Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

Zhu Yuan’s marriage has become my new interest.

After all, this kid looks like he has lost all hope in life, and he is really the "happy pill" every day.

So these days, I deliberately spent more time to "care" about him.

One morning, Zhu Yuan came to my house again, looking dejected. Seeing his expression that said, "I want to run away from marriage," I couldn't help but joke, "Mr. Zhu, what's up? Are you planning to elope today?"

When he heard the word "elope", he was so frightened that his hands shook and he almost dropped his teacup. "Imperial Physician Yang, stop kidding! Elope? My father would have just thrown me from Yingtian Prefecture into the Yangtze River to feed the fish!"

I couldn't help but laugh: "Then you should think of a way. You are so worried every day. Miss Gu hasn't even gotten married yet, but you've already turned gray with worry."

Zhu Yuan sighed and leaned back in his chair, feeling extremely helpless. "I do want to! But what can I do? My father is determined to marry me off... uh no, to get me a wife. Do you think I can refuse?"

I laughed so hard that my stomach almost hurt: "Your slip of the tongue is quite funny - 'marry you away', hahahaha!"

Zhu Yuan rolled his eyes: "Just laugh, my life is very hard, you just watch me and have fun."

"I'm happy, of course I wouldn't be. You're ready-made crosstalk material." I patted his shoulder maliciously. "Besides, Gu Qingge is such a skilled doctor. If you have any headaches or fever after marriage, she'll cure you in minutes."

He slumped in his chair, looking at the ceiling dimly. "I'd rather be sick, covered in the quilt, and not get up, and let this wedding just drag on."

I couldn't help but give him a thumbs up: "I admire you. Your little idea is quite strange."

While we were chatting, Xiao Cui suddenly ran in and said breathlessly, "Miss, there's someone outside asking to see you. He says he's an official from the court, and he's bringing an imperial edict."

When I heard this, I sat up straight instantly and felt a panic in my heart.

Imperial edict? No way! I'm just a minor imperial physician, how could I ask Old Zhu to issue an imperial edict?

Zhu Yuan also jumped up from his chair, his expression nervous: "Imperial edict? This is over, isn't it here to force me to get married?"

I glared at him angrily: "You're overthinking it. Do I need an imperial decree to urge you to get married? You're not the emperor!"

As he spoke, the eunuch's shrill voice was heard from outside: "Summon Imperial Physician Yang to receive the order!"

My heart tightened, and I quickly straightened my clothes. I hurried to the courtyard and knelt down to receive the order: "Your servant Yang, I respectfully accept the order."

The eunuch opened the imperial edict, cleared his throat, and began to read: "The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, decrees that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been ill and restless for a long time. I have specially ordered Imperial Physician Yang to enter the palace to treat him. I decree this."

The prince is sick again? My heart skipped a beat. I had just cured the crane and now the prince is sick. It seems the work in the palace is really busy.

I took the imperial edict and bowed slightly: "Your servant obeys your order and will do his best."

After sending the eunuch away, I still felt a little worried.

Isn't the Crown Prince's body too delicate?

He was in good spirits the last time I saw him, so why is he sick now?

Zhu Yuan came forward, his face full of gossip: "How is it? What's going on?"

"The prince is ill and asked me to go to the palace to see him." I sighed helplessly, "It seems I can't bear to see you worrying about your marriage these days. I have to get back to work."

Zhu Yuan patted my shoulder sympathetically and said, "Imperial Physician Yang, it seems that your medical skills are not only for treating people, but also for the Crown Prince, the Emperor, and even the cranes. You are really versatile."

I glared at him and said, "Stop talking nonsense! If you don't come up with a solution soon, Miss Gu will just drag you away and marry you."

Zhu Yuan immediately shut up and put on an expression that said "I dare not".

I carried my medical box and followed the sedan chair sent by the palace into the palace.

Along the way, I felt a little nervous.

The ancient palace was not a fun place. If you were not careful, you might be involved in some political struggle.

When I arrived at the Eastern Palace, I was taken into the prince's bedroom.

As soon as I entered the room, I saw Zhu Biao lying on the bed, his face slightly pale, with several palace maids standing beside him, looking nervous.

"Imperial Physician Yang is here." The eunuch on the side announced.

I quickly stepped forward and saluted: "Your Highness, I apologize for being late."

Zhu Biao waved his hand, his voice sounding a little weak: "No need to be so polite, Imperial Physician Yang. Come and take a look at my condition."

I nodded, walked forward, and began to take the prince's pulse.

The pulse is stable and there is no major problem.

This doesn't look like a serious illness. Could it be another psychological problem?

I asked tentatively, "Your Highness, have you been overworked or in a bad mood recently?"

Zhu Biao sighed, looking somewhat helpless: "I have been in a bad mood recently, feeling restless and unable to sleep at night."

It turned out to be nothing physical. I breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed I wouldn't need to have my feet pierced this time.

So, I pretended to be thoughtful and said, "Your Highness may be worrying too much, which has led to an imbalance of qi and blood. This condition is not difficult to treat. All you need to do is regulate your mind and relax."

Zhu Biao nodded: "Does Imperial Physician Yang have any good ideas?"

Good solution? Isn't this a typical modern "stress reduction" problem? I thought about it and decided to start from the perspective of modern psychological adjustment.

"Your Highness, I suggest you try some ways to relax your body and mind, such as doing some simple activities, or listening to music, looking at the scenery, and temporarily put aside the worries of palace affairs." I suggested seriously.

Zhu Biao was stunned for a moment, obviously not expecting me to give such advice: "Relax your body and mind?"

"Yes, you can imagine a place without worries and pressure, close your eyes, breathe slowly, and calm yourself down." I continued to fool him.

Zhu Biao nodded, not quite understanding: "This... is it really effective?"

I smiled and said, "Your Highness, you may give it a try. If it doesn't work, I'll make other plans."

After saying that, I watched him close his eyes and start taking deep breaths as I instructed.

Seeing how seriously he was imitating, I couldn't help but laugh in my heart.

Wow, he actually made the prince meditate.

After a moment, Zhu Biao opened his eyes, his expression seemed much more relaxed: "Imperial Physician Yang, this method is indeed effective. I feel much better."

I laughed inwardly, but kept a serious expression on my face: "If Your Highness persists every day, he will naturally recover gradually."

Zhu Biao nodded and said to me with a smile: "Yang Imperial Physician is indeed a skilled doctor. He can not only cure diseases, but also calm the mind."

I quickly said modestly, "Your Highness, I am flattered. I am just doing my best."

Just as I was about to leave, Zhu Biao suddenly seemed to remember something and said, "By the way, Imperial Physician Yang, I heard that your friend Zhu Yuan seems to be having some troubles lately?"

I was stunned and thought: His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is quite well-informed, he even knows about Zhu Yuan’s marriage?

I smiled and said, "Your Highness is right. Zhu Yuan does have some worries, but they are related to his marriage."

Zhu Biao smiled, his expression somewhat amused. "I've met Zhu Yuan a few times. He has a lively personality and is quite interesting. If he's truly troubled, Imperial Physician Yang can help him find some solutions."

I laughed in my heart. It seems that even the prince thinks that Zhu Yuan is an interesting character.

So, I nodded and said, "I will do my best to persuade him."

After saying goodbye to the prince, I left the palace in a good mood.

Unexpectedly, entering the palace this time was so easy. The prince was just under great psychological pressure, and modern "psychological therapy" was quite effective.

When I got home and just sat down, Zhu Yuan came running over again, looking worried and sad: "Imperial Physician Yang, my father is urging me to get married again today. He said that Gu Qingge is already preparing the dowry!"

I couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Your father is really efficient. It seems that you really can't escape."

Zhu Yuan sat down on the chair and sighed to the sky: "My life is over."

I smiled and patted his shoulder: "Don't be so pessimistic, maybe after Gu Qingge marries you two can still get along well."

Zhu Yuan curled his lips in disdain: "Harmony? I think she'll only target me."

I laughed out loud: "Then you can just pretend to be sick every day. She's a good doctor anyway, so she can give you a free checkup."

Zhu Yuan was devastated: "Imperial Physician Yang, your idea is really... unethical!"

I laughed so hard that I couldn't straighten my back, and thought to myself: It seems that Zhu Yuan's marriage drama is far from over.