Chapter Seven: Demanding Accountability

In the following two days, Su Chen casually let slip to outsiders that he intended to craft a new foot for the young master of the Niu family.

The people of Chang’an were fond of gossip, especially about the wealthy and noble families, and news spread swiftly. Within three days, the matter was the talk of the city.

Moreover, the young master of the Niu family visited Su Chen’s clinic every day, further confirming the authenticity of the rumor.

The streets of Chang’an buzzed with excitement, and the clinic was swarmed by curious onlookers eager to see if Su Chen could truly replace a foot.

One morning, Niu Jinda received a message from Su Chen stating that the first prosthetic foot was completed, only requiring a bit of polishing before it could be fitted and tested.

Early at dawn, Niu Jinda submitted a formal request for leave, absenting himself from the court assembly, and hurried by horseback to the clinic.

Upon arrival, he immediately spotted the carriage frame of Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Niu Jinda had no idea how Li Chengqian had learned of the matter, but it was clear he had come because of the prosthetic foot. After exchanging greetings, Niu Jinda quickly entered the clinic.

Inside, the two found the clinic deserted except for a booming voice calling out.

“Where is that Su boy? Bring him out! I want to ask who taught him such nonsense medical skills, daring to claim he can replace a person’s foot!”

Niu Jinda recognized the voice; stepping forward a few paces, he saw an elderly man with white hair and beard, exuding an ethereal aura.

“Ah, it’s Taoist Sun. I, Niu, pay my respects,” he said.

Upon hearing that the legendary Sun Immortal had arrived, Li Chengqian dared not be neglectful and hurried forward to pay his respects.

“Your Highness Li Chengqian, greetings to the divine healer! How is your health, sir?” Taoist Sun turned and noticed the elder and younger men behind him. He nodded and inquired, “Your Highness, I heard this clinic is also under your patronage?”

Li Chengqian respectfully nodded. “Yes, my brother-in-law is usually idle, but now that he wishes to do something beneficial for the country and people, I naturally support him.”

“Foolish!” Taoist Sun glared at Li Chengqian angrily. “As the heir apparent, how can you allow such absurdity? That Su boy knows nothing of medicine, and you dare let him run a clinic? This is not saving lives but endangering them!”

Faced with such a venerable Taoist, to whom even his own father showed deference, Li Chengqian dared not argue and hurriedly explained, “But I heard from Su Chen himself that he studied under you for a few months. I also consulted several medical officers from the Imperial Medical Bureau, who confirmed he truly has skill. Otherwise, how could I allow him to act recklessly?”

Taoist Sun almost exploded with anger upon hearing this.

“A few months? The nerve to say that! He only stayed under my tutelage for ten days, during which he burned all the precious herbs I painstakingly collected. In my fury, I had no choice but to expel him.”

“Ah? Is that true?” Li Chengqian was stunned, his jaw nearly dropping.

Though skeptical, Niu Jinda trusted Su Chen implicitly. Over these days, he had frequently visited the clinic, witnessing Su Chen treating patients and even meeting several townsfolk who came to express gratitude after being cured.

Hearing Taoist Sun’s words, Niu Jinda felt uneasy and refrained from defending Su Chen. Instead, he asked a servant who was brewing tea, “Where is your young master? It’s quite late—why hasn’t he arrived yet?”

“Uncle Niu, please don’t rush. Your nephew is coming now!” came Su Chen’s muffled voice from outside.

Everyone turned to see Su Chen entering, a white steamed bun clenched in his mouth.

In truth, it was a beef-filled bun he had specially made to reward himself for his hard work these days—delicious beyond measure.

Noticing that Li Chengqian, Niu Jinda, and the long-absent Taoist Sun were all present, Su Chen hurriedly stuffed the bun into his mouth and respectfully bowed to Taoist Sun.

He could disregard Li Chengqian and Niu Jinda, but he dared not show disrespect to the revered Taoist Sun, a living legend.

“Greetings, Taoist. It has been a long time. How is your health?” Su Chen asked.

Still fuming, Taoist Sun paid no mind to formalities. Grabbing Su Chen’s wrist, his eyes reddened as he questioned, “Rascal, who told you that you could replace someone’s foot? Whose foot do you plan to cut off and attach to the young master of the Niu family?”

Su Chen had braced himself for this confrontation but had not expected Taoist Sun to be the first to arrive.

He swallowed the bun with difficulty, scratched his head, and smiled, “I do not intend to use anyone’s foot. I am making a foot for Brother Jianhu.”

“What?” Taoist Sun’s surprise flickered only briefly before he shouted again, “Nonsense! Humans are formed by their parents and nourished by the essence of heaven and earth. From flesh and bone to hair, nothing can be replaced. Since ancient times, have you ever heard of any technique that can transplant limbs?”

Su Chen clasped his hands and replied, “Taoist, just because such things didn’t exist before doesn’t mean they cannot now. We simply lack imagination and vision. In this world, there are indeed methods akin to grafting and replacement.”

“Besides, I have already crafted a foot and plan to fit it to Jianhu at the Niu residence today.”

“You must prepare yourself mentally; this is an unprecedented marvel!”

Saying this, Su Chen clapped his hands, and a servant carrying a two-foot-long box entered.

...

Inside the palace, Emperor Li Er, having missed court due to a sudden headache, was reclining on a soft couch in the Ganlu Hall, enjoying a massage from Empress Changsun.

“Guanyin Maid, did you hear? Early this morning, Niu Jinda went to that clinic in Pingkang Lane.”

Changsun, curious, did not know why the emperor suddenly mentioned this.

“Is Lord Langya ill? Why didn’t he seek the imperial physicians in the palace, instead going to a civilian clinic?”

After a long massage of his temples, Li Er felt much better. He patted Changsun’s hand, signaling her to stop.

“That clinic is run by Su Dan’s son, Su Chen. That scoundrel absconded with four imperial physicians from the bureau and even registered himself as an attending doctor.”

Hearing the mention of the crown prince’s brother-in-law, Changsun seemed to recall something but was uncertain. She said, “I heard Su Chen is notorious in Chang’an for causing trouble. Can such a man really treat patients?”

Li Er sat up, sipped tea, and chuckled, “That scoundrel specializes in curing rare ailments and even hands out free medicine to the common folk. Many in Chang’an have benefited from him. Given time, he might gain a reputation for saving countless lives.”

Surprised, Changsun asked, “Could it be someone in Lord Langya’s household suffers from a difficult disease?”

Li Er waved his hand and explained, “No. Niu Jinda has been running all over town these days for his son’s foot. I heard Su Chen intends to replace young Jianhu’s foot. It’s quite a remarkable endeavor!”

“If not for my illness, I would go see it for myself!”

Meanwhile, the Niu residence was bustling.

Veteran ministers and generals like Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong, Li Jing, Li Ji, and Li Xiaogong all arrived upon hearing the news.

Initially, they scoffed at the idea of Su Chen replacing young Jianhu’s foot, but upon learning that Taoist Sun had also gone, they took it seriously and converged at the Niu household.

Once there, they surrounded Su Chen and Taoist Sun, bombarding them with questions.

These were all famed ministers and valiant generals, comrades-in-arms with Li Er from campaigns south and north.

Though Su Chen came from a later era, he had heard of these old warriors through various channels.

The most outrageous thing was that these men had fierce tempers; a single misstep in speech could cost one a beating before any explanation.

Naturally, Su Chen dared not ignore them. While managing their inquiries, he asked Li Chengqian beside him, “Hey, did the emperor and empress know you left the palace this time?”

Li Chengqian did not understand why Su Chen suddenly asked but answered, “Probably not. After receiving the decree that the emperor had missed court today, I went straight to the clinic.”

Su Chen nodded in understanding. Instead of rushing to fit Jianhu’s foot, he began chatting leisurely with the old ministers.

Seeing Su Chen suddenly relax after earlier worry, Li Chengqian tugged his sleeve and said, “What are you up to? Hurry up and replace Jianhu’s foot! Everyone’s waiting!”

Su Chen grinned and glanced toward the gate. “What’s the rush? The star of the show hasn’t arrived yet.”