The Imperial Doctress Episode 3 Recap
> The Imperial Doctress Recap
After successfully helping Madam Yu, Yunxian and Zisu were returning to Yongqing Convent with Zheng Qi. On the way, Yunxian's attempts to reason with Zheng Qi only angered him further. He retorted, "You don't understand anything! Who wants her forgiveness? !" and abruptly abandoned the carriage, leaving Yunxian and Zisu stranded. Zisu complained about his repeated disappearances, but Yunxian decided they had to manage on their own.
She attempted to drive the carriage back, but the horse became spooked and uncontrollable, putting them in grave danger. Just then, Qi Yu, who was passing by with his attendant, noticed their predicament. He swiftly leaped onto the runaway horse, covered its eyes with his hands, and used a Dendrobium officinale herb to calm it, saving Yunxian from peril. Yunxian, grateful for his heroic act, moved to thank him.
However, Qi Yu recognized her as the kind lady who had given him medicine previously, holding up the very same Dendrobium officinale. Yunxian also recognized him from the herb. They discovered they were both headed to Yongqing Convent and decided to travel together. Yunxian noticed he was favoring a wound and offered him her silk handkerchief to wipe his hands, which he accepted.
When a messenger from Yongqing Convent arrived to escort Yunxian, Qi Yu decided to change his plans and bid her farewell. Before leaving, he gave her his cloak, explaining it might be useful as the evening grew colder, and told her to return it the next time they met. As he departed, he deduced from the silk handkerchief she had given him that Miss Hang's name contained the character 'Xian,' and surmised she must be General Hang's daughter.
He later instructed his attendant, Xiao Mazi, to find the best jewelry store in the capital, Wangzhen Store, intending to repair or replicate a broken hairpin Yunxian had dropped. Meanwhile, back at the Hang residence, Official Yu and Madam Yu arrived to express their gratitude for Yunxian's help. Yunxian, anxious that her father might discover she had privately practiced medicine again, was relieved when Official Yu, surprisingly open-minded, covered for her.
He claimed that Yunxian had merely donated money for Madam Yu's medicine at Yongqing Convent. Official Yu then expressed his desire to formally recognize Yunxian as his goddaughter. Mr. Hang, pleased by the honor, readily agreed, forging a closer bond between the two families. Madam Yu also thanked Yunxian for the medicine she secretly sent, recognizing her handwriting, and mentioned that the Emperor had cleared her husband's name.
Official Yu confided in Yunxian that her previous words about rules being man-made had inspired him to reconsider his rigid views, realizing that helping people was worth any societal criticism. He wished for more doctresses like her in the world. Yunxian, still cautious, asked him to keep her medical practice a secret from her father, to which he agreed.
Official Yu then invited Yunxian to their new manor, a reward from the Emperor, as many of his friends were eager to consult her. Yunxian gladly accepted, finding relief from her father's restrictions. After her experiences, Yunxian explained to Zisu that she studied medicine because of a promise to her elder brother to pass on their family's medical skills, despite often feeling she lacked his talent.
She admitted to feeling dispirited after the Madam Xu incident, questioning if she was truly unsuitable for medicine. However, successfully healing Madam Yu brought her a profound and genuine happiness, making her realize that curing good people's illnesses and becoming a good physician were the happiest things in the world. She believed these events were hints from the Medicine Buddha, reassuring her that she could indeed become a good physician.
Sometime later, a package from Wangzhen Store arrived for Yunxian, purportedly from "Zhu household's second daughter." Puzzled, Yunxian opened it to find her damaged hairpin, now perfectly repaired. Zisu immediately realized it was from Master Qi Yu, who had it mended. She teased Yunxian about Qi Yu's thoughtfulness, causing Yunxian's heart to flutter. Yunxian later visited her godmother, Madam Yu, where she was introduced to Madam Yu's friends.
These ladies initially scoffed at the idea of a noblewoman dabbling in medicine, associating it with lowly "medicine women" and even potential harm. Madam Yu defended Yunxian's extensive medical knowledge. Calmly, Yunxian explained that her godmother supported her studies and that, alongside her ladylike duties, she also researched ancient remedies for skin health. She mentioned a "Qibai Cream," a legendary whitening and rejuvenating cream derived from Empress Wu Zetian's recipe, made from seven precious herbs.
Intrigued, the ladies quickly asked Yunxian to make some for them. Back home, Yunxian diligently prepared the Qibai Cream with Zisu's help, explaining that her version, made with superior ingredients like fried bindii and silkworm larvae, was far more effective than commercial ones. Zisu worried that the ladies wouldn't appreciate her efforts, but Yunxian expressed hope that by proving the cream's efficacy, they might eventually accept her as a healer.
She was mindful of her godmother's warning to avoid prescriptions to prevent another incident like Madam Xu's. Suddenly, her father arrived. Yunxian and Zisu scrambled to hide the medicinal equipment and ingredients. Mr. Hang, noticing the smell of smoke and burnt ingredients, was suspicious despite their clumsy attempts to cover it up. Frustrated by Yunxian's perceived neglect of proper ladylike education, he declared his intention to marry her off quickly to prevent further trouble.
Meanwhile, Qi Yu's mother questioned him about his secret visit to Yongqing Convent to see Abbess Jingci, worried about the Empress Dowager's reaction and his older brother, Zhu Qizhen. She insisted he meet with the Empress Dowager. Unknown to her, Zhu Qizhen had previously warned his eunuch, Huang Banban, not to harm his only brother, Prince Cheng (Qi Yu), and ordered him to escort Qi Yu safely to the palace after his scheduled visit to Yongqing Convent in three days.
The Empress Dowager later summoned Qi Yu. She expressed concern for his health, implying he had feigned illness to avoid her. She then directly offered him the throne, stating her intention to make him the new emperor with her full support. Qi Yu humbly declined, citing his "lowly birth" and expressing his unwillingness to challenge his brother. He advised her that deposing the current Emperor, her own son Zhu Qizhen, would be against Heaven's mandate, despite any political disagreements.
The Empress Dowager, enraged by his refusal and sensing his implied disrespect, accused him of insulting her. She then ordered her guards to "take him" away, stating she would find a place where he could "wake up to reality," signifying severe punishment.
