The Imperial Doctress Episode 37 Recap
> The Imperial Doctress Recap
Ye Xian, the Grand Preceptor, forbade Yunxian from meeting Zhu Qizhen. However, Zhu Qizhen implored Tuobuhua, Ye Xian's sister, for assistance. Tuobuhua, clever in her approach, led Zhu Qizhen to a river bank. She explained that while her brother had issued strict orders against their meeting, she had devised a plan for them to converse across the water, thereby not directly disobeying Ye Xian. Zhu Qizhen called out to Yunxian on the other side, and they confirmed each other’s presence.
Tuobuhua, whom Zhu Qizhen affectionately called "Tuobuhua meimei," agreed to keep watch for them, promising to mimic a bird’s call if anyone approached. Yunxian assured Zhu Qizhen that she was well, having spent her time learning medicine from Uncle Duote, which had kept Ye Xian from bothering her. Zhu Qizhen confirmed he was also fine, expressing his understanding that the Dowager Empress was unwilling to rescue him, yet holding onto hope that Zhu Qiyu would not abandon them.
He also confirmed that their comrades, older brother Li and Zhou, were alive and well. Zhu Qizhen then revealed his plan for escape: they were pooling resources from gold panning and trading with herdsmen, aiming to gather enough rations to flee in a couple of months. Yunxian, though noting the slow progress of gold panning, knew he would be planning such a thing. Zhu Qizhen discussed possibilities for her rescue, including bribing Jikan or seeking help from Princess Tuobuhua.
When Yunxian brought up his use of "Tuobuhua meimei," knowing Tuobuhua's affections, Zhu Qizhen quickly clarified that he only saw her as loyal and cute, with no other feelings. He stated his heart belonged to Empress Qian, who had suffered greatly because of him, and he could not betray her. Yunxian, feeling she had been overly sensitive, observed that Zhu Qizhen had become more decisive and responsible, a change he attributed to his current plight.
He reiterated that he could not return to Daming without her, as he would not be able to face the Empress or Zhu Qiyu. Meanwhile, Khan, still imprisoned by Ye Xian, covertly spread rumors to undermine him. He instructed his loyalists to go to Tatabu and inform their leader that Ye Xian was under the control of the Han woman, Yunxian, and promised the title of Duke of Pingle to anyone who could "save" him.
In Daming, Zhu Qiyu summoned Duke Wang to discuss the rescue of Zhu Qizhen and Yunxian. Duke Wang, however, strongly opposed the idea. He presented a petition stating that the Ministry of Treasury lacked the funds for a war with Oirat and advised against saving the retired Emperor. Zhu Qiyu angrily accused Duke Wang of being seditious. Duke Wang defended himself, claiming to act in Zhu Qiyu's best interest.
He reminded Zhu Qiyu that he was instrumental in placing him on the throne and argued that if Zhu Qizhen returned, Zhu Qiyu would lose his position. Duke Wang challenged Zhu Qiyu, asking if he could truly give up the power and prestige he had grown accustomed to, from being addressed as "Zhen" (the royal "I") to living in Qianqing Palace and hearing "Long live." Zhu Qiyu hesitated, initially saying "Zhen. . . no.. ."
before retracting and claiming he didn't cling to power. Duke Wang warned that Zhu Qizhen, known for his temper, might not forgive Zhu Qiyu for "forcefully seizing the throne." He concluded by suggesting a three-year delay, allowing Zhu Qiyu to solidify his rule before contemplating Zhu Qizhen's return, to avoid political instability. Despite Zhu Qiyu's internal conflict and his concern for Yunxian, whose fate remained unknown, he ultimately suppressed the matter.
Later, Duke Wang's daughter, the Empress, inquired about the discussion. Duke Wang assured her that Zhu Qiyu would not willingly relinquish his power. He further advised his daughter to visit Empress Dowager Sun more often to ensure she did not push for Zhu Qizhen's return and to try to win back Zhu Qiyu's affections, as he no longer visited her Kunming Palace.
Meanwhile, having learned that Empress Qian and Liu Ping'an had jointly orchestrated Yunxian's fake death, Empress Dowager Sun and Empress Wang intended to target Liu Ping'an. However, Duke Wang reported to them that Liu Ping'an had been killed by a Wara war chariot during the recent conflict, and her body was not found.
Back on the plains, the Ming prisoners of war, including Zhu Qizhen, began practicing the Five Animal Frolics, based on diagrams sent by Yunxian, to strengthen themselves against illness. Zhu Qizhen explained the ancient exercises were effective, and fewer people had fallen ill since they started. One of his men then shared a rumor that Ye Xian had grown fond of Yunxian and intended to marry her, even killing two rare snow foxes to make her a fur coat.
Zhu Qizhen quickly dismissed the topic. Meanwhile, Yunxian continued teaching Tuobuhua Han medicine, explaining the differences in moxibustion techniques and herbal uses. Tuobuhua, overwhelmed, suggested Yunxian write another book combining both Han and Mongolian medical knowledge. Tuobuhua also confided in Yunxian about Zhu Qizhen, lamenting that he only called her "Little Sister Tuobuhua" once and now only "Princess," wondering what his true feelings were. Yunxian advised patience.
Meng Duo reported to Ye Xian that despite Ye Xian's lavish treatment of Yunxian, who lived like a princess with her family's safety even checked upon, Yunxian remained unappreciative. Ye Xian dismissed this, confident in his assessment of her character. Meng Duo then delivered more troubling news: new rumors were circulating, blaming the unusually cold winter on Ye Xian's imprisonment of Ming's Emperor and his attack on Beijing, claiming he was unrepentant even after being struck by lightning.
Meng Duo attributed these rumors to Agaduo’s followers. Furthermore, an assassin from the Bulagute Group, Ye Xian's mother's clan and a servant of his grandmother, had been caught attempting to assassinate Yunxian in her tent, though she was safe with Tuobuhua at the time. Ye Xian, realizing the growing unrest, ordered the assassin to be flogged and released, rather than executed.
To counter the rumors and assert his authority, he decreed that every family in Wang Ting would receive 500 kilos of hay and three sheep. He also ordered increased secret protection for Yunxian. Soon after, Ye Xian approached Yunxian again, sending Tuobuhua away. He presented Yunxian with a wild goose as a gift, symbolically proposing marriage according to Han custom. He then explicitly declared his love for her and directly proposed marriage as his main wife.
Yunxian, however, politely refused, stating she was a prisoner who merely wished to return home, offering to write a letter for ransom. Ye Xian countered that he knew her background, having investigated her "pitiful experience," and admired her strength. He laid out her bleak prospects in Daming: both Zhu Qiyu and Zhu Qizhen already had empresses, and no Han man would likely marry a woman who had such close ties to the Emperor.
He argued that only he could offer her a position as his "one and only, main wife," making her the most noble woman on the Great Plains, free to practice medicine—a freedom he claimed was greater than in Ming. Yunxian reiterated that she could not bring herself to love him, stating she respected and feared him, but did not love him. She declared she would rather be alone for life than marry him.
Ye Xian pressed, suggesting their marriage could forge a "brother relationship" between Oirat and Ming, benefiting both peoples. Yunxian defiantly countered, asking why, if such a "brother relationship" existed, Ye Xian wouldn't release the "elder brother," Zhu Qizhen. She proposed that he first release Zhu Qizhen and the Ming prisoners as a sign of sincerity, and then they could discuss marriage. Enraged, Ye Xian accused her of provoking him.
Yunxian stood her ground, declaring that a "blood feud" lay between them due to the countless Ming citizens killed in their wars. She vowed she would never marry an enemy for fame and fortune, concluding that they "will never be people walking the same path." Infuriated, Ye Xian called her a "slave" and a "bitch," ordering Meng Duo to take her to Taojin River. Yunxian was dragged away, bound, arriving at the river with fresh injuries.
The Ming soldiers protested at her treatment. Tuobuhua rushed to Ye Xian, pleading for Yunxian, arguing that she simply couldn't accept such a drastic change, and worrying about her falling ill in the cold before the White Moon Festival. Ye Xian, however, was unyielding, declaring he sent her to suffer to curb her pride, threatening to lock up Zhu Qizhen if Tuobuhua continued to interfere. At Taojin River, Zhu Qizhen was heartbroken to see Yunxian's battered state.
Despite the harsh circumstances, he found a small comfort in their proximity, knowing they would now see each other daily. He tried to help her with the arduous labor of panning for gold, but she stopped him, fearing it would bring trouble to everyone. She reasoned that the physical work would strengthen her for their eventual escape. Zhu Qizhen then showed her an easier way to shovel sand, avoiding the freezing water.
The very next day, Yunxian, ever the physician, began treating a fellow prisoner whose feet were swollen from being in the cold water, offering a traditional remedy to alleviate his suffering.
