Chapter 17: The Overbearing Li Er

  Under the leadership of this old gentleman, Fang Yiai and his party quickly arrived at the Taiji Palace. Fang Xuanling dismounted and came to the front of the Vermilion Bird Gate. The gatekeeper estimated that he was already very familiar with this Grand Councilor of the Tang Dynasty. A military officer cupped his hands and asked: "Mr. Fang, what brings you here so late?"

  "Heh heh, it's nothing major, just trouble you to pass on a message and inform His Majesty that I, Fu Jiao, have brought my two sons, Fu Yi and Fu Ai, to request an audience!" said Fu Xuanling with great warmth, without any air of superiority. The official nodded his head in excitement and said: "Lord Fu, please wait here for a moment, I'll go and report it for you right away!" After the official left, Fu Ai rubbed her forehead and asked in puzzlement: "Father, can we enter the imperial palace through the Vermilion Bird Gate?"

  Fang Xuanling knocked on the back of Fang Yiai's head and said with a bitter smile: "Jun'er, what are you talking about? Isn't this Vermilion Bird Gate for people to pass through? Otherwise, why build it?" Fang Yiai rolled his eyes, thinking he was foolish again, and hastily asked seriously: "Father, don't blame me entirely for being ignorant. Eldest brother led me around to the Yanxi Gate at that time, I thought a small person like me could only use the Yanxi Gate."

  "Heh heh, Jun Er, only Jingfu Gate has restrictions, the other gates you can all pass through, it's just that Zhuque Gate has some other uses. House Xuanling patiently explained, pointing to the three words "Zhuque Gate" and smiling: "Do you see these three words? Zhuque Gate is the south gate of Taiji Palace, generally speaking, the south and north gates of Taiji Palace are not open, only when receiving foreign envoys will Zhuque Gate be opened. Now it's late at night, we don't need to take a detour to Yangxi Gate, anyway, His Majesty won't mind these things, as long as those old scholars don't find out."

  After listening to the old man's explanation, Fang Yilove was not convinced in her heart. She thought that the old man had also played a trick today, but she didn't dare say it out loud. Instead, she smiled and flattered him, saying: "Father is so knowledgeable, I'm enlightened!" Fang Xuanling smiled wryly, feeling helpless inside. Why was his second son's personality so different from that of his eldest son? However, Fang Xuanling actually preferred the personality of this second son, who was not bound by conventional rules and would go further in life.

  The father and son stood in front of the Vermilion Bird Gate for a while, and soon saw the school officer running back, followed by a middle-aged uncle with a mustache. The uncle smiled and bowed to Fang Xuanling: "General Zhao Chong has seen Lord Fang, it's getting late now, His Majesty asked me to come and pick up Lord Fang and the second young master."

  Here is the translation:

  After Fang Xuanling bowed his hands in return, Fang Yiai smiled and said: "Uncle Zhao, thank you for your trouble!" This time, Zhao Chong became interested and thought that this Second Master Fang was just like other arrogant young nobles. But unexpectedly, he turned out to be so polite! So, with a smile, he said: "Second Master, no need to be so formal, it's what I should do! Now please follow me, the Emperor is accompanying the Empress in the Bafu Hall!" Fang Xuanling and his son followed Zhao Chong towards the inner palace. It was Fang Yiai's first time entering the Taiji Palace, so he was very curious. However, soon that curiosity disappeared because they walked through so many twists and turns that he almost got dizzy. Finally, they entered a courtyard and saw the three characters "Bafu Hall" above. Fang Yiai knew he had finally arrived at his destination. Zhao Chong bowed his hands and smiled: "Master Fang, please follow me in, the Emperor has instructed that Master Fang can enter directly when you arrive."

  House Xuanling nodded and took House Yiai into the Baifu Hall, as soon as they entered the main room, they saw Li Shimin sitting on a chair with a worried face thinking about something. Just as House Xuanling and House Yiai were about to pay their respects, Li Shimin waved his hand and smiled bitterly: "Xuanling, this is not during court hours, don't be so formal, sit down first, what brings you here so late with Jun'er?"

  "Haha, Your Majesty, tonight I heard Jun'er say that he has some ideas about this disease of Qi, so I didn't delay and brought him here." Fang Xuanling slowly recounted the events. After listening to all this, Li Shimin's bitter melon face disappeared, and he immediately stood up and walked in front of Fang Yaoli, grabbing his shoulders and shouting: "Jun'er, can you really cure Qi disease?"

  "Ah, Your Majesty, can't you be gentler? I'm almost being pinched to death!" Fang Yiai was now on the verge of tears. Did Li Shimin have to be so excited? This grip was too strong! Only then did Li Shimin realize he had lost his composure, and awkwardly laughed: "Heh heh, Jun'er, don't mind me, I was just really too excited earlier. But can you really cure the Empress's illness?"

  Fang Yi Ai listened again and frowned, speaking the truth: "To be honest, I don't have this confidence either. All I can say is that if you follow my method, the Empress's body will at least show some improvement. As for whether she can be completely cured, I dare not speak rashly. After all, I'm still young and can't bear such a great responsibility!"

  Li Shimin listened to a string of nonsense, pouting and muttering: "You little scoundrel, just focus on treating the illness, this treatment doesn't necessarily work, do you think I'm someone who doesn't follow reason?" Fang Yiai rolled her eyes, thinking that with the force you used earlier, it's no wonder you're a person who doesn't follow reason when you get angry, isn't that scary? Seeing Fang Yiai roll her eyes, Zhao Chong, standing behind Li Shimin, turned bright red. Li Shimin also noticed Zhao Chong's situation and asked with furrowed brows: "Zhao Chong, what's wrong?"

  "Ah, Your Majesty, it's nothing, I'm just a little... uh... I need to go to the restroom!" Zhao Chong finally managed to squeeze out these words after holding back for half a day. Li Shimin was speechless and waved his hand urgently, saying "Then why don't you go? The last one who went is still stuck in there!" Zhao Chong held back his laughter and hastily rushed out, bursting into laughter as soon as he reached the outside. He found that Second Master Fang was incredibly talented, daring to play a trick on His Majesty like this. Up until now, only Old Lady Guo had dared to make such a joke with His Majesty.

  After Zhao Chong ran out, Li Shimin sighed and smiled bitterly at Fang Gui's love: "Forget it, Jun Er, I won't force you anymore. You just do your best, now come with me!" After finishing speaking, he led Fang Xuanling and his son to the back hall. Fang Gui saw that Fang Xuanling gave himself a reassuring look, and his own anxious heart also calmed down. When they arrived at the back hall, Li Shimin was sitting on the bed holding a beautiful woman's hand and smiling: "Guan Yin bi, don't worry, even if I use all my power, I will cure your illness."

  "Your Majesty, I am aware of my own illness. Why must you waste so much wealth and resources again? You are the ruler of a nation, your every word and action affects the lives of all people under heaven. Can you afford to neglect the affairs of state for personal feelings?" The Empress Changsun's face was somewhat pale, perhaps due to her prolonged bed rest without seeing sunlight. Witnessing such a virtuous Empress Changsun, Fang Yi'ai felt a pang in his heart. It seemed that Empress Changsun was indeed extremely important to Emperor Taizong of Tang, and whenever the emperor became enraged, only she could persuade him.

  Li Shimin nodded and patted the hand of Empress Zhangsun, shouting at Fang Yiai: "Jun'er, why don't you hurry over here?" Fang Yiai was very displeased. You've been nagged by your wife, and now you're venting your anger on me, a young man? This is too immoral! However, Fang Yiai still walked to Empress Zhangsun's bedside, bowed, and said: "Your humble subject Fang Yiai pays respects to Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy eternal blessings and longevity rivaling that of Heaven!" When Li Shimin heard Fang Yiai's flattering words, he almost kicked this flatterer out. He had called him over to examine his illness, not to flatter him! Li Shimin was visibly displeased, but Empress Zhangsun smiled lightly, waved her hand, and said: "Enough, no need for formalities. You're quite a smooth talker, little fellow. You must be the second son of Duke Xuanling!"

  "Your Majesty, it's just my family's unfilial son," said Fang Xuanling with a humble smile. Empress Changsun nodded and smiled, and Emperor Taizong also smiled. But Fang Yuyao was full of anxiety, wondering when he had become an unfilial son again, and whether such humility was necessary. Emperor Taizong smiled for a moment before collecting his thoughts and saying seriously, "Alright, you little smooth talker, stop speaking nicely and hurry up with the treatment. Don't you need to take my pulse?"

  "Ah, Your Majesty, I'm not a doctor, why do I need to take the pulse?" Fang Yiai was very anxious, he didn't understand taking the pulse at all. Li Shimin was confused and furrowed his brow, asking: "Jun'er, if you don't take the pulse, how can you treat the illness?"

  "Your Majesty, my father has already made it very clear just now. I just happen to understand a bit about this disease. You only need to confirm that the Empress Dowager's illness is indeed a cold, and if you can't even be sure of that, then I really dare not act rashly." Fang Yiai said bluntly. Li Shimin was also at his wit's end, and he too was trying to treat a dead horse as if it were alive. He hastily shouted: "Alright, the imperial physician has already confirmed that the Empress Dowager's illness is indeed a cold! Now tell me how to treat it!"

  Fang Yiai felt that it was really not worth getting involved in this muddy water. This Li Shimin is obviously unreasonable, and he doesn't even know what's going on himself, yet he lets him speak out the medical treatment method. Fang Yiai didn't bother to reason with Li Shimin anymore. Standing by the bed, Fang Yiai smiled and asked Empress Longsun: "Your Majesty, do you often feel chest tightness and shortness of breath?"

  "Yes, indeed, sometimes it's so severe that I almost can't breathe," Empress Changsun said with a gentle smile.

  "What has Her Majesty the Queen been eating lately? And has she always stayed in her room?"

  The Empress Longsun frowned and said, "I've been eating supplements prepared by the imperial kitchen at your majesty's behest, and the imperial physician has instructed me that my body is weak and I shouldn't go out for walks, so I've been staying in this Baifu Hall all along!"

  After hearing Empress Zhangsun's words, both Fang Yi'ai and Li Shimin thought of strangling each other to death. Aren't you trying to harm Empress Zhangsun? Originally, Empress Zhangsun's body was weak, and you kept over-supplementing her, it's strange if nothing goes wrong. Then Fang Yi'ai cupped his hands towards Li Shimin and said: "Your Majesty, from today on, the empress cannot eat those supplements anymore. In the future, the empress will change to eating some green vegetables, not putting meat in them, adding some eggs is fine. Also, stop eating staple foods and sweets, prepare more rice porridge instead."

  "Ah, why is that? The Empress's body is so weak, doesn't she need to take supplements? Even the imperial physician agrees with me on this!" Li Shimin was visibly unwilling, he still wanted to let Empress Longsun enjoy a bit more. Fang Yiai could only explain reluctantly: "Your Majesty, I'll tell you this way, the root of the Empress's illness lies in her respiratory tract and lungs, which is why she has difficulty breathing. The problem with her lungs and respiratory tract can only be alleviated through gradual nursing. This is different from when the body suffers an injury or blood deficiency, blood deficiency can be replenished through heavy supplementation, but lung problems cannot be solved this way. If we continue to heavily supplement like this, it will only have a counterproductive effect. If we don't stop in time, I'm afraid even the great immortal would not be able to save the Empress's life."

  Li Shimin saw that Fang Yi's love was not joking, and he asked with a serious face: "Jun Er, are you telling the truth?"

  "Your Majesty, dare I deceive you?"

  Li Shimin was embarrassed, originally thought he was doing a good deed, now only to discover how foolish he was, and smiled bitterly at Fang Yizhi: "There is actually such a saying, are there any other things that need attention?"

  "Your Majesty," Fang Yi Ai said after some thought, "I'd like to trouble you to have someone fetch some goldfish moss from the pond, prepare a few glass containers and inflate several animal hide bags."

  "Alright, I'll send someone to take care of it right away. However, since it's already so dark now, we can only deal with the goldfish algae tomorrow!" Li Shimin was always one to grant requests without hesitation, not a single hint of ambiguity. Seeing how readily Li Shimin agreed, Fang Yiai turned to Empress Longsun and said: "Your Majesty, starting from tomorrow, you shouldn't stay in bed all day. You should go out for walks more often. Also, I'll teach you some exercises that will be beneficial for your health if you do them every day. Additionally, your room needs better ventilation; don't keep the windows closed so tightly, it's not good for air circulation."

  Empress Changsun smiled and asked, "Jun'er, this is not a problem, but the imperial physician has requested it, saying it's to prevent catching wind-cold!" Fang Yiai shook her head and smiled, asking, "Your Majesty, you know your own illness best; is it more comfortable with the window open or closed?" After hearing Fang Yiai's words, Empress Changsun understood that solving her qi disorder was the most important thing now, and everything else was secondary.

  Having persuaded Empress Zhangsun, Fang Yizhi looked around the decorations in Baifu Hall with a frown and said: "Your Majesty, this Baifu Hall also needs to be changed. We should replace these decorative items with some green plants."

  "What, Jun'er, do we have to replace these ceramic decorations too?" Li Shimin was puzzled, but seeing Fang Yiai's determined eyes and Empress Longsun not objecting, he could only reluctantly nod in agreement, waving his hand and saying: "Alright, alright, do as you like."

  After discussing some issues with Fang Yi'ai, seeing that there was nothing more to add, he gave a hint to Fang Xuanling. Fang Xuanling smiled slightly and bowed his hands, saying: "Your Majesty, since everything has been arranged properly, I won't linger any longer!"

  "Hmm, you're right too. It's getting late, Xuan Ling, you go back first." Li Shimin smiled and waved his hand to shoo people away. But Fang Yi'ai felt something was off - why did Li Shimin only let the old man leave? So Fang Yi'ai pointed at himself and asked: "Your Majesty, what about me?"

  "You? Of course, you're staying here to take care of the Empress's illness from now on. You can leave once everything is stable!" Li Shimin said matter-of-factly, completely ignoring Fang Yu'ai's bitter face. Fang Xuanling was helpless and could only smile wryly before leaving Fang Yu'ai in the Baifu Hall. Fang Xuanling walked away with ease, while Fang Yu'ai was very displeased with his father's actions. Isn't Li Shimin supposed to be reasonable? This is what you call being reasonable? Not even a discussion, just directly detaining someone!

  Fang Yi Ai felt like she was becoming a bigger tragedy by the day. Why did she have to come to Bai Fu Dian for no reason, it's just her bad luck.