Once again, Xu Ping’an arrived at the rear courtyard.
After passing through several rounds of notifications, Xu Ping’an found himself face-to-face with the Zhennan King once more.
To be honest, given the previous unpleasantness, Xu Ping’an hadn’t expected to meet his ‘future father-in-law’ again so soon.
But there was nothing he could do—who told him to get entangled with romance?
“Sir Xu, instead of recovering from your injury, what brings you to my residence again?”
The Zhennan King was also a bit embarrassed. After all, the identities of father-in-law and son-in-law were nearly preordained and unchangeable.
“My injury is no longer an issue.”
Xu Ping’an smiled and raised his hand; the fingertip that had been scalded red just moments before had already returned to its original state, as if it had never been injured at all.
Seeing this, the Zhennan King was slightly surprised, with a hint of admiration as well.
“Heh~ No wonder you are Sir Xu. Yu’er has long spoken of your medical skills as miraculous, and today, I see it is true.” Even though it was just a minor burn, being able to erase all traces of the wound within half an hour was enough to prove Xu Ping’an’s skill.
“Your Highness overpraises me.”
Xu Ping’an stepped forward a few paces, casually fetched a chair, and set it opposite the desk—directly across from Li Huan.
Under Li Huan’s astonished gaze, Xu Ping’an acted as if he were in his own home, not showing the slightest restraint.
He sat down directly, then took the Medicine Chest off his shoulder, removed the Wrist Pillow from inside, and placed it on the table.
“Your Highness, please extend your hand.”
“What—what is the meaning of this?”
Li Huan was somewhat dumbfounded by Xu Ping’an’s string of actions.
He subconsciously looked at the Wrist Pillow on the table, then at Xu Ping’an, who had already rolled up his sleeves to take his pulse.
Was this… had he come to treat him?
“As Your Highness can see, I am here to diagnose and treat you.”
Li Huan was no fool—quite the opposite. To be a trusted confidant of the current Emperor, Li Shuo, he was naturally extremely astute. He immediately understood what was happening, and his face darkened.
“Did Yu’er tell you?”
Xu Ping’an nodded calmly.
At that moment, Li Huan’s face turned completely black.
“That girl, why does she say everything!”
Well, his little confidante had let things slip.
She had even revealed the secret he least wanted others to know.
And she had leaked it to this future son-in-law whom he couldn’t help but find a little disagreeable.
That nearly made his temper boil over.
“Your Highness, the person before you now is not the ‘sir’ Yu’er spoke of, but a Doctor, and you are not the lofty Zhennan King, but merely a patient. Please understand her filial piety.”
Li Huan’s expression shifted several times, and at last, he could only sigh helplessly.
“Ah… forget it.”
He stretched out his hand and placed it on the Wrist Pillow.
“Go ahead, but once you’re done, leave at once. If I find out Yu’er has been mistreated, you know what the consequences will be.”
Xu Ping’an calmly placed three fingers on the Pulse Gate.
“There is no need for Your Highness to remind me. I assure you, I will never mistreat those by my side. As for grievances, that is something Your Highness need not worry about.”
Li Huan rolled his eyes in annoyance.
This brat really has a big mouth.
There were only two in his own house, and even then, there would sometimes be fights and quarrels, giving him no end of headaches.
Now, Xu Ping’an already had two by his side.
When it came to the position of principal wife, Li Zhi’er and Li Yuer—those two girls—would probably compete fiercely for it.
And who knew how many more there would be in the future? Judging by what he knew about Xu Ping’an’s deeds…
This fellow is a real playboy!
Always getting women involved with him.
While these thoughts were swirling in his mind, Xu Ping’an withdrew his hand and looked at Li Huan.
“Your Highness… this is an external injury. Although it hasn’t harmed your foundation, it has struck at your vital essence, leading to the extinction of your lineage. In the beginning, you could rely on your own robust constitution, and there was no impact in the bedchamber. But as time went by, I imagine you’ve begun to feel your strength fading.”
Li Huan’s pupils trembled slightly. Even though Xu Ping’an had only said a few words, he had completely pointed out his current condition.
“Though Your Highness puts on a fearless front, there has long been frustration building up in your heart. As you grow older, haven’t you noticed a dry mouth and tongue, and sometimes upon waking, a bitter taste?”
“…Yes, the Imperial Physician said it was Liver Fire Stagnation.”
“Exactly. Your injury has already affected the root; even Kidney Water has been compromised and can no longer balance the Liver Fire. For now, you’re beginning to feel weak, but it is not fatal. What could truly take your life is your liver.”
“With the way you put it, I might not have much time left!”
“If nothing changes, within three years, Your Highness’s Kidney Water will be depleted, Liver Fire Stagnation and Evil Fire Invading the Heart will follow, leading to Chest Pain and death.”
Xu Ping’an sighed. Fortunately, Li Yuer had spoken to him earlier; otherwise, if he missed this chance, he would have to resort to extraordinary measures to treat it.
“What!? You’re saying I have only three years?”
Li Huan stood up in disbelief. His broad and sturdy frame stirred up the air around him as he rose.
“That’s right. But there’s no need for Your Highness to worry. Since I can diagnose this, naturally I can cure it too.”
“You can cure this as well?”
“I can.”
Xu Ping’an nodded and took out a Porcelain Bottle from the Medicine Chest, pouring out an Elixir Pill.
“Your Highness, please take this pill first.”
The Zhennan King frowned slightly, looking at the bright red pill.
“Are you a Daoist cultivator? You even know alchemy?”
“No, this is medical technique. In fact, medicine and alchemy are not so different.” In the end, he swallowed it in one gulp.
After all, this brat before him was the person his most cherished daughter had chosen, so he could afford to trust him—at least, trust in Li Yuer’s judgment.
After taking the pill, he had expected, as many described, to feel light and energetic, a rush of warmth rising.
Yet unexpectedly, the pill melted in his mouth and immediately transformed into a cool sensation, coursing through his entire body and finally settling three inches below his navel.
“This…”
He was about to ask when a strange feeling suddenly surged up.
For that once-familiar yet now distant sensation, Li Huan’s body shuddered, and he looked at Xu Ping’an in astonishment.
“This…how can this be!?”
“Nothing is impossible. Your Highness’s root is already beginning to recover, but because the injury persisted for so long, you must abstain from bedchamber matters for a while, or it will affect your recovery.”
With that, Xu Ping’an took up the Xuan Paper, brush, and Ink from the table without the slightest hesitation and swiftly wrote out a Prescription.
He blew on the ink to dry it, then looked up at Li Huan.
“Your Highness, for the next three months, you must follow this Prescription exactly and not miss a single dose. After that, everything will return to normal.”
“It…it will be cured?”
“Yes. Three months, and it will be cured. By then, Your Highness will naturally know.”
Li Huan slowly stretched out his hand, his eyes full of disbelief, and took the still-damp Xuan Paper.
Looking at the forceful, penetrating calligraphy, he felt dazed and lost.
He never imagined that after so many years—after having already given up hope—he would see hope again today, from such a young man.
Xu Ping’an stood up and gave Li Huan a respectful salute.
“Now that the diagnosis and treatment are complete, I shall take my leave.”
With that, he turned and left without waiting for the Zhennan King’s reply.
But just as he reached the doorway, a voice called out from behind him.
“What, even now, you still don’t dare call me father-in-law?”