Chapter 698: Old Rascal Sun Simiao

For the whole afternoon, Chen Yan accompanied Sizi and Sun Simiao everywhere to play.

He not only had to constantly look after the little fellow, but also answer Sun Simiao's various questions.

At first it was still fun; the little one naturally sees what's interesting, wants anything that smells good, the adult's talk is also amusing, and now and then he even plays with Sizi, a living old rascal.

But after a while it became impossible; he was truly exhausted.

When he wanted to stop and rest, the two brats still disagreed.

Chen Yan really couldn't figure it out; Sun Simiao is already so old, how can his energy be so abundant?

Until the afternoon passed, they finally waited until sunset.

Chen Yan, with vacant eyes, led Sizi and Sun Simiao back.

In contrast, Sun Simiao and Sizi were flushed, with faces full of aftertaste.

When they returned to Zui Xian Lou, they happened to run into Li Shimin and others who had come down to eat.

Seeing Sun Simiao, Li Shimin said in surprise, "Old Master Sun, why are you here?"

Sun Simiao had already learned the situation from Chen Yan's mouth, and with a smiling bow said, "Your Majesty, I also just happened to be returning to Chang'an, passing through Luoyang, and when I came to Zui Xian Lou for a meal, I met Mr. Chen outside."

"So, the little princess recognized me, and I went out strolling with Mr. Chen."

"Hmm!" Chen Yan, his head full of black lines, "Strolling around, you didn't kill me with it; not that I'm complaining, but you're already at such an age, how can you have more vigor than I?"

Sun Simiao said meaningfully, "Mr. Chen, youth can sometimes be an asset, but if you're young and have two delicate wives at home, that's another matter."

Chen Yan: "......"

Li Lizhi and Gao Yang were somewhat speechless.

They had long heard from Empress Changsun that Sun Simiao, Old Master Sun, has a quirky personality and is an old rascal.

Now that they saw him, the reputation was indeed well‑deserved.

Li Shimin found it amusing: "Perfect, we're about to go eat. Old Master Sun has been strolling with Zi An for a while and is probably hungry; why not join us?"

"Then thank Your Majesty; I also want to stay with Mr. Chen a bit longer," Sun Simiao replied, going along.

Honestly, after this afternoon, Sun Simiao was already contemplating whether to travel together with Chen Yan and the others.

Anyway, he was already wandering everywhere, so going with Chen Yan was fine.

Moreover, he could learn from Chen Yan many interesting things that were previously unheard of yet logical.

That was what interested him most.

"Alright, let's go." Li Shimin, who still held some respect for Sun Simiao, was pleased to see him agree.

Chen Yan had been hungry for a while, so he had no objections.

When everyone arrived at the second‑floor private room, Sun Simiao… hmm, perched right next to Chen Yan.

He started again: "Mr. Chen, tell me again about this contagion thing—why does frequent hand‑washing and keeping clean hygiene effectively prevent disease?"

Chen Yan, weary at heart, replied, "Because there are bacteria."

"What exactly are bacteria? Why have I never heard of them? Can you describe what they look like so I can recognize them later?"

"...... You can't see it."

"Why can't I see it?"

"...... Because it doesn't want to be seen by you."

"......"

"No, I said Master Xun."

Seeing that the dishes were all served, Sun Simiao still kept pestering him with questions; Chen Yan, out of options, could only say helplessly, "Shall we eat first?"

"Anything can wait until after we finish eating."

Sun Simiao: "Is eating important for saving people?"

Chen Yan: "......"

The onlookers, including Li Shimin, had long noticed that Chen Yan's patience was being drained to the limit, but they said nothing, watching with relish as Sun Simiao earnestly bombarded Chen Yan with questions.

Then Chen Yan replied haphazardly.

But when Sun Simiao said that line, Li Shimin nodded deeply: "Zi An, I'm not blaming you; regarding this, you should learn well from Old Master Sun—what's the big deal about skipping a meal?"

"It won't starve you to death."

"Is it important to save people?"

Chen Yan said calmly, "Then perhaps you should put down your chopsticks before speaking."

Empress Changsun chuckled lightly and interjected, "Old Master Sun, Zi An has been traveling long distances with us for many days, and after accompanying you all afternoon, perhaps let him rest first."

"After the meal, you can find a quiet place to chat slowly; there's no need to rush."

Sun Simiao, hearing this, cleared his throat dryly: "Actually… I'm not in a hurry; I originally intended to return to Chang'an to pay a visit to Mr. Chen."

"But I didn't expect that Mr. Chen would leave with you two to go down to Huainan."

"Huainan is a long journey, and I don't know when Mr. Chen will return, so I thought to take advantage of his still being in Luoyang to absorb more of his experience."

"I didn't expect to disturb Mr. Chen; I'm truly sorry, ha."

Hearing that, Chen Yan's expression turned startled and uncertain.

After an afternoon of interaction, he had probably come to understand what kind of person Sun Simiao is.

Anyway, he could never possibly be such a polite person.

Saying that now must be a trick.

Sure enough, Sun Simiao sighed and said, "Honestly, Your Majesty, since chatting with Mr. Chen this afternoon, I've been thinking of compiling my lifelong learning, together with what Mr. Chen taught me, into a medical book to teach physicians."

"But now, time may be insufficient."

Those words caused Li Shimin and Empress Changsun to be visibly shocked.

What is a physician?

Saving the dying and helping the wounded!

And who is Sun Simiao?

Among the people, there are even rumors that Sun Simiao is a wandering elder who descends to the mortal world to save the dying and help the wounded.

Now about Chen Yan.

He can even manage to pull Du Ruhui, who had already crossed the threshold of death, back; in their eyes, that is truly divine.

These two are, without doubt, the pinnacle of Tang Dynasty medicine.

If they could publish a medical book that records Sun Simiao's and Chen Yan's lifelong teachings and is willing to pass them on.

What a great merit that would be, and how many people it could save in the future, how many years of blessings it would bring!

Li Shimin, no longer in a joking mood, said seriously, "Elder Sun, from what you say, you even plan to go to Chang'an to find Zi An; I suppose you have free time, right?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Simiao's heart was already stirring, but he remained calm on the surface, saying, "Of course, I will be free for a long time ahead; does His Majesty have something for me?"

Li Shimin said earnestly, "Since you are free and wish to exchange ideas with Zi An, and also co‑author a medical book, why not… come with us?"

"On this road, wouldn't you be just right to exchange experiences with Zi An…?"