The Imperial Doctress Episode 18 Recap
> The Imperial Doctress Recap
The Emperor rescued Yunxian from the Imperial Pharmacy, revealing his true identity as the Emperor, Zheng Qi. Yunxian was shocked to discover her good friend was none other than the Emperor. He apologized for his deception, instructing her to treat him as she always had, without formalities, and to keep his identity a secret. Yunxian playfully lamented that she wouldn't have suffered so long if she had known. The Empress arrived at Qianqing Palace, expressing her concern to the Emperor.
She explained that she had sent word to Prince Cheng, informing him that Yunxian was alive, as she couldn't bear to see the Emperor risk his brotherhood with Prince Cheng over a woman, reminding him of Prince Cheng's intense grief when he believed Yunxian was dead. Just then, Prince Cheng, having received the news, rushed in and embraced Yunxian in a heartfelt reunion in the rain, pouring out their hearts to each other.
The Empress subtly urged the Emperor to step outside, allowing the lovers a private moment. The Emperor, visibly perturbed, eventually called Prince Cheng back. The Empress then advised the Emperor to view Yunxian as a dear friend or a younger sister, emphasizing that taking her as a concubine would deeply wound Prince Cheng. The Emperor was left in frustrated silence. Soon after, the Emperor summoned Consort Dowager Wu, Prince Cheng's mother, to discuss the marriage.
She was overjoyed, mistakenly believing the union was with Princess Anhe, Wang Meilin. However, Prince Cheng clarified that the Emperor intended to bestow Yunxian upon him. Consort Dowager Wu was aghast, expressing disbelief that Yunxian, presumed dead, was alive. The Emperor subtly referenced the past misfortune of the Hang family, implying her involvement.
Despite this, Consort Dowager Wu adamantly refused, citing Yunxian's low social standing, her tarnished reputation from appearing in public, being tried in court, and treating men, all of which she claimed violated proper feminine conduct and would bring shame to the royal family. Prince Cheng defended Yunxian, highlighting her medical skills that had saved many and the Emperor's bestowal of the title "Xianju," stating her role as a "medicine woman" was merely a disguise.
Consort Dowager Wu, however, continued her tirade, dramatically collapsing and feigning unconsciousness. Yunxian quickly examined Consort Dowager Wu, assuring everyone it was merely a "panic attack" and that she had only fainted. The Empress suggested taking Yunxian away, which the Emperor permitted. Later, Yunxian confided in the Empress that Consort Dowager Wu had merely feigned her fainting spell, a common palace stratagem. Meanwhile, Imperial Physician Liu Pingan found nothing gravely wrong with Consort Dowager Wu.
However, the Empress Dowager soon arrived with Cheng Shisan. After an exchange of knowing glances with Consort Dowager Wu, Cheng Shisan exaggeratedly diagnosed her with a severe condition caused by anger and dismissed everyone to perform acupuncture, allowing him to scheme with Consort Dowager Wu. The Empress Dowager then confronted Prince Cheng, criticizing his perceived "forgetting filial piety" for a woman, reminding him of his mother's hardships and sacrifices.
She further denigrated Yunxian's public reputation and past actions, insinuating that marrying her would bring ridicule upon Prince Cheng and his family, leaving him guilt-ridden. Cheng Shisan then subtly advised Prince Cheng to implicitly obey his mother for her supposed recovery. Prince Cheng spoke with his mother, who feigned acceptance of his marriage but continued to subtly manipulate him with tales of her past suffering, again emphasizing his filial duty.
Prince Cheng, determined to appease her, promised to find a solution. His close attendant then suggested that to circumvent Consort Dowager Wu's objections to Yunxian's reputation, Yunxian should assume a new name and identity. Prince Cheng presented this idea to Yunxian, asking her to temporarily endure the shame for his mother's health and their future together. Though deeply hurt by the suggestion, Yunxian reluctantly agreed, trusting Prince Cheng's promise that she would face no more hardships.
Yunxian then sought out the Emperor, who chastised her for agreeing to change her name. She explained she acted for Prince Cheng's sake, knowing his mother's illness was fabricated. She then revealed to the Emperor that her true family name was Tan.
She recounted how her grandfather, Tan Fu, a former supervisor in the Imperial Medical Bureau, had been framed ten years prior, leading to his suicide, and she implored the Emperor to investigate the old case, clear her grandfather's name, and restore her true family surname. The Emperor confirmed his awareness of her family's past misfortune through the Eastern Depot and that the Empress's father, Official Qian, had saved them, though he was unaware of the framing aspect.
Yunxian further recalled that the culprit was likely a colleague from the Imperial Medical Bureau who had a distinctive red birthmark between his thumb and index finger. The Emperor pledged to launch an immediate investigation to clear her grandfather's name, assuring her that if successful, reverting to her Tan surname would be possible. He also advised her to avoid Renshou Palace, as the Empress Dowager, Wang Meilin's aunt, would now know her true identity and likely harbor strong resentment.
Prince Cheng brought Yunxian to formally meet Consort Dowager Wu again. Consort Dowager Wu, despite outwardly accepting Yunxian, launched into a series of veiled and direct insults. She questioned Yunxian's upbringing, her manners, and skills, implying her low social standing and lack of proper maternal guidance, then outright forbade her from practicing medicine or treating patients after marrying into the royal household, claiming such activities would disgrace Prince Cheng.
Yunxian, her patience exhausted and her life's aspiration under attack, declared that if Consort Dowager Wu could not tolerate her medical pursuits, she would not marry into Prince Cheng's family, and turned to leave. Prince Cheng pursued her, criticizing her stubbornness for causing his mother to faint again. Yunxian confronted him, reminding him of his past promise to support her medical dreams. Prince Cheng backtracked, claiming he only forbade her from going out to treat patients, not from studying medicine. Yunxian retorted that studying medicine without treating patients was meaningless and expressed her profound disappointment in him before walking away alone.
