A Shocking Dream

"Didn't she send someone named Yuanyuan to the Crown Prince? Go ask her; maybe she knows something," Su Yijing suggested eagerly, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. He took a small step forward, as if eager to push this idea forward. "Rongchen, we have no clue right now. This Yuanyuan might be our only chance. If we can get information about Lin Bingshuang from her, we might be able to solve all these mysteries."

Qin Rongchen replied helplessly, "Yuanyuan doesn't live in the Eastern Palace, and the Crown Prince doesn't know where she is." His voice was filled with deep disappointment, as if a glimmer of hope had just been shattered. He lowered his eyes slightly, his expression gloomy. "I also tried to find Yuanyuan, but it was as if she had vanished into thin air. I also asked the Crown Prince many times, but he truly didn't know Yuanyuan's whereabouts."

"Not living in the Eastern Palace? That's impossible. If she was sent by Lin Bingshuang to investigate your life, living in the Eastern Palace would be the most convenient. Don't be sad. Just believe the prince when he says he doesn't know. I don't believe him anyway." Su Yijing spoke fiercely, his face full of suspicion. He folded his hands over his chest and raised his chin slightly, as if dissatisfied with Qin Rongchen's easy belief in the prince's words.

Qin Rongchen was slightly startled after hearing Su Yijing's words, and a trace of confusion flashed in his eyes. "But the prince did say that he didn't know Yuanyuan's whereabouts. What can I do?" There was a hint of helplessness in his voice, as if he was in trouble.

Su Yijing snorted, "You just trust the prince too easily. The prince may have his own considerations and may not tell the truth." He paced back and forth, his brain working rapidly.

Wu Nian sat quietly in the carriage, lost in her own thoughts. Linzhou lay ahead, and beyond it lay the jurisdiction of the capital. Suddenly, she heard a wailing sound outside the carriage, the miserable sound piercing the quiet of the carriage like a sharp arrow. "What's going on?" she asked in confusion, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, her clear eyes filled with confusion. She quickly glanced out the window, and the scene outside shocked her heart.

Wu Nian looked through the car window and saw pale and powerless people lying on the roadside on both sides. Some were pale and thin, as if all the vitality had been drained away by time and suffering; some had white eyes, and their empty eyes revealed despair and helplessness; some were foaming at the mouth, and their bodies twitched from time to time, and their painful appearance was unbearable to look at.

Her heart sank, and a strong feeling of compassion surged in her. What kind of disaster had befallen these innocent people? Wu Nian's eyes were filled with shock and confusion. She couldn't imagine that in this seemingly peaceful world, such a tragic scene could exist.

The atmosphere in the carriage grew heavy. Wu Nian bit her lip tightly, trying to remain calm. She knew that now was not the time to panic. She had to find out the cause of all this and see if she could do anything for these poor people.

"Stop!" The driver heard Wu Nian's voice and hurriedly stopped the carriage. The sound of the wheels scraping against the ground seemed particularly abrupt in this chaotic scene.

"Kan'an, mask yourself and get the medicine box," Wu Nian said, jumping off the carriage with a determined and anxious look. Her skirt fluttered slightly in the wind, like a flower blooming in the midst of suffering. Kan'an followed, startled by the plight of the people on the road. She covered her mouth, her eyes filled with shock and pity.

Wu Nian quickly walked over to a pale, white-eyed civilian and knelt down. Her movements were gentle and measured, as if she feared disturbing the suffering patient. She extended three fingers and gently placed them on the civilian's wrist. She closed her eyes and concentrated on feeling the pulse. Her brow furrowed slightly, her heart tightening at the weak, unsteady pulse.

Wu Nian then opened her eyes and carefully observed the complexion, tongue coating, and eyes of the people. Her gaze was focused and serious, not missing a single detail. "Pale complexion, thick and greasy tongue coating, and dull eyes—this is a sign of Qi and blood deficiency and dampness," Wu Nian whispered to herself.

Then, she took the medicine box from Kanan and took out some herbs, placing them in her palm. She sniffed the herbs, confirming they were the right ones, and began to prepare medicine for the people. Her fingers deftly manipulated the herbs, like a skilled artist creating a composition. "This herb replenishes Qi, this one nourishes the blood, and this one dispels dampness," Wu Nian explained softly as she prepared the medicine.

After preparing the medicine, Wu Nian asked Kan Kan to fetch some water. She placed the herbs in the water, stirring gently. Once fully soaked, she carefully helped the man up and allowed him to slowly drink the medicine. The man coughed periodically as he drank the medicine, but Wu Nian patiently cared for him and comforted him with gentle words.

After treating the first patient, Wu Nian, without pause, moved on to the next, emaciated and pale-faced patient. She repeated the same steps: taking the patient's pulse, observing the patient, prescribing medication, and feeding him medicine. Each movement was filled with care and professionalism. Beads of sweat gradually formed on her forehead, but she remained oblivious. Her only thought was to help these suffering people as much as possible.

Wu Nian was concentrating on treating a patient when he suddenly heard a commotion. "Get out of the way! Get out of the way!" Several soldiers approached menacingly, their heavy and hurried footsteps shattering the temporary tranquility of the area.

The civilians scattered in panic, fear on their faces. Wu Nian frowned slightly, ignoring the soldiers, a sense of unease welling up in her heart. She wondered why these soldiers had come, and what impact they would have on the already suffering civilians.

Nervously, Qianqian approached Wunian and whispered, "Sister, these soldiers are coming with ill intentions. What should we do?" Wunian shook her head gently, signaling Qianqian not to panic. Qianqian stood up and calmly watched the approaching soldiers, preparing for any possible consequences.

The leading officer was surprised by Wu Nian's behavior. He had arrived with a fierce momentum, ready to drive away those bringing the disease, but he hadn't expected to see such a scene. Wu Nian's movements were skillful, without a trace of hesitation, each step precise and decisive. She would bow her head to take the patient's pulse, carefully observe the patient's symptoms, and quickly extract herbs from the medicine box to prepare a mixture. Her focused expression and professional movements moved even the leader, a veteran of all kinds of situations.

He stared intently at Wu Nian, secretly admiring her. If it weren't for her attire, he would have mistaken her for some old, miraculous doctor. Her white hair shone with a unique light in the sunlight, forming a sharp contrast with her youthful face.