The Imperial Physician's Lowborn Daughter

As the most doted-on daughter in her family and the cleverest of the younger generation, even the concubine-born Lu Shanying never underestimated herself.

At ten years old, her only worry was that her mother was determined to marry her well, hoping she would become the principal wife of a nobleman or prince and bring honor to the family.

That was until she fell into an icy lake in the depths of winter and discovered her mother's scheme to kill two birds with one stone. The realization chilled her to the bone.

This was the best of times.

The capital flourished. Lantern festivals drew crowds beneath brilliant displays of lights, and renowned scholars emerged one after another...

It was also the worst of times.

Even if a woman wanted for nothing, her life was as precarious as duckweed on the water. Even asking a doctor to treat her meant worrying about the strict separation of men and women.

Her mother always said that Lu Shanying was beautiful enough to have no trouble finding a husband. If she learned even a little of her mother's ways, she would surely live comfortably in the inner household.

But after giving it some thought, Lu Shanying decided she no longer wanted that kind of life.

Could a woman in Da'an not become a doctor?

Then she would be the first.

With her exceptional medical skills, her reputation grew until every doctor in the city was in her service.

Was the status of a physician low?

When plague swept the land, she led her disciples to the front lines and brought it under control. Her name became known throughout the realm, and she was appointed the Imperial Physician.

She might have felt afraid or hesitated as she went against the current, but she would never turn back.

Fortunately, the smiling man who had always stayed by her side had never let her down.

Reader's Guide:

1. Many elements are fictionalized. The blurb takes inspiration from A Tale of Two Cities.

2. The heroine has principles, pride, and ambitions. The story is uplifting throughout, evildoers get what they deserve, and she finds success in both her career and love.

3. One-on-one romance, both leads are devoted only to each other. They save and support one another, working hard toward their own ideals.

Theme: To establish a moral compass for the world and a livelihood for its people