The Imperial Doctress Episode 6 Recap
> The Imperial Doctress Recap
In the prison, Yunxian continued to learn about medicinal remedies from Aunt Luo. Her grandmother and Zisu came to visit, bringing food which Yunxian shared with her fellow inmates. She also instructed Zisu on the location of her indenture contract, ensuring Zisu's freedom should anything happen to her. The Emperor, deeply troubled by his inability to find Prince Qiyu, drank heavily outside the palace. As he was returning, still inebriated, he encountered Zisu at the Cheng Huang Shrine.
Zisu, who was there to pray for Yunxian, informed him that Yunxian had been imprisoned for treating a patient and was due for a retrial that day. During the retrial, Madam Xu's maid abruptly changed her testimony, now vehemently claiming that Madam Xu had clearly communicated all her symptoms, including diarrhea, to Yunxian, and that Yunxian had still prescribed the wrong medicine. Fortunately, Madam Wang, a third-rank noblewoman, came forward to testify on Yunxian's behalf.
Madam Wang asserted that she was present during Yunxian's encounter with Madam Xu and could confirm Madam Xu had not mentioned having diarrhea at that time. Madam Wang also clarified that Yunxian had merely offered informal advice, not a formal medical prescription, after being repeatedly pressed by Madam Xu. Despite this, Cunxia, an Imperial Physician, distorted the facts in court.
He implied that Yunxian was negligent for not thoroughly inquiring about Madam Xu's full medical history and previous medications, and carelessly prescribing treatment, thereby causing Madam Xu's demise. This left Yunxian still facing a guilty verdict. At this critical juncture, Wang Zhen, the head of the Eastern Depot, unexpectedly appeared at the Supreme Court.
He publicly stated that he was acquainted with Yunxian and that a prescription she had given him previously had cured a chronic illness he had suffered from for decades. Intimidated by Wang Zhen's authority, Cunxia conceded, stating that Yunxian was not a certified doctor and her "mis-prescription" could be considered an oversight.
Minister Xu, also unwilling to offend Wang Zhen, retracted his accusations, claiming his wife's death was due to her own indiscriminate use of medicine and had nothing to do with Yunxian. He then publicly apologized to Yunxian for wrongly accusing her. With Wang Zhen's intervention, Yunxian was acquitted and released from prison.
Back home, Yunxian's father, Hang Gang, was deeply troubled by the unexpected connection between his daughter, a young lady from a respected family, and Wang Zhen, the powerful head of the Eastern Depot. He worried that this would lead to suspicions of his own close ties with the Eastern Depot and damage his reputation. Yunxian insisted she did not know Wang Zhen.
Madam Yu explained that Madam Wang testified out of gratitude; Yunxian's earlier advice had helped Madam Wang's maid find a physician who correctly diagnosed and treated Madam Wang, leading to her pregnancy after years of infertility. Liu Pingan, Cunxia's supervisor at the Imperial Faculty of Medicine, learned of Cunxia's unethical conduct in court. He severely reprimanded him, accusing him of attempting to condemn Yunxian, and ordered him to kneel before the Medicine Bodhisattva.
Liu Pingan forced Cunxia to reflect on his choices: whether to follow the politically shrewd path of his uncle, Cheng Shisan, or to diligently practice medicine with integrity under his guidance. Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager was informed of Wang Zhen's blatant disrespect towards high-ranking officials in court. She rebuked Empress Qian for her failure to effectively advise the Emperor. Fan Hong, ever the provocateur, further fueled the Empress Dowager's suspicions against the Emperor, suggesting he harbored intentions of harming her.
Considering this, the Empress Dowager began to contemplate appointing Prince Qiyu as regent to exert more control. In a tragic turn of events, Minister Xu, humiliated and angered by Wang Zhen's interference in the trial, vented his rage on Aunt Luo. After Yunxian's release, Minister Xu ordered the prison guards to beat Aunt Luo to death, learning that she had been teaching Yunxian in prison. Upon hearing the devastating news from Zisu, Yunxian was heartbroken.
She visited Aunt Luo's grave, despairing and believing herself to be an unlucky person who brought misfortune to those around her. Overwhelmed by grief, recalling her mother's difficult childbirth, her brother's premature death, Madam Xu's unfair demise, and now Aunt Luo's brutal murder, Yunxian returned her medical books to her grandmother, declaring her intention to abandon medicine and dedicate herself to prayer and repentance.
Elsewhere, Wang Meilin visited Prince Qiyu to advise him against offending the Empress Dowager during his upcoming meeting with her. Prince Qiyu noticed that her ornamental sash was loose and re-tied it for her. Later, in the palace, Wang Meilin encountered Empress Qian. The Empress noticed the unique "Pipa knot" of Wang Meilin's sash, a style she recognized and hadn't seen in many years.
