Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

A few days passed, and the palace was still immersed in the afterglow of the cross-border sports meeting.

Before leaving, the foreign envoys specially thanked Zhu Yuan, and some even brought special gifts from their respective countries to express their "high recognition" of this event.

Zhu Yuan's face was about to break from laughter. He showed off the gifts everywhere all day long, as if he had become a diplomatic ambassador of the Ming Dynasty.

Early that morning, Zhu Yuan appeared mysteriously at the door of the pharmacy again, looking like "I have another big plan."

When I saw his face, I was immediately filled with vigilance.

"What do you want to do now?" I put down the herbs in my hand and looked up at him.

Zhu Yuan walked in with a smile, came up to me, and said in a low voice: "Miss Yang, I have another adventurous plan recently."

"What adventure plan?" I frowned, secretly wondering if it was another "transnational competition".

Zhu Yuan looked around mysteriously, and after confirming that no one was around, he leaned close to my ear and whispered, "I'm planning a trip—to Southern Xinjiang!"

I was stunned and almost dropped the medicine bowl in my hand: "Southern Xinjiang? What are you doing there?!"

Zhu Yuan said with a smug look on his face, "Do you still remember what the Southern Xinjiang envoy brought to this sports meet?"

I thought about it for a moment and nodded. "You mean that bottle of mysterious ointment? It's said to be very effective in healing wounds."

Zhu Yuan nodded excitedly: "That's it! I chatted with the envoy for a long time and learned that there is an extremely rare herb in southern Xinjiang called 'Snow Lotus Grass'. It is said that it can heal almost all external injuries and can also promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis.

Just think about it, if I could bring this herb back, wouldn’t I be rich?”

After hearing what he said, I became curious: "Is there really such a magical herb?"

Zhu Yuan patted his chest and said, "Of course! The envoy told me so himself. He also said that this herb can only be found in the deep mountains of southern Xinjiang. Ordinary people can't find it at all."

"So you plan to go to the mountains of southern Xinjiang to collect herbs by yourself?" I looked at him in shock, wondering if he had gone crazy this time.

Zhu Yuan nodded excitedly, "That's right! I've already made some inquiries. Although the road to Southern Xinjiang is long, it's relatively safe with a guide. Furthermore, I can use this opportunity to expand the Southern Xinjiang market. Our Ming Dynasty sports games were such a success, the people of Southern Xinjiang will surely be interested!"

I couldn't help but hold my forehead with my hand. "Are you going to collect herbs, or to promote your sports meeting?"

"Of course I do both!" Zhu Yuan smiled confidently. "Haven't you noticed? The sports meet has become my signature product! I, Zhu Yuan, am determined to bring this specialty of our Daming Dynasty to the world!"

"You're crazy..." I sighed helplessly, "Aren't you afraid of something unexpected happening in Southern Xinjiang? That place is not as safe as the palace."

Zhu Yuan waved his hands, looking nonchalant. "Oh, Miss Yang, you underestimate me too much. Don't forget, I'm Zhu Yuan. I've seen everything. Besides, with a miracle doctor like you as a friend, what else can I be afraid of? If I really get hurt, I'll come back to you for treatment!"

I was speechless: "You really treat me as your backup lifeline!"

Zhu Yuan laughed heartily and patted my shoulder: "Don't worry, Miss Yang, I will definitely return safely this time! When I get back, I will bring you a bottle of the best snow lotus herbal ointment, which will ensure that you will be able to treat illnesses and save lives more smoothly in the future!"

A few days later, Zhu Yuan set off.

He had indeed contacted a guide in southern Xinjiang, and with a heart full of enthusiasm and several large bags, he embarked on his "herb-collecting journey." Before leaving, he even came to the pharmacy to say goodbye to me, looking very proud.

"Miss Yang, when I return triumphantly, let's have a drink together to celebrate!" He waved the luggage in his hand, his face full of excitement.

I smiled helplessly and said, "You better be careful this time. Don't hurt yourself because of playing around."

Zhu Yuan chuckled, "Don't worry, I'm sure nothing will happen to me this time! After all, I'm considered the successful planner of the 'Transnational Games'. How could I fail in the mountains of southern Xinjiang?"

I shook my head and warned, "Alright, stop talking nonsense and be careful on the road. The climate in southern Xinjiang is different from here. Bring some medicinal herbs with you so you can deal with any discomfort."

Zhu Yuan nodded, smiled and waved his hands: "I know, I know! You really act like an old mother. Don't worry, I will definitely return safely!"

Looking at Zhu Yuan's gradually receding back, I felt a little uneasy, but I couldn't tell the specific reason.

This guy never follows the beaten path. Who knows if he will cause any big trouble this time?

Time passed quickly, and Zhu Yuan had been away for a whole month.

Life in the palace remained peaceful, except that occasionally some palace maids and eunuchs would ask about Zhu Yuan's recent situation. After all, this guy was too active on weekdays, and his sudden disappearance made everyone a little uncomfortable.

"Miss Yang, Mr. Zhu won't really encounter any danger when he goes to southern Xinjiang to collect herbs this time, right?" The young eunuch in the imperial kitchen asked me worriedly while cutting vegetables.

I shook my head and smiled, comforting him, "He's always been lucky. Don't worry, he's definitely safe. He's probably feasting in some small town in southern Xinjiang right now."

The young eunuch scratched his head and said, "That's right. Master Zhu is so smart, he should be fine."

However, just when everyone thought that Zhu Yuan’s “adventure” would be safe and sound, I suddenly received an unexpected news.

That evening, just as I was about to close the pharmacy, a guide dressed in southern Xinjiang clothing rushed in, his face filled with anxiety: "Miss Yang! Something's happened to Master Zhu!"

My heart tightened, and I almost dropped the medicine bottle in my hand. "What's going on? What happened to him?"

The guide panted and said, "Mr. Zhu is in the deep mountains of southern Xinjiang. He accidentally broke his leg and is now unable to move. That's why I ran to tell you the news!"

I was immediately panicked. I hadn't expected Zhu Yuan to be in trouble. Anxiously, I quickly packed up my herbs and planned to follow the guide to southern Xinjiang.

"Don't worry, take me to find him!" I said to the guide while quickly packing the medicine box.

The guide nodded and said, "Okay! I'll take you there. Mr. Zhu is still in a small village in the mountains. Although his condition is not good, he is not in danger for the time being."

A few days later, I arrived in southern Xinjiang.

Along the way, I was terribly anxious, my mind constantly replaying Zhu Yuan's smug smile and his last words before leaving, "Don't worry, I'll definitely return safely." So what happened? Sure enough, he didn't disappoint me; something went wrong.

When I arrived at the small village, Zhu Yuan was lying in a simple thatched hut, his face pale and his legs wrapped in herbs and bandages.

When he saw me, a smile of "seeing a savior" suddenly appeared on his originally weak face.

"Miss Yang, you're here..." Zhu Yuan said weakly.

I walked over, furious: "You guy! Didn't you say nothing would happen? Why did you fall?"

Zhu Yuan smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Oh, who knew that the mountain road was so slippery... I was planning to look for snow lotus grass, but I accidentally stepped on empty air and fell down."

I couldn't help but glare at him. "You fell so hard, luckily no bones were broken! You're really lucky this time!"

Zhu Yuan smiled awkwardly: "Luckily, a guide saved me, otherwise I might still be lying in the ravine now."

I sighed and carefully checked his injuries. I found that the injury on his leg was not too serious. It was just because he fell too hard and it was damp and cold in the mountains, so the wound healed slowly.

I immediately changed the ointment I brought and gently applied it to him.

"You must rest well this time and don't run around anymore." I reminded him while applying the medicine.

Zhu Yuan blinked and said with a smile, "Don't worry, I will definitely obey you and wait until my injury is healed. By the way, my trip was not in vain, I have found the snow lotus grass!"

I was stunned. I didn't expect that he actually found it: "Really?!"

Zhu Yuan nodded proudly: "Of course! Although I fell, but fortunately the guide helped me pick a few plants. When my injury heals, I will bring them back and make ointment for you!"

I smiled helplessly: "You guys are really risking your life for these herbs."

Zhu Yuan chuckled: "Life, after all, needs some adventure to be wonderful."

After a few days, Zhu Yuan's injuries gradually improved.

My guide and I have been taking care of him in the village. During this time, he still did not forget to be funny and playful. He even played a "fun race" with the children in the village. Although he ran with a limp, he had a lot of fun.

"You are such a real person. You didn't forget to participate in the sports meeting even when your leg was injured." I sat aside, watching him laughing and playing with the children, and couldn't help shaking my head.

Zhu Yuan smiled and gave me a victory sign: "Exercise is the source of life! Even if your leg is injured, you still need to move around."

I smiled helplessly. This guy always found a way to make himself and others happy, even in the most difficult situations.

A few days later, we finally set off back to the capital.

Although Zhu Yuan has not fully recovered, he can already walk around.

When he was leaving, the children in the village surrounded him reluctantly and pulled at his clothes to prevent him from leaving.

"Brother Zhu Yuan, when will you come again?" asked a little girl.

Zhu Yuan squatted down, touched her head, and said with a smile: "Wait until my leg is healed, and then I'll come play with you guys next time, okay?"

The children nodded one after another, and I stood aside, watching this scene, and felt a little moved.

Although this guy is always lazy, he can always infect people around him with his optimism and enthusiasm.