As a wandering physician going from street to lane to solicit patients, enduring the harshness of winter and summer was arduous labor. Naturally, it couldn't compare to obtaining the title of Palace female physician—waiting comfortably at home for noble clients to extend invitations was far more relaxed and lucrative. Moreover, it provided opportunities to befriend the powerful, essentially achieving success in one leap.
Lu Bing's assistance came as a surprise to Wei Caiwei. Reborn into this life, she had resolved her vendetta in just three days and intended to protect Wang Daxia—Yan Shifan had his own host of enemies and political rivals who would trip him up. Besides, she had already forged a favorable connection with the future Empress Dowager Li, Li Jiubao. Thus, she had no plans to enter the palace as a maid in this lifetime.
Yet Lu Bing was offering her access to the imperial court and paving her way toward a career as a Palace female physician. For Lu Bing, this was merely a trivial effort, but for her, it was undoubtedly a rare, golden opportunity that balanced protecting Wang Daxia, securing her future, and pursuing revenge.
How could such good fortune exist?
Why help me? Wei Caiwei held the blank register, uneasy about accepting unearned favors. Lu Bing was a smooth, diplomatic, and slick veteran of officialdom, skilled at pleasing all sides. Throughout history, commanders of the Embroidered Uniform Guard had been cursed with tragic ends—starting with Mao Xiang, the first commander during the Hongwu era, who was executed by lingchi, the vast majority had repeated Mao Xiang's fate, with few meeting peaceful deaths.
However, Lu Bing's principle of leaving room for maneuver seemed capable of breaking this curse.
But I'm just a minor wandering physician with little value to exploit. There's no need for him to help me so diligently.
Wei Caiwei pondered back and forth before saying, "Thank you for the recommendation, Lord Lu. I won't charge for the formula of that eye-burning powder for the Embroidered Uniform Guard."
This referred to the defensive powder she had used the night she scaled walls, set fires, and rescued Wang Daxia through a diversion. Lu Ying found it useful and wanted to purchase the formula for the Embroidered Uniform Guard's use.
Hearing this, Lu Bing understood that Wei Caiwei didn't wish to owe him a favor. "Very well, then no payment will be given. Return and prepare thoroughly for the imperial physician examination. Given your youth, the imperial physicians may look down on you and test you with particular strictness and detail. If your skills fall short and you fail, I cannot assist you. In the future, when serving the noble ladies of the inner court, not the slightest mistake can be made."
Wei Caiwei agreed.
She filled out the forms and secluded herself to study intensively for the imperial physician examination. Aside from diagnosing Ding Wu and preparing his medications each day, she delegated all tasks like decocting medicines to others.
In truth, medical skill level relates to the number of patients seen and experience accumulated. Wei Caiwei's youth often led to underestimation, as others assumed her experience was lacking and distrusted her. Yet, with over thirty years of medical practice from her previous life, her skills were naturally no inferior to those of experienced female physicians in their forties or fifties.
What Wei Caiwei lacked was the rote memorization required from medical texts, necessitating her seclusion for intense study.
While others might not have minded, Wang Daxia became restless upon hearing Wei Caiwei might become a palace female physician. He rushed to her place, "...Once you enter the palace depths, it's like plunging into the sea—I'll never see you again."
Wei Caiwei lowered her head to read the gynecology section of "Synopsis of the Golden Chamber" and said, "I'm not entering the palace. I'm registering with the Directorate of Ceremonial to await summons from the inner court. I'll still live in Sweetwater Lane ordinarily."
Wang Daxia, in his anxiety, had rushed over without fully understanding. Relieved by her explanation, he said, "You're about to become a renowned physician. Henceforth, like fine wine that needs no bush, people will seek you out with heavy payments, and you'll never have to shake the Tiger Crutch through streets and lanes again.""He's still a patient, you can't hit him," Wei Caiwei said with forced patience. "If you keep interrupting my studies and I fail the imperial physician examination, I'll have to shake the Tiger Crutch while wandering the streets looking for patients again."
"I'll leave right away, won't disturb you." Wang Daxia came and went like the wind, showing no signs of being injured or ill.
By evening, when Wei Caiwei was having dinner, Wang Daxia seized the opportunity to visit. With his hands clasped behind his back and carrying a strong scent of incense, he asked, "Guess where I went today?"
Caiwei leaned in and sniffed, "Did you go to the temple to burn incense and fulfill a vow?"
Wang Daxia raised his eyebrows, "Which temple?"
Caiwei, who still needed to study after dinner, replied, "Stop keeping me in suspense. I don't have time for guessing games."
Wang Daxia sat beside her and presented her with a Talisman like offering a treasure. "I went to Wenchang Temple and got you this talisman. I heard all the scholars visiting for the spring imperial exams go to pay respects to Lord Wenchang, praying to pass the exams with honors."
Caiwei didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Wang Daxia wasn't just afraid of ghosts—he was also highly superstitious. "What does this have to do with me?"
"Exams are exams! Whether it's the top scholar exam or the Palace female physician exam, would Lord Wenchang only bless men and not women? How biased!" Wang Daxia stuffed the talisman into her hand and pulled out a slip of paper. "I also drew a fortune stick for you. Look what it says—"
"Today's joyful scene brings delight, recalling years of reading and reciting poetry. Through winters of diligent study and firm resolve, spring breezes gently ascend the palace steps."
Caiwei looked at the poorly written verse. "See, it says here that without enduring years of hard study, how can one ascend the palace steps? Praying to gods and seeking talismans won't help—it still requires diligent study."
Wang Daxia argued, "The fortune-teller at the entrance said this is the best possible fortune! He told a story about a man from Shandong named Liu Tingying who disguised himself as a woman to sell himself to bury his parents. A wealthy family bought him and sent him as a maid to serve their daughter. Eventually, they pledged their love secretly, the young lady freed him, he passed the top scholar exam, and they married."
Caiwei laughed, "You believe opera stories? The imperial exams check family backgrounds for three generations. Anyone who was ever a slave is disqualified from taking the exams—how could he become the top scholar?"
Wang Daxia insisted, "At least the moral is good!"
He then produced a celadon bottle. "This is blessed water, bought from the fortune-teller. It's been offered before Lord Wenchang for a year—very effective. Whoever drinks it will pass. The Taoist saw how sincere I was and sold it to me."
Wang Daxia could be so foolish about small matters. Caiwei said, "Stagnant water stored for a year will definitely make anyone who drinks it 'pass out'—from poisoning. Stop wasting your money like this."
Wang Daxia replied, "When it comes to gods and Buddhas, it's better to believe they exist than not. Remember that night we worked together to fight Zhou Xiaoqi? I threw the Bronze Buddha on the stairs to escape and counter Zhou Xiaoqi—that was divine protection."
Not wanting to dismiss Wang Daxia's sincere efforts, Caiwei conceded, "Alright, alright, you're right. I'll wear the talisman and sprinkle the blessed water on the flowerpot to borrow some of Lord Wenchang's luck."
"That's more like it! Let me put it on for you." Wang Daxia stood up, threaded the talisman with a red string, and hung it around Caiwei's neck.
When lamps were lit at night, Wang Dxia visited again, this time carrying two giant candles as thick as a baby's arm.He lit two candles, placing them on either side of the desk. "Reading at night strains your eyes. This will make it brighter."
Wei Caiwei sat between the two massive white candles and suddenly felt like a memorial tablet placed on an altar.
Late into the night, Wei Caiwei's window remained illuminated. Wang Daxia arrived again, carrying a large bowl of steaming noodles.
"Here, have some midnight snacks."
Wei Caiwei was indeed hungry. She picked up her chopsticks and noticed the toppings piled like a small mountain on the noodles—all white, gelatinous substances resembling tofu pudding.
"What is this?" Wei Caiwei asked.
"Pork brain noodles," Wang Daxia replied. "You are what you eat. It took three pigs to get all these brains. Eat it while it's hot."
Wei Caiwei set down her chopsticks. "I don't eat offal."
Wang Daxia grew anxious. "I stewed it specially for you. The kitchen master said it's the best thing for nourishing the brain."
Wei Caiwei sighed. "I won't eat this, just like how you won't eat cilantro."
Wang Daxia detested cilantro.
Putting himself in her shoes, Wang Daxia didn't press further. "What would you like to eat then?"
Knowing he would keep asking if she didn't specify, Wei Caiwei said, "In summer, lotus seeds are perfect. I'd like some lotus seed porridge."
"Is that all?" Wang Daxia asked. "That won't fill you up."
Wei Caiwei added, "With some snow fungus." Then she pushed the noodle bowl toward Wang Daxia. "You went through the trouble of getting three pigs—don't let it go to waste. You eat the pork brain noodles."
You're the one who needs to nourish your brain, she thought to herself.
A month later, Ding Wu had recovered but remained temporarily in the capital. The Directorate of Ceremonial arranged for Wei Caiwei to take the palace examination.
Wang Daxia drove the carriage to Xi'an Gate, watching as she walked toward the palace entrance.
Even though he knew she would finish the exam and return that afternoon, Wang Daxia couldn't help feeling uneasy. The towering palace gate seemed like a giant beast opening its maw, ready to swallow Wei Caiwei whole.
Strange, this place feels so familiar, as if I've been here before.
As if sensing his worry, Wei Caiwei turned back. Tugging at the red string around her neck, she pulled out the Amulet he had obtained from the Wenchang Temple—guaranteed to bring success in examinations—and showed it to him to set his mind at ease.
For someone as superstitious and fearful of ghosts as Wang Daxia, this was more reassuring than a thousand words.
The gesture worked. Wang Daxia stopped his anxious thoughts, seeing Wei Caiwei bathed in the morning light, as if under the protection of the God of Literature. The stone pavement beneath her feet shimmered with a golden glow, each step paving her way to success.
She will surely pass!
Wang Daxia smiled and nodded at Wei Caiwei, waving his hand. His smile outshone the sun.
Seeing his expression, the exhaustion from a month of intense studying seemed to melt away. She resolved to seize this opportunity, grow stronger quickly, and protect his happiness.
The female physicians' examination was held at the Inner Court behind Xi'an Gate, also known as the Wet Nurse Residence, where the imperial family selected and maintained wet nurses. Whenever imperial consorts or noblewomen in the palaces became pregnant, the Inner Court would choose wet nurses from the capital, bring them to the residence for selection, and then house them there. They were nourished daily with chicken, duck, fish, and meat to prepare their bodies for breastfeeding future princes and imperial grandsons.However, the Jiajing Emperor had aged, and of the eight princes born in the imperial palace, only two survived to adulthood and established families. Yu Wang, Zhu Zaiyu, had fathered two sons and two daughters, all of whom died young. Jing Wang, though married, had yet to have any children. Currently, neither princely residence had any consorts pregnant, so the Milk Bureau had not a single wet nurse recently, leaving it empty and desolate.
About fifty female physicians selected from various local offices had gathered. Judging by their ages, all were over thirty, with most in their forties or fifties, and all dressed as widows or married women. Wei Caiwei, a young widow of only seventeen, stood out conspicuously.
Nearby, eunuchs whispered among themselves:
"...She's far too young."
"Which eunuch's connections did she use?"
"Shh, keep your voice down. It was Lord Lu who recommended her."
Wei Caiwei kept her eyes downcast, ignoring the idle chatter as she walked to the examination booth. The first test was written, focusing entirely on gynecology. The initial question was "On incessant menstrual leakage," which Wei Caiwei had encountered in the medical text "Orchid Room Secret Treasury." After a moment's thought, she picked up her brush and began writing.
Author's note: Wang Daxia has been tirelessly assisting his wife with her exam preparations. I've seen pig slaughtering videos—despite the pig's large size, its brain is surprisingly small.
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