The Imperial Doctress Episode 14 Recap
> The Imperial Doctress Recap
His Majesty was deeply saddened, recalling his acquaintance with Yunxian and the circumstances of her "early demise." He reminisced about seeing her and Qiyu admiring flower lanterns together, lamenting that one was now gone and the other gravely ill. He confessed to the Empress that Yunxian was the only person who dared to scold him, and while he liked her "just a little," he never intended to bring her into the palace, knowing her character would not thrive there.
He had only wished for a good friend to share simple joys with, admitting his loneliness. He expressed anger that she and Qiyu had not confided in him, and grief that she had died so young despite her intelligence, medical skills, and inquisitive nature. The Empress offered comfort, reminding His Majesty not to dwell on his sorrow.
She suggested that the thorough plot to chase down Hang Gang’s family couldn't have been solely orchestrated by Xu, who had already been removed from office; someone powerful must have been behind it. She urged His Majesty to investigate the matter for Yunxian's sake, as only by uncovering the truth could Yunxian rest peacefully. Taking the Empress's counsel, His Majesty resolved to investigate, suspecting Duke Wang, but he lacked concrete evidence to convict him.
Meanwhile, Qiyu was gravely ill and bedridden, heartbroken by Yunxian's presumed death. A grand doctor examining him noted that Qiyu's illness stemmed from anger and anxiety affecting his heart, recommending specific herbal remedies and a restorative porridge. He stressed that Qiyu needed to focus on recovery to prevent further deterioration. When Wang Meilin came to visit, having heard of his illness, Qiyu, suspecting her involvement in the Hang family's tragedy, furiously ordered her to leave.
His mother, Consort Dowager, pleaded with him to drink his medicine, reminding him that he was her life and that he still had a future as Crown Prince and Emperor. Qiyu, however, wished for death, prompting his mother to kneel and beg him to take the medicine. Unable to bear his mother's desperation, Qiyu finally drank the tonic but remained deeply distraught, crying alone in his room.
Hang Gang, reflecting on Yunxian’s death, came to a realization that reviving the Tan family's reputation was an empty pursuit. He decided to take his mother back to their hometown to retire and forget the past, if only the court would allow it.
During a discussion with His Majesty, Wang Zhen reported that the order to punish the Tan family years ago had come from the Emperor and Empress Dowager, with Old Ru's assistance to Empress's father, Minister Qian, confirming that Yunxian was originally surnamed Tan. Wang Zhen also reported on the investigation into the bandit attack, revealing that Duke Wang had deftly blamed Xu for disguising himself as a bandit to seek revenge on the Hang family.
His Majesty acknowledged Duke Wang’s cunning, but recognized his inability to directly prosecute the Duke due to his strong ties to the Empress Dowager. Instead, His Majesty approved Tan Geng's three-year leave to return home. Regarding Lady Hang's burial, His Majesty decreed that despite her unmarried status, she should be interred with the ceremony of a county official, allowing him to visit her frequently.
After falling into the river, Yunxian was carried by the current to Huaiyin, where she was spotted and rescued by members of a local opera troupe. As she lay unconscious, she dreamt of her family members blaming her for their misfortune, waking with a cry. Chen Biniang, a lead actress, introduced herself and the troupe, explaining they had pulled her from the water. Priest Wang, a doctor associated with the troupe, examined her and assured her she would survive.
When asked about her identity, Yunxian revealed she was from Wuxi's Changzhou, and that her entire family had been killed, leaving her as the sole survivor. She learned that it was already the tenth of February. Priest Wang explained that they had sold some of her valuables to purchase expensive medicine to save her life, leaving her with only two taels of silver. Yunxian was distraught, fearing her Lingzhi hairpin, a gift from Qiyu, was also gone.
However, Priest Wang produced the hairpin, revealing they had only sold her other belongings, while Biniang apologized for the troupe's poverty. Yunxian, overwhelmed, expressed her gratitude for their rescue. Later, Yunxian asked Chen Biniang to acquire an imperial bulletin, hoping for news of her father. She read that Hang Gang had been granted leave to return to his hometown for rest.
Though relieved to find some news, Yunxian remained melancholic, believing herself a harbinger of bad luck, and silently bid farewell to Qiyu, telling herself she no longer had the privilege to cry. Priest Wang, observing her, noted her understanding of medicine when she recognized the ingredients of the herbs he prescribed. Sensing her despair about her future, Yunxian asked Priest Wang to tell her fortune.
He revealed that her family’s calamity was caused by a woman, that she would later suffer the pain of childlessness, and warned that her relatives should stay away from this woman to resolve their misfortunes, and that the woman herself must remain strong-willed to overcome her own fate. Biniang, witnessing Yunxian’s distress, dismissed Priest Wang’s predictions as unreliable. With nowhere else to go, Yunxian asked Chen Biniang if she could join the opera troupe.
Priest Wang initially objected, questioning why they should keep a "lady of high esteem" and asserting that the troupe couldn't afford freeloaders. Yunxian humbly offered to work as a handyman and assured them she would leave as soon as she found a suitable place. Biniang, seeing Yunxian's plight, readily agreed, saying she was the "homemaker" and could convince the master. Yunxian then revealed her name. Despite being part of the troupe, Yunxian struggled with her duties, especially cooking.
Chen Biniang noticed Yunxian was still very thin and lacked appetite. One day, Priest Wang, after complaining about someone drinking his wine, criticized Yunxian’s suggestion of serving beans with escargot, claiming it would make everyone sick. Biniang explained to Yunxian that certain foods should not be eaten together in the south. Yunxian, confused, asked why, but Priest Wang irritably dismissed her questions and gave her specific cooking instructions.
Later, Yunxian questioned Priest Wang about his fortune-telling, accusing him of extorting money from people. He retorted sharply, telling her she would face retribution for bringing death and destruction upon her own family and burdening innocents. His harsh words wounded Yunxian, causing her to cry. Chen Biniang later comforted Yunxian, explaining that Priest Wang was deliberately harsh to make her cry, hoping to release her pent-up emotions and stimulate her appetite.
She also revealed that the previous time he had smeared mud on Yunxian's face, it was to protect her beauty from lecherous men. Understanding Priest Wang’s true intentions, Yunxian went to thank him. He brushed off her gratitude, telling her to be more practical by washing his robes and buying him wine, complaining that her cooking was unsatisfactory. Yunxian, eager to improve, asked him to teach her.
Priest Wang, though seemingly reluctant, agreed to teach her if she was willing to work hard and tolerate his temper. Yunxian readily accepted. He began teaching her the principles of cooking, emphasizing the harmony of the five flavors according to the five elements, and the importance of eating seasonally, as prescribed in the Book of Rites. Under his tutelage, Yunxian's culinary skills steadily improved.
