When Song Qingchao caught up with Xiang Duoruo, she found him arranging people onto several horse-drawn carriages.
These were all simply furnished, the kind normally used for hauling goods.
She counted a total of seven carriages.
Song Qingchao followed the procession of carriages to the very end, even lending a hand to help a few people aboard.
At the rear, Xiang Duoruo was assisting an elderly person into a carriage.
Song Qingchao smiled and picked up a little girl with her hair tied in pigtails from beside Xiang Duoruo’s feet.
The little girl was light, and her entire demeanor was listless due to illness.
She carried the girl onto the carriage, and the child immediately nestled into the old person's embrace.
“Where did you get these carriages?”
Xiang Duoruo, who was adjusting the hem of her clothes, replied naturally, “Borrowed from Master Lin.”
Song Qingchao immediately turned her head to look at her, “Did I hear correctly? You’re saying these belong to Master Lin?”
“Yes,” Xiang Duoruo answered with a serious expression. “It was even suggested by a servant you brought from the Lin family. When I spoke to Master Lin about it, I thought he might refuse, but I didn't expect him to agree.”
“Oh,” Song Qingchao nodded in understanding. “So, what did you say?”
Xiang Duoruo blinked her eyes. “I didn’t say much. I simply stated that Miss Song wanted to use them, and Master Lin then sent the carriages over.” She paused, then suddenly clapped her hands. “Oh, right. Not only did he send the carriages, but two people came along. I worried they might be contagious, so I didn’t let them out. They are currently in the foremost carriage.”
Song Qingchao stared blankly. “Is it a young man with a little girl?”
Xiang Duoruo nodded. “Yes, he said he was your younger brother. I asked him to return to the pharmacy, but he insisted on waiting for you here.”
Song Qingchao quickly realized after hearing this. He hadn't brought Song Qingmu back because he wanted him to stay safely at the Lin residence.
The Lin family was arguably the safest place.
The city was unsafe everywhere, and following her was even more perilous. Especially since Song Qingmu’s body was already weak after detoxification, and Liu Zhe’er was young with insufficient nutrition and a compromised immune system, making her prone to infection.
She quickly ran to the foremost carriage and lifted the curtain, indeed finding the two sitting inside, one reading a book, the other fiddling with a tea set.
“Why is Ning Mi Ning here? Didn’t I send word for you to stay at the Lin residence?”
Song Qingmu raised his cold eyes. “I was worried.”
“I’m fine,” Song Qingchao said dotingly. “You two should return to the Lin residence shortly. Stay away from me; it’s dangerous.”
“If it’s dangerous, then you shouldn’t go back. If Eldest Sister doesn’t return to the Lin residence with us, we won’t go back either.”
Song Qingchao couldn’t help but smile. “Are you threatening me, kid?”
Song Qingmu turned his face away. “I wouldn’t dare.”
Liu Zhe’er, standing nearby, opened her large, round eyes and chimed in, “Brother Mu Mu is worried about Elder Sister. Elder Sister’s health isn’t good, and she doesn’t understand medicine. We are very concerned.”
Song Qingchao, who had been on the verge of anger, felt her temper dissipate at Liu Zhe’er’s soft, sweet words. “It’s not possible. Listen to me and go back.”
“No,” Song Qingmu interjected, cutting off Liu Zhe’er and directly refusing.
Song Qingchao glared at him. Why was her brother so stubborn?
Just as she was about to try and persuade Song Qingmu, Bai Youan spoke from behind her, “Your sister has been around the temple and it’s not safe. If she returns to the Lin residence with you, she could easily infect the healthy people in the household. For the sake of the innocent people in the Lin residence, and for your sister, you should go back.”
Song Qingmu glanced at Bai Youan. “Then since I’ve been exposed too, I can’t go back either.”
Bai Youan placed a hand on Song Qingchao’s shoulder and moved her back. “The enclosed space where you stayed had no one else in contact, and there’s also the mugwort sachet I made. To give your sister peace of mind, you’d best return.”
He paused, his tone softening. “Your sister is safest with me right now. If you want what’s best for her, then go back.”
“I can also help.”
“Help with what?” Bai Youan’s tone turned sharp again. “I just pulled you back from the brink of death, and you want to rush back to your death? If you catch this illness, even an immortal can’t save you. If you don’t want your sister to be sad, you should be obedient now and return to the Lin residence.”
Song Qingmu pondered for a moment. “I can agree to that, but you must also promise me that you can guarantee Eldest Sister’s safety.”
“That is already a certainty, you can rest assured.”
Song Qingchao remained silent until Song Qingmu’s carriage departed.
After all, Bai Youan was speaking the truth. She could accept anything, except the departure of Song Qingmu.
Song Qingchao watched the receding carriages, a heavy stone lifted from her heart. “Let’s go too.”
Bai Youan nodded in agreement.
And so, the group began to head towards Xiang’s Medical Hall.
No one spoke on the way; everyone remained silent.
This was a high-stakes gamble, a battle of wits against the virus.
They soon arrived at Xiang’s Medical Hall.
From a distance, Song Qingchao saw Xiang Yunling waiting for them by the entrance, seated in a wheelchair.
With a “Whoa,” the carriage stopped.
Song Qingchao alighted from the carriage, supported by Bai Youan.
“Miss Song.”
Song Qingchao returned the greeting. “Young Master Xiang, your magnanimity is profound.”
Xiang Yunling shook his head, then steered his wheelchair towards the courtyard. “I have ample space here. They can be housed in the backyard according to the severity of their condition. Ten people per room. For those who are critically ill, they will be arranged directly in the pharmacy, making it convenient for us to provide care.”
“That’s a good idea,” Song Qingchao replied. “How will you arrange for Wanwan and her child, Young Master Xiang?”
“Wanwan has already moved into the pharmacy. I’ve had Ah Fu take her child and move to the old residence. It’s quiet there, with no extraneous people. Ah Fu understands medicine, and all daily necessities are also prepared. You need not worry about either of them.”
“Young Master Xiang has made very thorough preparations.”
Xiang Yunling smiled. “Otherwise, how would I dare to bring over these fifty-plus people?”
He turned his wheelchair towards Bai Youan. “I trust myself, and I also trust Mr. Bai.”
Bai Youan fanned himself. “Why do you say that, Young Master Xiang?”
Xiang Yunling: “I’ve read the prescriptions and case records you left behind and detected a clue. It’s quite similar to what I’ve been researching. By seeking common ground while reserving differences, we will certainly be able to formulate the prescription.”
The two looked at each other, then spoke in unison, “Artemisia annua.”
Seeing their expressions, Song Qingchao understood. “You two just focus on the work. I’ll handle the logistics. Whatever you need, I will procure.”
After speaking, she turned and walked towards the carriages, arranging people into their respective accommodations based on the severity of their illness, as Xiang Yunling had instructed.
Of the eight guards, she kept seven, assigning Zhou Zhengxi to be mobile outside.
Her primary objective was for him to retrieve supplies from the Lin residence.
She herself was covered in viruses and couldn’t move around carelessly. Having a healthy, agile, and capable person like Zhou Zhengxi outside was essential.