Chapter Sixty-Eight: Li Er's Decision

“Arsenic is used to cure illness, and besides...!” Yun Hao was just about to reveal the nature of Changsun’s ailment when he heard Chun’er break into a fit of violent coughing. Instantly, he understood: Changsun did not wish anyone to know about her illness, not even her own brother, Changsun Wuji. Out of respect for privacy, something cherished in later generations, Yun Hao immediately changed his words. “Besides, the dosage I prescribed could never be enough to poison anyone.”

Yun Hao was absolutely confident in his dosage. In his previous life, his old neighbor had been a highly respected practitioner of both traumatology and traditional medicine. While Yun Hao might not have memorized all prescriptions, he had personally watched this doctor prescribe remedies against roundworms. There was no reason a dose suitable for a ten-year-old child would be lethal to Changsun, who was a blossoming maiden of sixteen or seventeen... or rather, a young matron!

“You still dare argue! Arsenic is for killing rats, anyone who eats it dies.” Changsun Wuji, seeing Yun Hao still refusing to yield, was so furious he could hardly contain himself.

“Er...” Li Jiancheng was at a loss. Technically, since Li Shimin was already married, this was a matter of his household, and as the elder brother, it was awkward for him to intervene. Yet he highly valued Yun Hao’s talent, and had been troubled since the day he rebuked Yun Hao in front of Li Yuan. Now, with this opportunity to win Yun Hao over, Li Jiancheng was not about to let it slip by.

Years of experience in Hedong had made Li Jiancheng shrewd and adaptable. Sensing the situation was turning sour, he quickly shifted his stance and addressed Changsun Wuji, “Young Master Changsun, this is a matter of my second brother’s household. Though he is still recovering from his injury, such concerns for his wife’s health should be left to his judgment. Don’t you agree?” In other words, let the trouble fall on Li Shimin. As the elder brother, he preferred to stay clear of these turbid waters.

“As you command, eldest young lord!” Changsun Wuji shot a fierce glare at Yun Hao. With Li Jiancheng leading, the group proceeded to Li Shimin’s bedchamber.

At present, Li Shimin resembled a giant grouper, lying prone amidst a circle of ice basins. The wound on his back forced him to remain face down. After days of daily alcohol cleansing, the wound had finally scabbed over and showed little sign of inflammation. It was safe to say he had overcome the danger of infection. Now, it was simply a matter of slow recovery; although external wounds generally healed quickly, Li Shimin’s injury was so severe he would not be leaving his bed for at least a month.

“Oh! Eldest brother, what brings you here with Wuji? Please, be seated. Someone, bring tea!” Li Shimin was surprised to see Li Jiancheng, Changsun Wuji, and Yun Hao enter together. He was already aware of what had happened before Li Yuan the other day, but he could not fathom why Li Jiancheng would come in Yun Hao’s company.

“I came to see how you were doing, but on the way, I encountered Young Master Wuji and found him in a dispute with Yun Hao. So I brought them both to you to settle the matter.” With that, Li Jiancheng handed the prescription to Li Shimin and quietly withdrew to a seat nearby, determined to remain an observer. Since this was now Li Shimin’s household affair, he would let Li Shimin handle it. He was curious to see just how much his younger brother had matured and how he would manage this tricky business.

Li Shimin’s brows knitted tightly. This was indeed a difficult dilemma. On one side was his newlywed wife; on the other, the child prodigy who had cured his father’s long-standing illness and healed his own wounds. He knew very well what arsenic was—his own family estate used it to lace food for poisoning rats. Never had he heard of it being administered to the sick, let alone for medicinal purposes. Yun Hao’s prescription filled him with doubt.

Yet both his wound and his father’s illness had been cured by Yun Hao. When it came to healing, Yun Hao’s credibility was impeccable. In fact, the entire household now placed a near-blind trust in Yun Hao’s medical skills; otherwise, Changsun would not have invited him to treat her. Torn between two choices, sweat began to bead on Li Shimin’s brow.

“This boy is clearly plotting murder! I’ve crossed you several times at Zhang’s Pharmacy, thinking you were just a mischievous child. Who would have guessed you’d dare lay a hand on my sister? Had I not happened by today, she would have been poisoned by you!” Changsun Wuji gnashed his teeth, itching to skin Yun Hao alive.

“Wuji, restrain yourself!” Li Shimin, seeing that Changsun Wuji was on the verge of another outburst, quickly intervened.

“Yun Hao, why did you add arsenic to this prescription?” Li Shimin asked, puzzled.

“Some illnesses require poison to fight poison. While arsenic is toxic, it is also the very medicine needed to cure your wife. The treatment may be painful, but it will do her great good. Surely you don’t want your wife to suffer from a terrible ailment indefinitely? Let me tell you, if this continues, it may affect your lineage.” Yun Hao was disinclined to explain further; he now understood that medical theory in this era lagged far behind what it would later become. Many remedies had yet to be developed, and the use of arsenic to treat roundworm infections was recorded even in the Compendium of Materia Medica. While some formulas in that text were questionable, this one had been proven effective, and Yun Hao had every confidence in it.

At the mention of a threat to his lineage, Li Shimin’s expression grew even graver. Though he and Changsun had been married for several months and were deeply affectionate, her womb had shown not the slightest sign of life, a cause for no small anxiety. Now, hearing Yun Hao say her illness might affect his descendants, his heart skipped a beat.

“Second brother, don’t listen to him! No one has ever heard of a person taking arsenic as a cure!” Changsun Wuji, seeing Li Shimin’s hesitation, pressed urgently.

“Wuji, you know as well as I do: Yun Hao wrote the prescription here, in front of us all. If Lady Guanyin should die from his medicine, would you spare him, or would I? He’s just a child—where could he possibly escape to? Quickly, have the medicine prepared for my wife,” Li Shimin said abruptly to Changsun Wuji and the attendant maids after a moment’s thought.

Changsun Wuji was taken aback. On reflection, it was true: unless Yun Hao intended to die alongside Changsun, he had no reason to poison her. Though Wuji was usually meticulous, his concern for his sister had clouded his judgment—truly, affection begets confusion.

As expected of a future Emperor, Li Shimin made his decision in a matter of moments. Yun Hao could not help but admire him. It was clear that those who left their mark on history were never ordinary men.

The maids, having received Li Shimin’s order, immediately set off to fetch the medicine. Changsun Wuji personally oversaw the preparation, as Chun’er had warned that Yun Hao insisted the dosage must be strictly controlled, or danger could ensue.

The decoction was quickly prepared and Changsun drank it. Not long after, Chun’er came running in, her voice trembling with tears, “It’s terrible! My lady is in such pain she’s rolling on the ground...”