The Imperial Doctress

- Season 1

(2016)

In Imperial China, Hang Yun Xian wishes to become a doctress, though she is forbidden from studying medicine. However, she finds herself unable to hold back when others are at risk.

Yun Xian receives assistance from an unapologetically blunt stranger when she hears of a miscarriage patient in need.

Yun Xian and Qi Yu meet again, furthering their special connection. Qi Yu, though reluctant, is pressured to overthrow the emperor.

More people begin asking Yun Xian for help, making it difficult for her to abstain from dispensing medical advice. When one case goes awry, she must defend herself.

Yun Xian befriends a medicine lady while she is awaiting her trial. Qi Yu, also locked away, hears of Yun Xian's situation and wishes to help.

Madame Xu dies from complications related to mixing medicine, and Yun Xian is put on the hot seat for her role in advising medicinally. With outside help, she survives the trial. But there are consequences.

Yun Xian hasn't left her room in days and refuses to eat. A saving grace invites her to spend time at a retreat to get herself back on her feet. It's here that she is challenged emotionally by someone who seems to want her heart.

A major flood kills thousands of people, infecting thousands of others with cholera. Yun Xian's grandmother wants her snuck out of the Nunnery, but her father refuses to help open the gates. Instead, Yun Xian stays and leads a medical team helping to save those infected.

Yun Xian continues to treat patients of the plague while disguised as a male doctor, but others begin to catch on.

Zhu Qi Yu summons Yun Xian to the palace to treat his ailing mother. This stimulates an aggressive, angry response from Yun Xian's father. Zhu Qi Yu and Yun Xian keep bumping into each other, potentially leading to something more.

The Imperial Court assigns Qi Yu to a new position. Frustrated by her reputation, Yun Xian's father hires matchmakers to find his daughter a husband.

Yun Xian and Zhu Qi Zhen spend New Year's Eve together after Zhu Qi Zhen storms out of dinner after another dispute with his stepmother. Feelings begin to float between the two.

Duke Wang, Empress Dowager, and Grand Consort Wu wish for Qi Yu to marry Mei Lin, but one major obstacle stands in the way: Yun Xian.

Qi Yu and Qi Zhen are beside themselves over Yun Xian's alleged death. Meanwhile, Yun Xian's floating body is retrieved by a few eccentric personalities.

Yun Xian has trouble appeasing Taoist Wang. Empress Dowager and Duke Wang concoct a new plan to overthrow the emperor.

As the opera troupe nears Yun Xian's hometown, she must decide if she will stay with them. Qi Zhen orders a controversial military attack while Empress Dowager is recovering.

Yun Xian is tasked with curing the unwell and ill-tempered Empress Dowager. Her bold treatments, however, may bring her punishment, rather than reward.

Yun Xian and Qi Yu are finally reunited, much to the dismay of Grand Consort Wu, who will not waver in her opposition to their marriage.

Yun Xian is ready to take her entrance exam. However, days of studying can't prepare her for the curveballs the imperial doctors want to throw her way.

Yun Xian is met with hostility once appointed to her new position. Later, she is met with a new medical challenge that threatens extreme punishment should she fail.

Cun Xia cannot accept Yun Xian repeatedly besting him with her farfetched treatments. Yun Xian helps Empress Qian with her fertility issues.

The palace is offended by Qi Zhen's favoring of Yun Xian, and though retired, Empress Dowager refuses to sit still on the matter.

Yun Xian and Qi Yu must decide when to return to Cheng State. Empress Qian's pregnancy gives Empress Dowager new ideas for how to eliminate Yun Xian.

To elude plagiarism claims, Administrate Assistant Cheng actuates a new plan. Yun Xian receives new information about who set her grandfather up.

Qi Yu and Yun Xian prepare for their secret wedding. The Oirats arrive, but a simple trade quickly becomes a problem for Great Ming.

The battle with the Oirats rages on, placing Qi Zhen and Empress Dowager against each other again. Qi Yu is faced with a life-changing decision.

When Yun Xian has an accident, those around her begin to wonder about her mental stability. The battle begins between Yun Xian and Wang Mei Lin for Qi Yu, whether Yun Xian wants it or not.

Wang Mei Lin takes her hate for Yun Xian to another level and threatens her. This redirects Yun Xian's path, as she enlists in an inevitable situation.

Qi Yu leads his army to war, and Yun Xian helps save soldiers with the limited tools she has at her disposal. But things take a turn for the worse when it turns out that there's a mole inside the army.

Qi Yu must decide how to help Great Ming, and his brother, while left in charge. Qi Zhen resolves to die for failing his people, but soon learns shocking information.

Qian goes into premature labor, the future of the nation hanging in the balance. Qi Zhen finds an unlikely ally while in captivity.

When Esen's sister falls ill with rabies, Yun Xian must save her, or die along with her comrades. With another Oirat attack imminent, there is discussion of moving the capital.

Esen's trust in Yun Xian is shaken when Shi San discovers her presence. Akbarji is frustrated with his lack of power.

Yun Xian and Qi Zhen face a deathly dilemma. Esen's feelings for Yun Xian hastily become dangerous.

With the next battle imminent, Qi Yu and Mei Lin become closer. The Oirats reach Beijing with Qi Zhen as their hostage.

Yun Xian must save Esen after he is struck by lightning. Qi Yu is bent on revenge after learning what Mei Lin did to Yun Xian.

Qi Zhen begins concocting a plan to escape Oirat. Esen tries to win Yun Xian's affections, despite her reluctance.

Snow begins to fall, worsening the prisoners' already harsh environment. A major announcement in the capital pushes the future of the palace even further into question.

Recaptured, Yun Xian must make a devastating sacrifice to save Qi Zhen's life. Toa Bukha becomes jealous over Yun Xian and Qi Zhen's ambiguous relationship.

With their wedding quickly approaching, Esen questions Yun Xian's loyalties. Qi Zhen and Yun Xian receive help from an unlikely ally.

Yun Xian and Qi Zhen, at risk of freezing to death, struggle to find help. Meanwhile, the Wangs continue to manipulate Qi Yu at the palace.

Yun Xian and Qi Zhen finally return to the capital, but can things truly return to the way they were before they were captured by the Oirats?

Qi Yu becomes frustrated over Yun Xian's seeming loss of affection for him. Mei Lin begins to grow impatient with having Yun Xian in the palace.

Yun Xian and Qi Yu's strained relationship has them constantly arguing. Mei Lin seduces Qi Yu while working to dispose of Yun Xian.

Qi Yu becomes enraged with jealousy over Yun Xian and Qi Zhen's closeness. Empress Dowager Sun's condition suddenly worsens.

Yun Xian pretends to dote on Qi Yu in order to avoid trouble. She also becomes aware of Empress Dowager Sun's suspicious condition after examining her.

The plague reaches the Beijing, inciting chaos throughout the capital. While Qi Yu flees, Yun Xian takes it upon herself to help.

Yun Xian, now pregnant, worries for her own life, as well as her baby's. Esen plans to arrange a meeting with Great Ming.

Qi Yu's health begins to deteriorate, and Yun Xian must quickly find a way around his seemingly incurable condition before it's too late.

In the series finale, Qi Yu and Qi Zhen are back in good graces, but Qi Yu's health and Yun Xian's pregnancy leave the royal family's future uncertain.