Chapter 70: Her frustrated appearance is heartbreaking.

Chapter 70: Her frustrated appearance is heartbreaking.

Jiang Yutang was dozing off in front of the medicine jar, her head resting on her knees in the warmth of the stove, like a sleepy chick pecking at rice, while she tightly gripped a palm-leaf fan in her hand.

Cheng Lanzhou's gaze softened, revealing a hint of unspeakable emotion.

These days, Jiang Yutang has changed so much. The once delicate girl who was afraid of getting muddy when she walked has now braved the rain to go into the mountains to collect herbs for strangers and even stayed here to brew the medicine.

The resentment I felt from being dragged down the mountain by her had unknowingly dissipated by half.

He stepped forward and looked closely at her appearance.

Her face was still covered in mud that hadn't been washed off, and her hair was a mess, lacking any aesthetic appeal. However, her tightly closed eyes and slightly furrowed brows gave her a more vibrant and captivating look than before.

Cheng Lanzhou raised her hand, stopped abruptly above her head, and then gently shook her arm.

Jiang Yutang sat up groggily, her eyes not fully open yet. Her first instinct was to grab a palm-leaf fan and fan the fire vigorously, asking in a panic, "The medicine... the medicine didn't burn, did it?"

Seeing her flustered state, Cheng Lanzhou's lips curled up almost imperceptibly, and he shook his head: "It's not burnt. The water is boiled. Go take a shower first. I'll watch over things here."

"Great!"

Jiang Yutang seemed to wake from a dream, stood up and walked towards the door. As soon as she reached the door, she was shivered by the cold wind. She quickly hugged her arms and ran into the rain with small steps, heading towards the bathroom.

Cheng Lanzhou watched her retreating figure, walked to the medicine jar, picked up the palm-leaf fan she had been holding, and gently fanned the stove fire.

The firelight reflected on his face, softening his usually cold and hard features.

The warm bathwater enveloped her body, making Jiang Yutang feel dizzy. The fatigue of the past few days washed over her, and her eyelids felt as heavy as lead. She almost fell asleep leaning against the edge of the bathtub.

"Little sister? Are you alright? You've been showering for so long and haven't come out yet." Jiang Huaiyu's concerned voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"It's nothing, it's nothing!" she snapped back to reality and hurriedly replied, "I'll be right out!"

She quickly dried herself off, changed into the clean, coarse cloth clothes that the old doctor's wife had found for her, and hurriedly opened the door.

Jiang Huaiyu stood at the door and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw that she was alright. She then instructed, "Go and tell Cheng Lanzhou to take a shower first. He saved your life on the mountain today, so don't keep him waiting too long."

"I understand," Jiang Yutang replied, a slight smile unconsciously playing on her lips.

Recalling the scene on the mountain, she only remembered grabbing something and sliding down in her initial panic. Only afterward did she realize that she had grabbed Cheng Lanzhou's pants!

She secretly rejoiced: Fortunately, General Cheng was magnanimous and didn't hold it against her. She was even more glad that his belt was fastened tightly, otherwise, if something really embarrassing had happened, given his pure and innocent nature, she wouldn't have felt wronged if he had pulled out a dagger and "stabbed" her on the spot.

Jiang Yutang tiptoed to the kitchen door and saw Cheng Lanzhou sitting by the stove, holding a twig and fiddling with the charcoal fire.

"Um... go take a shower, the water's ready," she whispered.

Cheng Lanzhou didn't say anything, but just looked up at her.

After washing, the girl's cheeks were flushed with moisture, and her wet hair hung over her shoulders. Without the mud covering her face, her features appeared even more delicate than usual.

He didn't say much, stood up, and walked straight out.

Jiang Yutang sat back down by the stove, picked up a palm-leaf fan, and carefully stared at the medicine jar.

The aroma of the medicine has already filled the air; we must keep a close eye on the heat to prevent it from burning.

Not long after, the old doctor came in, rubbing his hands together, and asked, "Is the medicine ready? The camp is waiting for us."

"Alright, I just turned off the heat." Jiang Yutang quickly got up and helped the old doctor lift the medicine jar down, pouring the medicine into a rough porcelain bowl that had been prepared beforehand.

The two carried the medicine bowls back to the camp. In the darkness, the makeshift tents emitted a faint light, and the sound of coughing could be heard coming from inside.

Because of the limited number of stoves and manpower, only enough medicine for five people can be cooked at a time. After delivering the medicine, we have to start the fire again, get the medicine, and cook it again.

This whole ordeal lasted until the wee hours of the morning.

Jiang Yutang ran back and forth, her legs almost giving way, but she didn't dare to stop.

After Jiang Huaiyu and Cheng Lanzhou finished bathing, they also took the initiative to help, carrying the medicine jar and delivering the medicine bowl. Their silent but powerful actions greatly reduced the burden.

As dawn approached, the last bowl of medicine was finally delivered.

Jiang Yutang leaned against the tent, watching the first light of dawn on the horizon, and let out a long sigh of relief. The night hadn't been in vain; at least a few more people would be able to see the sun today.

The old doctor came over, patted her on the shoulder, and said with a tone full of praise, "Young lady, thank you for your hard work. With your help, I've saved a lot of trouble."

Jiang Yutang smiled and shook her head: "It's nothing, I'm glad I could help."

She turned to look at Cheng Lanzhou not far away. He was standing in the morning light, his posture upright, and he seemed to be looking into the distance as well.

Jiang Yutang yawned widely, tears of emotion welling up in the corners of her eyes.

After working non-stop for two days, barely sleeping at night, she even suspected that she would die suddenly if she kept going.

Seeing the dark circles under her eyes, the old doctor couldn't help but advise, "Young lady, don't push yourself. Go back and rest for a while. I'll keep an eye on things here."

"Then I'll go rest for a while. If anything happens, remember to call me." Jiang Yutang nodded and turned to walk unsteadily back to her spot.

Madam Yun had been waiting for her. When she saw her return, she quickly spread out her bamboo mat and placed folded clothes under her head, saying, "Lie down and rest. I'll watch over you, and no one will bother you."

Jiang Yutang leaned against the soft clothes, still able to hear coughs and low groans coming from the next tent, and the rustling of voices around her. But exhaustion had already overwhelmed everything. She closed her eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep.

She didn't know how long she had been asleep when a series of hurried, frantic noises suddenly woke her up.

She opened her eyes abruptly, her heart pounding. Following the sound, she saw that something had happened in the shed where the sick refugees were! Without thinking, she hurriedly put on her shoes and ran over there.

When they ran outside the canopy, they saw the old doctor already inside, surrounded by several panicked refugees.

She took out a sun-protective mask from her bosom, put a handkerchief under it, and quickly slipped inside. Just as she stood still, she saw the old doctor shake his head and walk out with a heavy expression.

She quickly followed, her voice tinged with urgency: "Doctor, what's wrong? Has something happened?"

The old doctor sighed deeply, his tone full of helplessness: "This cholera is more serious and difficult to treat than I imagined. Even some patients, who had clearly made it to the point of receiving treatment, still didn't make it and just passed away."

Jiang Yutang stood there, stunned, feeling as if something had hit her hard in the heart, and a strong sense of defeat welled up inside her.

She lives in a modern world with advanced medical care and has never witnessed the helplessness of people in ancient times in the face of disease.

While traditional Chinese medicine can regulate the body, it takes too long to work, whereas cholera is a life-threatening acute illness that cannot be waited for.

Her eyelids drooped, her shoulders slumped slightly, and her back muscles unconsciously bent. She exuded an undisguised sense of loss, and her frustrated appearance was so heartbreaking that it made one's heart ache.