Chapter 22: Zhangsun Wugou, the Greatest Virtuous Empress of All Time [Please Bookmark the New Book]

"Imperial Physician Zhen, is my mother... alright?"

"Yes, Imperial Physician Zhen, is my mother truly okay?"

Inside the inner chambers of the Lizheng Palace, Li Chengqian and his brother anxiously crowded around, questioning the imperial physician, Zhen Liyan, who had just finished checking Empress Zhangsun’s pulse.

Though both brothers were young and possessed many hidden schemes, they were entirely sincere in their filial piety toward Empress Zhangsun. Even Li Chengqian, in his current state, deeply acknowledged their devotion. Naturally, his own concern for the Empress was equally genuine; she was simply too vital to him. She acted as an invincible buff—as long as she did not pass away prematurely, his future would be far easier to navigate.

"Your Highnesses need not worry. The Empress is fine. It was merely a case of Qi stagnation caused by extreme agitation, which led to these dizzy spells," Zhen Liyan explained with a smile.

The two brothers nodded, half-understanding, as Empress Zhangsun spoke in a soft, gentle tone: "Thank you for your trouble, Imperial Physician Zhen."

"Hehe, you are too kind, Empress. I shall prescribe a few decoctions to clear the senses and regulate your Qi and blood. After taking them for a few days, you will be fully recovered."

"Many thanks, Imperial Physician."

Empress Zhangsun offered a strained smile before turning to Xiangling. "Xiangling, please see the Imperial Physician out for me."

"Yes."

As Xiangling responded and prepared to escort Zhen Liyan away, Li Chengqian suddenly interjected, "Mother, let me see the Imperial Physician out!"

"Oh?"

Empress Zhangsun paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "My son is very thoughtful. Go ahead!"

"Mother, I want to see him out too!" The little chubby prince, seeing Li Chengqian take the initiative, assumed his brother was just trying to show off in front of the Empress, so he immediately insisted on going as well.

But Li Chengqian crushed his little scheme with a single sentence: "Mother still needs someone to tend to her. Why are you following us? Taking good care of Mother is more important than anything else!"

*Right! Why didn't I think of that?*

The little prince caught on instantly and immediately returned to the Empress’s side to fuss over her comfort. Empress Zhangsun and Li Chengqian exchanged a glance and suppressed a laugh. Zhen Liyan, having witnessed the entire performance, simply shook his head and walked out of the chamber on his own.

"Imperial Physician Zhen, wait!"

Not long after stepping out of the palace gates, Li Chengqian caught up with him. Zhen Liyan paused and smiled, "Your Highness, there is no need for such formality. The old official knows the way back; you need not escort me."

"Hehe, you misunderstand, Imperial Physician. Chengqian didn't call you back to see you off..."

"Oh?" Zhen Liyan frowned, thinking to himself, *I am nearly a hundred years old; is this little brat playing tricks on an old man?* "Since you are not here to see me off, then I shall take my leave!"

Zhen Liyan turned to depart, clearly displeased. Li Chengqian felt a bit speechless, thinking the old man was quite stubborn. But just as Zhen Liyan was about to walk away, Li Chengqian stated his true intent: "Imperial Physician, I heard you mention my mother’s condition as 'blockage of the clear orifices.' Does this condition often lead to dizziness and blurred vision?"

"Oh?" Zhen Liyan stopped again, looking at Li Chengqian with surprise. "Does Your Highness also understand medicine?"

"No, I am merely curious and wished to ask."

"This..." Although slightly annoyed by the earlier rudeness, Zhen Liyan was still happy to discuss medicine with a prince. He hesitated before saying, "Your Highness is correct; this condition does indeed lead to dizziness and blurred vision. However, not all such symptoms are caused by 'blockage of the clear orifices.' Imbalances in the viscera, poor circulation of Qi and blood, or deficiencies in the liver, spleen, or kidneys can also cause these symptoms..."

Li Chengqian nodded in realization and muttered to himself, "So it really is high blood pressure..."

"What is 'high blood pressure'?" Zhen Liyan asked, puzzled.

Li Chengqian reacted instantly, cupping his hands with a smile, "It is nothing. Thank you for clearing my confusion, Imperial Physician. Chengqian will take his leave!"

"This..."

Watching Li Chengqian walk away, Zhen Liyan was left completely bewildered. Li Chengqian’s deduction about the Empress’s high blood pressure did not come from the physician, but from his knowledge of Li Zhi. Li Zhi’s own struggle with high blood pressure was likely inherited from Empress Zhangsun. He knew that if the Empress had not suffered from these issues, she would not have had to rely on Wu Zhao to handle state affairs later, which in turn might have prevented Wu Zhao’s eventual usurpation. As for his understanding of the pathology, he had learned it in his previous life while caring for his grandmother, who suffered from the same condition.

"That Emperor Li Er is truly something. Doesn't he know that high blood pressure is exacerbated by anger? He’s already the Emperor, yet his temper is still so volatile!"

Muttering a helpless complaint, Li Chengqian returned to the Lizheng Palace.

***

Inside the palace, the little prince was carefully wiping the sweat from Empress Zhangsun’s forehead. His clumsy, earnest efforts made the Empress smile, yet she was deeply moved. Though she felt aggrieved by the Emperor’s outburst, the thought of her two filial sons eased her heart.

"Mother!"

Li Chengqian entered and smiled, "Mother’s complexion looks much better than before. This is truly worth celebrating."

Empress Zhangsun smiled at the little prince and praised, "This is all thanks to Qingque!"

"Mother is too kind. Serving you is but a son's duty..." Qingque gave a shy smile, though his raised chin clearly broadcasted a desire for more praise.

Previously, when Li Chengqian had outshone him in filial piety before their parents, the little prince had spent the whole night reading, desperate to find the source of Li Chengqian’s "Three Filial Duties," only to find nothing. Just as he was losing steam, the argument between his parents presented him with a perfect opportunity. Following Li Chengqian’s earlier hint, he had made a firm choice to stay and care for her.

Li Chengqian chose to ignore his brother’s smug expression and carefully asked the Empress, "Mother, earlier with Father..."

"Empress, the Emperor has gone to Lady Xiao Yang’s quarters!"

Before Li Chengqian could finish his question, Xiangling’s voice, laced with indignation, came from behind. "We worked until late into the night making all that soap, finally waiting for the Emperor to return, and yet he..."

"Enough, Xiangling!" Empress Zhangsun cut her off immediately. "Say no more!"

"But..." Xiangling opened her mouth, then noticed Li Chengqian had returned and quickly fell silent.

Seeing Li Chengqian standing there with a sullen, downcast face, Empress Zhangsun sighed bitterly. "Chengqian, this matter..."

"Mother, have you heard the saying: 'Since ancient times, death is the fate of all, but the bond between husband and wife is forged over a hundred days'?"

"This..." Empress Zhangsun was stunned. *What kind of talk is this?*

Before she could respond, Li Chengqian turned and walked out of the hall.

"Chengqian..." Empress Zhangsun’s eyes reddened, and she looked as though she might cry.

At that moment, the little prince stepped forward, clinging to her arm, and comforted her in a sweet, obedient voice, "Mother, don't be angry; it’s bad for your health. My elder brother is just being thoughtless. You still have Qingque; Qingque always listens to you!"

"Uh..." Empress Zhangsun felt awkward and torn between laughter and tears. It was clear the little prince had misunderstood her. She wasn't crying because of Li Chengqian, but because she was touched that her son was finally old enough to want to protect her. It was a mother-son moment the little prince didn't quite grasp, but that was excusable.

She patted his chubby head, then turned to Xiangling. "Xiangling, go keep an eye on Chengqian. Don't let him do anything foolish. Also, send word to my brother, Zhangsun Wuji, that I wish to see him!"

"Yes!" Xiangling responded and left.

The little prince’s eyes darted around, and he said, "Mother, let me massage your back..."

"Good! Our Qingque is truly sweet!"

"Hehe~" The little prince was overjoyed, thinking to himself that while his brother spoke of filial piety, he was clearly the superior one.

***

"Empress, he has arrived!"

About an hour later, Zhangsun Wuji, guided by palace attendants, arrived at the Lizheng Palace. By then, Empress Zhangsun was sitting on a soft couch in the outer hall, enjoying the little prince’s massage while mending clothes.

Zhangsun Wuji knelt outside the door—the custom of the inner palace dictated that even a brother could not face the Empress directly. However, he was in high spirits, as the Emperor had already hinted he would be appointed Right Vice-Chancellor. He assumed the Empress had summoned him late at night to congratulate him.

"Sister," he called out.

Empress Zhangsun paused her work and smiled. "You’ve come, brother..."

"The Emperor, he..."

"The Emperor is with Lady Yang!"

"Oh?" Zhangsun Wuji frowned, falling into a displeased silence.

Empress Zhangsun sighed, "An Emperor does not *have* to act this way, but once he is Emperor, he *can* act this way."

Zhangsun Wuji was speechless. The atmosphere grew heavy. After a long silence, Empress Zhangsun spoke again, "Oh, has the Emperor spoken to you about promoting you to Right Vice-Chancellor?"

For some reason, Zhangsun Wuji felt his sister was acting strangely today. He feigned ignorance. "Is that so? I haven't heard."

"Then, do you wish to be Right Vice-Chancellor?"

"Of course!" Zhangsun Wuji blurted out, then immediately felt embarrassed.

Empress Zhangsun probed, "What if... what if I, your sister, did not allow it?"

Zhangsun Wuji was stunned. He leaned forward to look at her. "Why?"

Empress Zhangsun looked at him solemnly. "Because I am the Empress!"

"Uh..." Zhangsun Wuji’s mouth twitched, unsure whether to laugh or cry. "How... how can that be?"

"Why not?" Empress Zhangsun said firmly. "Lü Zhi helped Liu Bang win the world, and she became Empress; that was justified. What was not justified was her allowing her relatives to interfere in state affairs, nearly ruining the Han Dynasty! During the time of Emperor Ming of Han, Empress Ma was a woman of virtue and morality—learned, filial, and frugal—yet she refused to let her relatives interfere in state affairs! I cannot compare my merits or character to theirs, but what I can do is prevent my own relatives from interfering in the government!"

Zhangsun Wuji’s face darkened. "Does my sister value reputation so highly?"

"It is not about reputation," Empress Zhangsun insisted. "I believe that now that the Emperor has secured the realm, every word and deed will be recorded by historians. Do you want future generations to say the Emperor allowed his wife's family to run the state?"

"If I do a good job and assist the Emperor in governing, would that not be a good record?" Zhangsun Wuji argued.

Empress Zhangsun sighed heavily. "Even if you do not care about the gossip, the result of relatives interfering in politics is often their own execution. Is that what you want?"

"I..." Zhangsun Wuji was silenced.

Empress Zhangsun spoke with deep emotion, "Our parents died early. I have only you as a brother, and you have only me as a sister. Do you truly want us to end up separated by death?"

"Enough!" Zhangsun Wuji flared up, a rare outburst of anger. "It is precisely because our parents died early that we lived under others' roofs! I worked so hard and followed the Emperor through life and death not to interfere in politics, but so the children of the Zhangsun family would never have to live under someone else's roof again!"

Ignoring all decorum, he rushed into the hall, dropped to his knees before her, and pleaded, "Sister, can’t you look at these things in a better light?"

"But these things are not as you think!" Empress Zhangsun shook her head, her resolve unshaken. "Once you hold high power, suspicion and intrigue will follow. I do not want to live in constant fear of that..."

Zhangsun Wuji opened his mouth to speak but stopped. Just then, he caught sight of the little prince behind the Empress and seemed to have a change of heart. He said firmly, "I must be the Right Vice-Chancellor!"

"I do not agree!" Her voice turned cold.

Zhangsun Wuji’s heart sank, but he muttered, "It was Chengqian who helped me secure this position. I promised him I would not forget my nephew. I cannot break my word..."

"You..." Empress Zhangsun’s eyes widened in disbelief. "What did you say?"

Zhangsun Wuji, having burned his bridges, brought out Li Chengqian as his shield. "I said, I want to help Chengqian return to the position of Crown Prince!"

"This..." Empress Zhangsun was frozen in place. Even the little prince, who had been massaging her back, stopped, his heart filled with indignation.

*Why, Uncle!? I am your nephew too!*