Chai Shao stared at Fang Er for a while, recalling that Sun Simiao had once mentioned Fang Er's good medical skills. He beckoned to Eunuch Deng, who was still standing by the dragon throne.
"Little Deng Zi, please go and inform them that the Duke of Shenyang might have a way to cure the illness."
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Deng hurried out of the hall.
Soon, the man ran back, sweating profusely, and said to Fang Er, "The Emperor summons you to the Ganlu Hall. Please follow me, Duke Fang."
The father-in-law and son-in-law followed Eunuch Deng out of the Taiji Palace.
In the Ganlu Hall, the imperial physicians were discussing treatment methods. However, judging by their expressions, they seemed to be at a loss regarding the Empress's condition.
"Quick, An Zhi, please examine the Empress!"
Li Shimin saw Fang Er's figure entering the hall and quickly pulled him to the phoenix couch.
Empress Zhangsun lay on the bed, her face contorted with pain, her eyes wide open, her hands clutching her neck, and her mouth agape as she gasped for breath.
This was clearly an asthma attack.
Fang Er, with his hands in his pockets for concealment, took out a bottle of asthma inhaler, fitted the mouthpiece, and immediately placed it on Empress Zhangsun's face.
He pressed the valve, and a mist of water sprayed into her nose and mouth.
After a moment, Empress Zhangsun's breathing became steady.
A while later, the pained expression on Empress Zhangsun's face disappeared. She looked at Li Shimin and softly called out, "Er Lang~!"
"Guanyin Bi! How are you! Do you feel any better?"
Li Shimin held Empress Zhangsun's hand, looking at her with concern.
"I'm... I'm much better. I don't feel so suffocated anymore."
Empress Zhangsun's voice was very weak.
It was understandable, as nearly an hour had passed since her illness began. It was fortunate she hadn't suffocated.
"Miraculous!"
"Incredible!"
"What is that thing in Duke Fang's hand? How can it be so effective!"
"It's so fast, in just a moment, the Empress is... better?"
From the time Fang Er entered until now, less than five minutes had passed, and the illness that had troubled the imperial physicians so much was suppressed. The group of imperial physicians could hardly believe their eyes.
"An Zhi, is the Empress truly well?"
Li Shimin asked Fang Er with eager anticipation.
"Your Majesty, the Empress's condition is a chronic ailment, and a complete cure will not be achieved in a day or two."
"The medicine in my hand can only provide relief."
"To cure it completely, she will likely need to take medicine for a long time."
As Fang Er spoke, he began taking medicine out of his pocket.
Although he had a lot of medicine in his space, he couldn't take it all out at once. His pockets were only so large, and taking out too much would be conspicuous.
Therefore, he only took out two bottles of Jizhi Syrup and a box of Salbutamol Sulfate, placing them by the bedside.
"The syrup is for relieving cough and asthma, and for invigorating the lungs and regulating qi. Salbutamol sulfate is a bronchodilator."
"Your Majesty, have the Empress drink three times a day from this bottle, one capful each time."
"This tablet medicine, one tablet a day."
"Also, ensure good ventilation and keep warm. Avoid catching a chill again."
After saying this, Fang Er pointed in the direction of the hall, where several plum trees were blooming, their flowers not only not withered but in full bloom.
"Also, please uproot those plum trees outside the hall. The Empress should not come into contact with pollen."
Li Shimin turned his head and looked at the imperial physicians still gathered in the hall. "Are you all deaf or something! Get out!"
After scolding the imperial physicians, he then looked at the palace maids and eunuchs. "And you! Uproot those plum trees! Throw them as far away as possible! From now on, no flowering plants are allowed to be planted in the palace!"
"What are you all standing around for? Get out!"
The imperial physicians, palace maids, and eunuchs, startled by this outburst, scrambled out of the hall.
"Er Lang, please don't be angry. I am fine now."
Empress Zhangsun quickly spoke to comfort Li Shimin when she saw him getting angry.
"You say you're fine? You almost scared me to death just now!"
Looking at her face, which was gradually regaining its color, Li Shimin finally felt the great weight lifted from his heart.
"An Zhi, quickly bring the medicine for your aunt to take."
With a "snap," Fang Er removed the measuring cup from the cap of the Jizhi Syrup bottle. He unscrewed the cap and poured a cup, holding it to Empress Zhangsun's lips.
"I'll do it."
Li Shimin took the measuring cup and carefully fed Empress Zhangsun.
"Mmm~~ It's so sweet, it's almost too much for my throat. Wu Shuang, fetch me some water."
The thick syrup made Empress Zhangsun feel a little uncomfortable. She turned to the only palace maid remaining in the hall and said.
"No!"
Fang Er quickly stopped her.
"Aunt, this medicine needs to stay in the throat for a longer time to exert its full effect."
"Alright then, Aunt will bear with it for a while."
Empress Zhangsun nodded slightly and then looked at Li Shimin.
"Er Lang, aren't you in the midst of the grand court assembly? You should hurry back to the Taiji Palace, or the officials will be kept waiting."
"How can I leave if you're like this? I can't be at ease."
"It's alright. With An Zhi here, he can keep me company and chat. You go and attend to your business."
Li Shimin looked at Fang Er, then at Empress Zhangsun.
"Can he stay here?"
Fang Er was speechless. It was as if he hadn't just pulled the Empress back from the brink of death.
"Hurry up and go. I don't want to be accused of hindering the nation and the ruler."
Empress Zhangsun smiled and gently pushed Li Shimin.
"Grandmother! Whoever dares to curse, I'll have their nine generations of kin executed!"
Li Shimin raised his eyebrows and cursed quite seriously.
"Your Majesty, we should return. It's not appropriate to keep the officials waiting."
Chai Shao advised from the side.
After pondering for a moment, his gaze repeatedly swept over Fang Er and Empress Zhangsun.
He then looked at the medicine placed by the bedside and nodded. "Fine, fine. I'll go back to court now. Guanyin Bi, rest well."
He then looked at Fang Er. "An Zhi, take good care of your aunt. I'll be back soon."
"Also, the matter of national debt we discussed in the hall just now, I'll leave it to you!"
After saying this, he gently stroked Empress Zhangsun's face a few times before returning to the Taiji Palace with Chai Shao.