Chapter 16: The Little Princess Awakes

Her Majesty, have you ever considered a question: how old is Princess Jinyang?

Chen Yan looked at the little milk bun on the bed with some heartache, "Princess Jinyang is only two years old, exactly the time to grow her body, you don't let her eat any meat, only give her plain porridge and steamed vegetables, how can her body not be weak?"

"If this continues, Princess Jinyang's body will become weaker and weaker, her qi and blood will be depleted even more severely. At that point, perhaps a minor illness, a bout of qi disorder, could take her life."

Since coming to this era, Chen Yan has seen many things, seen many objects that even he finds astonishing.

For example, the Bo Mansion where he lives has not a single nail in the whole house; it is entirely constructed with mortise-and-tenon joints.

And it is extremely sturdy; if not deliberately destroyed, it can withstand several hundred years of wind and rain without collapsing.

Sometimes, Chen Yan would sigh that the ancients were truly clever.

But he now feels that the ancients are sometimes indeed ignorant.

Take the matter of Princess Jinyang as an example.

The little one is a princess; her father is the emperor, her mother is the empress; everyone dotes on her extremely, hoping she will be well.

Yet everyone insists on letting Princess Jinyang eat only this kind of food, and they all think it's a good thing, believing they are doing her a favor.

In fact, in Chen Yan's view, this undoubtedly accelerates the loss of Princess Jinyang's life, and is the main cause of her early death.

"......"

Empress Changsun pondered Chen Yan's words carefully; the more she thought, the more she felt it made sense, the more she felt self-reproach, and tears welled up uncontrollably.

Yes, Xiao Sizi is only two years old.

She is still just a babbling infant, a child growing her body; how could she compare to herself?

If she can tolerate the food I can, how could a child like her endure it?

With only clear broth and watery food, how can Xiao Sizi grow up?

Empress Changsun's breathing became rapid; after guilt, an indescribable rage surged in her chest.

At this moment, the empress, usually known for her gentleness and virtue, had her phoenix eyes filled with menace, the depths icy and sharp.

She hates!

She hates that she brought the disease to Xiao Sizi.

She hates that she didn't think of this sooner!

She hates even more the imperial physicians of the Imperial Medical Bureau responsible for Xiao Sizi's condition!

It is their prescribed diet for Xiao Sizi, forbidding her any meat, that has caused her body to become so weak that a single flare-up makes her faint.

Since taking the position of empress, Changsun Wugu has never been this angry before, and has for the first time truly felt murderous intent.

She is the empress, and also a mother!

"Er Lang...... kill them, kill them!!" Empress Changsun's eyes turned red, she breathed violently, almost squeezing these words out from between her teeth.

"Good, good, good, I will kill them, Guanyin Maid, don't panic, calm down!" Li Shimin, seeing this, hurriedly embraced Empress Changsun.

"Zi An, Zi An, quickly look at my Guanyin Maid for me."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yan immediately ran over; seeing Empress Changsun flushed with excitement, plus what she just said, he could basically confirm she was suffering from excess heat attacking the heart.

After a moment's thought, he spoke softly: "Her Majesty, if you faint, you won't be able to see Princess Jinyang improve."

Li Shimin's eyes widened, "I told you to save Guanyin Maid, and you say......"

Before he could finish speaking, Empress Changsun in his arms suddenly began to breathe normally again, murmuring continuously: "Yes, yes, I want to see Xiao Sizi get better with my own eyes."

"I cannot collapse, I cannot collapse."

Li Shimin was delighted, and quickly patted Empress Changsun's back to smooth her qi.

Not long after, Empress Changsun's gaze gradually cleared, the flush on her face faded.

Aside from her breathing still being a bit short, she appeared to be fine.

The Imperial Physician saw this and sucked in a breath of cold air.

So it turns out, an illness can be treated like this?

No need to take the pulse, no need for acupuncture, and even less need to take medicine.

Just a single sentence, and Empress Changsun returned to her original state.

The Imperial Physician looked at Chen Yan with admiration, "Young master, you still say you don't know immortality arts."

"What immortality bullshit." Chen Yan retorted angrily, "I think you should worry about yourself; I feel your life is in danger."

The Imperial Physician's face stiffened, before he could react.

Li Shimin's icy, bone-piercing voice rang out in Fenyang Pavilion, "Come here!"

"Your servant is here!" Wushe stepped forward one step and knelt down.

"For me, arrest all the imperial physicians responsible for Princess Jinyang's condition!"

"Exterminate! Extend to the nine clans!"

That one sentence directly frightened the attending eunuchs and maids into losing their wits, all kneeling on the ground in unison.

Wushe received the order and withdrew from Fenyang Pavilion.

Even Chen Yan was somewhat surprised by Li Shimin's decision.

You know, Li Shimin is not the kind of emperor who, like Zhu Yuanzhang, readily exterminates nine clans at the slightest provocation.

As emperor, Li Shimin would not lightly exterminate nine clans unless someone rebelled.

One can imagine how furious Li Shimin is now.

Chen Yan looked at the trembling Imperial Physician and laughed, "Imperial Physician, why haven't you been taken away?"

Upon hearing this, the Imperial Physician was almost scared to death, his heart pounding nonstop, fearing Li Shimin would notice him.

He pleaded in a low voice, "Young master, please spare me; honestly, I only just took office as Imperial Physician Ling two days ago, today is my first time treating the young prince, and I have nothing to do with past matters!"

Chen Yan was amused, about to continue teasing the Imperial Physician a few more sentences, when suddenly from behind came the excited voice of Dong Xue.

"Your Majesty, Her Majesty, the little princess has awakened, the little princess has awakened!"

「Sizi! 」 As soon as she heard this, Empress Changsun was extremely agitated, instantly she lunged to the bedside, 「Sizi, Mother's little Sizi, are you feeling unwell, does it hurt? 」

Empress Changsun wanted to hug her daughter, but seeing that silver needles were still inserted in her daughter's body, she had to give up that idea, and asked anxiously.

Li Shimin, Princess Gao Yang and the others also gathered around, looking worriedly at the little princess on the bed.

In a short while, the area around the bed was filled with people.

Xiao Sizi's consciousness was still a bit hazy; hearing Empress Changsun's voice, she instinctively replied, 「Mommy, I'm not... it doesn't hurt~」

Seeing her daughter still as sensible as ever, Empress Changsun's tears burst forth in an instant, she felt her heart ache sharply, 「Sizi, you have suffered! 」

「It's all Mother's fault that you have endured so much suffering! 」

At this moment, Li Shimin no longer bore the fierce look from just now; his expression softened as he said, 「Sizi, you must absolutely not move around, you still have silver needles inserted in your body, you must absolutely not touch them. 」

Only then did Xiao Sizi notice that long silver needles were still inserted in her frail hands; her little mouth immediately pouted, and bean-sized tears welled up in her eyes.

But Xiao Sizi also did not want to worry her father and mother, so she held back her tears and said in a wronged tone, 「Daddy, the little chicken is done, not fatty frozen~」

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin's heart felt like it would break; he hurriedly shouted, 「Zi An, come quickly, come quickly to examine my Sizi. 」

Outside, Chen Yan said with a dark face, 「I would like to examine her, but you lot let me in! 」

「...... 」