Tang Dynasty, my wife Wu Zetian

Chapter 196 Empress Wu Asks About Her Illness

Li Zhi was wearing a yellow cloak and standing on the viewing platform of the Linhu Palace, looking at the frozen water, his heart feeling cold.

Li Ji and Sun Simiao were on their way here. Sun Simiao came back and found Li Ji. It must be related to the pulse diagnosis in the morning.

This shows that his rheumatism has relapsed.

Since coming to the Tang Dynasty, Li Zhi has been exercising without interruption, but he did not expect that he still could not escape this disease.

He now suddenly understood the thoughts of emperors of all dynasties. Even an emperor, ruling the world, was powerless when faced with illness.

What he is worried about now is not only his own health, but also the Tang Dynasty.

If his stroke worsens in the future, he will definitely not be able to manage the affairs of state, and he cannot hand over the government affairs to Wu Meiniang, and Li Hong is too young.

Then it can only be left to the ministers to deal with.

However, in this case, without my strong push, many new policies may come to an abrupt end, and many of my previous arrangements will return to the starting point.

Having said that, if we return to the starting point, we will return to the starting point. We don’t seek to be without achievement, but we seek to avoid mistakes.

As long as we can avoid the turmoil that Wu Meiniang suffered in her later years and choose a good successor in the future, the situation will always be better than the original history.

Li Zhi comforted himself in his heart.

Emperor Gaozong of Tang lived to be over fifty years old, and I am in better health than him. It shouldn't be too difficult for me to live ten more years, which is enough time to choose a qualified successor.

While he was thinking, several figures came from a distance. Wang Fusheng was leading the way, and Li Ji and Sun Simiao followed behind.

When they approached, Sun Simiao knelt on the ground and said, "I, Sun Simiao, have come to apologize to Your Majesty."

Li Zhi went over and helped him up, sighing, "Divine Doctor Sun, is my health failing?"

When Wang Fusheng heard this, the muscles on his face trembled.

Sun Simiao stared at Li Zhi and said in a gentle voice, "Your Majesty, your rheumatism has indeed worsened, but your body is still strong. With proper care, it may be possible to control the disease."

When Li Zhi heard this, the last bit of fantasy in his heart was shattered.

"I don't understand. You said you were recovering well before, so why did it suddenly get worse again?"

Li Ji hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, it's not that Divine Doctor Sun is deliberately deceiving you, but your rheumatism may be a congenital disease that cannot be cured."

Li Zhi smiled bitterly. It was indeed a genetic disease. No wonder even Sun Simiao had no way to treat it.

"Then how should I adjust in the future?"

Sun Simiao and Li Ji both fell silent. It was really difficult for both of them to talk about Sun Simiao's treatment method.

Li Zhi forced a smile and said, "Go ahead, I'm mentally prepared."

Li Ji said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, Divine Doctor Sun once cured a patient with congenital rheumatic disease by having him travel around the world and visit famous mountains and rivers."

Li Zhi was stunned for a moment and said, "I am the emperor, how can I live such a leisurely life?"

Li Ji said, "I have a compromise."

"speak."

Li Ji said, "You can travel around the country and rest for a while when you arrive at a place. This will allow you to understand the people's sentiments and recuperate at the same time."

Li Zhi's heart moved, and he turned his head to look at Sun Simiao and said, "What do you think, Dr. Sun?"

Sun Simiao said, "I think it's feasible. Your Majesty, as long as you don't stay in the inner court all the time, it will be of great benefit to your condition."

Li Zhi hesitated for a moment and said, "Will I one day become dizzy and unable to see?"

Sun Simiao hurriedly consoled him, "Your Majesty, natural illness is related to one's physical condition. If a child were to suffer from a frail illness, the situation you describe might occur."

Li Ji also consoled him, saying, "Your Majesty, think about Emperor Gaozu. His rheumatic disease didn't strike until he was nearly seventy. The late emperor not only had rheumatic disease, but also respiratory disease, and he managed to survive until he was over fifty."

Li Zhi thought for a moment and said, "What if I don't leave Chang'an?"

Sun Simiao hesitated and said, "Then your rheumatism may become more serious."

Li Zhi asked, "Will you feel dizzy and unable to see?"

"This... won't happen within twenty years. I can't guarantee it after twenty years." Sun Simiao spoke very cautiously this time.

Li Zhi was overjoyed. This meant that his illness was much milder than that of Emperor Gaozong of Tang. As long as he could not see to the point of being unable to see, he could handle government affairs.

Only twenty years later...

Li Zhi quickly regained his composure.

With his current control over the court, even if he wasn't in Chang'an, it wouldn't be a big problem. However, before that, he still had to resolve the threat that worried him. Li Zhi took a deep breath and finally made a decision.

"Doctor Sun, can you give me another three years? After three years, I will follow the method you and Lord Li have prescribed and tour the country."

Sun Simiao stared at Li Zhi in a daze.

From beginning to end, the emperor had no intention of taking his anger out on him. He accepted his illness calmly and only thought about the country.

Sun Simiao was silent for a long time, then he bowed and said, "I would like to ask your Majesty for something."

"What?" Li Zhi was stunned.

Sun Simiao said, "I hope to be admitted to the Shang Pharmacy. In the next three years, I will do my best to help Your Majesty recuperate."

Li Zhi was overjoyed and shook Sun Simiao's hand, saying, "Dr. Sun is willing to come to the palace for my health. I am deeply grateful."

"Fu Sheng, pass on the imperial decree to confer upon Mr. Sun Simiao the title of Imperial Pharmacy Director and grant him the title of Duke. The title will be determined by the Ministry of Rites."

Sun Simiao did not refuse this time.

Since he had decided to enter the officialdom, he didn't care what official position the emperor gave him. In his eyes, there was no difference between a duke and a baron.

When Li Zhi conferred an official title on Sun Simiao, both the former court and the harem immediately sensed something unusual.

In addition, Li Zhi had no intention of concealing his illness, and before long, the news of his worsening headache reached Lizheng Hall.

After hearing this, Wu Meiniang flew into a rage. She stood up abruptly and asked sternly, "How did Sun Simiao treat the disease? Why did he cause your Majesty's headache to relapse?"

As Li Xian was in the house, he was frightened and burst into tears when he heard her shout.

Wu Meiniang didn't bother to coax her son. She waved her hand and asked the tutor to take Li Xian out.

Zhang Dahai said with a bitter face: "According to the information I have inquired, Your Majesty seems... seems... is..."

Wu Meiniang said angrily: "What is it? Tell me!"

Zhang Dahai knelt on the ground with a thud and kowtowed, saying, "Your Highness, His Majesty seems to be suffering from a serious illness!"

Wu Meiniang swayed and almost fell, muttering: "How could this happen... How could this happen..."

Zhang Dahai cried, "Your Highness, please take care of yourself!"

Wu Meiniang suddenly lifted her skirt and ran outside. When she reached the door, she calmed down and thought, "His Majesty must be upset right now. Even if I go over, at most I can just cry with him, which will only cause him more sadness and might even make his condition worse."

She slowly returned to the bedside and sat there in deep thought for a while. After regaining her composure, she said, "Go and get Divine Doctor Sun."

Zhang Duohai agreed and got up. When he reached the door, he subconsciously paused. Seeing that the queen did not call him, he left the hall.

Half an hour later, Sun Simiao arrived at the Lizheng Hall.

Wu Meiniang had already calmed down and suppressed her dissatisfaction with Sun Simiao. She smiled at him and said, "The Divine Doctor Sun is here."

Sun Simiao was an expert at judging people. He immediately saw the evil spirit hidden in the corner of the queen's eyes and bowed, saying, "I am ashamed of my inability to cure your majesty's illness."

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "I don't blame you. I just want to know what your Majesty's current situation is and what I should do to help your Majesty."

Sun Simiao looked up at her and whispered, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty is in good health. Even if the rheumatism relapses, it won't be too serious. I will stay at the Shang Pharmacy to help Your Majesty recuperate."

Wu Meiniang nodded and asked, "Can I still eat the medicinal food?"

Sun Simiao said, "Yes, but it would be better to reduce the dosage of the medicine in the medicinal food."

"Does sex have any effect on this disease?"

"No impact." Sun Simiao replied.

He did not say anything about excessive indulgence being harmful to the body. He believed that the emperor and the empress knew their limits in these matters and there was no need for an old man like him to spoil the mood.

Wu Meiniang nodded and asked, "Is Your Majesty still able to handle government affairs?"

“It shouldn’t have any impact for now.”

"What about later?"

Sun Simiao hesitated to answer. He didn't know whether he could tell Empress Wu about Li Zhi's tour three years later.

Wu Meiniang smiled and said, "I'm sorry to trouble you. Who can predict the severity of a disease like a congenital one?" She stood up and bowed to Sun Simiao, "From now on, your Majesty's health is entirely in your hands."

Sun Simiao quickly bowed and said, "Your Highness, your words are too kind. Your Majesty's health is of vital importance to the well-being of the entire nation. I will do my utmost to help you!"

(End of this chapter)