The Imperial Doctress Episode 38 Recap
> The Imperial Doctress Recap
Amidst the harsh Oirat winter, Yingzong and his fellow Ming prisoners faced dwindling rations, leading them to conserve food in anticipation of an escape. Their swords were sharpened, awaiting the opportune moment. In the Ming capital, Xiao Mazi reported to Daizong that Yunxian was safe and well-provided for in the Oirat royal court. Puzzled by her comfort as a captive, Daizong accepted Xiao Mazi’s explanation, pre-arranged by Yu Dongyang, that Yunxian’s medical expertise allowed her to survive.
Relieved, Daizong ordered attempts to contact Ye Xian’s sister to secure Yunxian’s return. If that failed, he instructed Xiao Mazi to enlist Cao Jixiang's help, promising him the powerful eunuch lead position. Yu Dongyang had intentionally concealed Yunxian’s true circumstances from Daizong to protect her reputation, a sentiment Xiao Mazi shared, lamenting Yunxian's difficult life and worrying about her family's reaction if they knew the full truth of her situation with Ye Xian.
Meanwhile, Empress Wang Meilin visited Daizong, bringing him a Dendrobium Black Chicken Ginseng soup. The sight of the Dendrobium plant triggered Daizong's memory of his first meeting with Yunxian. Wang Meilin, seeking to mend their strained relationship, explained that she had used Yunxian's own recipe from "Tranquility Medicinal Recipes." She passionately denied any ill intent towards Yunxian, asserting that her maid, Bi Cao, had already confessed to taking bribes and using Wang Meilin's name to harm Yunxian and her family.
In her emotional plea, Wang Meilin suddenly fainted. Daizong immediately summoned the Imperial Physician. Cheng Chuen Xia examined her, announcing that the Empress was three months pregnant and required significant rest. Empress Dowager Sun was overjoyed by the news, proclaiming it a fortunate event for the Ming dynasty.
She promptly promoted Cheng Chuen Xia to Supervisor of the Imperial Faculty of Medicine and declared a general amnesty across the land, urging Wang Meilin to ensure the birth of a Crown Prince. Daizong, touched by the news, reassured Wang Meilin he believed her. He stated that with her and their child, it was enough, and he was too busy with official matters for other consorts.
Upon hearing of Wang Meilin’s pregnancy, former Empress Qian became deeply anxious, fearing for the security of her son Jian Shen’s position as Crown Prince and worrying about potential harm from Wang Meilin and Empress Dowager Sun’s faction. She confided in Minister Yu Dongyang, who noticed her frail condition.
Her maid, Dingxiang, explained that since Yingzong's capture, Empress Qian had been consumed by grief, crying daily and constantly kneeling before a Guan Yin Buddha, which had severely damaged her eyesight and impaired a leg. Dingxiang revealed that Empress Qian harbored suspicions that Daizong would harm her and the Crown Prince, refusing imperial physicians. Consequently, only Dingxiang and another maid, using skills taught by Yunxian, were able to offer her rudimentary care.
Minister Yu Dongyang, although sympathetic, admitted that Yunxian's return was unlikely until Yingzong himself was back. Back in the Oirat camp, Yingzong encouraged his men to endure the severe cold and hunger. A soldier reported that their rations had been further cut, likely on Ye Xian's orders, to pressure Yunxian into submission and force her return.
Yingzong ordered his personal portion of food be given to Yunxian, then instructed everyone to further reduce their intake, even eating three times less daily, to stretch their remaining five days' worth of food. Lisan confirmed their hidden food supply was secure. Yingzong predicted Ye Xian's patience would run out in less than 30 days, by which time they must escape, regardless of food supply. The soldiers reaffirmed their loyalty and readiness to fight their way back to the capital.
Yingzong, feeling the heavy burden of responsibility, promised to lead them home. Yunxian, observing the harsh conditions and Ye Xian's strict orders preventing anyone from helping them, blamed herself for their suffering. Her companions, however, assured her of their unity and loyalty. Yingzong, trying to lift spirits, shared the story of Cao Cao's "looking at plums to relieve thirst."
Lisan and another soldier ventured out in search of food and discovered that the Oirat guards had abandoned their posts due to the intense snowstorm, even taking their horses. Yingzong seized the opportunity, declaring they would escape immediately. He rallied his men, acknowledging the difficulty of the blizzard but expressing confidence in their ability to endure. He confirmed their direction to be southeast, towards Beijing, using a compass he had strategically acquired while treating General Boyan's wife.
As they traversed the snow, Yingzong playfully teased Yunxian, promising to make her "more plump" once they returned. After walking for most of the night, they sought shelter in a cave. Exhausted and with minimal firewood, they huddled together for warmth. Later that night, a wolf attack startled the camp. Yingzong quickly armed himself, entrusting Yunxian with the care of the wounded, and led his men outside with torches to confront the pack.
He bravely fought, killing several wolves, his decisive actions impressing Yunxian. She observed his transformation, inwardly declaring him no longer the impulsive emperor but a great warrior and a brilliant leader. Meanwhile, Ye Xian was enraged to discover that Yingzong, Yunxian, and the Ming prisoners had escaped. His sister blamed him for driving Yunxian away, but Ye Xian countered that Yunxian’s stubbornness needed to be tempered.
He claimed he had sent her to the labor camp for her own safety, believing she would be less of a target with her own people than by his side, especially with the Oirat court’s long-standing discontent with her presence. He admitted he had hoped she would regret her defiance and return to him willingly, but never expected her to flee. Back with the escapees, the wounded soldiers struggled to continue. Yingzong, realizing their predicament, made a difficult decision.
He ordered the able-bodied soldiers to push ahead, carrying their supplies, while he, Yunxian, and the more severely wounded would remain behind as a decoy. He believed the Oirat pursuers would prioritize capturing him, allowing the others to escape. His soldiers vehemently refused, insisting they would not abandon their emperor.
Yingzong, invoking his imperial authority and recalling his vow not to lose another Ming soldier after the Tumu Fortress disaster, ordered them to obey Zhou Qiang, march eighty miles a day, and reach Datong within fifteen days, threatening execution for disobedience. Despite their deep reluctance, Yunxian interjected, reminding them that even in their dire situation, the Emperor's command was inviolable. She urged them to comply, emphasizing that only by reaching Datong could they hope to save their Emperor.
Zhou Qiang, though heartbroken, led most of the soldiers away. However, Yunxian steadfastly remained by Yingzong's side, reminding him of his earlier promise that they would "live and die together." Soon after, a group of soldiers, led by Lisan, also returned, proclaiming their loyalty and declaring they would not abandon him, echoing Yingzong's own past words about not always needing to obey the Emperor in battle. As Oirat pursuers closed in, following their footprints, Yingzong quickly devised a new plan.
He ordered the healthy men to discard their heavy belongings and flee into the forest, carrying the wounded, to create the illusion of a larger group and buy time. Yunxian also assisted in carrying the injured, as Yingzong paused to express his heartfelt gratitude to his loyal brothers for their unwavering companionship through life and death.
