Song Qingchao and her entourage arrived at Guangji Temple at the hour of the Ox.
Guangji Temple was situated to the north of Feng County, built against the Luo Tuo Mountain.
The entire temple complex was laid out with strict discipline, presenting an orderly symmetry. Within the temple, courtyards were arranged in a staggered, hierarchical fashion.
At the temple gate, Song Qingchao looked up at the radiant, solemn, and majestic Guangji Temple.
"What grandeur,"
Song Qingchao couldn't help but sigh.
Entering the temple, she was led by Song Qingmu into the eastern side courtyard.
"Traveling here, I've noticed that the people of Feng County seem quite affluent."
Bai You'an raised an eyebrow, "What makes you say that?"
"The city gate is to the east, and we traveled north. Setting aside what the west and south might look like, judging solely by what we've seen along the way, each household possesses a three-section courtyard. Though they appear somewhat desolate, one can still discern that the families have some underlying wealth." Song Qingchao then pointed to the rooms they were to stay in, "Look, glazed tiles of green and yellow."
She then tapped the floor tiles with her foot, "Even the ground is paved with celadon tiles. A five-section courtyard, with side courtyards on both the east and west. For a small place like Feng County, the temple's specifications are almost comparable to Chang'an's Ten Thousand Buddha Temple."
Bai You'an nodded in agreement.
Song Qingmu explained, "The abbot mentioned that Feng County has many merchants, so there's no shortage of incense offerings."
"So that's how it is."
"Eldest Sister, please rest. Tomorrow, the abbot will guide us to the west courtyard."
Song Qingchao nodded in assent.
The group then departed.
Upon entering her meditation room, she quickly washed up and collapsed onto the bed.
"Miss Song."
"Who?" Song Qingchao, frowning, got up from the bed amidst a series of "dong dong dong" knocks. As soon as she opened the door, a large bowl of steaming medicinal soup was handed to her.
Tilting her head slightly, she saw Bai You'an's smiling face.
She cautiously leaned back, "What are you doing?"
"Nothing much," Bai You'an nudged the medicine forward again, "Drink this, lest you catch a cold."
Although his demeanor was firm, he did not overstep, remaining steadily at the doorway without stepping inside.
Song Qingchao pondered for a moment, then took the bowl and drank it down in one gulp, turning slightly.
It was slightly bitter, with a hint of sweetness.
"Here."
As Song Qingchao returned the bowl, Bai You'an placed a bag of candied fruit into her palm.
"Thank you, Mr. Bai."
Bai You'an merely smiled, "Get some rest."
After he left, Song Qingchao picked out a piece and popped it into her mouth, storing the rest in her spatial dimension.
She intended to collect more, to avoid being caught in a situation like the last time, when time ran out in the middle of a fight.
Not long after lying down,
She drifted off to sleep in a daze.
She then began to wonder if Bai You'an had administered some sort of drug…
By the next day,
Sunlight streamed into the meditation room. Song Qingchao, wrapped in her quilt, was still asleep in bed.
Bai You'an, fanning himself, leaned lazily against her window, "Miss Song, wake up."
As he spoke, he tapped her window with his fan.
"If you don't wake up soon, I'll reveal what happened in the pigsty yesterday."
Song Qingchao, groggy, heard someone mention a pigsty.
Pigsty…
Pigsty???
Song Qingchao bolted upright. Rubbing her slightly swollen eyes, she looked towards the silhouette on the window, "What are you doing so early in the morning?"
"The hour of the Serpent, it's not early."
"Hour of the Serpent!?"
Song Qingchao instantly came to her senses. Rubbing her disheveled hair, she stepped out of bed.
"I'll be right there."
After a quick wash, she donned a round-necked robe, tied her hair into a high ponytail, and went out.
"Let's go, they've already gone ahead."
As Song Qingchao emerged, Bai You'an straightened up and moved away from the wall.
After the group reconvened, Song Qingmu led them to find the abbot.
This was due to a specific request from General Chang Pinghe.
The abbot was exceedingly friendly towards Song Qingchao and her party.
The abbot led them on a brief tour of the situation.
Currently, people were lining up in the central square to receive their meals. Most of those in line were young and strong, in better physical condition, and with milder symptoms.
The meal distribution was handled by young monks.
Song Qingchao couldn't help but frown, asking, "Are the temple's provisions enough to last through winter?"
"Benefactor need not worry, the basic supplies within the compound can sustain us through winter."
Song Qingchao nodded. The situation here was better than she had imagined.
She had observed carefully along the way.
The containment measures within the temple were very well-executed. Mild and severe cases were housed separately, with individual partitions for each person. Mugwort was also burned at the points of contact.
Furthermore, the busy young medicine boys and monks were equipped with professional protective gear.
Especially the face coverings.
She had noticed these items when she first entered the temple.
She was beginning to suspect that there might be people here with conditions similar to hers, as the design of these face coverings did not belong to this world.
The abbot continued his introductions throughout, finally leading them to the rear courtyard.
This area was different from the preceding sections.
In Song Qingchao's estimation, this was likely a temporary infirmary.
Various makeshift sheds were erected, and within them, young medicine boys were constantly preparing and delivering medicine.
"The situation has improved, thanks to Master Xiang." As the abbot spoke, he pushed open the heavy wooden door.
Before Song Qingchao could enter, she heard a clear, refined voice.
"Angelica 6 grams, Eucommia bark 6 grams, Peony root 6 grams…"
As he recited the names of these herbs, it was as if he were calling out to his beloved possessions.
"Du Ruo, take this prescription to Ward A, Unit 1. Be sure to observe his throat symptoms afterward."
Song Qingchao could not see his expression, but from his words, she could discern his composure and his familiarity with medical principles.
She followed the abbot into the room.
The abbot called out, and the man turned around.
Upon seeing the group, he emerged from behind the counter and bowed respectfully, "I am Xiang Yunling."
The group quickly introduced themselves as well.
To Song Qingchao's surprise, this clean and refined man was in a wheelchair.
As the man raised his eyes, his deep pupils fixed directly on Song Qingchao, "I would advise you all to leave as soon as possible."
His voice was cold, but unlike Song Qingmu's detachment, it carried a hint of despondency.
That despondency was unlike Bai You'an's inherent laziness and slackness; it was genuine sorrow.
Song Qingchao had not expected to be driven away, "Master Xiang, why do you say that?"
"This epidemic has arrived with formidable ferocity. Half the people in the county have already perished."
"To be frank, Master Xiang, if we were to leave, we would be taken away by the Chang family." Song Qingchao directly pushed Bai You'an forward, "This gentleman might be able to assist you."
Bai You'an nodded and smiled, "Moreover, we have brought ample medicinal herbs."
Xiang Yunling could not help but frown, "May I ask where your herbs come from?"
"That, my friend, is a secret."