Imperial Physician Tan said, “Our family is different from others. The Tan family either produces good ministers or good doctors. My father serves as Censorate Inspector and is also a renowned physician – he treats patients during his leisure time from official duties.”
Medical Officer Ru said, “Society is lenient toward men but harsh toward women. When your father treats patients, it’s considered charitable good deeds. If I, a young housewife, were to treat patients, it would be seen as not knowing my place, and there would be gossip outside. Surrounded by people’s spit and criticism all day, how could I have the peace of mind to study medicine? I’d likely end up becoming a bitter woman.”
Imperial Physician Tan hurriedly said, “You’re worried I’d be constrained by family status. If that’s the case, I won’t serve as an imperial physician anymore. I’ll resign from the Imperial Medical Academy, and we can go open a medical clinic among the common people together. We’ll still heal the sick and save lives, support ourselves through medicine as our profession. This way, no one can gossip.”
Medical Officer Ru hadn’t expected Imperial Physician Tan to give up his bright future at the Imperial Medical Academy for her sake. Her heart became chaotic, not knowing how to respond, her hands tightly twisting the towel she’d used to dry them.
Imperial Physician Tan raised his right hand. “I swear that in this life I will definitely protect you and not let you suffer any grievances. You love medicine, and I love it too. We share the same aspirations and interests. We could study together – wouldn’t that be wonderful? Are only patients in the palace truly patients, while those outside the palace aren’t patients?”
Medical Officer Ru nearly melted under Imperial Physician Tan’s passionate gaze. They had met through medical practice, learning from each other. Imperial Physician Tan was talented and came from a family of physicians. At such a young age, he’d been selected for the Imperial Medical Academy. His medical skills far exceeded hers, as she had only entered medicine halfway through life.
These past few years, Medical Officer Ru had been fortunate to receive his unreserved guidance, benefiting greatly. They met through medicine and developed feelings through medicine. Medical Officer Ru was twenty-three this year – a mature woman, not an ignorant girl. How could she not sense Imperial Physician Tan’s feelings? Without realizing it, her admiration and respect had transformed into love, but…
Medical Officer Ru made a painful decision. “I won’t abandon my career for you. Nor do I hope you’ll abandon your career for me. I entered the palace as a female official at thirteen. I’m very satisfied with my current situation. I’m not prepared to accept the outside world, including marriage. I have absolutely no interest in the position of Madam Tan. Sir Tan should find another suitable match. I won’t leave the palace.”
After speaking, Medical Officer Ru walked toward the hall exit. Imperial Physician Tan stood frozen for a moment, then chased after her, lowering his voice to a hoarse shout: “I don’t believe you haven’t been moved at all. I don’t believe I’ve been harboring one-sided feelings all along. Were all your previous kindnesses toward me… only for learning medicine?”
Medical Officer Ru walked away without looking back. “Yes, so please don’t disturb my studies anymore, Imperial Physician Tan.”
Imperial Physician Tan was thus cruelly rejected, tears falling in Qianqing Palace.
If you’re going to cut ties, do it cleanly without dragging things out. Medical Officer Ru spoke words against her heart, her eyes blurred as if she’d contracted snow blindness, returning to the Six Bureaus and One Department purely by feeling. At Cangzhen Gate, she nearly collided with someone – it was Hu Shanwei, who had just seen off her student to the examination.
Hu Shanwei reacted quickly, stepping aside to let the higher-ranking female official pass first. She noticed Medical Officer Ru clutching a white cloth towel for washing face and hands, finding it quite strange, though it wasn’t appropriate to ask more.
On the fifteenth day of the first month, female instructor Shen Qionglian posted the results. Female scholar Huang Weide made the list again, having passed the examination to become a female official.
That same day, the palace released over two hundred palace maids and more than fifty female officials. Carrying their bundles, they left the palace through Xi’an Gate, where family members who had been eagerly waiting stood outside.
“Mother!” “Sister!”
“Daughter!”
Beneath the high palace walls, relatives embraced in groups, crying one after another. They had waited too long and could no longer maintain composure to cry only after reaching home. High walls separated people but couldn’t separate emotions.
Imperial Physician Tan stood in the crowd holding a horse’s reins, watching the women leaving the palace one by one. Though he knew there was no hope, he was still mysteriously compelled to wait outside the palace, hoping for a miracle.
One by one, women left with their families, and his heart grew colder and colder. Until the last female official emerged and reunited with children who had grown into adults, the palace gates slammed shut with a thunderous sound, and his heart shattered along with it.
No miracle occurred.
Imperial Physician Tan dejectedly led his horse away, only to suddenly notice another middle-aged man waiting with his sleeves folded beneath the palace wall. From this man’s expression, he too was disappointed.
Fellow sufferers under heaven. Imperial Physician Tan approached him and asked, “The person you were waiting for didn’t come out either?”
The man said, “I knew she wasn’t old enough and definitely wouldn’t come out this year, but I just couldn’t help wanting to come look.”
Imperial Physician Tan saw this person was handsome with a scholarly air, seeming like a good man. In his current bad mood, wanting someone to drink with, he said, “I’m the same way. Come on, I’ll treat you to drinks.”
The man quickly waved his hands. “Thank you for your kind offer, but I’ve already sworn off alcohol.”
Imperial Physician Tan said, “Then let’s go to the entertainment quarters to drink tea and listen to opera. The Imperial Music Bureau has recomposed ‘The Lute Song’ with string music by imperial decree.”
The man said, “I’ve heard of it, but this play is so popular that tickets are hard to get.”
Imperial Physician Tan patted his chest confidently. “Don’t worry, leave it to me.”
Besides performing music and dance for the court and palace, the Imperial Music Bureau also operated entertainment quarters for commercial performances to the public. There were two such quarters in the capital – one east of Wuding Bridge next to Fule Academy where bureau musicians rehearsed, and another south of Huitong Bridge.
Emperor Hongwu forbade court officials from frequenting Fule Academy, and going to Wuding Bridge’s quarter might arouse suspicion. So Imperial Physician Tan took the man to Huitong Bridge quarter. Upon showing his credentials, musicians wearing green headbands hurriedly escorted them to a private box. The man looked at Imperial Physician Tan with surprise. “I didn’t expect someone so young to already be an imperial physician.”
Imperial Physician Tan smiled bitterly. “I’m just a minor imperial physician, nothing worth mentioning. Come, have some tea.”
But the man had no mind for tea. Like grasping a lifeline, his eyes lit up as he leaned forward with rapid questions: “You’re an imperial physician – you must frequent the palace often. What status do female officials have in the palace? The nobles there wouldn’t dare scold and beat female officials day and night, would they? Do you know a female official surnamed Hu? She just entered the palace last year.”
The man gestured a height in the air. “She’s about this tall, somewhat thin, with big eyes and long eyelashes. She looks somewhat like me.”
Imperial Physician Tan shook his head. “We imperial physicians cannot step foot in the inner palace or we’d be beheaded. We can only diagnose palace people in Qianqing Palace or prescribe medicines based on pulse and medical records. The female officials are all in the inner palace – we can’t see them.”
“I see.” The light in the man’s eyes instantly disappeared. “I thought imperial physicians could move about the palace and might know my daughter. Sorry, I’m just a merchant with shallow knowledge. I’ve made you laugh at me.”
Imperial Physician Tan, with a physician’s benevolent heart, couldn’t bear to see his disappointment and said, “I haven’t seen any female official surnamed Hu, but I’ve heard there’s a Palace Supervisor Hu who’s quite famous in the palace. All the noble ladies inside and outside know her – she’s called Hu Shanwei. This southern opera ‘The Lute Song’ was recommended to the imperial presence by her. The Emperor liked it very much and ordered the Imperial Music Bureau to set it to northern-style string music, adapting it into short scenes. It’s performed almost daily and ‘The Lute Song’ became hugely popular, becoming one of the four great palace operas.”
Just then, the stage began performing the twenty-first scene “Self-Loathing the Coarse Food.” Zhao Wuniang, whose husband hadn’t returned and who faced famine, was forced to eat chaff while saving white rice for her parents-in-law.
When they heard Zhao Wuniang sing “In these barren, unfertile years, with my husband so far away and not returning, my anxious parents-in-law growing impatient, and my weak, helpless self alone,” the man actually began crying on the spot, tears soaking his clothes:
“My poor daughter, it’s all my fault. I found her a short-lived fiancé, causing her to remain chaste and unmarried. Wuwu, if only I hadn’t been so hasty then, forcing her to remarry. How did it come to this – father and daughter separated by palace walls, unable to meet.”
This man was none other than Hu Shanwei’s father, Hu Rong. Hu Rong had fallen out with his daughter over the remarriage issue, drowning his sorrows in alcohol daily. Even knowing his second wife Chen Shi’s personality had drastically changed and was tormenting his daughter, he had painfully turned a blind eye.
He naively thought that if his daughter truly couldn’t bear staying at home, she would accept the reality of remarriage. Then he would arrange a generous dowry for her grand wedding.
Every young, beautiful woman needed to marry a reliable man – this was a universally acknowledged truth.
Hu Rong simply couldn’t understand how a woman could remain unmarried. How could an unmarried woman be accepted by society? Wouldn’t this throw everything into chaos?
Looking at the middle-aged man crying his heart out and choking on his words before him, Imperial Physician Tan found it hard to believe this was the father of Palace Supervisor Hu, the influential figure in the palace.
Speaking of the Huitong Bridge entertainment quarter, where disappointed people met disappointed people. On this day, during the fifteenth day first month grand court assembly, Emperor Hongwu announced a major event – the fourth northern expedition had begun!
The Ming Dynasty had already made various preparations in advance. Civil and military officials weren’t surprised, feeling like “finally, we’ve been waiting for you.” With spring’s warmth and blooming flowers, the Northern Yuan lost their natural barriers of cold and snow – it was time for the Ming to strike back.
Emperor Hongwu appointed Duke Weiguo Xu Da as Grand Marshal for Conquering the Barbarians, Duke Xinguo Tang He as Left Vice-General, and Marquis Yingchuan Fu Youde as Right Vice-General to march beyond the frontier for northern conquest.
The Northern Yuan army was ready in formation, deploying troops in the northwest.
But the cunning Emperor Hongwu also appointed Marquis Xiping Mu Ying as vanguard of the eastern route northern expedition army, marching to the northeast toward Gubeikou of the Great Wall in a pincer attack.
Xu Da and Mu Ying, the Ming Empire’s peerless pair, were like two sharp daggers thrust toward the Northern Yuan.
The Ming launched attacks on two fronts. Urgent military reports poured into the capital day and night. Emperor Hongwu was naturally busy, and even Empress Ma ordered the entire harem to work day and night spinning and weaving, making military uniforms, socks, and shoes to send to frontline soldiers.
Therefore, not only the court but also the palace atmosphere became tense. Even the frail and sickly Noble Consort Sun responded to Empress Ma’s call. The looms in Yikun Palace clicked and clacked, only stopping at the third watch.
Hearing that Mu Ying was the eastern army’s vanguard, Hu Shanwei breathed a sigh of relief for Mu Chun, who was in Xu Da’s western army camp. Fortunately, father and son weren’t in the same place – out of sight, out of mind.
The seven leaders of the Six Bureaus and One Department took Shen Qionglian’s written examination results and began a new round of “talent grabbing.”
The oldest, Huang Weide, had been personally named by Empress Ma and frequently held up as a model to encourage palace maids to study, read, and understand principles. She was already the most sought-after among the newly examined female officials.
The seven leaders rubbed their hands together eagerly. Just like last year’s competition for Shen Qionglian, they all wanted to recruit Huang Weide into their ranks.
After much arguing with no one willing to yield, they had to use the same tactic – drawing lots.
“This again?” Palace Supervisor Cao shook her head. “No good – I almost never win at drawing lots. How about this – since we’re both gambling on luck, let’s play pai gow instead.”
Palace Supervisor Cao had always had good luck with leaf cards and pai gow, choosing what she was skilled at.
As a result, Bureau of Dress Director Wang won with pai gow’s highest point combination – a three-dot domino paired with a two-four, commonly called “Supreme Treasure” – beating everyone!
Huang Weide thus became an eighth-rank clerk in the Bureau of Dress.
Willing to accept the bet’s outcome, everyone could only watch helplessly as Director Wang took the talent into her fold.
Palace Supervisor Cao was both jealous and angry. “How did you win? You didn’t cheat, did you?”
The usually proper Director Wang, having rarely won talent through luck, couldn’t be bothered arguing with Palace Supervisor Cao: “Don’t just talk – show me proof.”
Palace Supervisor Cui quickly spoke to lighten the mood: “Next time, let’s not gamble on luck. How about we just throw door bolts to see who throws farthest – whoever wins gets the person?”
Everyone remembered Hu Shanwei’s door bolt throwing that broke through the roof, and they couldn’t help but laugh.
Palace Supervisor Cao said to Director Fan, “They say ‘one strength conquers ten skills’ – that describes Hu Shanwei perfectly. She looks so delicate, but who knew she had such brute force.”
Director Fan responded neither lightly nor heavily, “Her achievements today rely on more than just brute strength. Luck, wisdom, and vision – being able to cultivate a talent like Huang Weide shows she’s capable throughout.”
Palace Supervisor Cao’s eyes rolled. “She’s your beloved subordinate, invincible in everything. However, if she’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime talent, she should shine anywhere. Now there’s a great opportunity – since Clerk Liu left, Her Majesty the Empress has lacked a Clerk official by her side. Hu Shanwei gained fame before the imperial presence by recommending ‘The Lute Song.’ Both Their Majesties have a good impression of her.”
Director Fan looked at Palace Supervisor Cao in disbelief. “You’re not joking, are you? From Palace Supervisor to Clerk – that’s another promotion. She hasn’t even been in the palace a full year.”
Palace Supervisor Cao laughed mockingly. “As Palace Supervisor, I lead all female officials in the harem. But I’m not someone unreasonable who takes by force…”
Upon hearing this, the other six female officials mentally rolled their eyes in unison.
Palace Supervisor Cao seemed completely unaware of her colleagues’ disdain and continued: “I dare recommend her to Her Majesty the Empress as a Clerk official to join our Palace Administration Bureau. I just wonder if Director Fan is willing to give up her beloved and let her advance in her career?”
Director Fan stared directly into Palace Supervisor Cao’s eyes, trying to read her true intentions – was she just provoking her, or did she really intend to recommend Hu Shanwei?
Director Fan asked, “Are you serious?”
Palace Supervisor Cao countered, “Such excellent talent – are you willing to let her go?”
Director Fan replied, “If you dare use her, I’m willing to let her go.”
Above the Bureau of Justice Palace Supervisors were two sixth-rank Clerks. Both these Clerks were people with no attachments, planning to serve the palace for life until they could no longer work and retired. For Hu Shanwei, advancing further would be very difficult.
Unless Director Fan gave up her position in the future, but Director Fan had no plans to leave the palace either. She was a widow who felt that neither her husband’s family nor her natal family was as comfortable and free as the palace. Moreover, her natal family’s current situation actually needed her care and support…
She was reluctant to part with Hu Shanwei, but she also understood that Hu Shanwei had better prospects in the Palace Administration Bureau.
The Palace Administration Bureau directly assisted Empress Ma and was the core of the Six Bureaus and One Department, closest to power. The Bureau of Justice only handled punishing palace personnel and judging various cases – they didn’t even manage the imperial concubines.
Palace Supervisor Cao said, “If you’re willing to let go, I dare to use her.”
Director Fan slammed the table hard. “It’s settled! Everyone present is a witness. You all heard clearly – if Palace Supervisor Cao goes back on her word, we’ll all look down on you from now on. Let’s see how you’ll maintain authority over others.”
“Well…” Palace Supervisor Cao put on an expression of regretting her impulse.
Palace Supervisors Cui, Song, Xu, Wang, and Zhao rarely saw Palace Supervisor Cao in an awkward position and found it quite satisfying. They all joined in: “I bear witness! Palace Supervisor Cao must keep her word.”
Palace Supervisor Cao put on an act of being cornered with no way down, hurriedly explaining: “The Clerk position represents Her Majesty the Empress’s voice. It’s not something I alone can decide. I’m only responsible for nominations – ultimately it depends on whom Her Majesty the Empress chooses.”
Director Fan pushed paper and brush over. “Nominate her right now – do you dare?”
“What’s there not to dare? You’re already willing to let her go.” Palace Supervisor Cao wrote Hu Shanwei’s name as if in a huff.
In the end, Palace Supervisor Cao submitted to Empress Ma a list of seven candidates for Clerk official, with each of the Six Bureaus and One Department selecting one articulate, quick-minded, dignified female official for nomination.
Empress Ma pondered for a moment, then circled Hu Shanwei’s name with red brush.
Hu Shanwei rose meteorically – in less than a year in the palace, she’d been promoted from eighth-rank clerk to sixth-rank Clerk!
When the imperial decree was announced, the entire harem was shocked. Just as spring arrived and craftsmen went to repair rooftops, palace personnel all discussed how Hu Shanwei’s promotion was due to throwing her door bolt to the highest point. Indeed, this palace tradition had good reason – it was too effective!
Next year during door bolt throwing, they must throw well!
Receiving the imperial decree, Hu Shanwei felt as if she were dreaming, carrying the Four Treasures of the Study to the Palace Administration Bureau.
First, she had to “pay respects at the dock” – meet Palace Supervisor Cao.
Palace Supervisor Cao remained cold toward her: “I racked my brains to get you the Clerk position in the Palace Administration Bureau, not because I like you, but only to help you fulfill your promise under the old plum tree. During this northern expedition, Prince Qin will certainly achieve great merit and restore his title. Only by frequently appearing before Their Majesties will you constantly remind them of Prince Qin’s past evil deeds. When the day comes that Their Majesties trust you more than Prince Qin, that’s when you should strike. If you disappoint me then, I have plenty of ways to bring you down.”
Hu Shanwei was impressed by Palace Supervisor Cao’s scheming.
Meanwhile, thousands of li away with the western route northern expedition army, young general Mu Chun was also deeply impressed by Ming scouts.
After being burned, killed, and plundered by the Northern Yuan for an entire winter, spring had finally arrived – the Ming was ready to counterattack. Mu Chun joined Grand Marshal Xu Da’s forces. The war between the Ming and Northern Yuan on the vast grasslands was a life-and-death game of hide-and-seek called “Where are the Yuan troops?” – and this time was no exception.
Grand Marshal Xu Da received secret intelligence from scouts and won a great victory against Yuan forces at Ash Mountain – their first major battle triumph. Mu Chun led his troops charging east and west, killing to his heart’s content, finally venting the frustration of winter’s constant passive beatings.
Afterward, Xu Da reorganized his army and waited for opportunities. One night, a single rider approached the Ming camp. The person on horseback had four arrows in his back – no one knew how he’d managed to make it this far. Dressed as Yuan military but waving a white surrender flag, with Yuan pursuit forces behind him.
The night watchman Mu Chun found this person very familiar – it was the Ming scout “Bangs” who had saved them that night.
With that devastating hairstyle, he could still be so handsome – Mu Chun would never mistake him.
Mu Chun quickly rode with troops to rescue “Bangs,” driving off the pursuers.
“Bangs” carried four arrows in his back and countless wounds on his body yet could still breathe and stay conscious – it was simply a miracle.
“Bangs” pulled out a blood-stained cowhide map from his chest, pointing to a spot along the West Liao River: “Yuan troops are here.”
After speaking, “Bangs” used up his last strength and fell unconscious.
That night, Grand Marshal Xu Da ordered the army to march to the West Liao River, just encountering Northern Yuan troops crossing the river. The Northern Yuan army was caught completely off guard, trampling each other in panic, morale collapsed, countless drowned, and they fled without fighting. Xu Da ordered pursuit, capturing Northern Yuan Chancellor (second only to Prime Minister) Bielibubua and Grand Astrologer Wentong, among other high Northern Yuan officials.
The western route army achieved great victory and returned triumphantly.