Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

Xiao Anzi's death was like a stone, sinking into the deep pool of my heart, causing ripples.

This news made me completely understand that this palace conspiracy had developed to the point of life and death - and I, although I was just a small judge of the Imperial Hospital, seemed to have been drawn into this vortex.

But right now, I can't let this matter disrupt my rhythm.

The daily work of the Imperial Hospital is still going on. After all, the nobles in the palace don’t care whether you have time to investigate the case or not. If they have a headache or a fever, the first thing they will think of is to find me.

Early in the morning of this day, the Imperial Hospital welcomed the "Noble Person's Medical Visit Day" of this month.

As soon as I sat down, Zhu Yuan rushed in: "Yang Yuanpan, today's rounds of medical consultations are out. There's a new young master coming. I heard it's Concubine Fang, who has recently gained favor."

"Lady Fang?" This name flashed through my mind.

I have never seen this young lady before. I heard that she is a beautiful woman sent as tribute from the south. She is pretty and charming, and has recently been favored by the emperor.

Thinking of this, I can't help but have a headache - this kind of young master who suddenly gains favor is often more difficult to serve than those concubines with more seniority.

"Well, it looks like today's medical rounds will be quite 'lively'." I sighed and rubbed my temples.

Not long after, Concubine Fang, surrounded by a group of palace maids and eunuchs, walked into the Imperial Hospital.

"President Yang, I've been feeling chest tightness and shortness of breath lately. Can you take a look and see if there's something wrong with the medicine I've been taking lately?" As soon as Concubine Fang came in, she spoke with her unique gentle tone, half lying on the soft couch, as if she was born to be held in someone's palm.

I rolled my eyes secretly in my heart: He is indeed a favored young master, even the way he speaks exudes an air of "superiority".

But I still had a professional smile on my face. After all, as the chief judge of the Imperial Medical Service, I couldn't offend anyone.

"Noble Lady Fang, don't worry. I'll take your pulse right away." I walked over and was about to check her pulse when Noble Lady Fang suddenly said in a delicate voice, "Wait! Court Judge Yang, I heard that your Imperial Hospital has a lot of rules for taking pulses. What if you hurt me?"

My hands trembled and I almost lost my balance - how could taking a pulse hurt?

What kind of weird logic is this?

However, I quickly adjusted my expression and said with a smile, "Don't worry, my lord. I can't say that my medical skills are the best in the world, but my pulse diagnosis will definitely not make you feel uncomfortable."

Concubine Fang then nodded reluctantly and stretched out a slender wrist.

I sighed silently in my heart. She is indeed a favorite concubine. Even taking the pulse is so "particular".

After taking Lady Fang's pulse, I quickly came to the conclusion that she didn't have any serious illness, but was just suffering from daily pampering, possibly some improper diet and stress, which led to slight qi stagnation.

"Your Excellency," I said, trying to be as tactful as possible, "You may have been eating a bit too much greasy food recently, which has caused qi stagnation and chest tightness. I suggest you eat less greasy food and more light food, and take some qi-regulating medicine. You should feel better soon."

Concubine Fang blinked, as if she was a little sensitive to the word "greasy": "Are you saying that I ate too much?"

I immediately waved my hands: "No, no, no, please don't misunderstand me, my lord. What I meant is... well, the weather has been dry recently, so eating something light is more beneficial to your health."

"Oh..." Concubine Fang nodded in satisfaction, then said delicately, "Then let's do as you say. However, I don't like bitter medicine. Can you prescribe something sweeter for me?"

I smiled bitterly in my heart. This medicine is not like candy. How can the taste be adjusted at will?

But in order to avoid trouble, I could only nod and agree: "Don't worry, my lord, I will try my best to prepare some mild herbs for you."

After hearing this, Concubine Fang finally revealed a satisfied smile: "Then I will be waiting for your good news. Court Judge Yang is indeed a caring person."

After seeing Concubine Fang off, I leaned back in my chair and breathed a sigh of relief.

"President Yang, your response was absolutely flawless." Zhu Yuan came up and said with admiration.

"Come on, this isn't medical skill, it's just coaxing a child." I shook my head helplessly. "The nobles in the palace are all very spoiled these days. We in the Imperial Hospital must not only be able to treat illnesses, but also be able to read people's faces."

Zhu Yuan chuckled: "You're enjoying it too, aren't you?"

I glared at him and said, "You look relaxed, just standing aside and watching the fun. You can come and coax them next time."

Zhu Yuan quickly waved his hands: "Forget it, I don't have that ability."

Just as we were joking around, a young eunuch rushed in, panting, "Yang Yuanpan, the Concubine Shu asks you to come over right away!"

My heart tightened. I thought Concubine Shu's health had stabilized, so how could something happen again?

"Okay, I'll be there right away." I didn't dare to delay for a moment. I immediately took the medicine box and rushed to Concubine Shu's bedroom with Zhu Yuan.

When we arrived at Concubine Shu's bedroom, the atmosphere was obviously more tense than last time.

Empress Shufei was still lying on the bed, her face pale and her lips slightly purple.

Several palace maids looked panicked. When they saw me come in, they immediately surrounded me and said, "Yang Yuanpan, the queen has fainted again. No matter how we call her, she won't wake up!"

I hurried forward to take Concubine Shu's pulse. It was weaker than last time, and there was a strange chill in it.

This is by no means a simple drug problem; there may be other deeper reasons.

"The medicines that the Empress has been taking recently were all prescribed by me personally. There shouldn't be any problems." I muttered to myself, frowning.

At this moment, Zhu Yuan suddenly reminded me softly, "Yang Yuanpan, do you think the incident you mentioned last time might be related to that Concubine De?"

My heart skipped a beat. Although I had no real evidence, I seemed to have a hunch that this was definitely not a coincidence.

"Don't worry about it for now. The most important thing is to save people." I took out the silver needles from the medicine box and quickly gave Shufei acupuncture to temporarily stabilize her breathing.

After acupuncture, Concubine Shu's condition improved slightly, but she was still unconscious.

The palace maids gathered around the bed, each too nervous to make a sound.

I pondered for a moment and finally made up my mind: "Zhu Yuan, we can't delay any longer. Go check everything that Concubine Shu has eaten recently, especially her diet and her medicine."

Zhu Yuan nodded and ran out immediately.

I stood by the bed, looking at the unconscious Concubine Shu, and vowed to myself: No matter what, I must find out the truth. This was not only for Concubine Shu, but also for the reputation of the Imperial Hospital—and even more so for my own safe survival in this palace.

Not long after, Zhu Yuan came back with a serious expression on his face.

"Yang Yuanpan, we've found out! The Qi-nourishing and Blood-nourishing Soup that Concubine Shu has been taking lately actually contains an ingredient called 'Aconitum'."

"Aconitum?" I almost exclaimed.

Aconitum is an extremely toxic medicinal herb. Although it can be used as medicine under certain circumstances, any mistake can be fatal.

Concubine Shu was already weak, and taking this medicine would only make things worse!

"What is going on? Who tampered with her medicine?" My eyes were cold and anger was rising in my heart.

"It is said that the doctor at the pharmacy prescribed the wrong medicine, but I think... it may not be that simple." Zhu Yuan said in a low voice.

"Of course it's not that simple." I sneered. "How could a herb like Aconitum be misprescribed? This is clearly intentional!"

The atmosphere suddenly became tense, and Zhu Yuan was also apprehensive: "President Yang, what should we do next? This is a matter of life and death!"

I took a deep breath and suppressed my anxiety. "Let's not act rashly right now. Let's stabilize Concubine Shu's condition first. As for the mastermind behind this... I will definitely get to the bottom of it!"

I turned to look at Zhu Yuan and said firmly, "We can't be passive anymore. If we want to find out the truth behind this, we have to take the initiative."