Su Huaiyue came to the most dilapidated slum in the city.
The houses here are low and dilapidated, crowded together like a group of ants shivering in the cold wind.
Poor sanitary conditions caused the plague to rage wildly here, like a surging tide, ruthlessly devouring people's lives and hopes.
"Miss Su, you are finally here!" An old woman with gray hair and wrinkles on her face saw Su Huaiyue's figure from afar. A ray of hope suddenly lit up in her dim eyes. She dragged her weak body and staggered towards her.
The voice was filled with anxiety and expectation, and it seemed particularly abrupt in the quiet morning.
Seeing this, Su Huaiyue hurried forward and supported the old woman steadily. Her eyes were full of concern as she asked softly, "Auntie, are you feeling better? How are the other people in your family?"
Those gentle words, like the warm sunshine in spring, dispelled the haze in the old woman's heart.
The old woman's eyes turned red, tears welled up in her eyes, and her voice trembled violently: "My grandson's fever got worse last night, and he kept talking nonsense. I was so worried. Miss Su, please save him, he is still so young..."
At this point, the old woman burst into tears, her heart filled with pain and helplessness.
Su Huaiyue gently patted the old woman's dry hands, her tone gentle but full of strength: "Auntie, don't worry, I'll go and take a look."
Then she supported the old woman and slowly walked into the house.
As soon as he stepped into the house, a pungent and strong smell of medicine hit him in the face. Su Huaiyue frowned slightly and quickened his pace.
When I came to the bed, I saw a little boy lying unconscious on the bed with a face as red as a ripe tomato, breathing rapidly and heavily.
His little body twitched from time to time, as if he was fighting a fierce battle with the disease.
Seeing this, Su Huaiyue hurriedly put down the medicine basket and took out the silver needle skillfully.
Her eyes were focused and determined, like the brightest stars in the night sky. Every stitch was placed with precision, as if she had practiced it countless times.
Fine beads of sweat oozed from her forehead and slid down her cheeks, but she was completely unaware and devoted herself to the treatment.
After the acupuncture was completed, Su Huaiyue took out a few herbs from the medicine basket, sat on a small stool beside her, and began to grind them carefully.
Her movements were gentle and slow, and she seemed to pour all her hope into each one.
"Auntie, when the medicine is ready, feed it to the child. Remember, it must be taken on time and in the correct dosage."
While grinding, Su Huaiyue patiently instructed the old woman. The sound of her voice was like a gurgling stream, soothing the old woman's anxious heart.
The old woman nodded repeatedly, her eyes full of gratitude and admiration: "Miss Su, you are our family's savior. If it weren't for you, how would we survive..."
As she spoke, the old woman was about to cry again.
Su Huaiyue smiled slightly, her smile as gentle as a spring breeze: "Auntie, this is what I should do. As long as everyone can get better, I will be satisfied."
While the little boy was being treated, other sick people came to seek treatment.
The narrow and dim room was instantly packed with people, and the sounds of noise and coughing were intertwined.
Su Huaiyue did not show any impatience. She received each patiently, giving acupuncture or prescribing medicine, and was very busy.
Her eyes were always filled with concern and warmth. No matter if they were ragged beggars or well-dressed businessmen, in her eyes, they were all patients in urgent need of treatment, without any difference.
As Su Huaiyue treated patients day and night, the conditions of more and more people were significantly alleviated.
They spread the word from mouth to mouth, and Su Huaiyue's name spread quickly in Southwest City like a shining star.
Her prestige also grew day by day, and people expressed their gratitude to her beyond words.
Walking in the streets and alleys, she often sees people spontaneously bringing her some fresh vegetables and fruits grown by themselves, or snacks made by themselves.
"Miss Su, these are vegetables I grew myself. You must accept them. You saved the lives of my family, young and old. You must not refuse this token of appreciation."
A simple and honest middle-aged man, holding a bundle of fresh green vegetables, said sincerely with his eyes full of sincere gratitude.
"Miss Su, this is a snack made by my mother, please try it. You are a hero in our hearts, and we all admire you very much." A little girl with pigtails and rosy cheeks timidly handed over an exquisite cloth bag, her eyes full of respect and admiration.
Su Huaiyue always accepted these gifts with a smile, a smile as warm and beautiful as a flower blooming in spring. She knew very well that these seemingly ordinary things actually carried the heavy and profound gratitude of the people.
She would also give them some pills she had carefully prepared, or patiently explain some health tips to them, hoping to help them better prevent diseases.
While busy treating the people, Su Huaiyue also never forgot to pay attention to various news.
When she was chatting with the people, she would cleverly and naturally ask if there was anything about the southwest garrison, or if they had heard any strange or weird rumors.
However, most of the time, what we get is irrelevant and worthless information.
But she never gave up, and always believed that one day she would be able to provide Wei Che and County Magistrate Chen with crucial clues that could turn the situation around.
The next day, Su Huaiyue was concentrating on sorting medicinal herbs in the county government office. The sunlight shone on her through the window, outlining her gentle figure.
Suddenly, a rapid knock on the door broke the silence.
She frowned slightly, put down the herbs in her hand, and stood up to open the door.
The door opened, revealing a man in neatly-dressed soldier's uniform standing at the doorway. He looked anxious, beads of sweat on his forehead. "Excuse me, are you Miss Su Huaiyue?"
The soldier asked respectfully, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
Su Huaiyue nodded slightly, with a puzzled look in her eyes: "I am, may I ask what's the matter?"
The soldier quickly said, "Miss Su, we are from the southwest garrison. We've heard that you are a skilled doctor, known for your miraculous healing skills, and have cured many civilians infected with the plague. Now, many within our garrison have also contracted the plague, and their condition is getting worse. I've been specially ordered to invite you to the military for treatment."
The soldier's tone was full of anxiety and earnestness.
Su Huaiyue's heart suddenly moved. She keenly realized that this might be an excellent opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the southwestern garrison, and perhaps even find key clues related to Cheng Lao.
But she was also very clear that the southwestern garrison was heavily guarded and had complicated internal relations, and this trip would definitely be full of unknown dangers and challenges.
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