Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

After returning from Crown Prince Zhu Biao, I couldn't calm down at all.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said casually, "Father is very interested in you." Why does this sound so suspenseful?

I am a young doctor who traveled through time and space, but I can actually attract the attention of the founding emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. This is not a good thing!

Zhu Yuanzhang was a famous iron-blooded emperor in history. He was also suspicious and would drag people out and kill them at any time.

Although my modern medical skills can fool a few imperial physicians, will I appear too "mysterious" in their eyes?

If he suspected that I was a demon, or a "spy from another country"...

"No, no, I can't think like that. The more I think about it, the more mysterious it becomes." I patted my head and forced myself to calm down.

Just as I was daydreaming, I suddenly heard Xiao Cui's voice coming from outside the door: "Miss, someone is coming from the palace!"

My heart tightened. Sure enough, this bad premonition came again!

After a while, a eunuch walked in. Although he was not very old, he was very arrogant and it was obvious that he was from the palace.

As soon as he entered, he smiled at me and bowed, "Miss Yang, by the Emperor's order, you are invited to the palace to meet him tomorrow."

I nearly dropped the cup in my hand.

Meeting the Emperor? Meeting Zhu Yuanzhang?

It’s over now, I’m afraid my life is in danger!

I just heard from the Crown Prince yesterday that Zhu Yuanzhang was "interested" in me, and today he directly summoned me. Isn't this too fast?

I'm not mentally prepared yet!

"This...I..." I was speechless for a moment, my mind racing, thinking about what excuse to make to shirk responsibility.

But, if I refuse the emperor's summons, will I lose my life?

Seeing my embarrassment, the young eunuch immediately said, "Miss Yang, don't worry. The Emperor simply wishes to see you. He has no ill intentions. The Empress and the Crown Prince both praise your medical skills. The Emperor simply wishes to meet this 'miracle doctor' in person."

I broke out in a cold sweat, thinking that you guys are praising me too much!

What "miracle doctor"? I'm just an ordinary person who makes a living by relying on modern medicine!

But now that I've said this, how can I still hide? No matter how scared I am, I can't refuse the emperor's summons.

I had no choice but to nod and say, "Okay, I will definitely go to the palace on time tomorrow."

The young eunuch nodded with satisfaction, bowed, and hurried away.

After seeing off the people from the palace, I collapsed in the chair and the ceiling seemed to be spinning.

"Miss, what's wrong with you?" Xiao Cui came over and looked at me with concern.

"What's wrong with me? I might be finished this time." I sighed weakly.

Xiao Cui blinked, clearly not understanding what I meant. "Miss, aren't you a skilled doctor? This time, when you go to the palace to see the emperor, you might even receive a reward from him!"

I smiled bitterly and shook my head. "Xiao Cui, do you know what kind of person the emperor is? He's the founding emperor, known for his decisiveness in killing and deep suspicion. My limited medical skills would probably seem too strange to him. If he suspects that I know too much... you know what the consequences will be, right?"

Xiao Cui's expression also changed: "But, Miss, you cured the Empress and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. The Emperor shouldn't punish you casually, right?"

"I hope so..." I pinched my eyebrows, feeling indescribably irritated.

I had a sleepless night, and the next morning, Xiao Cui forcibly pulled me out of bed with dark circles under my eyes.

There's no other way. I have to go to the palace today. Being late is not a good sign.

Along the way, I felt as cold as if I had fallen into an ice cave.

Xiao Cui was much calmer than me, and kept muttering beside me: "Miss, don't worry, everything will go well."

I smiled bitterly inwardly: Xiao Cui, do you know that you're comforting someone who's about to meet Zhu Yuanzhang? Everything goes well? If it does, can I still have dinner at home tonight?

When I arrived at the palace, I was taken to the Fengtian Hall.

The atmosphere in the hall was solemn and dignified. Zhu Yuanzhang was sitting on a high seat with an expression as serious as a stone sculpture.

My heart was in my throat and I almost fell off my knees.

"Your humble servant, Yang Tong, pays respect to His Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked up at me, his eyes so sharp that it seemed as if he could see through me.

I quickly lowered my head and dared not say anything more.

"Miss Yang, please raise your head." His low voice came.

I suppressed the tension in my heart, slowly raised my head and met Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze.

There was no expression on his face, but his eyes were filled with majesty that made people shudder.

"I heard that you are an excellent doctor and have often cured the Queen and the Prince." He spoke slowly. Although his voice was not loud, every word was like a heavy hammer hitting my heart.

"Your Majesty, I only know a little about medicine. Fortunately, I have the trust of several nobles. I dare not take credit for it." I quickly replied humbly, afraid that I would say something wrong.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, then changed his tone: "Then let me ask you, where did you learn this medical skill?"

Sure enough, here he comes! My heart tightened, I had guessed he would ask this question.

"Your Majesty, my medical skills are inherited from my family. My ancestors were famous doctors, and I have only inherited some superficial knowledge from the ancestral medical books." I tried my best to appear natural, but I was extremely nervous.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, as if thinking about something.

"The imperial doctors have never seen your 'pulse listening device', and I have never heard of it. What is it? Why is it so wonderful?" he continued to ask.

Sure enough, even the emperor was interested in my "stethoscope".

I kept praying in my heart: God bless me, please don’t let this thing cause me to lose my head!

"Your Majesty, that pulse listening device is a family heirloom, specifically used for diagnosing pulses and illnesses. It can help doctors diagnose illnesses more accurately."

I explained carefully, trying not to seem too awkward.

After listening to this, Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he was weighing something.

He didn't speak immediately, and the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became a little depressing.

Just when I was about to collapse from the heavy atmosphere, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly smiled, his eyes revealing a hint of appreciation: "Interesting. Your medical skills are quite unique. I am very curious."

I felt relieved. At least for now, the emperor had no hostility towards me.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang's next words left me completely confused.

"Since you are a good doctor, I will let you treat the illnesses in the palace from now on."

I nodded quickly, "Yes, I will do my best."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, seemingly satisfied with my attitude. He said nothing more, but simply instructed the eunuch beside him: "Give her the reward I have prepared."

Then he waved to me and said, "Okay, you can leave now."

I breathed a sigh of relief and sighed silently in my heart: Fortunately, this time it was just a reward and I was not asked to treat my illness.

I felt as if I had been pardoned. I quickly bowed and took my leave, leaving the Fengtian Hall without even looking back.

After leaving the palace, I felt completely relaxed and as if I had just been through the gates of hell.

Zhu Yuanzhang, this old fox, is really hard to deal with. Fortunately, I didn’t say anything wrong today, otherwise my life would be in danger!

However, although he escaped danger temporarily, it seemed that he could not escape being "on call" in the palace from now on.

I felt helpless: life in ancient times was much more complicated than I had imagined!

At this time, Xiao Cui came forward with an excited look on her face: "Miss, what did the emperor give you as a reward?"

I gave her a wry smile and said, "The reward wasn't much, but they did give me a new job."

"Work? What kind of job?" Xiao Cui looked confused.

"Imperial Physician." I uttered two words briefly.

Xiao Cui's expression at that time was truly remarkable. First, she was surprised, then ecstatic, and finally, she was even a little proud: "Miss, you really have become the imperial physician in the palace! This is a huge honor! You have brought honor to the Yang family!"

I waved my hands helplessly: "It's light, but it's also stressful! If I can't be cured someday, it won't just be a matter of glory, it'll be a matter of losing my head."

After hearing this, Xiao Cui's smile instantly faded: "Ah...Miss, do we need to be more careful?"

"Yes, be careful when practicing medicine, saving lives is the most important thing." I took a deep breath and began to mentally prepare myself for my future "royal physician career."

A few days later, I officially received news from the palace: From today on, I will be responsible for diagnosing and treating all major and minor illnesses in the palace.

This means that I have to be on standby at all times and go to the palace as soon as I am summoned.

You know, there were no mobile phones in ancient times, and there was no such thing as "remote consultation". If there was an illness, I had to go there in person.

So, my daily life became: "studying" ancient herbs in Yang's house while waiting for the call from the palace at any time.

To be honest, this situation makes me a little tired.

But I also understand that in ancient times, especially in the early Ming Dynasty, imperial physicians were not ordinary doctors. Not only did they have to have superb medical skills, they also had to be able to read people's faces, especially the emperor's.

Zhu Yuanzhang is not an easy person to serve.