Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

Euphrasia officinalis is a medicinal herb generally used to treat stubborn skin diseases. However, long-term use of it can lead to weakness and insufficient qi and blood, which is especially detrimental to patients like Concubine Shu who are already weak.

"President Yang, what is going on?" Concubine Shu's face was pale, and there was a hint of panic in her tone.

I frowned in thought, not wanting to overwhelm her, so I softly soothed her, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. Your illness is not incurable. I suspect someone may have mistakenly mixed some herbs into your health-preserving soup. I will continue to investigate. Please rest assured, Your Majesty."

"A mistake?" Concubine Shu gave a bitter laugh. "Yang Yuanpan, you and I both know that there aren't so many misunderstandings in the palace. It's obvious that someone is trying to harm me."

There was a hint of sadness and weariness in her voice.

In the harem, although Concubine Shu is favored, she cannot avoid facing numerous calculations.

Beneath her strong exterior lies a deep sense of powerlessness.

"Don't worry, my lady," I said softly, "I will definitely find out the truth and clear your name."

After returning to the Imperial Hospital, I immediately summoned Zhu Yuan and several trusted female doctors and began to deploy a counterattack plan.

"It's impossible for a medicinal herb like Euphrasia officinalis to be put in there accidentally. It is rarely used in the Imperial Hospital. Zhu Yuan, go check the records of medicinal herbs prepared in the warehouse recently, especially those related to Euphrasia officinalis." I gave the first order.

Zhu Yuan nodded and immediately turned around to do it.

I thought for a moment, then said to an older doctor, "Go check the doctors and herbal medicine supply who have been preparing medicine for Concubine Shu recently to see if there are any abnormalities. Focus on those who have been transferred to the pharmacy recently."

"Yes, Judge Yang." The female doctor nodded and left.

In the next few days, the atmosphere in the Imperial Hospital remained tense, but everything seemed calm on the surface.

However, Zhu Yuan and I did not stop secretly.

While we continued to nurse Consort Shu back to health, we also secretly conducted an investigation. Finally, a few days later, Zhu Yuan brought back important news.

"Yang Yuanpan, I found out!" Zhu Yuan ran in breathlessly, a hint of excitement on his face. "Among the female doctors who have been prescribing medicine for Concubine Shu lately, there's one named Xiao Cui. She was transferred from Concubine De's palace just last month!"

My fingers tapped lightly on the table, and my brows slowly relaxed.

Sure enough, the clues pointed to Concubine De again.

"Continue investigating," I ordered, "to find out who's behind this Xiao Cui, and especially her contact with the people in Concubine De's palace."

Zhu Yuan nodded, turned around and left again.

At the same time, movement began in Concubine De's palace.

Ever since I last "cautiously" handled her probing attempts in front of Concubine De, she seems to have been more active in courting the Emperor, attempting to make him lose patience with Concubine Shu's condition. Concubine De's maids spread rumors throughout the palace, saying that the Imperial Hospital had been unable to find a cause, and even hinted that Concubine Shu's condition might be "destiny."

When I heard these rumors, I sneered in my heart: Concubine De is getting anxious.

While I was continuing my secret investigation, one night, an unexpected visitor quietly came to the Imperial Hospital.

This visitor was none other than Xiao Xing, Empress Shufei's personal maid. She glanced around upon entering, and after confirming that no one else was around, she whispered to me, "Yang Yuanpan, the Empress asked me to tell you something."

I frowned and motioned for her to continue.

"Her Majesty recently learned that someone sent a batch of supplements from Concubine De, saying that they were specially bestowed by the Emperor, but Her Majesty did not touch them because she felt that these supplements came in a strange way." Xiao Xing spoke hurriedly, obviously very nervous.

I was moved. It seemed that Concubine De was not only tampering with the medicine, but also trying to poison the patient through food.

"Do you still keep these supplements?" I asked.

"Keep it. The Queen has specifically instructed us not to touch it." Xiao Xing nodded.

"Okay!" I slammed the table and stood up, "Take me to see those supplements right away!"

When I arrived at Concubine Shu's bedroom, I carefully examined the batch of so-called "supplements bestowed by the Emperor."

As expected, these supplements were mixed with some tiny, imperceptible medicinal residues.

After careful identification, I found that there were several powerful sedative herbs among them. Long-term use would make people dazed or even fall into a coma. On the surface, it seemed like the condition was getting worse, but in fact it was artificially induced weakness.

"This move by Concubine De is really cruel." I muttered to myself.

Concubine Shu lay weakly on the bed, looking at me, her voice soft, "Yang Yuanpan, what should I do? This harem... there are so many disputes, I really can't handle it."

I looked at her, a mixture of emotions welling up in my heart.

Although Concubine Shu is favored, she is just a chess piece pushed back and forth by fate in this treacherous palace.

I know very well that I cannot change this cruel reality, but at least for now, I can buy her a little breathing space.

"Your Majesty, don't worry." I whispered, "I have already found the mastermind behind this. Next, I will make her reveal her true colors. You just need to wait for good news."

After returning to the Imperial Hospital, I immediately summoned Zhu Yuan and several trusted female doctors for a secret meeting.

"Everyone, the situation is obvious." I glanced at everyone and said in a deep voice, "In order to frame Concubine Shu, Concubine De sent people to tamper with her medicine and diet. Now, what we need to do is to do the opposite and make Concubine De think her plan has succeeded."

Zhu Yuan looked bewildered: "President Yang, what do you mean?"

I smiled faintly. "Let's play along and pretend that Concubine Shu's condition worsens, so that Concubine De will think her plan has succeeded. Then, she will definitely take action, and we can seize the opportunity to catch her."

A few days later, news of Concubine Shu's "illness" began to spread in the palace.

"Have you heard? Concubine Shu's condition has worsened again. I'm afraid this time it's very dangerous!"

"That's right. The Imperial Hospital is helpless. It seems that this time it is fate that cannot be defied..."

"Alas, Concubine Shu is the emperor's most beloved concubine, but I didn't expect her to be so sickly..."

Rumors spread in the palace, and for a time, everyone was talking about Concubine Shu's illness.

At the same time, the movements in Concubine De's palace began to become more frequent.

Finally, under the secret surveillance of Zhu Yuan and I, the female doctor named Xiao Cui was exposed.

She thought that Concubine Shu was seriously ill, so she secretly sent a package of medicinal herbs to Concubine De's palace.

Zhu Yuan was well prepared and followed her all the way, and finally caught her in the act of exchanging medicinal herbs with a eunuch in Concubine De's palace!

"President Yang, we finally caught him!" Zhu Yuan excitedly handed me the bag of herbs.

I opened the medicine bag and saw that, sure enough, there was a bag of aconite inside!

This was the final blow prepared by Concubine De. She wanted to take advantage of Concubine Shu's weakness and completely get rid of her.

"Good!" I sneered, "Now the evidence is irrefutable. Concubine De can't get away this time."

Next, I immediately went to the palace to meet the emperor and presented all the evidence.

"Your Majesty, I have found out that Concubine Shu's illness was not caused by fate, but someone secretly poisoned her." I knelt on the ground and said in a firm tone.

The emperor's expression immediately darkened. "Who is it? How dare you act so recklessly in the palace?"

"Your Majesty, after my investigation, this matter is related to Concubine De." I presented the evidence Zhu Yuan brought back to the emperor. "This is the poison Aconitum that I found in Concubine De's palace. These herbs were secretly added to Concubine Shu's medicinal food, causing her condition to worsen."

The emperor looked at the evidence and his expression became increasingly gloomy.

After a moment, he suddenly slammed the table and stood up: "De Fei! This is outrageous!"

That night, the emperor ordered Concubine De to be under house arrest, pending further investigation.

The entire palace was in an uproar, and Concubine Shu was finally able to rest in peace. Seeing that the matter had been settled, I breathed a sigh of relief, and the stone in my heart finally fell to the ground.

Back at the Imperial Hospital, Zhu Yuan came over and said excitedly, "President Yang, we've truly won a resounding victory this time! Concubine De suffered a major setback, and our Imperial Hospital has certainly done a great service!"

I smiled and patted Zhu Yuan on the shoulder. "This is all due to our good luck. Concubine De was too obvious this time. But remember, the palace is full of tricks. We can't be too complacent. We should always consider three steps before taking one step."

Zhu Yuan nodded, and said, as if he understood, "I understand, Judge Yang."

Looking at the Imperial Hospital in front of me, I suddenly felt tired.

Although the crisis was resolved this time, I know that the struggle in the palace is far from over.

Everyone is walking on the chessboard of the harem. Whether it is Concubine Shu, Concubine De, or me, we are just chess pieces after all.

But at least for now, I am still alive and can keep going.