Travels of a Female Physician in the Ming Dynasty

After several days of long journey, we finally returned to the capital.

Along the way, Zhu Yuan was still smiling and making jokes from time to time. Although the injury on his leg had not yet healed completely, he seemed not to care at all and was still keen on making himself laugh.

"Miss Yang, look at my legs. Although they are a little lame, I can still run faster than you!" Zhu Yuan said proudly while leaning on a crutch.

I rolled my eyes at him and said, "Do you want me to help you fall again? This time I guarantee you won't be able to run."

Zhu Yuan immediately covered his leg and pretended to be pitiful. "Oh, Miss Yang, what you said is really scary. I owe my leg to you. Please don't let me fall again. When I fully recover, I want to organize a 'Da Ming Rehabilitation Games'. What do you think?"

"Rehabilitation Games?" I almost burst out laughing. "Are you planning to find a group of injured patients and have them compete to see who recovers the fastest?"

Zhu Yuan nodded seriously. "That's right! You see, nowadays people just lie down and do nothing when they get injured. That's too passive! I think we should promote rehabilitation exercises. Things like skipping rope, kicking shuttlecock, and tug-of-war are all good ways to restore body functions!"

I shook my head helplessly. "What kind of weird ideas are you carrying around in your head? You really can associate everything with the sports meet."

Zhu Yuan laughed heartily. "I'm doing this for everyone's health! You see, I injured my leg this time. If I hadn't had a good attitude and thought about exercising every day, I might not have recovered so quickly."

I looked at him speechlessly, thinking: This guy's optimistic personality is really unbeatable.

After returning to the capital, Zhu Yuan's "adventure journey" became a hot topic of conversation in the palace.

When everyone heard that he had gone to southern Xinjiang and injured his leg, they all came to show their concern for him. Even the eunuchs in the imperial kitchen specially sent him some supplements.

"Mr. Zhu, you are really amazing this time. You went to southern Xinjiang to collect herbs and brought back snow lotus grass!" The young eunuch said with admiration as he handed over the medicine.

Zhu Yuan sighed in a fake manner: "Oh, don't mention it. This time it was really a life-or-death experience. But our Zhu Yuan is not afraid of hardship or fatigue, and finally it has been rewarded."

I almost couldn't hold back my laughter. "You narrowly escaped death? It was the guide who saved you."

Zhu Yuan immediately waved his hands: "Details, details! Overall, I was successful."

The young eunuch looked at him with admiration: "Master Zhu is truly amazing. The rest of us are simply no match for him."

I shook my head helplessly, thinking: This guy really can praise himself no matter what the circumstances.

A few days later, Zhu Yuan brought his trophy - snow lotus herb ointment, and officially appeared in the palace.

He specially made several bottles, put them in small porcelain bottles, and presented them to the Emperor and the Empress.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please look. This is the ointment made from the magical herb Saussurea dasyphylla that I brought back from southern Xinjiang. It is specially used to treat bruises and injuries, and it can promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. The effect is amazing!" Zhu Yuan stood in the center of the hall, showing his "achievements" with confidence.

The Empress picked up a bottle of ointment with great interest and examined it carefully. "Zhu Yuan, you really put in a lot of effort this time. I heard you broke your leg?"

Zhu Yuan nodded immediately, his expression of unwavering loyalty: "Your Majesty, I am doing this for the medical cause of the Ming Dynasty! Although my leg is injured, I have always believed that as long as I can bring back this miraculous herb for Your Majesty and Your Majesty, this little injury is nothing."

The Queen smiled and said, "You are an interesting person."

The emperor sat aside, took a sip of tea, and said calmly: "Zhu Yuan, you performed well this time. I also heard that you were injured. You still need to take good care of your body. As for this ointment, I will let the imperial doctors of the Imperial Hospital try it out. If it really works miraculously, I will reward you."

Zhu Yuan hurriedly bowed, "Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty! I will continue to devote myself to the Ming Dynasty!"

After leaving the hall, Zhu Yuan looked very proud, feeling that he had truly achieved success this time.

As we walked, he boasted to me, "Miss Yang, did you see that? The Emperor and the Empress both praised me! I've really accomplished something great this time."

Looking at his smug look, I couldn't help but jokingly say, "Don't be too happy too soon. If the imperial doctors find that your ointment has no special effect, the emperor will have to settle the score with you."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuan immediately waved his hands and said, "Impossible! I've tried it myself, and this ointment is very effective. Besides, the imperial doctors of our Ming Dynasty are so skilled, they will definitely see its benefits."

I smiled and said, "Okay, then I wish you good luck."

In the next few days, Zhu Yuan's leg injury recovered better and better.

He began to run around the capital again, and seemed to have completely recovered from his "Southern Xinjiang Adventure".

That day he suddenly came to me and said mysteriously, "Miss Yang, I have a new plan."

When I heard this, I immediately had a bad feeling in my heart: "What are you trying to do?"

Zhu Yuan approached me with a smile: "This is a big project. I plan to hold a palace banquet!"

"A palace banquet?" I frowned. "Didn't you already hold a sports meet? Why are you planning another banquet?"

Zhu Yuan excitedly explained, "You may not know that while sports events are fun, they always lack a certain 'elegance'. This time, I plan to host a grand banquet that blends customs from various countries. There will not only be delicious food, but also music and dance, allowing everyone to strengthen their relationships in a relaxed and joyful atmosphere!"

I was a little speechless: "Are you going to cause trouble for yourself again? This kind of banquet is much more complicated than a sports meeting."

Zhu Yuan, however, looked confident: "Don't worry! I'm fully prepared this time. Besides, our Ming Dynasty cuisine is world-famous, and the foreign envoys will definitely love it!"

"How are you going to do that? Can you cook?"

Zhu Yuan chuckled, "You don't know this, do you? I've already made arrangements with the chefs in the imperial kitchen, and they'll help me prepare a table full of international specialties. As for dance and music, I've already found a few performance groups, and there will be a big show."

Hearing him say this, I became curious. "You're quite adept at blending cultures from all over the world. But are you sure the Emperor would agree to let you host this banquet?"

Zhu Yuan said confidently, "Of course! The Emperor has been in a good mood lately, and I think this is a good opportunity. And I've already thought of a perfect reason—to promote cultural exchanges among nations. What do you think of this reason?"

I couldn't help but laugh. "You're really good at finding excuses. However, this one does sound quite legitimate. The Emperor might agree."

Zhu Yuan was very proud: "Right? I knew you would support me! When I hold the banquet, you must come to participate, and we will eat, drink and have fun together!"

I smiled and shook my head: "Okay, let's talk about it after you organize the banquet."

A few days later, Zhu Yuan's "palace banquet" plan was actually approved.

The Emperor was indeed very interested in the reason of "promoting cultural exchange among nations," especially after the international sports games, and felt that such activities would indeed help to enhance friendship. Thus, Zhu Yuan's banquet plan was officially launched.

This time, Zhu Yuan not only invited officials and envoys from the palace, but also found various performance groups and prepared a grand "cultural feast".

On the night of the banquet, the imperial garden was decorated with a new look, lanterns hung high, and melodious music played.

Envoys from various countries entered the venue wearing their respective national costumes.

Officials from the Ming Dynasty also arrived early, and everyone was looking forward to this unique banquet.

Zhu Yuan was dressed in gorgeous clothes, standing in the center of the banquet with a confident smile on his face.

He raised his glass and announced to the crowd, "Dear guests, welcome to this multicultural banquet! Today's banquet will not only feature delicious food, but also wonderful performances. I hope everyone enjoys it!"

The first item of the banquet was a food presentation.

The chefs in the imperial kitchen did not disappoint. Special dishes from various countries were carefully prepared and filled the entire long table.

When the foreign envoys saw the delicacies from their own country, they all showed surprised expressions.

"This barbecue is exactly the same as the one in our country!" exclaimed the envoy from the Western Regions.

"This dish is so well-recreated that it reminds me of my hometown!" said the envoy from Southern Xinjiang with emotion.

Zhu Yuan laughed from ear to ear, "Everyone, these dishes are carefully prepared by the chefs in our imperial kitchen. Please feel free to eat and enjoy them!"

The following performance drew even more applause.

From dances from southern Xinjiang, to music from the Western Regions, to traditional opera from the Ming Dynasty, the atmosphere of the entire banquet was extremely lively.

Zhu Yuan stood aside, commenting from time to time, as if he was the "chief director" of this cultural event.

Looking at his smug look, I couldn't help laughing: This guy, although he always acts foolishly, he really has a heart that makes everyone happy.

Halfway through the banquet, Zhu Yuan suddenly walked up to me, raised his glass, and smiled at me: "Miss Yang, thank you for your continued support. Without you, none of my plans would have succeeded."

I was stunned for a moment. I didn't expect him to suddenly thank me so formally. I couldn't help but feel a little touched.

"You guy, you finally said something sensible." I raised my glass with a smile and gently touched his glass.

Zhu Yuan laughed heartily. "Although I'm a playful person, I still have something to say. Miss Yang, let's work together to promote the culture and medicine of the Ming Dynasty!"

I looked at his eyes full of enthusiasm and dreams, and suddenly I felt: Although this guy is always lazy, he does have an irresistible charm.