The Imperial Doctress Episode 27 Recap
> The Imperial Doctress Recap
After finally being released from prison, Zhu Qiyu arranged for Yunxian and her grandmother to stay in a residence, urging them to avoid going out or believing any rumors given the turbulent times. Meanwhile, Princess Anhe, Wang Meilin, was granted a generous dowry by the Empress Dowager, including ten thousand taels of gold and a thousand mu of land. Wang Meilin thanked her father, the Duke, noting that it was more than a royal princess would typically receive.
Her father, however, expressed concern that forcing the marriage might strain Zhu Qiyu's relationship with him, to which Wang Meilin confidently replied that Zhu Qiyu had always been kind to her, and once she became his Princess Consort, his heart would turn to her, and his anger would subside. The Emperor, Zhu Qizhen, upon learning of Zhu Qiyu's impending marriage to Wang Meilin, angrily confronted him, even slapping him.
Zhu Qizhen questioned why Zhu Qiyu would abandon Yunxian for Wang Meilin. Zhu Qiyu's attendant explained that Zhu Qiyu's profound feelings for Yunxian were evident to all, and this marriage was his only recourse to save Minister Hang's family. Zhu Qiyu then expressed his remorse, telling Zhu Qizhen to punish him as he wished, blaming himself for not personally leading the army sooner. Zhu Qizhen, realizing Zhu Qiyu was acting under duress, accepted his explanation.
They agreed to keep the marriage a secret from Yunxian for as long as possible, hoping to spare her pain. Despite their efforts, Yunxian soon learned of Zhu Qiyu's impending marriage to Princess Anhe, Wang Meilin. Deeply heartbroken, Yunxian went to Zhu Qiyu's residence. There, she spoke with Xiao Mazi, who confirmed the truth, explaining that Zhu Qiyu had no choice but to marry Princess Anhe to save Yunxian's family.
Yunxian was devastated, asking why Zhu Qiyu had lied to her and acknowledging that he had agreed to Duke Wang's terms for her sake. Xiao Mazi tearfully pleaded with Yunxian not to dwell on Zhu Qiyu, assuring her that his heart was more pained than hers, and he had been forcing smiles, fearing her reaction. Yunxian understood his sacrifice, but asked Xiao Mazi to pretend she had not visited.
As Zhu Qiyu and Wang Meilin's wedding ceremony proceeded, Yunxian revisited Qinghe Bridge, a place where Zhu Qiyu had once promised to "hold her hand now, being with her till old age." Overwhelmed by sorrow, she hallucinated Zhu Qiyu's reflection in the water and fell in. Ding Xiang screamed for help, catching the attention of Zhu Qizhen, who was passing by. He immediately jumped in and rescued Yunxian.
Zhu Qizhen rebuked her for acting so recklessly, reminding her of her family and his concern, to which Yunxian insisted she hadn't attempted suicide, but had simply "wanted to run after him" after seeing his image. Zhu Qizhen swiftly ordered his attendant to prepare the carriage to return to the palace, bringing Yunxian in under the guise of being the Empress's cousin, "Miss Hang."
Shortly after, the Empress Dowager confronted Zhu Qizhen in his palace, accusing him of bringing a criminal into the inner court, given that Minister Hang was a disgraced official. Zhu Qizhen claimed the woman he rescued was the Empress's cousin, who just happened to share the same surname, and that the real Yunxian had already died by suicide after learning of Zhu Qiyu's marriage.
The Empress Dowager saw through his deception, retorting that he too had concealed a truth when he was brought to the palace as her biological son. Zhu Qizhen, angered by her persistent interference, warned her not to push him too far, asserting his authority as the Emperor. On his wedding night, Zhu Qiyu learned from Xiao Mazi that Yunxian had attempted suicide by falling into the water and was now in the palace, though safe.
Wang Meilin, overhearing, feigned concern and suggested Zhu Qiyu visit Yunxian. Zhu Qiyu thanked her for her "magnanimity," and informed her of his intention to bring Yunxian into their residence after visiting the Empress Dowager the next day, proposing to make her a Noble Consort. Wang Meilin, concealing her fury, graciously agreed, stating Yunxian deserved the position for her deep love for Zhu Qiyu.
Zhu Qiyu, however, was in turmoil over Yunxian and told Wang Meilin he would sleep in his study that night, leaving her to spend their wedding night alone. Wang Meilin's suppressed rage ignited into intense hatred for Yunxian. Zhu Qizhen found Yunxian distraught, sitting by a railing in the rain. Ding Xiang had tried to console her earlier, making her a medicinal porridge and urging her to move on, but Yunxian confessed she couldn't forget Zhu Qiyu.
She reflected on his great kindness in sacrificing his marriage for her family, yet also expressed her pain that he hadn't told her directly, feeling her heart was truly broken. Zhu Qizhen reassured Yunxian, even offering to depose Wang Meilin to allow her to marry Zhu Qiyu. Yunxian believed it was impossible as long as the Empress Dowager held power.
Zhu Qizhen then solemnly swore as Emperor to defeat the Empress Dowager, ensuring that Yunxian, the Empress, and he himself would no longer live burdened by grievances. The next day, Zhu Qiyu came to the palace to pay his respects and sought out Yunxian.
Ding Xiang advised Yunxian to avoid him, weighing the pros and cons of being Zhu Qiyu's concubine – a position that would grant her status but also subject her to Wang Meilin's authority and hinder her medical practice. Yunxian, still torn, insisted she couldn't let go of Zhu Qiyu. When Zhu Qiyu finally found her, Yunxian retreated to her room, unable to face him.
He pleaded outside her door, explaining that his marriage to Wang Meilin was merely a formality to save her family from Duke Wang, and that his heart truly belonged only to her. He begged her to consider becoming his concubine. Yunxian, grateful for his sacrifices, asked for time to think. Meanwhile, Minister Hang's innocence was confirmed, stating he had fought bravely and was forced to surrender.
Zhu Qizhen was impressed by Duke Wang's swift action in ensuring this confirmation, but Zhu Qiyu grew suspicious, perceiving the entire affair as a staged performance orchestrated by Duke Wang. Zhu Qiyu theorized that Duke Wang was not entirely aligned with the Empress Dowager but was instead hedging his bets. By forcing Zhu Qiyu's marriage, Duke Wang secured his family's position regardless of the Empress Dowager's future, while also positioning Zhu Qiyu for a potential rise to power.
Zhu Qiyu declared they must use Duke Wang's own scheme against him and asked Zhu Qizhen for agents from the Eastern Depot to secretly investigate the Wang residence. To maintain the facade and avoid raising Duke Wang's suspicions, Zhu Qiyu feigned affection for Wang Meilin. He brought her chicken soup, causing her to believe that Yunxian's rejection had made him realize her worth.
However, on their second wedding night, Zhu Qiyu once again retired to his study, leaving Wang Meilin alone and further fueling her resentment. Wang Meilin soon stormed into the Imperial Faculty of Medicine, demanding to see Yunxian under the pretense of feeling unwell. She scornfully questioned why Yunxian had not died after falling into the river, blaming her for Zhu Qiyu's coldness.
Wang Meilin declared that only Yunxian's death would resolve the situation, subtly threatening her, reminding Yunxian that while she might have the Emperor and Empress's support, Wang Meilin had the Empress Dowager, and that "one corpse, two lives" was common in the palace. That same day, Yunxian returned to her residence to find her pet cat, Xiou Qiou, dead, seemingly choked from eating something. Her grandmother dismissed it as a natural occurrence.
Soon after, the Empress was startled by wild cats in the palace, leading the Empress Dowager to issue a decree for all wild cats to be culled. Yunxian, connecting the dots, realized the sinister implications of Wang Meilin's threats.
