The Imperial Doctress Episode 8 Recap
> The Imperial Doctress Recap
Zhengqi realized his earlier insensitive remarks had offended Yunxian and sought a way to apologize. He entrusted Abbess Jingci with a set of silver needles for Yunxian, hoping they would bring her some comfort by allowing her to treat patients with acupuncture. Abbess Jingci explained to Yunxian that Zhengqi, whose nickname was Yuanbao because of his round ears, had lost his birth mother at a young age.
His mother had also been knowledgeable in medicine, similar to Yunxian, which was why he felt a particular fondness for her. Yunxian, realizing they shared the pain of losing their mothers young, felt a sense of camaraderie with him and her anger subsided, musing that she had actually forgiven the "idiot" a while ago. She asked Abbess Jingci to thank him for her. Later, Yunxian and Zisu spent an evening gathering osmanthus flowers.
Yunxian explained that these flowers could be medicine for the mind and spirit. She then made a jar of osmanthus honey as a return gift for Zhengqi. The Emperor received the osmanthus honey, appreciating its fragrance, and immediately ordered that no one was to touch the jar without his permission. He also sent a box of various medicines, including Longnao Powder, Qizhen Pellet, and Qianjin Dihuang Tea Pills, to Yongqing Convent, stating it was to return Yunxian’s favor.
Zisu noted the unusual generosity. Soon after, a grave report arrived: the Yellow River had flooded, destroying dams in Sunjiadu and Xinxiang, affecting 25 prefectures and leaving over 50,000 people homeless. Wang Zhen reported the flood, suspecting foul play due to the recent construction and maintenance of the dams. The Emperor, also questioning the alleged lightning strike and landslide, suspected political motivation, possibly even linked to the Empress Dowager, and ordered the Eastern Depot to investigate.
As a result of the floods, countless refugees sought shelter, many arriving at Yongqing Convent. Abbess Jingci, overruling the concerns of her disciples, ordered the gates opened, recognizing the desperate people were not thugs. Yunxian, having disguised herself in men's clothes to maintain propriety while treating the refugees, soon discovered that many were suffering from cholera, not malaria as initially suspected. Their symptoms included sunken eyes, severe diarrhea, vomiting, and in some cases, bloody stools.
Recognizing the highly contagious nature of cholera, Abbess Jingci immediately ceased Yunxian's direct involvement in patient care and dispatched Zhitong to report the plague to the Huimin Apothecary and the Emperor. News of cholera reaching the capital caused widespread panic, leading to a frenzy of medicine hoarding at apothecaries. Meanwhile, Official Qi from the Shuntian Prefecture reported to the Empress Dowager, presenting a token found on a man who allegedly sabotaged the levee.
He suggested that the Emperor, in his conflict with the Empress Dowager, had orchestrated the flood to implicate her and her family, as the token belonged to the Count of Yongcheng's manor, a title associated with her and her husband. Infuriated, the Empress Dowager resolved to expose the Emperor, only to be informed that the alleged traitors had committed suicide by poison. She then ordered constant surveillance on the Emperor and summoned Prince Cheng and Duke Ying to the capital.
When the Emperor requested to see her to discuss the Yellow River, she feigned illness and refused him. Frustrated by the Empress Dowager's obstruction, especially when Wang Zhen reported widespread rumors blaming the Emperor for the disaster, the Emperor decided to handle matters directly. He arrived at the city gates, which Official Qi had ordered closed to prevent refugees from entering, despite Minister Yu Dongyang's vehement protests.
When a guard, on Official Qi’s orders, attempted to remove Yu Dongyang, the Emperor intervened, killing the abusive guard himself. Revealing his identity, he publicly condemned Official Qi's actions, ordered the gates to be opened to allow all citizens entry, and promoted Yu Dongyang to Inspector General, tasking him with overseeing the Yellow River dyke repairs. The Emperor asked Yu Dongyang to keep his identity a secret from Yunxian.
He then assured the public that he would personally oversee the epidemic, promising free medicine from the Imperial Faculty of Medicine. Before heading to confront the Empress Dowager, he ordered Duke Wang, the highest-ranking minister in the Ministry of Revenues, to prepare 100,000 taels of silver for relief efforts. At Yongqing Convent, the situation was dire.
Cheng Yuanpan, an official from the Imperial Faculty, sent Wan Ning and a team from the Huimin Apothecary to assist, after he himself was scalded protecting Cheng Cunxia from boiling water. Upon arrival, Wan Ning found Yunxian treating patients with a ginger wine tonic, a method she learned from a medicine woman. He immediately challenged her, asserting that ginger, a "hot" herb, was inappropriate for treating cholera, which he diagnosed as dampness-percolating.
Yunxian defended her approach, explaining she had used it as a temporary alternative when conventional medicine ran out, and that it had proven effective in some cases. She argued that not all cholera cases were due to dampness-percolation, noting that some patients exhibited symptoms of toxic heat, which ginger would help, and they weren't thirsty, indicating no excessive heat. Wan Ning continued to argue, accusing her of speaking nonsense and learning from a mere "medicine woman."
Zisu, witnessing the confrontation, recognized Wan Ning. Simultaneously, Wan Ning recognized Zisu, whom he believed had brought him before the court. Yunxian, despite her male disguise, also feared that Wan Ning would recognize her. Abbess Jingci intervened, silencing the debate and emphasizing that saving lives was paramount, regardless of the method, as long as it worked.
She reminded Wan Ning that Physician Hang had discovered the epidemic there and warned him of potential punishment from the Emperor if he failed to perform his duties. Later, in a court session, a minister presented the Emperor with a plan for flood relief, including withdrawing 500,000 silver pieces and deploying 20,000 workers, also mentioning the 20,000 refugees approaching the city. The Empress Dowager then made her entrance into the court.
