Seeking freedom
The reform of the Imperial Medical Bureau was in full swing, but Su Qingyue received an unexpected summons that morning—the Empress wanted to see her.
"Her Majesty the Empress has been ill for a long time, and the Imperial Medical Academy is at a loss," the eunuch delivering the imperial decree whispered. "His Majesty has specifically ordered that Imperial Physician Su be summoned to the palace to treat her."
The air in Fengyi Palace was thick with the scent of medicine. The Empress lay on her phoenix couch, her face pale. Several senior physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy knelt in the hall, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.
"We are incompetent..."
The Empress weakly waved her hand: "All of you, step back."
Su Qingyue stepped forward and bowed. The Empress scrutinized her closely: "You're the goddess physician? You're even younger than I imagined."
"Your Majesty flatters me."
After taking the pulse, Su Qingyue had already made a diagnosis. The Empress suffered from typical depression, with prolonged emotional distress leading to a deficiency of both qi and blood. The tonics from the Imperial Hospital were not only ineffective but had actually worsened her condition.
"Does Your Majesty often experience chest tightness, insomnia, or loss of appetite?"
The Empress nodded slightly.
"Do you tend to experience low-grade fever in the afternoon and night sweats?"
"Indeed." A glimmer of hope flashed in the Queen's eyes. "You might be able to cure it?"
"Yes," Su Qingyue said, taking out silver needles, "but Your Highness's cooperation is required. First, discontinue all tonics."
These words startled the palace maid beside her: "This won't do! The Imperial Medical Academy says Her Majesty is weak..."
"Her body is too weak to tolerate tonics," Su Qingyue said firmly. "What Her Majesty needs now is to soothe her liver and relieve her depression, not tonics."
With the Empress's tacit approval, Su Qingyue began administering acupuncture. The acupoints she selected were all very special; the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital had never seen this kind of acupuncture technique before.
Half an hour later, the Empress breathed a sigh of relief: "My chest... doesn't feel so tight anymore."
"This is just the beginning." Su Qingyue wrote out a prescription. "Take this medicine as prescribed, and I will come back for a follow-up visit in three days."
As she left Fengyi Palace, an old eunuch secretly slipped her a brocade pouch: "Academician Su's medical skills are superb; Your Majesty is entrusting your care to him."
Inside the brocade pouch were a pair of priceless jade bracelets. Su Qingyue accepted them without batting an eye, but alarm bells were ringing in her heart—the Empress's illness was probably not simple.
Three days later, at her follow-up visit, the Empress's complexion had noticeably improved. This time, she dismissed everyone else, leaving only Su Qingyue alone.
"Imperial Physician Su, what exactly is the cause of my illness?"
Su Qingyue carefully considered the words: "Depression is often caused by emotional distress. Your Majesty seems to have some pent-up emotions..."
The Empress gave a bitter smile: "In this deep palace, who doesn't harbor resentment?" She suddenly lowered her voice, "Someone... tampered with my food, could it be?"
The question came as a surprise, startling Su Qingyue. She had indeed detected something unusual in the Empress's pulse, as if she had been exposed to some kind of chronic toxin for a long time.
"Your Majesty is overthinking it," she replied cautiously. "You simply need to take good care of yourself."
The Empress gazed at her for a moment, then suddenly said, "You are a clever woman. I will be frank—the Crown Prince is not my son."
Su Qingyue lowered her eyes. These were palace secrets; the more she knew, the more dangerous it became.
"I need someone I can trust," the Empress said, her voice barely audible. "If you can cure my illness, I guarantee you a bright future."
On her way back to the Imperial Medical Academy, Su Qingyue was in turmoil. She had no intention of getting involved in the palace intrigue, but it seemed she was already powerless to resist it.
Sure enough, the next day the Crown Prince sent a generous gift: a pair of pearls from the East China Sea, worth enough to buy all the shops on the street.
"His Highness has heard of Imperial Physician Su's superb medical skills and specially ordered me to deliver this small gift," the eunuch said with a fawning smile. "His Highness also said that he would personally seek advice from the Imperial Physician on the art of health preservation another day."
Su Qingyue looked at the box of pearls and sneered inwardly. This was a polite approach first, then a more forceful one; if the girl didn't know what was good for her, threats would follow.
She returned the pearl untouched, leaving only the words: "It is my duty; I dare not accept any reward."
This move was undoubtedly a slap in the face to the crown prince. Retaliation came quickly.
On this day, she was handling official business at the Imperial Medical Bureau when a group of officers from the Ministry of Justice suddenly barged in.
"Su Qingyue, someone has accused you of abusing your power and accepting bribes! Come with us!"
Judge Zhou hurriedly stepped forward: "Are you all mistaken? Imperial Physician Su was personally appointed by His Majesty..."
"Whether there's a mistake or not, the investigation will reveal all!" The constable produced a document from the Ministry of Justice. "There are witnesses and physical evidence proving that Su Qingyue accepted lavish gifts from the Empress and engaged in favoritism and corruption!"
Su Qingyue knew that the Crown Prince had intervened. She calmly stood up: "I'll go with you."
The Ministry of Justice prison was dark and damp. Su Qingyue was kept in a solitary cell, but her treatment was surprisingly good—clean bedding, delicious food, and even a desk with paper and pens.
"Please bear with me for a few more days, Your Excellency," the jailer said respectfully. "Your superiors have instructed that you be well taken care of."
This was a combination of soft and hard tactics. Su Qingyue understood that the Crown Prince was forcing her to choose sides.
On the third night, the cell door opened silently. A figure draped in a cloak slipped in.
"The Third Miss has been wronged."
It was Pei Jin. He removed his cloak, his eyes filled with worry.
"Why has the Imperial Advisor come?"
"If you don't come soon, some people will start to run rampant." Pei Jin handed over a food box. "Eat something first."
The food box was full of her favorite snacks, still steaming hot.
"The Crown Prince is determined to deal with you this time," Pei Jin said in a low voice. "He bribed several witnesses, accusing you of using the guise of seeking medical treatment to collude with the women in the harem."
Su Qingyue sneered: "A fabricated charge."
"But it was very effective." Pei Jin's expression was grave. "His Majesty is most wary of interference in politics by the empress dowager. If this charge is proven true..."
"What are the Imperial Advisor's insights?"
"Two paths," Pei Jin said, holding up a finger. "One is to curry favor with the Crown Prince, and the other is..."
"Secondly, to completely overthrow the Crown Prince?" Su Qingyue asked.
Pei Jin looked at her in surprise: "Third Miss is indeed extraordinary."
"I choose the third path," Su Qingyue said firmly, "neither yielding nor participating in factional strife."
"That's probably not up to you."
"As you wish." Su Qingyue took out the manuscript of the Imperial Physician's Decree that she always carried with her. "Please have the Imperial Preceptor present this to His Majesty."
Pei Jin took the manuscript and turned to the anatomical diagrams in the interlocking pages. Her expression changed drastically: "This is..."
"This is the posthumous work of the former Imperial Physician," Su Qingyue said meaningfully. "His Majesty will understand once he reads it."
The next morning, Su Qingyue was taken out of the prison. She wasn't picked up by officials from the Ministry of Justice, but by the emperor's chief eunuch.
"Minister Su, His Majesty requests your presence."
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the emperor was perusing the manuscript. Seeing Su Qingyue enter, he looked up, his gaze complex.
"Where did you get this manuscript?"
"The Imperial Medical Academy's library," Su Qingyue replied truthfully. "I discovered it by chance while organizing medical records from the previous dynasty."
The emperor remained silent for a long time: "Do you know what became of this Imperial Physician?"
"I do not know."
"He was executed for 'spreading heresy and misleading the public,'" the emperor said calmly, "just because of these 'heretical' doctrines."
Su Qingyue's heart skipped a beat, but she still straightened her back: "The way of medicine seeks truth; how can it be considered heretical?"
"Well said." The emperor suddenly smiled. "When I was young, I also wanted to reform the Imperial Medical Academy, but I was blocked by those old fogies. Now... the time has come."
He stood up and walked to Su Qingyue: "I'm giving you a choice—continue as the Vice Director of the Imperial Medical Academy, or..."
"Or what?"
"Or I may grant you a medical clinic, allowing you to practice medicine freely without any restrictions."
This choice took Su Qingyue by surprise. Looking at the emperor, she suddenly realized that this monarch was far more shrewd and far-sighted than he appeared.
"Why, Your Majesty..."
"Because I know that true geniuses should not be bound by rules." The emperor's gaze was far-reaching. "The Imperial Medical Academy is a murky place; if you stay there, you will inevitably be harmed by those open and hidden attacks."
Su Qingyue took a deep breath: "I choose the second path."
The emperor nodded in satisfaction: "Very good. But before that, you have one more thing to do for me."
Three days later, a special court assembly was held in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Not only were civil and military officials present, but even the Empress, who had not appeared in public for a long time, sat behind a beaded curtain.
"Bring in the prisoners!" the emperor's voice commanded.
The Crown Prince and his cronies were brought to the palace. Leading them was the Minister of Justice, who held what he called "evidence."
"Your Majesty is wise! Su Qingyue did indeed receive a generous gift from the Empress, and this is the physical evidence!" The Minister of Justice held up the pair of jade bracelets.
The Emperor looked at Su Qingyue: "Minister Su, do you have anything to say?"
Su Qingyue calmly stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I did indeed receive these bracelets, but I returned them to the Imperial Household Department the following day. The Imperial Household Department should have a record of this."
The head steward of the Imperial Household Department immediately presented the record book: "This is indeed true."
The Minister of Justice's face changed drastically: "This...this is impossible!"
"What's even more ridiculous is this so-called 'poison'," Su Qingyue said, picking up a small porcelain bottle. "This is a calming incense specially made for the Empress by your subject; many imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital can attest to that."
Several imperial physicians quickly stepped forward to testify.
The crown prince finally lost his temper: "Father! This is all just her side of the story..."
"Shut up!" the emperor roared. "Do you really think I don't know what you've done? Bribing the imperial physician to poison the Empress's food, framing loyal officials... You've disappointed me greatly!"
The crown prince collapsed to the ground. The coup ended with lightning speed.
After the court assembly, the emperor summoned Su Qingyue for a private audience.
"Now you can do what you want." He handed over an imperial edict. "This is my special permission—you are authorized to establish a medical school and teach medicine. No one may interfere."
Su Qingyue received the imperial edict, her heart filled with mixed emotions. She had finally gained the freedom she had longed for, but at the cost of standing completely against the Crown Prince's faction.
When they left the palace, Pei Jin and Xiao Jue were waiting outside the palace gates.
"Congratulations." Xiao Jue said succinctly, "If you need anything, just let me know."
Pei Jin then handed over a land deed: "There is a house in the north of the city, suitable for establishing a medical school."
Looking at the two powerful ministers who had always supported her, Su Qingyue suddenly understood why the emperor had given her freedom—only by transcending the power struggles of the court could she truly realize her value.
Upon returning to the free clinic, she immediately began preparations for a medical school. The news spread quickly, attracting a large following. Not only did private physicians participate, but even some young imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Bureau requested to join.
What surprised her most was that Su Qingxue took the initiative to come to her.
"I'd like to... help out at the medical school." Su Qingxue said somewhat nervously, "I can teach students to read and do math..."
Looking into her sincere eyes, Su Qingyue finally nodded: "Okay."
A month later, "Qingyue Medical College" was officially established. At the opening ceremony, students from all over the country crowded the courtyard.
Su Qingyue stood on the podium, looking at the eager eyes below, her heart filled with hope.
"Medicine knows no boundaries, truth endures forever." She recalled the Imperial Physician's last words, her voice clear and firm, "Here, you will learn the latest medical knowledge, but more importantly, you will learn how to be a true physician..."
From the concubine's daughter of the Prime Minister's family to the Vice Director of the Imperial Medical Academy, and then to the Dean of the Medical School, she has finally found her true place along the way.
In this era, she earned respect with her medical skills and upheld her original aspirations with her wisdom. Now, she wants to let the seeds of medicine take root and sprout in this land.
As the sun set, Su Qingyue stood alone at the highest point of the medical school, gazing into the distance.
The road to freedom has just begun, and she is ready.
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