Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

I thought that my life as an "ancient imperial physician" was on the right track.

I spend most of my time in the Yang Mansion helping to take care of my family's health, and occasionally I respond to emergencies in the palace. My life is relatively peaceful.

But I never expected that just when I was living a comfortable life, I would suddenly face a "cross-industry challenge" - I inexplicably became the "royal matchmaker".

I still remember that day, Xiao Cui and I were planning to go to the street to buy some fresh herbs and visit the market in Yingtian Prefecture.

As a result, he was stopped on the way by a young eunuch sent from the palace.

"Miss Yang, the Queen invites you to the palace." The young eunuch smiled brightly, and it didn't look like there was anything urgent going on.

My heart skipped a beat: Could it be that the Queen's anemia has relapsed?

"Is she feeling unwell?" I asked quickly.

The young eunuch quickly shook his head: "No, no, the queen is in good health, but I just want to ask for your help with a small matter."

When I heard it was a "small matter", I felt a little relieved and thought: It's okay if it's a small matter. After all, I came out to go shopping this time. I can't let "work" delay my enjoyment of life.

So I took Xiao Cui to the palace.

Arriving at the Queen's chamber, I bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, do you have any instructions for me?"

The Queen looked good today. She smiled at me, her eyes full of tenderness. "Miss Yang, there's really nothing important that I asked you to come here today. It's just that... the young princes in the palace are getting older, and the Crown Prince's marriage is about to be put on the agenda. The Emperor and I are both very worried about this matter."

I was stunned for a moment: The prince's marriage? What does this have to do with me? Is he asking me to give him a pre-marital medical examination?

Seeing me stunned, the Queen smiled and continued, "Miss Yang, you are a skilled doctor with a meticulous mind. The Emperor and I both feel that it would be most appropriate for you to assist us in this matter."

I was instantly petrified, my mind racing with countless comments: How did I, a doctor, suddenly become a "marriage counselor"? This gap is too big!

"My queen, you...you want me to..." I asked cautiously and tentatively.

The queen smiled slightly. "You have spent a lot of time with the Crown Prince and know his temperament. We would like to hear your opinion on what kind of woman would be suitable as the Crown Prince's wife."

My mind went blank: Oh my god, could it be that the Empress is in need of a "royal matchmaker"? This is too sudden!

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince is a man of good character and noble status. I'm sure there are many talented women in the capital. You don't need to worry too much about this."

I tried to refuse in a tactful tone. After all, it was too outrageous for this to happen to me.

The Queen clearly wasn't going to let me off easily. She smiled and said, "Miss Yang, you're being too modest. You're also a lady from a wealthy family, so naturally you understand these matters. Plus, you interact with the Crown Prince quite a bit on a daily basis. I wonder who else can help with the Crown Prince's marriage if you don't offer some advice?"

I felt so bitter: This wasn't asking me to come up with ideas, it was asking me to take the blame!

"Your Majesty, I am a dull and ignorant person, and I dare not speak without reason. It's just..." I was about to make a few more excuses, but before I could finish my words, the Queen turned around and ordered the maid beside her, "Go and invite His Royal Highness the Crown Prince over, so that we can discuss this together."

I suddenly felt powerless: Now, even the person involved is about to be dragged into this...

Not long after, Crown Prince Zhu Biao hurried over. As soon as he saw me, he was slightly startled. "Miss Yang, you're here too?"

"Yes, Your Highness, I have been temporarily 'requisitioned' by the Queen to assist you... uh, with your marriage planning."

I answered with gritted teeth, but I was silently complaining in my heart: I really don’t want to get involved in this matter!

Zhu Biao obviously hadn't expected this to happen. He scratched his head and smiled helplessly, "Mother, I'm afraid this matter should be decided by you and father. I... I don't have any ideas."

The Queen looked at him tenderly. "You are no longer a child. Marriage cannot be delayed any longer. Your father and I both hope that you will marry a virtuous woman who will assist you in governing the country in the future."

Zhu Biao smiled awkwardly: "What my mother said is true, but... I don't know much about these women, so I don't know how to choose."

The Queen turned to look at me and smiled meaningfully: "So, today I will ask Miss Yang to help you with some advice."

Okay, okay, just pass the blame to me.

I took a deep breath and forced myself into matchmaker mode. Since I couldn't refuse, I had no choice but to go for it.

"Your Majesty, I wonder what kind of women His Royal Highness the Crown Prince prefers? Is he drawn to those with outstanding talent or those with dignified character?"

I gritted my teeth and started the "professional conversation", but in my mind I was frantically recalling the costume dramas I had watched, trying to find some experience.

Zhu Biao blushed slightly when I asked him this, and he was obviously a little embarrassed about this topic: "Well... I haven't really thought about it."

I felt extremely helpless: His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is truly an "emotionally inert player" who can't even express his preferences. How can I help you?

The Queen smiled and said, "Yun Wen has always been gentle and not fond of publicity. I think the best candidate for the Crown Princess is a gentle and virtuous woman who knows how to handle palace affairs."

I quickly nodded in agreement, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. His Royal Highness will govern the empire in the future, and the Crown Princess must not only be virtuous and kind, but also be able to help His Royal Highness and share his worries."

Zhu Biao nodded repeatedly after hearing this: "Yes, yes, Mother and Miss Yang are right."

I secretly breathed a sigh of relief: It seems that I have passed this time, as long as I am not allowed to say more about the specific candidates.

Just when I thought I could get away with it, the Queen suddenly changed the subject: "Ms. Yang, why don't you take a look and see if there are any suitable candidates you can recommend?"

I almost crushed the teacup in my hand: "Your Majesty, you are too direct! I am just an imperial physician, how can I understand these palace marriages!"

"Your Majesty, I really don't dare to speculate rashly. The choice of the Crown Princess is still up to you and the Emperor to decide." I quickly declined, and in my mind I had already started thinking about how to find an excuse to leave.

The Queen looked at me and smiled, clearly not intending to embarrass me. She said softly, "Well, let's call it a day. Miss Yang, you are a skilled doctor, and I would like to discuss other matters with you."

I breathed a sigh of relief and nodded quickly: "Your Majesty, please give me your instructions. I am all ears."

After chatting with the queen, I finally managed to get the "marriage" thing over with.

After returning to Yang's house, I felt a lot more relaxed and secretly swore in my heart: I will never accept this kind of "matchmaker mission" again!

I'm just a small doctor, how would I know about these important matters related to marriage?

When Xiao Cui saw me coming back, she came over curiously and asked, "Miss, why do you look so worried after coming back from the palace?"

I sighed and patted her shoulder: "Xiao Cui, you must never become a matchmaker in the future. This job is too tiring."

Xiao Cui was confused: "Hongniang? Miss, aren't you a doctor?"

I shook my head helplessly. “Doctors sometimes have to act as matchmakers, especially in the palace.”

Xiao Cui blinked, obviously not understanding, but I was too lazy to explain further.

In short, my mission is very clear: as long as I don’t get involved in court struggles, I will be a happy doctor, and for everything else, I will push it away if I can!