Chapter 249 A Slight Blushing
As soon as Pei Jichuan rushed out of the free clinic tent, he saw Zhou Yan lying in a pool of blood, his right arm a bloody mess.
He was shocked, but his instinct as a doctor immediately calmed him down.
"Quick! Carry him inside! Be careful of his arms!"
Pei Jichuan gave a stern command, and several waiters rushed forward, carefully lifted Zhou Yan, who was almost unconscious, and quickly took him to the temporary resting area set up in the inn.
Pei Jichuan followed closely behind and quickly examined the injuries.
The situation was more serious than he had imagined.
The skin on his right arm was torn extensively and bleeding profusely. To make matters worse, there were obvious signs of a fracture in his ulna.
"Prepare hot water, clean towels, silver needles, anesthetic powder, and my specially made wound-cleaning powder!"
In treating this epidemic, we had not prepared similar wound medicines.
Just a few days ago, there was a fight and argument in front of the free clinic tent. Ana, being very observant, asked Pei Jichuan to send someone to buy some supplies.
Ana, who was far away, also heard the commotion. After spending the past few days together, she was worried about anyone in the Dengdi Inn.
She was still directing the patients to prepare their medicinal baths and couldn't come over immediately.
While quickly instructing his apprentices, Pei Jichuan took out silver needles and first sealed several major acupoints for Zhou Yan to stop the bleeding and relieve the pain.
His face was extremely solemn, but his eyes were exceptionally firm.
Zhou Yan was seriously injured while saving someone, and he absolutely cannot let him be left with a disability!
He solemnly promised Zhou Yan, who was still conscious, "Brother Zhou, bear with it. I, Pei, will do everything in my power to set your bones and tendons, and I will never let this hand be useless!"
Half a day later, inside the Lihe Palace.
Tinglu walked in hurriedly, her face unusually solemn.
She dismissed her attendants and whispered to Shui Xian, who was reading a book, "Your Majesty, news has just come from outside the palace. Chaos broke out at the Dengdi Inn's free clinic today. People were rioting because they had been waiting for too long, and it almost caused a stampede. Zhou Yan... was trampled on his right arm while saving a child. His injury is extremely serious, with his skin torn open and his bones damaged."
Mentioning Zhou Yan, Tinglu subconsciously glanced at the door, making sure Yinzhu hadn't come in, before whispering:
"Imperial Physician Pei is providing emergency treatment. In addition... several key medicinal herbs for treating the epidemic have suddenly been cut off from the entire city, suspected to be maliciously hoarded by someone."
Narcissus paused slightly in her hand holding the book, raised her head, and a layer of frost instantly formed in her eyes.
Sudden chaos, Zhou Yan's serious injury, and the shortage of medicinal herbs...
These events happening one after another are no coincidence!
She put down her book, her face calm, but countless thoughts were racing through her mind.
First and foremost, we must stabilize the situation.
After thinking for a moment, Shui Xian quickly said, "Ting Lu, immediately use our own channels and private reserves, at any cost, to urgently transfer the necessary medicinal materials from surrounding towns. Be quick! Make sure they are delivered to Pei Jichuan before nightfall!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Hearing Lu accept the order, he immediately turned around and went to carry it out.
Narcissus stood up, walked to the window, and looked towards the direction beyond the palace walls.
Zhou Yan did this because she had ordered a free clinic tent to be set up in front of the Dengdi Inn...
If she hadn't set up the free clinic tent in front of the Dengdi Inn in the first place, Zhou Yan might not have been seriously injured...
This realization made her heart clench, but what made her even more wary was the mastermind hidden behind the scenes.
Despite the long period of free medical consultations, no more imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy joined the effort.
Imperial Medical Academy...
Lu Zhengqing...
The image of that elderly figure instantly flashed into her mind.
Lu Baohua's death made Lu Zhengqing hate her intensely.
Furthermore, within the Imperial Medical Academy, the Lu family held absolute power... Only he could influence the entire Imperial Medical Academy...
Who else but him would go to such lengths to obstruct the free clinic, even at the cost of inciting civil unrest?
Narcissus was lost in thought and did not notice Silver Bead approaching from behind.
When Yinzhu walked in carrying the freshly stewed bird's nest, she overheard a fragment of Tinglu's whispered conversation with Shuixian before she left.
She walked very lightly, and a heavy curtain blocked her way.
Therefore, even though Tinglu was very careful, she did not notice the existence of the silver bead.
Zhou Yan was seriously injured, and the supply of medicinal herbs was cut off... Every word pierced her ears like needles.
Her hand holding the tray trembled almost imperceptibly, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force.
But she quickly regained her composure and gently placed the tray on the table.
She walked up to Narcissus, curtsied, and spoke in a flat tone, but with an unusual firmness: "Your Majesty, Zhou Yan is injured, and the free clinic must be short-handed. The chaos also needs to be quelled. This servant requests permission to leave the palace to take care of Zhou Yan and assist Physician Pei and Miss Ana in stabilizing the situation."
Narcissus turned around and looked at Silver Pearl.
It turned out that Yinzhu had heard everything.
The last time Yinzhu left the palace to take care of Zhou Yan, who had contracted the plague, their relationship became subtly different.
Shui Xian understood her growing affection for Zhou Yan and believed in her abilities.
"Go."
Shui Xian nodded, her tone gentle yet carrying a hint of entrustment, "Take two clever and capable young eunuchs and a young palace maid who knows a little about medicine with you. Remember, take good care of Zhou Yan. You must assist Physician Pei in treating his injuries with the best medicine, and make sure there are no lasting effects."
Thinking of the current chaos at the free clinic tent, she said in a deep voice, "You will also help me stabilize the free clinic tent and prevent any further trouble..."
She paused, her mind racing to sort everything out.
Now, the most crucial thing is to gather manpower; the staff at Dengdi Inn are not enough...
"Contact the Chang'an Escort Agency to find out where the source of the medicine shortage lies. Be careful in all matters, and if there is any emergency, immediately send a message back to the palace."
"This servant understands, thank you for your permission, Your Highness!"
Yinzhu bowed deeply and immediately turned to prepare, her steps much faster than usual.
Despite her composed demeanor, her slightly hurried steps betrayed her inner anxiety.
The light of the sunset fell upon Yinzhu's hair, giving it a rosy glow.
Zhou Yan...
...
In the evening, Emperor Zhaoheng arrived at Lihe Palace.
He had obviously received the news as well, and when he stepped into the main hall and saw the narcissus, he couldn't hide the worry between his brows.
"Xian'er, I've heard that there's been trouble at the free clinic where Pei Jichuan is working?"
He held Narcissus's hand, his tone earnest.
"Immediately order the Imperial Hospital to send imperial physicians to provide support."
Emperor Zhaoheng grew up in the inner palace. Today, after hearing Feng Shunxiang's report that Pei Jichuan was too busy because too few imperial physicians were going there, Emperor Zhaoheng thought of the situation where the Imperial Hospital was ostracizing Pei Jichuan.
Narcissus met his concerned gaze, feeling a warmth in her heart, but shook her head: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your concern."
"However, this matter is probably not a simple mess, as the medicinal herbs at the free clinic have suddenly run out."
Narcissus couldn't help but frown. "I have already ordered people to urgently allocate medicinal herbs to address the immediate crisis. As for the person behind this..."
Her gaze turned slightly cold. "Your Majesty would like to investigate this matter yourself first. If Your Majesty were to intervene openly now, it might alert the enemy and allow the mastermind to hide even deeper. I want to see who dares to disregard the people's livelihood and stir up trouble like this."
Emperor Zhaoheng looked at her calm and composed demeanor, and his admiration deepened.
He admired her resilience in not relying on herself and daring to face difficulties alone.
"Very well, since Xian'er has already made a plan, I will follow your advice. Just tell me how you need my cooperation."
Emperor Zhaoheng's eyes were deep and filled with trust in Shui Xian.
"I trust you; I am confident you can handle this matter well."
When Yinzhu arrived at Dengdi Inn with her people, the chaos outside had been temporarily quelled thanks to Pei Jichuan and Ana's efforts to calm them down, as well as the hard work of the inn's staff, but the atmosphere remained tense.
Although the crowd had re-established their queue, their faces still showed lingering fear and a greater anxiety than before.
Yinzhu didn't say much. She first found Pei Jichuan and Ana, and after understanding the situation, she immediately demonstrated amazing execution ability.
She directed the eunuchs and maids she brought to assist the innkeepers in reorganizing the queuing area, setting up clear isolation and waiting areas, and increasing manpower to maintain order in sections.
They also arranged for people to cook soup and distribute it to the waiting people to cool off, warm themselves, and ward off the cold.
She directed the operation calmly and methodically, quickly restoring some order to the chaotic scene.
After dealing with external affairs, Yinzhu took a deep breath and headed towards Zhou Yan's room where he was recuperating.
Zhou Yan lived alone in the backyard. When Yin Zhu entered, the room smelled strongly of medicine.
Zhou Yan lay on the couch, his face deathly pale from blood loss and pain.
His right arm was carefully secured by Pei Jichuan with a wooden board and bandages. The bandages were thick, yet the deep red blood could still be faintly seen through them.
When Yinzhu approached, Zhou Yan was closing his eyes, his brows furrowed in pain.
Yinzhu walked very lightly to the bedside, silently looking at his injured arm, her lips pressed tightly together.
Her usually calm and even eyes clearly reflected her heartache.
Seemingly sensing her gaze, Zhou Yan slowly opened his eyes.
Seeing Yinzhu standing by the bed, a hint of unexpected joy flashed in his eyes.
Zhou Yan subconsciously pulled his outer garment over his shoulder, trying to cover his gruesome-looking forearm.
However, the sudden movement inevitably aggravated his wound. Before Zhou Yan's fingertips even touched his clothes, he couldn't help but frown and gasp.
Even at this point, Zhou Yan was still trying to hide his pain.
"Miss Yinzhu... what brings you here? It's just a minor injury, nothing serious..."
Yinzhu didn't answer. She just glanced at Zhou Yan, then turned and went to the kitchen to get the herbal soup that the apprentice had prepared for Zhou Yan.
Yinzhu sat down by the bedside, holding the medicine bowl.
She gently stirred the brown medicine with a spoon, then scooped up a spoonful, carefully blew on it to cool it, and then cautiously brought it to Zhou Yan's lips.
Zhou Yan felt a warmth in his heart as he watched her focused and gentle movements, and obediently opened his mouth to drink.
Yinzhu then slowly spoke, "Imperial Physician Pei said that your hand, fortunately, was not fundamentally damaged, but it needs to be well cared for, otherwise... it may be difficult to fully recover in the future."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan saw the undisguised concern in her eyes and felt a surge of emotion. He couldn't help but smile again, wanting to say something lighthearted, but was met with a quiet glare from Yin Zhu.
Yinzhu blurted out, "Look at you, why do you always hurt yourself when I'm not around?"
Not wanting Yinzhu to worry, Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Last time it was from the plague, not from an injury..."
Seeing that he was still trying to argue, Yinzhu pursed her lips and got a little angry. She immediately put the porcelain spoon in the bowl.
Zhou Yan immediately became obedient and drank the medicine.
Only after he finished his medicine, and Yinzhu wiped the medicine stains from the corner of his mouth and prepared to get up, did he whisper, with a hint of solemnity, a promise:
"Don't worry, Eun-joo. In order to... in order to still be able to protect the people I want to protect, I will definitely get better as soon as possible."
Yinzhu paused slightly, but without turning around, she simply hummed in agreement and walked out with the empty bowl.
However, the slight redness at the base of her ears betrayed the turmoil in her heart...
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