Chapter 50 Why were they so wary of him alone? ...
On the return journey, He Haochuan still drove the carriage. But unlike his lively and talkative demeanor on the way there, he was unusually silent, focusing intently on the mountain road ahead, washed clean by the rain.
When we arrived at Zhaoyutang, it was already early evening. Dusk was falling and the lanterns were just coming on. The wet bluestone pavement reflected the warm yellow lights of the shops on both sides, like a flowing river of light.
Meng Yutong got off the carriage and solemnly thanked He Haochuan: "You've really worked hard today. When the clinic is less busy in a while, I will definitely host a banquet to express my gratitude."
He Haochuan waved his hands hurriedly, his cheeks slightly flushed in the night: "No, it's no trouble at all..." He paused, his voice lowered, carrying a hint of naivety and sincerity, "If I can help Sister Yutong, I... I'd be happy to."
The boy stood with his back to the warm light of Zhaoyutang Hall, the blush behind his ears quietly disappearing into the night, indistinct.
Upon hearing this, Meng Yutong smiled, the lamplight outlining her bright profile: "Young Master He is so kind, I am deeply grateful. It's getting late, so I won't keep you any longer. Go back quickly, lest Manager He worry."
He Haochuan nodded and turned to leave. He had only taken two steps when he suddenly stopped, as if he had mustered up his courage and turned back.
"What's wrong?" Meng Yutong looked up at him with a slightly puzzled expression.
The boy nervously fidgeted with the hem of his clothes, his eyes sparkling with anticipation: "Sister Yutong, from now on... please don't call me 'Young Master He' anymore, it sounds too formal..."
He raised his clear, bright eyes and carefully sought her consent, "Just call me 'Haochuan,' or... 'Xiaochuan' is fine too. That's what my close friends and family call me."
The last sentence was spoken so softly it almost blended into the night.
Looking at his nervous yet expectant expression, and recalling the many ways he had taken care of Tuoyutang during this time, Meng Yutong felt a pang of tenderness in her heart. Not wanting to refuse his kindness, she smiled and nodded, "Okay, Xiaochuan."
Upon hearing her gentle call, He Haochuan's face instantly lit up with a bright and cheerful smile, as if a spring breeze had swept over him, and even his eyes seemed to be filled with starlight. "Hey! Then Sister Yutong, go back and rest! I'm leaving!"
As he spoke, he waved goodbye to her forcefully, turning back every few steps until his figure disappeared into the Qingfeng Tea House, where he still glanced at her with lingering reluctance.
Seeing Meng Yutong's figure completely disappear behind the Zhaoyutang gate, He Haochuan finally withdrew his gaze with satisfaction and entered the teahouse with light steps.
Meng Yutong carried the medicine basket into Zhaoyu Hall, intending to go straight to the backyard to process the Purple Snow Ginseng. As soon as she entered, she saw a familiar, tall figure standing in front of the medicine cabinet.
The man was standing in her clinic, skillfully pulling open her medicine drawer and smoothly weighing out the herbs, placing them into mulberry paper on the counter.
Her focused and aloof expression made it seem as if she were in the pharmacy of the Imperial Physician's Office, rather than in her small, private clinic.
Wu Ming, standing to the side, deftly tied up the medicine packets that Ji Yun had prepared one by one.
"Physician Ji?" Meng Yutong was slightly surprised. She handed the medicine basket in her hand to Bai Zhi, who came to greet her, and gestured for her to go to the backyard to take out the Purple Snow Ginseng and let it air out.
He then walked to the counter, picked up a package of medicinal herbs that Wu Mingcai had wrapped, untied the string, and examined it carefully.
Before Ji Yun could respond, Wu Ming, seeing her return, hurriedly explained, "Honey, you're finally back! Physician Ji came to see you this evening, just in time to find two patients suffering from severe abdominal pain and diarrhea seeking treatment. Their condition seemed quite urgent. I was worried about when you would be back, so... I took it upon myself to ask Physician Ji for help. Honey, what do you think of my approach?"
Zhaoyutang usually sees patients with chronic or mild symptoms, and acute cases are rare. Therefore, if Meng Yutong is out, Wu Ming usually asks the patient to wait or gives them a cup of herbal tea to relieve the symptoms. But today the patient's symptoms are urgent, and he knows that Ji Yun's medical skills are superb, so he boldly asked for help.
Meng Yutong examined the herbs in the medicine packet one by one, and found that they were commonly used herbs for treating diarrhea caused by dampness, such as agastache, atractylodes, and magnolia bark.
Diarrhea… A sudden chill ran through her as she recalled the poisoning symptoms of Xiao Hui and Xing'er at Ji'an Hall yesterday, and the suspicious bamboo tube water… She abruptly raised her head, looked at Ji Yun who had remained silent for a long time, and asked:
"Dr. Ji, did you come to see me specifically today? Is it related to the water pollution incident yesterday?"
Ji Yun's gaze swept lightly across her face.
He noticed that a few strands of her hair were not properly tied up in her bun, but hung loosely down, softly resting on her smooth forehead and ears, which was slightly different from her usual meticulous and dignified appearance.
This slightly careless and casual manner unexpectedly added a touch of vibrant energy to her, unlike her usual aloof and principled attitude in front of him.
But it seems that... she is only so wary of him?
Ji Yun couldn't help but recall the image of her chatting and laughing with He Haochuan by the carriage, looking so familiar and natural. A faint, almost imperceptible unease swept through her heart.
"Physician Ji?" Meng Yutong called out softly when she saw him frowning and silent, as if lost in thought.
Ji Yun suddenly came to his senses, suppressed the strange feeling in his heart, and his expression returned to its usual coldness.
He nodded slightly, took out a heavy brocade money bag from his sleeve, handed it to Meng Yutong, and said slowly, "I have come today for two reasons. First, to settle the consultation fees that Miss Meng should have received for her consultations at Ji'an Hall last time and yesterday. This is paid by the Medical Academy according to regulations."
He paused, his gaze calm as he looked at her. "Secondly, it concerns the matter you just asked about. The Imperial Medical Academy, together with the Lin'an Prefecture and the Water Conservancy Bureau, has been conducting surveys and sampling within the city. It has now been determined that most residents north of Chaotianmen on Imperial Street rely on the Jade Belt River, which flows through the city, for their daily water supply."
"At present, the Nanyang Pond at the northernmost source of the Jade Belt River has been polluted by a wild boar that fell into it due to illness. If people accidentally drink this water, they will suffer from abdominal pain and diarrhea, just like those who came to the clinic today."
"In severe cases, it can induce typhoid fever and dysentery, which is as dangerous as what happened to Xiaohui and Xing'er at Ji'antang yesterday. For mild cases, the old prescription for diarrhea, such as agastache, atractylodes, and magnolia bark, can be used to dispel dampness and harmonize the middle jiao. After a few days of rest, there will be no problem. However, severe cases are quite difficult to diagnose and treat."
Meng Yutong's attention was entirely focused on the patient's condition. She didn't even glance at the bag of medical fees, and casually pushed it to a corner of the counter. "Since we know that the disease enters through the mouth, the most urgent task is to immediately issue a notice to inform all the people of the city that the use of the Jade Belt River water is strictly prohibited."
She spoke faster and more clearly, "Furthermore, many residents in the northern section of Yujie rely on the river for their livelihood, and few have wells in their homes. If the river is polluted, it's tantamount to cutting off their source of income. Their lives will inevitably fall into hardship."
"The Medical Academy should assist the government in quickly identifying all the wells in its jurisdiction, dividing the area into sections for households with and without wells, with four or five households forming a 'well area' to temporarily share water from one well, and establishing water-drawing regulations to overcome the current difficulties together. This is the right thing to do."
She knew very well that the Imperial Street was divided by Chaotianmen, and the scenery was very different in the north and south.
The Jade Belt River originates from Nanyang Pond in the north of the city and flows through the entire city. However, after reaching the Chaotianmen area, the river branches off and the water flow gradually weakens. Therefore, residents in the southern section mostly dig their own wells in their courtyards and only occasionally use river water when the water source is plentiful.
Of the residents in the northern section, less than one or two out of ten own wells. If the river becomes polluted, many people will be affected, and the city's traditional Chinese medicine clinics will likely be overcrowded.
An undisguised look of amazement flashed across Ji Yun's eyes.
He only mentioned water pollution, but Meng Yutong was able to instantly think of many subsequent issues, even foreseeing the difficulties people would face, and proposed practical emergency measures such as official coordination and the sharing of wells. His meticulous thinking, quick response, and profound insights far surpass those of ordinary doctors and even many mediocre officials.
He nodded, his tone carrying a hint of approval: "Miss Meng's thoughtfulness and foresight are truly commendable. The government and the Water Conservancy Bureau have already dispatched personnel to follow up on the subsequent prevention and control of water pollution."
"Currently, I have visited clinics large and small throughout the city and found that quite a few people have been infected with this disease. In the next few days, clinics will be overwhelmed with patients, and there may be a shortage of medicines for treating diarrhea and abdominal pain. The Medical Officer's Office still has some reserves, and I will send a batch to Zhaoyutang in a couple of days for reserves. If the number of patients surges, the Medical Officer's Office will also allocate manpower as appropriate to support the clinics in their response."
Upon hearing this, Meng Yutong curtsied slightly to him: "The Imperial Medical Academy is benevolent and compassionate, and Physician Ji cares deeply for the common people, personally taking charge of their affairs. This is truly a blessing for the people of Lin'an."
The two exchanged pleasantries about official business, creating a rare harmonious atmosphere.
With the business concluded, Meng Yutong once again expressed her sincere gratitude: "I was out today and have not returned. The two patients in the inn who were seriously ill were able to receive help from Physician Ji. I thank you for your assistance."
"It was nothing, nothing to mention." Ji Yun's voice was light, but her gaze seemed to casually drift towards the door, the very spot where she and He Haochuan had stopped to say goodbye.
He asked casually, "Miss Meng manages Zhaoyutang and always handles everything personally. May I ask what important matter you have today that requires you to leave the establishment for the entire day?"
Meng Yutong did not shy away from the question and replied frankly, "I went to Phoenix Mountain today to collect some medicinal herbs. The journey was long, so I was unable to hold a consultation at the clinic."
Gathering herbs?
Many questions lingered in his mind: What precious medicinal herb required her to risk her life to gather it from the high mountains and dense forests of Phoenix Mountain? And why... specifically, was she traveling with He Haochuan? He had heard that the He family's tea garden was also located on Phoenix Mountain...
Once the thought arose, he was surprised to find that this attention seemed to have exceeded the usual limits.
His temple twitched, and he asked, "What kind of medicinal herb is so rare that it requires Miss Meng to go there in person?"
Meng Yutong raised her eyes and quietly looked back at him. Her gaze was still clear, but it seemed as if a thin layer of frost had suddenly covered it, carrying a clear sense of aloofness.
She said calmly, "It's a very precious medicinal herb. I almost lost my life trying to pick it."
Although Ji Yun didn't quite understand the meaning behind her words, for some reason, his heart suddenly tightened.
A sharp, inexplicable sourness and throbbing pain suddenly exploded in his chest, spreading rapidly and even causing him to pause in his breathing.
Suddenly, fragmented images appeared before his eyes. He seemed to see a small, precious herb. The images blurred, then suddenly zoomed in, only to drift away again...
Before he could discern the origins of this unfamiliar and surging emotion and bizarre scene, Meng Yutong nodded slightly: "It's getting late, and Physician Ji is busy with official duties. He must have many important matters to attend to, so I won't stay any longer."
After speaking, she stopped looking at him and turned to walk straight to the backyard.
Seeing this, Wu Ming quickly stepped forward with a smile to smooth things over, trying to put his arm around Ji Yun's shoulder: "Physician Ji, would you like me to give you a ride?"
Ji Yun seemed not to hear, only staring blankly in the direction where Meng Yutong had disappeared for a moment. He slowly shook his head, his thin lips pressed tightly together, and finally said nothing. He turned and walked away from Zhaoyu Hall in silence.
As dusk deepened outside the door and the city lights began to illuminate the night, his tall, solitary figure was gradually swallowed up by the darkness of Lin'an.
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