The Imperial Doctress Episode 10 Recap
> The Imperial Doctress Recap
The emperor issued an edict announcing the end of the epidemic and the reopening of the city gates, leading to celebrations and relief among the populace, with victims receiving travel allowances. Wan Gongfeng was commended for his exceptional service, and Supervisor Cheng was also recognized for his diligent efforts in treating the sick within the city. Meanwhile, Yunxian, having learned ginger-separated moxibustion, was treating a man suffering from stomach pain and diarrhea, who lauded her as a "living Bodhisattva."
Zisu, Yunxian's maid, urged her to leave the Yongqing Convent as the city gates were open and her family might arrive. Suddenly, Hang Gang, Yunxian's father, appeared. Enraged to find his daughter touching a man's leg, he accused her of lacking propriety. He forcibly took Yunxian home and locked her in her embroidery room, forbidding her from leaving.
Hang Gang’s mother tried to reason with him, explaining that Abbess Jingci had to let Yunxian treat the gravely ill at the convent. However, Hang Gang remained inflexible, fearing that Yunxian’s growing reputation as a "living Guanyin" would attract the Empress Dowager’s attention, exposing the Hang family’s true surname, Tan, and their ancestral medical background, which could bring severe repercussions.
He expressed deep shame over Yunxian's actions, stating that in other families, such behavior would be met with severe punishment, but he was only confining her to reflect on her mistakes. Despite his anger, Yunxian’s grandmother later secretly brought her snacks, affirming Yunxian's philanthropic deeds at Yongqing Convent and recalling her late grandfather’s principle that a physician must never turn away from those in need. She gently cautioned Yunxian to be more prudent in the future.
Later that night, Zhu Qiyu secretly entered Yunxian's room through the window. He urgently explained that his mother, Consort Dowager Wu, had contracted cholera and was not responding to treatment from imperial doctors. He pleaded with Yunxian to visit his residence to save her. Zisu protested, worried about the severe consequences if Yunxian left, but Zhu Qiyu promised to ensure Yunxian's safe and discreet return. Moved by his plea, Yunxian agreed and instructed Zisu to impersonate her in bed.
At Zhu Qiyu's home, Yunxian examined Consort Dowager Wu, learning of her fever, thirst, and fluctuating body temperature. After initial perplexity over the ineffectiveness of previous prescriptions, Yunxian discerned a foul odor and requested Consort Dowager Wu's chamber pot. Observing reddish-yellow, bloody urine and learning of her recent menstrual period and difficulty with urination, Yunxian accurately diagnosed her illness as heat strangury caused by damp heat in the bladder, exacerbated by cold exposure, rather than the previously assumed toxic heat.
She prescribed Bazheng Powder and advised regular use of nourishing supplements like donkey-hide gelatin and eight-treasure porridge. Zhu Qiyu was immensely relieved and grateful for her expertise. As Zhu Qiyu drove Yunxian home in a carriage, he confessed that he was the one who had arranged for Eunuch Wang to intervene during her previous trial, an act he felt compelled to do due to a special closeness he felt upon first meeting her.
He openly declared his growing affection for her, leaving Yunxian deeply touched. Upon her return, Hang Gang discovered Yunxian had been out all night. Believing her honor irrevocably compromised, he furiously locked her in the dungeon, intending to starve her and even ordered a coffin. His mother desperately pleaded for Yunxian's life, but Hang Gang remained unyielding, prioritizing the Hang family's reputation above all else. Meanwhile, Emperor Qizhen visited Zhu Qiyu.
Zhu Qiyu used the opportunity to ask Qizhen to always protect Consort Dowager Wu in the future, despite her ties to the Empress Dowager. Qizhen also requested Zhu Qiyu to return to the capital and discreetly monitor the Empress Dowager's activities. They agreed to feign public distance to avoid arousing suspicion from the Empress Dowager, while secretly continuing to support each other.
Zhu Qiyu soon received a letter from Yongqing Convent, informing him that Yunxian was imprisoned by her father and urging him to help. He immediately disguised himself as an Embroidered-Uniform Guard and went to the Hang residence. There, he falsely claimed to Hang Gang that he had been dispatched by the Emperor, via Eunuch Wang, to escort Yunxian to the palace the previous night to treat a noble.
Realizing that Yunxian had been acting under imperial command, Hang Gang understood she was innocent of impropriety. He immediately ordered Zisu to retrieve Yunxian from the dungeon. Yunxian was found unconscious, and a worried Hang Gang carried her back to her room. Later, Yunxian's grandmother spoke to her, explaining that her father's harsh punishment stemmed from his concern for her reputation.
She advised Yunxian that Zhu Qiyu, having spent the night with her to save his mother, should marry her to preserve her honor. Zhu Qiyu, who had come to check on Yunxian and overheard the grandmother's conversation from outside her window, then entered. He apologized for inadvertently harming Yunxian's reputation and causing her suffering. He then confessed his love, stating that he had liked her since she first saved him, and believed their repeated encounters were a matter of destiny.
Zhu Qiyu then revealed his true identity as a royal, not a mere salt merchant, and admitted he was the child of a concubine. Yunxian was hesitant, citing the vast difference in their social statuses. Zhu Qiyu assured her that his feelings were genuine and asked her to consider his marriage proposal. He requested she hang a red handkerchief from her window if she accepted, and a white one if she declined, promising to respect her decision regardless.
