Feng Jin, snapping back to reality, put on a mask to cover her face, ensuring she was fully protected before entering. She was no longer alone; she had to consider the child in her womb.
“Madam, you’re finally back!”
Yunyun, seeing Feng Jin’s figure appear at the entrance, hurried to surround her. Without Feng Jin for these past two days, she felt as if she had lost her anchor, fearing Feng Jin might not return. Seeing her now, her hanging heart finally settled.
“I thought you wouldn’t come back, Madam. Madam, are you feeling better?”
“Much better. I’ll go check on the patients first.”
Feng Jin offered no further explanation and rushed to examine the patients. The conditions of those she had previously treated with acupuncture were still stable, though a few had worsened.
After administering acupuncture and medicine to each patient one by one, their conditions stabilized somewhat, allowing Feng Jin some time to rest.
Just as she sat down for a drink of water, a commotion arose from outside the door. Feng Jin quickly got up to check and saw Ling Mohan standing outside with a dark expression, soldiers behind him, about to break down the door.
Startled, Feng Jin’s heart immediately clenched. Was he mad? This was a plague-ridden area, with so many infected patients. If he barged in rashly, he could contract the plague.
With no time to think, Feng Jin hurriedly took off her outer garment, disinfected herself thoroughly, and then ran out.
“Ling Mohan, are you crazy? What is this place? Are you mad to dare barge in!”
Feng Jin stood inside the doorway, shouting angrily at the man from several meters away.
Ling Mohan’s gaze, sharp as a vulture’s, fixed deeply on Feng Jin. His face was extremely dark, and his cold, thin lips parted slightly, saying, “Return with me!”
When he heard the soldiers report that Feng Jin had left, his heart felt as if it were being roasted over a blazing fire. He had searched for her with his soldiers for an entire night, but found no trace of her.
After searching the entire Yingzhong Commandery and interrogating everyone, he finally learned from Lu Shi that Feng Jin was here. All he wanted now was to take Feng Jin back immediately.
“The house is full of patients waiting for my treatment. Their lives are hanging by a thread; I cannot go back with you.”
Upon hearing Feng Jin’s refusal, the hands hidden in Ling Mohan’s sleeves clenched tightly, and a flame ignited in his eyes. His brows furrowed, suppressing his anger.
“One last word, return with me!”
Feng Jin’s gaze was firm as she looked at Ling Mohan, her tone resolute: “I cannot go back with you now!”
“Guards, take the young madam back!”
Ling Mohan lost his patience for discussing with Feng Jin and directly ordered them to forcibly take Feng Jin back.
“All of you, stand down!” Feng Jin shouted angrily, taking out a dagger from her waist and holding it to her neck.
“Ling Mohan, are you trying to force me to my death?”
“Put down the knife!”
Ling Mohan’s gaze was fixed on the dagger at Feng Jin’s neck, afraid that in a blink of an eye, the blade would slice through it.
“If you leave… I will put it down!” Feng Jin’s voice was extremely firm. She applied slight pressure, and a trickle of blood emerged from her fair neck, a stark and painful sight.
The man’s hands clenched tightly. After a moment of silence, he suppressed his voice with great effort and said, “Let’s go.”
As the words fell, Ling Mohan turned and left without looking back.
Feng Jin watched his receding figure, her eyes filled with increasing dejection. A part of her heart felt empty and sore. Her eyes welled up, and tears fell uncontrollably. Only when Ling Mohan’s figure disappeared from her sight did Feng Jin turn back into the room.
“Madam, your neck is bleeding?” Xiao Niang immediately noticed the wound on Feng Jin’s neck and reached for a cloth to bandage it.
“No need to bother. It’s just a superficial scratch. Let’s treat the patients first.”
This was the most critical time. Any slight relaxation would render all previous efforts in vain.
Feng Jin had no time to dwell on such matters of romance and rushed back into the process of treating the patients.
After a full day of care, a few people finally recovered, which was the best news for Feng Jin.
“Grandpa, your illness is cured. After another two days of recuperation, you can go home.”
“Miss, my illness is truly cured? I can really go home?”
Feng Jin smiled and repeated, “Of course. Grandpa, your illness is all gone, and you can go home soon.”
Upon confirmation, Grandpa was momentarily dazed, then suddenly knelt before Feng Jin. “Miss, you are my savior. I must kowtow to you.”
Startled, Feng Jin quickly helped Grandpa up. “Grandpa, I am a physician, and treating and saving people is what I should do. I truly cannot accept this from you.”
After a pause, Feng Jin continued, “It was General Ling who ordered me to come and treat you all. All the expenses during your treatment were borne by General Ling himself. If you wish to express gratitude, please thank General Ling.”
After much thought, she decided to attribute the credit to Ling Mohan, as it was much better than taking it for herself.
“Young General is truly our great benefactor. If it weren’t for the Young General repelling those rebels, we would have lost our lives long ago.”
“Thanks to the Young General repelling the rebels, and the Young Madam curing our illnesses, the people of Yingzhong Commandery will never forget your great kindness for generations to come.”
“I must tell my children and grandchildren so they will always remember the benevolence of the Young Madam and the Young General.”
Everyone offered words of praise. The improvement in the plague brought a sliver of comfort to the suffering populace.
Feng Jin’s despondent mood also gradually improved.
The sudden release from continuous fatigue left Feng Jin feeling utterly weak. Leaning against the wall, she sat on a chair, closing her eyes to rest and gather her strength.
She really needed to rest well for a few days, or she would truly die from overwork.
“Madam, it’s time to eat. A very handsome young gentleman asked me to bring this to you.”
Yunyun placed an exquisite food box before Feng Jin.
A handsome young gentleman. Feng Jin’s eyes lit up, immediately associating it with Ling Mohan. She quickly opened the food box to check, but the light in her eyes dimmed instantly upon seeing what was inside.
This food box was not from Ling Mohan. She knew he knew she disliked chestnut cakes the most and would never prepare them for her.
She guessed Ling Mohan was still angry with her and wouldn’t bother with her.
Holding the chestnut cake, though she didn’t like to eat it, Feng Jin listlessly put it into her mouth and took a bite.
The taste was truly unappetizing… She really missed the pastries Ling Mohan used to prepare for her.
Eating the chestnut cake without taste, as if chewing on wax, Feng Jin, without realizing it, finished the entire plate.
“Young Madam… Young Madam…” A shout from outside pulled Feng Jin back to her senses.
Putting down the cake, Feng Jin looked out with a hint of confusion.