Everyone stared blankly as Chang Yuncheng seemed to descend from the sky.

"Wow..." Wang Qiao'er reached out and patted her father's shoulder. "Dad, you don't need to worry anymore; someone is handling it."

She watched Chang Yuncheng walk past, her eyes shining brightly.

"Wow..." she said again.

Wang Qian naturally saw it too. A faint smile touched his lips, but he sighed softly and lowered his gaze.

It seemed he was still just a tiny bit short; what a pity.

It was good to be young after all—to be willing to give everything, to rush forward without hesitation, to fear nothing, and to be unburdened by attachments.

Qi Yue watched Chang Yuncheng appear, and strangely, she felt no surprise; it was as if he had been there all along.

Chang Yuncheng stopped in front of her, but he didn't look at her. He turned to face the crowd, standing like a wall blocking Qi Yue's view.

Qi Yue looked at him. He was covered in dust and dirt, as if he had just crawled out of a wilderness. From a distance, it wasn't noticeable, but up close, even his hair was filthy and messy, looking quite unsightly.

"Young Lord, what are you trying to do now?" This time, it was Wang Qingchun who spoke.

Compared to last time, his aura was much stronger now.

Unfortunately, this time again, he happened to be standing on the side of the common people.

Unfortunately, this time again, the former husband and wife stood opposed to the populace.

What is luck?

This is luck!

What is character?

This is character!

If you're treating illnesses, then treat them! Why be so arrogant! You're arrogant toward those common folk, but where do you get off being arrogant toward a prominent family like ours!

Offering no explanation and showing no courtesy, whatever you say goes, and you even dare to utter such harsh words!

It’s just diarrhea! When has simple diarrhea ever killed a few people! What’s the big fuss!

It’s clearly diarrhea, yet you insist on calling it a contagious disease. Haven't you seen so many people who haven't caught it! You’re just courting disaster!

If I don't drive you, this woman, out of Yongqing Prefecture this time, I won't be named Wang!

At this moment, everyone else fell silent. All eyes were fixed on the couple... the former couple.

"What do you want?" Chang Yuncheng asked, tilting his head slightly.

This was clearly not a retort aimed at Wang Qingchun.

Qi Yue glanced at him and stepped forward.

"I will say it again: all patients showing symptoms of diarrhea and fever must come with me outside the city for isolation. Family members can visit but may not stay overnight," she said slowly, her gaze sweeping over the people before her. "I still maintain that this must be a contagious disease. Although I haven't yet discovered what exactly it is, nor the source of infection, and I can't even confirm if it spreads from person to person, I believe in my judgment."

"Why do you believe your judgment?" Wang Qingchun asked, frowning, a touch of exasperation in his tone.

Why? Why did this woman always carry herself with such an air of omnipotence? What did she know? Wasn't it just a few skills others didn't possess? There are plenty of people with unique crafts; why aren't they as arrogantly certain as this woman!

"Because..." Qi Yue looked at him and suddenly smiled, "Because you all..."

Because I am your descendant, because I have inherited the accumulated experience of countless predecessors, because I stand on the shoulders of giants, seeing more, knowing more, and having more experience.

Madman! Wang Qingchun could only flick his sleeve in dismissal.

Without waiting for him to say more, Qi Yue turned around.

"Now, everyone from the Hall of a Thousand Gold will move outside the city," she announced loudly.

The disciples of the Hall of a Thousand Gold responded in unison and began to walk out.

The crowd automatically parted to make way.

Qi Yue watched her disciples leave, then took a step, only to pause, looking back at the remaining people.

"Those who believe me, those who wish to save their lives, follow me," she said.

No one moved. Everyone looked at her with complicated expressions.

"The Prefect has invited several more doctors from other regions. We will pool our wisdom and certainly cure this dysentery. There is no need for panic or hospitalization. As long as you remain in your homes, we will organize doctors to make house calls," Wang Qingchun declared loudly, pointing at the few doctors who were completely stunned by the scene.

As he spoke, one of the elder doctors suddenly stepped forward.

"Everyone, for this type of dysentery, this old man happens to have an effective remedy," he stated.

This statement filled Wang Qingchun with elation.

"Really?" he asked, turning his head.

The elder doctor nodded.

"Indeed," he replied.

At these words, everyone present seemed to visibly relax.

Qi Yue showed no reaction. She glanced at the crowd, turned, and started walking away.

Chang Yuncheng followed closely behind her, and then the horse ambled after them, letting out a loud snort that suddenly made the rather solemn scene a bit comical.

They quickly established a distance from the crowd.

No one followed them.

Wang Qingchun couldn't help but want to laugh aloud, anticipating the moment the woman would look back to see her desolate fate.

It was a pity, however; Qi Yue and the others walked on steadily, and not a single one turned back.

Just keep up the pretense!

"Hurry! Have you packed your things?" a voice suddenly rang out, followed by the figure of Doctor Zhu, who had been cured a few days prior, running out from the crowd. His wife followed behind, clutching a bundle.

"Husband, are you really going?" His wife asked tearfully, reluctant to see him leave.

Doctor Zhu snatched the bundle away.

"I'm not completely well yet. I barely clawed my way back to life; I don't want to lose it over saving face," he said. "You stay home and wait. Keep an eye on the children, and don't go out these days. Everything written on the Hall of a Thousand Gold advertisements about disinfection—follow those instructions, and you'll surely be fine."

Doctor Zhu followed along, much to the surprise of the onlookers.

"Didn't Doctor Zhu already recover? Why is he still going?" someone couldn't help but ask.

No one answered him, but many people vaguely guessed it was either out of fear of death or... loyalty.

To support that woman...

Following Doctor Zhu, two more households came forward.

"Hurry, hold steady; the Master just woke up."

These were two patients who had been staying at the Hall of a Thousand Gold; one was accompanied by his son, and the other by his wife, all escorted by household servants as they followed along.

Wang Qingchun's expression was not as cheerful as before, but thankfully, after these few families, no one else followed.

"May they have good luck!" Wang Qingchun said, hoping that woman wouldn't harass them to death...

Of course, as an official of the court, he would never utter such words aloud.

"Then everyone should follow the arrangements made by the Prefect," the scholar Tong Rulin, who had spoken earlier, stated.

In truth, the Prefect hadn't spoken a word from beginning to end, but for the Prefect, known for his tendency to procrastinate, this reaction was entirely expected.

However, Yongqing Prefecture was ultimately under his jurisdiction, so when it was time for him to speak, he had to be given the floor.

The Prefect was quite pleased with his words.

"Thank you all for being rational and not falling into panic. Then, we will follow the arrangements of Medical Examiner Wang. I hope for everyone's cooperation," he said solemnly, nodding.

It was now Wang Qingchun's turn to speak, and he quickly turned to address the crowd.

"Everyone, there is no need to panic. This is absolutely not an epidemic. I will bring the doctors from across the prefecture and those invited from other counties to assist. Those with patients suffering from diarrhea, rest assured; we will visit them one by one. Please be confident that this matter will pass quickly," he said with a smile.

The people present nodded, some offering words of concern about the effort required, others expressing thanks. The tension in the atmosphere vanished, replaced by ease and relaxation.

"Make way, make way."

A burst of noisy footsteps shattered the recently calmed atmosphere.

A carriage sped toward them, closely followed by more than a dozen guards, stern-faced and holding clubs.

A conspicuous lantern hung from the front of the carriage, bearing the large characters: Marquis of Dingxi's Estate.

The carriage had no curtains on the doors or windows, suddenly revealing the Marquis of Dingxi seated inside to the crowd.

Just as everyone looked over, the Marquis waved his fist at them.

"You fools! If you don't believe what Yue Niang says, you're just waiting to die!" he shouted loudly.

Before the crowd could react, the carriage sped past, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Everyone coughed from the dust, but the real shock came from the Marquis's words.

It’s true what they say: birds of a feather flock together! Cursing people to death at every turn! How vicious!

The sudden appearance of the Marquis of Dingxi completely dissipated the crowd's mood, and they began to disperse.

Wang Qingchun led his entourage to treat the few patients who had not followed the Hall of a Thousand Gold, with the doctors accompanying the patients into their homes, of course.

"See if Lady Qi needs anything and send it over," Wang Tongye said in a low voice.

Before Wang Qian could reply, Wang Qiao'er pouted beside him.

"What does she need!" she said, grasping at a petty detail. "She just needs someone to fight her battles for her. The fight is over; what use is sending a club now?"

With that, she walked towards the carriage with a touch of ennui.

"So boring. Let's go, let's go," she declared, allowing her maids and servant girls to help her into the carriage.

"Grandfather, it's getting late. Grandmother and Father must be waiting at home. Let's go back," Wang Qian said.

Wang Tongye nodded. He had his own sedan chair. Before stepping into it, he couldn't help but glance back toward the city gate.

"Actions are taken in front of people. Perhaps it's foolishness, but it is also courage..." he muttered to himself.

As night fell, the isolation grounds outside the city were fully established.

The Marquis of Dingxi returned to the city after repeated persuasion, but he left behind some household guards to serve as protection.

"Didn't we say isolation? To prevent anyone from disobeying and running away. Let them guard the perimeter; I guarantee not a single fly will get out," he said cheerfully.

"No need. If they came with me, it means they trust me, Qi Yue," Qi Yue stated, looking back at the courtyard. All the rooms still had lights on, and disciples wearing isolation suits were moving about busily. The aroma of food was already drifting out from the back kitchen.

The Marquis of Dingxi looked at Chang Yuncheng standing to the side, not even daring to say goodbye, seemingly rushing off as if afraid he might follow.

The estate was situated in the open wilderness. As night descended, unlike the modern world where lights illuminated everything, the view was one expanse of pitch blackness. The summer night wind brought a coolness from the wild fields.

"Let's go eat," Chang Yuncheng said.

Qi Yue turned around.

"You go eat. I need to rush to the laboratory over there now. Since the penicillin is gone, we need to purify some as quickly as possible," she told Chang Yuncheng.

"You still need to eat," Chang Yuncheng countered. "Don't rush it. If you succeed, great; if you don't, it's not the end of the world."

Qi Yue nodded.

"I'll accompany you after you eat," Chang Yuncheng offered.

Qi Yue shook her head.

"You must be tired. You should rest first," she said.

"Not tired; this is nothing," Chang Yuncheng smiled and said.

This time, he hadn't even reached the capital before being called back halfway; it was much less strenuous than rushing back from the capital.

And he arrived just in time; he felt truly relaxed, his heart entirely at ease.

Thinking this, the smile on his face couldn't help but spread.

Qi Yue looked at him. Illuminated by the torches at the entrance, his messy hair, scattered stubble, and dust-covered face did not make for a pleasing sight.

She looked at Chang Yuncheng and remembered what he looked like the first time she saw him—so handsome, radiant, and noble. Compared to this moment, he looked like a completely different person.

Back then, she was not in his life, so he was unrestrained, carefree, and free from obligation.

But later, she entered his life—not as Qi Yue Niang, but as Qi Yue wearing Qi Yue Niang’s skin. For him, was this fortune or misfortune?

Qi Yue reached out, walked over, and hugged his waist, resting her head against his chest.