The Imperial Doctress Episode 20 Recap
> The Imperial Doctress Recap
During the final Imperial Hospital examination, Cheng Cunxia presented Yunxian with a morally challenging task: to administer acupuncture on a male patient's private area. Yunxian hesitated, expressing that as a woman, it was inappropriate for her to needle such a hidden area. Cheng Cunxia pressed her, giving her a countdown, but Liu Pingan intervened. He stopped Yunxian, praising her performance and criticizing the "disgusting problem" designed to humiliate her.
Liu Pingan then publicly announced his decision to accept Yunxian as his closed-door disciple, a declaration that surprised many but was met with cheers from some and objections from others, including Cheng Shisan. Yunxian, overwhelmed, knelt to pay her respects to her new teacher. The Emperor, having learned of the difficulties Yunxian faced, was furious at Cheng Shisan's conniving and bullying.
Yunxian, however, dissuaded him from punishing Cheng Shisan, citing his relationship with the Empress Dowager and his position as her senior. The Emperor decided to appoint Yunxian as a 6-star ranked female medical official, placing her in charge of the Imperial Pharmacy, which he moved to Changshou Court.
This arrangement was meant to provide her with a protected position within the palace and allow her to continue learning from Liu Pingan, though Yunxian expressed her desire to also investigate the person who had lied years ago. She reflected on the Emperor's thoughtful actions, acknowledging his genuine care for her. Empress Qian summoned Yunxian, advising her to be patient and cautious in the palace, especially with the concubines, given Yunxian's current status as "His Majesty's favorite."
Yunxian confided in Empress Qian, solemnly swearing that her heart belonged only to Qiyu, and that she viewed the Emperor merely as a respected friend whose boldness she admired. She revealed that Empress Qian's father, Master Qian, had once saved her family, and therefore she felt deep gratitude towards the Empress, both for past kindness and present care. Yunxian also admitted to hearing rumors about her relationship with the Emperor and expressed her desire to avoid him to prevent trouble.
Moved by Yunxian's honesty and dedication to Qiyu, Empress Qian assured her that the Emperor also wished them well and advised her not to actively avoid him but to be mindful in public. The two women, having opened their hearts to each other, embraced a sisterly bond, with Yunxian referring to Empress Qian as "Qian jiejie." Yunxian also offered to help Empress Qian with her health, who confided in her struggles with conception.
Empress Qian further advised Yunxian to avoid directly treating concubines and instead refer them to the Imperial Hospital to prevent complications. Meanwhile, a small eunuch secretly informed Qiyu that he had overheard Consort Dowager Wu speaking energetically with Imperial Physician Cheng Shisan, not appearing genuinely ill. This sparked Qiyu's memory of Yunxian's earlier claims about his mother faking her illness. Seeking confirmation, Qiyu privately questioned Liu Pingan about his mother's condition.
Liu Pingan, without directly confirming, subtly implied that Consort Dowager Wu "seems fine" before Cheng Shisan examined her. This revelation made Qiyu realize he had wronged Yunxian. In another part of the palace, Cheng Cunxia complained to his uncle, Cheng Shisan, about Yunxian's surprisingly high rank.
Cheng Shisan expressed his indignation, stating it took him 20 years to become a Medical Supervisor, while Yunxian, whom he dismissed as an "unruly girl" and a "witch," had swiftly risen due to the Emperor's favor. Cheng Cunxia vowed to drive Yunxian out of the Medical Bureau, and Cheng Shisan encouraged him, certain that Yunxian was solely relying on her connections. The Empress Dowager soon summoned Yunxian.
She assigned Yunxian the task of curing the ailing Consort of the King of Brunei (Puoni in the subtitles), who had fallen ill with severe diarrhea due to acclimatization, along with the King, after arriving at the Hui Tong Inn. The Empress Dowager emphasized the matter's importance for national pride and set a strict three-day deadline, threatening Yunxian with dismissal and 100 lashings if she failed. Cheng Cunxia, eager to compete, volunteered to treat the King.
The Empress Dowager approved the competition, allowing both to go to the Hui Tong Inn immediately. Ding Xiang warned Yunxian that the Empress Dowager was deliberately setting her up. She disclosed a historical secret: foreign visitors suffering from acclimatization-induced diarrhea could be cured by drinking water mixed with specific soil from their homeland, preserved at the Tai Chang Temple since the Yongle Emperor's reign. The Empress Dowager's omission of this vital information indicated a scheme.
Simultaneously, Cheng Shisan attempted to provide Cheng Cunxia with some of this special soil, but Cunxia haughtily refused, insisting on winning through his own superior medical skills and not by "cheating." He was convinced Yunxian, unable to administer medicine to the Consort, would surely fail. At the Hui Tong Inn, Yunxian assessed the Consort, confirming her diagnosis of acclimatization. The Consort, however, adamantly refused to take any traditional medicine, declaring she would rather die.
Yunxian respected her wishes and opted for acupuncture, which visibly relieved the Consort's stomach discomfort. She then inquired about the Consort's post-meal bloating. Knowing the Consort's cultural preferences, Yunxian asked for "sour buttermilk" to be purchased from a nearby Li Bai Temple (mosque). She presented it to the Consort, explaining it was not medicine but could cure her illness. The Consort found it refreshing and felt significantly better.
Meanwhile, Cheng Cunxia, who was treating the King with a secret ancient anti-diarrheal medicine called "Tai Yi Yu Liang" (Stone Brain), was confident in his progress. Cheng Shisan mocked Yunxian, speculating she was resorting to "chanting spells again." Their smugness was shattered when Yunxian, accompanied by a fully recovered Consort, appeared to visit the King, leaving Cheng Cunxia and Cheng Shisan stunned.
