The Tang Dynasty’s Female Forensic Doctor

Ran Yan’s whole body relaxed before she realised that her back was already drenched. She knew that she had just been one step away from death, even though she had already died once, but sometimes the scariest thing was not death, but the suffering before death.

After returning to the estate and settling down, it was already the zi hour (11pm-1am). Ran Yan lay on the bed[1], neglecting even her usual habit of thinking over things before sleep, she directly fell asleep.

After a good night’s sleep, before the second day became bright, the faint sounds of a racket travelled to Ran Yan’s ears.

She lay quietly for awhile, but heard that the noise only increased and did not decrease, only did Ran Yan speak out to ask, “Miss Xing, what is happening?”

Ms Liu entered with a hurried gait, “Replying Miss, this morning suddenly many patients rushed here, saying that they heard that Miss could revive the dead, and have especially come to ask for Miss to save lives.”

Revive the dead? Ran Yan smiled helplessly, it could be the matter of saving Wan Lu and Zhou Sanlang had travelled out, she was afraid that the current rumours were a hundred time more exaggerated from the truth, it seemed like they all thought that she had the ability to “raise the dead and turn bone into flesh”. However, it was really strange, those that saw her save Wan Lu that day were all aristocratic families and influential officials, even if they were so bored and liked to gossip, they could not have gone and spread these rumours overnight!

The matter of saving Zhou Sanlang, the nearby villagers all knew about it, they did not come to her door to ask for help, firstly because there were no patients who were on the verge of death, secondly because Ran Yan was a n.o.ble, the villagers did not dare to trouble her with trivial matters. In that case, the people that came today were definitely not simple right?

Indeed it was as Ran Yan expected, she heard Ms Liu saying, “Miss, those people outside all look like they have status, I’m afraid that they cannot be easily offended.”

Ran Yan ma.s.saged her temples. Actually a good reputation was absolutely a good thing for her, including the marriage with the Qin family could be easily solved. Originally the Ran clan was more powerful than the Qin family. The Qin family being able to tie this marriage, firstly was because Ran Yan herself had been plagued with an illness and did not have long to live, secondly was because of the urging of the second wife. Now that Ran Yan had recovered, her reputation flourishing, whereas Qin Musheng’s actions were unrestrained and caused the loss of human life, it was exactly the great opportunity for the Ran family to withdraw from the marriage, she believed that Ran Wen’s heart will be greatly shaken, but what she was afraid of was for the rumours to be over exaggerated, when things reach an extreme, they can only move in the opposite direction.

If one could not actually live up to their famous reputation, in the end a good thing would turn into a bad thing.

Syphilis, marriage, the culprit who wanted to kill Wan Lu, they all came one after another, not one of them had been resolved yet, now the whole city was filled with rumours, making one unable to catch their breath. Ra Yan forced herself to stay calm and be cool headed.

Right now the pressing matter that needed to be solved was that she had only been apprenticed to Wu Xiu for a couple of days, yet she immediately became someone who was rumoured to possess excellent medical skills, when the moment came how was she to explain? The time of her apprenticeship was only known by three people, Miss Xing, Wan Lu and Wu Xiuhe

, as long as they do not divulge it, there would not be a big problem. It seems that she needed to quickly curry favour with shifu[2].

While Ran Yan was having a headache, she did not know that the person that caused Ran Yan’s headache was laughing[3] and making small talk with Ran Wen.

The Ran residence was filled with distinguished visitors, over ten carriages stopped at the large residence entrance, every face carried expressions full of joy. If one did not know the inside story, it would look like the Ran residence was holding a wedding.

“This time it is all thanks to Seventeenth Miss Ran, reviving an important witness from death, having a major contribution to solving the case for the authorities, I specially came to give thinks!” Liu Pinrang said smiling.

Ran Wen also had an expression filled with joy, well concealing the pride in his eyes, he said courteously, “It is nothing.”

The previous Suzhou provincial governor Du Yanheng was a direct descendent from the capital’s Du clan. He had an unyielding personality and was a stubborn person who never changed his words. No one in Suzhou dared to offend him, several clans secretly disliked Du Yanheng, whereas Liu Pinrang was worldly and sly, did not cause them worry and gave benefits where he should. Between the authorities and the influential clans, a harmonious state of mutual restriction and respect was achieved. They were very satisfied with Liu Pinrang, thus was even more courteous to him.

Liu Pinrang saw that the Ran residence’s steward was continuously coming forward to announce visitors, thus said jokingly, “It seems like today Xianda (Ran Wen’s courtesy name) is extremely busy and does not have time to have this old man stay for a meal. Then I better rush back to the prefecture office, otherwise I would not be able to make it for lunch! Haha!”

Ran Wen’s mood was very good, “Provincial Governor Liu saying that is blaming me then? This cannot do, today we must drink our fill of 300 cups!”

Liu Pinrang hastily waved his hands saying, “Just a joke, a joke! These old bones of mine cannot bear 300 cups. There are quite a lot of cases lately, and there are still things to do in the prefectural office, I will not stay longer.”

“In that case, it is not appropriate for me try to keep you. I will definitely entertain Provincial Governor Liu another day with good wine and food.”

Liu Pinrang and Ran Wen exited the living hall and walked along the corridors towards the exit. As they were reaching the main entrance, Liu Pinrang briefly stopped walking and said, “I have some words that might not be appropriate to say, it’s only that… although Qin Si is a capable subordinate of mine, but his son…”

Halfway through his words, he waved his hands, smiling helplessly, “Never mind, children will naturally have their own fortunes, what do they need this old man to blab so much for!”

Liu Pinrang words, not a single sentence mentioned the marriage between the Qin family and the Ran family, but the meaning was already clearly delivered. Moreover, he did not say anything anyway, so even if the marriage really got called off, it would not have anything to do with him.

Ran Wen’s heart originally was already wavering, with the addition of this sentence of Liu Pinrang’s, his heart felt even more strongly that Ran Yan marrying Fourth Master Qin really was a waste[4].

Sending off Liu Pinrang, Ran Wen rushed back to the side hall, a bunch of guests were already gathered over there. His heart was worried, normally the Ran family would also continuously receive visitors, but he did not know what was happening today, such a big group of people came.

Ran Wen just stepped into the side hall and could immediately feel the tense atmosphere. The guests that were siting stiffly on their seats saw that Ran Wen entered, and each got up to greet him.

Ran Wen exchanged greetings with the guests while observing the surroundings in the living hall. He saw a few Madams dressed in gorgeous clothing, two of them were even matchmakers of excellent repute in Suzhou City, and he started to form a plan in his heart.

Waiting till after the guests all sat back down, Ran Wen also sat at the main seat, carrying an indifferent smile on his face, he asked, “What has brought everyone to come visit today?”

Before any of the guests were able to answer, a Madam wearing (clothes with pictures of) reddish-gold b.u.t.terflies flitting through flowers s.n.a.t.c.hed the chance to answer first, “Master Ran, this servant is Madam Zhuang[5], a matchmaker hired by the Yan family, and am here on behalf of the Yan family’s Second Master to propose marriage.” As she spoke she looked smilingly at the guests in the building, “I believe that everyone came here for the same reason, this kind of matter, shouldn’t be according to one’s seniority or n.o.bility, thus this servant boldly spoke first, everyone please forgive me!”

The others felt smothered in their hearts, even if it were according to seniority and n.o.bility, she was a matchmaker representing the Yan family, who would dare to say that she was lowly? Moreover, the person she was playing matchmaker for was the Yan family’s Second Master, who did not know that Second Master Yan was the son of the first wife in the Yan clan? Moreover, he was a successful candidate of the highest imperial civil service examination in the 10th year of Zhenguan together in the same division as Yang Pansi. When he was nineteen years old he took up the position of an official[6] in Wucheng County[7]. It can be said ‘youth enjoying success, has boundless prospects’.

“Second Master Yan is full of talent, has boundless prospects, and his person incomparably handsome. Moreover, the Yan family and the Ran family’s aristocratic backgrounds are well suited[8], this is a predestined marriage bestowed by the heavens. This servant likes helping others to keep this type of connection, so under the request of Master Yan, I have come forward to help seek Seventeenth Miss Ran’s hand in marriage.” Madam Zhuang whole face was filled with just the right degree of cheerfulness, a little more and it would seem frivolous, a little less and it would not be enough to influence others.

Matchmaking in the Tang Dynasty was a proper occupation, and not every matchmaker wore gaudy clothing that were unbearable to look at. Matchmakers who genuinely had status, not only had an appropriately luxurious appearance, even their movement and bearing were graceful and with etiquette. Those matchmakers with heavily powdered faces who flung their handkerchiefs around, were completely not of standard at all. Whereas Madam Zhuang was not only a qualified matchmaker, she was Suzhou City’s most famous and reputable matchmaker.

Once Madam Zhuang said that, the guests were silent for a short period of time. This was indeed a good marriage proposal, even though the others came from families with aristocratic backgrounds, but compared to the Yan clan, they still lacked a degree of confidence.

Ran Wen was even happier, his heart rejoiced that he had not exchanged the marriage proposals[9] yet, it was not too late to drop the subject of marriage with the Qin family. Furthermore, just a trifling subordinate government official, it was not a big deal to offend them. He originally thought that Madam Zheng (RY’s mother) left behind gra.s.s roots, unexpectedly it turned out to be a piece of gem!

Since the others had already came, and could not just return like this, they each stated their purpose of visit.

Ran Wen was currently flushed with pleasure, his words becoming increasingly courteous, “I cannot thank everyone enough for their interest in my daughter, but regarding marriage I cannot make the decision on my own, I still have to ask for my daughter’s opinion. For the time being I am unable to give everyone an answer, I am truly sorry.”

Whole room of people silently criticised, you did not say this when you arranged the marriage with the Qin family! However, they still had to express an att.i.tude of agreement on the surface, before indirectly speaking of the good points of their family’s young masters.

Liu Pinrang returned to the prefectural office, a smile flashed across his wrinkled old face, and he muttered, “Little Miss, this favour, I’ve paid it back in full.”

He did not do anything substantial, he just promoted the spread of the rumour, lightly urged a few clans to visit the Ran residence to propose marriage. Official Qin[10] had a high official post, but none of these aristocratic families with strong foundations were truly afraid of him. Moreover it was only an engagement, there were only a small number of people who knew about it, they could just act confused.

In the eyes of a grand provincial government like him, this was merely trivial matter the size of a pea. Ran Yan did not wish to marry Fourth Master Qin, thus he casually stirred things up, and returned the favour to the little Miss. As for who she ends up marrying, what did that have to do with him?

Liu Pinrang had only casually stirred things up, but it caused Ran Yan to be utterly busy. Early in the morning she carefully questioned the 7-8 people who came to seek treatment, and found out that all of them have been sent here to find the doctor, none of the actual patients personally came, but according to the symptoms, unexpectedly each and every one of them were difficult cases to treat!

Ran Yan could only prioritise them according to severity, and arranged them in a sequence. Starting from tomorrow, she would only treat two people every day.

As for today, Ran Yan specially made time to bribe her own shifu.

Wu Xiuhe normally liked collecting rare and precious herbs, other than that he enjoyed drinking and good food.

Ran Yan was penniless, for the moment she could not obtain any rare herbs or fine wine, thus she planned to personally go down to the kitchens to cook a few dishes.

Ran Yan was afraid that Miss Xing would become suspicious, thus only said that she was going to pay respects to her shifu, and had Madam Liu and her take care of Wan Lu. She ordered Shaoming, a servant boy, to place the things in the kitchen in Wu Xiuhe’s courtyard, as well as help her light the fire.

This estate had a large garden of tree peonies nearby. In the past, the Ran family liked to come here to have fun or spend their summer, therefore every courtyard had a small kitchen, moreover with a complete set of cooking equipment.

Wu Xinghe sat under the veranda drying herbs. He heard that Ran Yan say that she wanted to cook dishes to pay respects to him, but he did not take it seriously. What could a pampered Miss make? He even decided secretly in his heart, that if its outward appearance was truly lacking, he definitely would not eat it.

Regarding Ran Yan’s performance for the past few days, as well as the rumours outside saying that she accomplished an important deed, Wu Xinghe heard every single word, but in his eyes, this was an extremely normal transformation. He had previously calculated her fate using liuren shu[11]…

Wu Xiuhe scratched at his messy hair, thinking in his heart, last time which sect did he tell his disciple he was from again? Or did he say he was a disciple of Bianque[12]? Or perhaps the disciple of Huatuo[13]?

Stroking his beard and muttering for a long while, in the end Wu Xinghe felt that, he had possibly told her that he was a disciple of Zhongjing[14]!

    ***

    谢谢carmel的感恩礼物，各种虎摸~~~~
A/N: Thank you to carmel’s grateful present, various pets~~~

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T/N: Ah sorry for the long wait again guys! T_T as always thank you for all your lovely comments. it"s fun seeing you guys try to guess who the ML is :D (I haven"t read ahead so I have no idea who it is either!) It seems like RY cannot get out marriage, let"s hope she"s not jumping from the frying pan into the fire! Why do I feel like this Second Master Yan could be the mystery guy in the carriage?

Also forgot the address this in the previous chapter - sorry about the locked images, I"ve already unlocked them so you should have no trouble viewing them now :)

Important notice: I"ve changed the name of Fourth Master Qin"s father from Qin Shangzuo to Official Qinbecause I just found out that shangzuo is the t.i.tle of a government official that a.s.sists the provincial governor. Sorry for the confusion! 
- Would it be better to preserve the pinyin (aka shangzuo) or is it okay that I just simplify it to Official? I have a feeling that there will be many different types of governmental positions mentioned in future.. so it might be confusing to keep track of all the different ones.

[1] 榻: traditionally refers to long, low couch made from wood. 

[2] 师父: teacher/master - using its pinyin shifu instead as requested by a previous commenter

[3] 笑的见牙不见眼: lit. his smile/laugh showed teeth and not the eyes, like this ---> 

[4] 大材小用: using a talented person in an insignificant position / a sledgehammer to crack a nut

[5] 庄氏: Zhuang-shi (Zhuang is her maiden surname)

[6] 主簿: zhubu - the name of an official position. (as far I can tell it seems to be the position of a secretary under a main official? Either that or someone in charge of affairs/running things. Ah conflicting sources and the nature of the position seems to change according to which dynasty T_T Doesn’t seem to have a English equivalent.)

[7] 乌程县: Wucheng county – under administration of Huzhou in the northern Zhejiang province

[8] I think this means that the Yan and Ran families are well suited because they are both from similar aristocratic backgrounds (n.o.ble pedigrees that have been government officials for generations).

[9] 庚帖: written marriage proposal on which are stated the year, month, day and hour of one"s birth. The male and female will exchange their card with each other when getting engaged.

[10] 秦上佐: so it seems like shangzuo might have been a position of a minor government official, and not the name of Fourth Master Qin’s father… Am changing his name to Official Qin now.

[11] 六壬术: the baidu page on this was too complicated for me to understand, just know it’s seems to be some method of fortune telling using this instrument (see picture below)
 

[12] 扁鹊: 秦越人 Qin Yueren (407-310 BC), Warring States physician known for his medical skills, nicknamed Bian Que after the earliest known Chinese physician allegedly from the mythical Yellow Emperor era

[13] 华佗: famous doctor at the end of Han Dynasty (mentioned before in previous chapters)

[14] 景仲: I think this was a typo, and the author probably meant Zhongjing, not Jingzhong. Zhang Zhongjing was a famous doctor (150~154 to 215~219)