As the doctors' hearts relaxed upon seeing the red rash and festering skin on people's faces improve significantly after taking the medicine.
However, follow-up work was still necessary. Ye Qingcheng had not rested properly for the past month. Now that the antidote was successfully developed, her body instantly relaxed, and she almost fainted, but someone managed to steady her.
Ye Qingcheng was about to turn around to thank him when she saw his eyebrows twitch in surprise, followed by a smile: "I didn't expect you to come back."
Sheng Yiran supported her and teased, "If you can come, why can't I? How about it, why don't you go back and rest first!"
Ye Qingcheng shook her head: "It's alright, I'll rest after finishing the follow-up work."
Sheng Yiran had not studied medicine, so she was not familiar with these matters. Upon hearing Ye Qingcheng's words, she asked, "What else needs to be done? I can help too."
Ye Qingcheng looked back at her, thinking it was fine, and handed her the booklet and pen in her hand: "Please ask them one by one if they are still feeling uncomfortable in any way, or what sensations they have. If they do, record it, along with their feelings."
Sheng Yiran took the items and nodded, saying, "Okay."
Ye Qingcheng yawned. Taking advantage of this moment, she went to sleep for a while.
Soon, Sheng Yiran finished her recording. Looking at the feelings written down, she thought of the villagers' smiling faces one by one, and unconsciously curved her lips.
A few days after taking the medicine, a large portion of the people had already recovered.
Ye Qingcheng watched them regain their energetic appearance and announced, "The quarantine area is now open. Everyone can go out."
"Oh oh oh oh! Okay!"
"Hahahaha!"
Laughter and joy spread throughout the quarantine area.
Ye Qingcheng handed the prescription and booklet to the imperial physicians from the Imperial Academy, instructing them: "This booklet details the symptoms of the illness, this is the condition after recovery, and this is the prescription for this plague. However, I have one condition: the prescription must be given unconditionally to other doctors and medical halls."
The imperial physicians nodded in agreement.
Having completed these tasks, their merits fulfilled, Ye Qingcheng and Bi Xi left in the carriage sent by the Prince's mansion. As they reached the entrance of the quarantine area, they encountered Sheng Yiran's carriage.
Seeing Sheng Yiran standing by the carriage, gazing at the entrance, Ye Qingcheng understood that she was waiting for her.
Ye Qingcheng turned back and asked Bi Xi to return first. Bi Xi understood they had something to discuss, nodded, and left.
She looked at Sheng Yiran and smiled softly: "I'm going back."
Sheng Yiran nodded: "Yes! The quarantine area has been lifted, and I'm going back too."
Ye Qingcheng smiled at her: "You are truly remarkable." This was not an insincere statement; she was truly strong. When she asked Bi Xi to pass a message to Xiao Wangye to recruit volunteers from the marketplace, regardless of their status or position, only she among the nobles had come.
Sheng Yiran disagreed with her words, shaking her head: "No, I'm not remarkable. You are. You were actually able to develop a cure for the plague."
Ye Qingcheng smiled: "Don't praise me too highly. Many doctors worked with me; I wasn't the only one! How are you feeling now? Have you been infected?"
Sheng Yiran shook her head: "I'm fine, Ye Qingcheng. You've made me re-evaluate the value of being a woman. All along, I've been instilled with the idea that women are inferior to men, and my mother disdained me for not being a boy. You are truly amazing. For so many years, I also believed that women only needed to adhere to the three obediences and four virtues, and be proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. But now I have to redefine what a woman is."
She said, "When the Regent first said he was recruiting volunteers to care for the sick, I was actually very moved. But I still came because the Regent said that whether noble or commoner, male or female, they would receive three taels of silver. I believe this statement was not made by the Regent himself, but by his wife, the Princess Consort. Indeed, I guessed correctly. But I am also fortunate that I came, because here, I have a different feeling. Ye Qingcheng, thank you." She then bowed to Ye Qingcheng.
Ye Qingcheng was moved by her transformation. It seemed that from their first meeting until now, Sheng Yiran had become increasingly composed.
She was more like a refined lady from a good family.
After returning home, Ye Qingcheng slept soundly. The next day, she slept until late morning, waking up naturally, and no one had woken her. She asked Jing Xiu, who explained: "The Prince said that you and Bi Xi have been very tired these past few months, so he asked the Princess Consort and Bi Xi to rest well and not to be woken up."
Hearing that it was Xiao Wangye's order, Ye Qingcheng felt a surge of happiness.
"Where is Xiao Wangye? Where is he?"
Jing Xiu explained, "Now that the plague has just passed, the Prince is still busy with the follow-up work."
Ye Qingcheng thought that was reasonable. With the plague over, it was indeed time to handle state affairs and reopen the city gates.
Just as Ye Qingcheng finished her lunch with a happy heart, she heard a young servant running towards her in a hurry, shouting, "Princess Consort, something bad has happened! Hurry and go outside to see!"
Ye Qingcheng put down her bowl and chopsticks: "What's wrong?"
The servant hastily swallowed and said, "Many people have gathered at the entrance of the Regent's mansion, all saying they are here to thank the Princess Consort. They've almost blocked the road."
This terrified Ye Qingcheng. She had never dealt with such a situation before.
"When will the Prince return?"
The servant thought for a moment: "Well... soon."
"Oh!" That put Ye Qingcheng at ease. "Let Xiao Wangye handle it! I don't want to deal with it."
Jing Xiu was stunned by this response.
"Princess Consort, are you really not going to see!"
Ye Qingcheng was very sure: "No, just say I'm still tired and sleeping."
The servant didn't know what to do for a moment. He glanced at Jing Xiu, who gave him a look to leave first.
Jing Xiu was silent for a moment, then served some food to the Princess Consort and said, "Princess Consort, are you really not going to manage this? The Prince's mansion will be completely blocked. Young Miss Cheng thought the same thing this morning, believing they would leave once they calmed down. However, they waited at the Cheng family's doorstep for a whole morning, causing a long queue of carriages. In the end, Miss Cheng had no choice but to come out and appease them."
"The Cheng family?" Ye Qingcheng's interest was piqued: "Sheng Yiran?"
Jing Xiu nodded: "Yes!"
Ye Qingcheng burst into laughter.
"Haha, Sheng Yiran actually has moments of helplessness. Alas~"
Jing Xiu continued to serve food to the Princess Consort: "Princess Consort, aren't you on good terms with Miss Cheng!"
Ye Qingcheng looked a little confused: "My relationship with her isn't too good."
Jing Xiu smiled: "Isn't it good! The Cheng family's young lady's reputation is excellent now. She must be very popular."
Ye Qingcheng thought about Sheng Yiran's rather attractive features. It was already good that she was willing to treat patients despite the risk of infection.
"It's not bad, much better than some young masters from noble families."