âMiss, look, Imperial Physician Xu has entered Fourth Masterâs room!â
Wang Manman suddenly called out.
Daohua turned back and thought for a moment, then said, âYou all keep a good eye on the medicine. Once itâs ready, have Brother Xiaoliu come over to deliver it to the other sick patients in the residence. Iâll go over and take a look.â
Inside the room.
After checking Yan Wenkaiâs pulse, Imperial Physician Xu could no longer contain the excitement on his face and hurriedly said to the servant, âQuick, go and invite Miss Yan over.â
No sooner had he spoken than he saw Daohua walk in.
âImperial Physician Xu, were you looking for me?â
Imperial Physician Xu quickly stood up, saying eagerly, âThe Little Prince and Missâs fourth brotherâs condition is already improving, which proves your prescription works. May I have a look at it?â
Daohua nodded with a smile, âOf course. I had intended to ask Imperial Physician Xu to look it over from the start but feared disturbing you as you were so busy. I thought Iâd wait until there were results before troubling you.â As she spoke, she took out the prescription she had written earlier.
Imperial Physician Xu eagerly took the prescription and began to read it; the more he read, the brighter his eyes became. âMiss should have shown it to me sooner!â he exclaimed as he prepared to leave with the prescription.
After a few steps, he stopped and looked at Daohua apologetically.
Daohua smiled broadly, âImperial Physician, please take it. My father had instructed me before I came that if it can truly help disaster victims, it would be the Yan Familyâs duty as a member of Daxia.â
Imperial Physician Xu made a fist and bowed, moved, âSuch righteousness from Elder Yan! Rest assured, Miss, if the prescription proves effective, I will personally submit a report to the Emperor to explain everything.â After speaking, he left briskly, soon out of sight.
Daohua: ââ¦That old physician is certainly in good shape!â
That evening, Xiao Yeyang and Yan Wenkai did not awaken.
Nobody was concerned about this because anyone who saw the two sleeping could tell that their breathing was steady and their conditions were improving.
Dong Yuanyao listened to the servantsâ reports and personally stood outside their rooms to observe. Only then was she sure that the prescription Daohua provided was truly effective.
Indeed, ever since Imperial Physician Xu came to get the prescription, she had somewhat believed in it. But she could not afford to take chances with her brotherâs health, which is why she had waited until now.
Looking up at the moon hanging high in the sky, Dong Yuanyao braved herself at midnight and went to the courtyard where Daohua was staying.
At this moment, Daohua and Wang Manman were still sorting medicinal herbs.
It was Guyu who first saw Dong Yuanyao, âMiss Dong, what brings you here?â
Daohua turned around, noticed Dong Yuanyao looking somewhat uncomfortable at her, and immediately stood up, âSister Dong, what can I do for you?â
Dong Yuanyao wasnât someone who beat around the bush. She walked straight towards Daohua and said sincerely, âSister Yan, Iâm sorry. I shouldnât have doubted the effectiveness of your prescription this afternoon, Iâ¦â
Daohua smiled and interrupted her, âI understand!â
Seeing Dong Yuanyao staring blankly at her, Daohua continued, âI really do understand. After all, it concerns the safety of a loved one, and one cannot be too careful.â
Dong Yuanyaoâs heart relaxed, and she looked gratefully at Daohua.
In that moment, the accomplished eldest Miss Yan, always praised by her brother, truly caught her eye.
In the past, in her heart, Yan Yiyi was indeed decent, but she seemed no more than a playmate who was just a bit more playful than other young ladies.
However, now, seeing the understanding in Daohuaâs eyes and the absence of any resentment on her face, Dong Yuanyao felt that she was someone worth befriending.
âThank you!â
Daohua shook her head with a smile, âWhatâs there to thank me for? Brother Dong and my three brothers are good friends. Though it may sound cheeky, I already regard him as half a brother to me, so naturally, I would help when he is in need.â
While speaking, she walked out of the house and took out two packets of prepared medicinal herbs.
âOriginally, I was thinking of delivering them to you after dawn, but since youâre here now, take them with you.â
Holding the medicine, Dong Yuanyao smiled at Daohua. This time she didnât say thank you, but simply said, âYan Yiyi, from now on, youâre my sister.â
Daohua: ââ¦â
Dong Yuanyao: âIâm going to make medicine for my brother, you go ahead with your business.â Saying that, she turned and left.
Only after Dong Yuanyaoâs figure was out of sight did Daohua shake her head and walk back into the house.
Wang Manman and Guyu, Lixia giggled, âOur lady has gained another sister!â
â¦
Early the next morning, Yan Wenkai was the first to wake up. The moment he opened his eyes, he clamored for something to eat.
Ever since he was afflicted with the epidemic, he had hardly eaten anything besides taking his medicine every day, leaving him terribly hungry.
âNow that youâre looking for something to eat, it seems like youâll be alright!â
Daohua had Wang Manman bring over some black rice and red date porridge that had been prepared early. After Yan Wenkai drank two bowls, he lay down again to sleep.
Not much later, Xiao Yeyang woke up as well.
De Fu immediately told him that Imperial Physician Xu had already examined the prescription and found it could be used to treat the epidemic, and with that, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. After eating a bowl of the black rice porridge, he went back to bed to rest.
Dong Yuanxuan didnât wake up until the following day.
Seeing her brother awake, Dong Yuanyao couldnât hold back her tears any longer.
The siblings had always been especially close since they were young. The moment she heard Dong Yuanxuan had been infected with the epidemic and was trapped in Xingyun Prefecture, Dong Yuanyao left a letter for her family and secretly ran over, arriving several days earlier than Daohua and the others.
She had been nearly at her breaking point, watching her brotherâs condition worsen day by day, and now that she saw him wake up, all the fear and worry that had built up inside of her erupted.
The crying started and it was hard to stop.
Dong Yuanxuan, having just woken up and lacking energy, didnât know how to soothe his sister. In the end, it was Daohua who came over and pulled her away.
âSister Dong, since you have nothing to do, why donât you help us make medicine? There are still many people in the manor who are sick!â
Looking at the sobbing Dong Yuanyao, Daohua had no choice but to get her to work to distract her.
Dong Yuanyao wiped her tears and nodded, âOkay.â
Seeing her so obedient, Daohua was still not used to it, but she had to go and check the inventory of the medicine, so she didnât have the time to comfort the young girl.
In the following days, Xing Courtyard was very busy. Because of this busyness, the previous despondency and panic among the people were absent.
This change was noticed by the people outside as well.
When Xiao Yeyang woke up again, Imperial Physician Xu came to find him. After his and several other doctorsâ research, they confirmed that the prescription shared by the elder daughter of the Yan Family could indeed treat the current epidemic.
âLet the news spread out, tell everyone that a cure for the epidemic has been found to reassure them. Also, make a copy of the prescription and send it to uncle.â
Imperial Physician Xu: âShouldnât we mention the source?â
Xiao Yeyang shook his head, âBefore Uncle gets the petition, letâs not mention it. As for the petition to Uncle⦠letâs wait until there are results here in Xingyun Prefecture before we submit it.â
Imperial Physician Xu nodded, âAlright, Iâll start using this prescription to treat the people in the city now.â