A Shocking Dream

Continuation of Chapter 102 of A Shocking Dream:

Moonlight streamed down the quarantined courtyard like water, casting a silvery halo. All around was silent, save for the occasional cough from a patient. Lin Wunian, carrying a dim lantern, moved from room to room.

Her white hair stood out against the night sky, and her eyes, covered with a veil, showed concentration and determination. She quietly walked into a ward for critically ill patients, and looking at the unconscious patient on the bed, a wave of compassion welled up in her heart.

Lin Wunian carefully sat down beside the bed, first placing her hand gently on the patient's forehead, feeling the temperature. The scorching heat made her frown slightly. She quickly took a damp cloth from the nearby basin and gently wiped the patient's forehead, trying to cool it down. Then, she picked up the patient's wrist and carefully felt the pulse, feeling its beat. Her expression was focused and serious, as if she were listening to the rhythm of life.

Lin Wunian then opened her medicine box and pulled out some herbs. She expertly crushed them, wrapped them in gauze, and placed them on the patient's chest. "This herb will ease your breathing," she whispered softly. "I hope you'll get better soon." Her voice was gentle yet firm, bringing a sense of comfort to the patient.

She also carefully checks on the wards of patients with mild symptoms. She will ask them how they feel, "Do you feel better today? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?" After the patients answer, she will adjust the dosage of herbal medicine according to their situation. She will also encourage them to stay optimistic, "Don't be afraid, it's okay."

In this long night, Lin Wunian forgot about fatigue and time. She had only one belief in her heart, that is to do her best to treat every patient. She knew that every move she made, every decision she made could affect the patient's life or death.

When the first rays of dawn spread across the earth, Lin Wunian was still busy. Her figure seemed particularly tall in the morning light, like a ray of hope, illuminating this world shrouded by the epidemic.

"How is Linzhou's condition these days?" Qin Ronghuan asked in the court. His voice was steady and powerful, but it could hardly hide his concern and anxiety.

Qin Ronghuan sat upright atop the high dragon throne, clad in a magnificent dragon robe, his expression solemn. He leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing as he stared intently at the ministers below. His stern gaze seemed to urge them to answer quickly.

The ministers looked at each other, no one answered for a moment. A tense atmosphere permeated the court, so quiet that one could almost hear the beating of everyone's heart. Qin Ronghuan frowned slightly, his eyes revealing dissatisfaction. He coughed lightly, his voice echoing in the empty court with a hint of majesty: "I am asking you a question. What is the true condition of Linzhou? Don't you know anything?"

Finally, a gray-haired old minister stepped forward, trembling. He stroked his beard and said with a worried look, "Your Majesty, the situation in Linzhou remains severe. The epidemic is raging like a flood and a beast. The people are suffering from the disease, and many are bedridden, in unbearable pain. The streets are filled with sadness and despair. The prosperity of the past is gone, and many families have even been torn apart. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Prince are already in Linzhou. I'm afraid the situation is more serious than we imagined." The old minister's voice was filled with grief. He lowered his head slightly, not daring to look Qin Ronghuan in the eye.

Qin Ronghuan's expression grew even more solemn. He gripped the armrests of the throne tightly, his knuckles turning slightly white. "Are there specific numbers? How many people have been infected? How many have died?" he asked anxiously.

Another minister quickly stepped forward, his voice trembling as he replied, "Your Majesty, according to current statistics, the number of people infected in Linzhou has reached several thousand, and the number is still increasing. The death toll is also rising, with new tragic news arriving every day. Furthermore, the disease is still spreading, and surrounding areas are also showing signs of being affected. If timely measures are not taken, I'm afraid the consequences will be disastrous."

Qin Ronghuan's brow furrowed, and he tapped the armrests of the dragon throne with his fingers, lost in thought. After a moment, he raised his head and said with a firm gaze, "Is there any solution? I cannot stand by and watch the people suffer."

The ministers bowed their heads in thought, and a deep silence fell over the court. After a while, a young minister bravely stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, we can dispatch doctors to Linzhou to treat the people with all our strength. We can also gather highly skilled physicians from all over the country to form a medical team and send them to Linzhou to fight the epidemic. At the same time, we can also gather medicinal materials and ship them to Linzhou to alleviate the urgent need."

Another minister echoed, "Your Majesty, you can also order all regions to strengthen epidemic prevention measures to prevent the further spread of the disease. Close borders, restrict the movement of people, and conduct strict inspections on people entering and leaving the city. In addition, you can offer a reward to folk doctors. Anyone who can cure this disease will be rewarded generously. Encourage folk medical research and innovation to jointly fight the epidemic."

The atmosphere in the court grew increasingly heavy, and everyone's expressions were filled with worry. Qin Ronghuan narrowed his eyes slightly, lost in thought. He knew that the Crown Prince and the Prince's personal visit to Linzhou signified the urgency and seriousness of the situation.

"Is there any news from the Crown Prince and the Prince?" Qin Ronghuan asked.

The ministers shook their heads, expressions of helplessness on their faces. "Your Majesty, we haven't received any news from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince or the Prince yet, but I imagine the situation is certainly not optimistic."

Qin Ronghuan stood up and paced around the court. His heart was filled with anxiety. On the one hand, he was worried about the safety of the people in Linzhou, and on the other hand, he was also concerned about the situation of the crown prince and the prince.

His footsteps were heavy and hurried, each one seeming to tread upon his anxious heart. Qin Ronghuan's brows were furrowed, his eyes filled with worry. He looked off into the distance from time to time, as if hoping for good news.

"The people of Linzhou are suffering from illness. What can they do?" Qin Ronghuan whispered to himself, his voice filled with helplessness and heartache. He thought of those innocent people who should have lived a peaceful life, but everything was shattered by this sudden epidemic.

"Have you found out where the disease originated from?" Qin Ronghuan asked. He glanced at the ministers in the court, his eyes filled with anxiety and anticipation.

The ministers looked at each other, no one answering for a moment. Qin Ronghuan frowned slightly, his expression growing more serious. "I'm asking you, where exactly does this disease originate? Don't you have any idea?" His voice rose a few degrees, a hint of authority.