Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

In the morning, I was planning to have a good breakfast - after all, I have been so busy in the palace these days that I haven't even had a cup of hot tea.

As a result, just as I sat down and hadn't picked up the first bite of the white steamed bun with my chopsticks, I heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

"Doctor Yang! Doctor Yang!"

My heart tightened, thinking: Could this be another palace incident? I've only had less than two days of rest!

As expected, the door curtain was lifted, and a eunuch rushed in breathlessly, bowing and saying, "Doctor Yang, His Majesty urgently summons you! Concubine Shen has fainted and is likely in a worsening condition!"

I almost choked on the steamed bun in my mouth and quickly wiped it. "Why is it Lady Shen again? Isn't she just lacking in energy and blood? Why did she suddenly faint?"

The eunuch also looked anxious: "I dare not make any rash judgments. The palace doctors are helpless. That's why His Majesty is so anxious to summon you to the palace."

I quickly stood up, secretly complaining in my heart: What's wrong with Concubine Shen? She's only been recuperating for a few days, and something's happened so soon? This palace is really full of troubles!

Zhu Yuan had appeared out of nowhere, standing nearby with a gloating expression, "Miss Yang, see, I told you, the palace is full of trouble. You've only been appointed 'Imperial Physician' for a few days, and they're already looking for you."

I glared at him. "Are you gloating? I'm working day and night to save people, and you seem to be taking it easy."

Zhu Yuan spread his hands innocently: "Who said I'm not a doctor? But don't worry, Miss Yang, when you collapse from exhaustion, I will definitely bring you some supplements!"

"Forget about the tonics, but just don't cause me any more trouble." I muttered as I quickly packed up my medicine box and followed the eunuch into the palace.

When they arrived at the palace, as expected, Concubine Shen was already unconscious, her face as pale as paper. In modern times, she would be a standard patient in the emergency room.

I stepped forward and carefully took her pulse, my heart sinking. This was clearly acute hypoglycemia combined with severe Qi and blood deficiency! If she didn't get her nutrition in time, her life would be in jeopardy.

"Doctor Yang, how is Concubine Shen?" the eunuch asked impatiently.

I frowned. "She's been suffering from severe Qi and blood loss, coupled with low blood sugar, which is why she's in a coma now. We need to replenish her sugar and nutrients quickly."

"Sugar?" The eunuch looked confused. "What is this sugar?"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes and thought: Ancient people really didn't understand science!

"To put it simply, it's sugary drinks, sweets, and the like." I explained, "Hurry up and prepare some brown sugar water, and boil some blood-nourishing medicinal food. Her body is too weak, and she needs to be nursed back to health."

The eunuch responded quickly and ran to make arrangements in a panic.

I stood aside, wondering: How could Lady Shen, who was so weak, fall ill so quickly? Could someone have deliberately made her suffer?

Before I had time to think about it, Zhu Yuan slipped in from somewhere and approached me stealthily: "Miss Yang, I heard some news."

I raised an eyebrow. "Where did you find out?"

Zhu Yuan winked and smiled. "This palace is full of well-informed people. Do you know that Concubine Shen's illness may not be just a simple physical weakness?"

I immediately became interested: "Oh? Tell me about it."

Zhu Yuan lowered his voice and said, "Some people say that after Concubine Shen became favored, many people in the harem became jealous, especially the imperial concubines. There seems to be a lot of rumors going around recently."

I frowned: "You mean, someone wants to harm her?"

Zhu Yuan shrugged. "Who knows? Fighting for favor is commonplace in the palace. Concubine Shen usually eats well and has everything she needs, so how could she suddenly become so seriously ill?"

My heart skipped a beat, Zhu Yuan's words reminded me.

All the women in the palace were worried. It was indeed strange that Concubine Shen's illness had progressed so quickly.

However, I can't make a rash judgment. After all, I am a doctor and my duty is to cure diseases and save lives. As for the palace fighting conspiracies behind it, I don't want to get involved.

Just then, a palace maid hurried in with a bowl of brown sugar water, and I quickly fed it to Concubine Shen.

After a while, her complexion improved slightly, her eyelids moved, and she slowly opened her eyes.

"Doctor Yang..." She called out weakly, her voice as soft as a mosquito.

I breathed a sigh of relief and comforted her with a smile, "Don't worry, Madam. You're fainting from excessive loss of Qi and blood, coupled with low blood sugar. Just replenish some sugar and nutrients and you'll be fine."

Lady Shen nodded weakly, but there was a hint of uneasiness in her eyes, as if she wanted to say something but didn't dare to open her mouth.

Seeing her hesitate to speak, I felt something was amiss. It seemed like Lady Shen had something to hide...

Just as I was thinking about this, the eunuch next to me suddenly ran in with a nervous look on his face: "Doctor Yang, the emperor is here!"

What? The Emperor? I was shocked: This is directly facing Zhu Yuanzhang!

Before I could react, Zhu Yuanzhang had already strode into the bedroom.

He looked majestic. Although he was over fifty years old, he was still energetic. His sharp eyes swept across the room and finally fell on Lady Shen.

"How is Miss Shen?" His voice was deep and powerful, with a hint of majesty.

I quickly stepped forward and knelt down to pay my respects. "Your Majesty, Concubine Shen has lost a lot of energy and blood, and has fainted a while ago. However, I have already treated her, and she is fine for now."

Zhu Yuanzhang's expression eased slightly and he nodded: "Thank you for your hard work, Doctor Yang."

Hard work? Zhu Yuanzhang actually told me it was hard work?

I felt a little dazed and continued to kneel, not daring to look up.

Zhu Yuanzhang walked to Lady Shen's bedside, his eyes softening a bit: "Are you okay?"

Concubine Shen struggled to stand up and smiled weakly: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am much better now."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, but suddenly turned to me, frowning slightly. "Doctor Yang, how could Concubine Shen be so weak? The palace doctors didn't say it was that serious before."

My heart tightened, and I quickly explained, "Your Majesty, Lady Shen's illness didn't develop overnight. The deficiency of Qi and blood is the result of a long period of accumulation. Coupled with the recent improper diet and lack of nutrition, it has led to today's condition."

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, his expression gradually darkening. "Improper diet? Who in this palace dares to neglect the food of this beauty?"

I quickly lowered my head and said, "Your Majesty, I am only analyzing the patient's condition. I have no other intentions."

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly: "It seems that I have been a little careless about the affairs of this palace."

I secretly groaned inwardly: This sounds like they're going to find someone to blame! This Concubine Shen's illness might actually be linked to some palace conspiracy!

Zhu Yuanzhang turned around, glanced at me, and spoke in a slightly slower tone: "Doctor Yang, Concubine Shen's illness still needs further treatment. Since you are the imperial physician, you must take good care of her and save her life at all costs."

I nodded quickly: "Yes, Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my best."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and turned to leave. I breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from my forehead.

The Emperor's aura is so strong! I almost couldn't breathe just now!

Zhu Yuan slipped in at some point and said in a low voice, "Miss Yang, that was the Emperor just now! You were able to talk to him without changing your expression. You're really amazing!"

I glared at him helplessly. "Still calm? Can't you see my palms are sweaty? This emperor is even scarier than in the theater!"

Zhu Yuan said with a smile: "But then again, you are now officially the 'imperial doctor'. Even the emperor looks at you with a different eye."

I curled my lips and said, "What kind of miracle doctor is this? I just want to cure Lady Shen quickly and then go home to sleep."

Zhu Yuan smiled wickedly: "Don't think so. The palace is full of troubles! I think there might be a lot of trouble waiting for you after this incident with Concubine Shen."

I sighed. "It doesn't matter if it's a bother or not. I just want to be an ordinary doctor peacefully and not get involved in those palace intrigues."

Zhu Yuan smiled and said, "Then you have to be careful. It's not easy to avoid palace fighting."

When I returned home, I was thinking about Lady Shen's condition and felt a little anxious.

If it is true as Zhu Yuan said, that there is a palace conspiracy behind this, then wouldn't I be caught up in this mess?

But no matter what, as a doctor, my duty is to cure diseases and save lives.

As for those other open and covert struggles, I just hope I can stay away from them as much as possible.

However, how can one just avoid what is happening in the palace?