CHAPTER 178: CHAPTER 176: LITTLE WATER FLOWER

Jia Si’s face was pale, trembling where he stood, feeling the anger emanating from Song Xian.

Chang An also wore a stern expression. The master had returned from Zhaozhou, uncertain in his heart about his feelings for Miss Xie. Upon arriving in the city, he saw Miss Xie tending to patients in the courtyard while the people from the Imperial Hospital stayed far away, fearing the spread of the epidemic.

How could the master hold back?

Song Xian glared at Jia Si, "I finally understand why every epidemic leaves the Imperial Hospital helpless. Is this how you treat plague?"

Cold sweat trickled down Jia Si’s forehead.

Song Xian said, "Do you know why the court set up the Official Medicine Bureau? It’s to ensure that sick commoners receive timely treatment, not to provide you with a cozy sinecure."

Jia Si replied, "General Song, please calm your anger. The Official Medicine Bureau has not been negligent; we’ve distributed a lot of medicinal herbs already..." He feared for his life but kept a backup plan. As long as he used the herbs, any investigation wouldn’t easily find fault with him.

Song Xian said, "Many in Zhenzhou City know how to use medicine. The medical workers can follow prescriptions; why do we need you?"

Jia Si opened his mouth but suddenly didn’t know how to argue further.

Song Xian instructed the government officials, "Take Mr. Jia to the courtyard and have him personally tend to the patients. The Official Medicine Bureau will be taken over by the government office; Mr. Jia can rest assured."

The government officials came forward and led the trembling Jia Si to the courtyard.

Although he was afraid, Jia Si dared not struggle, looking utterly embarrassed. The surrounding medical workers, seeing Jia Si in such a state, were too frightened to speak.

After dealing with Jia Si, Song Xian’s anger remained unabated, and he questioned the medical workers nearby, "How are things inside?"

On his way back, Song Xian received a report from Qu Chengmei, understanding the situation in Zhenzhou. Although an epidemic was indeed present, the arrangements were timely, and while there were patients, their numbers hadn’t surged.

Moreover, a new Official Medicine Bureau was built in Zhenzhou, and the medicinal supplies were still adequate, able to handle the situation.

As the medical worker reported, County Magistrate Qu arrived, panting.

Qu Chengmei said, "Grain relief has started in the city. For now, food supplies should last a month. No one in the military camp has fallen ill, as mugwort smoke was used, and nearby water sources are guarded, preventing major issues for now."

Qu Chengmei dared not imagine what Zhenzhou would be like if they hadn’t prepared in advance; the city, having barely improved last year, would have been ruined instantly.

Now, although there are sick individuals in the city and villages, they were discovered early and moved promptly, preventing the unchecked spread of the epidemic.

When Song Xian received the news, he was quite composed, knowing beforehand that Zhenzhou would not descend into chaos.

Yet, standing here, thinking about Xie Liangchen treating patients in the courtyard, his heart could not rest easy.

Chang An also shook his head secretly. The old lady was safe, Zhenzhou City was fine, the camp wasn’t disturbed; only Miss Xie remained a concern.

Finally, Song Xian spoke again, "Are there enough hands inside? Patients need treatment, and doctors and medical workers deserve proper rest too."

Qu Chengmei honestly said, "At times like this, I fear... it’s not enough... but there are this many doctors, and all regions have patients, so it’s challenging to bring more people."

Song Xian felt a chill in his chest, knowing they had to prevent more patients from being sent in as much as possible.

Song Xian moved towards a nearby makeshift office, "Bring any government matters over; I’ll deal with them here."

...

Xie Liangchen was so busy that she almost forgot how long she had been in this courtyard.

She only remembered the medical worker whispering in her ear, "General Song has returned to Zhenzhou."

Xie Liangchen subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, then heard about Jia Si being sent into the courtyard.

Xie Liangchen smiled lightly.

Xu Tingzhen also said, "After all, it’s still General Song."

If it were someone else, they might not have acted this way. At least they would save some face for Jia Si.

Jia Si dared not entertain other thoughts, starting to help treat the patients.

Song Xian’s return to the city was just a small splash for Xie Liangchen, distracting her momentarily before returning to refining prescriptions with Mr. Xu.

With General Song outside, she didn’t have to worry about anything else, just focus on the task at hand.

But this small splash had a character of its own, making her constantly aware of its presence.

The medical worker urged Xie Liangchen to eat, "Today’s meal is better than usual. When it was delivered, we were told to eat more."

Xie Liangchen washed her hands and sat with Mr. Xu, noting that the food indeed differed from before.

At such a time, preparing such meals is no easy task.

Xu Tingzhen hadn’t expected it either, pausing before saying, "Let’s eat, there’s still work afterwards."

Xie Liangchen wasn’t a picky eater, but delicious food always improved her mood.

After eating a bowl of rice, Xie Liangchen pondered that this might be the change brought by Song Xian’s return to Zhenzhou.

County Magistrate Qu now had a backbone, and Zhenzhou had more confidence, allowing more aspects to be taken care of.

Xie Liangchen wasn’t wrong. On the third day after Song Xian’s arrival, noticeably fewer patients were brought in.

"Mild cases have been moved elsewhere," a government official said, "and many who don’t seem afflicted with the epidemic have been separated as well."

With fewer patients, the doctors in the courtyard could rest a bit more.

On the fourth day, it started to snow, but the snow melted upon hitting the ground. The next day it turned completely into snow.

Xie Liangchen and Xu Tingzhen stood inside, looking out at the rapidly changing weather, concerned it might adversely affect the epidemic.

Xie Liangchen, fingers stiff from the cold, saw government officials bringing in charcoal braziers.

Soon, charcoal was set inside, calming the shivering patients, and Xie Liangchen’s hands grew warm again.

"The government office is distributing relief grain and has brought in firewood and charcoal," the official said, "although street shops can’t open, no one will starve. With General Song and Lord Qu outside, rest assured, it’s almost over."

The official wasn’t merely offering reassurance; the situation was stable outside, with no increase in patients due to the snow.

By evening, Xie Liangchen finally had time to review patient records under the lamp. The courtyard, once filled with anxiety and fear, now held a rare tranquility.

As she stepped outside, lamp in hand to check on the patients, she passed the front gate.

A government official delivering charcoal reached out and opened the door.

Having not left the courtyard for a while, Xie Liangchen took a moment to look outside, initially seeing only darkness, but then spotting a distant lantern shining steadily.

The official smiled and said, "That’s General Song. Ever since he returned, his office has been in a makeshift shed."