Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

I was stunned. The person standing at the door was Yang Shiqi, my ancient "cheap dad". He was so busy on weekdays, so why did he suddenly come to my small clinic in person today?

"Dad, why are you here?" I hurried over, wondering if there had been a new development in Lord Li's condition, or if there had been another hiccup with Lord Ma.

Yang Shiqi smiled and said gently, "I happened to be passing by here. I heard that you performed well in the Li Mansion today, so I came to see you." His words were calm, but his eyes were deep, with a hint of inquiry.

Just happened to be passing by? That's too lame an excuse!

I was complaining in my heart, Yang Shiqi is an important minister of the cabinet, how could he wander around near my clinic?

It's impossible to even think about it. It seems that he came here for more than just a casual look.

I quickly invited him into the house, made him a cup of tea, and wanted to ask him something, but I didn't dare to speak directly.

Yang Shiqi is a shrewd and calculating old fox in the officialdom. If I appear too eager, it will arouse his suspicion.

"Dad, have you finished your official business today?" I greeted him casually, but in my heart I was thinking about how to trick him into talking.

Yang Shiqi took a sip of tea, sat upright, and spoke slowly and calmly, "Official duties are naturally endless, but as a father, I should also pay attention to my daughter's life. I heard that you have been seeing patients frequently recently, and even cured Master Ma's illness?"

I nodded, but alarm bells were ringing in my heart. He really came here for Lord Ma's matter!

Mr. Ma’s illness is not simple, and I can vaguely sense the power struggle involved behind it.

Now that Yang Shiqi asked about it, it seemed that this was more than just a simple stroke.

"Master Ma's condition is indeed difficult, but fortunately I gave him acupuncture in time and temporarily stabilized his symptoms." I said casually, deliberately avoiding the sensitive topic of "poisoning."

Yang Shiqi nodded, seeming quite satisfied with my answer, but there was still some thought in his eyes.

He put down his teacup and spoke in a more gentle tone, "Wan'er, your medical skills are indeed commendable. However, the situation in the court is complicated, and some things are not as simple as they seem. It is certainly a good thing for you to practice medicine and save lives, but sometimes you should also be more cautious."

Sure enough, there was something else behind his words. I sighed inwardly, thinking that Yang Shiqi was reminding me not to get too involved in the power struggles at court.

But I didn't want to get involved in this. Wasn't it just me being pushed?

I quickly followed up on the conversation, saying, "Daddy is right. I'm just a humble doctor. How dare I get involved in any major court affairs?"

Yang Shiqi smiled and looked at me meaningfully, as if he was quite satisfied with my "humility".

He stood up, walked to the window, looked out at the street scene, and said softly with his back to me, "There's been some unrest in the palace lately. The disappearance of the Crown Princess has rattled many people. If you receive similar requests for treatment again, especially for an important individual, you must be extremely cautious."

My heart tightened. As expected, the matter of the Crown Princess was involved in the struggle within the court.

I originally thought that as a female doctor, I could at most save lives and earn enough to eat and live, but I never expected that I would become a pawn in this power struggle.

"Don't worry, Dad. Your daughter will definitely keep your teachings in mind. While practicing medicine and saving lives, she will also be careful to protect herself." I answered respectfully, but I was thinking in my heart, Yang Shiqi came to remind me personally this time, it seems that the situation is more complicated than I thought.

Yang Shiqi seemed to think he had said enough, so he turned around and regained his gentle expression, saying with a smile, "Okay, let's stop here for today. Daddy still has some official business to attend to, so you don't have to worry too much. Just focus on practicing medicine."

"Yes, Daddy, take care." I walked him to the door and watched him leave, but I still felt a little uneasy.

After Yang Shiqi left, I sat back in my chair, his words replaying in my mind.

The Crown Princess disappeared, Lord Ma was poisoned, the court was unstable... These things seemed to be unrelated, but it was obvious that there must be some connection behind them.

The more I thought about it, the more I felt something was wrong, and I secretly decided in my heart that although I didn't want to get involved in these troubles, since I was already involved, I had to be careful and couldn't "practice medicine and save people" in such a confused way anymore.

Just as I was thinking about it, there was another knock on the door.

"Imperial Physician Yang, the steward of the Li Mansion requests an audience."

I was stunned. Li Mansion? Could it be that Li Wan'er's illness has relapsed?

I quickly asked the butler to come in. He looked anxious and kept bowing, "Imperial Physician Yang, the young lady...she seems to be a little strange again. Madam asked me to invite you over quickly."

It really is Li Wan'er! Wasn't her illness already cured? How could it relapse so quickly?

I was secretly wondering as I quickly packed up my medicine box and followed the butler into the carriage.

When I arrived at the Li Mansion, Madam Li was waiting at the door, looking anxious. She rushed over as soon as she saw me and said, "Imperial Physician Yang, Wan'er has fainted again! This time it's even worse than last time, and even her breathing is much more rapid."

My heart skipped a beat. Could it be that my previous judgment was wrong?

I didn't dare to delay and quickly entered Li Wan'er's boudoir.

Li Wan'er was still lying in bed, her face even paler than last time, her lips blue, cold sweat oozing from her forehead, and her hands and feet abnormally cold. Her breathing became rapid, as if she was in great pain.

This symptom is not right! I was shocked and rushed forward to feel the pulse. The more I felt, the more I felt something was wrong.

"Imperial Physician Yang, is my young lady okay?" Madam Li stood aside, her eyes full of fear.

I frowned and felt that Li Wan'er's pulse was extremely weak, her qi and blood were disordered, which was somewhat similar to the symptoms of poisoning.

No, this wasn't just a cold intrusion; something inside her seemed to be impairing her blood circulation. Could it be... truly poisoning?

I immediately asked the maids to prepare warm water and took out some detoxifying herbs from the medicine box, but my heart was becoming increasingly heavy.

Li Wan'er's symptoms were too abnormal. They had improved so quickly before, but now they suddenly worsened. It was obvious that there were external factors at work.

"Mrs. Li, have you noticed anything unusual in the young lady's diet or daily life recently?" I asked while giving Li Wan'er acupuncture.

Madam Li shook her head, bewildered. "Wan'er has been recuperating in the mansion, her diet and daily routine have been very regular. How could she suddenly become like this?"

I became more and more suspicious. Could it be that someone was secretly poisoning me?

But there is no conclusive evidence yet, and I dare not jump to conclusion. I can only stabilize Li Wan'er's condition temporarily.

After an incense stick of time, Li Wan'er's breathing finally became steady and her complexion regained some color, but she was still unconscious.

I put away the silver needle, exhaled softly, and said to Madam Li, "Madam Li, the young lady's condition has temporarily stabilized, but I suspect her illness is not simply caused by the invasion of cold air, but may be related to some external factors."

Madam Li was completely confused and asked quickly, "Imperial Physician Yang, are you saying...Wan'er was murdered?"

I shook my head and replied cautiously, "This is just my initial guess. I don't have any solid evidence yet. However, you might want to think carefully about whether there has been anything unusual in the mansion recently, especially regarding the young lady's diet and medicinal food."

Mrs. Li looked solemn and fell into deep thought.

I felt a little uneasy in my heart, thinking that there might be some unknown conspiracy behind the Li Mansion.

When I came out of Li's house, I still felt heavy-hearted.

Li Wan'er's condition is by no means simple, and there is likely someone secretly manipulating it behind the scenes.

If she was really poisoned, then the power behind the Li family would have to be suspected.

Back at the clinic, I sorted out my medicine box while thinking about what to do next.

Yang Shiqi's reminder, the prince's investigation, the disappearance of the Crown Princess, Li Wan'er's illness... these things are closely linked, and there must be a bigger storm hidden behind them.

And I, as a "little doctor" who traveled through time, was forced into the vortex of this struggle.

"Alas," I sighed heavily. Life in ancient times is becoming more and more complicated.

Just as I was daydreaming, there was another knock on the door.

I looked up helplessly, silently complaining in my heart: What's going on today? Has my clinic become the "emergency center" of all Yingtian Prefecture?

"Imperial Physician Yang, someone from the palace has an urgent matter to ask for your help."

My heart tightened. The palace? What happened again?!