Chapter 71 Return to the Modern Era, or Stay?
The old doctor looked at her, reached out and patted her shoulder, his tone softening.
"Don't be too sad, we've done our best. There are still many people waiting for medicine and treatment. We can't abandon the others who are still alive just because one person has passed away, right?"
Jiang Yutang pursed her lips, nodded vigorously, took a deep breath, quickly composed herself, and immediately followed the old doctor into the city to get medicine.
Inside the pharmacy, the old doctor couldn't help but sigh again: "Given the current situation, we've done everything we can. There's really nothing more we can do. Whether they can pull through depends on their own fate."
Jiang Yutang remained silent, but her movements as she organized the medicine packet became even more efficient.
She knew the old doctor was right, but watching lives slip away one by one still felt like a stone was lodged in her heart.
This cholera outbreak ultimately claimed the lives of more than thirty people.
Those who survived were mostly strong young people, and even those who were lucky enough to survive were all pale and their health was not as good as before.
Everyone once thought that as long as they reached the town, they would be saved, but they completely underestimated the power of cholera and the indifference of reality.
Even the three escorts weren't spared. When the fat escort died, he was so thin he was emaciated, his cheeks were sunken, and his eyes were dark; he no longer had the oily look he once had.
Now that the escorts responsible for transporting the exiled people are gone, the refugees are left without anyone to look after them and can only wait outside the city.
Jiang Yutang felt a mix of emotions. They were like livestock being raised outside the city. Especially when she saw the chains being put back on her feet, her resentment surged even higher.
They and the Cheng family were, after all, the core of this cholera relief effort, contributing both effort and money. Yet, as soon as the crisis was over, they were kicked aside by the government.
This "use and discard, turn your back on someone" attitude is truly exemplified to the fullest extent.
"These corrupt officials! They have no conscience!"
Jiang Huaiyu was so angry that she stomped her feet and cursed angrily, "We put in so much effort and money to save so many people, but we didn't get any benefits or even a kind word!"
The Jiang and Cheng families were once noble families for generations, but now they have fallen to such a state of being "sitting on the sidelines," which would make anyone resentful.
Fortunately, the old doctor and his family were kind-hearted and did not forget them. Every day at mealtimes, the old doctor's wife would bring them cooked food.
There was hot rice porridge, and occasionally a dish of pickled vegetables or stir-fried greens, which saved them from the days of eating dry, hard flatbread and drinking bland porridge.
Jiang Yutang accepted the food and thanked him. Looking at the warm food in the bowl, the resentment in her heart seemed to dissipate a little.
Although the world is cold and indifferent, there are still people who remember their kindness, and that's enough.
She looked up at the Cheng family's residence not far away. Cheng Lanzhou was leaning against a tree trunk, gazing in the direction of the city gate, lost in thought.
Since the patient's condition was resolved, she and Cheng Lanzhou had not spoken to each other. Even when they met at the camp, they did not greet each other.
As evening fell, everyone sat around the campfire. Jiang Jiuzhe walked over from the city gate, sat down, and slowly said, "I heard from the guards at the gate today that the magistrate received orders from the capital to send a few more guards to escort us to Danzhou. They should be setting off the day after tomorrow."
Jiang Yutang looked down at her toes, her fingers unconsciously rubbing the iron chain on her ankle.
Departing the day after tomorrow meant she didn't have much time to prepare. She quickly calculated in her mind that before leaving, she should at least find the old doctor to buy some commonly used herbs, just in case something happened on the way.
"Tang'er, what are you daydreaming about?" Yun's voice came, tinged with worry.
Jiang Yutang snapped out of her reverie, looked up, and said, "I was thinking that we should trouble the old doctor tomorrow to help us buy some herbs and food, just in case we need them on the road."
As she spoke, she looked at Jiang Songzhi and asked, "Brother, how much money do we have left?"
Jiang Songzhi took out a cloth bag from his pocket and handed it to her: "This rescue cost a lot of money, and there are only a few silver notes and some loose silver left in here."
She opened the cloth bag and saw that there wasn't much left, but it should be enough to buy some herbs and dry food for the road.
She had just finished putting away the cloth bag when she suddenly remembered that she still had several sun-protective clothes that she had brought from modern times on the cart.
This item was rare in ancient times; perhaps it could be sold in the city for some money to cover travel expenses.
"I'm going to get something from the cart." She got up and walked to the cart, took out the few folded sun protection clothes, carefully folded them and put them into her bundle. She made up her mind to go to the city to sell the clothes first thing tomorrow morning.
Before going to sleep, Jiang Yutang tossed and turned in bed. As soon as she turned over, something poked her chest. She reached down and pulled out the book from her time travel, casually flipping through its pages.
I hadn't held out any hope, but my eyes were suddenly drawn to the red mark on the first page—that red mark had reappeared!
A curved horizontal line, as faint as the branches she had seen before, clearly meant that she might have another chance to return to the modern world!
A surge of joy welled up inside her, and she almost cried out in excitement. But the next second, she calmed down.
If she only has one chance to go back, will she be able to return? If not, what will happen to her family here?
The two voices in my mind are still fighting.
A rational voice told her: Modern life is where you belong, and Grandpa is still waiting for you!
The other voice pleaded: "If you leave, what will happen to the original owner's body? What will happen to the parents and brothers here?"
Gradually, the cries for help drowned out the calls for reason.
After much deliberation, Jiang Yutang gently placed the book back in his arms, pressed his right hand against his chest, felt the warmth of the pages, and slowly closed his eyes.
She couldn't just leave like that. At the very least, she had to ensure her family's safety. As long as the book was in her hands, she could go back anytime. There was no rush.
The next morning, just as dawn broke, Jiang Yutang ran to the city gate with her small bundle on her back.
She tugged at the guard's sleeve, her voice softening as she pleaded, "Sir, please let me into the city! We have to continue our journey tomorrow. I just want to go in and buy some herbs and food. I'll be right back and won't cause any trouble!"
The escorts naturally recognized her; some time ago, she had been busy saving lives alongside the old doctor, and everyone had witnessed it.
But right now, she's still a refugee, and their job is to guard the refugees, so how could they dare to let her in easily?
The head escort frowned and waved his hand: "No, no, there are regulations from above that prohibit refugees from entering the city. We can't make that decision."
Jiang Yutang panicked, her eyes widening instantly, her hands waving gently in front of her like a child begging for candy, repeating the same thing over and over again.
"Please, please, sir, I'll be right back. I'm just buying a few things, I won't cause you any trouble!"
Her pitiful yet adorable appearance was simply too much for the two escorts to handle.
The two men exchanged a glance, and finally gritted their teeth: "Fine! You'll have half an hour. Hurry up and come back. If the higher-ups find out, we won't be able to protect you!"
"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!" Jiang Yutang immediately slung his bundle over his shoulder excitedly and rushed into the city, his steps becoming much lighter.
All of this was observed by Cheng Lanzhou, who was standing behind a tree not far away.
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