The third elder finished speaking, and a wave of murmurs arose from below.
Everyone remained silent, but a young girl stepped forward. "Sister, if I go with you, will you not die?"
Song Qingchao didn't know how to explain.
Whether it could be successfully developed was one thing, how long it would take to develop it was another, and whether anyone could persevere until the prescription was developed during that long process was yet another.
She lowered her eyes, wanting to give a perfect answer.
However, Bai You'an directly stepped in front of her and answered preemptively.
"At the very least, everyone will not be waiting to die here. Testing medicine is very dangerous, but if it succeeds, everyone will be the first batch of people to be cured. I dare not promise you anything, but I can guarantee that I will do my utmost to treat everyone. Please believe us."
His voice was steady and powerful, and he then bowed deeply.
The crowd erupted again.
No one was willing to risk their lives, but some were willing to "seek wealth in danger."
An old man, hobbling on his feet, slowly walked out from the crowd. He squinted up at Bai You'an and said, "Young sir, there is no need for this."
He sighed, "We are all people who are about to die. Rather than all dying, this old man would rather take the risk. If it succeeds, even if I die, it will be a great merit, won't it?"
After speaking, he laughed heartily, then coughed and waved his hands. "I'll go with you, I'll go with you."
Following him, several youths also came out one after another, shouting, "Let's take a gamble, we can't just wait to die."
With their lead, the crowd began to split, and finally, twenty to thirty people remained unmoving.
Song Qingchao also stepped forward, first bowed, and then solemnly said, "Those who choose to stay here can return to their own teams. The original physicians will still be responsible for everyone. Regardless, thank you all for your cooperation."
Upon hearing this, the remaining people turned back.
Some grumbled, while others sighed.
Song Qingchao understood them. If their prescription was successfully developed, and the efficacy was more stable, as long as they could last until the formula was out, everything would be fine.
If it was not successfully developed, they would still have physicians to care for them, and could be with their loved ones. Even in death, they would die with peace.
Song Qingchao and Bai You'an exchanged a look, seeing determination in each other's eyes.
They thanked everyone who was willing to cooperate with them once more.
Just as they were about to arrange for the people to be taken to the courtyard prepared by the young monk, someone ran from the back of the group.
They had not seen the person before, but he was wearing the clothes of a young medicine boy. Song Qingchao and Bai You'an stopped.
The person was out of breath. After bowing, he gasped, "I am Xiang Duoruo, a medicine boy from the Xiang Family Clinic. My young master said to have Miss Song and Mr. Bai take everyone back to the compound."
Song Qingchao was surprised. "Did Young Master Xiang say why? Taking people back to the compound is very dangerous."
Xiang Duoruo glanced at the two, then lowered his head. "It's fine. My master said that since medicine is to be tested, the doctors must be close by. He cannot let the two of you be in danger while he hides in the compound like a turtle."
He had already recovered somewhat, fearing that Song Qingchao and Bai You'an would refuse. "My master insisted that I bring you back. Miss Song, please rest assured, everyone else in the compound has been cleared out. Moreover, the compound has the most complete range of medicines, so it will be easier to handle any emergencies."
Song Qingchao thought about it. In the temple, not only food but also medicine and personnel needed to be considered. Returning to the compound was indeed convenient, and she and Bai You'an could also rest well.
She turned to ask Bai You'an's opinion, and he agreed with the decision.
Xiang Duoruo immediately became happy. "Then let's set off. I was really worried that Miss Song and Mr. Bai wouldn't agree."
Song Qingchao organized people to leave while asking Xiang Duoruo, "Why would you say that?"
Xiang Duoruo just chuckled, then ran to the front of the group to lead the way.
Bai You'an, however, let out a soft "hmph," fanning himself leisurely with his fan against his chest. "Do I even need to think about it? It must be that Xiang Yunling said something bad about me, otherwise why would he say that."
Song Qingchao couldn't help but laugh. "Young Master Xiang wouldn't go that far."
Bai You'an glanced at her. "Then you don't know?"
"Oh?" Song Qingchao also walked quickly in front of him, turning around and walking backward. "What did Young Master Xiang say to you?"
Bai You'an couldn't help but show a hint of anger on his face when he thought of what Xiang Yunling had drunkenly told him that day. He turned his face away, looking quite unnatural. "Nothing."
"What is 'nothing'?" Song Qingchao gave him no chance to evade and rushed forward to interrogate him.
Bai You'an was startled by Song Qingchao's sudden stop. He said nothing and directly scooped her up.
Song Qingchao was stunned when Bai You'an held her in his arms. "What are you doing?"
"You're blocking the way, I'm helping you move."
Song Qingchao: ???
Thank you, I am speechless.
"Let me down."
"Impossible." Bai You'an walked quickly, threatening Song Qingchao in a low voice, "I haven't settled the score with you for sneaking into my room yet. This is a small punishment, and it's for your own good. Think about it, if we have no relationship, how will these people believe us?"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Of course, it does." Bai You'an glanced at her, then spouted nonsense. "Look, we need to be together day and night. If this gets out, won't your reputation be ruined?"
The corner of his mouth curved into a smile. "But if we pretend to be a couple, it will be very reasonable."
Song Qingchao glared at him and struggled to jump out of his arms. "I don't need that. Get lost."
She quickly caught up with Xiang Duoruo, leaving Bai You'an alone behind her, smiling foolishly.
"Mr. Bai and Miss Song have a very good relationship," the third elder said from behind.
Bai You'an cleared his throat. "Not that good."
Song Qingchao the elder sighed, "Young sir is worried that Miss Song will worry too much, perhaps?"
Bai You'an just raised his eyebrows, but his upturned mouth revealed his current mood.
He was worried about her, but also worried about himself.
The lives of everyone in the city were in his hands, and the pressure was indeed great.
In his previous life, he had researched it, but because he had never seen the specific symptoms, he had no starting point.
This time, with fifty patients, he should be able to trust himself.