Chapter 88: Imperial Court Physician

Because Princess Li Liyuan made a scene and did not continue with the Tai Chi routine, Emperor Li Shimin nevertheless glimpsed a clue from it.

"This Tai Chi boxing is no simple matter," he thought inwardly.

After all, Li Shimin was, at the very least, a martial master, and naturally he too could feel that subtle, mysterious force.

He had never imagined that his fifth daughter, Li Liyuan, would one day be able to cultivate such force.

How could that be?

In Li Shimin's memory, throughout the realm, apart from the veteran generals under his command—men like Li Jing, Qin Qiong, and Cheng Zhi-jie—there were exceedingly few who could cultivate such force.

Yet just now, Li Liyuan had plainly done so.

And when Li Yi stepped in to guide her, he too possessed that force.

Only, the force within them differed somewhat from the kind Li Shimin knew.

For this, Li Shimin racked his brains and still could not understand.

After a long silence, and recalling what Li Yi had earlier said to him, Li Shimin finally came to a sudden realization.

"The force within them was comprehended from Tai Chi boxing!"

"It is not the same kind of force; this is a force for nourishing life!"

Li Shimin was profoundly shaken.

Only at this moment did he truly understand the value of Tai Chi boxing, and fully comprehend why Li Yi had earlier said that this "Tai Chi" could entirely cure the empress's chronic ailment.

Indeed, this was a wondrous method for treating such a condition.

At the same time, Li Shimin also silently resolved that since Li Yi possessed such remarkable medical talent, he absolutely could not let him slip away.

After careful consideration, Li Shimin slowly raised his head.

"Li Bo'an," he said warmly after a brief pause, "since you have such skill, I shall appoint you as a physician of the Imperial Medical Bureau, so that you may enter the palace at any time in future to treat the empress."

Li Shimin smiled at Li Yi, satisfaction written all over his face.

Empress Zhangsun beside him also wore a bright, pleased smile, clearly very content with the emperor's reward.

Li Liyuan first froze, then broke into a smile.

She hurried over and secretly nudged Li Yi's elbow, softly urging, "Li Bo'an, what are you standing there for? Hurry and thank Father Emperor..."

Yet Li Yi did not move, for Li Shimin's words had startled him greatly.

A physician of the Imperial Medical Bureau?

Li Yi knew that this was a seventh-rank post in the bureau; many medical scholars spent their whole lives laboring over examinations and still could not necessarily enter it.

And Li Shimin was simply bestowing it on him?

But thinking of the drawbacks, Li Yi could not help but give a wry smile.

"Your Majesty," Li Yi did not thank him outright, nor did he refuse directly, but instead smiled gently and said, "I fear this humble subject may be unable to bear such a heavy trust. I am afraid I am not fit for the post of physician in the Imperial Medical Bureau."

Though the title of physician in the Imperial Medical Bureau sounded lofty and impressive, Li Yi knew there were still higher posts above it, such as medical officers.

To put it plainly, a physician of the Imperial Medical Bureau was really just a drudge.

Li Yi did not wish to waste his time on such matters.

Upon hearing this, Li Liyuan glared at him somewhat angrily and muttered under her breath, "Li Bo'an, Father Emperor is granting you an official post, and you actually don't want it?"

She found Li Yi's refusal difficult to understand.

Li Yi merely smiled and said nothing.

Li Shimin was slightly taken aback, as though something had occurred to him, and then he chuckled softly before asking straight out, "Li Bo'an, do you think the office of physician in the Imperial Medical Bureau is too lowly, and therefore beneath you?"

"No, Your Majesty, that is not at all what I mean," Li Yi replied with a bow, neither servile nor overbearing. "I merely believe my knowledge is shallow and my skills still insufficient, and so I am unfit for so great a responsibility."

"Eh...? Ha!" Li Shimin blinked, then suddenly burst into laughter, at last understanding why Li Yi had refused.

This fellow Li Bo'an actually dared to complain that the physician post was too busy?

Li Shimin could not help but feel both amused and exasperated.

Still, thinking of Li Yi's abilities, he rolled his eyes and quickly came up with an idea.

"Since you are so determined, then I shall tell you this," Li Shimin said, tugging at his sleeve with a smile. "You need not go to the Imperial Medical Bureau on ordinary days. You need only hold the title there. How about that?"

At this, Li Yi slightly raised his head and glanced at Li Shimin, then cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, then... would I need to obey their orders and do as they say?"

Li Shimin laughed again at once; he had long anticipated this.

But he did not answer directly. Instead, he assumed an air of majesty, glared at Li Yi in mock anger, and barked, "Li Bo'an, I am conferring an official post upon you, and you brat still dare to push your luck?"

"..."

Li Yi's mouth twitched, and he lowered his head slightly in salute before saying, "Your Majesty, it is not that this humble subject is pushing my luck, but that I truly fear I am incapable of bearing such a task. I am afraid I shall disappoint Your Majesty's expectations."

"..."

Li Shimin's face twitched. Today, he had finally come to know Li Yi anew.

This fellow looked harmless enough when he smiled, polite and refined, yet his skin was indeed exceedingly thick.

He had not expected Li Yi to dare bargain with him like this, and found it rather entertaining. Waving a hand, he said, "Enough. Let it be so. In any case, you are only a postholder in name."

"This subject thanks Your Majesty for your gracious favor," Li Yi immediately changed his form of address and smiled apologetically.

"Rise," Li Shimin said, rolling his eyes in exasperation as he swept his sleeve with a smile.

Clearly, he had taken no offense at Li Yi's bargaining.

Even Empress Zhangsun and Li Liyuan could not help finding their conversation amusing.

It was the first time they had seen anyone, apart from high ministers and veteran statesmen, dare to bargain with Li Shimin.

Yet the result seemed rather good.

Only then did Li Shimin turn to the matter at hand. He glanced at Li Yi and said with a smile, "Minister Li, when do you intend to teach the empress the Tai Chi method?"

"Your Majesty," Li Yi replied after a moment, bowing respectfully, "this minister can treat the empress at once. As for the diagrams of the Tai Chi method, I came to the palace in haste and did not bring them with me, so I must send them over tomorrow."

Having heard this, Li Shimin said no more, only nodded and then looked toward Empress Zhangsun beside him.

Empress Zhangsun instantly understood his meaning.

Thus, she smiled gracefully and, with a touch of concern, said, "Your Majesty, it is rather troublesome for Minister Li to make such a round trip. This concubine has thought of an idea, though I do not know whether it is suitable."

"Eh... Empress, please speak and let me and Minister Li hear it?" Li Shimin said, feigning surprise and curiosity.

End of chapter.