Chapter 5 The truth, who cares
"I have only two regrets," Li Ying said with anticipation, "First, I am worried that I will not be able to perform my filial duties in front of you and my father in the future. Second, I have never seen the prosperous Tang Dynasty under my father's rule, and I really hope to have the opportunity to travel all over this prosperous country."

Hearing Li Ying's filial words, Wu Huifei burst into tears and cried, "Yes, there will be a chance."

Li Longji was silent for a moment, then said, "Ying'er, you have been very filial over the years. If you really want to see the beautiful mountains and rivers under my rule, I will allow you to travel outside the capital. I am just worried that your body cannot withstand the fatigue of traveling."

What Li Longji said was exactly what Li Heng wanted, but he couldn't agree to it at the moment.

Firstly, he was not sure whether Li Longji's words were a test or not. Secondly, if he left now and did not die for a long time, even if Li Longji did not doubt him now, he would definitely doubt his intentions in the future.

Moreover, whether he was physically fit to travel was not something he could decide by himself; Imperial Physician Zhang had to decide.

Therefore, Li Ying replied: "I thank you for your grace, father, but I don't know if I can travel. Moreover, I hope to be filial to my father and mother in my last days rather than travel."

After hearing this, Concubine Wu Hui felt even more sad and couldn't stop crying, while Li Longji looked uncertain.

Li Longji still couldn't be sure whether Li Heng was really suffering from an incurable disease. The only thing he could be sure of now was that Wu Huifei's behavior did not seem to be fake. Whether Li Heng was really sick or faking it, Wu Huifei was completely unaware of it.

Li Longji thought for a moment and sighed, "Ying'er, you are so filial, but I am not a competent father. You have had a hidden illness for a long time, but I didn't notice it at all."

On the surface, these words sound like self-blame, but implicitly they are saying: You have an incurable disease, why didn't anyone notice the signs for so long?

Li Heng heard the hidden meaning and said, "Father, you have been very caring for me, but I didn't know at the beginning that this disease would be so serious. Besides, Father is very busy and is very concerned about the Tang Dynasty. I really don't want to make you worry about him anymore."

Li Heng's explanation was reasonable, so Li Longji did not ask any more questions. He finally stood up, came to Li Heng, and said gently: "I have ordered a famous doctor to treat you, don't worry."

"Thank you, father." Li Ying said respectfully.

After leaving the palace, Li Heng did not rush back home, but went to the residence of Imperial Physician Zhang first.

In the residence of Imperial Doctor Zhang.

At this time, Prime Minister Zhang Jiuling and Imperial Physician Zhang were sitting next to each other.

Zhang Jiuling took a sip of tea and said, "Prince Shou has entered the palace. Did you know?"

"I don't know," Doctor Zhang shook his head. "When did it happen?"

"An hour ago." Zhang Jiuling looked at Doctor Zhang. "What disease did Prince Shou have?"

"It looks like... a knot in the pulse." Doctor Zhang's words sounded unconvincing.

"Like?" Zhang Jiuling stood up in a rage, "Your medical skills are not incapable of diagnosing the exact symptoms!"

Upon hearing this, Doctor Zhang lowered his head.

Zhang Jiuling originally just came to ask on behalf of the crown prince what disease Li Heng was suffering from, but suddenly found that this matter was not simple.

Doctor Zhang lowered his head and was silent for a moment, then said, "Prince Shou asked Concubine Wu Hui to come to me."

"Really?" Zhang Jiuling realized the seriousness of the matter and sat down.

Doctor Zhang continued, "When I examined the prince's pulse, I noticed that his pulse was abnormal. This abnormality does not mean that the pulse is weak, but that it is different from the normal symptoms. Later, I asked the prince about his physical condition. According to what the prince said and the pulse I examined, it seems to be a knotted pulse."

Although Doctor Zhang spoke vaguely, Zhang Jiuling heard it clearly.

Regardless of whether Li Ying’s illness is knotted pulse or not, the diagnosis Li Ying wants is knotted pulse.

Imperial Doctor Zhang cooperated with Li Heng.

Zhang Jiuling sighed and said, "But you are a doctor."

But you are a doctor, you should be worthy of your medical ethics. This is Zhang Jiuling's complete words, but he only said the first half, because the first half is enough.

"I am still an official of the Tang Dynasty and your cousin." Doctor Zhang met Zhang Jiuling's eyes.

Their eyes met and they were both silent. They said nothing, but they also said everything.

Doctor Zhang said that he was an official of the Tang Dynasty.

As long as he is an official of the Tang Dynasty, he will be afraid of the current Concubine Wu Huifei. If he does not diagnose according to the result Li Ying wants, who knows how Li Ying and Concubine Wu Huifei will deal with him?
He said he was Zhang Jiuling's cousin.

Zhang Jiuling wanted to protect the prince, so naturally he did too.

Under the current situation, Concubine Wu Huifei and Li Linfu are determined to push Li Heng to the position of crown prince, but as long as Li Heng suffers from an incurable disease, he will lose the opportunity to compete for the position of crown prince.

He didn't understand why Li Heng pretended to be sick. Maybe it was out of consideration for their brotherhood, or maybe he had no intention of becoming the emperor. But no matter what, this was the result that both sides wanted.

Since this is the result that everyone wants, who cares what the truth is?
This is what Doctor Zhang thought.

The two looked at each other in silence for a while. Zhang Jiuling sighed and said, "Not everyone can play the game of Tang Dynasty. Don't be too smart, otherwise it will only hurt you."

Doctor Zhang said, "As long as the prince is saved, I don't mind what I do."

"Asshole!" Zhang Jiuling shouted, "You can't protect anyone if you get involved. If Prince Shou spreads this matter and exaggerates it, you will be forming a clique! Do you know what the consequences will be if you secretly form a clique with the Eastern Palace? You will not be able to explain yourself when the time comes, and the Crown Prince will also be implicated."

"I, I..." Doctor Zhang paused.

Zhang Jiuling asked: "How did you reply to Concubine Wu Huifei when you entered the palace at noon?"

"Knot the pulse."

"Did he bite her to death?"

"Yes."

Doctor Zhang nodded affirmatively.

Zhang Jiuling thought for a moment and said, "Since you've bitten it, you can't let it go. If anything happens, it can only be a misdiagnosis, and you can't say anything else even if you're beaten to death."

"I see."

Doctor Zhang agreed and was about to say something else when a servant suddenly came to report, "Ah Lang, Prince Shou wants to see you."

"Prince Shou?" Imperial Doctor Zhang was a little surprised and looked at Zhang Jiuling.

Zhang Jiuling thought for a moment and said, "I will go to the inner hall to avoid it and listen to what Prince Shou has to say first."

After saying that, he entered the inner hall.

Imperial Physician Zhang went to greet Li Ying in person. When he saw Li Ying, he bowed and said, "Prince Shou has come to my humble abode. I am sorry for not coming in person to greet you."

"Doctor Zhang, there's no need to be so polite," Li Heng waved his hand. "I hope you'll take care of my illness in the future."

"I will do what I am supposed to do. Please, Prince Shou." Imperial Doctor Zhang said as he invited Li Ying into the hall and took a seat.

Li Ying entered the lobby and saw Zhang's servants tidying up the tea sets on the table.

He had just put away the tea sets, and it was obvious that a customer had just arrived, but he didn't meet anyone along the way, so it was clear that the customer had not left.

Who wouldn't want to see him even if he didn't leave?

It should be from the prince's side.

Li Heng thought of this in an instant, but he did not ask anything. He just sat down and said, "When Doctor Zhang examined me this morning, he did not tell me what the disease was, so I came here to ask."

(End of this chapter)