Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 679 - 536: Life-saving item, how could it—

Not knowing how much time had passed, a bowl of medicine was finally fed.

Wu Huanzhi breathed a sigh of relief, then immediately called out, "Mr. Su.

The female Medical Director glanced back at them but wasn’t in a hurry to come over. Instead, she took something out and made a mark on the patient’s wrist before helping them lie down comfortably. Only then did she rise and walk over to them. Although the surroundings were filled with a foul stench, as she approached, a subtle medicinal fragrance wafted toward them.

She bowed to Wu Huanzhi and greeted, "Mr. Wu."

Wu Huanzhi said, "This is Young Madam Yu Wen. Young Madam, this is the Medical Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau—Su Qinglan."

Shang Ruyi looked at her and nodded.

Su Qinglan, true to her name, had a pair of gentle eyes. Even though she had single eyelids and slightly drooping eye corners, they exuded a sense of compassion. Her voice was especially gentle as she spoke, "Greetings, Young Madam." 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Wu Huanzhi added, "Young Madam wants to ask about the situation here, Mr. Su. Please explain. I have matters outside to attend to, so I won’t be accompanying you anymore."

After speaking, he gave Shang Ruyi a strange look, sighed, and turned to leave.

Shang Ruyi didn’t ask much. She merely watched his silhouette fade into the distance before turning back to look at Su Qinglan. The latter’s gentle eyes also carried a hint of inquiry as she gazed at her. When their eyes met, an indescribable emotion seemed to arise.

After a moment of silence, Su Qinglan asked, "I wonder if the Young Madam has any questions. If not—there’s medicine simmering on the stove."

Shang Ruyi thought for a moment and said, "I’ll help you."

"...?"

Su Qinglan widened her eyes, showing a look of surprise. But seeing Shang Ruyi unbothered by stepping into the mud mixed with horse manure and urine with her embroidered shoes, and undisturbed by the severely ill people around, she seemed to understand something.

So she said, "Thank you for your trouble."

With that, she led Shang Ruyi and Wo Xue toward another stable.

As they walked, Shang Ruyi took in the sight of Su Qinglan. Su Qinglan was not tall, with a slender frame. Though she wore a veil covering half her face, it was clear she had delicate features. She seemed to be around twenty years old, which was not unusual whether she remained unmarried or was wed to a husband. However, having ascended to the position of Medical Director at the Imperial Medical Bureau was indeed rare.

It seemed that Su Qinglan sensed Shang Ruyi’s gaze. As they walked, she said, "Does the Young Madam think that as a woman, I’m unfit to serve as a female medical officer?"

Shang Ruyi shook her head, "No, I am a woman too, how could I look down on women?"

"..."

"I am merely, indeed a bit surprised. I hadn’t expected there to be a female medical officer in the Imperial Medical Bureau."

Su Qinglan gave a faint smile and said, "My mother was a Medical Director during Emperor Wen’s reign."

"Oh?"

"When Empress Du was still alive, there were indeed many female officials in the court. My mother was one of them. Later—when the late Emperor moved the capital to Luoyang, many medical officers from Daxing City were taken away, but my mother stayed. Eventually, she passed away. I studied diligently, inherited her profession, and also took the position of Medical Director. However, I never got the chance to serve the late Emperor."

"..."

"As for the people of Daxing Palace, many came and went, leaving me as the only female official here."

"I see."

As they spoke, they arrived at the stable. Here, several stoves were lined up, with medicine pots simmering on them, releasing a medicinal fragrance that was quickly overpowered by the surrounding stench.

Su Qinglan had just set down an empty medicine bowl when two more pots of medicine were ready.

Seeing Su Qinglan somewhat overwhelmed, Shang Ruyi was about to step forward when Wo Xue, who was behind her, stepped forward and softly said, "Young Madam, allow this servant to do it."

With that, she joined Su Qinglan in pouring the medicinal liquid from the pots into clean bowls, leaving the dregs behind. Su Qinglan then took out two paper packets from a bundle nearby, opened them, and added the medicine inside to the pots, filled them with water, and placed them back on the stove to brew.

Next, she added firewood to the two stoves beside them.

Shang Ruyi looked at her busy figure. Apart from the patients, there weren’t any others around, so she asked, "Don’t you have any help?"

Su Qinglan didn’t lift her head, only saying, "The people outside...they believe there’s still hope, so they’re outside."

"What about you?"

"Me?"

Su Qinglan finished adding the firewood, wiped the sweat from her forehead, then lifted her head to look at Shang Ruyi, her eyes slightly bending into a smile, "There are patients here too."

Although her words were light, Shang Ruyi felt a slight heaviness in her heart.

And after saying that, those eyes slowly dropped, revealing a sorrowful expression, "Unfortunately, I still can’t save them."