Chapter 86: Truly Not Bad

Faced with Li Lizhui’s direct question, Li Yi could only respond with a deadpan expression, rolling his eyes at her in exasperation. Hadn’t she just moments ago promised to trust him? How could she suddenly doubt him now? Where had the basic trust between people gone? Had it all been fed to the dogs?

“Princess, I’m not lying. This Tai Chi boxing really can cure Her Majesty’s illness!” Seeing Li Lizhui’s anxious demeanor, Li Yi nodded solemnly, his face sincere.

Yet Li Lizhui hesitated for a moment, blinking her large eyes, pouting slightly, and pointed at Li Yi as she said in a delicate voice, “Li Bo’an, you mustn’t deceive me!”

Li Yi was baffled. When had he ever lied to Li Lizhui? In fact, he had never lied to anyone. These days, it seemed no one believed the truth.

“Princess, you yourself have practiced Tai Chi before. Surely you know how powerful that boxing method is?” Li Yi didn’t bother explaining further, but instead turned the question back to her. “Let me ask you, don’t you feel your body has improved quite a bit?”

Li Lizhui paused, taking a deep breath, then shook her head in confusion, blinking uncertainly, and said offhandedly, “I don’t feel much change.”

Li Yi was speechless. It seemed all his earnest explanations to Li Lizhui were like playing music for cattle. Apparently, she hadn’t practiced Tai Chi seriously at all.

Li Yi himself had already cultivated a hint of internal energy, and for someone as naturally gifted as Li Lizhui, she would certainly surpass him if she practiced earnestly. He was well aware of this fact.

Li Lizhui’s formidable talent for martial arts was not mere rumor; Li Yi had witnessed it firsthand when teaching her Tai Chi.

“Princess, I advise you to practice Tai Chi diligently from now on. It will bring you much benefit,” Li Yi urged her, then lowered his head, saying no more.

The method to treat the illness had been presented. Now it was up to Emperor Li Shimin and his wife to decide whether they would cooperate.

If they refused, there was nothing more Li Yi could do. With the limited medical techniques available, besides nurturing the body through Tai Chi, there was simply no other way to cure Empress Zhangsun’s respiratory illness.

But as Li Yi lowered his head in silence, he failed to notice the fleeting mischievous smile at the corner of Li Lizhui’s lips. It came and went in an instant, unnoticed by anyone except Li Lizhui herself—not even the emperor and empress saw it.

“Father, Mother,” Li Lizhui suddenly lifted her skirts and approached, smiling as she spoke softly to Li Shimin, “I think Li Bo’an’s method is worth trying.”

“Oh?” Li Shimin was surprised. He hadn’t expected Li Lizhui to be the first to agree, even speaking in Li Yi’s favor.

Li Lizhui could guess what was on her father’s mind. She tugged his sleeve and spoke unhurriedly, “Father, I’ve also learned this Tai Chi. Though I’m not yet adept, I’ve seen Minister Du practice it, and he walks far more energetically than before.”

Hearing Li Lizhui cite Minister Du as an example, Li Shimin’s hesitation eased considerably. Still, he decided to ask Li Yi directly for reassurance.

“Li Bo’an, it’s not that I don’t trust you, but I’ve never heard of boxing curing illness,” Li Shimin frowned slightly, looking to Li Yi. “Will practicing this Tai Chi truly help the empress?”

Li Yi nodded confidently. “Your Majesty, I dare guarantee that this method will absolutely be effective!”

Li Shimin frowned and fell silent, withdrawing his gaze as he seemed lost in thought.

Suddenly, Li Shimin, who had been silent, lifted his head and said, “Li Bo’an, you surely know that this respiratory illness refers to lung deficiency, a lung disease. Treating it means treating the lungs.”

“Your Majesty, I am well aware,” Li Yi replied with a gentle smile and a nod.

“Then why do you say that practicing Tai Chi can cure the empress’s illness?” Li Shimin asked curiously, his brows furrowed.

The Tang Dynasty valued martial arts. In Li Shimin’s experience, boxing was for strengthening the body or for battle and military achievement. How could boxing be related to curing respiratory illness? The two seemed entirely unrelated.

He found it difficult to connect them.

“Your Majesty,” Li Yi smiled and sighed, explaining slowly, “At present, the imperial physicians can only rely on medicines for treatment, and have no other methods, correct?”

“And even with medicine, Her Majesty’s illness is an old affliction. The drugs can only suppress it, not cure it at the root. If Her Majesty falls ill again, the suffering won’t be hers alone.”

“Your Majesty, since you are willing to trust me, why not give it a try?”

Li Shimin fell into deeper contemplation at these words.

Seeing this, an idea flashed in Li Yi’s mind. He suddenly said, “Your Majesty, the ancients said this acupoint is closely related to lung qi, and is the root of abdominal breathing. Thus, wellness practitioners call it the sea of qi, as all rivers flow to the sea. Its name is ‘Qi Hai’—Sea of Qi.”

“And Tai Chi is centered on cultivating qi. Once a person’s body produces qi, the sea of qi becomes unobstructed. Then, this energy will naturally dissolve Her Majesty’s illness without a trace.”

“Your Majesty, you practice martial arts yourself and know the subtle wonders of qi. Am I correct?” Li Yi spoke with a gentle, smiling face, calm and without any boastfulness.

“This…” Li Shimin was stunned, then suddenly enlightened. At last, he understood Li Yi’s painstaking intention.

He nodded quickly, tapped his forehead, and exclaimed, “I was muddled before—this method is indeed worth trying!”

Li Yi promptly bowed and said with a smile, “Your Majesty was not muddled; rather, I failed to explain it clearly. The fault is mine.”

“Haha, no fault, no fault!” Li Shimin laughed heartily, his spirits soaring.

It was as if the clouds that had weighed on his heart for years suddenly dispersed, leaving him especially joyful.

At this moment, the more Li Shimin looked at Li Yi, the more he liked the boy. Not only was he clever and capable, but he also knew how to draw analogies and use the wisdom of the ancients to guide him.

“This Li Bo’an is truly remarkable,” Li Shimin thought to himself, smiling.

Empress Zhangsun, listening to the conversation between Li Yi and the emperor, also understood at last. This Tai Chi boxing could indeed cure her illness.

(End of chapter)