Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

Since the imperial concubine incident came to an end, the palace has returned to a superficial calm.

The days in the Imperial Hospital also returned to the rhythm I was familiar with. From time to time, I treated the emperor, the empress dowager, and the concubine, and occasionally dealt with some minor illnesses and pains. The days seemed calm.

However, I always had a vague feeling in my heart that things were not that simple.

Sure enough, a few days later, the emperor suddenly summoned me to the palace, saying that he had something to discuss.

Zhu Yuan looked at me with a gloating expression: "Yang Yuanpan, you've been very popular recently. The emperor has been summoning you so frequently. I'm afraid he's going to give you a promotion, right?"

I glanced at him and said casually, "Promotion? I'll just be thankful if nothing unexpected happens."

When I arrived at the bedroom, the emperor looked solemn.

After I took the emperor's pulse and reported on his recovery as usual, the emperor was silent for a moment, then suddenly sighed, "President Yang, although my health has improved recently, I still feel uneasy, especially at night. I often have trouble falling asleep."

My heart suddenly skipped a beat.

The Emperor suffers from insomnia? This is no small problem!

Especially in this ancient time when there were no sleeping pills or pillows to help people sleep, insomnia could be very distressing.

"Your Majesty, have you been overworked recently? I can prescribe some tranquilizers to help you calm your mind." I suggested cautiously, thinking that no matter what, I had to start with the decoction first, just in case it worked?

The emperor shook his head. "I've been taking the decoction for several days, but it hasn't been very effective. I've heard that your acupuncture skills are very advanced. The few times you've treated me before, they've really made me feel much better. I'd like to ask if acupuncture can also cure this restlessness?"

I immediately fell into deep thought. Acupuncture is certainly effective for insomnia, and stimulating tranquilizing acupoints can indeed regulate qi and blood. But the problem is, the emperor's insomnia is caused by the busy palace affairs and heavy worries. How much can acupuncture really help with this kind of psychological insomnia? Moreover, this is no small matter. What if acupuncture doesn't work and the emperor blames me...

While I was hesitating, the emperor had already made up his mind: "Yang Yuanpan, I trust you, just give me the acupuncture."

What else could I say? I could only bite the bullet and promise, "I will obey your command and do my best."

The acupuncture process was safe and sound.

Although there was a lot of psychological pressure, thanks to my experience in acupuncture, the operation went smoothly.

The moment the needle went in, I held my breath, but the emperor didn't show any painful reaction. He just closed his eyes slightly, obviously relaxing.

"Your Majesty, acupuncture requires regulating Qi and blood, and the effect will not be immediately apparent. I suggest you take a short break and see if you feel any improvement." I said softly, praying silently in my heart, hoping that this acupuncture can bring some relief to the emperor.

The emperor closed his eyes and rested for a moment. After a moment, he slowly opened his eyes, a look of relief on his face: "I feel my mind is much clearer, and my heart seems to be much calmer."

I breathed a sigh of relief, but my expression remained calm. "Your Majesty, insomnia needs to be treated gradually. I suggest acupuncture every two days to thoroughly regulate your Qi and blood."

The emperor nodded, his tone showing some satisfaction: "Okay, as you say."

I quickly saluted and said, "I will do my best."

After leaving the bedroom, I felt relieved.

Zhu Yuan had been waiting outside. When he saw me come out, he immediately came over and said, "President Yang, how's it going? What's the difficult task this time?"

I glanced at him. "Highly difficult? It's not that easy. The emperor has been suffering from insomnia lately and insisted that I use acupuncture to treat him."

Zhu Yuan was surprised: "Insomnia? Can acupuncture cure insomnia?"

"Of course." I nodded, but then added, "It depends on the situation. Your Majesty's insomnia... I think it's because you worry too much. Expecting a few injections to cure it once and for all is probably unrealistic."

Zhu Yuan scratched his head. "Indeed, the Emperor is very busy and must have a lot to worry about. But you have made a new contribution this time. If the Emperor can sleep better, the status of your Imperial Hospital will rise accordingly."

I smiled and said, "I just want to be safe and sound, and not be constantly called out."

Zhu Yuan chuckled, "Your idea is quite simple. But for a small person like us, it would be hard not to be mentioned by the emperor if he takes a fancy to him!"

His words made my heart tighten.

Indeed, although acupuncture cured the emperor's insomnia, it also means that the emperor relies on me more.

The palace is a deep pool, and showing too much is not necessarily a good thing...

However, after a few days, I discovered that things were not that simple.

Since I gave the emperor acupuncture, he did sleep better, but soon he began to have more "interest" in this treatment.

That day, I went to check the emperor's pulse as usual. Just as I was about to pack up, the emperor suddenly spoke.

"Yang Yuanpan, I've been having back pain lately. Do you think acupuncture can help?"

I almost dropped the silver needle in my hand - back pain? Is the emperor treating me like a universal pain-relieving plaster?

However, I could only bite the bullet and nod: "Your Majesty, acupuncture can indeed relieve back pain. As long as the needles are applied properly, the effect is significant."

The emperor nodded, his tone filled with anticipation: "Okay, then I'll trouble Judge Yang again."

So, I could only perform acupuncture again, silently complaining in my heart: Is the Emperor planning to use me as his personal therapist? But then again, the Emperor's back pain is probably due to overwork recently. After all, these past few days have been busy with state affairs and the various affairs of the harem...

After the acupuncture, the emperor felt a lot more relaxed and seemed to trust me more.

A few days later, things got even more outrageous.

That day, I was about to go to the Imperial Hospital to handle some routine matters, but was hurriedly called to the bedroom by a young eunuch.

"President Yang, the emperor felt chest tightness after getting up this morning. Please go and see him immediately!" The young eunuch shouted at me in panic.

I was shocked and rushed to see the doctor.

When they arrived at the bedroom, the emperor was sitting on the bed. Although his face didn't look too bad, his brows were furrowed and he was obviously not feeling well.

I hurried forward to take his pulse. After a careful examination, I found that although the emperor's pulse was a little weak, it was not serious.

"Your Majesty, your chest tightness is probably due to poor blood circulation. Have you been sitting in the court for a long time and not doing much exercise recently?" I asked cautiously.

The emperor nodded and sighed, "I do feel mentally exhausted recently, and my chest feels a bit heavy."

I searched for a solution quickly in my mind, and suddenly an idea flashed in my mind - isn't the "sitting for a long time" that "modern people" often talk about an important cause of chest tightness?

Although ancient emperors did not have computers or office chairs, wasn't it also a form of "sedentary" because they sat on the dragon throne all day to review memorials?

"Your Majesty, I believe that in addition to regulating your Qi and blood, you should also exercise and stretch your muscles. I can give you acupuncture, but I also recommend that you take a short walk or stand for a while every day to help your Qi and blood circulate."

The emperor listened, thought for a moment, and nodded: "You are right. I really should move more."

I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking the problem was finally solved. But then the emperor added, "However, I still think acupuncture is good. Please give it to me again today."

"..." I felt helpless. It seemed that I couldn't escape the acupuncture.

That night, when I returned to the Imperial Hospital, I finally couldn't help but complain.

"Zhu Yuan, do you know? Lately, the Emperor has been calling me for acupuncture every few days. Today it's back pain, tomorrow it's chest tightness. If this continues, I'll soon become a professional 'acupuncturist'."

Zhu Yuan laughed heartily. "Haha, I didn't expect that Yang Yuanpan had such a 'hardship'! But you are the Emperor's 'Imperial Physician', others can't envy you!"

I shook my head helplessly. "Envy? You don't understand. It's not pleasant to be called out every day. Besides, in a place like the palace, nothing is that simple..."

Zhu Yuan winked: "You, you just think too much. The emperor trusts you, this is a good thing! You must not be modest."

I sighed, thinking to myself: Trust? I hope this "trust" doesn't turn into excessive "dependence". After all, the palace is full of unpredictable events. Who knows what the next "special request" will be?