Li Shuo’s face was pale, but compared to yesterday, he looked somewhat more spirited, and there was a flicker of life in his eyes. Although his illness was severe, at least he was still alive.
As for yesterday—well, with the way he looked then, if someone said he had crawled out of a coffin, some might actually believe it.
Li Shuo nodded in deep admiration.
“Mister, your medical skills are truly miraculous. I already feel much better now. This morning, I even ate a bowl of porridge. If you hadn’t stepped in to save me, I fear that by now, I would have been lying in that coffin.”
Li Shuo struggled to sit up, and Xiao Shunzi hurried forward to support him.
“Your Majesty, I thank Mister here.”
“Your Majesty, I dare not accept such honor. You are the Son of Heaven, how could a humble commoner like me bear such grand ceremonial respect? It is far beyond what I deserve, absolutely impossible!!”
Though he sensed some sincerity mingled with pretense in Li Shuo’s condition, Xu Ping’an absolutely could not accept such formal thanks. If he did, his name—Xu Ping’an—would soon resound throughout Great Qi.
At that point, forget about living in seclusion, even going out on the streets might draw crowds treating him like a rare panda.
More importantly… once the Emperor bestowed such an honor, trouble would surely follow relentlessly!
“Very well, since Mister refuses my礼, then I shall not press it. However… this life-saving favor must be repaid. Bring forth the imperial edict.”
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:”
【I, having inherited the heavenly mandate, rule over all lands with utmost diligence, ever mindful of the state and its people. Yet fate’s unpredictable winds have struck—I was poisoned by traitors in the summer of the thirteenth year of Chunhua, my life hanging by a thread.】
At this critical moment, fortunate to have Mister Xu Ping’an’s loyalty and courage, whose wisdom identified the poison and whose skill dispelled it, sparing my life.
His miraculous healing arts bring spring’s renewal; his sincere loyalty shines like the sun. Without his dedicated efforts, I would have surely met disaster, and the realm would have been shaken.
Such grace and virtue is as if granted rebirth.
Now, I confer special favor to honor his merits:
Appointing him as Marquis of Zhong’an, a first-rank noble, hereditary without end, granting a red official certificate to forever mark his achievements;
Bestowing one thousand taels of gold from the imperial treasury, a crimson robe, and a jade belt as symbols of honor and favor;
Granting Baile County as his fief, with a stipend of ten thousand households, permission to establish a mansion and official offices, enjoying eternal hereditary income.
【Henceforth, wear the official seal with loyalty, cherish the noble rank and gifts, serve with diligence, safeguard the realm, and assist me in great governance. So be it!】
“Your….”
Staring dumbfounded, Xu Ping’an watched as Xiao Shunzi pulled out a yellow brocade scroll from his sleeve like a magician’s trick.
The opening words “By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees” stunned him completely.
By the time he finished listening, it was far too late to object.
“Mister, I know you prefer to avoid politics, and I have heard of your story from the child Li Yu. Therefore, I shall not force you with official duties, but this noble title and stipend, you absolutely cannot refuse.”
“Your Majesty, I am but a wandering doctor on the streets, how could I deserve such honor? I beg Your Majesty to—”
“Are you displeased, Mister? No, no, this life-saving favor must be expressed. Xiao Shunzi, help me up. I…”
“I accept, I accept, I accept! Is that not enough?” “Your Majesty, why must you insist so?”
“I understand that Mister does not wish to be involved in worldly affairs, so I will not compel you. This title and crimson robe are simply so you can practice medicine freely in Great Qi without being hindered by petty troubles. I hope you will not refuse.”
Could he refuse?
The imperial edict was already in his hand. To refuse now would be a slap in the face to the Emperor.
Thinking of Qingxuan—
Although he did not know the exact relationship between the royal family and Qingxuan, the Floating Cloud Sect still firmly supported the Great Qi royal family.
Outwardly, he was a disciple of Pei Sect Leader; inwardly, he was Qingxuan’s husband.
No matter inside or out, he could not betray his wife’s standing.
“Ah! Very well then, I shall… gratefully accept the heavenly favor.”
“Good, good! I’m glad you accept!” Li Shuo’s face beamed with joy.
“Xiao Shunzi, draft another edict. From now on, if Mister sees me without bowing or enters the palace unannounced, grant him a golden plaque to freely enter and exit Qian Palace.”
Qian Palace was essentially the front half of the entire imperial palace. Though it did not permit unrestricted access to the inner palace, such an honor was already the highest level.
In all Great Qi, only a handful enjoyed such privilege.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
What else could he say politely? He certainly would not toss the imperial edict back in the Emperor’s face and say, “I quit!”
“Please extend your hand, Your Majesty. I will take your pulse.” “Thank you, Mister.”
Li Shuo continued to address him formally, never resorting to nicknames like “Ping’an,” a subtle sign of the Emperor’s respect for him.
As Xu Ping’an began taking the pulse, Li Shuo found a topic to start conversation.
“Mister, I heard from the child Li Yu that you have deep insight and wise counsel. To be frank, Great Qi is in turmoil. Since my ascension, I have exerted every effort without rest, yet although the realm is barely stable, traitors lurk within, the Xiongnu eye us hungrily from beyond the borders, princes hold military power, and ministers form factions for personal gain. Each day, my heart is uneasy. Mister, what are your thoughts on the current state of Great Qi?”
Thoughts on Great Qi?
Xu Ping’an inwardly scoffed.
After all he had experienced, was he supposed to have warm feelings for Great Qi?
He had already done the realm a favor by refusing to join the Society of Ten Thousand People!
“Your Majesty, you overpraise me. I am merely a commoner, with no lofty ambitions or grand vision—just a humble doctor. As for Great Qi, I have no particular opinions. I spend my days treating patients and have little time for politics. If I must say, perhaps the best place to start rebuilding Great Qi is by tackling corrupt officials first.”
“Oh? And what is your proposed strategy, Mister?”
“I have no grand strategy—only a rough direction.”
Seeing Xu Ping’an unwilling to discuss the matter further, Li Shuo smiled and nodded.
“Hmm, Mister’s words are sensible—start with rooting out corrupt officials?”
Xu Ping’an was speechless.
At this point in Great Qi, aside from corrupt officials, what other force could the Emperor easily move against?
Princes? Rebels? Or the Xiongnu beyond the border?
None of these were within his immediate reach. Aside from resolving corruption and restoring vitality, what else could he do?
…Of course, he did not dare say this out loud.
Otherwise, the Emperor might start suspecting him further.
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