The palace was silent in the middle of the night. Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the sound of hurried footsteps. It turned out that His Majesty Wu Zetian, who was 70 years old, had a stomachache in the middle of the night and summoned the imperial doctor Shen Nanxuan. Although this young imperial doctor has superb medical skills, he still can't hide his nervousness in the face of the majestic female emperor. He carefully checked Wu Zetian's pulse, but found that the situation was a little unusual. Shen Nanxuan hesitated for a moment, then pondered and said, "Your Majesty, this is due to your lack of yang nourishment!" As soon as the words fell, he was shocked and lost his words, and quickly lowered his head, not daring to look directly into Wu Zetian's eyes. Who knew that Wu Zetian not only did not get angry, but showed a meaningful smile. She said softly: "You are really like a god, then give me a few pairs of body-strengthening medicines!" Shen Nanxuan breathed a sigh of relief, but felt a vague sense of unease. Little did the young imperial physician know that from this moment on, his life would be turned upside down. Is it a blessing or a curse?
Shen Nanxuan's background and experience of entering the palace
Shen Nanxuan was born in a long-established medical family in Luoyang. His grandfather Shen Daoji was a famous doctor during the Tang Taizong period, and his father Shen Yuanjing served as the imperial physician during the Gaozong period. The Shen family's medical secrets and rich clinical experience have laid a solid medical foundation for Shen Nanxuan.
Shen Nanxuan, who has been intelligent since childhood, has been studying medicine under the guidance of his father since he was five years old. He was gifted with intelligence and an amazing memory, and at the age of ten he was able to recite the full text of the Yellow Emperor's Neijing, and at the age of twelve, he was able to identify hundreds of medicinal materials. Shen Yuanjing saw that his son was talented, and he taught him all the medical skills inherited from his family.
In his early years, Shen was able to diagnose and treat common diseases independently. He often accompanied his father to the clinic and accumulated a lot of practical experience. At the age of twenty, Shen Nanxuan opened his own medical center in Luoyang City. With his superb medical skills and gentle attitude, he quickly became famous in the local area, and even many dignitaries and nobles came to visit him.
Shen Nanxuan's reputation spread to the palace. During Wu Zetian's reign, in order to consolidate his rule, he vigorously promoted young and promising talents. She ordered the selection of outstanding doctors from all over the country to enter the palace as imperial doctors. Because of his excellent medical skills and good family background, Shen Nanxuan has become the focus of this selection.
In the first year of Yongchang (689), the twenty-five-year-old Shen Nanxuan participated in the selection of imperial doctors organized by the imperial court. The exam is divided into two parts: written examination and practice, covering medical theory, medicinal properties, diagnosis and treatment. In the fierce competition, Shen Nanxuan stood out with his outstanding performance, successfully defeated many older opponents, and obtained the qualification to enter the palace as an imperial doctor.
After entering the palace, Shen Nanxuan was assigned to work in the Tai Hospital. At first, he was only responsible for some ordinary diagnosis and treatment tasks, but his diligent and studious attitude soon attracted the attention of the director of the hospital. In less than half a year, Shen Nanxuan was promoted to the attending physician of Tai Hospital and began to participate in the diagnosis and treatment of some important ministers.
Shen Nanxuan's performance in the palace is remarkable. He is not only skilled in medicine, but also good at communicating with patients, and has won the trust and praise of patients. He often took the initiative to consult with other imperial physicians and humbly learned from their strengths. At the same time, he is not shy about sharing his experience and insights with his colleagues. This humble and helpful attitude made him make many friends in Tai Hospital, and he also won the appreciation of his superiors.
However, Shen Nanxuan's excellent performance has also aroused the jealousy of some people. Some of the older imperial physicians were dissatisfied with the rapid rise of this young junior, and secretly made stumbling blocks. But Shen Nanxuan, with his strength and wisdom in dealing with the world, resolved these crises one by one and gained a firm foothold in the palace.
In the first year of Tianzhu (690), Wu Zetian changed the name of the country to Zhou and proclaimed himself Emperor Zetian Dasheng, creating the only period of female emperor rule in Chinese history. As the government became increasingly busy, Wu Zetian's physical condition became weaker and weaker. In order to ensure the emperor's health, the Tai Hospital selected a group of the best imperial doctors to take care of Wu Zetian. With his outstanding performance, Shen Nanxuan was successfully selected into this elite team.
From then on, Shen Nanxuan began to frequently enter and leave the harem to prescribe prescriptions for Wu Zetian's pulse. His medical skills were recognized by Wu Zetian, and his status also rose. However, Shen Nanxuan was not complacent because of this, but was more cautious and cautious, always reminding himself not to exceed the rules. He knows very well that in this center of power, one careless person can be doomed.
In this way, Shen Nanxuan worked diligently in the palace until that fateful night, Wu Zetian suddenly summoned him to treat abdominal pain...
Wu Zetian's thoughts and actions
Since Shen Nanxuan treated Wu Zetian's abdominal pain late that night, the atmosphere in the palace seemed to have quietly changed. Wu Zetian's attitude towards the young imperial doctor was obviously different from usual, and she began to summon Shen Nanxuan frequently, often on the grounds that she was unwell and needed to be treated.
At first, these summons were maintained within the normal scope of the doctor-patient relationship. Wu Zetian does have some minor problems that need to be regulated, such as insomnia, headache, etc. Shen Nanxuan carefully diagnosed and treated every time, and the prescriptions prescribed were also quite effective. Wu Zetian became more and more appreciative of Shen Nanxuan's medical skills, and praised the young imperial doctor's talent many times in front of the courtiers.
However, as time went by, Wu Zetian summoned Shen Nanxuan more and more frequently, and the reasons became more and more far-fetched. Sometimes just because he "felt a little weak", he summoned Shen Nanxuan to the palace. Every time Shen Nanxuan entered the palace, Wu Zetian would talk to him for a long time, and the topic gradually extended from simple medical consultation to other aspects.
Wu Zetian began to ask Shen Nanxuan about his family background, upbringing, and even showed a strong interest in his hobbies. She often recalls her past in front of Shen Nanxuan, telling how she has come from an ordinary talent step by step to today's position. These conversations often last for several hours, well beyond the normal hours of the consultation.
At the same time, Wu Zetian's reward for Shen Nanxuan gradually increased. At first, it was some common rewards, such as silk and satin, precious medicinal herbs, etc. Later, the level of the bounty increased to include some rare items that could only be obtained by high-ranking officials. These unusual favors quickly caught the attention of the rest of the palace.
In order to hide his special attention to Shen Nanxuan, Wu Zetian began to mention the names of other imperial doctors in public, intentionally or unintentionally, and even occasionally summoned other imperial doctors for diagnosis and treatment. But anyone with a discerning eye can see that this is just a trick. Shen Nanxuan is still Wu Zetian's most trusted and relied on imperial doctor.
Wu Zetian also skillfully used his power to create more opportunities for Shen Nanxuan to get close to him. She ordered the Tai Hospital to compile a new medical book and appointed Shen Nanxuan as the main compiler. This task requires Shen Nanxuan to frequently report the progress to Wu Zetian, so as to justifiably enter the palace frequently.
In these frequent contacts, Wu Zetian's hints to Shen Nanxuan became more and more obvious. She often lamented in front of Shen Nanxuan that she was old and frail and needed to be nourished by "yang energy". Sometimes, she will deliberately show her style in front of Shen Nanxuan, wearing gorgeous clothes and precious jewelry, showing a charm that does not match her age.
Wu Zetian also often mentions his past male favorites in front of Shen Nanxuan, implying that although he is old, he still longs for love. She would ask Shen if she would marry a wife, and if Shen Nanxuan replied that she was not married, she would smile with satisfaction and say some ambiguous words, such as "It's rare to have such a good young man who is not married."
As time passed, Wu Zetian's behavior became more and more bold. She began to summon Shen Nanxuan in the middle of the night, citing a sudden illness that required urgent treatment. These late-night summons often lasted until dawn, and the next day Wu Zetian was in good spirits dealing with the government affairs, and there was no sign of illness.
Wu Zetian also deliberately adjusted the personnel arrangements in the palace, and arranged some palace maids and eunuchs who were loyal to her near the palace gate where Shen Nanxuan often frequented. These people are always extremely respectful to Shen Nanxuan, and they will take the initiative to guide him to ensure that he can reach Wu Zetian's dormitory smoothly.
In order to further narrow the relationship with Shen Nanxuan, Wu Zetian even made an exception to allow Shen Nanxuan to participate in some small banquets in the palace. On these occasions, Wu Zetian always deliberately arranged for Shen Nanxuan to sit very close to him, and talked with him frequently, giving him delicious food and wine.
However, these moves by Wu Zetian are not without risk. She is well aware of her age and identity, and cannot pursue love as recklessly as she did when she was younger. Therefore, she must be careful to find a balance between pursuing personal emotions and maintaining the majesty of the emperor. She needs to make sure that her actions do not provoke a backlash from the ministers, and at the same time serve her own ends.
Shen Nanxuan's situation and reaction
As Wu Zetian's attention to Shen Nanxuan became more and more obvious, the atmosphere in the palace began to change subtly. The colleagues who had been friendly to the young imperial doctor gradually began to distance themselves from him. Some people even whispered behind their backs, discussing the relationship between Shen Nanxuan and Wu Zetian. This situation made Shen Nanxuan feel pressured, and he acted cautiously every day, for fear that one careless person would cause trouble.
Shen Nanxuan knew that he was in an extremely dangerous position. On the one hand, he did not dare to refuse Wu Zetian's summons and favor, for fear of angering the powerful empress; On the other hand, he did not dare to get too close to Wu Zetian, for fear of being regarded as an arrogance by the courtiers. This dilemma kept Shen Nanxuan awake at night, and he thought about how to protect himself in this complex palace environment every day.
In order to avoid arousing more suspicion, Shen Nanxuan began to deliberately reduce contact with other palace people. He no longer took the initiative to exchange medical skills with his colleagues as he used to, and he no longer attended the gatherings of the Tai Hospital. Even when treating other patients, he tried to remain silent and only said what was necessary. Although this behavior makes him seem a little withdrawn, it also reduces the chances of being snooped on and speculated.
At the same time, Shen Nanxuan also began to be more cautious about Wu Zetian's summons. Every time he entered the palace, he would prepare a detailed medical case in advance and carry various medicinal materials and medical books. Even if Wu Zetian wanted to make small talk with him, he always brought the topic back to medicine. He hoped that in this way, he could not only complete the tasks assigned by Wu Zetian, but also maintain an appropriate distance.
However, Wu Zetian's behavior became more and more bold, making Shen Nanxuan's situation even more difficult. Once, Wu Zetian gave Shen Nanxuan a jade pendant that he usually wore in full view of everyone. This jade pendant is a royal treasure and is usually only given to close ministers. Wu Zetian's move immediately attracted the sideways attention of the courtiers. Shen Nanxuan wanted to politely decline at that time, but under Wu Zetian's majestic gaze, he finally accepted the honor with trepidation.
After this incident, Shen Nanxuan felt that his situation was even more dangerous. He began to consider whether he should take the initiative to resign and leave this place of right and wrong. However, he was worried that his rash resignation would cause Wu Zetian's dissatisfaction. As a result, Shen Nanxuan began to secretly explore a way out, trying to find a suitable reason to leave the palace.
During this time, Shen noticed that several ministers had become unusually friendly towards him. These ministers often found various excuses to contact him and inquire about Wu Zetian's physical condition. Shen Nanxuan realized that these ministers might want to learn about Wu Zetian's movements through him. He dealt with it carefully, neither offending these ministers nor revealing any information about Wu Zetian.
At the same time, Shen Nanxuan also sensed that someone was secretly monitoring his every move. Whenever he enters or leaves the palace, he can always feel that there are a pair of eyes staring at him. He guessed that this might have been arranged by Wu Zetian, or it could be that some ministers had sent people to spy on him. No matter what the situation is, it makes Shen Nanxuan feel pressured.
In order to protect herself, Shen Nanxuan began to record her daily itinerary and everything she did. He kept the records sealed in the hope that he could prove his innocence if necessary. At the same time, he also began to pay attention to various gossip in the palace, trying to predict possible changes.
However, what Shen Nanxuan was most worried about was Wu Zetian's attitude. He noticed that Wu Zetian's attitude towards him was sometimes intimate and sometimes distant, making him elusive. Sometimes Wu Zetian would confide in him, as if he regarded him as a confidant; Sometimes he would be cold to him, as if he was just an ordinary imperial doctor. This capricious attitude made Shen Nanxuan walk on thin ice and didn't know how to deal with it.
In this complex situation, Shen decided to adopt a more cautious strategy. He began to consciously control his performance in front of Wu Zetian, neither too flattering nor too cold. He tried to maintain a just right distance, hoping that he would not offend Wu Zetian without causing more suspicion.
In addition, Shen Nanxuan also began to study medical skills more diligently. He believes that only by constantly improving his medical skills can he gain a foothold in this ever-changing court. He often stayed up all night, studying various medical books and trying to innovate some treatments. This is not only to deal with the various medical requirements that Wu Zetian may make, but also to have enough skills to get out of the body if necessary.
The reaction and planning of the courtiers
Wu Zetian's special attention to Shen Nanxuan did not escape the keen eyes of the courtiers. With the passage of time, the undercurrent began to surge in the DPRK and China, and various forces began to observe and plan against the young imperial doctor.
The first is the Laochen group headed by Di Renjie. Although they remain loyal to Wu Zetian, they are quite worried about her recent behavior. Di Renjie euphemistically reminded Wu Zetian to pay attention to her own image at court meetings many times, suggesting that she was too close to Shen Nanxuan and might cause criticism. However, Wu Zetian ignored these exhortations and summoned Shen Nanxuan more frequently.
Di Renjie realized that advice alone could not change the situation, so he began to secretly investigate Shen Nanxuan's background. He sent his henchmen to investigate Shen Nanxuan's family history, medical experience, and even the details of his daily life. Di Renjie hoped to find some levers that could be used to counterbalance Shen Nanxuan in order to prevent the young imperial doctor from becoming too powerful in the court.
At the same time, the neutralist officials, represented by Zhang Khan Zhi, adopted a wait-and-see attitude. They neither publicly opposed Wu Zetian's actions, nor expressed support. Zhang Cambodia has repeatedly said in private that as long as Shen Nanxuan does not interfere in the government, they will not take action. But they are also keeping a close eye on developments, ready to respond to possible changes.
On the other hand, some ambitious young officials saw an opportunity that could change the situation in the DPRK. They began to deliberately approach Shen Nanxuan, trying to gain Wu Zetian's favor through him. Some people even took the initiative to present precious medicinal materials and medical books to Shen Nanxuan, hoping to establish a good relationship with him. Although these actions made Shen Nanxuan feel uneasy, they also invisibly increased his influence in the court.
However, not all courtiers took a moderate approach. The cool official group led by Junchen and Zhou Xing was extremely uneasy about the rise of Shen Nanxuan. They were worried that if Shen Nanxuan really became Wu Zetian's favored vassal, it might affect their status in the court. So, they began to secretly collect evidence against Shen Nanxuan, trying to attack at the right time.
Lai Junchen even tried to buy Shen Nanxuan's servants, hoping to obtain some information that could be used to frame Shen Nanxuan. Although most of these attempts ended in failure, they also brought a lot of pressure to Shen Nanxuan.
At the same time, some former ministers who were not reused also saw an opportunity to turn around. They began to frequently mention Shen Nanxuan's name in front of Wu Zetian, praising his medical skills, suggesting that Wu Zetian should trust the young and promising imperial doctor more. Although these remarks are ostensibly in support of Shen Nanxuan, they are actually seeking their own interests.
The female officials of the court and China were not immune. Some young and beautiful palace maids began to deliberately show their charm in front of Shen Nanxuan, hoping to attract his attention. They believe that if they can become Shen Nanxuan's lover, it is possible to gain Wu Zetian's favor through him. Although these actions bothered Shen Nanxuan, they also aroused Wu Zetian's vigilance.
Wu Zetian's sons also had their own reactions to this situation. The crown prince Li Xian was uneasy about his mother's behavior, but because of Wu Zetian's majesty, he did not dare to express his position directly. He could only secretly order his henchmen to pay close attention to Shen Nanxuan's every move in case of accidents.
And Wu Sansi and other Wu clan relatives saw an opportunity to consolidate their position. They began to frequently invite Shen Nanxuan to family banquets, ostensibly to ask him to treat his family, but in fact they wanted to win over this young man who might become Wu Zetian's confidant. These invitations made Shen Nanxuan feel pressured, and he didn't know how to respond so as not to offend anyone.
As time went on, the atmosphere in the DPRK and China became more and more tense. All forces are secretly competing in an attempt to gain an advantage in this silent game. Some people began to spread rumors that Shen Nanxuan was actually the illegitimate son of a certain minister, and was placed next to Wu Zetian for a special purpose. There are also people who claim that Shen Nanxuan has mastered some secret techniques that can manipulate Wu Zetian, which makes Wu Zetian so favored him.
These gossips soon spread throughout Chang'an City, and even spread to the people. The people began to discuss, and some people sympathized with Shen Nanxuan's situation, thinking that he was just a young man innocently involved in the whirlpool of power; Some people are hostile to him, thinking that he is using Wu Zetian for personal gain.
The twist and end of events
As the tension between Korea and China grew, an event that could change the fate of Shen Nam-xuan finally happened. On this day, Wu Zetian suddenly fainted and fell to the ground at the court meeting, which caused the Manchu Dynasty to be shocked. Shen Nanxuan, as the imperial doctor, was immediately summoned to the main hall for treatment. In front of everyone, he decisively applied the needle and used a unique needle method, which successfully turned Wu Zetian into safety.
This scene was watched by the courtiers present. Shen Nanxuan's medical skills have been fully affirmed, but at the same time, it has also aroused more suspicion. Some people began to wonder if Shen Nanxuan had long expected Wu Zetian to have this situation, and whether he had done something in secret.
Just when the government and the opposition were talking, Wu Zetian made an unexpected decision after recovering from his illness. She announced that she would seal Shen Nanxuan as the "Imperial Physician Order", a position that had been held by an old minister who was old and virtuous. This decision immediately aroused strong opposition from the DPRK and China.
A group of ministers headed by Di Renjie jointly wrote a letter, pointing out that Shen Nanxuan was young and unqualified and unsuitable for such an important position. They advised Wu Zetian to think twice and not to make decisions that would damage the dynasty out of a moment of gratitude.
However, Wu Zetian seemed to be determined to promote Shen Nanxuan. She publicly stated at the court meeting that Shen Nanxuan's medical skills are superb and his rescue skills are meritorious, and he should be reused. She even hinted at whether the opposing ministers had selfish motives and did not want to see new people rise.
This remark caused an even greater shock in the DPRK and China. Some officials who had been on the fence began to turn to the opposition, fearing that if Shen Nanxuan did become the Imperial Doctor, it might affect the balance of the entire imperial court.
Just then, an unexpected piece of news came. It was discovered that a distant relative of Shen Nanxuan had participated in the rebellion of the previous dynasty. Although this incident is not directly related to Shen Nanxuan himself, it was still used by people with intentions and began to hype up the "rebellious" background of Shen Nanxuan's family.
This news was like a bombshell, causing an uproar in the DPRK and China. Even some officials who originally supported Shen Nanxuan began to distance themselves from him. Although Wu Zetian did not publicly express his position, he also significantly reduced the number of times he summoned Shen Nanxuan.
Faced with such a situation, Shen Nanxuan felt unprecedented pressure. He tried to explain, saying that he had no contact with the distant relative, but no one was willing to listen to him. Rumors have it that Shen has begun to secretly prepare to flee Chang'an, which has heightened people's suspicions about him.
Just when the situation was about to get out of hand, an unexpected person stepped forward. The crown prince Li Xian publicly defended Shen Nanxuan at the court meeting, pointing out that Shen Nanxuan had meritorious service in saving the car and should not be implicated in the fault of distant relatives. Li Xian's statement surprised many people and turned the situation around.
Wu Zetian seemed to be moved by his son's behavior. She announced the suspension of Shen Nanxuan's appointment and ordered a thorough investigation into the matter. In the days that followed, an investigation team sent by the imperial court conducted an in-depth investigation of Shen Nanxuan's family background and personal experience.
After a month of investigation, the truth was finally revealed. The so-called distant relative who participated in the rebellion was actually a person with the same surname and name, and had nothing to do with Shen Nanxuan. As soon as this news came out, it immediately calmed down the turmoil in the DPRK and China.
However, after this turmoil, Wu Zetian seems to be aware of the possible consequences of his decision. In the end, she decided not to insist on making Shen Nanxuan the imperial doctor, but gave him a more neutral position - the imperial physician department. This decision not only took care of Shen Nanxuan's merits, but also did not cause strong opposition from the courtiers.
Shen accepted the appointment. Although he didn't get the high position he had expected, he was also relieved. This turmoil made him deeply aware of the complexity of court politics, and also made him cherish everything he had even more.
In this way, the political storm surrounding Shen Nanxuan finally ended in a relatively peaceful way. Both the DPRK and China seem to have accepted this outcome, and life has returned to peace. However, this turmoil left a deep impression on everyone, and also laid the groundwork for the future political situation of the imperial court...