“Yes, yes, yes, Prince Mo, rest assured, this servant will certainly convey your wishes.”
The imperial guards bestowed by the emperor waited outside the quarantine area. The imperial decree stated they were to depart immediately, so Jiang Rumò and his party did not dare to delay, quickly packing their belongings and leaving.
Although the patients had shown improvement in the past two days, the imperial physicians were suddenly being transferred away, leaving only Feng Yìnwǎn as the sole doctor at the quarantine facility. Before she could worry, Ye Tīnglán beside her spoke.
“We are short-handed at the moment. This King will dispatch military doctors from the camp for you to command.”
This was indeed a viable solution.
Feng Yìnwǎn did not stand on ceremony. “Then I will trouble Your Highness.”
In just a moment, a group of imperial physicians emerged from the tents, carrying their luggage. The eunuch on duty immediately stepped forward.
“My lords, quickly follow this servant.”
Jiang Rumò, upon hearing this, did not move his steps. He turned towards Feng Yìnwǎn and bowed deeply.
“The epidemic in the capital has not yet been eradicated, and we, your humble servants, have been ordered to transfer. We can no longer serve by your side, Princess Consort. I pray you take good care of yourself, and above all… prioritize your own health!”
“There are still some points I am unclear about regarding the medicinal formulas. Time is pressing, so I shall seek your guidance upon our return to the capital.”
Having treated patients together these past few days, a sense of mutual appreciation had grown between them.
Feng Yìnwǎn nodded. “Imperial Physician Jiang, please be at ease. The patients’ conditions have basically stabilized, and I believe the epidemic will soon be eliminated.”
“As for all of you, there are many dangers ahead on this journey. I hope you will all take good care of yourselves, eradicate the disease, save lives, and return soon!”
“Thank you for your concern, Princess Consort. We will certainly do our utmost and dare not fail the Emperor’s grace.”
Everyone responded in unison, their spirits now somewhat elevated. The eunuch, watching from the side, grew anxious and softly reminded them.
“My lords, please hurry. This virulent disease waits for no one; do not delay!”
Without further delay, they were escorted out by the guards. The clamor quickly dissipated, and the large quarantine facility suddenly became empty. Feng Yìnwǎn gazed into the distance with her beautiful eyes, a trace of melancholy rippling in her heart.
The situation was uncertain, and the road ahead was arduous.
A pair of large hands suddenly pressed against her waist, their gentle warmth causing her brow to relax, her heart settling a bit.
Then, Ye Tīnglán’s voice softly reached her, “Let’s go back.”
“Mm.”
They walked back towards the tent together. Meanwhile, in the shadow of the patient tents, an imperceptible figure quickly retreated.
Ye Tīnglán’s command was swift. By lunchtime, the camp physicians had been brought back by Qí Xuán.
Feng Yìnwǎn had previously taught them some basic techniques for dealing with malaria, and since most of the patients were experiencing mild symptoms, treating them was not difficult.
As she finished instructing everyone and withdrew from the tent, she bumped into Lǐ Chéngyàn and Qián Guān walking arm-in-arm out of an opposite tent. Judging by their posture, it looked like they were about to spar.
Feng Yìnwǎn’s eyebrows arched, and she immediately halted.
This place might offer some entertainment.
“Hey, Princess Consort!”
Feng Yìnwǎn had miscalculated. Before she could enjoy the show, Qián Guān had already spotted her.
He ran over excitedly, “Princess Consort! This general is about to exchange a few moves with General Lǐ. Since you are here, why not join us?”
Feng Yìnwǎn’s temple twitched subtly. Before she could refuse, Lǐ Chéngyàn looked over with a raised eyebrow.
“Cousin-in-law knows martial arts? You’ve been hiding your talents.”
His tone was rather annoying.
Recalling the time he had tricked her with “Ye Tīnglán’s Two or Three Things,” she coldly curled her lips and placed a solemn hand on Qián Guān’s shoulder.
“Commander Qián, I have seen your General Lǐ’s skills. You know Guard Qí by the Prince’s side, right? They are evenly matched, neck and neck!”
Although Qí Xuán was sometimes slow-witted, he was a top-tier personal guard for Ye Tīnglán, and his reputation was well-established.
Qián Guān’s eyes indeed flickered upon hearing this, but he hesitated. “Then… Princess Consort, would you spar with Guard Qí?”
Feng Yìnwǎn decisively held up three fingers. “Three moves! This Princess Consort humbly admits inferiority; at most, I can last three moves against Guard Qí!”
She couldn’t fabricate more, as she hadn’t tested it.
Qián Guān believed her and, after weighing the options, spoke again. “Then I’ll spar with General Lǐ. Princess Consort, please watch from the side.”
Feng Yìnwǎn curved her lips and nodded with satisfaction.
Go, Guān! If you don’t beat this brat down today, your reputation as a ‘mighty man’ will be in vain!
Lǐ Chéngyàn seemed accustomed to this, reacting indifferently.
In a flash, the two began to fight. Although they said it was just a few casual moves, they held back nothing.
Qián Guān was powerful and swift, benefiting from his larger build. Lǐ Chéngyàn was agile and nimble, benefiting from his speed and dexterity. Neither yielded, fighting fiercely. Feng Yìnwǎn watched from the side, her blood boiling, almost letting out a “Beat him!”
As she was getting excited, she saw Yù Píng carrying a clay pot of medicinal decoction from behind. Feng Yìnwǎn’s beautiful eyes flashed, and she immediately beckoned to her.
[There’s gossip, come quickly!]
Yù Píng, as her trusted confidante of many years, understood her unspoken words in an instant and quickly ran over with the clay pot.
“Miss, what are you looking at?”
Before she finished speaking, a gust of palm wind struck. Fortunately, Feng Yìnwǎn reacted quickly and blocked it.
After being jolted, they both realized they had strayed from their original positions and immediately stopped.
Yù Píng had clearly not yet adapted to such a violent scene. Her face paled, and she immediately hid behind Feng Yìnwǎn.
“Miss…”
Didn’t she say there was gossip?
This… was she risking her life to watch gossip?
She hid behind Feng Yìnwǎn, but the clay pot she held remained exposed. Her chubby hand clutching the pot looked inexplicably like a word popped into Lǐ Chéngyàn’s mind.
Cute.
He nudged his tongue against his cheek and looked forward, spotting the contents of the clay pot. He raised his eyebrows.
“Oh, osmanthus cakes.”
These were a rare delicacy in the quarantine area.
The corners of his thin lips curled, and he immediately teased, “Cousin-in-law, your little maid isn’t diligent. She’s not focused on decocting medicine but is thinking of sneaking a taste!”
He glanced into the clay pot and let out a muffled chuckle.
“Such a large pot, you can really eat a lot.”
Yù Píng: You can eat a lot, your whole family can eat a lot!
Her brows furrowed, and she lowered her head with a solemn little face. “General Lǐ is joking. This servant is bringing it for my lady. What do you mean by sneaking a taste!”
Her face was already round, and now, looking so indignant, she resembled a pale jade bun.
Lǐ Chéngyàn’s eyelashes fluttered, and he curved his lips. “Alright, this general misunderstood you. Since you’ve brought it, let this general have a taste too.”
He said this and reached out to take it. Unexpectedly, before his hand could touch it, Feng Yìnwǎn slapped it away.
“Has General Lǐ not heard what Yù Píng just said? These cakes are for this Princess Consort.”
He had witnessed Feng Yìnwǎn’s protectiveness over her food.
Lǐ Chéngyàn rubbed his nose and sheepishly withdrew his hand.
“Fine, I won’t eat it then. Then this general will chat with Miss Yù Píng, that’s acceptable, right?”