♫ Not meeting each other, not meeting each other ♫
♫ That one person, that one glance ♫
♫ Not resenting the years we wasted ♫
♫ In a certain year, that one gaze ♫
♫ who is nostalgic, who is silent? ♫
♫ Brushing past each other's shoulders, do not argue about our fate ♫
♫ If not for that one look, the fleeting sense of yearning ♫
♫ I would be unaware I had loved that person for a lifetime ♫
♫ Until now, even if the city is abound with rumours, do not explain ♫
♫ Using up the world's medicine, it is still hard to cure the affections of the mortal world ♫
♫ The heavy rain is coming and the ground is damp ♫
♫ The memories are fading in front of my eyes ♫
♫ Many years later, all the stories turn out to have similar endings♫
♫ Don't say you love someone, don't say but ♫
♫ Please do not overdo the tears ♫
♫ Gains and losses will always come around in a cycle ♫
The Imperial Doctress Episode 1
Neo-Confucianism became prominent during the middle of the Ming Dynasty.
The rigorous code of ethics
meant that women were seen as socially inferior.
Women from noble families couldn't appear in public at will
and could not become ministers or physicians
Even if they became ill,
they couldn't receive immediate treatment from male physicians due to conservatism.
Even the minority of peasant women who worked as midwives and casual physicians
were regarded as lowly busybodies.
Emperor Yingzong ascended the throne at a young age,
and Empress Dowager Sun was ordered to attend to state affairs.
However, she used Yingzong's age and immaturity as an excuse
so she could continue to hold onto political power.
Yingzong listened to the words of Eunuch Wang Zhen,
and became quite discontented with her.
Empress Dowager Sun secretly ordered Prince Cheng to enter the capital,
hoping to put a new Emperor on the throne.
Wang Zhen was afraid it would affect his position,
and ordered Eastern Depot assassins to kill Prince Cheng before his arrival at the capital.
Xu Manor
I am Shu Yue, daughter of Du Chang, the Minister of Rites.
I wish Madam will live a long and healthy life.
One God of Longevity carved out of silkwood, and half a kilogram of donkey hide gelatin.
This really is a huge gift.
Then isn't our gift too shabby?
Miss, it's our turn.
Old Madam Xu, I am Yunxian, the daughter of Hang Gang, General Xuanwu.
I wish you will live a prosperous and long life. T/N: This set of congratulatory idioms aren't used as often as the previous set.
This phrase is fresh.
General Xuanwu? Hang Gang?
He used to guard the northern borders. He only recently returned to the Capital.
He was the one that came and asked Master to transfer him.
He is of the junior fourth rank.
She is a neat child.
One sprig of ginseng, a pair of ganoderma.
Such shabby gifts.
I would be too embarrassed to give these gifts.
Exactly.
You're a rare visitor. It's good that you have been able to come.
Great. Please take a rest.
Is this okay? Will they look down on us?
Don't worry. It's our kind intentions that matter.
Governor Xu won't hold it against us.
Your Highness, please.
- Miss, are you okay? - Where is this wild girl from?
How dare she block the road of Princess Anhe?
Why do you speak in such a way?
- It was you... - Zisu!
Your Highness, your esteemed presence is much appreciated.
Miss, they were the ones who bumped into you first.
She is the princess. We cannot afford to offend her.
Let's go.
Miss Hang, the ladies are all admiring the flowers. Please follow me.
- Are you okay? - I'm fine.
Dendrobium officinale? T/N: A rare orchid that can be used as medicine.
Your manor's flora are quite pretty.
Let's go.
Zisu, I think that's the Dendrobium officinale.
What?
Dendrobium officinale.
Here.
Old Madam, have some tea.
Sounds so nice.
Dendrobium officinale only grows in the highlands.
Why is it here?
It must be because the environment is cool in there.
Great. It sounds so nice.
So great.
It really is a tune from the Heavens.
Your Highness, you must play another one.
Yes, another one!
- We want to hear more - Play another tune!
It's really pretty.
Young lady,
you are the only one to have maintained your composure.
By any chance, do you think I am not skilled enough?
Of course not. You are very talented at playing the qin. I became lost in thought due to its beauty.
Our family's zheng is made from parasol wood, T/N: 'qin' and 'zheng' are two different types of ancient Chinese stringed instruments.
and was granted to us by the Grand Empress Dowager.
I see.
I feel a bit dizzy. Excuse my absence.
Then go take a breath of fresh air where there's less people.
Once the birthday banquet begins, I will invite you in again.
Whose household is she from?
How can she not know the difference between qin and zheng? Such a country bumpkin.
Look at what she's wearing.
Miss. What's so great about that bunch of madams and ladies?
How dare they look down on outsiders.
Really. Why must you bother yourself about them?
- Let me do it, let me. - No.
This herbal medicine is really precious. What if you break it?
But you're going to get mud on your hands. How are you going to meet people now?
Who will care about us? Didn't you hear?
This banquet is held so the son can find a wife.
I'm only here to present a gift on behalf of my father.
No matter what, I was looking around,
and you, my Miss, were the prettiest among them all.
Wasn't Madam Xu quite happy with you as well?
She was just being polite.
Look. This is the real treasure.
A fresh sprig of Dendrobium officinale.
The Shenong Compedium lists it as
a life-saving magic herb even more special than ginseng.
This is great. We didn't come for nothing today.
Look at you. This is disastrous.
Let's go.
Miss!
Who are you? What do you want to do?
Let go of our Miss!
Let go! Save us!
Silence.
Don't kill me, don't kill me.
Don't hurt her. I can promise that she won't make a sound.
What do you want to do?
Give me that live-saving plant.
You've been poisoned.
- Miss. I think he's fainted. Go. Let's go.
- Okay. - Let's go.
Cold. So cold.
- Let's go, Miss. Go! - So cold.
Mother.
I'm too late.
Miss.
Just ignore him. Let's go.
Miss.
So cold.
Miss.
Let's go.
Never mind him.
Guard this place.
- Where are you going? -I'm going to look for herbal medicine.
Your Excellency, I've searched the entire place. This is the only place remaining.
Your Excellency, I haven't found him anywhere. We just need to search this place.
However, today is Old Madam Xu's birthday banquet. If we force our way in, it might...
We can go and congratulate them now.
I've found some wild goldthread - it may help.
Miss. Why must you save him?
What if he's not a nice person?
When he started mumbling that he was cold, I just couldn't leave.
I can't just
let him die in front of me.
He's awake, he's awake!
Are you okay? I've given you some medicine that will relieve the poison.
Thank you.
I apologise
for forcing you at knife point.
I was really...
That's okay. We weren't afraid.
I'm not a bad person. I was being chased by enemies.
Rest assured. You'll be fine.
Don't tell anyone.
Zisu. He can't stay here in this state.
Help me move him.
Zisu, what are you doing?
Miss, didn't you hear him? He's currently being chased.
If we continue to stay here, trouble will find us.
But we can't leave him in this state.
Miss, you are here for the birthday banquet.
If we're discovered to have been around him,
then no one will believe our innocence.
We can't put Master in trouble.
Okay.
Let's go. Wait for me.
I am really sorry.
I can't help you any further.
We can only hope the Medicine Buddha will help you.
Let's go. Hurry, hurry!
Let's go.
Go.
Look, these blooms are quite nice.
Look at this flower. It is so vibrant.
You are too polite. Please.
- There are many guests. - They're all here to admire the flowers.
But I am extremely happy that you are able to make it.
Master, Cao Jixiang has brought people over.
Cao Jixiang.
What happened?
People from the Eastern Depot have arrived.
Official Xu, I have especially come to congratulate you.
- Come here. - What are you doing?
Don't pull me.
Official Cao. You are...?
Official Xu. I've long heard that the scenery is great here.
I especially brought my brothers here to look around.
Today is my mother's 70th birthday.
Aren't you purposely meddling with me by coming here today?
Meddling?
Official Xu, I will be reiterating your exact words
to the Director (of the Eastern Depot).
So what?
Even if Official Wang Zhen himself came, I will still say what I did.
No wonder Official Xu is so confident today.
Turns out Duke Wang is also here.
Your Excellency, I haven't found anything.
I've heard that your manor owns
a peony tree worth a thousand taels of gold. Why haven't I seen it?
Official Cao, the ladies are in there.
Stop. Stop!
Stop. The women are in there.
Stop.
Official Cao. What are you actually looking for?
Only the women are in there.
Moreover, my own daughter is in there as well.
By rushing in like this,
are you trying to ruin their reputation?
Your Excellency is overreacting.
Are you threatening me?
It seems that you know what I am looking for.
Official Cao. I am thinking for you.
The Eastern Depot is becoming extremely pompous recently.
The Empress Dowager is very disappointed.
If you guys rush in like this...
Official Cao, aren't you purposely alienating yourself?
No matter how angry the Empress Dowager will be,
we must remain loyal to the Emperor.
We've all served in the Palace before.
There is no need to worry, Your Excellency.
The people from Eastern Depot has arrived. Quick, avoid them!
Miss. What are they doing?
Search the place.
Miss, this...surely these people aren't chasing after that person?
Thankfully we left quickly.
I can tell they aren't good people.
Zisu. Do not mention that event to anyone.
What are you looking for exactly?
Continue to search.
- Mother, mother! - Old Madam!
- Mother, wake up! Mother! - Mother.
- Old Madam.
- Mother, mother.
- The old Madam has fainted.
- The old Madam has suffered a stroke. Quick, send for the physician.
No one is allowed to leave.
Cao Jixiang. My mother has suffered a stroke. What do you want to do now?
Old madam.
I am sorry, but not one person is allowed to leave.
Continue the search.
- Where is the physician? - Mother.
Quick. Help the old Madam back to her room.
You can't move her.
Why?
People who suffer strokes usually have stagnated blood flow and blood clots.
If you move her, something bad might happen to her.
- Then what can we do? - Really?
You are not a physician. Why are you speaking nonsense?
The old Madam is ageing and weak. If we don't move her in,
what if she catches a cold?
Do you know how to cure this sickness?
- I know a little. - Okay. Come here.
Miss.
Here, look at this.
Can you cure her?
Does anyone have sewing needles?
Quick, quick, bring the sewing needles.
Mother. Stay strong, mother!
Father. Take the chance and pretend to faint.
They're looking for His Highness, Prince Cheng.
Prince Cheng? How is he in the Capital?
Speak softly. Your Aunt ordered him here secretly.
That still doesn't make sense.
Father, how do you know the Eastern Depot is looking for him?
I guessed. Wang Zhen ordered Cao Jixiang to find him.
When I ask him, he won't answer. Isn't it obvious?
The Empress Dowager wants Prince Cheng to become the new Emperor.
The Emperor then ordered the Eastern Depot to assassinate him.
We must find him immediately. Quick, faint!
Quickly.
Meilin, Meilin. Quick, someone!
Miss, Miss.
- Mother. - The Miss has fainted.
Miss, quickly.
Princess Anhe is...
You've already scared someone sick.
Do you want to scare someone else to death?
- Mother. - Master, the needles.
Here.
Will this work?
It should. Once the bad blood is squeezed out,
the old Madam should recover.
Mother.
Help me squeeze.
Squeeze all the bad blood out.
Mother.
Mother, mother.
Miss Hang. This...will this work?
Something's wrong.
The medical texts said that releasing the ten fingers will help relieve sufferers of stroke attacks.
I'll try again.
I will send for the physician.
Master, don't worry. The Miss was just shocked.
She will recover after some sleep and soothing incense.
Great. Look after the Princess carefully.
I will go visit old Madam Xu.
Yes.
Miss. Let's go.
- Mother. - Old Madam.
- What's happening? - Old Madam.
- Master. - Mother, are you okay?
Don't move her anymore. The physician will be here in no time.
There should be no problem. I'll try again.
Mother.
Miss, I think you should leave it and wait for the physician.
No. Governor Xu already knows that I am a daughter of the Hang Family.
If I can't save Madam Xu, he will judge Father for it.
Miss.
Mother.
Stop. You...
She's reacting!
Mother. Mother!
Mother, you're awake!
Mother.
She's awake. She's awake.
Mother. This is great. She's awake.
Mother, you're awake.
Send for a soft couch and slowly help her onto it.
Quick, bring the soft couch.
This is great, Miss.
Miss Hang, your hands are extremely talented.
Where did you learn this? Your set of skills are wonderful.
Your Excellency, Madam, you are flattering me. I only know the very basics.
How is this the basics. You are a miracle-working doctor.
Quick, tell me, what else does the old Madam need to eat?
Mother.
Miss.
He's there.
Miss, he's here.
Here.
Prince Cheng.
Wake up.
Prince Cheng.
Guard the entrance.
You've returned.
Returned?
It's me. I'm Wang Meilin.
Princess Anhe?
Yes. My father,
Duke Wang,
told me to find you. Can you still walk?
Slowly.
Wait.
Careful.
Good child. I've written down your prescription.
Please take the gifts.
Remember to come visit us often.
Thank you, Madam.
Miss, one more thing.
Madam, there's another thing...
I have a request.
Can I ask that your household keep this a secret?
I don't want my family to know
that I cured old Madam Xu.
But...Master has already sent a letter of thanks
to your father.
What?
I'm finished.
This is disastrous.
That lady was very skilled.
Didn't think that she would be so accomplished in medicine at such a young age.
Who's in there?
Official Cao.
Are you going to search my
and my daughter's palanquin?
How can I block yours and Princess Anhe's path?
Let's go.
Your Excellency ,we still haven't found him. What do we do?
What else can we do?
Let's go back first.
We'll just get reprimanded by the Director again.
Your Highness. Your Highness.
Everything's okay.
Thank you for saving my life, Princess.
There's no need for you to be so polite.
Hang Manor
Father, I'm back.
You dare come back?
Kneel.
What is the first article of our family precept?
Recite it for me.
Keep to yourself, and do not attract attention.
None of our clan must become a physician.
Father, I have done wrong.
But old Madam Xu couldn't wait for the physician.
I only wanted to save her.
Where did you learn the technique?
No one.
I read the medical texts and learnt by myself.
You dare lie to me?
Master! - No one taught you, yet you know how to apply acupuncture needles.
= Master, don't hit her! - Save people? You ignored my orders!
I told you to present gifts. What did you do?
- Master! - You showed off your skills!
Master, please, don't hit her anymore!
If I don't punish you today, you'll continue to make me lose face!
I didn't.
Initially they didn't even care about us.
If I didn't save old Madam Xu, Governor Xu
wouldn't be so happy.
You dare retort?
I'll let you retort!
I have done no wrong. I do not think saving lives is wrong.
- Miss! - Stop hitting her.
Yunxian.
Grandmother.
Mother, move away.
Yunxian.
I was the one that taught her. This is all my fault.
What?
The Master is so heartless. How can he be so rough?
It's okay. He never liked me anyways.
Why did you go save old Madam Xu
and cause such a ruckus?
If it was me, I would also be worried and angry.
If he was really worried, he would only reprimand me.
He wouldn't whip me.
Moreover, old Madam Xu was in a dangerous situation,
and the physicians hadn't arrived. If I ignored her,
she might have really passed into the afterworld.
I don't know if the Eastern Depot has found him or not.
Be careful. Don't let my father hear this.
Just pretend it never happened.
Why does Master forbid you from learning medicine?
That's a long story.Imperial Faculty of Medicine
Our surname used to be Tan,
and we were a family with many generations of physicians.
My grandfather Tan Fu was the Supervisor of the Imperial Faculty of Medicine.
But one year, they discovered safflower powder
in the rouge we sent to the palace.
At the time, Noble Consort Sun, the current Empress Dowager,
miscarried. Our whole family was locked in prison.
Later, my grandfather committed suicide
so as not to implicate the family.
My older brother Yunliang suffered serious wounds while escaping with me.
It was because I didn't recognise the common madder plant that could staunch blood flow,
which is why he...
Before he died, my brother made me promise to learn medicine for him.
Even though later on, my grandfather's good friend Official Qian
helped our family receive a decree for pardon from the Grand Empress,
my father still decided to change our surnames and become a military officer,
hoping that he would rise through the ranks quickly and overturn the injustices.
These years, our family has always remained at the northern borders.
We only returned to the Capital very recently.
Then how did safflower powder get in the rouge?
I added it.
An uncle told me that if I added this,
old brother would be able to make the rouge faster.
I was fooled.
I only remember that he had a birthmark on his hand.
Mother.
Mother. Were you the one that taught Yunxian medicine?
Is there a father like you in the world?
You don't even ask how she feels
after treating her so roughly.
You only thought about interrogating your mother.
Yes. It was me that taught her to read the medical texts.
I am getting old, and am feeling it.
She is filial and helped me once by applying acupuncture.
She learnt a little through experience.
What harm is there in that?
Mother. How can you do this?
You know why I set this as our family precept.
Gang'er.
These years, you've changed your surname,
and worked hard at the northern borders.
I know all that.
I understand why you don't allow Yunxian to learn medicine.
First, you're afraid mention of past matters will cause more grief.
Second, you're afraid the court
will know the true identity of the Tan family.
But I don't have the heart to
cut the roots of our family's medical heritage.
Yunxian is an honest and kind child.
She can never forget the oath
she took in front of Yunliang.
At the beginning, I didn't want to teach her.
But I didn't think that
she would secretly find the Classic of Questioning and Handbook of Pulses T/N: Chinese medical texts
and memorise them fully.
Every time I see her,
I am reminded of Yunliang.
Mother, he's over there.
Yunliang! - Yunliang, Yunxian.
Yunliang.
You spoil her too much.
Think about it.
Yunxian cured old Madam Xu
in front of people from the Eastern Depot. If the Empress Dowager found out,
will we be let off easily?
Though I wasn't a high ranking official at the time,
I cannot guarantee that no one will recognise me.
Why does that matter?
That year, we changed our surname to Hang by the edict of the Grand Empress.
When the new Emperor ascended the throne, he pardoned everyone.
Your father's earlier crime has been removed.
Even if you are recognised,
surely the Empress Dowager won't...
but my father was not a criminal in the first place.
Indeed.
He was treated unjustly.
The Empress Dowager is managing state affairs behind a curtain.
Even if she doesn't want our lives,
if the fickle court ministers
know of this,
then our family won't be let off easily.
The northern region is currently peaceful. Yet if military officials don't fight,
their ranks aren't raised.
I've looked for short cuts everywhere.
All I want is to be sent to An'nan and wage war against the Kingdom of Li.
Only if I perform extraordinarily and present the Iron Plaque T/N: A plaque that is said to protect one from death by edict.
am I confident enough to revert back to the surname of Tan.
and completely overturn this miscarriage of justice.
Of course I understand.
But mother. Have you thought about
what would happen if she accidentally caused
old Madam Xu's condition to worsen?
Governor Xu is my direct superior.
That year, Yunxian
brought disaster into our home,
and caused the entire Tan family to be ruined.
Speak softer. Softly.
Now,
I will no longer allow the same situation
to happen again.
- Speak softly. - Mother.
Mother, don't speak for her anymore.
Let's end this here.
From now on, you cannot teach her medicine any more.
Otherwise, don't blame me for
disregarding our father-daughter relationship.
Why did you take so long to send for me?
Physician Liu, today my mother suffered stroke.
Initially, she recovered after she was pricked and blood left to flow.
Yet after eating some medicine in the afternoon, the sickness has relapsed.
I was extremely worried,
so asked Physician Liu to come here.
Do not worry though.
I've prepared extra pay. I won't let you come for nothing.
Who was asking for money?
What did she eat in the afternoon? Give me the prescription.
Antelope antler powder, abalone shell powder...
Who gave you the prescription?
The lady who pricked my mother's fingers to let the stagnated blood flow.
I saw that my mother had awoken, and believed her words.
I asked for medicine according to this prescription.
Is there anything wrong with this?
You just said that the prescription was given by a girl?
- She even knew how to cure your mother? - Yes.
How is His Highness faring?
Your Excellency.
His Highness did indeed incur serious wounds,
however, thankfully
the person who helped His Highness is a professional.
Not only did they use herbal medicine to detoxicate,
they also knew to give His Highness some ginseng.
Hence, I believe
that His Highness will live through this.
Your Excellency, please be at ease.
In a moment, I will apply acupuncture on His Highness.
Meilin.
Father.
What are you looking at?
I just wanted to see how Prince Cheng is recovering.
There's no need to watch.
He'll recover soon enough.
You're not lying to me, are you?
If he's okay, why hasn't he awoken?
Can you see that man?
His name is Chen Shisan. He's the supervisor of the Imperial Faculty of Medicine
and the man your Aunt, the Empress Dowager believes in most.
I am very clear
how skilled he is.
I am just extremely worried.
Why are you worried? He's here already.
This is the best chance the Heavens have given us.
You must take this chance and take care of him diligently.
Yes.
Meilin.
Just for your feelings,
I have given my everything.
Whether you're fated to become a phoenix T/N: Symbol of an empress
relies on this.
Why does the Empress Dowager want to install another Emperor on the throne?
It's because I misled her into thinking the Emperor was displeased with her
not returning political power, and wanted to depose her.
Don't worry. I've already given you medicine.
Water...
Mother...
Yu'er...you're awake.
This subordinate is useless. I deserve to die.
Stop. Don't put on a pitiful act in front of me.
I am useless.
What use is there in calling yourself useless.
Block the news.
You mustn't let the Emperor hear of the news. Immediately block all entrances to the Palace.
Prince Cheng must not see the Empress Dowager.
She wants to depose the Emperor...
our Empress Dowager
is quite the benevolent one.
Indeed. At first, she saw you as a thorn in her side
and tried to steal the Eastern Depot away.
Then she wholly supported Duke Wang
and allowed him to take control of the military.
You're not wrong in saying she is trying to emulate the actions of Empress Wu. T/N: First Empress regnant of China
She's been seeing me as a thorn in her side
ever since the previous Emperor's rule.
In the earlier years, she tried to sow discord between the Grand Empress and I
Such a pity. Women will always be women.
Their hair is long, yet short-sighted.
She doesn't even think of the possibility
that it will be hard for her adopted sons to develop true feelings.
But...if Prince Cheng actually starts a rebellion,
why don't we immediately report to the Emperor?
Our Emperor is a soft-hearted one.
Prince Cheng is his sole brother of true lineage.
I'm afraid he won't be able to punish him after all.
I used to think he was a simple prince
and wouldn't stir any trouble. But now...
Remember.
As soon as Prince Cheng shows his face,
- destroy him immediately. - Yes.
The Emperor only believes me now.
As long as we remove everyone that can threaten the throne,
the future of the Ming Dynasty will be ours.
When that day comes, Director will be the all powerful one
just under the Emperor.
♫ Used to think the winter had always been this cold, ♫
♫ unrelated to my stubborn obsession ♫
♫ If the heavy snow froze everything ♫
♫ I will wait at the beginning, waiting for you to appear. ♫
♫ Perhaps our vows will change, ♫
♫ as will the times. ♫
♫ Constant, yet ever changing ♫
♫ even if the world changes ♫
♫ Even if my complexion ages with time ♫
♫ I am still the young one in white ♫
♫ until the day ♫
♫ I return to meet you ♫
♫ When that day arrives ♫
♫ Appreciating the colourful world and watching the light dance across your face ♫
♫ When that day arrives we will return to the first snowfall ♫
♫ Forgetting our obsessions ♫
♫ and the past we have lost. ♫
♫ Even if my complexion ages with time ♫
♫ I am still the young one in white ♫
♫ until the day ♫
♫ I return to meet you ♫