Chapter 96: Seize Them and Take Them Away

Seeing Wei Zichao order men to surround him, Li Yi stopped in his tracks and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Yet there was not the slightest trace of panic on his face. Instead, he carried himself with a calm, unshaken dignity, like a mountain standing firm.

Wei Zichao, seeing this, clasped his hands behind his back and strolled unhurriedly to a stop before Li Yi.

With a faint smile that quickly turned into a cold snort, he said in a teasing tone, “Well, well. Didn’t think you had this much backbone. You stole the medicinal herbs from our Physicians’ Hall, and now you even dare to threaten me, a mere clerk?”

Li Yi said nothing, not even bothering to spare him another glance.

Wei Zichao’s smiling face froze at once, and he felt utterly humiliated.

He had not expected Li Yi to simply ignore him.

That was even more of a slap in the face than if Li Yi had argued back in public.

“Hmph.” Wei Zichao’s expression darkened. Too lazy to waste any more words, he gave his men a direct order. “Seize him. Take him away!”

“Yes, Clerk!” His underlings answered and slowly moved in, preparing to lay hands on Li Yi.

But at that very moment, an angry voice suddenly rang out from afar.

“Wei Zichao, stop right there!”

In an instant, that sudden and icy shout spread through the air. Everyone heard it clearly.

Even the physicians inside the hall, who had remained silent until then, immediately turned to look in surprise.

Following the voice, they saw a man walking slowly toward them.

This man was none other than Wang, the medicine boy sent by Luo Jihai.

Everyone in the Imperial Medical Bureau knew him and knew he was one of Luo Jihai’s favorites.

Li Yi also turned to look. But when he saw who it was, he could not help but be slightly taken aback.

“Isn’t that the medicine boy beside Imperial Physician Luo? Why is he here? Could it be… this hall clerk is one of his men?” Li Yi thought to himself.

The more he thought about it, the more he felt that Li Shimin’s decision to have him serve as a physician was not nearly as simple as it seemed.

Still, Li Yi did not say a word and remained silent.

At that moment, seeing Wang approach, Wei Zichao instantly became as timid as a mouse before a cat, forcing out a flattering smile.

“Physician Wang, what brings you here?” he said with a grin that was not quite a grin.

Wang showed him no courtesy at all. As soon as he arrived, he launched into a furious scolding.

“You fool! Wei Zichao, you’re only a lowly clerk, and you still dare offend Physician Li? Are your damn eyes blind? Get lost, now!”

Wang was seething with anger, glaring fiercely at Wei Zichao, practically breathing fire.

He had only just received Luo, the senior imperial physician’s instructions and hurried over to the Physicians’ Hall to wait for Li Yi, never expecting to walk straight into this mess.

“Even Senior Imperial Physician Luo treats Li Bo’an with utmost respect, and yet this little clerk Wei Zichao dares offend him? Truly he has come here carrying a lantern into the latrine—asking for death,” Wang cursed inwardly.

Wei Zichao was completely stunned by the rebuke. He looked at Li Yi in disbelief, then back at Wang, and asked with a bitter face, “Physician Wang, what’s gotten into you today?”

He remembered Wang as a very mild-mannered man, one who had never flown into such a rage before.

Why was he so angry today?

Wei Zichao could not make sense of it.

“What’s gotten into me?” Wang snapped, his eyebrows shooting up. He rolled up his sleeves in fury, looking very much as though he wanted to hit someone.

This damned Wei Zichao—could he not see the situation at all? I’m saving his life!

If it were not for Yang Lin, I would have loved to beat him senseless on the spot!

“Get out of here at once. Don’t stand there and offend Physician Li’s eyes!” Wang barked again, glaring at Wei Zichao hard.

Then, without caring what expression Wei Zichao was making, Wang went straight up to Li Yi.

“Physician Li, please forgive this disgrace. This clerk is ignorant. I hope a man of your stature will not stoop to his level.”

After bowing respectfully and offering his apology, Wang said slowly, “My master has invited you to the Imperial Physicians’ Hall for a discussion, Physician Li. I wonder if you would be willing…”

Li Yi frowned slightly and did not answer immediately.

Wang’s sudden appearance, as well as Luo the senior imperial physician’s unexpected invitation, left Li Yi somewhat puzzled.

After thinking in silence for a while, Li Yi suddenly asked, “He is one of your men?”

Wang’s expression froze at once, and his heart sank.

He naturally understood the meaning behind Li Yi’s words. When he had just spoken up for Wei Zichao, he had already displeased Li Yi. It seemed Wei Zichao was doomed today.

“Physician Li, he is not one of my men.” Wang hurriedly shook his head, distancing himself from Wei Zichao.

Then he leaned close to Li Yi’s ear and said softly, “Physician Li, this Wei Zichao belongs to Yang Lin of the Thousand Guards. This humble official does not dare offend Yang Lin, which is why I could not punish him on your behalf.”

Li Yi could not help but be slightly stunned. He frowned and looked at Wang. “Is that true?”

“It is absolutely true, sir. If you do not believe me, you may ask the others.” Wang was so frightened by Li Yi’s expression that his heart nearly leapt into his throat.

He clenched his teeth, then nodded heavily to show that he had not spoken a single false word.

Seeing that he did not seem to be lying, Li Yi smiled faintly.

“In that case, do as you see fit,” Li Yi said casually. Looking at Wang before him, he asked in a light, unconcerned tone, “Do you need me to do it myself?”

“Understood. This humble official understands!” Wang nodded hastily, terrified that if he answered even a little late, he might ruin his master’s business.

Besides, he also knew that Li Bo’an was no ordinary noble son.

Even Yang Lin, who had gone to complain before the throne, had been harshly punished by Li Shimin and demoted by one rank.

He would rather offend Yang Lin than offend Li Yi.

What was more, his master was currently desperate for a chance to improve relations with Li Yi.

This was perfect, all things considered, a single move serving multiple purposes.

At once, Wang glanced at the men surrounding Li Yi, then at Wei Zichao. Taking a deep breath, he beckoned to the guards nearby.

“Come here,” Wang ordered sternly. “Seize Wei Zichao and all his accomplices and take them to the chief registrar for punishment!”

“Yes, Physician Wang!” The guards who rushed over immediately stepped forward and arrested Wei Zichao and the others.

At once, everyone was stunned beyond belief.

Wei Zichao was stunned too, almost dumbstruck.

He stared at Wang, who had given the order, and shouted angrily, “Physician Wang, do you even know who I am? My uncle is Yang Lin of the Thousand Guards. How dare you lay hands on me?!”

“Seize him and take him away!” Wang said coldly, his brows drawn tight, completely ignoring Wei Zichao’s bellowing.

“Yes!” The guards answered in unison and dragged Wei Zichao and the rest away directly.

Only when they were certain it was real did the people in the Physicians’ Hall finally wake as if from a dream.