much more comfortable. The angry look on his face also eased up a bit. When he looked at Liu Yitiao again, he felt that this young man was getting more and more pleasing to the eye, hmm, this young man has great prospects.

  "Alright, let's not mention that little brat anymore." Gong Sun Wenda waved his hand and said: "I've heard that a certain nephew is exceptionally skilled at Xiangqi. I've been wanting to play a game with him for a long time. Tonight just so happens to be free, why don't we have a match?"

  "Huh? Still looking for someone to play chess with in the middle of the night, this old man...?! Liu Yitiao looked at Gong Sun Wenda's eager face and couldn't refuse, so he reluctantly said: "I'd be happy to, but I don't dare ask! It's just that the chess and board are all in Yang Shu's study, it might not be convenient?"

  "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter! I'm familiar with everyone in the Yang household, just follow me and we'll go together!" With that, Gong Sun Wenda pulled Liu Yitiao along without waiting for his agreement, and they rushed straight to Yang Bo's study.

  As expected, all the way down, no one from the Yang Manor stopped them, and many people even gave Gong Sun Wenda a salute. It's clear that this old man is really familiar with the Yang Manor. Familiar to the point where he can enter the study of the master of the Yang Manor at will.

  He ordered the servants to light the candles in the study, and Gong Sun Wenda smiled and took out a chessboard from the bookcase, saying to Liu Yitiao: "Yitiao, my wise nephew, shall we start?"

  "Your Majesty!" Li Chengqian bowed and reported to Li Shimin: "I know a divine doctor who may be able to save the Empress Dowager."

  "Oh? But wasn't it that divine doctor who saved you in San Yuan County last time?" How come I didn't think of this before? Li Shimin seemed to see a glimmer of hope.

  The last time the prince had such a big wound under his ribs, if it were anywhere else, he would have been dead long ago. But that divine doctor somehow managed to bring him back with just one thread of needle and line. Maybe he really does have a way.

  "Exactly!" Li Chengqian replied, "I had Li Ji and others go to find him a few days ago. I believe that in another day or two, we can invite the divine doctor back. At that time, please ask the divine doctor to come and diagnose the empress's illness. Perhaps it is possible to avoid the risky prescription given by Imperial Physician Wang."

  "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince!" Prince Qi saw that Emperor Taizong seemed to be hesitating and stepped forward again, saying: "The Empress's illness this time is not to be delayed, Your Majesty! The Empress is weak in energy and body, and now it is the cold winter season when evil spirits are rampant. If we don't treat her in time, I fear that the Empress may not make it through tonight!"

  "What?! Li Shimin was shocked, his tall body swayed twice, and he immediately shouted at the imperial physicians: "Why didn't you mention this earlier?! What are you still doing here?! Hurry up and go prepare medicine for the Empress!!"

  "Yes, yes, Your Majesty! We will go now, we bid farewell!"

  After the imperial physicians all left, Li Chengqian went forward to support Li Shimin and said: "Your Majesty, please sit down and rest for a while. The Empress has a good fortune and will definitely be fine."

  "Uh-huh. You should also hurry up and search for the divine doctor, and bring him here as soon as possible. If Wangzi Kui and the others are no good this time, we can still rely on the divine doctor." Li Shimin nodded his head, leaned against the bed and sat down, looked at Li Zhi who was sitting beside him, and instructed with a heartache: "Tonight, Qian'er will keep watch with me, but you, Zhishu, are still young, so go to sleep first."

  "No, Father Emperor, I, Zhi, am not sleepy! I want to stay here with Mother Empress!" Little Li Zhi sat beside Empress Longsun, looking up at him with a determined face.

  It's rare for an eight-year-old child to have such a filial heart.

  Li Shimin gently stroked the little boy's head and said warmly, "Alright, since you have such filial piety, I'll grant your wish. You can stay with the Crown Prince. May your filial piety move Heaven and Earth, and may your mother wake up soon."

  "Thank you, Father! Zhi Nu will wait for Mother Empress to wake up, Mother Empress will definitely wake up!"

  At this time an imperial attendant walked in from outside the palace, arrived at Li Shimin's side and bowed to report: "I have come to inform Your Majesty that Prince of Wei has arrived and is waiting outside the door."

  Li Shimin heard this and weakly waved his hand: "Have him come in."