Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

After returning to the clinic, I was preparing to take a good rest, but before I could even sit down, a familiar figure appeared at the door - Eunuch Liu.

He seemed even kinder today than usual, and there was even a creepy enthusiasm in his smile.

"Imperial Physician Yang, you are really too busy. The emperor has asked to see you." Eunuch Liu's voice was not loud, but the majesty that could not be refused was hidden between the lines.

My heart skipped a beat. The Emperor? Why did he want to see me?

I have not forgotten that although Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang was the founding emperor, he had a bad temper and was decisive in killing people. Even some meritorious officials could not escape his hands.

How come a small imperial physician like me was suddenly called upon?

"Eunuch Liu, this... I am just a small imperial physician. Why would the emperor suddenly summon me?" I asked tentatively.

Eunuch Liu smiled and waved his hand, "Do not be modest, Imperial Physician Yang. You have cured the Crown Prince and Imperial Concubine's illnesses. The Emperor naturally wants to meet this miracle doctor who can bring people back to life."

Miraculous healing? Me?

I was wondering in my heart, although his medical skills were good, but from "curing illnesses and saving lives" to "entering the palace to meet the emperor", the gap was too big, right?

Is the emperor sick?

However, I heard that he has always been in good health and is busy handling state affairs and reprimanding ministers every day. How could he have time to be sick?

But no matter what, I dare not neglect the emperor's summons.

So I quickly packed my medicine box and followed Eunuch Liu into the palace.

All along the way, all sorts of speculations raced through my mind: Could the Emperor be asking me to take his pulse? Or...was he asking me to treat some "unspeakable illness"?

After entering the palace, I was taken to the imperial study.

Eunuch Liu knocked on the door quietly and announced in a low voice, "Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Yang has arrived."

A majestic voice called "Come in" came from inside. I took a deep breath and followed Eunuch Liu in.

In the imperial study, Zhu Yuanzhang was sitting behind his desk reviewing memorials, his face expressionless, his emotions unremarkable.

My heart tightened, and I quickly knelt and saluted: "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty live long and long."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head, glanced at me, and said lightly, "Get up."

I quickly stood up and my heartbeat calmed down a little.

The emperor seemed to be in a good mood and did not look sick.

I couldn't help but wonder in my heart: Why did he ask me to come here?

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at me for a moment, snorted softly, and the corners of his mouth seemed to rise slightly. "I heard recently that in addition to your great healing skills, you also know some 'strange techniques'?"

I was stunned and my heart started beating fast.

Qimen magic? Ah... isn't this mistaking modern medicine for witchcraft?

How can I explain this? I can't say I'm a modern doctor, right?

I quickly shook my head: "Your Majesty, I have only learned some medical skills. As for any strange arts, I have never been involved in them."

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes, as if to see if I was lying.

After a long while, he slowly said, "I heard that you treated a young eunuch in the Queen's palace and said he was suffering from too much 'stress'. What kind of illness was that?"

I felt relieved, it turned out that he was interested in my previous treatment of the young eunuch.

I quickly explained, "Your Majesty, I diagnosed the young eunuch as not possessed by evil spirits. Rather, he suffers from sleepless nights and nightmares due to the numerous palace rules and regulations, which are too much for him to handle at such a young age. In my medical skills, this is actually a mental illness. I prescribed tranquilizers and taught him some relaxation techniques. I think he should gradually recover."

After listening to me, Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a while, as if he was digesting what I said.

After a moment, he suddenly said, "Do you think these ministers around me also have times when they feel 'too much pressure'?"

This made my heart beat faster.

Oh my God, is the emperor testing me?

I dare not comment casually on whether the ministers are under a lot of pressure!

I quickly lowered my head and answered cautiously, "Your Majesty is very perceptive, and I dare not speak rashly. However, all human beings have emotions and desires, and if they overwork, it will naturally affect their health. Ministers work day and night for state affairs. If they feel even slightly unwell, I will do my best to treat them."

Zhu Yuanzhang squinted his eyes and looked at me for a while, then suddenly smiled: "You are a smart man."

I breathed a sigh of relief, it seemed that this "meeting with the emperor" went smoothly.

"In that case, I have something to entrust to you." Zhu Yuanzhang stood up, walked to the window, and said with his back to me, "Some people in the palace have been unwell recently, and the imperial doctors have been helpless. I want you to go and see what's going on."

When I heard that, my heart skipped a beat.

Is this another disease that “there is nothing we can do about it”?

I'm not going to run into any serious problems this time, am I?

But the emperor's order was hard to disobey, so I could only bite the bullet and agree: "I obey your command."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "Eunuch Liu will take you there. Remember, do your best."

After saying that, he waved his hand and signaled me to leave.

I quickly bowed and took my leave, but my heart was in turmoil.

There are another difficult and complicated disease in the palace?

Could it be the "strange disease" that the queen mentioned before?

As soon as he left the imperial study, Eunuch Liu came over and said with a smile, "Imperial Physician Yang, the emperor really values ​​you this time. You must perform well."

I forced a stiff smile and said, "Thank you for your reminder, eunuch. I will do my best."

Eunuch Liu smiled so hard that his eyes narrowed into slits. "Come on, I'll take you to see that 'patient'."

As Eunuch Liu walked along, I became more and more nervous.

Who is the patient this time?

What kind of strange disease is this that even the imperial doctors can’t cure?

After leaving the imperial study, my mind was still working fast.

Is there a difficult and complicated illness in the palace? Even the imperial physician is helpless?

This matter sounds like it has a weird atmosphere.

Since traveling here, I have seen many "weird patients", but what will happen this time?

"Imperial Physician Yang, you have to be well prepared. This patient is no ordinary patient." Eunuch Liu smiled like a fox all the way, and his words were telling me to be careful.

My heart tightened, and I quickly asked, "Father-in-law, who is the distinguished person you want to treat this time?"

Eunuch Liu pretended to be mysterious, glanced at me, and whispered, "You'll know when you get there."

Tsk, what's the suspense? I was speechless, but I could only follow him obediently.

They walked all the way to a remote palace. It was completely different from the gorgeous bedrooms of the queen and the imperial concubines. It seemed much colder and there were almost no palace servants to be seen.

I felt more and more puzzled. Logically speaking, the nobles in the palace would not live in such a simple way, right?

Eunuch Liu stopped at the palace gate and winked at me: "Imperial Physician Yang, please go in. Please be careful."

His words made me feel uneasy, but the arrow was on the string and had to be shot.

I pushed the door open and was stunned by the scene in front of me.

The hall was not as luxurious as I had imagined, but rather very simple and elegant.

The window was half open, a breeze blew through, and the air was filled with a faint herbal aroma.

Just as I was looking around, a gentle voice came from the inner room: "Is Imperial Physician Yang here?"

I hurried over and lifted the curtain, only to see a middle-aged man leaning on the couch. He had a pale face, but regular features and an elegant temperament.

He was wearing plain clothes, none of the fancy attire I had imagined a noble man should have.

I was shocked: Is this... the emperor's brother?

Although I have never seen him before, judging from his appearance, demeanor and age, he should be one of Zhu Yuanzhang's brothers.

"Your humble servant pays homage to His Majesty." I hurriedly bowed, but I couldn't stop feeling confused.

This prince lives in such a lonely and cold place, and the illness that the imperial doctors are helpless to treat, could it be...

The prince coughed lightly and waved his hand, saying, "No need to be so polite. Imperial Physician Yang, I've heard that you are a skilled doctor and have cured many difficult and complicated illnesses. I have no choice but to invite you here today."

Although his voice was calm, I could sense the exhaustion and helplessness in his words.

"Your Highness, what's wrong with you? Let me diagnose you." I didn't dare to be negligent and hurried forward to take his pulse.

As soon as I placed my fingers on his pulse, I felt a disordered pulse, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, and his qi and blood were out of balance.

I thought to myself, considering his complexion and breath, this didn't seem like an ordinary illness, but more like internal injuries caused by long-term fatigue and pent-up emotions.

Coupled with the fact that he lives in such a remote place, it seems that the situation is far more complicated than it seems.

"Your Highness, your pulse indicates prolonged stagnation of Qi and a weak spleen and stomach. I'm afraid this is due to prolonged overwork and a bad mood."

I carefully considered my words and tried to be subtle. After all, I couldn't say directly that he was under a lot of pressure.

The prince smiled faintly, seemingly unsurprised by my diagnosis. "You're quite right. I... well, I do have a lot on my mind."

My heart was shocked. I? Did the prince just say "I" by mistake?

This instantly made me think of a possibility - this prince is probably more than just a "prince", right?

However, I certainly wouldn't try to be clever and expose his faults. I simply continued to carefully check his pulse, saying, "Your Highness's condition isn't serious. It's just that his Qi and blood aren't flowing smoothly. If he can adjust his mood and take some medicine, he'll definitely recover."

A complicated look flashed across his eyes, and he sighed softly: "Mood...it's not easy."

I sighed inwardly. Sure enough, the troubles of the royal family are not something that ordinary people can understand.

It seems that this prince was probably caught up in the court struggle and was exhausted.

"Your Highness, I have a prescription for calming the mind and soothing the liver. Combined with acupuncture, it should be able to relieve your symptoms."

I said confidently that after all, this sub-health condition is not uncommon in modern times.

He nodded, seeming a little tired: "Then thank you for your help."

I took out the silver needle and started to give him acupuncture.

During the acupuncture process, the hall was quiet, with only the sound of the breeze blowing the curtains.

The prince closed his eyes, seemed to be lost in thought, and stopped talking.

I also knew what to do and stopped disturbing him, concentrating on regulating his qi and blood.

After the acupuncture was completed, I whispered, "Your Highness, acupuncture is only a temporary relief. The most important thing is that you relax, get plenty of rest, and avoid overworking yourself."

He opened his eyes, looked at me deeply, and nodded slightly: "Thank you, Imperial Physician Yang."

I quickly waved my hand and said, "Your Highness, you are too kind. I am just doing my duty."

Just as I was about to leave, he suddenly spoke: "Yang Imperial Physician, what do you think is the most difficult disease to cure in the world?"

I was stunned for a moment. I didn't expect him to ask this question.

After thinking for a moment, I replied, "The most difficult disease to cure in the world is a disease of the heart."

He seemed very interested in my answer, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly: "Heart disease? Then how do you think I can cure my heart disease?"

I was speechless for a moment and secretly groaned in my heart.

This isn't a problem that can be cured with just one sentence! However, having said this, I can only bite the bullet and respond, "Your Highness, I believe that heart disease requires heart medicine. If you can resolve the accumulated worries in your heart, the disease will naturally heal."

He was silent for a moment, then sighed softly, "Heart medicine... I'm afraid I can't find it."

These words made me feel nervous. It seemed that the prince's thoughts were more complicated than I thought.

I didn't dare ask any more questions, so I could only bow and say goodbye: "Your Highness, take good care of yourself. I will deliver the medicine on time."

As I walked out of the temple, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Today's trip was really thrilling. I didn't expect to meet such a "noble person".

Although I didn't dare to ask more, I had a vague feeling that the identity of this prince was definitely not simple, and that there must be a bigger secret behind him.

After returning to the clinic, I was still a little uneasy.

The waters in this palace are so deep that even a small imperial physician like me has been unknowingly drawn into the vortex of power.

While I was lost in thought, the apprentices gathered around me, each one of them excited. "Miss, is there anything strange happening in the palace? What disease did you cure today?"

I glanced at them and smiled helplessly in my heart: "Oh, what's so strange about it? It's just some imbalance of qi and blood, and some heart disease."

The apprentices were bewildered. "Heart disease? What kind of heart disease?"

I smiled and patted their heads: "You are young, how can you understand these things? Wait until one day you enter the palace to treat patients and experience it for yourself."

Although I said this, I knew in my heart that this "heart disease" might not be easily cured by me.

There are waves of turmoil in the palace, and I just hope that I can stay safe and sound in this vortex and continue to be an ordinary imperial physician.