Chapter 297: Addictive Nature

"Yo, Commander Li, long time no see—I've really missed you, ha."

"Eh? Isn't this Lord Wushe?"

"A month or two apart, why are you still looking so gloomy?"

"That's not good, not good."

Chen Yan, carrying his medicine chest on his back, cheerfully greeted his acquaintances.

It made Li Junxian and Wushe each break out dark lines on their foreheads.

Wushe said helplessly, "Lord Bo, we'll discuss these later; His Majesty and Her Majesty are waiting for you."

"Ah, that's not urgent; even if it were, it wouldn't help."

Chen Yan naturally understood what had happened and shook his head.

But he still followed Wushe into the Two-Form Hall.

"Zi An, quick, come and show His Majesty."

When Chen Yan entered, Empress Changsun hurried to her feet and pulled him to the bedside.

At that moment, Li Shimin's face was pallid, his forehead slick with cold sweat, looking extremely weak.

However, when Chen Yan arrived, Li Shimin managed a faint smile, "Zi An, you're here?"

"Ah, Your Majesty, I'm here."

Chen Yan calmly set down his medicine chest, not rushing to take Li Shimin's pulse, but instead pulling from his bosom the pill formula Wushe had given him.

"Your Majesty, I've studied this pill formula for a long time; just a few days ago I finally made progress, but I haven't dared to tell you."

Li Shimin understood what she meant, "So you've already learned something about my condition?"

"Is that why you're not in a hurry to treat me?"

"Understood," Chen Yan nodded.

Upon hearing Chen Yan describe Li Shimin's condition clearly, Empress Changsun hurriedly asked, "Then what exactly is happening to Your Majesty?"

"This condition hasn't occurred just once or twice; during episodes it's unbearably painful and getting worse. The previous times Your Majesty could grit his teeth and endure, but today he actually fainted."

"The main culprit is those alchemists," Chen Yan handed the formula to Empress Changsun, "The poison pill produced with this formula is highly addictive; once you stop taking it, you first feel a gloomy mood and whole‑body discomfort."

"As time passes, the condition worsens, eventually feeling as if countless ants are gnawing at one's flesh inside."

"Those alchemists want Your Majesty to be forever unable to leave them; otherwise life would be worse than death."

With those words, several people were shocked and turned pale.

Empress Changsun's phoenix eyes flashed with lethal intent, "I knew those alchemists were no good; such venomous cruelty is no different from beasts."

Li Shimin was initially angry, but later could only let out a bitter laugh, "In my life I've wielded golden spears and iron horses, killed enemies on horseback, governed the realm on foot, been wise all my days, and yet I end up fallen into the hands of a bunch of wandering sorcerers."

"Alas~"

"Can't blame others."

Chen Yan comforted, "This addiction can be endured; once you get through the worst part, things will improve until the craving disappears."

"However, the prerequisite is that Your Majesty must never eat the poison pill again; if you can't resist and take it again, all prior progress will be lost."

"By then, even Hua Tuo alive would be powerless."

Chen Yan's words were weighty; this was the same severe consequence of the poison pill he mentioned last time.

This thing, even if it can't match the later 'that thing', is not far off.

Li Shimin nodded gravely, "I understand; I can tell what's heavy and what's light, so you need not worry."

Empress Changsun then asked, "Zi An, is there any medicine that can alleviate Your Majesty's symptoms?"

"We can't let Your Majesty endure this pain every time while we just watch helplessly, can we?"

"Her Majesty, if there is, I would have sent it to Your Majesty the moment I learned of it," Chen Yan said bluntly, "In this case, you can only tough it out."

"Of course, you needn't be overly worried; this condition doesn't pose a life threat..."

"My suggestion is that Your Majesty eat fewer greasy foods daily and set aside time morning and evening to exercise; this will benefit your condition."

Hearing this, Empress Changsun felt a bit pleased, yet also a bit resentful.

She was glad her husband faced no life danger, but resented that his pursuit of longevity had ruined his once healthy body.

After years of marriage, a single glance from Empress Changsun made Li Shimin understand what his wife was thinking.

He was also helpless about it.

Seeing through the quest for longevity, Li Shimin realized it was self‑inflicted, just as he had said before—cannot blame others.

Li Shimin forced himself to sit up, changing the subject, "Zi An, regarding the prototype of Labor-to-Land Redistribution you mentioned last time, I've thought about it a lot and discussed it with several ministers."

"Ke Ming, Xuanling, and Country Squire Wei Zheng all highly praised it, but after my talks with them, I found that even as a prototype, implementing it is extremely difficult—not something that can be done in a year or two."

"After all, this method targets not only aristocratic families but all landowners and powerful families across the realm; forcing it would have disastrous consequences."

Upon hearing this, Empress Changsun immediately rose, preparing to leave.

Li Shimin said blankly, "Guanyin Maid, where are you going?"

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten that the harem may not partake in state affairs?" Empress Changsun said coolly, "Since Your Majesty is discussing state matters with Zi An, I shall take my leave."

Li Shimin twitched the corner of his mouth, clearly understanding his wife's venting.

"What were all those proposals you made before, then?"

"Guanyin Maid, don't go. You're pregnant, the term is far advanced; don't keep wandering, just rest."

These words carried a hint of concession and apology, but as emperor Li Shimin could not admit fault, he could only express it in this roundabout way.

Sure enough, when Empress Changsun heard that, she slowly walked back on her own, sitting on the bed.

Chen Yan found it somewhat amusing; this couple of Li Shimin was actually rather interesting.

Li Shimin noticed the smile on his face, his eyes narrowing, "What are you laughing at?"

"I was asking you a question."

"Uh… cough cough." Chen Yan cleared his throat and said, "His Majesty, this policy was never something that can be implemented in just a few years; taking it slowly is fine."

"Boiling a frog in warm water is the best method."

"Hmm." Li Shimin said, "I think the same; if I cannot finish it while I am on the throne, I will hand it over to your next generation."

Chen Yan murmured, "His Majesty need not be so pessimistic; perhaps there will be a turning point in the future, who knows."

"You and Her Majesty always say I'm young, often call me 'child'; in fact, His Majesty, you aren't that old at all."

"You are just as young, there's still plenty of time; take it slowly, we have all the time we need to spend with them."

".... …"