Chapter 20
You Are Able to Heal, Right?
The villagers were stunned at Zhao Chuchu’s indifference.
They had never seen such a heartless doctor. She refused to yield, regardless of what they said or did.
“Remember, pay up or wait for death!” Zhao Chuchu cast an unsympathetic look at them, her gaze lingering on the woman who had attempted to kill her. “You pointed a chopper at me, and now you want me to give you the prescription for free? Who do you think you are?”
The woman recoiled as she tried to defend herself. “I was also forced to…”
“You were forced to kill the people who came to save you? You’re really something,” Xie Heng interrupted the woman. He turned to the deputy commander with unfocused eyes and said, “This woman attempted murder. My lord, please help me seek justice for my wife.”
The woman looked fearfully at Jiang Chunlai. “My lord, it was not intentional. Please help me.”
“Take her away. Give her fifty lashes with the rod,” Jiang Chunlai said directly.
Her skin would split open if she had to endure fifty lashes.
The woman cried out, “My lord, please spare me. Darling, save me! I did all that because I wanted to save you!”
However, the woman’s husband quickly looked away. He did not dare look at his wife, let alone save her.
The soldiers dragged the woman away. Zhao Chuchu’s face was devoid of expression. She had no intention of pleading for mercy on the woman’s behalf.
The woman had plotted to kill her. Zhao Chuchu thought she was being kind by not taking her life.
“Let’s go.” Jiang Chunlai gestured for Zhao Chuchu to follow him. “Come with me to the other villages. Leave everything here to Doctor Lu.”
“Yes, my lord.” Doctor Lu clasped his hands together respectfully.
Zhao Chuchu felt she could no longer stay in a place as awful as Zhang Village. She helped Xie Heng and followed Jiang Chunlai.
Jiang Chunlai suddenly stopped in his tracks and said to Yuze, “Oh yes, don’t forget about Mrs. Xie’s payment.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Jiang Chunlai nodded and strode off.
Over the next two weeks, Zhao Chuchu accompanied Jiang Chunlai to the other villages and towns in Yuanjiang County.
Since the prescription was proven effective in fighting the virus, it was submitted to the relevant government office. They then transferred the necessary herbs from the state to Yuanjiang County. Over time, Yuanjiang Country was able to keep the plague under control.
Zhao Chuchu was now famous throughout Yuanjiang County.
During this time, Xie Heng was always by Zhao Chuchu’s side.
Zhao Chuchu had changed Xie Heng’s perception of women.
He thought she was bold and decisive. Yet she was also kindhearted and certainly not a pushover.
“What kind of person is she really?” Xie Heng wondered.
Xie Heng never knew another woman who handled things like Zhao Chuchu.
“This is the last village. We will be able to return to Lengshui Village in a few days.” Zhao Chuchu took two steamed buns as she sat down beside Xie Heng. She handed one to him. “Come, let’s eat.”
Xie Heng took the bun from her.
“Are you tired of traveling to these places with us?” Zhao Chuchu asked.
“I’m fine.” Xie Heng said, “I’ve learned a lot.”
Zhao Chuchu would not deny what he said. It was a fact.
Although Xie Heng was “blind” and young, he had presented brilliant proposals to Jiang Chunlai. He did not look inexperienced.
“What are you going to do after this?” After assuming the identity of Xie Heng’s wife for so long, Zhao Chuchu regarded him as a friend.
Xie Heng broke the steamed bun in half, his eyes looking at nothing. “I’ll study for the Imperial Examination.”
“Your eyes…”
“Aren’t you able to heal them?”
Zhao Chuchu raised her eyebrows.
“So that was his intention…” she mused to herself.
“Mrs. Xie, Mrs. Xie!” A guard ran over toward them, looking breathless. “The deputy commander is looking for you. Please come with me.”
“What is it?” Zhao Chuchu stood up. She had not finished eating her bun.
“A villager has suddenly vomited blood. Please go and have a look.” The guard looked at her anxiously.
Zhao Chuchu shoved the steamed bun into Xie Heng’s hand and ran toward the village.
Xie Heng looked at the half-eaten bun and frowned slightly. He was at a loss for words.