Tang Xiao was right, if they could hold on until dawn, the first round of screening would be completed.
However, Lu Qingwan knew better that those soldiers couldn't hold on any longer.
Riding a horse was different from riding in a carriage; besides being faster, the physical exertion was exponentially greater.
Furthermore, for a rider, the skin on the inner thighs was bound to get chafed.
She could push herself to the limit, but there was no need to drag others down with her.
Therefore, Lu Qingwan's face turned cold. "What are you babbling about? I told you to go back, go back. What, is the Prince not here so I can't command you anymore?"
This was Lu Qingwan's trump card against Si Fengwu's old subordinates.
As expected, upon hearing this, Tang Xiao immediately became obedient.
"Your Highness, please don't say that. This subordinate will take the brothers back to rest."
However, his agreement did not mean he forgot the ultimate purpose of following Lu Qingwan. "Then, Your Highness, will we escort you back to Ji Ci Hospital first, or back to the palace?"
Lu Qingwan gave him a wry smile. "What, I just clearly laid out your duties, and now you want to make arrangements for me?"
How could Tang Xiao dare to admit to that?
Just as he was about to offer some excuse, Lu Qingwan's gaze swept past him towards the direction behind him. "Stop hiding. Come out!"
The soldiers of the Shence Camp looked back suspiciously, only to see twelve figures appearing in unison.
They were the Twelve Moons, who followed Lu Qingwan's lead.
Everyone was stunned. Tang Xiao's face turned ashen as he stared at Duan Yue. "You've been following us all day?"
The commander of the dignified Shence Camp and twelve elite soldiers had been followed all day without realizing it.
Tang Xiao felt like he could die.
Duan Yue, however, was quite accommodating. "It hasn't been a full day. An hour ago, His Highness received a message from Your Highness saying you wouldn't return to the palace tonight.
His Highness then sent us to protect Your Highness."
Tang Xiao: ...
Thank you very much!
The commander of the dignified Shence Camp hadn't noticed being followed for an hour.
Moreover, he was by Lu Qingwan's side, and Si Fengwu had still sent the Twelve Moons to protect her. He didn't feel comforted at all.
After a day of hard work, although Lu Qingwan wasn't as dishevelled as the Shence Camp soldiers, she was still extremely weary.
By the afternoon, apart from necessary communication, they had mostly stopped talking, and their faces lacked any lively expressions.
Yet, she was amused by Duan Yue's straightforward jest, her lips twitching as she felt a laugh bubble up. "Duan Yue, you've become mischievous!"
Duan Yue, whose face was covered by a mask except for her eyes, also smiled.
She cupped her fist towards Tang Xiao as an apology but spoke unapologetically. "Don't be angry. If you need training, you can find us.
Our master has been in the New Capital recently, so the Twelve Moons are quite free."
Even the ordinary Shence Camp soldiers could hear this blatant provocation and were angered. Lu Qingwan also shot Duan Yue a reprimanding glance.
Unexpectedly, although Tang Xiao was displeased, he calmly replied, "Alright!
I've long heard that Your Highness's Twelve Moons are elusive and formidable.
After this plague passes, I will personally travel to Bu Ye Continent to seek your guidance. I hope the Grand Commander will not go back on his word!"
What a joke. To receive pointers from someone from the Samsara Hall was a fortune many people couldn't obtain in several lifetimes.
Why should he save face in front of Duan Yue? What was face worth?
Duan Yue was also taken aback, then felt less indignant towards Tang Xiao and more appreciative. She said heartily, "Alright, it's a deal!"
Lu Qingwan, having observed the brief minor conflict, was quite satisfied with the outcome.
However, "Can we set off now, my Grand Commander?
What did I invite you here for?"
Duan Yue hurried forward. "This subordinate has already sent someone to fetch the horses. Could Your Highness rest while we wait?"
She gestured towards a nearby teahouse.
As night approached, inns and restaurants were always bustling, while teahouses were usually quiet and sparsely populated. This particular teahouse didn't look particularly luxurious or exquisite, but it was enough for Lu Qingwan to rest her feet.
Lu Qingwan, however, shook her head. "I've been in contact with infected individuals for most of today, so I won't trouble their teahouse.
For the next stop, let's walk there first. Once the horses are brought, we can ride."
She glanced at the black-clad, masked Twelve Moons with a hint of helplessness. "Your equipment tends to scare people.
Tang Xiao, please send twelve sets of Shence Camp armor over later."
The Twelve Moons, except when on Lu Qingwan's territory, were always clad in black and masked.
This attire was fine for those accustomed to the numerous guards in the Prince's mansion and the palace.
However, for ordinary citizens, it was quite intimidating.
Tang Xiao couldn't help but let out a chuckle, only to receive a fierce glare from Duan Yue. "Your Highness, rest assured, this subordinate has already sent people to prepare them, and they will arrive soon."
The two parties then parted ways, each attending to their respective tasks.
With the assistance of the Twelve Moons, Lu Qingwan's work proceeded more smoothly. By the end of the night, the first round of screening was thoroughly completed.
As dawn began to break, Lu Qingwan had already returned to Ji Ci Hospital.
While they were screening yesterday, the medical staff from Ji Ci Hospital and the Imperial Hospital had been following behind, transferring the infected individuals to Ji Ci Hospital.
In just one day, Ji Ci Hospital was already overcrowded.
As soon as Lu Qingwan entered, Su Shang greeted her. "Your Highness, as per your instructions, all infected individuals have been divided into zones based on the severity of their symptoms. Currently, all infected individuals are in Zone One.
The lists and medical records have been compiled and can be transferred to wards at any time."
Su Shang followed Lu Qingwan's orders without question, not asking where such a large number of people would be transferred within the limited space of Ji Ci Hospital.
Lu Qingwan nodded. "How many medical personnel are currently available?"
"We have about 1,500 of our own people in the hospital. Nearly 200 have come from the Imperial Hospital.
In addition, His Highness has ordered the Jingzhao Yin to gather about 500 people from the city.
Besides that, His Highness has summoned military doctors from the surrounding camps near the New Capital overnight. We currently have 3,000 available personnel."
With such a large number of medical personnel, it was a considerable figure for the citizens of a city.
"Notify them immediately. From now on, until the epidemic ends, all medical personnel are not allowed to go home.
Patients already involved in the rescue will be arranged in the adjacent Lang Garden, and those not yet involved will be in Qin Garden behind.
Food and drink will be delivered by Bu Ye Continent. If there are other needs, the Imperial Guards will help contact family members. All requests to leave will be rejected..."
With a series of orders, everything was clearly arranged. Li Su also arrived. "Your Highness, the people for transferring patients have all been arranged and can begin at any time."
In fact, the personnel had been arranged yesterday, but the spatial laboratory was on Lu Qingwan's person. Without Lu Qingwan, the spatial laboratory was naturally unavailable, so they had to wait until now.
Now that Lu Qingwan had returned, the patients could be transferred to the spatial laboratory.
This way, they could be treated with the most complete equipment and absolutely prevent virus transmission, killing two birds with one stone.