Miss Truth
Chapter 529 - 351: To Be Determined

Chapter 529: Chapter 351: To Be Determined

Su Fu had secluded himself in the mountains to hide his identity as an assassin, but in Li Tai’s mouth, he was transformed into a reclusive expert with origins from the Medicine King family of Suzhou, thus making his explanation seem quite credible.

"Since he does not care for fame or gain, why would he take up a post at the Imperial Medical Bureau?" Li Chengqian asked with a semblance of genuine curiosity.

Li Tai smiled and said, "I haven’t asked him about that, but... since he has the habit of wandering to study Medical Skills, and the Imperial Medical Bureau is the center of Great Tang’s medical practice, it’s not strange for him to join."

The passion of the doctors from the Sui and Tang dynasties for prescriptions is unimaginable to later generations, so Li Shimin did not suspect otherwise and turned to Zhong Rui, saying, "Summon Imperial Physician Su Ziqi."

Li Chengqian clenched his teeth secretly, his hand beside his leg unconsciously clenched. What could it matter that he had arrived first if he could not compete with Li Tai’s acting! At the same time, Li Chengqian also felt resentful towards Liu Pinrang, who had been the Inspector of Suzhou and surely knew everything about Suzhou. How could he not know that the Medicine King family had a Su Ziqi!

Li Shimin was in high spirits today and asked about what Li Chengqian and Li Tai had both done. Li Chengqian had always been indulgent in pleasures, and there wasn’t much worth mentioning to Li Shimin. Fortunately, before coming, Liu Pinrang had thought of a few responses to avoid being questioned about this matter, which turned out to be quite appropriate and fitting of a Crown Prince.

Li Chengqian also knew that this was what the Emperor expected of him and understood that his earlier responses had greatly pleased him, but watching the father and son chat enthusiastically about history and paintings, he still felt quite bitter, although thanks to his early brilliance and knowledge of history and literature, he managed to interject from time to time so he was not completely left out.

Li Shimin greatly admired Wang Xizhi’s calligraphy, and becoming excited, he wanted to write a few characters for Li Tai and Li Chengqian to appraise.

Both were immediately overwhelmed, for even though they were father and son, Li Shimin was still the monarch of a nation, and appraising the Emperor’s talent was a tricky task, especially for a shrewd Emperor like Li Shimin. They could neither simply praise nor pick out faults, something even Grand Secretary Fang Xuanling and others loathed to do, as they were much tenderer in this regard.

However, Li Shimin really liked being appraised.

Just then, a eunuch came in to announce, "Emperor, Imperial Physician Su has arrived and is waiting outside the hall."

As his daughter’s well-being was paramount, Li Shimin then discontinued, "Let him come in."

Li Chengqian and Li Tai both sighed in relief, almost simultaneously.

Slightly behind the beaded curtain, the three of them saw a gentleman in a jade green round-collared robe and a black cap, head slightly bowed as he walked in. He had a long and slim figure, broad shoulders and a narrow waist, and even with his head slightly lowered, one could tell that he was an extraordinarily handsome man.

"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty," Su Fu bowed in greeting.

"You may rise," Li Shimin, impressed by the gentleman’s appearance and demeanor, replied in a rather easy-going tone, "Raise your head."

Su Fu slightly lifted his head, but only exchanged a glance with Li Shimin before lowering his eyes again.

Yet Li Shimin still had a clear view of his entire face and was stunned for a moment before saying, "Indeed, he has the appearance of a celestial!"

People rarely dared to compliment Su Fu so openly, and naturally, very few had seen his appearance as he habitually avoided crowds. The Imperial Medical Bureau was filled with old men who would not discuss a handsome young man all day, and Su Fu was not one to curry favor; thus, no one in the Bureau would take special care of him because of his looks.

Li Tai also seldom saw Su Fu. To avoid drawing attention, he almost always summoned him at night, and Su Fu mostly wore a mask. Now, seeing him clearly, he was dazzled and immediately seized this excellent opportunity, "Father Emperor, although your son knows that judging by appearance is wrong, as the saying goes, ’A learned man has an innate elegance.’ Just looking at Imperial Physician Su’s demeanor, one feels he is no ordinary person."

Li Chengqian had almost lost hope, watching as Su Fu, both in background and demeanor, was exceptionally outstanding. Even though he had yet to witness his medical skills, it was conceivable that a person strongly recommended by Li Tai would not be lacking in that regard.

After Li Shimin had Su Fu seated, he asked, "Princess of Jinyang’s qi illness—do you have confidence in curing her?"

Su Fu still cast his eyes downward and answered, "The lung qi is hot, the heart qi secondary, the liver qi cool, the spleen qi warm, the kidney qi cold; among the three organs of liver and gallbladder, there are those weakened by an unrest in the heart spirit and those suppressed by liver qi or overexuberant liver qi. As for gallbladder qi, it varies with different syndromes of deficiency and excess. Your humble servant has not diagnosed the Princess’s illness in detail, hence cannot recklessly comment."

Su Fu’s hanging gaze was not out of fear to meet Li Shimin’s eyes directly but because the killing aura on him was too strong, and his glances were too piercingly cold. Any experienced person could tell at a glance that he had killed numerous people before.

Yet, it was his unnaturally cold voice that caught Li Shimin’s attention. After a moment of silence, Li Shimin said, "I will have someone deliver the detailed records of the Princess’s condition to you later, take a look first."

"Yes," Su Fu responded.

Li Shimin nodded slightly and said, "Alright, you may withdraw now."

Only after Su Fu had left did Li Shimin turn his head to Li Chengqian and said, "Later, also have the Imperial Medical Bureau prepare a copy for Lady Ran."

"Yes." Li Chengqian, managing to suppress the elation in his heart, answered steadily.

Li Tai was slightly startled internally; despite all his calculations, he had overlooked one thing—every Blood Blade had an aura of ruthlessness. Even though Su Fu had concealed it, his father, the Emperor, was never an easy person to deceive.

Li Shimin had almost decided to let Su Fu diagnose Princess of Jinyang, but upon seeing the excessively cold demeanor, he postponed this decision. After all, since the Princess had temporarily survived her last ailment, anyone approaching her must be thoroughly investigated.

In one case, there was a doctor who seemed excellent in every aspect yet somehow dubious in appearance, and in the other, a lady whose medical skills were uncertain, yet she was absolutely safe. Both needed careful consideration.

Li Shimin exchanged a few more words with his sons, then ordered them to retire to their respective quarters to rest.

By not immediately directing Su Fu to treat the illness, Li Shimin indeed preserved Li Chengqian’s dignity. Li Chengqian returned to the Eastern Palace, elated, and summoned Liu Pinrang, saying, "You serving as Chamberlain is really undervaluing you. However, having been newly appointed, it is inappropriate to promote you immediately—let’s discuss this matter later."

It was just consideration for the time being.

Liu Pinrang held no hope for a prompt promotion. Ever since Li Chengqian went to Ganlu Hall, he had kept a close eye on things. Hearing that the Emperor had summoned the Pharmacist from the Imperial Medical Bureau, he felt uneasy, but knowing Li Chengqian’s tone today, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Chengqian invited him to sit down and inquired, "Prince Wei also recommended someone from the Su Family—do you think Father will choose Lady Ran to treat our royal sister?"

This was a tricky question indeed! Liu Pinrang secretly wiped off sweat. If he gave a definite answer, it could be construed as presuming the Emperor’s intent; if he was evasive, it might destroy the image he risked building in Li Chengqian’s heart.

After a moment of ponderation, Liu Pinrang said, "Under normal circumstances, he definitely would. If not for this outcome, Your Highness should worry." (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation.)