Since arriving in Youzhou the previous year and enduring a bitter winter at the northernmost edge of Great Tang territory, Li Yuanying had been ill for more than nine months.
At first, he had only mild headaches and tired easily, but could still move about as usual. On New Year's Day, he had even ridden through the snow to offer incense at Minzhong Temple. Anyone would have been consumed by grief and anger after such a nearly fatal political blow, and when emotions went unrelieved and pent-up spirits could find no outlet, a little physical illness was hardly unusual. Apart from his two wet nurses, Madam Li and Lady Yu, no one had taken it seriously-not even he himself.
As time passed, however, his headaches grew steadily worse, affecting his appetite and sleep. Prolonged insomnia and ringing in his ears plagued him, and he could not digest his food. Even wind, light, and loud noises aggravated his condition.
After consulting together, the physician who had accompanied him and Youzhou's renowned doctors concluded that he was suffering from difficulty acclimatizing after his move, along with the hereditary affliction of the Li Tang Imperial House-wind-head syndrome.
This ailment was particularly troublesome. It seldom manifested in youth, only emerging after a certain age. During an attack, the head felt ready to split; food would not go down, and sleep would not come at night. The sufferer gradually weakened until normal life became impossible.
Many members of the imperial clan suffered from it, and there was still no effective treatment. Little could be done beyond avoiding exertion and slowly recuperating in peace. Then word came from Chang'an of his younger sister's sudden death. This dealt Li Yuanying a fatal blow in spirit, and he collapsed completely. Many speculated that Prince Shao would end like