Chapter 14: The Noble One Arrives on Cloud Steps

"Physical cooling?"

Imperial Physician frowned, pondering for a long while, truly unable to understand what "physical cooling" means.

In his impression, saltpeter is mainly used for treating boils and toxins, and he had indeed never heard that saltpeter could also cool.

"Young master, forgive this old fool's ignorance; could you kindly instruct me?"

The Imperial Physician, being able to both pick up and put down, immediately began to ask for instruction.

"Don't be impatient; you'll see soon," Chen Yan thought the old man was rather interesting—just moments ago he seemed irritable, now he was asking for guidance.

A short while later, Wushe and a young eunuch returned with the items Chen Yan had requested.

A basin of clear water, a packet of saltpeter, and two clean handkerchiefs.

Chen Yan first soaked a handkerchief, wrung it dry, then took out the saltpeter and sprinkled it into the clear water.

A shocking scene unfolded.

The surface of the basin gradually rose with white mist, and fine ice beads formed on the outer wall of the basin.

Under everyone's wide-eyed stare, the water surface began to freeze at a visible speed, tiny ice crystals spreading like a spiderweb; in moments, the whole basin turned into a crystal-clear block of cold ice.

"Th-this..." Imperial Physician trembled, reaching out; his fingertips recoiled as soon as they touched the ice, his aged face filled with astonishment: "Young master, could this be a celestial technique?"

In the Fengyang Pavilion, a heated uproar instantly erupted.

At this moment, even Li Shimin could not help but speak up: "Zi An, what on earth is happening?"

Empress Changsun also spoke, her words full of hope: "Zi An, you... you know celestial arts; you must be able to save Xiao Sizi, right?"

No wonder they reacted so strongly; what they witnessed was beyond their comprehension.

The harsh winter had passed; now spring was in bloom, and with a wave of his hand, Chen Yan could turn a basin of clear water into cold ice in an instant.

What is this if not a celestial technique?

Helpless, Chen Yan could only explain: "His Majesty, Her Majesty, this is not a celestial technique; it's merely a property of saltpeter... sigh, I won't go on; essentially, saltpeter turns water into ice upon contact."

"You can do it too."

Not a celestial technique, Li Shimin's eyes flashed with a hint of disappointment, then he asked: "Then does Zi An have confidence in curing Xiao Sizi?"

"Rest assured, though it's a bit troublesome, it can still be saved."

After speaking, Chen Yan, ignoring everyone's reaction, poured the ice out of the bronze basin and smashed it forcefully.

After selecting two suitably sized ice pieces, Chen Yan layered two handkerchiefs, wrapped the ice, and handed it to Dong Xue, who was supporting Xiao Sizi.

"Here, please apply this to the little princess's forehead."

Since Xiao Sizi is currently unconscious with a high fever, waking her could trigger another relapse; thus, using acupuncture together with ice compress for cooling is undoubtedly the most effective method.

The reason for wrapping the ice in handkerchiefs is that a child's skin is too delicate and easily frostbitten.

The ice must be prevented from touching the skin directly.

Having done all this, Chen Yan still felt insecure, saying: "His Majesty, could you order someone to my residence so that my maid can fetch my medicine box?"

Li Shimin immediately said: "Wushe, go. Order Li Junxian to rush to Weinan Bo Fu at once to retrieve Zi An's medicine box."

"Yes, His Majesty!" Wushe bowed and exited the Fengyang Pavilion.

Empress Changsun impatiently asked: "Zi An, will Xiao Sizi really be okay?"

Chen Yan reassured: "Rest assured, Her Majesty, as long as Princess Jinyang's fever subsides, she'll be fine."

"It's just..." Chen Yan hesitated, but after thought, he decided to speak truthfully: "Princess Jinyang's sudden illness this time, the qi ailment is only part of the cause; more so, her body is too weak, with a severe deficiency of qi and blood."

"I wonder what Princess Jinyang usually eats?"

"How could that lead to such a depletion of qi and blood?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Li Shimin and Empress Changsun's gazes instantly focused on Bi Yun.

The latter, frightened, hurriedly knelt on the ground: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the little prince's meals are prepared according to the Imperial Physician's instructions; the Meal Bureau strictly follows the requirements each day."

"Moreover... moreover, each time the little prince's meals are delivered, the maid servants taste them first; there's absolutely no problem."

Li Shimin's expression softened; he knew Bi Yun's words were truthful.

Xiao Sizi's meals are prepared individually, and the Empress often monitors them, so it should be fine.

"Zi An, it probably isn't a dietary issue," Li Shimin sighed: "To be frank, Xiao Sizi has been frail since birth; the deficiency of qi and blood is likely a congenital condition."

Speaking of this, Empress Changsun felt as if her heart were cut by a knife; overwhelmed by guilt and self-blame, she wept and cried: "Sizi, my dear Sizi..."

"Alas~" Li Shimin embraced Empress Changsun, also feeling distressed.

Although Li Shimin said it was a congenital deficiency, Chen Yan held a different view.

Because Xiao Sizi's qi and blood deficiency was so severe, after a respiratory infection she fell unconscious before the maid could even brew medicine.

Such a grave condition could not be explained merely by a congenital deficiency.

There must be postnatal causes as well.

Chen Yan walked up to Bi Yun and said softly: "Your name is Bi Yun, right?"

"Could I trouble you to prepare a sample of Princess Jinyang's usual meals for me to see?"

"Um..." Bi Yun hesitated.

Li Shimin spoke, "Do as Zi An suggested."

"Yes!" Bi Yun no longer hesitated, rose quickly and hurried out of the Fengyang Pavilion.

From behind, Princess Gao Yang, seeing this, felt her teeth ache with resentment and muttered softly: "Damn Chen Yan, you're so courteous to a maid, yet you're so rude to me!"

Xiang Lan, after hearing this, gave a wry smile and thought to herself: "My dear Princess, can't you see how you treat the Marquis of Weinan?"

"The first time we met you kicked his gate, and you called him a playboy who only knows how to loiter in pleasure houses; how could the Marquis of Weinan treat you kindly?"

At that moment, a plainly dressed Taoist, looking ethereal, walked into the Fengyang Pavilion.

His slightly loose Taoist robe fluttered without wind.

"I, Li Chunfeng, humbly salute His Majesty, I humbly salute the Empress."

"Grand Historian, quickly rise." Li Shimin's face showed delight, he hurried over to support Li Chunfeng, then anxiously asked, "Grand Historian, I have heard you say that Xiao Sizi has three calamities in his life."

"Today Xiao Sizi suddenly fell ill, then fell into an unconscious stupor, with a fever that would not break. Is this first calamity occurring today?"

Empress Changsun hurriedly said, "Grand Historian, if the calamity has arrived, is there a way to break it?"

Li Chunfeng smiled, "Your Majesty, Her Majesty need not worry; this humble Daoist has already calculated it."

"The young prince, the honored one, steps on clouds and arrives, like a startling thunder breaking the mist, the gloom disperses."

"From now on, clouds are cleared and the sun is seen; the road ahead has no more wind and frost, the star‑river shines eternally, year after year all is peaceful."

Speaking thus, Li Chunfeng, smiling, pointed toward a person at the bedside.

Li Shimin and his wife, hearing this, were overjoyed; following Li Chunfeng's direction, they looked and Chen Yan's figure came into view.

At this moment, Chen Yan saw everyone looking at him, and the old Daoist pointing at him with a silly smile; he raised an eyebrow and said, "What are you looking at?"

Li Chunfeng: "......"

Li Shimin: "......"

Empress Changsun: "......"

Princess Gao Yang: "I know this well!"

"......"