Chapter 52: Get out! Get out of my sight!

"Your Majesty has misunderstood; I truly don't know any immortal arts."

Chen Yan helplessly explained, "I'm just an ordinary person like you."

Li Shimin wore an expression as if saying, "I haven't studied much; don't try to fool me."

Fang Xuanling and the others likewise didn't believe it.

The Imperial Physician, who had been silent for fear of being dragged by Li Shimin to be beheaded, suddenly became agitated, "Wei… Young Master Chen, please stop deceiving us; I have never heard of cutting open a person's abdomen and still guaranteeing that the person won't die."

"Moreover, Cai Duke suffers from intestinal gangrene, already beyond the reach of any medicine; even Master Sun Simiao would be helpless."

"And such an incurable disease was actually cured by you!"

"You still claim you don't know any immortal arts?"

Chen Yan scowled, replying irritably, "Immortal your mother!"

Li Shimin: "......"

Why does that line sound so familiar?

The Imperial Physician hunched his neck and muttered, "If only my mother were an immortal…"

Chen Yan's mouth twitched uncontrollably, and he glared at him, "Don't think I don't know that the nonsense immortal arts you spread are your own invention."

"If I ever hear you babbling nonsense outside, spreading all sorts of superstitions again, I'll hammer you to death!"

"Hey, Zi An, don't be angry." Li Shimin suddenly clasped Chen Yan's shoulder warmly and pushed him outward.

Fang Xuanling and a few others guessed Li Shimin had something private to say to Chen Yan, and out of tact they didn't follow.

"Whether you can use immortal arts or not, set that aside; your medical skill today has opened my eyes."

"I have only one question for you: Guanyin Maid, Changle, and Xiao Sizi's ailments—are they truly incurable?"

The qi ailments afflicting the three have always been Li Shimin's personal worry.

Changle is fine; her illness is not severe.

But Empress Changsun and Xiao Sizi are far more serious.

Now, with Chen Yan's medicine, it can at least guarantee the two won't die and can live safely.

Yet the disease persists.

Each time Empress Changsun suffers an outbreak, in excruciating pain, he, as husband and as emperor, can only watch helplessly.

Li Shimin sincerely hopes Empress Changsun's illness can be cured, so she need not endure such suffering again.

"Your Majesty, forgive my bluntness; I haven't taken Empress's pulse, so I don't know the specifics. If you have time someday, let me examine her first."

Chen Yan hesitated briefly, then whispered, "But I think Your Majesty shouldn't have too high expectations."

"Qi ailments differ from other diseases; basically… incurable."

Li Shimin's gaze grew solemn.

Although he had long been mentally prepared, learning it truly cannot be cured still left him uneasy.

Chen Yan consoled, "Your Majesty, although I cannot cure Empress Changsun and Sizi's illnesses, proper nurturing and a good environment will surely reduce the frequency of flare‑ups."

"Even if an outbreak occurs, it won't be as painful as before, and when severe it won't threaten life."

Hearing this, Li Shimin's expression softened considerably.

Leaving aside Empress Changsun and Changle, at least Sizi, placed with Chen Yan, looks increasingly healthier.

He pondered briefly and said, "Sizi is still young; it's fine for her to stay with you, but Princess Changle has reached marriageable age—how can she reside at your home for convalescence?"

"Moreover, Guanyin Maid, as the Empress, cannot stay at your house either."

His reasoning was indeed correct; Princess Changle is no longer young, and Li Shimin and Empress Changsun even intend to have her marry Changsun Chong, the son of Changsun Wuji.

If she lives in Chen Yan's house, how could she marry later?

As for Empress Changsun, it's not that Li Shimin is reluctant; rather than being constantly together, he wishes her health to be sound.

However, Changsun Wugou, as Empress, must frequently appear in the palace.

Otherwise, it would likely cause a stir in the Court; historians and Ministry of Rites officials could cause a huge uproar.

"......"

Chen Yan shook his head and laughed, "Your Majesty, I naturally understand that Princess Changle and Empress cannot stay at my home."

"Since the palace is unsuitable for convalescence, we can start with the meals."

Li Shimin's eyes lit up, "You mean…?"

"I mean, Princess Changle and the Empress need not eat palace meals any longer; from now on I'll prepare their food."

"Fine, let's do that." Li Shimin immediately decreed, "I will send someone to your house each day; just hand over the prepared meals to them."

Chen Yan nodded, "Since the meals are settled, how about after the Empress's birthday banquet I examine her again?"

Li Shimin frowned upon hearing this.

He had originally intended to have Chen Yan enter the palace today to diagnose Empress Changsun.

After all, it concerns her health; he didn't want to delay.

But on second thought, the Empress's birthday was approaching; if a problem were diagnosed now, wouldn't it affect her mood?

Anyway, with Chen Yan's medicine, Empress Changsun's complexion has improved considerably; diagnosing after the birthday banquet wouldn't be too late.

"Alright, then as you say, we'll diagnose after the Empress's birthday banquet."

Li Shimin agreed, then after a two‑second pause said, "I know the tavern needs to open in the next two days; you must be very busy, and with Sizi to care for, you can't spare much time."

"However, I still wish to 'ask' you to look after Ke Ming more, lest he truly die."

Chen Yan was startled for a moment, feeling very surprised.

He had thought Li Shimin valued Du Ruhui, but didn't expect him to value him so much that he even used the word 'please.'

It seems he had still underestimated the standing of those ministers in Li Shimin's mind.

"Your Majesty, I cannot promise you much; I can only say I'll do my best."

Li Shimin nodded, "Just do your best, I trust you."

The two chatted a few more sentences, Li Shimin asked about the opening business, and as he was about to leave, Chen Yan called him back.

"Um… His Majesty, I have an improper request."

Li Shimin had intended to agree outright, but for some reason remembered something, and three dark lines appeared on his forehead.

"Speak first; after I hear you, I'll decide whether to grant it."

Chen Yan rubbed his hands, chuckled, "Um… I suppose I earned merit today, right?"

"Your Majesty, look… perhaps you could reward me with something?"

Li Shimin forced a smile and said, "Zi An indeed earned merit today; how could I forget to grant a reward?"

"How about this: I will make you a county… no, a commandery marquis, how does that sound?"

"An income of a thousand households…"

"No, no, no, Your Majesty, I don't want that thing." Chen Yan's head shook like a tambourine, then with an eager face said, "I don't like any title; I'm terrified of dying, just grant me a Death‑exemption Gold Medal."

Li Shimin: "......"

His face turned dark, two blue veins bulged on his forehead, and he shouted angrily, "Do you think I don't know what happened yesterday?"

"Still afraid of death!"

"Get out, get out for me!"

"......"