The Imperial Doctress Episode 50 (Ending) Recap
> The Imperial Doctress Recap
On New Year's Eve, the family gathered, including Qiyu, Yunxian, Empress Dowager Wu, and the Retired Emperor, Qizhen. Qiyu, who appeared much healthier, attributed his recovery to Yunxian's efforts in finding miraculous medicine. However, Empress Dowager Wu launched into a series of criticisms, disparaging Yunxian for providing Qiyu with what she called "messy roots and weeds."
She further implied that Yunxian's unborn child with Qiyu would not live long, remarking that with an "Imperial Uncle" (Qizhen) like that, who knows how long it would live after birth. Empress Dowager Wu then lashed out at Qiyu, accusing him of being swayed by others to abdicate and of prioritizing a "traitorous woman" over his own mother. Her harsh words angered Qiyu, causing him to vomit blood.
Seeing his deteriorating condition, Qizhen suggested that he and Yunxian would handle the Lunar New Year celebrations on Qiyu's behalf, and helped Qiyu retreat to rest. As snow began to fall that New Year's Eve, Yunxian stood outside. Qizhen approached her, expressing his worry for both her and Qiyu. He reminisced about a past New Year's Eve spent with Yunxian in her backyard, dancing in the snow and watching fireworks, noting how the current snowfall evoked those memories.
Qizhen promised Yunxian that, no matter what transpired, he would ensure she, Qiyu, and their unborn child, Jianji, could live out their lives in peace and happiness. He then asked her to call him "Yuanbao" one last time, which she did. Before departing to reunite with Jianshen, Qizhen used his foot to write "Chagiya" in the snow, a Joseon word meaning "dear," which Yunxian had once taught him, and bade her farewell.
Back inside, Qiyu, despite his happiness, downplayed his mother's earlier remarks, believing she was merely concerned about preserving her status as Empress Dowager. He confessed to Yunxian that his mother valued her position more than him, a pursuit of power that had even led him to marry Wang Meilin, and questioned why he had such a birth mother. Yunxian tried to comfort him and urged him to rest for the coming new year.
However, as the night deepened, Qiyu suddenly awoke, violently vomiting large amounts of blood. Yunxian desperately tried to control the bleeding with acupuncture and summoned Cheng Cunxia, assuring Qiyu that she would stay by his side. But despite her efforts, Qiyu passed away. Cheng Cunxia arrived too late. Empress Dowager Wu rushed in, heartbroken and enraged, blaming Yunxian's "damn medicines" for her son's death.
In her grief and fury, she shoved Yunxian to the ground, causing Yunxian to bleed profusely, indicating a grave danger to her own life and that of her unborn child. Shi Heng and Cao Jixiang hastily informed Qizhen of Qiyu's death and Empress Dowager Wu's intention to have Yunxian immolated. They also presented a fabricated story about Duke Wang attempting to install a new, young emperor.
Concerned for Yunxian, Qizhen immediately rode to the palace, where Empress Dowager Sun revealed that she and Abbess Jingci had orchestrated these events. Abbess Jingci clarified that while Empress Dowager Wu did plan Yunxian's immolation, the story about Duke Wang was false. She also sadly conveyed that Yunxian had not merely gone into premature labor but had suffered a miscarriage, and the unborn prince could not be saved.
Empress Dowager Sun and Abbess Jingci then pressed Qizhen to reclaim the throne to avert a crisis in the Ming Dynasty. Initially hesitant, Qizhen was convinced when Empress Dowager Sun resolved their long-standing misunderstanding, swearing that his mother's death was an accident, and the belief that she was responsible was a lie concocted by Wang Zhen to gain his trust. As a final inducement, she promised to save Yunxian if he ascended the throne.
Qizhen agreed and rushed to where Empress Dowager Wu, consumed by grief over Qiyu's body, was preparing for Yunxian's immolation. Qizhen intervened and rescued Yunxian, who was severely bleeding. Following these tumultuous events, Qizhen reclaimed the throne in the first month of Jingtai's eighth year. Qiyu was demoted to Prince of Cheng and passed away ten days later. Cheng Cunxia, deeply distressed, discussed Yunxian's condition, noting she was profoundly hurt and might never recover from her immense grief.
He lamented her difficult fate as a woman determined to practice medicine. Qizhen visited Yunxian daily during her slow recovery, explaining that he had abolished her position as Empress to prevent her from being immolated and buried with Qiyu. After some time, Yunxian, unable to overcome her sorrow for Qiyu and their lost child Jianji, and weary of palace life, chose to leave the imperial city and travel the world.
Qizhen, understanding her need to heal, continued his duties as Emperor but confessed to an attendant that his heart had always belonged to Yunxian. He asked the attendant to convey to Yunxian that he would always wait for her if she ever wished to return. Years later, Yunxian, now known as Physician Tan, was a respected practitioner among the common people.
She encountered Cheng Cunxia, who had also resigned his official post to become a wandering physician, seeking atonement for past errors. He expressed his admiration for Yunxian's dedication to healing, confessing that he now found immense happiness in helping patients, a lifestyle he preferred over the pursuit of wealth and fame. Yunxian explained that she had no reason to stay in the palace and had found her true purpose in medicine.
Cheng Cunxia asked her to reserve a copy of her forthcoming book, "Miscellaneous Entries of a Female Physician," for him. Meanwhile, Empress Qian passed away. Yingzong, after a total of 22 years on the throne, abdicated in favor of Crown Prince Zhu Jianshen. Having previously abolished the centuries-old system of immolation, Yingzong decided to leave the palace to find Yunxian, the woman his heart had cherished for so long.
He journeyed until he found a simple residence bearing the sign "Tan Clinic" beyond a small bridge. Pushing open the gate, he saw Yunxian, dressed in red with her sleeves rolled up, washing her hands in the courtyard. The red jade bracelet on her wrist glinted in the sunlight. Sensing his presence, she slowly turned, her captivating eyes and youthful appearance still as beautiful as he remembered.
Through the combined efforts of Yunxian and other female physicians, and inspired by Yingzong's enlightened policies, the Ming Dynasty officially established a system for female physicians. Society gradually accepted women practicing medicine, allowing female patients to receive treatment for ailments previously overlooked due to gender segregation. This reform led to better health outcomes and significantly increased lifespans across the land.
