Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

Ever since Crown Prince Zhu Biao suggested that I "stay in the palace permanently", there was only one thought in my mind: escape!

This is no joke. As a modern person, I am well aware of the complexity and dangers of the ancient palace.

Once you are involved, it is not just a matter of curing diseases and saving lives. You may be involved in various power struggles at any time and anywhere.

The first thing I did after returning to the Yang Mansion was to look for my father, Yang Shiqi.

"Dad, I have something to talk to you about." After dinner, I found an opportunity and sneaked into my dad's study.

Yang Shiqi was reviewing some memorials under the lamp. When he saw me come in, he looked up and said with a smile, "Tong'er, what are you so anxious about?"

I sat down at his desk, took a deep breath, and decided to get straight to the point: "Dad, the emperor wants me to enter the palace as the 'resident imperial physician', but I don't want to go!"

Yang Shiqi was stunned for a moment, then frowned slightly: "Oh? Staying in the palace permanently? This is a great honor, why would I not want it?"

"Honor is honor, life is life!" I couldn't help but complain, "Dad, you know how complicated the palace is. What if I can't cure someone or accidentally offend someone? Wouldn't that mean I'd lose my head? Besides, I'm a girl, staying in the palace every day. How can I have freedom?"

Yang Shiqi was silent for a moment, obviously thinking about what I said.

After a while, he finally spoke: "Tong'er, being an imperial physician is indeed not easy, especially in the palace. But you also have to understand that since the Emperor and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince value you, it is also an honor for the Yang family. If you can gain a foothold in the palace, it will also be of great benefit to our Yang family."

I was speechless: it’s the “family honor” thing again!

Traveling back to ancient times, I have heard these words countless times.

But the problem is, I am just an ordinary doctor, and I have no intention of becoming a big figure who "brings honor to the family" in ancient times!

"Dad, aren't you afraid that something might happen to me in the palace?" I asked tentatively.

Yang Shiqi sighed and said earnestly, "Tong'er, I understand your concerns, but you've been incredibly intelligent and skilled in medicine since childhood. Having you in the palace will help you and your family gain a place. Besides, the Crown Prince values ​​you, and the Empress trusts you, too. The palace isn't entirely without danger."

Hearing this, I felt a little discouraged. It seemed that Dad was determined to let me go down this path.

That night, I tossed and turned in bed, my mind racing through the possibilities.

Although what my father said makes sense, I still don’t want to trap myself in the palace.

So, I decided to take a roundabout way out: since I can't completely refuse for the time being, I will just drag it out, not go if I can avoid it, or go as little as possible.

The next morning, I was tending to the flowers and plants in the yard when I suddenly heard a commotion outside the door.

Xiao Cui hurried over and said, "Miss, someone has come to the palace again! This time it's sent by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"

My heart tightened. "Prince? What happened to him?"

Xiao Cui said expectantly, "I heard that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is unwell, and I'd like you to come to the palace to treat him."

"Is he not feeling well?" I frowned slightly, feeling something was wrong.

The Crown Prince Zhu Biao had just recovered from his illness, how come he got into trouble again?

"Forget it, I'll go and take a look." I sighed and prayed silently in my heart: Your Highness, I hope nothing serious has happened to you!

When I arrived at the palace, I was taken to the prince's bedroom.

Zhu Biao was half lying on the couch, looking a little tired, but not as seriously ill as one might have imagined.

"Miss Yang, you're here." As soon as Zhu Biao saw me, a smile appeared on his face, as if nothing was wrong.

I felt relieved and walked up to him and asked, "Your Highness, I heard you were not feeling well. Where are you feeling unwell?"

Zhu Biao coughed lightly and said with some helplessness, "I've been feeling chest tightness, shortness of breath, and restlessness lately, especially at night when I often suffer from insomnia."

"Insomnia?" I muttered to myself. It's not a big problem, probably just too much stress.

After all, as the crown prince, he is busy with all kinds of affairs every day, so it is understandable that he suffers from insomnia.

"Your Highness, this could be due to overwork and a restless mind, leading to insomnia," I said softly. "I can prescribe some soothing and relaxing decoctions for you. I also suggest that you relax and get plenty of rest."

After hearing this, Zhu Biao nodded and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Miss Yang."

Next, I simply prescribed some calming herbs, such as Chinese jujube seeds and cypress seeds.

Although ancient herbal medicines are not as effective as modern sleeping pills, they are still effective when combined with a proper diet and daily routine.

After I finished writing the prescription, I was about to say goodbye when Zhu Biao suddenly said, "Miss Yang, I have something I want to ask you."

I was stunned: "Your Highness, please speak."

Zhu Biao sighed softly, his expression somewhat solemn. "I've been feeling uneasy lately, feeling that things in the palace aren't as peaceful as they appear. As the daughter of a foreign minister, have you heard of any unusual phenomena?"

When I heard this, my heart suddenly tightened.

What did he mean by that? Did he suspect someone was playing tricks in the palace?

As a modern person, I am well aware that court struggles in ancient times were complicated and any disturbance could hide huge dangers.

"Your Highness, I am just a doctor. I usually focus on my medical skills and have never heard of any unusual phenomena."

I quickly distanced myself from this, secretly thinking to myself: I don’t want to get involved in palace fighting!

Zhu Biao seemed to see my concerns and smiled: "Miss Yang, don't worry too much. I was just asking casually."

I breathed a sigh of relief and quickly bowed and took my leave.

After returning to the Yang Mansion, I immediately reported to my father what the prince said today.

After Yang Shiqi heard this, his expression changed slightly, and he whispered, "The Crown Prince has been very worried lately. It seems that there are indeed some uneasy rumors in the palace."

"Then...should I stay away from the palace?" I asked tentatively.

Yang Shiqi shook his head: "Tong'er, you must be more careful at this time and know when to advance and retreat. If the prince really trusts you, you can take this opportunity to better protect yourself."

I felt helpless. It seemed these ancient "rules of workplace survival" were full of pitfalls.

In the following days, I continued to live the life of a "half-imperial physician".

Although I tried my best to avoid going to the palace too often, every time the Crown Prince or the Queen had a minor illness or pain, I still had to bite the bullet and deal with it.

Fortunately, as I gradually adapted to this kind of life, the imperial doctors in the palace also began to look at me differently.

After all, my "modern medicine" is simply a "magic skill" in their eyes, especially my stethoscope, which has almost become a "magic weapon" in their eyes.

Sometimes, I even feel like a "representative of black technology in the ancient medical field". I can always use some simple modern methods to easily solve their headaches.

However, I also know that this "calm" period will probably not last long.

The undercurrents in the palace, the prince's hidden worries, the emperor's suspicion... these are like the sword of Damocles hanging over my head, ready to fall at any time.

But no matter what, I decided: live in the present, cure one person if I can, and live in peace for one day at a time.