Early signs of talent
Inside the Guanyun Hall, it was so quiet that the flickering candlelight could be heard. The emperor's words, "Saving the Grand Tutor was no accident," were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a storm in everyone's hearts.
Su Qingyue felt countless gazes focused on her, some filled with surprise, some with jealousy, and others with deep scheming. She slightly raised her eyes and met Xiao Jue's scrutinizing gaze—a gaze so sharp it seemed to dissect her from the inside out.
"Your Majesty is wise." Pei Jin's gentle voice broke the silence, "After the Grand Tutor returned to the manor that day, he praised the Third Miss's medical skills highly. If it weren't for the Third Miss's timely intervention, the Grand Tutor's heart ailment might have..."
He stopped at the right moment, leaving everyone with endless room for imagination.
The head of the Imperial Medical Academy presented the three prescriptions that Su Qingyue had just written: "Your Majesty, this old minister has carefully examined these three prescriptions. The exquisite use of medicine and the meticulous combination of ingredients are truly admirable. Especially the prescription for treating traumatic injuries, which uses astragalus to promote tissue regeneration and is supplemented with notoginseng to invigorate blood and remove blood stasis, is several times better than the prescriptions commonly used by the Imperial Medical Academy."
The emperor took the prescription and examined it closely, growing increasingly astonished: "These medicinal herbs seem ordinary, yet their combination is ingenious. Miss Su, did you come up with these prescriptions yourself?"
Su Qingyue's mind raced. These prescriptions actually combined modern medicine's understanding of infection mechanisms with the pharmacology of traditional Chinese medicine, making them naturally more effective than prescriptions from this era. But she couldn't tell them the truth.
"Your Majesty, these prescriptions are derived from the medical books left by my maternal grandfather. I have only made slight adjustments based on the actual conditions of the patients." She chose a safe and reliable explanation.
"Oh?" The emperor's eyes shone brightly. "May I ask your maternal grandfather's esteemed name? To write such a brilliant medical book, he must be no ordinary person."
At this moment, Su Qingyue felt the tense gazes from Prime Minister Su and Madam Wang. If she gave an inappropriate answer, it might implicate her mother's background and bring trouble to the mother and daughter.
"My maternal grandfather's surname was Lin; he was merely a country doctor, whom Your Majesty is likely unaware of," she replied, lowering her eyes. "These medical books are also incomplete, with many parts being vague and unclear; I can only decipher them myself."
This answer not only saved his mother's life but also explained the origins of his medical skills and hinted at the hardships involved.
The emperor nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly asked, "I've been feeling rather tired lately, and the Imperial Hospital has prescribed many tonics, but with little effect. Do you have any suggestions?"
This question turned the head of the Imperial Medical Academy pale. The Emperor was openly questioning the medical skills of the Imperial Medical Academy in front of everyone!
Su Qingyue cautiously replied, "Your Majesty, medical principles emphasize observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation. Without examining the pulse, I dare not make any rash judgments."
"Then let's take your pulse." The emperor extended his wrist directly.
The entire hall erupted in uproar! To have an unmarried young girl take the emperor's pulse was simply unheard of!
"Your Majesty, this is against etiquette..." the eunuch hurriedly advised.
"I think it's appropriate." The Emperor waved his hand. "What Prince Rui said earlier was right. Physicians are benevolent; why be bound by formalities?"
Su Qingyue felt the gazes coming from all directions, knowing this was both an opportunity and a trap. A correct diagnosis meant a bright future; a wrong diagnosis meant utter ruin.
She took a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed: "Your subject obeys the decree."
With a light touch of her fingertips to the emperor's wrist, Su Qingyue immediately focused her attention. She held her breath and concentrated, carefully sensing every subtle change in his pulse.
"Has Your Majesty been having trouble sleeping lately, experiencing dry mouth and throat, and feeling easily fatigued in the afternoon?" she asked.
The emperor nodded in surprise: "Exactly."
"The pulse is thready, weak, and rapid, indicating liver stagnation transforming into fire and depletion of yin fluids." Su Qingyue withdrew her hand. "The tonics prescribed by the Imperial Hospital are good, but His Majesty's constitution is characterized by excess yang and deficiency of yin. Improper tonics could exacerbate the fire and damage the yin."
The head of the Imperial Medical Academy couldn't help but interject, "But His Majesty does indeed need recuperation..."
"Recuperation is not the same as supplementation," Su Qingyue turned to the court judge. "It's like a pot of boiling water; constantly adding fuel will only make the water dry up faster. At this point, you should remove the heat and then slowly add water again."
This vivid metaphor caught the emperor's eye: "Go on!"
"I suggest that Your Majesty first use a formula to soothe the liver, relieve depression, nourish yin, and clear heat for half a month. Once the internal heat has subsided, then you can proceed with gentle tonification." She wrote down the prescription. "In addition, Your Majesty may take a short nap each afternoon, and your diet should be light, avoiding spicy foods."
The court judge took the prescription, carefully examined it, and then revealed his admiration: "This prescription... how come I didn't think of it! Based on Danzhi Xiaoyao San, with the addition of Adenophora stricta and Ophiopogon japonicus to nourish Yin, it is indeed superior to simply taking tonics!"
The emperor laughed heartily, "Very well! As the Third Miss says!"
His gaze towards Su Qingyue was filled with admiration: "I never imagined that my Great Chu would have such a remarkable woman with such exquisite medical skills. Prime Minister Su, you've kept this from me for so long!"
Prime Minister Su hurriedly stepped forward: "This old minister is terrified..."
"There's no need to be alarmed," the emperor said meaningfully. "Having such a daughter is your blessing."
These words were like a resounding slap in the face to Prime Minister Su and Lady Wang. Their years of mistreatment of Su Qingyue had become the greatest irony at this moment.
Su Qingxue sat at the table, her nails digging deeply into her palms. Her meticulously prepared musical performance had already become utterly meaningless before it even began. Everyone's attention had been stolen by her half-sister, whom she had never taken seriously.
"Your Majesty," Xiao Jue, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, "The Third Miss's medical skills are so remarkable; it would be a waste to keep her confined to her chambers."
Su Qingyue felt a chill run down her spine—they've arrived.
"What suggestions does Prince Rui have?" the emperor asked.
"The Imperial Medical Academy is in dire need of such talent," Xiao Jue said calmly. "Why not let the Third Miss take a position in the Imperial Medical Academy, so that she can benefit the people."
This proposal stunned everyone. A woman entering the imperial court as an official? Or rather, entering the Imperial Medical Academy, which had always been dominated by men?
"This...there has never been a precedent in ancestral rules for a woman to serve as a physician..." the Minister of Rites hurriedly objected.
Pei Jin replied, "Your Excellency is mistaken. There are records of female physicians in previous dynasties, but this dynasty has not continued that practice. Besides, the Third Miss's medical skills are superb; it wouldn't be unreasonable to make an exception and appoint her."
The two heavyweights spoke in unison, clearly indicating that they had been prepared in advance.
Su Qingyue instantly understood their intentions—they wanted to bring her under their control. Whether it was Xiao Jue's "recruitment" or Pei Jin's "appreciation," the essence was to control this variable, her.
"Your Majesty, I am terrified," she spoke up at the opportune moment. "I am still young and inexperienced, and I fear I am not up to the task. Moreover..."
She looked up at the emperor, her gaze sincere: "A physician heals and saves lives, not necessarily by being in the Imperial Medical Academy. I am willing to use my knowledge to help those in need, no matter where I am."
These words not only rejected the suggestion to join the Imperial Medical Academy, but also clarified his position and appeared exceptionally humble.
The emperor looked at her thoughtfully, then suddenly laughed, "What a fine 'no matter where you are'! Since your ambitions lie elsewhere, I will not force you. However..."
He paused, then said, "You have rendered meritorious service in saving the Grand Tutor and have also relieved my burdens; you deserve a reward. Tell me, what reward do you desire?"
At this moment, all eyes in the hall were once again focused on Su Qingyue. This was an opportunity that countless people dreamed of—gold and silver treasures, wealth and glory, all within easy reach.
Su Qingyue slowly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I have no other wish but to be able to practice medicine freely and help the sick."
"It's that simple?" the emperor asked in surprise.
"For me, this is my greatest wish," Su Qingyue said, looking up with clear, spring-like eyes. "Seeing the smiles of recovered patients makes me happier than any reward."
These words were spoken with utmost sincerity, and even the most discerning person could not find fault with them.
The emperor was moved: "Very well! I hereby grant you the right to practice medicine freely! In addition, I will reward you with a thousand taels of gold and a hundred bolts of silk as funds for your medical practice and helping the world."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Su Qingyue kowtowed solemnly.
She seemingly refused all substantial rewards, but in reality, she gained the most precious thing—the emperor's approval and the right to practice medicine freely. This was more valuable than any official position.
The banquet continued, but everyone's attention was no longer on the song and dance performance. Everyone was secretly observing the composed young woman, reassessing her worth.
Su Qingyue sat quietly at the table, sensing the subtle changes. She knew that from this day forward, her situation in the capital would be completely altered.
But this was just the beginning. She looked up at the vast world outside the palace, and a plan was already in her mind.
Now that its brilliance has been revealed, let it illuminate the path ahead.
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