Chapter 247: Chapter 247: Nothing Is Different

Xia Wenjin smiled and said, “Didn’t you see? I’m lively and active, just a bit thinner, nothing else has changed.”

Huangfu Jingchen examined her carefully. Her complexion seemed fine, dispelling his previous worries, and he felt slightly reassured. He said, “Even though you are a doctor, it’s very dangerous to be in the severe epidemic area every day. You advised others not to come here lightly, have you taken any preventive measures yourself?”

“Of course!” Xia Wenjin replied, “We drink medicinal soups daily and take each other’s pulse.”

“But one of your doctors has still fallen ill!” Huangfu Jingchen’s voice betrayed his worry.

Xia Wenjin was startled, how did he know about this? She asked, “Who said that?”

“Doctor Yan has already mentioned it, so don’t think you can keep it from me any longer!” Seeing her expression, Huangfu Jingchen knew she wanted to gloss over the matter.

Xia Wenjin’s gaze shifted, and she smiled, “I never intended to hide it from you. That doctor is physically weaker and missed the early signs!”

“How is he now?”

Xia Wenjin replied, “Currently bedridden, with someone specially taking care of him, just like all the severe patients!”

Huangfu Jingchen stared intently at her, “So even doctors are not exempt, and if they get seriously ill, they are just like those severe epidemic patients?”

Xia Wenjin laughed softly, “We’re all human, what difference does it make?” She reached for the papers on the table, seemingly wanting to delve back into her research.

Huangfu Jingchen extended his hand, grasping her wrist, and said sternly, “Why haven’t you left with me yet?”

“Why should I go with you? The cure hasn’t been developed yet, the number of patients is increasing, and we are short-handed!”

Anger flashed in Huangfu Jingchen’s eyes, “Short-handed doesn’t mean you can disregard your life! I’ve already ordered a hefty reward for doctors, however many are needed, I’ll find them. But you can’t stay here any longer. If you continue to stay, I can’t be at ease, what if… what if…”

He couldn’t continue, not wanting to voice ominous words.

Looking at his anxious eyes, Xia Wenjin couldn’t get mad at his palpable anger.

She understood that Huangfu Jingchen was worried about her.

Yet with no turning back, she couldn’t and wouldn’t leave now.

She reassured, “Brother Huang, don’t worry. Although doctors can fall ill, the chances are minimal. See, we have so many doctors and only one has fallen ill, right?”

So many? Does she think he doesn’t know? Those brought by Shang Jingwang, recruited, and those forced by Kong Tixin, all totaled less than twenty. Besides, their medical skills varied, with most in the light epidemic area, so how many are truly in the severe epidemic area?

None like her, always in the severe area, even her temporary rest quarters were in this side of the severe area.

Suddenly recalling something, Xia Wenjin gently patted Huangfu Jingchen’s hand, indicating him to release her wrist, “There’s something I need to tell you!”

“What is it?”

Xia Wenjin hesitated for a moment before saying, “The Northern County Magistrate, do you know if Shang Jingwang is familiar with him? When you leave, ask him to be wary of this person!”

“Be wary of him? Why?” Huangfu Jingchen wasn’t familiar with the Northern County Magistrate, but when learning about Shang Jingwang, he did a relationship analysis and thus knew some things about Yu Shikui.

How did Xia Wenjin, someone young and from Jianghu, come to directly mention the Northern County Magistrate?

Xia Wenjin wasn’t sure how to explain, as she had no evidence; past life’s memories might not coincide with this one. However, given such tyrannical and ruthless orders, treating the populace as nothing, and the cure yet undeveloped while the illness spreads, if this news reached Yu Shikui, who knows if he would repeat the same orders.

She considered, “High-ranking officials mostly fear major chaos. Huang Zheng, let me ask you, if this pandemic can’t be controlled, what will happen?”

Huangfu Jingchen became anxious, “Can’t be controlled? Wenjin, is it…”

Xia Wenjin, seeing him so worried, quickly said, “No, no, don’t worry, we’re just hypothesizing any possible scenarios. I won’t let that happen. However, as things stand, from outsiders’ perspective, the situation only worsens, and no substantial progress is visible yet. If you were Yu Shikui, what would you do?”

“Naturally seek medical help and resources promptly; possessing higher status means having more power and advantages to surpass our current efforts!”

Xia Wenjin looked at the handsome young man before her, his gaze clear and eyes pure, his brow exuding an honest aura. Such a clear and upright youth, it’s hard not to feel fondness towards him.

She chuckled and shook her head, “You aren’t in that position, so what you care about is human life. But consider, if you were, and worried about your career or sought promotion, what would you do then?”

Huangfu Jingchen noticed the gentle smile in Xia Wenjin’s eyes, holding a hint of tolerance, guidance, and encouragement…

Was this a senior’s encouragement to a junior?

Realizing he had oversimplified things, Huangfu Jingchen calmed down and considered her perspective. If protecting one’s position is at stake? Or seeking a higher one? If an epidemic occurs under his jurisdiction, it’s essential to control it, but what method is most reliable? Safest?

His expression gradually turned grave.

Even though such situations wouldn’t occur in Yunzhou, his prolonged experience in Jianghu this time had shifted many of his perspectives.

Justice and righteousness are not always visible.

Human desires can propel individuals to do unimaginable things for personal gain.

Yu Shikui, backed by Marquis Anning, has always acted somewhat radically, yet his decisions are swift and decisive!

If his decision was…

Raising his eyes, Huangfu Jingchen asked, “Have you considered all the possibilities?”

Xia Wenjin shook her head slightly, “As things are severe, it’s natural to anticipate the worst outcome. Currently, while we’re both striving, it’s often the case that individual efforts can’t sway those in power. From their perspective, everything might seem expendable!”

She had made her point clear.

Huangfu Jingchen understood.

He responded, “I understand; I’ll handle it!”

Xia Wenjin glanced at him.

Even now, she didn’t know his identity, nor did she ask, thinking even friends shouldn’t pry everything from each other, heart-to-heart connections suffice.

Yet witnessing his resolute gaze and confidence, she raised her estimation of his identity further in her mind, perhaps he belonged to an official family too?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep