Now I really have to marry the princess.

After leaving the Imperial Pharmacy, Yang Zhengdao went to the villa where Empress Xiao lived in Chongrenfang.

The courtyard was simple, with only a few old eunuchs guarding it.

Yang Zhengdao walked through the courtyard and entered the main hall.

Empress Xiao was dressed in a dark blue casual dress, but her hair was already gray. When she saw Yang Zhengdao, her eyes, which had been filled with worry, were full of kindness.

"Grandson greets grandmother." Yang Zhengdao lifted his robe and performed a proper bow.

"Get up," Empress Xiao said calmly.

Yang Zhengdao stood up and stood to the side with his hands at his sides. Only the grandfather and grandson were in the hall.

Empress Xiao did not speak immediately, but carefully examined Yang Zhengdao before slowly opening her mouth.

"Ah Dao, your grandmother knows you are unwilling to accept your fate and want to make something of yourself. But things are different now. The most important thing is to live on and have a peaceful death."

Yang Zhengdao looked up at Empress Xiao's deep eyes and frosted temples, and sighed that this old lady, who had seen the world so much, had such keen insight.

"Grandmother, I have been extremely careful. I entrusted the matter to the head of the Imperial Pharmacy and also asked His Highness the Crown Prince to submit a memorial."

"Your handling of this matter is so proper that your grandmother can rest assured, but Princess Chang Le..." Empress Xiao sighed, "I have already asked the Emperor Emeritus to arrange a marriage for you with a daughter of the Dugu or Pei family."

"Grandmother..." Yang Zhengdao subconsciously glanced at the inner room on the side of the hall, and saw shadowy figures behind the curtain.

"It's alright," Empress Xiao said with a smile. "No matter what decision His Majesty makes, he surely knows the intentions of us, grandfather and grandson. Just don't mention the matter of marrying the princess again in the future."

"Grandmother, I..." Yang Zhengdao didn't know how to explain to this old lady who was so eager to protect him.

Wouldn't it be a disgrace to time travelers to let him live like Yang Zhengdao in history, becoming an insignificant figure in Chang'an and dying in obscurity?

As a college student, my main motto is "I refuse to accept defeat."

"Go ahead, I'm tired too. Remember to visit the Emperor when his condition improves. As a junior, it's always right for you to show your filial piety."

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhengdao understood Empress Xiao's implication.

Because Li Er always felt indebted to Li Yuan, as long as the request wasn't excessive and could be persuaded by Li Yuan, Li Er would most likely agree.

Of course, it was impossible for Li Yuan to decide on the marriage of Chang Le.

Li Er cherishes Li Lizhi dearly.

Historical records show that when Chang Le got married, Emperor Li Er prepared twice the dowry of other princesses, which can be described as excessive favor.

Of course, Wei Zheng eventually stopped him, but this favoritism was already known to all.

Two days later, Yang Zhengdao was summoned by Li Yuan.

Stepping into Da'an Palace, although it is magnificent everywhere, it cannot conceal the stagnant atmosphere of decline.

Li Yuan leaned back on the couch, his face sallow from months of lingering illness, but his spirits were not bad, perhaps because his condition had improved.

Upon seeing Yang Zhengdao, a glint of light flashed in his cloudy eyes.

"Junior Zhengdao pays his respects to the Emperor Emeritus."

Yang Zhengdao addressed himself as a junior and respectfully performed a deep bow.

"It's rare for you to offer such a good remedy, which has helped this carbuncle to improve." Li Yuan rarely showed a smile.

"It is my duty to serve the Emperor Emeritus," Yang Zhengdao replied succinctly, then adopted a humble and respectful demeanor.

Seeing Yang Zhengdao so cautious and timid, Li Yuan couldn't help but feel a sense of shared sorrow.

"My child, whatever reward you desire, I will grant you within my power..."

Li Yuan didn't say anything more.

He had heard Sun Simiao's account and learned that Yang Zhengdao was in love with Azhi, and he had also heard the interesting story of Yang Zhengdao and Azhi's chance encounter at Xuandu Temple and the poem they left behind.

But he couldn't make the decision about A-Zhi's marriage.

The once supreme emperor is now practically imprisoned, his silence filled with sorrow and helplessness.

Upon seeing this scene, Yang Zhengdao knew it was time to showcase his acting skills.

"Your Majesty, as long as you live a long and healthy life, it will be better than any reward for your descendants. Besides my grandmother, you are the only other close relative I have left..."

As Yang Zhengdao spoke, he thought about the 500 yuan in rent he had been cheated out of by the shady real estate agent. Before he knew it, his eyes were red and his voice choked up.

"Good child... sigh, you've suffered so much." Li Yuan's eyes also reddened.

When Yang Zhengdao spoke of his close relatives, he thought of Jiancheng, Yuanji, and his ten grandsons, and couldn't help but tremble.

Yang Zhengdao felt a pang of anxiety; had he overacted?

If Li Yuan were to say something inappropriate in a moment of emotional distress, I'm afraid I'd be executed by Li Er as soon as I left Da'an Palace.

He quickly pulled back, bowed deeply, and then put on a smile.

"Zhengdao is not suffering. Zhengdao also believes that the Emperor Emeritus has the immeasurable merit of ending the chaos and will surely enjoy long-lasting blessings. He allows Zhengdao to serve the Emperor at all times and take care of him wholeheartedly."

Looking at Yang Zhengdao, who was forcing a smile, Li Yuan's resentment towards Li Er intensified.

And then there's Changsun Wuji, that traitorous minister; he was the one who instigated the Xuanwu Gate Incident.

If you want to strengthen your ties through marriage, then I will interfere.

Li Yuan's pupils suddenly contracted, and his voice abruptly turned cold: "Child, are you in love with Chang Le?"

Is it really that direct?!

Yang Zhengdao naturally wouldn't deny it. Even if Li Er came to ask, he would have to withstand the pressure and stick to his guns.

Yang Zhengdao bowed again and said, "Your Majesty, I know I am not worthy of your honor, but I have longed to serve you day and night, and I fear I will never be able to break off our relationship in this lifetime."

"Good! I presume you know that Chang Le is discussing marriage." Li Yuan glanced at the eunuch beside him, then said sternly, "I have never liked Changsun Wuji. As long as you can ruin this marriage, I will support your proposal to marry Chang Le."

What?! Isn't this going a bit too far?!

You're not afraid of Li Er's resentment, nor are you afraid of Changsun Wuji's revenge, but I am!

Everyone knows the eunuch next to you is an undercover agent, yet you're still so direct.

Yang Zhengdao felt sweat beading on his forehead.

Yang Zhengdao certainly wouldn't dare to sabotage Chang Le's marriage, but he could probably do something sneaky.

After all, we are acting on the orders of the retired emperor.

Yang Zhengdao immediately bowed and apologized, saying, "I am deeply apprehensive."

As he stood up, he frantically winked and made faces at Li Yuan.

Li Yuan was amused by Yang Zhengdao's actions, but he didn't expect Yang Zhengdao to succeed.

But as long as Yang Zhengdao dares to agree, he can always create some waves in this marriage and vent his anger.

Having achieved his goal and in a good mood, Li Yuan waved for Yang Zhengdao to leave.

After leaving Da'an Palace, Yang Zhengdao racked his brains trying to figure out how to sabotage Chang Le's marriage.

Whether this matter succeeds or fails is not important.

The important thing is that he has to do it, otherwise his "devoted lover" persona will collapse.

Moreover, this move would please Li Yuan, and when Li Yuan recovers and rewards him for his contributions, the reward would surely be generous.

Suddenly, Yang Zhengdao thought of Immortal Sun, and he could no longer suppress the smile on his lips.

In the following days, Yang Zhengdao spent almost every day at the Shangyao Pharmacy.

He wanted to get this renowned physician to speak on his behalf before Sun Shenxian returned to the mountain.

On the first day, Yang Zhengdao, relying on the "microorganism" hypothesis, put forward common sense for epidemic prevention that would be passed down to later generations, such as not drinking raw water, maintaining hygiene, and isolating the spread of infection.

Based on his own medical practice, Sun Simiao became even more convinced of the "microorganism" hypothesis and praised Yang Zhengdao for his ability to apply his knowledge to new situations, calling him a medical genius.

The next day, Yang Zhengdao went further, explaining first aid knowledge from later generations, such as using strong liquor for disinfection, suturing wounds, and using bandages to stop bleeding.

Ho Koon Chung attached great importance to this and claimed that if these methods proved effective, he would request military merit for Yang Zhengdao.

It turns out that He Guanzhong participated in the war against the Turks last year, and it was because of his meritorious service in the wounded and sick that he was promoted to Imperial Pharmacy Attendant.

Yang Zhengdao never imagined that his limited medical knowledge could have such an effect.

Yang Zhengdao was naturally pleased that this knowledge could benefit the people of this era.

But after gaining the trust of Sun Simiao and He Guanzhong, he began to secretly add his own agenda and personal motives.

On the third day, Yang Zhengdao steered the conversation to the issue of consanguineous marriage.

In China, there has been a long-standing concept of prohibiting marriage between people with the same surname.

Yang Zhengdao, through the Taoist Yin-Yang theory that was widely believed in by people in this era, extended the prohibition against marriage between people with the same surname who only focused on paternal kinship to the prohibition against marriage between close relatives.

Sun Simiao stroked his beard, his face showing hesitation: "All things carry yin and embrace yang, and achieve harmony through the interaction of these energies. Marriage between men and women is inherently a way of yin and yang complementing each other and achieving harmony through the interaction of energies. Perhaps your argument, young friend, has some merit."

He Guanzhong completely dismissed Yang Zhengdao's claims as nonsense: "The origin of a surname lies in its connection to one's ancestors and in distinguishing one's bloodline. Therefore, the ancient kings established rites that prohibited marriage between people of the same surname. Young man, your attempt to establish a new system based on the theory of Yin and Yang is far-fetched."

Yang Zhengdao smiled faintly and said, "Facts speak louder than words."

He Guanzhong took Yang Zhengdao's words as youthful arrogance and originally intended to laugh them off, but Sun Simiao took them very seriously.

So, a group of medical officers began to look through some birth and medical records.

Such records are naturally abundant in Shangyaoju.

The prevalence of intermarriage among the five surnames and seven clans is also easy to find examples of.

The physicians were increasingly alarmed as they searched. They found that as many as one or two out of ten children born to cousins ​​had problems.

College students may not understand genetics, but they do understand big data.

By the fourth day, all the physicians at the Imperial Pharmacy had come to believe Yang Zhengdao's view on the prohibition of marriage between close relatives.

At this moment, Yang Zhengdao revealed his true intentions, bowing deeply to Sun Simiao and performing a grand salute.

"Master Sun, you are a renowned physician of your generation, a medical genius of our time, highly respected for your virtue and talent, and possessing both moral integrity and professional competence..."

Sun Simiao quickly waved his hand, interrupting Yang Zhengdao from continuing to flatter him, and said with a smile, "Young friend Yang, just say what you need to say."

Yang Zhengdao showed no embarrassment. His face was full of sorrow, and he spoke earnestly: "Immortal Sun, only you can help me with this matter."

"Young friend, you are kind-hearted and of pure character, which is truly rare. I will do my best to help you if I can."

Upon hearing Sun Shenxian's evaluation, Yang Zhengdao almost couldn't suppress the smile on his face. The old immortal truly had discerning eyes.

He could only bow deeply again, taking the opportunity to readjust his expression.

"Immortal Sun, His Majesty intends to marry Princess Changle to Changsun Chong. Please advise Empress Changsun against marriage between close relatives. I know I am not worthy of such a marriage, but I also wish Princess Changle peace and happiness. I beg you, Immortal Sun, to grant my request."

"This..." Sun Simiao immediately understood Yang Zhengdao's meaning.

He never imagined that at his advanced age, he would be asked to interfere in the marriages of the younger generation.

How could I possibly agree to that?

"Immortal Sun, the harm caused by a marriage of convenience may be only one or two out of ten, but the political authorities dare not harbor any illusions. You are a master physician of your generation, a god of medicine in this world, and highly respected..."

"Stop, stop, stop!" Sun Simiao interrupted Yang Zhengdao's flattery, saying helplessly, "Now that I know this, I should naturally offer my advice!"

While college students may not be able to engage in a heated debate, they are certainly adept at using moral blackmail.

Sun Simiao watched as Yang Zhengdao bowed deeply in thanks, and he sighed.

Very well! As my friend Yang said, facts speak louder than words. To truthfully advise against marriage between close relatives is by no means to ruin someone's marriage or to show favoritism towards my friend Yang.