Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

Ever since he made the bet with Zhu Yuan, his "sports and health plan" was officially launched.

But who could have imagined that this guy's sports career would be a disaster.

On the first day, Zhu Yuanxiong came to the Imperial Garden with a high and proud look on his face. He was wearing a loose robe that he thought was very "professional", with his sleeves rolled up high, looking like a warrior ready to go to battle.

"Miss Yang, watch out, I'm going to run five laps today!" Zhu Yuan waved at me proudly while warming up.

I leaned against a tree, folded my arms, and looked at him, thinking to myself: This guy can't even run two laps, and he dares to brag about running five laps?

"Okay, remember what you said, five laps." I replied with a smile.

Zhu Yuan shook his arms, took a deep breath, and started running.

At first, his pace was quite relaxed and his speed was not slow. He was humming a little tune and seemed to be really energetic.

But soon, the situation took a turn for the worse.

In less than one lap, his speed slowed down noticeably, his breathing became rapid, and the smiling expression on his face gradually turned into a painful distortion.

By the second lap, Zhu Yuan was already panting, sweating profusely, and his steps were shaky.

I watched from afar and couldn't help laughing until my stomach hurt. I knew this guy would hold on, but I didn't expect him to last even longer than I thought.

Finally, halfway through the third lap, Zhu Yuan sat down on the ground, supporting his knees with his hands and gasping for breath.

"Miss Yang...Miss Yang..." He managed to raise his head and said breathlessly, "Am I...am I...almost done?"

I walked over and said with a smile, "You've only run two and a half laps, you're still a long way from five laps."

When Zhu Yuan heard this, his eyes widened like bells and he gasped, "Two and a half laps? Impossible! I clearly felt like I had already run several laps..."

"You still want to run five laps with this much energy?" I couldn't help but laugh. "Don't be so stubborn. Take a break."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuan immediately collapsed to the ground, sprawled out on his back, as if he had just finished a fierce battle: "Oh my God, this is not a job for a human being... Miss Yang, you are too cruel..."

I shook my head helplessly. "Your physical condition is really terrible. I guess we have to start with 'walking' from now on."

Zhu Yuan panted and said weakly, "Take a walk... Good idea... I've decided, let's start with a walk... Take your time, don't rush..."

The next day, Zhu Yuanzhen started with a walk obediently.

He was wearing a comfortable robe and strolling leisurely in the imperial garden, humming a little tune with an expression that said "I'm enjoying it very much."

When the palace maids saw him like this, they couldn't help but cover their mouths and laugh.

"Miss Yang, look, I've learned my lesson this time. Taking a walk is so easy!" Zhu Yuan said proudly.

I looked at him and couldn't help laughing. "What kind of exercise is this? At your speed, the food will be cold by the time you finish one lap."

Zhu Yuan waved his hand nonchalantly: "Take your time. Health preservation is all about perseverance. I call this a gradual approach."

I shook my head helplessly: This guy is really good at comforting himself.

However, he did persist in his "walking plan" for three days. Although his pace became slower and slower each time, and it almost became a "flower viewing plan" in the end, at least he did not slack off.

On the fourth day, Zhu Yuan began to back down again.

"Miss Yang, I think that exercise should be accompanied by some delicious food to be truly effective." As he spoke, he took out a bag of snacks from his arms and ate while walking.

My eyes widened. "Is this exercise? You're eating and walking at the same time. How is that healthy?"

Zhu Yuan smiled nonchalantly. "Oh, Miss Yang, you don't understand. This is called 'balance between eating and exercise.' This is my well-thought-out philosophy of health preservation."

I was at a loss for words: "What you're doing is just 'eating and being lazy', it has nothing to do with health preservation."

Zhu Yuan laughed heartily, not caring at all: "Anyway, I think it's fine. I'm in a good mood!"

On the fifth day, things got even more dramatic.

Zhu Yuan suddenly pulled me aside mysteriously and whispered, "Miss Yang, I recently discovered a secret weapon that will definitely allow me to complete the exercise task easily."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "What secret weapon? What are you up to?"

Zhu Yuan proudly pulled out a small porcelain bottle from his bosom and shook it. "Look, this is the 'Yufeng Powder' I got from outside. It's said that as long as you apply it on your body, you'll run as light as the wind!"

When I heard this, I almost laughed out loud. "Isn't this what you're selling? 'Wind Control Powder,' and saying you can run like the wind? Do you believe that nonsense?"

Zhu Yuan nodded seriously: "Of course I believe it! You see how tired I am from running every day, why not try this, maybe it can save a lot of energy."

I was at a loss for words: "Okay, then you try it." Anyway, I knew this thing must be a gimmick, and I wanted to see what tricks he could come up with.

Sure enough, Zhu Yuan applied the "Yufeng Powder" on his legs and started running with great enthusiasm.

As a result, before he had gone half a lap, he started to complain about numbness in his legs, and finally fell to the ground, groaning in pain.

"Miss Yang... this 'Yufeng Powder'... seems to have some side effects..." Zhu Yuan covered his leg in pain with a distorted expression.

I shook my head helplessly: "I told you it was a lie, but you still didn't believe it."

Zhu Yuan lay on the ground, wailing, "I... I really trusted the wrong person..."

On the seventh day, Zhu Yuan finally gave up his "exercise and health plan" completely.

"Miss Yang, I give up. I admit I can't run anymore!" He looked frustrated, his tone revealing helplessness. "Tell me, what diagnosis do you want me to help you with?"

Looking at his dejected look, I couldn't help but laugh. "I knew you couldn't hold on, but you've been trying your best lately. Just help me diagnose patients for three days. I won't put too much pressure on you."

Zhu Yuan's expression immediately changed, revealing a grateful expression: "Miss Yang, you are so generous, but... I'm not very good at diagnosing illnesses..."

I smiled and patted his shoulder: "Don't worry, I won't let you actually diagnose the disease, you just need to assist me and help me organize the herbs."

Zhu Yuan breathed a sigh of relief: "That's more like it. If I were really allowed to treat the disease, the people of Yingtian Prefecture would probably be in great trouble."

As a result, the news of Zhu Yuan's "failure in exercise and health preservation" spread in the palace, and the concubines couldn't help laughing at him when they heard about it.

Especially the "Yufengsan" incident, which became a topic of conversation after dinner.

"Look, Master Zhu ran like the wind that day, but the windmill stopped." Concubine Zhang said with a smile, covering her mouth.

"He is really making me laugh to death. He actually believes in that 'Yufengsan'." Another lady laughed so hard that she fell backwards.

Zhu Yuan didn't care at all. Instead, he said self-deprecatingly, "Well, a smile makes you look ten years younger. I'm doing this to bring healthy laughter to everyone."

I stood aside and watched him, and couldn't help shaking my head: This guy never forgets to find excuses for himself.

However, although he made a lot of jokes during these seven days, I felt a little emotional when I saw that he could face failure with a smile every time.

Although Zhu Yuan is unreliable, his optimism and humor are truly admirable.

A few days later, I was busy sorting medicinal materials in the clinic when Zhu Yuan suddenly walked in with a mysterious smile on his face.

"Miss Yang, I have good news to tell you." He said mysteriously.

I looked up at him and asked, "What good news?"

Zhu Yuan said with a grin, "Do you remember that 'exercise regimen'? Although I failed, the ladies have been very enthusiastic about it recently. Many of them have started jogging in the palace in the mornings, and some even suggested that I become their 'running coach'!"

I was stunned for a moment: "What? They actually asked you to be their coach?"

Zhu Yuan nodded proudly, "That's right! It seems that I, a 'loser', have become everyone's role model. So what do you think? Am I quite charismatic?"

I couldn't help but laugh and patted him on the shoulder: "It seems that you are really a 'gifted' coach."

Zhu Yuan laughed heartily, his expression filled with pride. "Of course! If you ever want to run again in the future, feel free to come find me. I'll give you a special training class!"

I couldn't help laughing so hard that I couldn't straighten my back: This guy never lets anyone down.