Chapter 274: Chapter 274: Don’t Come Any Closer

Xia Wenjin was well aware that she should not overwork herself in her current state. Yet, first, she did not want to cause panic. Wangshan Town’s isolation zone had been entrusted to her by Shang Jingwang, and if it became known that she too was not spared and her life was hanging by a thread, the other doctors would surely be affected.

Second, with the shortage of manpower, she wanted to do as much as she possibly could.

Third, being an epidemic patient herself, she was also observing the symptoms in other severe epidemic patients, meticulously documenting everything. This was valuable first-hand information.

Shang Jingwang had been in Wangshan Town for nearly a month. Surely the situation here had already been reported to the Court. The Court would undoubtedly send Imperial Physicians. If she could leave behind something valuable, even if just a draft, it would save them much time in researching a cure for the epidemic.

As someone infected by the epidemic, her health had declined significantly. She had noted the patterns of blood-spitting and weakness among severe epidemic patients, appearing before people only when feeling slightly better.

After Huangfu Jingchen left the severe epidemic area last time, Xia Wenjin ordered all doctors in the area to wear cloth soaked in a special medicinal concoction over their mouths and noses, saying it was to prevent the spread of the epidemic through respiration.

Fortunately, these doctors, accustomed to dealing with medicine, did not mind the smell of cloth soaked in medicinal stew. Who was not afraid, being there? Realizing it genuinely prevented contagion, they all obediently wore it.

Xia Wenjin also covered her mouth and nose with this cloth. In doing so, her pale complexion was hidden underneath, and the doctors never suspected she was also an epidemic patient.

Of course, Xia Wenjin’s order was not to conceal her illness but genuinely hoped to reduce transmission through this method. She only regretted not thinking of it sooner. The idea struck her when she had no choice but to meet with Huangfu Jingchen, who insisted on seeing her.

Watching Huangfu Jingchen, anxious and seemingly poised to abandon everyone to rush to see his love, the Undying Poison Doctor found a rare interest.

The boy had tenacity, brains, a sturdy backbone that bent on his terms, making him quite an interesting character. Wondering what the person he fancied looked like.

To make this boy forsake over two thousand people for her alone, she must be breathtakingly magnificent, stunningly beautiful, and exceptionally charming!

The elder had lived over a hundred years, seeing generation after generation of the greatest beauties in the Jianghu during his youth. Each had their unique charm. He might as well judge for this boy!

Huangfu Jingchen hurried to the severe epidemic area, where the four guards at the gate stopped them.

The guards looked at Huangfu Jingchen with exasperation. Wasn’t he the Young Master Huang who forcefully broke in the day before yesterday, swept past Doctor Yan and the guards, and whom the Prefect treated as an honored guest?

Was he attempting to force his way in again today?

Huangfu Jingchen directly presented Shang Jingwang’s token, stating, “By order of the Prefect, I am taking this elder to the severe epidemic area for urgent business!”

The four guards, seeing the token, promptly stepped aside.

Huangfu Jingchen hurriedly proceeded, yet looking back, he saw the Undying Poison Doctor leisurely lagging behind. Reluctantly, he turned and bowed, “Elder, please hurry. I implore you!”

Seeing his increasing urgency, the Undying Poison Doctor grew more inclined to tease him, saying, “If you’re in a hurry, go on ahead. I’ll wander around here!”

What’s there to see in the severe epidemic area, where all the patients are severely ill? And from outside, not a soul can be seen, as all the patients are bedridden inside, with the air filled with the scent of medicinal stews.

Huangfu Jingchen had no choice; he stifled his impatience, begged, “Elder, please see Wenjin first, and afterward, I’ll accompany you for a thorough tour!”

The Undying Poison Doctor snorted, “Do I care?”

Huangfu Jingchen again took out the little sable from his sleeve, saying, “Elder, it was my immaturity. The little sable is better off with you.”

The little sable, now two days old and no longer damp, curiously glanced around with its bright black eyes, lazily shifting its tiny feet in Huangfu Jingchen’s palm, looking adorable.

The Undying Poison Doctor’s attention was caught by the little sable, yet he didn’t reach out, snorting, “Since your deal with me is to cure your beloved, gifting this sable to me, I’m not taking advantage of you. For the sake of your anxiety for your beloved, lead the way then!”

Huangfu Jingchen, overjoyed, immediately moved on.

Earlier, a doctor mentioned Xia Wenjin was treating patients, and now he didn’t know where she was, so he could only search the severe epidemic area.

After checking two wards, he encountered Doctor Yan, who exclaimed, “Young Master Huang, you’ve returned?”

It seemed Huangfu Jingchen’s forceful entry had left a lasting impression on both the guards and Doctor Yan.

Huangfu Jingchen, knowing Doctor Yan was kind and dedicated to the epidemic patients, nodded in acknowledgment, saying, “I’m looking for Doctor Xia. Doctor Yan, do you know where she is?”

Doctor Yan replied, “Doctor Xia had a new idea and went back to her room to work on the prescription!”

Upon hearing this, Huangfu Jingchen grew anxious, fearing she was not motivated by new insights but became unwell again and made it an excuse to avoid raising suspicions.

He thanked Doctor Yan, turned to the Undying Poison Doctor with urgency in his eyes, and said, “Elder, please come with me!”

At the entrance of the small, secluded room, they could hear coughing from inside, the sounds seeming to deprive the person inside of air, while outside, Huangfu Jingchen’s expression changed dramatically, as if each cough struck like a heavy hammer upon his heart.

Worried and anxious, thoughts of Xia Wenjin’s current condition filled his mind, leaving him without care for anything else. He did not even bother with knocking before pushing the door open.

Inside, Xia Wenjin had indeed retreated due to feeling unwell, but she genuinely had new ideas and was writing as she coughed.

The abrupt opening of the door startled her, causing the cough to break free from control. She tasted a metallic sweetness in her throat, and upon opening her mouth, fresh blood spattered onto the white paper.

Huangfu Jingchen was shocked, rushing over, “Wenjin…”

“Stay back!” Xia Wenjin shouted.

Inside the small room, she had removed the cloth covering her mouth and nose. Particularly in her current coughing, Huangfu Jingchen, devoid of any protection, running in like this, had no idea how dangerous it was.

Growing anxious in her heart, another bout of coughing surged up, leaving her face pale.

Huangfu Jingchen grew even more worried, supporting her, gently smoothing her back to ease her breathing. Watching her wavering condition, his heart ached immeasurably, wishing to enfold this frail figure in his arms for proper care!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep