Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

Ever since I went to the palace to treat the Queen last time, my reputation as the "Yang Mansion Miracle Doctor" has been completely established.

Logically speaking, I should take advantage of this favorable situation, keep a low profile, and enjoy the leisurely life of an ancient lady.

Unfortunately, fate does not allow me to be a beautiful girl quietly.

Every day I am either sick or uncomfortable, as if I am a mobile clinic for the entire Yingtian Prefecture.

Especially now that he has taken on the position of imperial physician, his reputation has become even greater.

"Miss, please get up quickly! There is someone outside seeking medical treatment again." Early in the morning, Xiao Cui rushed into my room with anticipation written all over her face.

I drowsily sat up from the bed and rubbed my eyes. "Who's sick again? I've been so busy these past few days."

Xiao Cui smiled so hard that she couldn't close her mouth. "I heard it's the eldest young master of the Zhou family, and he's seriously ill! They said they have to ask you to come in and cure him, otherwise he won't be able to recover."

I sighed and rolled my eyes silently in my heart: Am I really the last hope of ancient times?

"Okay, after all, I'm a 'miracle doctor'." I got up from the bed helplessly and quickly changed into a loose dress "specially used for diagnosis and treatment."

It was only when I arrived at Zhou’s house that I realized how troublesome the situation was.

Zhou Tingfeng, the eldest son of the Zhou family, was lying on the bed with a sallow complexion. He looked so weak that he looked like he had just returned from a trip to hell.

This situation immediately reminded me of a possibility - food poisoning.

I walked up and felt his pulse first. It was weak, and there was definitely something wrong.

"Have you eaten anything unclean recently?" I asked, trying to express myself in words that the ancients could understand.

The Zhou family members looked at each other in bewilderment. Mrs. Zhou frowned and thought for a moment, "A few days ago, Tingfeng went out to eat some street food. After he came back, he started having stomachaches, and they got worse and worse."

Hearing this, I was pretty sure of my suspicions—food poisoning was the answer. Fortunately, this disease is quite common these days, and the treatment isn't complicated.

"He's been poisoned. He must have eaten unclean food." I immediately made a diagnosis, and the Zhou family suddenly became nervous.

"Then...what should we do?" Mrs. Zhou was so anxious that tears were about to fall.

"Don't worry, I'll prepare some medicinal soup. With proper rest and recuperation, you should be able to recover soon." I comforted him.

I prescribed a simple prescription containing herbs that clear heat and detoxify, such as Coptis chinensis and Honeysuckle, plus modern "hydration therapy" - which means asking him to drink more water to detoxify.

The Zhou family was stunned when they heard this, but they still listened to me.

To be honest, although my formula of "modern medicine + ancient herbs" sounds a bit mysterious, the effect is actually quite good.

Not long after Zhou Tingfeng drank the medicine, his complexion improved slightly.

"Next, tell him to drink plenty of water, eat a light diet, and avoid greasy foods." I reminded him, "He should be able to recover in three to five days."

The Zhou family was filled with gratitude, and Mrs. Zhou even kowtowed to me to express her gratitude.

I quickly stopped her and thought: The ancient people really paid attention to etiquette. I can't accept such a great gift.

After returning to Yang's Mansion, I thought I could have a good rest for a while, but obviously I underestimated my "popularity".

"Miss, you're back!" Xiao Cui ran over excitedly, "Just now a young man gave some gifts, saying he was grateful for saving his elder brother."

"Young Master?" I was stunned. "Which young master?"

"It's the second young master of the Zhou family! He even specially sent several boxes of gifts!" Xiao Cui pointed to several large boxes in the yard, her eyes sparkling.

I glanced helplessly at the boxes, muttering to myself: "Aren't ancient people too particular about gift giving? I just cured a case of food poisoning, and they gave me so many things?"

Xiao Cui opened the box, which contained all kinds of silks, jewelry, and several boxes of exquisite pastries.

Her eyes lit up as she looked at them, and she said excitedly, "Miss, these are all top-notch items! You are truly amazing!"

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes and waved my hand, "Alright, alright, put it away. I don't need these things."

Xiao Cui looked incredulous: "Miss, this is a great gift from the Zhou Mansion, you really don't like it?"

I sighed. "I don't treat patients and save lives for these things. Besides, having enough to eat and wear warmly is enough. Why bother with all these fancy things?"

Xiao Cui pouted, obviously puzzled by my "high moral character".

But she still obediently put away the gifts, muttering softly, "Young lady is really unique. If it were anyone else, they would have been overjoyed."

Even though I said I didn't care, I was actually a little proud in my heart.

After all, the "application" of modern medical knowledge in ancient times has a very significant effect.

However, as the reputation of "Yang Mansion Miracle Doctor" grew, my life gradually became less peaceful.

Every day there are endless streams of people coming to seek medical treatment, either because their family members are sick or someone has chest pain, which makes me overwhelmed.

I even suspected that I had accidentally turned on some kind of "medical cheat", otherwise why would so many patients come to me?

That day, I had just walked around the backyard of the Yang Mansion for a few laps and was about to take a nap when suddenly, a eunuch from the palace rushed in: "Miss Yang, the Queen is feeling unwell. Please come to the palace immediately!"

My heart suddenly tightened, and I stood up from the chair: "Okay, I'll go right away."

I silently despise myself in my heart. Why do I have a sense of déjà vu of "996 overtime"?

Night shifts aren’t that common in modern hospitals!

Even after traveling back to the Ming Dynasty, he still couldn't escape the "fate of overtime work".

Along the way, I tried to keep myself calm. After all, the queen is a very important person and cannot be treated casually.

Her anemia symptoms just improved last time, but I don’t know what the problem is this time.

When I arrived at the queen's bedroom, I walked in carefully and saw the queen sitting by the bed. Her face was a little pale, but her complexion was much better than last time.

"Ms. Yang, I've been feeling dizzy and stuffy lately. I wonder if the symptoms from last time are coming back."

The Queen's voice was soft, but her tone was filled with immense trust.

I quickly stepped forward, took her pulse, and used my "pulse listener" to check her heart and lung condition.

After a careful examination, I breathed a sigh of relief. It should still be the symptoms caused by anemia, but because the diet and nutrition in this era are not enough, the recovery is relatively slow.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. It's still the same illness as last time. It's just that your qi and blood are weak. Your body needs time to recuperate." I comforted her with a smile.

"What should I do? I have been taking the prescriptions given by the imperial doctors, but why is there no improvement?" The queen was a little anxious.

I thought to myself: The problem of malnutrition in ancient times was really serious. Taking medicine can only relieve the symptoms but cannot solve the fundamental problem.

"Your Majesty, while medication is important, you also need to pay attention to your diet. I suggest you eat more iron-rich foods, such as beef, red dates, and chicken stewed with angelica. This will help replenish your blood faster."

I said this seriously, trying to explain modern nutritional principles in a way that ancient people could understand.

The Queen nodded and said, "Then let's do as you say. Let the Imperial Kitchen prepare these."

I gave him a few more reminders and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, it was nothing serious this time.

After returning from the palace, I felt like an "ancient nutritionist", always reminding everyone to eat more meat and less fried foods.

However, considering the dietary structure of ancient people, such advice can indeed help them recover faster.

Just as I was about to go back to my room to rest, Xiao Cui came running over: "Miss, you're back! There was another message from the palace just now."

I was stunned: "What happened again?"

"This time it's not a patient, it's His Royal Highness the Crown Prince who wants to see you!" Xiao Cui's eyes flashed with gossip. "I heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was very grateful for your treatment last time, and this time he specially invited you to the palace to chat!"

"Chatting?" I looked confused, and my heart was already beating fast: Could it be that the prince had other intentions?

No matter what, I still have to go. After all, it's the Crown Prince who summoned me, so I can't refuse.

When I arrived at the prince's study, I saw Zhu Biao sitting on the couch as soon as I entered, holding a book in his hands with a focused expression.

When he saw me come in, he immediately put down his book, stood up with a smile and said, "Miss Yang, it's been a while since we last met. How have you been lately?"

I quickly bowed and said, "Your Highness, I am well."

"I heard that the emperor has entrusted the treatment of the illnesses in the palace to you. Thank you for your hard work." Zhu Biao said gently, with a hint of concern in his tone.

"Your Highness, you are too kind. I am only doing my duty." I bowed my head and said modestly, but I was a little confused in my heart: Why is Your Highness so... gentle and considerate today?

Zhu Biao looked at me and smiled, then suddenly changed the subject: "Miss Yang is a skilled doctor. I wonder if you would like to stay in the palace permanently? If you were here, I'm sure everyone in the palace would feel much more at ease."

Permanent? In the palace? I was shocked. Does Zhu Biao mean that he wants me to stay in the palace for a long time?

This is not a good sign.

"Your Highness, I am only a novice in medicine. There are many imperial physicians in the palace, and I dare not take away their expertise." I quickly declined, and I had already started to back down in my heart.

Zhu Biao smiled faintly, as if he saw through my thoughts: "Miss Yang, there is no need to be modest. Your medical skills are beyond the reach of even the imperial physicians. With your help, the health of the palace will surely be safe."

My heart skipped a beat. It seemed like I really couldn't escape this time.

When I came out of the prince's study, all I could think about was the "permanent imperial physician".

Although the prince was very polite in his words and deeds, I knew that once I stayed in the palace, my free life would be completely gone.

When I returned to the Yang residence, I told Xiao Cui what had happened. She was thrilled and said, "Miss, if you stayed in the palace, you would have such a glorious life! Even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince values ​​you so much!"

I sighed helplessly: "It's beautiful, but I don't want to be trapped in the palace..."

Although I am now the eldest daughter of the Yang family and have the protection of my father Yang Shiqi, I know that entering the depths of the palace is not a good thing.

The palace struggles in ancient times were complicated. If you were not careful, your head would be in danger.

After much thought, I decided that I should find an opportunity to discuss with my father and see if I can get rid of the blame of being the "imperial physician".