Chapter Twelve: Li Jing’s Treatment Plan

Inside the Li residence, several people talked until nightfall.

Li Jing had a dinner prepared, this time inviting Su Chen.

During this time, he recounted the years his wife had been ill.

Su Chen also offered a treatment plan and prescribed some medicine.

“From now on, I can come once every three days. A few sessions of acupuncture, along with these herbal decoctions—my clinic has them as well. I’ll bring them over. Following this plan, she will surely recover within a month.”

Li Jing listened with great excitement, eager to tell his wife immediately. But since she was resting, he didn’t want to disturb her.

Cheng Yaojin was very curious about the "Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles" and "Dong’s Mysterious Acupoints" Su Chen mentioned.

He asked about them on the way.

“From what you say, these methods are so miraculous—how come the imperial physicians don’t know about them?”

Cheng Yaojin had once thought the palace doctors were formidable.

Now, seeing Su Chen’s knowledge, he felt those old officials were overrated.

“These ‘Ghost Gate Thirteen Needles’ were created by Bian Que. The imperial doctors probably never came across them, so they don’t know. As for the ‘Dong’s Mysterious Acupoints,’ they were developed by Dong Jingchang. It’s normal that the palace doctors are unaware.”

Li Jing had heard of Bian Que’s name before.

But who Dong Jingchang was, no one in the Li residence knew.

Still, everything Su Chen said made sense, suggesting Dong was a master in medicine, only unknown to them.

What they didn’t realize was that Dong Jingchang would be born over a thousand years later—so naturally, they hadn’t heard of him.

Cheng Yaojin wondered if Dong Jingchang was related to Dong Zhuo but couldn’t figure it out. He resolved to invite Su Chen to his home later to ask more thoroughly.

“I told you, the Su family boy is extraordinary. Just as I thought.”

Cheng Yaojin laughed, feeling he had done Li Jing a favor this time.

“Speaking of ‘Dong’s Mysterious Acupoints,’ some of the needles target old internal injuries.”

Su Chen said, looking at Li Jing.

Li Jing’s expression changed noticeably. These were old internal wounds, left untreated properly, causing lingering issues.

Hearing this, Cheng Yaojin slapped his thigh and stood up.

Originally, Cheng Yaojin had brought Su Chen to examine Li Jing, but after hearing about Li Jing’s wife, they got sidetracked and forgot to treat Li Jing himself.

“Old Li, come on, let the Su boy give you a few needles.”

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Li Jing was calmer than Cheng Yaojin.

He knew his own injuries well; after so many years, he hadn’t expected to recover. Even a slight easing of pain would be a blessing. His main hope was to cure his wife—that was what truly mattered.

“These are old wounds. Many imperial doctors have said the cold wind has penetrated to the bone. Treatment is extremely difficult.”

Li Jing shook his head. Though they acknowledged Su Chen’s skills, he knew his condition was deep-rooted—not something most could handle.

Su Chen could tell from Li Jing’s expression that curing him wouldn’t be easy.

“May I feel your pulse?”

Su Chen grew serious. Li Jing was a military god they needed on their side—a true legend feared even by Changsun Wuji. Though Changsun Wuji was the top civil official, Li Jing was a godlike figure among the military.

Li Jing extended his hand.

Su Chen carefully examined his pulse.

The readings confirmed the cold wind had settled in his bones, but Su Chen also sensed Li Jing’s robust constitution.

A smile appeared on Su Chen’s face.

Seeing this, Cheng Yaojin nearly blurted out a question.

Su Chen didn’t keep them waiting and spoke.

“The imperial doctors were right; the cold has reached the bone. For an ordinary person, it would be untreatable. But Uncle Li is different. I believe I can expel the cold from your bones within a month.”

Su Chen had devised a strategy.

Using “Dong’s Mysterious Acupoints” combined with formulas from the Fire God sect would surely drive out the cold.

Ordinary people with weaker constitutions couldn’t endure such treatment.

The medicine was potent; without strength, the patient might collapse before healing.

But from the pulse, Su Chen sensed Li Jing’s formidable physique, making him confident in using the Fire God’s remedies.

“That’s wonderful! I told you this boy is really something.”

Cheng Yaojin was elated that evening.

After setting the treatment plan, Su Chen ate his fill and then left.

Watching Su Chen depart, Li Jing remained stunned for a long time.

“A genius of the ages. If he can heal my wife, I will protect him. This boy’s future is limitless.”

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Li Jing not only recognized Su Chen’s medical prowess but also his character.

From his every move that day, he was shrewd and capable—not inferior to any court official, but without their unpleasantness, enriched instead by pure sincerity.

When Cheng Yaojin left the Li residence and saw his own son, he grew furious.

“You good-for-nothing! Why don’t you learn from the Su boy? What do you do every day, loitering in the streets? Tomorrow, you’re going to help out at Su boy’s clinic.”

Without comparison, there would be no disappointment.

Looking at his son, then at Su Chen—one seemed to be in the heavens, the other on earth—he wondered how his son could be so hopeless, not inheriting a shred of his own genes.

“Yes.”

Cheng Chu’s face darkened. He hadn’t done anything wrong but was scolded by his father.

He wanted to retort, but seeing his father flushed and clearly drunk, he dared not. Otherwise, he’d get beaten.

So he held his tongue and rode the carriage back to the Cheng residence.

Su Chen had a fruitful day.

He had won over Li Jing.

“Changsun Chong, your whole family might regret this.”

Lying in the carriage on the way back to the clinic, Su Chen pondered the key figures.

If he could win them all over, Changsun Chong would face the entire influential elite of Chang’an.

Even Changsun Wuji wouldn’t dare do such a thing.

Back at the clinic, Zhou Taifu awaited him.

Earlier that day, Li Chengqian had sent someone to retrieve the bag but left no word—just took it and left.

Su Chen nodded, understanding Li Chengqian’s intentions.

“He doesn’t want me to pull Empress Changsun into this. Heh, but that’s not up to you anymore. I’ll find a way to let Empress Changsun know.”

Li Chengqian didn’t want others to know he was getting medicine from Su Chen.

But Su Chen was already planning how to inform Empress Changsun.