The Imperial Doctress Episode 26 Recap
> The Imperial Doctress Recap
The Empress, feigning intense abdominal pain, cried out loudly at Yunxian's urging to force the Emperor out of his bedchamber. Yunxian, speaking as if through the unborn prince, chastised the Emperor for his perceived cowardice and indifference toward the Empress's suffering. Provoked, the Emperor emerged, declaring that he would no longer be weak or afraid and would directly confront Empress Dowager Sun.
Resolved to solidify his newfound resolve, the Emperor decided to grant a marriage decree for Yunxian and Prince Cheng. The Empress supported this decision, bestowing a treasured family heirloom bracelet upon Yunxian as part of her dowry. However, as the Emperor prepared to announce the decree, Empress Dowager Sun and Consort Dowager Wu intervened. Consort Dowager Wu produced a supposed decree from the late Emperor, which named Princess Anhe, Duke Wang's daughter Wang Meilin, as Prince Cheng's intended bride.
Prince Cheng immediately rejected this, firmly stating he would marry no one but Yunxian, even threatening to become a monk. Wang Meilin likewise refused to be married off to anyone else, threatening to become a nun. The Emperor, infuriated, warned Empress Dowager Sun against pushing her boundaries, going so far as to challenge her authority over his actions.
Separately, Wang Zhen attempted to persuade the Emperor to personally lead the imperial army against the Oirats, arguing it was the only way to seize military power from Empress Dowager Sun. However, the Emperor, recalling the Empress's cautious advice, initially refused, believing it prudent to remain passive and wait for Empress Dowager Sun to age. Meanwhile, reports from the northern borders brought grim news: Jing fuma's forces had been defeated, and he himself had been killed in battle.
Scouts estimated the Oirat forces at nearly 100,000. During a court session, Empress Dowager Sun called for volunteers to lead the army. Hang Gang, grateful to the Emperor for clearing his family's name, stepped forward alongside Duke Cheng to offer their services. Before departing for the front lines, Hang Gang bade farewell to Yunxian and her grandmother, while Prince Cheng assured them he would protect the Hang household.
Soon, devastating rumors spread throughout the capital: Hang Gang had allegedly betrayed the country at the northern borders, leading to successive defeats for the Ming army. Acting swiftly, Empress Dowager Sun ordered the arrest of the entire Hang family. At the Imperial Faculty of Medicine, Dingxiang, sent by the Empress, frantically urged Yunxian to escape. However, before they could flee, soldiers led by Duke Wang apprehended Yunxian.
Heavily shackled, Yunxian was taken away, but not before imploring Prince Cheng, who had rushed to her aid, to uncover the truth behind her father's purported treason. Powerless to stop the arrest, Prince Cheng was advised to avoid involvement in the military investigation, as it lay outside his jurisdiction. Desperate, Prince Cheng sought help from Duke Wang, who wielded significant influence under Empress Dowager Sun's patronage.
Duke Wang, however, was evasive, feigning difficulty and subtly implying that his daughter Wang Meilin's displeasure over the failed marriage alliance was a factor. Prince Cheng cautiously questioned if Hang Gang's betrayal was orchestrated, an insinuation Duke Wang quickly took offense to, dismissing him. Undeterred in his ambition, Wang Zhen continued to press the Emperor to lead the army personally. He visited Yunxian in prison, reminding her that the Eastern Depot had avenged her family by apprehending Chen Shisan.
He offered to release her if she would convince the Emperor to take personal command of the troops. Yunxian, however, resolutely refused, explaining that as a female official, she could not offer counsel on critical military matters that could cost countless lives. Enraged by her refusal, Wang Zhen ordered that Yunxian be subjected to torture and given only rotten food and dirty water.
He then reported back to the Emperor, claiming he was powerless to rescue Yunxian due to Duke Wang's extensive reach and the Ministry of Defense's control over the prison. Hearing this, the Emperor grew more determined to personally lead the imperial army. Empress Dowager Sun, eager to execute Yunxian, convened officials to discuss her fate. Prince Cheng prepared to intervene, but Consort Dowager Wu advised him to exercise patience and strategic endurance.
She suggested that if Prince Cheng were to marry Princess Anhe, Duke Wang's personal resentment would subside, and he would then advocate for Yunxian and her father with Empress Dowager Sun. Facing an impossible choice, Prince Cheng reluctantly agreed and proposed marriage to Duke Wang, promising to marry Wang Meilin in three days. Duke Wang accepted, pledging to immediately travel to the front lines to investigate Hang Gang's alleged treason once the marriage was settled.
He also issued a stern warning to Prince Cheng about ensuring his daughter's happiness. Upon learning of Prince Cheng's impending marriage to Wang Meilin, Empress Dowager Sun relented, leaving Yunxian's fate to the Emperor's discretion. Prince Cheng brought Yunxian and her grandmother back to his manor. Noticing Prince Cheng's exhausted appearance, Yunxian expressed her gratitude, and he asked her to trust him no matter what challenges lay ahead.
Soon after, the Emperor, furious about Prince Cheng's sudden decision to marry Wang Meilin, confronted him and struck him. Prince Cheng's mother intervened, revealing that his actions were a sacrifice made to save Yunxian and her family, bringing understanding and remorse to the Emperor.
