Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

"Someone's coming from the palace with an urgent matter."

When I heard this, I felt disappointed.

What day is it today? How come so many bigwigs have trampled down the threshold of my clinic?

I was just thinking about how to refuse and take a good rest when the door was pushed open and a middle-aged man in luxurious clothes walked in with a trace of anxiety on his face.

"Imperial Physician Yang, my prince has urgently summoned you. Please come to the palace for treatment immediately." He saluted with his fists clasped together, with the four big words "urgent situation" written all over his face.

My scalp tingled when I heard that. Why is it the palace again?

Today I have saved either young ladies or adults. Could it be that the prince has also fallen ill today?

"Uh...but, I just came back from Li's Mansion and I'm a little tired..." I tried to find an excuse to shirk responsibility. After all, things in the palace are often not resolved in a few words.

The man smiled bitterly and shook his head. "The prince specifically instructed that no matter how exhausted Imperial Physician Yang is, you must go immediately. Otherwise, the consequences will be unpredictable."

What a strong implication! I secretly groaned inwardly, thinking I had no choice but to go.

"Okay, I'll pack my things right away." I sighed helplessly, thinking to myself that this was probably not a simple illness, and the prince's affairs had never been easy.

After getting on the carriage, the wheels rolled quickly across the bluestone road, making a "clattering" sound.

I sat in the car, my heart was in turmoil. The palace was so anxious to find me, could there be new developments in the matter of the Crown Princess?

About a quarter of an hour later, the carriage stopped in front of the palace.

I hurriedly followed the palace steward into the palace, my mind filled with more and more questions. What on earth was going on this time?

Could it be that the prince was also poisoned? No, the prince didn't look like someone who would easily eat the wrong thing.

We went straight into the inner courtyard, and the butler took me into a spacious study.

To my surprise, the study was not in a panic as I had imagined. Instead, the prince was sitting upright at the desk, his expression as normal, flipping through some documents.

"Imperial Physician Yang is here, please take a seat." The prince looked up and saw me with a slight smile on his face, without any sense of nervousness about "urgent matters".

I was stunned for a moment and became even more confused. This prince looked energetic, how could he be sick?

Did he invite me over for tea? That's impossible...

I sat down cautiously and asked, "Your Highness, I wonder why you summoned me here today? The butler said it seemed like an emergency."

The prince put down the documents in his hand, stood up and walked to the window. With his back to me, he said with a hint of amusement, "Imperial Physician Yang, do you know if there are any clues in the case of the Crown Princess's disappearance?"

I was shocked. It was indeed about the Crown Princess!

I nodded. "The prince mentioned this matter before. Could it be that there is a new clue today?"

The prince turned around, his expression solemn. "Yes. We recently discovered that the Crown Princess had some dealings with the Minister of Revenue, Lord Li, before her disappearance. Furthermore, the situation in Lord Li's residence is quite strange."

When I heard this, I immediately became nervous. Lord Li? Could this involve Li Wan'er, whom I just rescued today?

"Your Highness, are you saying... that Lord Li's residence is related to the disappearance of the Crown Princess?" I asked tentatively.

The prince nodded and continued, "There's no definitive evidence yet, but there are indeed many unusual things happening in the Li Mansion. Especially Li Wan'er, Lord Li's only daughter. I heard she's been seriously ill and in a coma lately."

My heart skipped a beat. Yes, I had just returned from Li's residence. How did the prince get the news so quickly?

"Yes, Miss Li's condition is indeed difficult. I have treated her today and temporarily stabilized her condition. However, her symptoms are very unusual. I suspect she may have been poisoned." I answered truthfully, but I felt more and more that something was wrong.

"Poisoned?" The prince frowned slightly and looked at me sharply. "Are you sure?"

I nodded. "Although there's no conclusive evidence yet, judging from Ms. Li's pulse, her qi and blood are disordered, and her symptoms are similar to those of poisoning."

The prince was silent for a moment, as if thinking about something.

Then, he slowly said, "Imperial Physician Yang, I'm going to entrust you with an extremely important task."

My heart tightened. Sure enough, the prince definitely didn't ask me to come here to chat.

"Li Wan'er's illness is likely to be related to the disappearance of the Crown Princess. I need you to continue to pay attention to all developments in the Li Mansion, especially the changes in Li Wan'er's condition. At the same time, if you find anything suspicious, be sure to notify me immediately." The prince's tone carried a hint of unquestionable majesty.

This...isn't this asking me to be an undercover agent?!

I was speechless. How could a small doctor like me suddenly get involved in the power struggle in the court?

But facing the prince's order, I couldn't refuse, so I could only bite the bullet and agree: "Don't worry, your highness, I will do my best."

The prince nodded, his eyes softening a little: "Doctor Yang, don't worry, if this matter can be investigated, your contribution will not be buried."

Merit? I don't care about any merit. I just want to be a doctor in peace and stability, and wait for death!

I wailed inwardly, but on the surface I had to pretend to be grateful and nodded respectfully in agreement.

When I came out of the palace, I felt completely depressed.

Life in ancient times was so difficult! I came here to save people, but now I've become a pawn in the imperial court's struggle.

I sat in the carriage, my mind in a mess.

What happened to Li Wan'er of the Li Mansion? What's behind her illness?

Is the Crown Princess's disappearance really related to Lord Li?

Also, why is the prince so concerned about this matter? What is he planning?

Alas, the water in ancient times was so deep!

When I returned to the clinic, I had just closed the door and hadn't even sat down when I heard another hurried knock on the door.

"Imperial Physician Yang! The Li Mansion has sent someone to ask for you again!"

When I heard that, I almost fell off my chair. It was the Li Mansion again!

Wasn't this day enough? What's going on with Li Wan'er's illness again?

I sighed helplessly, picked up the medicine box, and complained silently in my heart: It seems that tonight will be another sleepless night.

When I arrived at the Li Mansion, Mrs. Li was already waiting for me anxiously at the door.

As soon as she saw me, she rushed over and grabbed my hand, her voice trembling, "Imperial Physician Yang, Wan'er...she's unconscious again, and this time it's even more serious than last time!"

What? Comatose again?! I was shocked and quickly followed her into Li Wan'er's bedroom.

Li Wan'er was still lying on the bed, but this time her face was paler and her lips had almost lost their color. She looked as if all her energy and blood had been drained out.

I hurried forward to take his pulse, which was so weak that it was almost unnoticeable.

This is impossible! I just gave her an injection, her condition shouldn't have worsened so quickly!

I was panicking and quickly took out some first aid herbs from the medicine box, ready to give her another injection.

"Imperial Physician Yang, what happened to Wan'er?" Madam Li stood aside, tears streaming down her face.

As I administered acupuncture, I comforted her, "Madam Li, the young lady's condition is indeed serious. I suspect she has a buildup of toxins. Have you noticed anything unusual in the mansion recently, especially with regard to the young lady's diet?"

When Madam Li heard this, her expression changed drastically. She suddenly grabbed my hand and said, "Diet? Could it be... could it be that there's something wrong with the medicinal food in the kitchen?"

My heart tightened, and I quickly asked, "Did you remember something?"

Madam Li's eyes flashed with panic. "A few days ago, someone in the mansion did send some medicinal food, saying it was specially made for Wan'er's health. I asked her to use it a few times, but I didn't expect..."

Sure enough! Li Wan'er's illness may have started at that time!

"Is the medicinal food still available?" I asked hurriedly.

Madam Li nodded and immediately ordered the maid to go to the kitchen to get the medicinal food.

After a while, the maid brought a bowl of black medicinal food.

I smelled it carefully and indeed smelled a strange smell.

"There is indeed something wrong with this medicinal food." I said in a deep voice, secretly glad that I had finally found a clue.

Mrs. Li's face was pale. She obviously didn't expect that there was something wrong with the medicinal food.

She asked tremblingly, "Imperial Physician Yang, this medicinal diet...will Wan'er be able to recover?"

I nodded. "Don't worry, Miss Li's condition is critical, but it's not too late. I will continue to give her acupuncture and administer detoxification medication. I think her condition should be stable."

After a busy period, Li Wan'er's breathing gradually stabilized and her face regained some color.

I breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Madam Li and said, "Madam Li, please pay close attention to the young lady's diet and daily life from now on. Especially any medicinal food sent by someone, you must check it carefully."

Madam Li nodded repeatedly, tears streaming down her face as she said, "Thank you, Imperial Physician Yang, for saving my life. If it weren't for you, Wan'er would probably..."

I waved my hand, but secretly thought in my heart that this medicinal food matter was definitely not that simple.

Who wants to harm Li Wan'er? What conspiracy is hidden behind this?

When I came out of Li's house, it was already very late at night. I dragged my tired body back to the clinic, my mind full of questions.

Li Wan'er's illness, the Crown Princess' disappearance, the Prince's investigation... these things seem to be getting more and more complicated.

I sighed. It seemed that I could no longer escape this muddy water.