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Chapter 15
In the center of the Physician’s Duty Room stood the statues of Fuxi, Shennong, and the Yellow Emperor. Peering past the sleeves of the statues, one could see figures busily moving back and forth deep within the room.
Someone heard the greeting and turned to ask, "Physician Xia? Which Physician Xia?"
Yixing was at a loss for words. She had been careless that night; she had only asked for his surname and hadn't clarified his full name.
Actually, finding a physician for Han Zhen didn't necessarily require that specific one, but she felt he would be more effective; after all, a man who rushes to the Anle Tang at night to treat a dying maid must possess a "benevolent healer's heart," far superior to average doctors. Personally, she also had a strange obsession with seeing him in broad daylight to dispel her lingering suspicions.
However, hearing the response from inside, she knew there were indeed people surnamed Xia in the duty room, and more than one. Since she couldn't answer specifically, she came up with a clever way to narrow the scope: "The one who was on the overnight rotation inside the palace the other night."
Several physicians grinding medicine inside paused, exchanged glances, and said, "This is the Outer Duty Room (Waizhifang). We don't have night rotations here. You’ll have to go to the Imperial Pharmacy (Yuyaofang) at the Palace of Celestial Purity (Qianqing Gong). The person you’re looking for might be there."
But that didn't make sense. Those on inner palace duty don't treat palace maids; they only wait on the orders of the masters... So who exactly was the physician she met that night? Was he a guard who violated palace rules and lied, or an assassin who had infiltrated the palace to strike?
Yixing’s mind was full of confusion. Beside her, Rong Bao called out, "Auntie, how exactly do you know this Physician Xia? Why don't you tell us his name, and we can go to the Longevity Pharmacy (Shouyaofang) to ask around?"
While not everyone could enter the Imperial Pharmacy at the Palace of Celestial Purity, one could still move about the Longevity Pharmacy, which was responsible for decocting medicine. All prescriptions written by physicians had to be sent there, so the staff on duty were well-acquainted with all the doctors.
Unfortunately, Yi xing couldn't say the name, so she could only shake her head.
Han Zhen’s illness couldn't wait. Regardless, the priority was to get a physician to take her pulse again. She explained her intent to the doctors inside.
After a long while, a young physician who looked like he was used to being bossed around walked out dejectedly. He gestured for a Sula (servant) to carry the medicine chest and made a hand signal. "I’ll make a trip with you."
Internal politics exist everywhere; the newcomer has to be bullied by the veterans. The distance from the South Three Residences to the Anle Tang in the far north was too great, and no one wanted to make the trek specifically for a little palace maid. But they couldn't refuse a patient, so the most junior one was pushed out under the pretext of "getting more clinical experience."
This young physician, Physician Yan, truly must have spent a lot of time running errands in the palace. His legs were well-trained, and he moved like the wind; Yi xing and Rong Bao could barely keep up.
Yi xing panted, "Xiao Bao-er, are his legs oiled? How can he run so fast..."
Rong Bao was also gasping for air. "Don't do that, Auntie. You call me Xiao Bao-er now, but when I’m old, I won't dare show my face before you." He then shouted ahead, "Physician Yan... Oh, Physician Yan, slow down! We haven't even seen the patient yet; don't make us need the gold needles first..."
Eunuchs love to keep a card up their sleeve; keeping their words cryptic is their protective charm. Yi xing pondered: why wouldn't he dare show his face when he's old? Was he afraid that because she calls him "Xiao Bao-er" (Little Bao) now, she’d call him "Lao Bao-er" (Old Bao) when he’s old?
[Translator's Note: "Lao Bao" sounds like "Pimp" or "Brothel-keeper" in Chinese, hence the awkwardness.]
...So that was it. The sound was indeed unpleasant.
Yixing suppressed a smile and hurried to catch up. Physician Yan slowed his pace and looked back. "My apologies. Sick people are always in a hurry. I’m used to running errands. Not to boast, but no physician in the palace can outrun me."
This was a skill in itself. Regardless of his medical expertise, his kind heart was commendable.
Physician Yan asked Yixing, "Is this Physician Xia you're looking for an old acquaintance? What is his name? I'll ask around for you when I get back."
Yixing replied, "We’ve only met once. He said he specialized in women’s medicine, so I thought of asking him to take a look."
Physician Yan nodded, then thought for a bit. "There are only a few physicians specializing in women’s medicine. Among those I know, there isn't anyone named Xia."
Either she had met a ghost, or a fake.
Yixing didn't dare say more and brushed it off vaguely. She led him into the Anle Tang and straight to Han Zhen’s bedside.
Physician Yan took her pulse for a moment and murmured, "Weak Qi and blood deficiency, heart and kidney exhaustion, internal heat caused by Yin deficiency. Let's try the Yuehua Pill with some adjustments."
Almost all physicians diagnosed Laoqie (Consumption). It was a terrible symptom; while not yet a full-blown "Wasting Disease" (Laoji/Tuberculosis), it wasn't far off if left uncured. If it became the Wasting Disease, one absolutely could not stay in the palace; even those who had prior contact would have to be moved out.
Rong Bao followed the physician south again to fetch the medicine. Yi xing settled Han Zhen and stepped out of the room.
Gao Yang was standing under the western eaves waiting for news. "How is it? How many more days can she hold on?"
Yixing was a bit discouraged. "He didn't say. He just told her to take Yuehua Pills."
"Sigh..." Gao Yang sighed. "The grandmasters of medicine won't come to the Anle Tang. The ones who come are just half-baked apprentices practicing their craft. No choice, everyone has their fate. Who told us our lives were so cheap?"
Yixing agreed. The grandmasters were too busy treating the minor colds and coughs of the Mistresses to save a little palace maid. To survive in the palace, one had to look after oneself. If you truly fell ill, even a high-ranking female official like Wu Shangyi couldn't buy a favor.
Regardless, they would "treat a dead horse as if it were alive." The medicine prescribed by Physician Yan was taken as usual. In the evening, Yi xing served Han Zhen a bowl of rice porridge. She only took two sips before turning her face away, saying she couldn't eat.
If this continued, she likely wouldn't last long, and Yi xing's hope of returning to the Bureau of Ceremonies would be shattered.
It was time for the palace gates to be locked again. The young Sula hung wind lanterns on the corners of the eaves. Spring nights were prone to fog, and it grew thicker after dark. The lanterns shone with a desolate, misty light in the vast sea of white. At first, they looked as large as plates, but as the fog swallowed the light, they shrank to the size of a palm.
Yi xing stood under the eaves thinking. Tonight was truly strange; mid-spring felt like a "returning cold." Looking up at the lanterns, the water droplets in the fog were so large, coalescing in countless numbers, flying up and down, drifting thousands of miles with the air currents...
Suddenly, a figure appeared in the thick fog. The stature was not that of anyone from the Anle Tang, scaring Yixing so much she stumbled back several steps.
Just as she was about to ask who it was, the silhouette became clearer. A most ordinary raven-blue robe, a gourd-shaped accessory hanging from the waist—if she guessed correctly, Physician Xia had arrived under the cover of the thick fog!
However, this time he was wearing gauze over his nose and mouth. She could only see his sharply defined sideburns and eyes that were hard to describe. Those eyes were like the morning sun behind a mountain peak—warm and bright—yet his brow held a towering, dignified air. Yixing thought, Finally, I see him in the light. Yet upon closer thought, she still saw nothing; without the lower half of his face, looking was in vain.
But his eyes were exquisite, his hair dark and thick, his stature tall, and his voice pleasant. As long as his nose wasn't flat and his mouth wasn't crooked, this man was "complete" enough... Complete as he was, why did he come out every time it got dark? And when she went to the Physician's Room to find him, he was a "no such person"...
Yixing unconsciously took another half-step back. "Physician Xia, why have you come, old sir?"
He didn't show much expression, glancing toward the room. "To treat a patient."
Yixing said "Oh." "Why treat patients in the middle of the night? Constantly running about at night... it's quite a thing."
She was doubting his identity. Not seen by day, appearing only by night—to the simple-minded "Old Auntie," this was getting creepier by the minute.
Physician Xia likely felt she was somewhat ungrateful, but his good upbringing sustained him, restraining the urge to retort.
"I am on duty at the Imperial Pharmacy, specifically responsible for the night watch recently. Those from the Imperial Pharmacy do not treat palace servants, you know this, right? People sent to the Anle Tang are the most destitute, so I come when I’m free to take a look; consider it an act of accumulating merit."
Hearing this, Yixing immediately felt profound respect. A physician on the night watch was indeed different; his character was so noble!
"You are working hard. Please, follow me." She led him into the room, though she was still puzzled, glancing outside once more. "You came alone? No eunuchs following you?"
Physician Xia’s eyes swept over. Only now did Yi xing notice that the corners of his eyes turned up slightly, having a touch of that "half-noble, half-wicked" flavor mentioned in picture books.
Some people act tough with loud voices; others only need to give you a slight glance to make you lose your composure. Physician Xia was the latter.
Yixing didn't dare ask more and hurried to bring him a stool. He didn't sit, but leaned over and pressed his hand to Han Zhen’s wrist. After a slight pause, he said, "Xulao" (Consumptive Deficiency).
Yixing knew nothing of medicine or the difference between "deficiency" and "excess." Once Physician Xia finished, she handed him a towel and asked, "Is there any hope for this Xulao?"
Presumably, physicians love cleanliness and have taboos regarding illnesses. After taking the pulse, he retreated far back to the south wall, wiping his hands carefully over and over as if afraid of being contaminated. He observed Han Zhen’s complexion, speaking in professional jargon.
"Xulao is mostly caused by innate deficiency and subsequent malnutrition. Observing her pulse, her organs are failing, and her Qi and blood are deficient; hence her sallow complexion and exhaustion. With this illness, the longer it is delayed and the symptoms worsen, the harder it is to treat."
Yixing said, "The physician who came earlier said the same. He prescribed two doses of soup and then washed his hands of it."
Physician Xia said, "It’s always like this. If they aren't treating the masters, they just fulfill their basic duty. Regulating a girl's Laoqie takes time and effort. Those who fear trouble just prescribe a couple of medicines and dismiss it."
By comparison, the physician before her was a truly great person. Regardless of whether he could eventually save Han Zhen, these heartfelt words made the situation seem much more reliable.
Yi xing said sincerely, "Your heart is likely the best in the whole Forbidden City. This place is the most desolate, with no human touch. As a physician, you are willing to see the bad habits within the medical ranks and didn't join those who just bluff their way through. You are truly this." She gave him a thumbs-up.
She didn't know what his expression was under the mask, but the eyes above the mask crinkled slightly—perhaps he was smiling.
Physician Xia said, "I also want there to be a 'human touch' in this Forbidden City. In our profession, we save whoever we can. Didn't Confucius say, 'The World is for All'? Whether it's the inner duty or outer duty, being able to save people wholeheartedly so that there are no more palace servants dying in vain in this deep palace—that is my life's wish."
Yibxing nodded repeatedly. Indeed, where there is a will, there is a way; this physician was truly extraordinary.
She turned to look at Han Zhen and asked, "In your opinion, is there still a way for her illness?"
Physician Xia said, "Gold needles to guide the Qi, to harmonize the pulse, supplemented by the Astragalus and Cinnamon Five-Matter Soup. After ten doses, we’ll change the prescription. Laoqie is actually not incurable; the key is being willing to spend the effort. For example, her Cunkou¹ is rough and her Chizhong² is tight. By using gold needles to guide Yang Qi into the body, she will slowly get better."
Although Yixing didn't understand a single word of his long explanation, it didn't stop her from holding him in high regard.
"Physician Xia, you are the Living Bodhisattva of the Forbidden City. Tell me, what can I do to assist you? Do you need hot water? I’ll go right now..."
Physician Xia stopped her, saying it wasn't necessary. "Don't let cold air into the room at night; ventilate more during the day. I will apply the needles; you just stand to the side."
Yixing agreed and waited by Han Zhen’s bed.
This physician was also different from the others; he brought no accompanying Sula, nor did he carry a large medicine chest. He took a small cloth bundle from his robe, untied the cord, and with a graceful flourish, revealed rows of gold needles as fine as ox hair. He took several out and skillfully inserted them into Han Zhen’s hands, feet, and face. His focused manner clearly showed he was sincerely saving a life.
Yixing couldn't help but say more. "Physician Xia, I haven't yet asked for your full name. Would you be willing to reveal it?"
He kept his eyes downcast, his lashes appearing thick and long under the lamp shadows. He opened his palm and wrote two characters on it:
"Qing Chuan."
¹ Cunkou: A traditional Chinese medicine pulse-taking site located about one inch behind the wrist crease over the radial artery.
² Chizhong: The "Chi" pulse, another specific position on the wrist used in diagnosis.
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