The Imperial Doctress Episode 15 Recap
> The Imperial Doctress Recap
Yunxian diligently continued her duties as the opera troupe's cook, gradually observing Priest Wang's extensive knowledge of medicinal cuisine. She expressed her desire for him to teach her, but Priest Wang, feigning disinterest, initially refused to entertain her requests, stating he had nothing more to impart and that she should no longer seek him for kitchen matters.
Undeterred, Yunxian persisted, explaining her growing understanding of how his cooking advice, such as the shepherd's purse egg soup, also held medicinal benefits for the stomach and eyes. She observed the parallels between the "five flavors of harmony" in cooking and the "six harmonies of medicine," and explicitly asked him to teach her the "art of healing and cooking principle."
Priest Wang, acknowledging her sharp intellect, confirmed that "food and medicines are homologous" and introduced his concept of "Medicine Meal," where healthy eating serves as a preventative measure against illness. Citing ancient texts like the "Essential Recipes for Emergent Use," Yunxian reiterated her eagerness to learn these techniques. However, Yunxian's enthusiasm soon led to trouble.
When she decided to prepare a radish and fish stew instead of barley for the troupe, explaining her choice was based on the warm and stomach-filling properties of the ingredients, suitable for the hot weather, Priest Wang was enraged. He publicly reprimanded her, pointing out that certain troupe members suffered from weak stomachs and diarrhea, and her "reckless" substitutions, which he referred to as "warm food," could harm them.
He sternly warned that any further unsolicited medical interventions would result in her dismissal. Meanwhile, Imperial Physician Cheng Shisan reported to the Empress Dowager on Prince Cheng’s condition, confirming his pulse was weak, and his illness stemmed from profound anxiety and heartache over the "death" of Hang Yunxian. He noted that such "heartaches are hard to heal," and could even be fatal. Duke Wang then arrived, commenting on Prince Cheng's deep affection for Miss Hang.
He suspected Prince Cheng had realized his and the Empress Dowager's involvement in the Hang family's tragedy, which explained his subsequent withdrawal and refusal of visitors. Duke Wang stressed the urgency of Prince Cheng's recovery for their plan to install him as the new emperor. The Empress Dowager concurred, worried that without a viable candidate, their scheme to depose the current Emperor would falter.
Duke Wang then proposed a contingency: if the Emperor could produce a male heir, the Empress Dowager could raise the child herself, ensuring their continued influence. The Empress Dowager lamented the Emperor's lack of a son for over a decade, to which Duke Wang attributed his exclusive affection for the Empress and neglect of other consorts. Later, Imperial Physician Liu Pingan performed a health check on the Emperor, confirming his good health.
The Emperor, inquiring about Prince Cheng, learned that while his physical health improved, he still suffered from a lack of appetite due to his emotional distress, requiring more time for a full recovery. Wishing to offer comfort, the Emperor decided to send Prince Cheng the same meal he had just eaten. Liu Pingan, however, discreetly advised against it, explaining that the dishes were "hot in nature" and unsuitable for Prince Cheng's imbalanced constitution.
She also hinted that the Emperor himself should not frequently consume such "hot" foods, as they could harm his health. Suspicious, the Emperor demanded an inspection of his food. Liu Pingan revealed the presence of "silk larvae," "deer blood tofu," and "finely grounded tremolite stone" in his congee – all potent aphrodisiacs. The Emperor realized this was why he felt a "burning inside" after his meals.
Enraged, the Emperor confronted the Empress Dowager, accusing her of adding aphrodisiacs to his food, questioning if such actions were fit for the nation's mother. The Empress Dowager feigned ignorance, claiming a misunderstanding and accusing the Emperor of a false accusation orchestrated with a captured servant. The servant, under pressure, changed his story, implicating Duke Wang and Minister Chen, claiming he was tortured by the Eastern Depot.
The Emperor, infuriated by the servant's wavering testimony, threatened to involve the Imperial Clan Court. The Empress Dowager intervened, admitting she had ordered "replenishing" foods but not aphrodisiacs, blaming the kitchen for misunderstanding. She then revealed her true frustration: the Emperor had not summoned any concubines for a month and had failed to produce a son in over ten years.
In a fit of uncontrollable rage, the Emperor pushed her, causing her to fall and strike her head, rendering her unconscious. Physicians were immediately summoned. The Emperor waited outside the Empress Dowager's chambers, distraught. His Empress attempted to console him, assuring him his actions were unintentional.
Yet, the Emperor confessed his deep inner turmoil: he had long harbored a desire for revenge for his birth mother's death at the Empress Dowager's hands, but seeing her vulnerable, he felt an unexpected wave of conflicting emotions. He found it difficult to reconcile his hatred with the fact that she, his long-time adversary, was now helpless. Wang Zhen soon arrived, seeing the Empress Dowager's unconscious state as a "heaven-sent opportunity" to eliminate her and seize imperial power.
However, the Emperor rejected the idea of assassination. Instead, he recalled a cherished childhood memory of the Empress Dowager taking him to see the moon and her genuine concern when he fell. Acknowledging her care for him over the years, he declared that if she were to awaken, he would no longer seek to put her to death to avenge his mother. Meanwhile, back at the troupe, Priest Wang continued his "Divine Teacher" performances, selling "miracle medicine" talismans.
Yunxian, straightforward in nature, advised an elderly woman not to trust the "trick" medicine. This act, coupled with her earlier critical remarks, infuriated Priest Wang, who threatened to expel her. Sister Chen interceded, defending Yunxian as a good but misguided person, and even threatened to leave if Yunxian was forced out. Priest Wang, still fuming, accused Yunxian of undermining his reputation by calling him a swindler.
Yunxian, returning to the commotion, knelt before Priest Wang, apologizing for her transgressions and begging not to be cast out. Sister Chen urged her to rise, but Yunxian, consumed by remorse, insisted on remaining knelt until he forgave her. Priest Wang eventually emerged, mock-grudgingly forgiving her and telling her to leave. It was then that Yunxian declared her true intention: "I want to become your student! I want to learn medicine from you, and Taoist healing."
Priest Wang initially dismissed himself as a "liar" unfit to teach. But Yunxian demonstrated her understanding, explaining how his "xu, he, hu, si, chu, xi" chant was a medical technique from the "Huangdi Neijing," and how his methods for a chronically weak child combined exercise with treatment. She confessed her earlier reluctance to treat a patient was due to past trauma, fearing that practicing medicine would tear her family apart again.
Priest Wang seized the moment to lecture her profoundly on "a healer's heart is like that of a parent," emphasizing the importance of treating all patients equally with empathy, regardless of their ailment or social standing. He challenged her moral stance, asking if she would have treated the stomach-ache as minor if the patient had been her brother, husband, or father. He questioned how she could become a good physician if she withheld her knowledge from those suffering.
Later, as Yunxian continued to kneel in the rain through the night, Sister Chen implored Priest Wang to end her suffering, even accusing him of his inconsistent behavior towards Yunxian stemming from a past heartbreak. Though he denied it, Priest Wang eventually went out, and seeing Yunxian’s unwavering resolve, he asked if she had grasped his lesson. Yunxian affirmed her understanding: "Healers will always be healers. No matter who the patient is or how badly they are ill.
They are all treated equally." He then issued a challenge: if she could retrieve a snake from South Mountain for his medicinal prescription, he would accept her as his apprentice. Yunxian readily agreed, securing his promise. The following morning, Sister Chen was horrified to learn of Yunxian's task, especially after hearing about a recent fatal snakebite in North Mountain, implying similar dangers in South Mountain. She and Priest Wang rushed to the mountain, only to find Yunxian's shoe.
Priest Wang, distressed, regretted his harshness. To their astonishment, Yunxian appeared, holding a venomous snake, reminding him of his promise. She calmly explained her fearlessness, having grown up in the north and caught scorpions before. Impressed, Priest Wang formally accepted her as his disciple. Yunxian then began her medical apprenticeship, learning about "Medicine as food" and the "Zhu You" method.
Priest Wang explained that "Medicine as food" was documented in ancient texts, but his unique approach combined insights from two invaluable books: "Shi Jing" from the north and "Yingshan Official Medicine." He demonstrated his "talisman" technique, revealing that the "magical" red appearance was a simple chemical reaction between alkaline water and turmeric.
He further disclosed that the "ink" used for the talismans contained powerful medicinal ingredients like "tiger bone, pearl, musk, cinnabar, and top-quality bezoar," all beneficial for common ailments like headaches, migraines, and external sores. When Yunxian questioned the need for such "gimmicks," Priest Wang clarified that "Zhu You," meaning "to cure illnesses using incantations and talismans," was often misunderstood. He explained its purpose was to "cure heartaches," especially for illiterate peasants who would not grasp complex medical theories.
The "miracle medicine" talismans made it easier for them to "believe in it," which in turn led to faster healing. He recounted how Minister Liu’s son, suffering from chronic fatigue, was first guided to meditate with "magic spells" and breathing exercises to build trust, before being given the correct medication. Yunxian finally understood the profound principle: "Believing is healing."
