Epidemic in the capital
The capital city in the height of summer should have been bustling with cicadas and throngs of people, but in July of the thirteenth year of Jian'an, the streets were unusually deserted. Shops had their doors half-closed, and the few pedestrians who did pass by hurried along, covering their mouths and noses with cloths.
Inside Ningxiang Courtyard, Su Qingyue was reviewing medical records from the Imperial Medical Bureau when she suddenly heard a suppressed cough coming from outside. She looked up and saw Qingdai bringing in tea and snacks, her face somewhat pale.
"Miss, I heard there's a plague going around." Qingdai put down her tea tray and lowered her voice. "Several people have died in the West Market, and the government has sent people to seal off that street."
Su Qingyue closed the medical record: "What are the specific symptoms?"
"Fever, cough, red rashes all over the body, I heard that in severe cases, one can cough up blood..." Qingdai said, unconsciously taking a half step back. "Miss, it would be better if we kept the courtyard gate tightly closed."
Just then, a commotion arose outside the courtyard. A young maid rushed in, panicked: "Miss, something terrible has happened! Granny Zhang from the main kitchen has fallen ill, and her symptoms are exactly the same as the plague outside!"
Su Qingyue immediately stood up: "Where is he? Take me to see him."
"Miss, you mustn't!" Qingdai hurriedly stopped her. "What if it's an epidemic? What if you get infected?"
"If it's an epidemic, early diagnosis and treatment are even more crucial." Su Qingyue had already picked up her medicine kit. "Don't forget, I'm a doctor."
In the servants' quarters behind the main kitchen, Granny Zhang lay on the bed, her face flushed, her breathing rapid, and a noticeable red rash visible on her neck. Seeing Su Qingyue enter, she shrank back in fear: "Third Miss, don't come any closer... This old servant... This old servant is afraid I've caught that plague..."
Su Qingyue put on a homemade mask and stepped forward to take her pulse. The pulse was floating and rapid, and the tongue coating was yellow and greasy, which was indeed a symptom of an external epidemic toxin.
"Have you left the residence in the past two days?" she asked while checking the symptoms.
"I just...I went to the West Market to buy some groceries..." Granny Zhang said, coughing, "and then I felt unwell..."
Su Qingyue understood. The symptoms were very similar to those recorded in the medical records of the Imperial Medical Bureau, but there seemed to be some differences as well.
"Qingdai, fetch paper and pen." She quickly wrote down the prescription. "Go and get the medicine according to this prescription. Remember, everyone who has been in contact with the patient must wash their hands with hot water, and all clothing worn must be boiled in boiling water."
Back at Ningxiang Courtyard, Su Qingyue immediately began studying the illness. She meticulously compared Zhang Pozi's symptoms with the records in the medical files and discovered that this epidemic seemed to have mutated, with a faster onset and more severe symptoms.
"Miss, the medicine is ready." Qingdai brought in the bowl of medicine. "After Granny Zhang drank it, her fever subsided a bit."
Su Qingyue nodded, but her expression remained serious: "This is only a temporary relief. If we can't find the source of the disease and develop a suitable treatment, the epidemic will spread rapidly."
Sure enough, three more cases appeared in the Prime Minister's residence the next day. All were servants who had been in contact with Granny Zhang. The news spread, causing widespread panic in the residence.
"I heard that someone in the Yongchang Marquis's household has also contracted the disease..."
"Two servants of Lord Zhao of the Military Commandery have already died..."
Various rumors circulated in the mansion, and panic spread like a plague.
Although Lady Wang was confined to the ancestral hall, her spies remained. Upon learning of the epidemic, she immediately sent someone to deliver a message to Prime Minister Su, demanding that all infected servants be expelled from the mansion.
"Father, you mustn't!" Su Qingyue rushed to the study upon hearing the news. "Sending the patient out will only cause the epidemic to spread faster!"
Prime Minister Su, rubbing his temples in exasperation, said, "Then what do you suggest? Are you going to let the entire household contract the plague?"
"Our daughter's initial diagnosis indicates that this outbreak is transmitted through contact and droplets," Su Qingyue calmly analyzed. "As long as we implement proper isolation and disinfection measures, we can control the epidemic."
"You make it sound so easy!" Prime Minister Su retorted angrily. "So many imperial physicians in the Imperial Hospital are helpless; what can a mere girl like you possibly do?"
"I'm willing to give it a try," Su Qingyue said, her gaze firm. "Please give me three days. If I can't control the epidemic in the manor, then I can proceed as you wish."
Seeing the determination in her eyes and recalling her performance in the palace, Prime Minister Su finally relented: "Alright, I'll give you three days. But remember, if the epidemic gets out of control..."
"My daughter is willing to take full responsibility."
Upon receiving permission, Su Qingyue immediately took action. She converted Ningxiang Courtyard into a temporary clinic, concentrating all the infected servants there for isolation and treatment. She also had Qingdai lead people to spray lime water everywhere and produce a large number of masks for distribution.
"Everyone must wear masks, wash hands frequently, and not drink unboiled water." She formulated a detailed set of epidemic prevention measures, adding, "Any fever symptoms must be reported immediately and must not be concealed."
These measures, which seem commonplace in modern times, were groundbreaking in this era. Although the servants didn't understand, they still complied at Su Qingyue's insistence.
"Miss, Granny Zhang's condition has worsened again," Qingdai reported worriedly. "The newly prescribed medicine isn't very effective."
Su Qingyue personally checked on several patients and found that their conditions were indeed worsening. She realized that she had to find a more effective treatment method as soon as possible.
Late at night, the candlelight in Ningxiang Courtyard was still burning. Su Qingyue was deep in thought, staring at the medical records, the table covered with various medicinal herbs.
"What exactly went wrong..." she murmured to herself.
Suddenly, she remembered a case she had studied in modern times—an ancient plague that bore a striking resemblance to the modern measles virus. And the key to treating measles was...
"Qingdai, go to the Imperial Medical Bureau and fetch some purple gromwell root, cimicifuga rhizome, and honeysuckle!" Her eyes lit up. "I know how to treat this!"
The new prescription was quickly prepared. To everyone's delight, the patient's symptoms improved significantly after taking it. Granny Zhang's high fever subsided, and the red rash on her body began to fade.
"It worked! It worked!" Qingdai ran over excitedly to report, "Miss, your prescription worked!"
The news spread, and the people in the mansion were somewhat relieved. Even Prime Minister Su came to visit in person, and seeing that the illness was under control, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"I didn't expect you to be so capable," he said, offering a rare compliment.
"This is just a temporary measure," Su Qingyue said, not daring to relax. "To completely control the epidemic, we still need to find the source of the infection and prevent its spread."
She requested that Prime Minister Su submit the prescription to the Imperial Medical Academy for its dissemination throughout the capital. She also suggested establishing quarantine points in various markets and neighborhoods to prevent the further spread of the epidemic.
However, this suggestion was opposed by some ministers in the court.
"Setting up quarantine sites is a waste of resources and manpower; it would be better to let each government manage them independently."
"Large-scale quarantines could cause public panic..."
When the arguments in the court reached Su Qingyue's ears, she could only shake her head and sigh. These officials simply did not understand the horror of infectious diseases.
Sure enough, the epidemic began to spiral out of control a few days later. Cases surged not only in the common people's districts but also in some officials' residences. The emperor was furious and ordered the Imperial Medical Academy to find a solution within three days.
"Miss, the situation outside is very bad." Qingdai returned from outside, her face grave. "I heard that someone in Prince Rui's residence has also fallen ill..."
Su Qingyue's heart tightened. She thought of the aloof prince; what if he contracted the plague...?
"Get ready, I'm leaving the manor."
"Miss! It's too dangerous outside!"
"It's precisely because it's dangerous that we need to go out." Su Qingyue had already begun packing her medical kit. "Doctors have the heart of parents; I can't just stand by and watch the epidemic rage."
She first went to the Imperial Medical Bureau to share her research findings with the physicians. Initially, the older physicians were dismissive of this young woman, but after listening to her analysis, they all showed admiration.
"The Third Miss's insights into the epidemic have truly enlightened me," said Imperial Physician Zhou. "However, the epidemic has now spread, and the manpower of the Imperial Medical Bureau alone is probably insufficient."
"We can recruit civilian medical practitioners and train volunteers," Su Qingyue suggested. "By teaching them basic protective and nursing skills, we can greatly alleviate the manpower shortage."
This suggestion was quickly implemented. Under the organization of the Imperial Medical Academy, doctors from various pharmacies in the capital were mobilized to set up multiple free clinics.
Su Qingyue personally went to Xishi, the city hardest hit by the epidemic. It had been sealed off by soldiers, allowing entry but not exit. The streets reeked of medicine and echoed with cries of agony; the scene was utterly tragic.
"Third Miss, what brings you here?" The general in charge of the blockade recognized her and hurriedly tried to dissuade her, "It's too dangerous here, you should go back quickly."
"I am a doctor, this is my battlefield." Su Qingyue put on a specially made, thicker mask. "Take me to the place with the most patients."
In the makeshift medical tent, Su Qingyue witnessed a horrifying scene. Patients were crammed together, lacking medical care and medicine, and many were waiting to die in agony.
She immediately threw herself into the rescue work, working from dawn till dusk without even having time to drink water. The new prescription she brought quickly took effect, and the conditions of many critically ill patients began to improve.
"A miracle doctor! You are truly a miracle doctor!" An old woman knelt down and kowtowed. "You saved my grandson; you are the greatest benefactor of our whole family!"
Su Qingyue quickly helped the old man up, saying, "Please get up, sir. It's what I should do."
As night fell, Su Qingyue dragged her weary body back to her residence, only to see a familiar figure outside the medical tent.
Xiao Jue sat astride his horse, his black cloak fluttering in the evening breeze. He looked at her, his gaze complex: "So you really were here."
"Why has Your Highness come?" Su Qingyue asked, somewhat surprised.
"As the one in charge of the capital's defenses, it's natural I had to come and take a look." He dismounted and approached. "Do you know how dangerous this place is?"
"I know," Su Qingyue said frankly, "but there are people here who need my help."
Xiao Jue stared at her for a moment, then suddenly asked, "What kind of help do you need?"
Su Qingyue thought for a moment: "More medicinal herbs, more manpower, and... better isolation conditions."
"Someone will deliver it tomorrow." Xiao Jue mounted his horse. "Remember, don't die. I still need your service."
Watching his departing figure, Su Qingyue suddenly felt that this cold-faced prince wasn't so heartless after all.
It was late at night when she returned to the Prime Minister's residence. To her surprise, Pei Jin was waiting for her there.
"The Imperial Advisor?"
"I heard that the Third Miss went to the West Market today," Pei Jin said, handing her a food box. "She probably hasn't had dinner yet."
The food box contained delicate pastries and soups, still steaming hot.
"The Imperial Advisor has gone to great lengths."
"It's all thanks to Third Miss's efforts." Pei Jin looked at her tired face. "The news of your treatment of patients in the West Market today has spread. The people are calling you a 'living Bodhisattva.'"
Su Qingyue shook her head with a wry smile: "What kind of bodhisattva am I? There's so little I can do."
"That's already a lot," Pei Jin said solemnly. "The Imperial Medical Bureau has already begun mass production of the medicine you provided. His Majesty has already issued an edict to implement the isolation measures you proposed."
That's good news.
"But..." Pei Jin changed the subject, "you've also made more enemies because of this. Some in the court have impeached you, a woman, for showing your face in public, which is considered immoral."
Su Qingyue sneered: "What do these empty formalities matter in the face of life and death?"
"Well said," Pei Jin smiled. "Therefore, Prince Rui and I have jointly vouched for you. His Majesty has granted you full authority over epidemic prevention and control."
This was an unexpected surprise. With the emperor's authorization, she could better carry out her epidemic prevention work.
After seeing Pei Jin off, Su Qingyue stood in the courtyard gazing at the starry sky.
Although the pandemic is severe, she sees hope. Not only hope for controlling the pandemic, but also hope for changing this era.
She gently clenched her fist. Since fate had brought her to this era, she would do everything in her power to make the world a better place.
Even if it's just a little bit.
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