“Second Young Master is too polite.” Wang Wei dismounted and personally supported Li Shimin, then said to the crowd: “Please rise quickly, everyone. We cannot accept such grand courtesy.”

Li Shimin said respectfully: “You two lords come representing His Majesty. How could there be any reason you cannot accept it?” Then he continued: “You two lords have traveled far and worked hard along the way. Please come in and rest.”

“Good, let us go in together.” As soon as Wang Wei finished speaking, Gao Junya coldly said: “Wait, why don’t I see Governor Li and the eldest son?”

Wang Wei quickly said: “You see, Governor Li was attacked by assassins and seriously injured. Naturally he is now recuperating quietly in the residence and cannot come out. As for the eldest son…” He frowned with confusion: “Is the eldest son not in the residence?”

Li Shimin sighed and said: “You two lords may not know, but just a few days ago, someone poisoned the medicine my elder brother was taking to treat his foot ailment, leaving my elder brother unable to walk to this day.”

Wang Wei said in surprise: “Such a thing actually happened? Could it be… the work of those assassins again?”

Li Shimin nodded: “Yes, elder brother was poisoned with the same poison as father. Fortunately, he was treated in time and barely managed to save his life.”

Gao Junya rolled his triangular eyes and said: “So you’re saying you still haven’t caught the assassins?”

“I’m ashamed to say, we searched the entire Governor’s residence thoroughly and sent soldiers to search Honghua Commandery several times, but we never found any trace of the assassins.”

“This has truly troubled Second Young Master.” Saying this, Wang Wei beckoned to the rear, and an elderly man of about fifty years came forward. Wang Wei said: “This is Imperial Physician Zhu. His Majesty learned that the Governor was attacked and seriously injured, and was very concerned, so he specially ordered us to bring Imperial Physician Zhu to treat the Governor. Imperial Physician Zhu’s medical skills are superb and he is known as a master physician. With him here, the Governor and eldest son will surely be fine.”

Li Shimin’s eyelids twitched slightly. This was bad – he hadn’t expected Yang Guang to take this so seriously as to even send an imperial physician. Once Imperial Physician Zhu took his father’s pulse, he would discover that his body had long since recovered. At that time, Yang Guang would have reason to punish his father.

Wang Wei smiled and said: “Why isn’t Second Young Master speaking? Could it be that Second Young Master doesn’t want Imperial Physician Zhu to come?”

Li Shimin knew he was a smiling tiger and dared not show the slightest trace of his thoughts before him. He quickly suppressed his concerns and said with a face full of gratitude: “Lord Wang jests. I simply hadn’t expected His Majesty to specially send Imperial Physician Zhu to treat my father. His Majesty’s great kindness – my father and I truly don’t know how to repay it.”

Wang Wei smiled and said: “His Majesty has always treated loyal ministers with great favor. It’s just that some people, having received imperial grace, commit treasonous acts, like that Yang Xuangan. But such traitorous subjects are destined to come to no good end. Just recently, Yang Xuangan was defeated and committed suicide.” Saying this, he continued: “But let’s not talk about that. We should hurry to see the Governor so Imperial Physician Zhu can treat him.”

How could Li Shimin dare let Imperial Physician Zhu go just like that? He quickly said: “Apart from physical weakness, father is already mostly recovered. You two lords have worked hard traveling all this way – please rest first. I’ve already had tea and refreshments prepared.”

Gao Junya said coldly: “Visiting the Governor takes priority.” With that, he walked in without ceremony. Li Shimin had no choice but to refuse, so he could only lead them with Li Xuanba and Wan Shi toward Songtao Residence, while the rest dispersed.

On the way to Songtao Residence, Li Shimin kept thinking of countermeasures. When passing Yuehua Pond, he suddenly stopped and said: “Second Mother, is everything prepared at the music pavilion? Now that Jirong is not here, will it affect tonight’s music and dance?”

Wan Shi was also worried that Imperial Physician Zhu would discover that Li Yuan had long since recovered from his injuries. Hearing Li Shimin say this, she immediately understood and quickly said: “I did give instructions to Nanny Yang yesterday, but I don’t know if she arranged everything properly. I should go check.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Second Mother.” At Li Shimin’s words, Wan Shi curtsied to the two lords Wang Wei and departed with Zhaixing.

To give Wan Shi enough time, Li Shimin deliberately led them on a roundabout route, taking twice as long as usual to reach Songtao Residence. The servants guarding outside quickly came forward to pay respects. Li Shimin said: “Go in and tell father that the two lords have come to visit.”

Before the servant could respond, Wang Wei said: “No need for such trouble – we can go straight in.”

Seeing him say this, Li Shimin couldn’t refuse and could only accompany them inside. Entering the inner room, Li Yuan was half-sitting on the bed. Seeing Wang Wei and the other enter, his expression became excited and he tried to get down from the bed with a servant girl’s support. Wang Wei walked quickly forward and pressed his shoulder, saying: “The Governor’s injury and illness haven’t healed – just lie down properly. No need for such courtesy.”

Li Yuan said weakly: “Having the two lords travel thousands of li to come here, I truly feel… very sorry. Is His Majesty well?”

“Governor, rest assured – His Majesty is in good health!” Wang Wei smiled: “As soon as His Majesty learned something had happened to the Governor, he immediately sent us to Honghua Commandery to visit. Looking at the Governor’s complexion, it seems the condition hasn’t improved yet?”

Li Yuan caught his breath and said: “It’s much better already, it’s just that… my whole body feels very weak and I can’t summon any energy. I don’t know when I’ll recover.”

Wang Wei snorted coldly: “Those assassins are truly audacious, actually daring to assassinate the Governor. Once they’re caught, they must be torn apart by five horses!” Then his expression softened: “His Majesty specially sent Imperial Physician Zhu to come along. With Imperial Physician Zhu’s medical skills, I believe the Governor will surely improve quickly.”

Li Yuan struggled to cup his hands toward the south: “His Majesty’s great kindness is vast as the ocean – even if this subject were torn to pieces, it would not be enough to repay it.”

Wang Wei smiled slightly and said to Imperial Physician Zhu beside him: “Time is of the essence – please Imperial Physician Zhu quickly take the Governor’s pulse.”

“Yes.” Imperial Physician Zhu came forward as instructed to take Li Yuan’s pulse. Seeing Imperial Physician Zhu place his fingers on Li Yuan’s wrist, Li Shimin’s heart immediately rose to his throat, not knowing if Wan Shi had understood his meaning, and even less knowing if Jirong had any solution.

After waiting a while, Imperial Physician Zhu still hadn’t withdrawn his hand. Gao Junya grew somewhat impatient: “Imperial Physician Zhu, how is the situation?”

Wang Wei consoled: “Brother Gao, don’t be anxious – let Imperial Physician Zhu examine thoroughly.”

Hearing this, Gao Junya could only wait patiently. After another while, Imperial Physician Zhu finally withdrew his fingers and cupped his hands: “Reporting to the two lords, Governor Li’s pulse is slow and weak, showing that the yang qi in his body is depleted and unable to circulate qi and blood. That’s why his body is so weak. He needs careful treatment to recover.”

Hearing these words, Li Shimin’s heart, which had been suspended in mid-air, finally settled, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Over there, Wang Wei and Gao Junya exchanged glances, and Wang Wei said: “In Imperial Physician Zhu’s opinion, if you were to treat him, roughly how long would it take to recover?”

Imperial Physician Zhu stroked his long beard and pondered for a moment: “At least one month, at most two months.”

Gao Junya frowned: “Even with your medical skills, it would take this long?”

“Illness comes like a mountain collapsing, but departs like pulling silk – it cannot be accomplished in a day or night.” Before Gao Junya could speak further, Wang Wei said: “Time is of the essence – please Imperial Physician Zhu quickly prescribe treatment for the Governor. Only when the Governor is safe can we properly report back to His Majesty.”