The Imperial Doctress Episode 36 Recap
> The Imperial Doctress Recap
After being struck by lightning and narrowly escaping death, Ye Xian was brought back to life by Yunxian's timely intervention. Yunxian swiftly performed acupuncture and bit Ye Xian's tongue, allowing him to regain consciousness, and then provided him with a medicinal prescription. Boyan Temur, witnessing Yunxian's miraculous efforts, praised her skills. Meanwhile, Ah Ga Duo, believing Ye Xian to be dead, seized the opportunity to reclaim power, killing four of Ye Xian's senior generals within hours.
However, with Ye Xian's unexpected recovery, he quickly regained control. In the midst of the battle, Daizong spotted Yunxian, whom he believed to be dead, and was filled with questions. Still injured, he anxiously asked his attendants to find Emperor Yingzong and Yunxian. He questioned Empress Dowager Qian as to why Yunxian was with the Oirat people if she had supposedly died, and accused her of tricking him. Empress Dowager Qian asserted that she was unaware Yunxian was alive.
Determined to get answers, Daizong first ordered Liu Pingan to be summoned, but then decided to personally visit Empress Dowager Qian in the South Palace to clarify the matter. Upon arrival, Daizong informed Empress Dowager Qian that Emperor Yingzong was indeed alive and unharmed. He then pressed her about Yunxian. Empress Dowager Qian's maid, Dingxiang, explained how Wang Meilin, then Princess Anhe, had coerced Yunxian into faking her death.
Enraged by this revelation, Daizong ordered Empress Wang Meilin to be summoned with the intent to kill her. Yu Dongyang intervened, informing Daizong that Ye Xian had recovered and successfully suppressed Khan Ah Ga Duo. He also confirmed that Emperor Yingzong and Yunxian were still in Oirat hands. Yu Dongyang earnestly cautioned Daizong against executing the Empress, citing historical precedent and the precarious state of the Ming Dynasty, arguing that such an act would destabilize the nation.
He even suggested that Yunxian herself would agree with his counsel. Reluctantly, Daizong conceded, but vowed to depose Empress Wang Meilin instead. Later, Daizong was startled awake from a nightmare where Oirat soldiers were attacking Yunxian, who was covered in blood and expressed hatred towards him. Convinced that Empress Wang Meilin was the true culprit behind Yunxian's suffering, Daizong resolved once more to depose her.
As he drafted the edict of deposition, Empress Wang Meilin burst into the hall, protesting his decision. She reminded him of their past affection and his vows, demanding to know why he would discard their marital bond. Daizong furiously confronted her with her past misdeeds, accusing her of plotting to murder Yunxian, the woman he loved most. In a fit of rage, he nearly strangled her to death before Empress Dowager Wu intervened.
Just as Daizong was about to stamp the edict with the imperial seal, Empress Dowager Sun arrived, halting the proceedings. She reprimanded Daizong, stating that he should not depose the Empress based on "Miss Qian's one-sided account," especially with the nation in such a volatile state. She reminded him of Empress Wang Meilin's steadfastness during challenging times and her father, Duke Wang's significant financial contributions to the war effort.
Empress Dowager Sun declared that as long as she lived, Wang Meilin would remain Empress. She then chastised Empress Wang Meilin for failing to control her subordinates, urging her to repent. Empress Wang Meilin deflected the blame onto her maid, Bi Cao, claiming to have always treated Yunxian kindly. To appease Daizong, Empress Dowager Sun promised that if Yunxian returned safely, she would be granted the title of Noble Consort.
Daizong, feeling powerless against Empress Dowager Sun's authority, conceded, lamenting that she was the "real Emperor." Empress Dowager Sun later discussed the matter with Empress Wang Meilin, chiding her for being outmaneuvered by "Miss Qian and Liu Pingan." Duke Wang then reported to them that Liu Pingan had been struck by an Oirat horse carriage during the recent battle at Xizhimen and his body was never found. The Medicine Bureau had already held a funeral for him.
Empress Dowager Sun remarked on the suspicious timing of Liu Pingan's death. Meanwhile, Emperor Yingzong, held captive by Ye Xian, was forced to join other Ming prisoners in quarrying and carrying sand. Despite the harsh labor, he maintained his resolve and encouraged his fellow captives, asserting that if they could endure, so could he. He told them that his suffering had changed him, and he now understood their hardships.
He secretly revealed his plan to lead them back to the Ming capital within fifteen days, having memorized the route during his journey to the Oirat court. He instructed them to prepare for their escape. Yunxian continued to check on Ye Xian's recovery. Ye Xian, seemingly trying to win her favor, offered her a chest of jewelry, which he claimed were from the "southern regions."
Yunxian immediately recognized them as the Ming Empress's phoenix hairpin and other ransom items meant for Emperor Yingzong's release. She politely but firmly refused, stating that as a Ming person, she could not accept them. Later, Yunxian requested to learn from Mongolian physicians, explaining that their methods had saved Emperor Yingzong when her own had failed. Ye Xian agreed, believing it would help her adapt to life on the plains.
She then began studying medicine with Uncle Duote, a Mongolian physician, discussing the principles of Mongolian medicine and ancient texts like "Important Principles of Correct Diet," even offering to transcribe therapies for him. Amidst these developments, Tuobuhua distributed special belts made by Yunxian to the prisoners, which were designed to alleviate waist and leg pain.
She later confessed her feelings to Emperor Yingzong by the lake, proposing marriage as a means to foster peace between Ming and Oirat and even offering to help him regain his throne. Emperor Yingzong, acknowledging her kindness, gently declined. He explained that he already had an Empress, several consorts, and a son, and as an "Emperor of a dying nation," he was not in a position to marry. He suggested they could discuss it further if he ever returned to the capital. Tuobuhua, however, insisted that his older brother would never allow him to return.
