Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

Ever since I was "personally appointed" by Zhu Yuanzhang to be in charge of medical affairs in the palace, my career as an "imperial physician" seems to have become much smoother.

Since everyone trusts me so much, I might as well be content with what I am doing, continue to use my knowledge of modern medicine, make a living, and popularize the concept of "health and wellness".

Early that morning, I was planning to bask in the sun in the backyard of the Yang Mansion. Before I even lay down, I heard Xiao Cui running towards me, panting: "Miss, there are people from the palace again!"

My heart trembled, and I thought: Could it be that the prince has fainted again? He doesn't get dizzy so often, does he?

"Has something happened to the prince again?" I asked quickly.

"It's not His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, this time it's... the Emperor!" Xiao Cui looked at me nervously.

"Zhu Yuanzhang?!" I almost jumped up from the recliner, and my heart was suddenly filled with panic.

The emperor is in trouble, this is no joke! If I can't cure him, my head will really be moved!

"Quick! Prepare a car for me, I'll go to the palace right away!" I quickly packed my medicine box and prayed silently in my heart: Zhu Yuanzhang, I hope you are not seriously ill!

When I arrived at the palace, I was quickly taken to the imperial study.

Zhu Yuanzhang was sitting on the dragon throne, his expression was a little heavy, and there were some beads of sweat on his forehead.

The imperial doctors in the palace were already running around anxiously, but no one dared to act rashly.

"Your Majesty, how do you feel?" I walked forward cautiously and asked.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked up at me and said in a low voice: "My chest feels stuffy and my head aches."

I breathed a sigh of relief. This didn't sound like a big problem. It was probably a symptom of high blood pressure or excessive stress.

So I immediately went forward to take his pulse, and checked his breathing and pulse.

After a few minutes, I basically determined the root cause of the problem: Zhu Yuanzhang was overworked, had excessive heart fire, and coupled with his old age, his blood pressure was unstable.

"Your Majesty, you have been busy with affairs recently, overworked, and have a poor diet, which has caused your qi and blood to flow upwards, resulting in symptoms of chest tightness and headache." I explained softly, trying to use language that ancient people could understand.

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned: "What's the solution?"

I smiled and said, "It's not difficult. I can prescribe some medicine to clear away heat and relieve internal heat, and to dredge the blood. I also suggest that Your Majesty reduce labor over the next few days, get adequate rest, and eat more light food."

Zhu Yuanzhang listened and nodded slightly: "Then it's as you say."

I quickly wrote down the prescription and asked the imperial doctors to prepare it.

In fact, Zhu Yuanzhang’s problem was not big, but it was not small either.

After all, he was an emperor with a "bad temper", with great mood swings and great pressure, so it was natural that his body was prone to problems.

A few days later, I went to the palace for a follow-up examination and found that Zhu Yuanzhang's complexion was obviously much better and his chest tightness symptoms were also alleviated a lot.

"Yang Tong, your prescription is indeed effective." Zhu Yuanzhang rarely showed a satisfied smile.

I quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty's fate is determined by heaven. I am only trying to do my best to help you."

"Yeah." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, and suddenly changed the subject, "You girl are quite capable. You can even cure my illness so quickly. The imperial doctors are no match for you."

I felt nervous and quickly bowed my head humbly, "Your Majesty, thank you for the compliment. The imperial physicians are highly skilled. This humble servant was merely lucky."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "Don't be so modest. I know you are not simple. Do your job well, and I will not treat you unfairly."

After returning from the palace, I felt a lot more relaxed.

It seems that Zhu Yuanzhang still trusts me very much, at least he has no intention of chopping off my head for the time being.

Back at the Yang residence, Xiao Cui and I sat in the courtyard, drinking tea and chatting. Xiao Cui looked at me with admiration: "Miss, you are so amazing! You can even cure the emperor's illness!"

I smiled and said, "It's nothing. The emperor is just too tired. He will be fine after a little rest."

"However, Miss, you are truly gaining more and more attention from the Emperor and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." Xiao Cui blinked her eyes and said expectantly, "If you get a higher position in the palace in the future, then our Yang Mansion will..."

I quickly interrupted her: "Stop, stop, stop! I don't plan to be a big shot in the palace. I just want to get better treatment and live a peaceful life."

Xiao Cui curled her lips and said, "But Miss, you are so smart, why are you willing to be a 'little imperial physician' forever?"

I smiled helplessly. "Xiao Cui, you still don't understand. The greater the power, the greater the responsibility. I don't want to live in fear all day long. It's best to be an ordinary doctor and live a happy life."

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

From time to time, the palace would call for help with minor illnesses and pains, such as the Empress Dowager's rheumatic pain, the Empress's insomnia, and sometimes even the little princes' colds and fevers, which required my treatment.

These are a piece of cake for me.

After all, I have modern medicine at hand, and I know some simple psychological counseling. Many diseases are actually "mental illnesses". As long as the patient is in a good mood, the disease will heal quickly.

One day, I was explaining to Xiao Cui the importance of "drinking more hot water" in Yang Mansion, and then another eunuch came to the palace.

This time it was not an emergency summons, but a letter sent by Crown Prince Zhu Biao.

I opened the envelope with a puzzled look on my face, and found that Zhu Biao had written politely in the letter: "Miss Yang, I have been feeling depressed recently, and I would like to invite you to the palace to talk."

I found it amusing as I read: Is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince looking for me to chat with him? Am I an ancient "psychologist"?

However, since it was the Crown Prince who personally invited me, I couldn't refuse. So, I took Xiao Cui into the palace.

When they arrived at the prince's study, Zhu Biao was sitting by the window, looking a little melancholy.

I stepped forward and saluted: "Your Highness, have you been well these days?"

Zhu Biao looked up at me and forced a smile. "Miss Yang, there have been so many affairs in the palace recently that I'm quite upset. I don't know why, but I always feel at a loss."

I was shocked and thought that Zhu Biao seemed to be suffering from "workplace anxiety disorder".

As the crown prince, he must have been under a lot of pressure. In addition, with Zhu Yuanzhang, his strict father, above him, he naturally did not dare to slack off in the slightest.

"Your Highness, you are under too much pressure and are feeling depressed."

I smiled, sat down, and began to talk to him using modern psychology. "In fact, only by relaxing properly and doing things you enjoy can you relieve stress."

Zhu Biao smiled bitterly and said, "As the Crown Prince, how can I relax? I am overwhelmed with government affairs every day, and my father's expectations are so high. I really don't know how to cope."

I felt deeply moved when I heard this. It really is not easy to be a crown prince! So, I decided to give him a "modern psychological counseling class."

"Your Highness, why don't you try the 'emptying your mind method'? Put aside your worries for a while and focus on something that makes you happy."

I patiently explained, "For example, you can read a book, draw, listen to music, or go out and enjoy the scenery. These are all good choices."

Zhu Biao nodded thoughtfully: "Hearing what you said, it does make sense."

"Your Highness, people should pay attention to 'combining work and rest'. Only by relaxing well during rest time can we perform better at work." I added with a smile.

Zhu Biao smiled: "Miss Yang, you are quite unique. I have never heard such interesting suggestions."

I laughed in my heart: This is the wisdom of modern society. How could you ancient people understand this?

Coming out of the Prince’s Study, I felt like I had become an “ancient workplace psychology mentor.”

But to be honest, helping others relieve stress makes me feel a lot more relaxed too.

After returning to the Yang Mansion, I continued to live my leisurely "imperial physician life".

Although there are many things to do in the palace, fortunately they are not big things, and I am happy with it.

Anyway, my goal is simple: don’t get involved in power struggles, be happy, and live in peace!