The written examination concluded in the morning, with papers submitted anonymously. In the afternoon, eunuchs from the Directorate of Ceremonial escorted them to the Hall of Peaceful Joy.
The Hall of Peaceful Joy was where the palace concentrated its sick palace maids and eunuchs. Those who were ill could not serve the nobility. There were two such halls in the Forbidden City: one located in [redacted], which housed those with more severe illnesses, making it convenient to promptly cremate the deceased outside the palace gates to prevent epidemics.
The other was the Inner Hall of Peaceful Joy, situated southeast of the Wet Nurse Residence and adjacent to the Directorate of Ceremonial's scripture workshop, which accommodated those with mild symptoms.
The Inner Hall of Peaceful Joy was secluded and rarely frequented due to its role in housing patients, making it a desolate and quiet place. During the Chenghua era, when the "expert abortionist" Consort Wan dominated the harem, the Chenghua Emperor secretly raised his eldest son here to preserve his lineage without provoking his beloved consort, a testament to the hall's obscurity.
The afternoon examination involved diagnosis and treatment. Each candidate drew lots and was assigned ten patients, all palace maids or female officials, to diagnose, prescribe medicine, and administer acupuncture under the supervision of imperial physicians who graded their performance.
If disrobing was required for acupuncture or cupping, palace female physicians oversaw and evaluated the procedures.
Wei Caiwei's first patient was an elderly palace maid in her fifties, suffering from minor ailments: loss of appetite, nausea, constipation, sallow complexion, physical weakness, and a sorrowful expression.
Wei Caiwei diagnosed it as diaphragm qi stagnation. She first applied moxibustion to the Shangwan, Zhongwan, and Xiawan points, followed by the Shiguan points. She then prescribed Liuwei Dihuang Wan, Siwu Tang, and Erchen Tang.
After completing the acupuncture and prescribing the medicine, Wei Caiwei gently said, "Half of your condition stems from emotional distress. Did your symptoms begin when you started fearing growing old in the palace with no one to care for you?"
The elderly maid was taken aback but nodded. "An old companion of mine left the palace with her life savings and entrusted it to her nephew. It should have been enough to support her in her old age, but after receiving the money, he turned his back on her, forcing her to live in a dilapidated hut with cold tea and leftovers. She was worn down and died within half a year. When I heard this news, my health declined."
Wei Caiwei sighed. "You're projecting her misfortune onto yourself. Some who leave the palace fare poorly, while others thrive. Don't dwell on sorrow. Inquire about how those elderly maids who are doing well manage their lives, and gradually ease your mind. Otherwise, no amount of medicine will help, and your symptoms will recur."
The palace female physician asked, "What is the basis for your treatment approach?"
Wei Caiwei replied, "It comes from a new medical text—Tan Yunxian's Miscellaneous Records of a Female Doctor, which documents treatments for diaphragm qi stagnation. The text describes an elderly woman who developed symptoms after her husband began taking concubines following his promotion. A physician prescribed qi-regulating medicine, but it only weakened her further. Tan Yunxian first replenished her qi, then used Atractylodes and White Atractylodes to resolve phlegm and unblock the orifices. This shows that such conditions often arise from depression and overthinking in women."
The palace female physician nodded in understanding. "So it's Physician Tan. She was once a palace female physician registered with the Directorate of Ceremonial, awaiting summons to serve the court. Later, her maternal family was executed for crimes, wiping out the entire clan. With her children and grandchildren gone, she alone survived and gradually withdrew from court life. I hadn't realized she continued practicing medicine and has now become a renowned medical scholar authoring texts."Wei Caiwei said, "Because she was a woman, 'Miscellaneous Records of a Female Physician' remained obscure among medical texts. However, I find her case studies and treatments exceptionally well-written. She always begins by describing female patients' circumstances and psychological states with profound compassion. Gradually, more physicians will discover this work, and it will surely become a renowned medical classic. She passed away four years ago at ninety-six—a virtuous person receiving a peaceful end."
Initially, due to Wei Caiwei's youth and Lu Bing's recommendation, imperial physicians and female doctors had underestimated her. The morning written exam results hadn't been announced yet, leaving no evidence of her capabilities. But in the afternoon, witnessing her efficient diagnostics, precise acupuncture techniques, and contemporary knowledge—even skillfully applying newly published 'Miscellaneous Records of a Female Physician' in treatments—they realized Lu Bing had recommended her based on genuine merit.
Drawing from thirty years of past-life experience, Wei Caiwei smoothly completed ten patient consultations. By dusk, her temples were drenched in sweat, utterly exhausted.
Carrying her medical bag, she queued to exit the palace. At Xi'an Gate, Wang Daxia was already waiting with a carriage to take her home.
Wang Daxia promptly helped Wei Caiwei into the carriage. "I've prepared snacks, but don't eat too much. Ding Wu is personally cooking tonight—your favorite braised chicken with mushrooms, along with baked flatbread. He's waiting to celebrate your return."
He cut open a watermelon chilled in well water and presented a bowl of grapes he'd meticulously peeled and deseeded, allowing Wei Caiwei to easily scoop them with a spoon. Whatever she had done for him during his illness, Wang Daxia reciprocated during her exam preparation.
Wang Daxia mirrored her actions perfectly—whatever light Wei Caiwei shone, he reflected back.
As she ate the grape flesh, Wei Caiwei's mind drifted to her previous life. The dependent Wang Daxia had treated her this way before, and now his identical gestures made the grapes taste even sweeter.
In the sweltering summer heat, carriage windows and doors remained open. Wang Daxia, seated on the shaft, frequently glanced back at her. "You're smiling—must be in good spirits. The exam went well? You'll probably top the rankings."
With two lifetimes of experience and a month of intensive medical review, Wei Caiwei felt entirely confident. This life was progressing more smoothly than the last.
She modestly replied, "We'll know when the results are posted."
The carriage traversed Beijing north-to-south: from West Fourth Arch North Street to South Street, then to Xinjiekou. Darkness had fallen. After eating grapes and watermelon, Wei Caiwei dozed against the carriage wall. Knowing her exhaustion, Wang Daxia refrained from conversation, quietly driving onward.
As they reached Desheng Bridge, sudden sharp cries of "Stop hitting him!" and dull thuds of blows emerged from beneath the bridge.
The voice sounded familiar. Startled from her half-asleep state, Wei Caiwei exclaimed, "Stop the carriage!"
Wang Daxia had also heard it. "Just loan sharks chasing debts—common occurrence. With so many spectators, Northern City Military Command patrols will arrive soon. Nothing serious. Ding Wu is waiting for us to dine."
Wei Caiwei faintly caught another cry: "Let Brother Chen go!Desheng Bridge neared Shichahai—the sounds came from its lakeshore (the Yuan dynasty called lakes "haizi," a term that continued to be used until the Ming dynasty).
That sounded like Li Jiubao's voice!
Wei Caiwei hurriedly stepped out. "It's someone we know. Let's go check."It was Li Jiubao and Chen Jingji.
Last month during the Dragon Boat Festival, Li Jiubao's father and brother were busy constructing a tomb in Sanlitun and had no time to return home for the holiday. So Chen Jingji hitched up his family's mule cart, loaded it with half a cart of food, and took Li Jiubao to visit them.
On the return trip, Li Jiubao's father and brother entrusted her with their recent wages and bonus money to bring home. They instructed her to buy good food for the family and, in her spare time, purchase fabric to make new clothes for everyone so the whole family could wear new outfits for the New Year.
Li Jiubao, thinking her father had quit gambling and turned over a new leaf, was overjoyed. She bought fabric and tailored clothes, even making a longevity outfit for Chen Jingji's grandmother as a token of gratitude for his care.
However, this happy period was short-lived. During the recent dog days of summer, the weather became unbearably hot. A worker suffered heatstroke and fainted, and with the risk of fatalities, the Sanlitun worksite shut down for several days until the weather cooled slightly.
Li Jiubao's father and brother finally returned home with their wages to rest. Her father, Li Wei, was a chronic gambler. While busy with work, he focused solely on labor and would collapse exhausted after his shift, too tired to even lift a finger.
Now back home, pampered with good food and drink by his daughter Li Jiubao, Li Wei grew too comfortable. His fingers began to itch, and his gambling addiction resurfaced.
The gambling den owner, aware that Li Wei had recently earned some money, lured him back to the tables. At first, they intentionally let him win, making Li Wei believe his luck had finally turned after a lifetime of losses.
Li Wei kept raising his bets, only to lose not only all his earnings but also accumulate a mountain of debt to the gambling den.
Resigned to his misfortune, Li Wei signed an IOU. That night, a heavy rain briefly relieved the summer heat. The Sanlitun employer urgently demanded the workers return, and Li Wei, desperate to earn money to repay his gambling debts, immediately dragged his son back to Sanlitun.
Feeling guilty and afraid his daughter would cause another scene if she discovered he had gambled again, Li Wei didn't tell her.
What Li Wei didn't anticipate was that the gambling den owner had ulterior motives—he never intended to collect the debt but had his sights set on Li Wei's daughter, Li Jiubao.
"The Flower of Machang Hutong"—such a fresh, lovely girl. The owner's household just happened to lack a beautiful concubine for entertainment.
Unaware of the impending danger, Li Jiubao continued her life. Meanwhile, Chen Jingji's business was thriving recently. Through a combination of rentals and sales, he had successfully closed deals on several properties, earning substantial commission fees. Together with his previous savings, he now had exactly one hundred taels of silver.
This sum should suffice for the betrothal gifts and wedding expenses.
Chen Jingji planned to send a matchmaker to propose as soon as Li Wei and his son returned home.
But before that, Chen Jingji still wanted to sound out Li Jiubao's feelings. Of course, he was certain she liked him too, but feeling affection and voicing it were two different things.
Like countless young men in love, Chen Jingji longed to hear those words from his beloved's own lips.
That evening, Chen Jingji changed into a blue satin robe reserved for meeting clients. He wore a hairnet, adorned on the left side with a green peacock feather.
They met by the scenic shores of Shichahai Lake.
Unbeknownst to them, Li Jiubao had been followed by the gambling den's men since leaving Machang Hutong. As dusk fell at Shichahai and the crowd thinned, a group of ruffians swarmed, attempting to seize Li Jiubao and carry her into a carriage.
Hearing Li Jiubao's cries, Chen Jingji rushed to her defense, blocking the carriage. "This is the capital! How dare you abduct a commoner in broad daylight!"The thug produced the IOU written by Li Wei, "Repaying debts is only right and proper. A father's debt should be paid by his daughter! Even if we go to court, we're in the right!"
Only then did Chen Jingji realize that Li Wei had secretly gone gambling again. He said, "It's just over fifty taels of silver, right? I'll repay it for him. Come back with me, and I'll give you the silver on the spot."
The thugs wanted the person, not the money. Why would they agree? "Get lost! You folks from Machang Hutong are a bunch of poor neighbors who always stick together. If we follow you home, won't your neighbors beat us out? Let's go!"
Chen Jingji tried to snatch Li Jiubao back but was surrounded and beaten by the thugs. Li Jiubao, trapped inside the carriage, could only cry for help through the narrow window.
Outnumbered, Chen Jingji was knocked to the ground. As the carriage began to move, in desperation, he lunged forward and tightly grabbed the horse's reins, his body dragging along the ground, forcing the carriage to a halt.
A mounted thug escorting the carriage whipped him repeatedly, but Chen Jingji lay on the ground, refusing to let go of the reins. Enraged, the thug urged his horse forward, pretending to scare him off with its hooves.
Unfazed, Chen Jingji said, "I'm an innocent commoner! If you dare kick me to death, you'll pay with your life!"
The mounted thug had no choice but to pull the horse back. However, his riding skills were poor—the horse's hoof missed Chen Jingji's head, but as it retracted and landed, the hard horseshoe stomped down fiercely on Chen Jingji's lower body.
Chen Jingji let out a piercing scream, then fainted from the pain, blood gushing from his lower body...
Author's Note: Now everyone should understand why Chen Jingji appeared earlier than the male lead. It's because he took the script of Wang Daxia (Eunuch Wang) from the previous life. You might not have noticed his name—he's Chen Ju, the future Chief of the Eastern Depot during the Wanli era, a eunuch with a good reputation.
In the previous life, he bled to death. In this life, Wang Daxia and Wei Caiwei saved him.
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