The Tang Dynasty’s Female Forensic Doctor

“Ah Wan!” Ran Yan suddenly sat up from the bed. The night wind brushed over her. Her forehead and back were suffused with a slight chill, already drenched in sweat. 

“Miss had a nightmare again?” Miss Xing heard the noise and had quickly carried a light and entered from the outside. She drew the bamboo curtains open and saw Ran Yan sat up clutching the blankets. She placed the light on a low table by the side and sat kneeling by her side. 

Through the weak light, Miss Xing saw the sweat glistening on Ran Yan’s forehead and brought out a handkerchief to wipe it away, “Ever since Miss recovered, you’ve been waking up from your sleep every night. We have to go to the temple and light  incense.”  

“Miss Xing, do you know who Ah Wan is?” Ran Yan asked frowning. She guessed that this was a memory that the original owner wanted to forget at all costs, or this body had an illness that caused some kind of selective memory loss.

Miss Xing’s expression dimmed, she sighed and said, “This old servant knows that this matter has become an ailment of the heart[1] for Miss. You’ve originally forgotten about it, why would you think about it again?” 

Ran Yan pursed her lips and did not speak, her gaze steadily looking at Miss Xing. 

Miss Xing saw that her expression was resolute, knew that she could not conceal it, thus said, “Wanwan was the Yin residence’s Fourth Miss. She got along well with Miss. Afterwards, she contracted a serious illness and pa.s.sed away. Miss was sad for half a year because of this, your body also gradually became unwell.” 

“Only this?” No matter how much she tried, Ran Yan could not remember that there was a girl whom she was good friends with called Yin Wanwan. Some people with weak mentalities, after experiencing frightening or sad events would subconsciously block off that memory. This was what was commonly known as selective memory loss. If things were as simple as what Miss Xing said, how would this type of illness appear? Linking it with the scenes in her dreams, Ran Yan felt that this selective memory loss was mainly due to fear. 

Miss Xing was silent for a moment, before saying, “I remember, that day was a few days before the anniversary of Madam’s death. I brought Wan Lu to stay in the residence to prepare the things for Madam’s death anniversary. You brought Ge Lan to the Yin residence, but when you returned, Ge Lan was missing and you were unconscious. What actually happened, I seriously do not know.” 

“Ge Lan…” Ran Yan murmured this name, could it be that the girl submerged in water in her dreams was Ge Lan?

With this suspicion in her mind, Ran Yan asked, “Do you still remember what colour was Ge Lan’s clothes on that day? Or perhaps what colour clothes did Ge Lan normally like to wear?” 

“This old servant isn’t too clear, maybe Wan Lu would know. However, didn’t Miss normally like letting them wear the same colours as their names? The colour that Ge Lan[2] usually wore was blue.” Miss Xing looked at Ran Yan, deeply worried, and said, “Miss, it is still early, don’t think about it anymore, continue sleeping for a little while. Any issues can wait till the day is bright before thinking about it in detail.” 

Ran Yan nodded, and lay down on the bed once again. 

Miss Xing was afraid that she would have a nightmare again, thus carried the light to the low

table by the window and pulled open the light muslin part.i.tion. This way the whole s.p.a.ce was illuminated by a gentle light. 

These seven years, Ran Yan would be woken up by a nightmare every night, but this type of scene with no beginning or ending[3] had never appeared in her dreams before. The cherry red gauze skirt, the face covered with a white cloth, the mournful wailing… 

It was Yin Wanwan?! Ran Yan started. If that girl was Yin Wanwan then everything would make sense. Perhaps the original Ran Yan accidentally saw the scene of Yin Wanwan dying an unnatural death and fainted in fright. Therefore, after she woke up, her subconscious mind rejected this memory. 

In that case, her previous dream, the girl she saw, and the girl submerged in water afterwards, was the same person at different times. 

Yin Wanwan said that she was hurting, where was hurting? Did she really contract a serious illness?

Also the shout resonating by her ear at the end, the enunciation was unclear, but it clearly conveyed her emotions, the despair, fear and unwillingness[4]. This kind of emotions, did it indicate that she died unfairly, and was murdered by someone?

Ran Yan let her imagination run wild, forcibly connecting the head and tail[5]. However, within this there were still many unexplained things, such as why did Ge Lan go missing? After Ge Lan went missing, what was the Ran residence’s att.i.tude? If that girl who was submerged in the water really was Yin Wanwan, then her death, what was the cause? 

Memories that have been forgotten for a long time, would not appear without good cause. Normally this kind of memory loss, could be triggered by familiar people and affairs. Maybe it was because she re-entered the Yin residence a few days ago, only did she stir up this memory. 

Tossing about in bed for a long time, the morning sun outside the window gradually rose up and shone through the cracks in the window. Ran Yan did not have any sleepiness, thus got up and opened the window. 

The early morning cool and refreshing air carrying the faint scent of water plants a.s.saults the senses[6], it was moist and fresh. This was the distinctive air of the Jiangnan ca.n.a.l city[7]. Ran Yan took a moment to breathe in and out, looking at the red morning clouds covering the east horizon. In a flash, rays of sunshine broke through the clouds and shone out. 

Ran Yan lowered her head and blew out the light. She stretched lazily. Hearing footsteps, she turned around and saw Miss Xing pushing aside the curtains. 

Miss Xing saw Ran Yan and was slightly startled, “Miss why are you awake?”

“Did we not accept the invitation from two patients yesterday? Today I have to enter the city to look at their illness.” Ran Yan sat down in front of the cosmetic mirror. 

Towards the matter of Ran Yan treating and saving people, Miss Xing did not have much of an opinion. However, this was not because she hoped that Ran Yan would be able to earn a certain amount money. Rather, it was so that Ran Yan would be able to marry into a good family in the future by earning a good reputation like this. Even if Ran Wen wishes to form connections through marriage, he would definitely seek to climb up (the social ladder). The more resounding Ran Yan’s reputation was, the person she married would also not be too shabby. If Ran Wen was greedy for benefits or influenced by Madam Gao and really matched her with someone extremely unsuitable, the Ran clan elders would never

never agree. After all, even if Ran Wen did not want face, the Ran clan still wanted it. 

“Ai, Miss helping people to look at their illness, if you’re able to see then see, if it looks bad then wash your hands off it and pa.s.s it to Great Doctor Wu. No matter what he is your shifu. For him to shoulder this matter, others cannot say anything.” Miss Xing exhorted. 

Ran Yan nodded while smiling. 

“I will go and get the maidservants over to come and serve Miss by helping you wash up. Miss brighten your eyes to look, choose two that are pleasing to the eyes[8].” Miss Xing said this and got up and walked out of the door. 

Within a moment, she led four maidservants inside. 

These four people wore light orange straight collared ruquns with flower patterns, with white belts tied into a bow at their chest[9], their hair tied into a simple servant’s bun. 

These maidservants’ clothes were much better than the ones Wan Lu wore. Ran Yan’s heart ached a little. After allowing them to wait on her as she washed up, only did she turn to Miss Xing and say, “From those cloths sent over yesterday, select some that look suitable and make a few pieces of clothing for Wan Lu and yourself. After I return to the residence, I would have many of these type of things anyway.” 

After Ran Yan finished sizing up the maidservants and retracted her gaze, all the maidservants also secretly observed her. Yesterday when Madam was present, they were hindered by the imposing atmosphere and did not dare to even lift their eyes. Yesterday night, it was too dark and they only briefly saw her from the back. It was not only till now were they able to really see clearly. The woman before them, her fine black hair was draped over her back like satin, her dark eyebrows extending to her temples, her pair of beautiful eyes that were so dark one could not see its depths, the tip of her brows and the corner of her eyes infused with a faint coldness, her eyelashes like feathers, when they hung down slightly to cover her deep gaze, shadows were cast on her skin that was fair to the verge of being transparent, carelessly showing a hint of charm. 

The daffodil has agarwood as its bones and fine jade as its flesh[10].

The four people were stunned for a moment. They had originally thought that Madam"s appearance was already beautiful to the extreme, but such an ice-cold beauty actually existed as well. 

Miss Xing sat behind Ran Yan, and took a cow-horn comb[11] to comb her hair, “The cloth Miss bought back last time has not been finished yet, for some time we don’t need to make others. On the other hand, Madam Liu is still wearing rough garments made from hemp. It"s about time you gave her a bolt of cloth already.” 

“It’s my negligence. Pick a bolt of good cloth and two bolts of normal ones to give to her. The rest of the goods that can be eaten or used, give them together as well.” Ran Yan said indifferently. 

The servants behind her recovered their senses from the stunning beauty, only to hear that this Miss spoke softly and shallowly, without much concern shown[12], but her actions were exceedingly extravagant. Those silk and muslin gauze given by main residence were all top quality, some costing a few hundred silver taels for one bolt. Although the was impossible for servants to wear material that was that good, but even if it were the most inferior, it still would cost thirty

cost thirty to forty taels! 

For a moment, the weighing scales in the maidservants’ hearts tilted a little. Before they came, Madam clearly said that Seventeenth Miss was someone without decision making skills[13], her personality was also extremely weak. However, from last night until now, while they could not tell whether she had decision making skills or not, but from those eyes, how did she appear even the slightest bit weak? 

Miss Xing asked again, “Is Miss still using the estate’s carriage today?” 

Miss Xing all along had felt that her Miss sitting on that kind of carriage was too wretched[14]. It was not because she was afraid of losing face, after all the main courtyard not providing a carriage, the one that would lose face was the Ran clan. Rather it was because the difference between the comfortableness of a good carriage and a normal carriage was really big. 

“Yesterday when Tenth Older Brother sent me back, he left his carriage at the estate, saying that he will look for me to go out and play today morning.” Ran Yan said.

Miss Xing momentarily halted her movements, her face filled with happiness and said, “Tenth Master is back already?” 

The few maidservants hearts also jumped a little. Tenth Master Ran, that person was a big bankroller[15]! Moreover, it was rumoured that his appearance could be compared to a celestial being. If they are able to get close to him, even if he just casually leaked a little, it was enough to feed their whole family for a few lifetimes. With their looks, there was definitely no hope of becoming Tenth Master Ran’s little concubine. However, Seventeenth Miss was had a good relationship with him, moreover they were cousins[16], currying favour with Seventeenth Miss was also the same[17]! 

However Madam Gao calculated or dreamt, she would not have expected that these few people she had placed here, would because of hearing one sentence regarding Tenth Master Ran and thus easily wavered their minds. 

After dressing herself, she then ate a simple breakfast. As if Ran Yunsheng was counting the time, just as Ran Yan put down her chopsticks, Shao Ming proceeded to announce his arrival. 

Miss Xing went out to receive him. Ran Yan remained seated upright beside the small table. She accepted the tea that a maidservant served up and rinsed her mouth. It was actually a few maidservants who could not bear it first and started to look around furtively. Regardless of whether if it were Ran Yunsheng’s ident.i.ty as a bankroller, or his own good looking appearance, they all aroused one’s curiosity. 

Ran Yan was also observing these four maidservants calmly. The appearance of a few were not bad, two of them were even better looking than Wan Lu by a few degrees, but they all seemed rather impetuous and incautious, not a single one was able to keep her composure. 

But that did not necessarily mean that they could not be used. These kind of people who would not hide their thoughts, Ran Yan was more at ease as well. Selecting one or two with potential and roping them in, then training them for a while, would make one more at ease compared to those who had deep thoughts from the beginning. 

The thoughts of those in the room were all different. As the laughter from outside came closer, the light from the entrance darkened. Everyone saw a person wearing a light yellow broad-sleeved robe[18], matched with a white belt at his waist that was embroidered with silver threads. His face resembled the moon on Mid-autumn festival[19], his appearance like flowers in early spring, the hair on his templeson his temples seemed like a knife cut, his facial features like a painting. 

 Ran Yunsheng saw that Ran Yan was sitting still without moving at the seat, feigning displeasure he said, “Ah Yan doesn’t know to welcome Tenth Older Brother.” 

Ran Yunsheng’s gentleness and amiableness, always made Ran Yan unconsciously feel more relaxed. The corners of her lips curved up slightly, “Who asked you to come at such a time. I just finished my meal and can’t possibly go as far as to run outside with my mouth stained with oil right!” 

Ran Yunsheng burst into a radiant smile, changed the topic and said, “Is there a place you want to go today?” 

“Yes.” Ran Yan sized up Ran Yunsheng. His appearance that was capable of causing the downfall of a country[20] was truly not suitable to accompany her to look at people’s illness, “Yesterday there were two patients who made appointments to be seen today. Let’s go to the city first, it won’t take very long. If you have other business, then you can go and do them first.”

Ran Yunsheng said astonished, “You know medicine?” 

[1] 心病: anxiety / sore point / secret worry / mental disorder / heart disease (medicine)

[2] 歌蓝: her name means blue song

[3] 没头没尾: meaning that it has no explanation/context. (lit. no head no tail) 

[4] 不甘: the feeling of being unwilling to resign herself to her fate. 

[5] 头尾: lit. head and tail. But also means the beginning and end of something. 

[6] 扑面而来: lit. sth hits one in the face / directly in one"s face / sth a.s.saults the senses / blatant (advertising) / eye-catching / (a smell) a.s.saults the nostrils

[7] 江南水乡: lit. Jiangnan water village – referring to the patchwork of waterways in the city (like Venice) 

[8] 衬眼: no idea what this means. 衬 can mean to set off something or to be matching with something. 眼 means eye. 

[9] I thought people may find it weird that the bow was tied at the chest rather than the waist, so I included a picture below.

[10] 水沉为骨玉为肌: quote from a poem by Huang Tingjian (poet from the Song Dynasty). The first sentence (the second half is quoted here) describes how the daffodil (Narcissus) blooms in water, simple and elegant, n.o.ble and virtuous. The second sentence (not quoted) describes the daffodil’s disdain for the secular world and how it wanders about dest.i.tute, showing the poet’s sympathy towards beautiful women from impoverished families who wander about dest.i.tute. 

[11] 牛角梳: see picture below

[12] 并无多少关怀之意: I didn’t know how to express this properly, they’re saying that RY’s words did not seem to have much care or solicitude towards Mdm Liu (not that her words were careless!), yet her actions were generous. 

[13] 没主意: without definite view/one’s own judgement

[14] 委屈: there’s no good English word for this. It means to feel wronged, or cause someone to feel wronged/troubled, or to suffer a grievance/insult/inconvenience. 

[15] 大金主: lit. big gold master/owner. Basically saying that he’s really rich, but can also mean that he’s the financial backer for the Ran family. 

[16] 兄妹: lit. older brother and younger sister, but in this case they are referring to the fact that they are cousins, not saying that they are actual siblings. 

[17] Not sure if this managed to get across, basically saying that currying favour w RY was the same as trying to curry favour with Tenth Master Ran. 

[18] 长袍: chang pao/ long robes

[19] 中秋: the Mid-autumn festival, the traditional moon-viewing festival on the 15th of the 8th lunar month. The moon is supposed to be full during this day, and beautiful to look at. 

[20] 倾国倾城: meaning devastatingly beautiful