Why My Domineering Prince Regretted Filing for Divorce?-Chapter 697 - 544: The Ninth Heaven_2

At this moment, the doctors and apprentices from various medical halls and pharmacies in the city were all assigned to the two markets. Aside from leaving a Medical Minister and two Medical Supervisors to serve in the palace, all other Medical Officers from the Imperial Medical Bureau were dispatched here. During the day, they fumigated and administered acupuncture to the patients, while at night they watched over severely ill patients without sleep.

After several days of relentless work, apart from the first three days, nearly a hundred patients died each day. However, in the following days, the death toll gradually decreased.

Even the patients in the stable managed by Su Qinglan had their illnesses under control.

Early this morning, Shang Ruyi, as usual, arrived at Changle Square with Tushere and Wo Xue. The place was still shrouded in smoke, as several doctors waved around cylinders wrapped with mugwort and Jiangzhen Fragrance. The patients sitting on straw mats had become accustomed to the smoke, and none were coughing.

When Shang Ruyi looked up, she saw Wu Huanzhi and two Medical Directors approaching. Although their faces were veiled, there was unmistakable joy in their eyes.

Shang Ruyi stepped forward and said, "Mr. Wu."

"Young Madam."

Upon seeing her, the joy in Wu Huanzhi’s eyes faded slightly, but he was still pleased and greeted her with a cupped fist salute.

Shang Ruyi asked, "How were the patients in the square last night?"

Upon hearing this, the smile in Wu Huanzhi’s eyes deepened as he replied, "Last night, not a single person died in the square."

Shang Ruyi listened, her eyes widening with surprise and joy. Behind her, Tushere and Wo Xue could hardly contain their elation and exclaimed, "Really? Not even one—none!?"

Wu Huanzhi nodded with a smile.

Tushere and Wo Xue clapped their hands in delight, "That’s wonderful!"

It was common for sick patients to stop breathing in their sleep at night, given the large number of patients and the shortage of medical staff. It wasn’t until daytime that the cold bodies of the deceased were discovered. Therefore, every morning upon arriving at Changle Square, the first thing Shang Ruyi did was to inquire about the number of deaths from the previous night.

Even if the numbers were decreasing day by day, as long as a single cold corpse was carried out, it cast a heavy shadow over everyone’s heart.

It also weighed heavily on her conscience.

But today, not a single one!

This means that if they could control the patients’ conditions during the day, perhaps from now on, no more deaths would occur in Changle Square!

Although not as jubilant as Tushere and others, almost jumping for joy, Shang Ruyi also smiled with bent eyes and nodded repeatedly, "That’s good."

She glanced at the busy medical practitioners around her and softly said, "Please endure for a few more days. As long as we can protect the patients in Changle Square, the court will surely give you a generous reward, and both the Great General and the Duke will remember your contributions!"

Upon hearing this, the spirits of the crowd were uplifted.

You see, even though the epidemic was distressing, it didn’t hinder people from discussing significant events happening around them, especially those that could potentially change the fate of the nation.

Therefore, the court’s rewards might not mean much.

But the merit acknowledged by the Young Madam, and by extension the Great General and the Duke, is not ordinary merit at all!

The crowd was greatly encouraged and expressed their gratitude, "Thank you, Young Madam!"

Shang Ruyi turned with a smile to look at Wu Huanzhi. Among those who were the most fatigued in recent days was indeed him, as all patients in the market had to be examined by him. He had hardly left Changle Square over the past few days. Previously a bit chubby, he had noticeably slimmed down, with dark circles under his eyes attesting to nights without sleep.

Shang Ruyi said, "Mr. Wu, you have worked hard these days."

Wu Huanzhi gave her a faint smile.

Shang Ruyi knew that he still bore a grudge against them due to Pei Xingyuan’s high-priced medicine sales in Changle Square, so his attitude towards her in recent days was neither warm nor cold. Yet, perhaps seeing her come daily to help as a General’s wife wasn’t easy, so his attitude had softened somewhat.

She just smiled, saying, "We are just doing our part, not that it is hard work."

Hearing this, Shang Ruyi understood that he remained displeased about Pei Xingyuan and their passive stance on the matter.

But there wasn’t much room for discussion on the matter, so she merely smiled in return.

Just as she was about to walk to the side, Wu Huanzhi hesitated but then softly said, "Young Madam—"

"Hmm?"

Shang Ruyi immediately stopped and turned to him, "Is there anything else, Mr. Wu?"

Wu Huanzhi glanced at her, then looked back at the entrance of Changle Square, his expression slightly awkward. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Normally, by this time, Second Young Master Pei would already be here."

"...?"

Shang Ruyi was taken aback and, upon seeing the conflicted look in Wu Huanzhi’s eyes, immediately understood.

Although he was displeased with Pei Xingyuan for selling high-priced medicine, which was akin to profiteering, the medicine was still life-saving. If Pei Xingyuan arrived late or sold less medicine, it could affect the lives of patients here, which is why he was asking.

However—

Shang Ruyi looked again towards the entrance of Changle Square. Indeed, by this time, Pei Xingyuan would have set up his stall, calling out to sell medicine.

But today, it was already this time, and he hadn’t appeared.

Shang Ruyi hesitated for a moment, then suddenly turned to Tushere and Wo Xue, "What day is it today since the outbreak in the city?"

The two girls exchanged a glance, not knowing why she suddenly asked this. Before they could respond, Wu Huanzhi had already said, "It’s the ninth day."

"...The ninth day,"

Shang Ruyi muttered, her brows gradually knitting together—

That is, it was also the ninth day since Changle Square and Yanzuo Square were quarantined, concentrating the sick for treatment, and since Pei Xingyuan began selling medicine.

The eighth day...