Chapter 664: Chapter 226 IOU_4
"Everyone is very grateful to Little Lord Pei," Cuicui whispered into Lu Tong’s ear, "Every time he comes to the Plague Hospital, he brings us good things, and when he talks to people, he doesn’t disdain us like those high-ranking officials from Shengjing did before." Cuicui smiled shyly, "My dad told me that when I look for a husband in the future, I should find someone handsome, good-natured, and capable like Little Lord Pei."
Lu Tong couldn’t help but be amused by her.
"What good things did he bring you today?" Lu Tong asked.
"Today is a big snow day," Cuicui said, her eyes wide, "In the past, during heavy snow, people needed to take tonics. Every household would cure meats. But this year, with the epidemic in Su Nan, things are not the same. I heard Brother Duan say that Little Lord Pei brought dried meat and had someone cook us meat soup today, to celebrate the New Year in our own way."
The little girl said this and swallowed, her eyes showing a hint of longing.
For the hungry people of Su Nan, having a sip of meat soup was undoubtedly the happiest thing.
Lu Tong glanced outside again.
Pei Yunmeng was talking to people outside; sensing the gaze upon him, he looked in her direction.
Lu Tong quickly looked away.
He was always very considerate when he was focused on something. Winning people’s hearts was always a breeze for him.
"It’s time to change the medicine pouches." Ji Xun reminded her as she approached.
The efficacy of the plague-prevention medicine pouches would wane after a few days, and they needed to be replaced with fresh herbs. Lu Tong and Ji Xun went to change the patients’ herbs when the medical officers entered.
Coming in with them were Chang Jin and Pei Yunmeng.
The Imperial Guards brought in the boiling cauldrons into the Plague Hospital, and the temple immediately came alive. An inviting aroma filled the room, and the patients began to cheer.
"Take it easy, there’s enough for everyone." Chang Jin raised his hand, calling for the patients to queue up, each receiving a bowl of meat soup.
The Plague Hospital, previously quiet, grew lively. With charcoal basins and hot soup, the melancholy silence gave way to hope, and smiles were no longer a rarity.
Pei Yunmeng was about to leave when Chang Jin stopped him. Chang Jin smiled, "Marshal, you have also worked hard these past days, have some soup before you go."
There wasn’t much meat in the meat soup, but it was fortified with a lot of plague-preventing herbs. It was very effective in warding off the disease when drunk.
Pei Yunmeng paused, took the bowl of soup, and sat back down.
Chang Jin ladled out another big spoonful: "Doctor Lu, you should also have a bowl."
Before Lu Tong could get up, Ji Xun walked over, took the bowl of soup for Lu Tong, and sat down beside her.
Pei Yunmeng’s gaze fell on Lu Tong for a moment before he was called away by Chang Jin.
In the crowded temple, they were separated by the throng of people; he was on that side, she on this side. Despite the closeness, it felt as distant as a chasm.
Lu Tong looked toward the outside of the temple,
A snowstorm raged outside the door, towards the direction of the execution ground, a vast expanse of silver and white.
Ji Xun’s voice came from beside her.
"The old farmer divined good fortune on his fields, overnight, the northern winds piled snow on his house. The roof may bow, but don’t you lament, for by the ridges, the wheat will push up through a foot of mud..."
As he spoke, his expression gradually became somber.
The Imperial Medical Bureau taught medical theories, and the Medical Officer Institute exhaustively studied medical cases, but only by entering the areas of utmost poverty could one understand the hardships of the common people. The young masters, who lived in jade towers and ate in fine clothing, could only grasp the true essence of a healer at this moment.
The medical path is endless, and benevolence is its foundation.
The Plague Hospital was bustling with noise as the patients and the medical officers discussed the possibility of dismantling the Clay Bodhisattva from the altar. Ever since the medical officers arrived, the patients’ illness seemed to progress more slowly. However, the number of people added to the Plague Hospital was continuously rising, making the already cramped temple even more crowded. If they removed the Clay Bodhisattva, at least another space could be cleared.
With the situation gradually improving, the living had more use for the medical officers, so the faith in the clay Bodhisattva began to wane.
Cuicui ran to the altar, intending to measure the size of the Bodhisattva. Her wooden bed was very close to the altar, and dismantling the deity would free up some space between her and her father’s beds.
She bent down and crawled in.
The din surrounded her, and Lu Tong bowed her head to sip the medicinal soup in her hands, when suddenly, amidst all the chattering and laughter, the young girl’s voice burst out in surprise:
"Huh, why is there a debt note on this wall?"