Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

Ever since Princess Xiaorou "entered" the life of the Third Prince, Concubine De's offensives have become more covert and frequent.

Princess Xiaorou is inseparable from the third prince every day and has become his "new friend".

Fortunately, the Third Prince's influence on her was not too profound. She still happily asked me about various "mechanical gadgets", which made me temporarily relieved.

However, there was never true peace in the palace.

That day, I was busy preparing medicinal food when Yuanbao suddenly came up to me mysteriously, with an indescribable expression on his face and his eyeballs rolling around in his sockets several times.

Seeing him like that, I felt a little uneasy: "What's wrong with you? Are you constipated?"

Yuan Bao hurriedly shook his head, moved closer, and lowered his voice: "Master Yang, I...I may have fallen in love with someone."

"Oh?" I immediately became interested. I put down the herbs in my hand and raised an eyebrow. "Is there such a good thing? Tell me, which girl is so unlucky - uh, I mean lucky - to have your little brother Yuanbao fall in love with her?"

Yuan Bao blushed and stammered, "It's...it's the maidservant beside Princess Xiaorou, Xiaolian."

I was stunned for a moment, then I couldn't help laughing. "Xiao Lian? Is she the little girl who follows Princess Xiao Rou around every day, the one who doesn't talk much but has bright eyes?"

Yuan Bao nodded, his face almost burning. "Master Yang, please don't laugh! I think Miss Xiaolian...she's really different! Not only is she beautiful, she's also very smart. Every time I see her, my heart...is really confused!"

I suppressed my laughter and nodded seriously, "Well, I see. It seems you're really attracted to her."

Yuan Bao scratched his head and asked anxiously, "Master Yang, what should I do? Miss Xiaolian is of high status. How can a mere eunuch like me be worthy of her?"

I looked at Yuanbao's conflicted little face and suddenly felt a little sympathy for him.

Although Yuanbao is my right-hand man, he is still a young man after all and has no experience when it comes to matters of the heart.

"Yuanbao," I patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "You can't force feelings. Don't rush to confess your feelings. Observe her and see how she feels about you. Besides, you know the rules of the palace. A maid's fate is often not decided by herself."

After hearing this, Yuanbao's face darkened and he whispered, "I know... but I just can't control myself. I always want to see her."

I thought about it and decided to help him this time: "How about this, I have a medicinal meal to deliver to Princess Xiaorou tonight, you come and help, and by the way, find a chance to chat with Xiaolian and see how she feels about you."

Yuanbao's eyes lit up and he nodded quickly: "Really? That's great! Thank you, Master Yang!"

Looking at his excitement, I couldn't help but sigh.

This kid seems to be in deep trouble.

That night, I took Yuanbao to Princess Xiaorou's bedroom.

As soon as I entered the room, I saw Princess Xiaorou sitting on a chair with an unhappy look on her face, her arms folded across her chest, staring at the Third Prince angrily.

The third prince sat aside with a helpless look on his face, holding an unfinished mechanical bird in his hand.

"Master Yang!" The Third Prince saw me and immediately stood up to greet me as if he had seen a savior. "Help me! Princess Xiaorou is angry!"

I was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Princess Xiaorou and asked with a smile, "Princess Xiaorou, what's wrong with you? Did the Third Prince do something wrong?"

Princess Xiaorou pouted and said angrily, "He just plays with those broken pieces of wood every day and never plays with me! I've told him several times, but he still ignores me!"

The Third Prince looked aggrieved and said defensively, "It's not that I don't want to play with you, I just want to make a more interesting mechanism for you to see!"

I couldn't help laughing as I watched this "children's war" in front of me.

These two kids look like a bickering couple.

"Princess Xiaorou, the Third Prince is also trying to make you happy. How about this, let's find a compromise?" I suggested with a smile, "I'll teach you how to make a mechanism together. The Third Prince will do the work, and Princess Xiaorou will select the materials. This way, you can both play together and make something fun."

Xiaorou looked up at the Third Prince, then glanced at me. After a moment's thought, she reluctantly nodded, "Okay... let's give it a try."

The third prince immediately breathed a sigh of relief and gave me a grateful look.

I smiled secretly, thinking that Princess Xiaorou was just a child and could be coaxed.

While the Third Prince, Princess Xiaorou and I were busy making the mechanism, Yuanbao quietly slipped to Xiaolian's side.

While I was instructing the Third Prince, I caught a glimpse of Yuanbao cautiously talking to Xiaolian, and they seemed to be having a good chat.

I secretly worried for Yuanbao. Would this guy confess his feelings directly?

Fortunately, although Yuanbao was a little clumsy, it was obvious that Xiaolian did not show any disgust towards him and even smiled and nodded from time to time.

Just as I breathed a sigh of relief, I suddenly heard Princess Xiaorou shout, "Ah! It's moving!"

I quickly came to my senses and found that the mechanical bird that the Third Prince and Princess Xiaorou had completed had begun to move slowly.

Princess Xiaorou clapped her hands excitedly: "Great! It really can walk!"

The Third Prince also looked very proud and smiled at me, "Master Yang, I did much better this time than last time, didn't I?"

I nodded, smiling approvingly. "Well done, Third Prince. It seems you've grasped the key to the mechanism."

Princess Xiaorou came close to the Third Prince, her eyes sparkling as she said, "This time I'm going to bring it back and show it to Mother! She's sure to like it!"

My heart moved, and I smiled and said, "Princess Xiaorou, if you like, I can teach you more mechanical toys, and then you can make them yourself and show them to Her Majesty the Virtuous Consort."

Princess Xiaorou's eyes lit up and she nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes! Sir Yang, you are amazing!"

I laughed in my heart. It seemed that this "mechanical class" not only eased the relationship between the Third Prince and Princess Xiaorou, but also unexpectedly brought Xiaorou and I closer.

However, the next morning, I received a "summons" from Concubine De.

The bedroom of Concubine De was still elegant and solemn, but her expression seemed colder than usual.

"Sir Yang, I heard that you taught the Third Prince and Xiao Rou some more 'tricks' last night?" Although De Fei's voice was gentle, there was a hint of oppression in her tone.

My heart tightened, and I quickly bowed and said, "Yes, Princess Xiaorou and the Third Prince are both interested in these little gadgets, so I took the opportunity to teach them some simple skills."

Concubine De sighed softly, her tone tinged with a hint of dissatisfaction. "Master Yang, the Third Prince is still young, and the palace rules cannot be abandoned. Mechanical devices may be interesting, but they are ultimately just toys. As a medical officer of the Imperial Hospital, shouldn't you abide by your duties and not overstep your bounds?"

I recognized her warning and quickly lowered my head to reply, "Your Majesty is admonishing me, and I have no intention of overstepping my bounds. It's just that the Third Prince is young, and I want him to have a balance between work and rest, so that he can develop some independent thinking skills."

Concubine De narrowed her eyes and said slowly, "Sir Yang, I know you've devoted yourself to the Third Prince, but some things are more appropriately left to Mr. Sun. You just need to do your job well."

I sighed inwardly, knowing that Concubine De was gradually weakening my influence on the Third Prince.

"I understand. I will be more cautious in the future." I responded respectfully, but I had already started to think about the next response strategy in my mind.

After returning to his own bedroom, Yuanbao rushed in excitedly, his face full of excitement: "Master Yang, I, I spoke to Miss Xiaolian! She...she didn't seem to have any opinion about me!"

I smiled and patted his shoulder. "Not bad, some progress. But don't rush it. Take your time and don't scare me."

Yuanbao nodded repeatedly, his face full of longing: "I will perform well! Sir Yang, don't worry!"

Looking at Yuanbao's excited look like he was about to fly, I couldn't help but laugh out loud.

This boy is a pure naiveté when it comes to emotions.

However, I knew in my heart that Concubine De's warning was just the beginning.

She will not let go easily, and the challenges ahead will surely be more complicated.

The situation in the palace is quietly changing, and I must always remain vigilant.