The earthy sweat smell was truly awful, but the sudden surge of his heartbeat was music to his ears. Chang Yunchéng’s body went rigid, his heart threatening to leap from his throat.

She… she… Did his very presence cause her difficulty? Did it make it hard for her to put things aside and live her own life properly…?

He should help her secretly, keep it from her sight, so she wouldn't have to bear it in her heart. But when he heard, when he saw that woman standing alone against a crowd, enduring their suspicion and accusations, he had only one thought: step in front of her, regardless of what lay ahead!

In the end, it was all because… he couldn't think things through… Or perhaps… because he was just too foolish… He had never been good at anything; he only managed to spoil things he touched, especially when this woman was involved. “Yuè… Yuè Niang… you… you should hurry and get busy,” Chang Yunchéng managed, placing two stiff fingers on Qi Yue’s shoulder, trying to push her away gently.

“I, I’ll go to sleep now.” Qi Yue pursed her lips into a smile and reached out, patting his waist lightly. “Sleep?

Nonsense. Eat first,” she said.

Chang Yunchéng managed an "Oh." The woman pressed against him hadn't moved; she was still hugging him. Chang Yunchéng felt a fresh layer of sweat break out—the smell of earth mixed with sweat, making his skin feel sticky and uncomfortable.

I must be so dirty and smelly… He quickly used his two fingers again to push Qi Yue’s shoulder. “I, I’ll go… go wash up…” he stammered.

Qi Yue laughed heartily and released him, stepping back. Chang Yunchéng was instantly filled with regret.

Why had he said so much? This woman was hardly the type to be fussy… It was he who was being overly sensitive… It was just an embrace; it wasn’t like he was losing a limb.

He took a deep breath and stepped forward. “Take care of yourself.

I’m off to work,” Qi Yue said with a smile, patting his shoulder before turning and walking into the courtyard. “Come, come, prepare the carriage.

I’m heading to the lab.” Her crisp voice echoed from the courtyard. Chang Yunchéng rubbed his hands down his sides and turned to follow her in.

Doctor Zhu entered the sickroom carrying a bowl of medicine. “Here you go!

Drink this bowl, and you can leave tomorrow,” he announced loudly. The patient in the bed was already sitting up.

His complexion had improved significantly, and he smiled as he took the bowl upon hearing the news. “Doctor Zhu,” A’ru entered from outside, holding a tray.

“You are a patient too. I’ve told you not to do these things.” Doctor Zhu smiled.

He was uncomfortably bundled up in a mask, gloves, and hat in the heat, but his eyes were bright. “I’m better now,” he said.

“Doctor Liu is swamped alone, and Madam Qi is in the lab. My skills are modest, but I can certainly help prepare medicine or take a pulse.” “Doctor Zhu, you are too humble,” A’ru laughed, already setting down the tray as she spoke.

“Let me check the skin test.” The patient extended his arm. A’ru examined it closely before nodding.

The patient nimbly rolled onto his stomach. Doctor Zhu helped him lift his shirt, exposing half of his hip.

Disinfection, injection, withdrawal—it was all done in one smooth motion. During this process, no one felt embarrassed, shocked, or considered it indecent due to the difference between the sexes; there was only a degree of tension.

The tension of the needle piercing the muscle. “Is the medicine from Madam Qi still not effective enough?” Doctor Zhu asked, helping the patient adjust his clothes.

A’ru sighed. “It’s inherently difficult to extract, and the potency of what we do extract is low…” she said.

“And that’s low?” Doctor Zhu’s eyes widened in surprise. “This little bit cured the diarrhea in three days.

And you call that low?” A’ru nodded. “Madam Qi says the efficacy is low.

So, the dosage needs to be large. And this medicine is already somewhat difficult to extract, so…” she said, picking up the tray.

It was difficult, of course. The most precious things in the world are always the hardest to obtain.

Doctor Zhu wasn’t surprised by the difficulty of extraction; he was stunned by the phrase "low efficacy." If such a miraculous medicine was considered low efficacy, he couldn’t imagine how astonishing a high-efficacy medicine would be. He had only heard that Madam Qi was a divine physician with divine skills before and hadn't paid much mind.

Now that he was directly involved, he realized she truly deserved the title of 'Divine.' “It’s not miraculous at all,” Qi Yue said, her eyes still fixed on the culture medium, speaking to Chang Yunchéng beside her. “Nature is the miracle…” “What is nature?” Chang Yunchéng asked, looking at the vials and jars in the room.

Having been warned not to touch anything, he stood stock-still since entering. Qi Yue watched the algae gradually solidify and let out a breath of relief.

“Nature is the world where you and I exist,” she turned to him and smiled, then frowned. “But right now, the most urgent matter isn't speeding up the extraction of penicillin.” “Then what is the most urgent thing?” Chang Yunchéng asked, confused.

Wouldn't having medicine eliminate all worries? “I still suspect this is an infectious disease,” Qi Yue frowned, her expression grave as she looked at the culture vessel before her.

“Medicine is essential, but what’s more critical is finding out exactly what infectious disease this is, and where the source lies. Otherwise, if the situation spreads and explodes, this medicine won't be nearly enough, and we won’t be able to control the illness at its root.” Chang Yunchéng nodded.

“It’s like capturing the leader first, or cutting the grass by removing the roots,” he said. Qi Yue sighed.

“Yes, but I still can’t confirm what kind of illness this is!” She slapped the table. “Something that a simple blood smear could resolve, yet here we are, completely helpless…” Knowing how to do something but being unable to do it—that was the most vexing thing!

Chang Yunchéng retreated from the room. Although they were short-handed, Qi Yue had still specifically assigned disciples to handle the disinfection and retrieval of all medical supplies.

Chang Yunchéng took off his isolation suit, disinfected his hands, and only then left the courtyard. As he stood at the doorway, a wave of stuffy heat hit him, yet it made Chang Yunchéng feel incredibly cool.

He had only worn the suit for a short while, yet he felt this way. How did those women and others manage while being covered up almost constantly…?

He glanced back. “Young Master…” A soft, feminine voice called out.

Specifically, a child's voice, rendered deliberately delicate, sounded quite strange. Why was there a child here?

Chang Yunchéng turned and saw a little girl peeking out from behind a tree. Seeing Chang Yunchéng look over, Wang Qiao’er adjusted her clothing and slowly walked out.

“Esteemed Lord,” she curtsied. Her demeanor was serene and her posture dignified.

However, the baby fat still clinging to her cheeks and her child’s frame made the beauty appear more childlike than mature. “What child are you?

Go away quickly,” Chang Yunchéng barked gruffly. Saying this, he walked over, lifted the child, and started walking outwards.

Wang Qiao’er was taken aback by the man's rudeness. Even if he wasn't swayed by her beauty, shouldn't he at least return the courtesy?

What right did he have to grab her like he was catching a chick! To treat a little beauty with such an attitude!

He has absolutely no manners! “Hey, hey!

Men and women must not touch; put me down,” Wang Qiao’er abandoned her ladylike demeanor and raised her hands, swatting at Chang Yunchéng’s arm in a flurry. “This is my home!” Her home?

Chang Yunchéng paused. He brought the little girl up to eye level and remembered.

“You, what are you doing here?” he demanded in a low voice, a hint of tension in his tone as he nervously glanced around. That man… has that man come as well…?

If he came, how could he drive him away? What excuse could he use?

This is the laboratory, off-limits? That wouldn't work either.

Last time, he hadn't just been near it; he had even eaten a meal here… Seeing the man’s body instantly tense up, his expression shifting unpredictably, Wang Qiao’er seized the opportunity to break free, stepping back a few paces to smooth her hair and clothing. How annoying.

She had gone to the trouble of setting up a tedious draped side-lock today, only for this man to mess it up. “Esteemed Lord,” she said after fixing her hair, looking up to see the man still dazed.

She quickly called out, “I am Wang Qiao’er.” Chang Yunchéng snapped back to reality, murmuring an "Oh." This child might possibly call that woman mother…. He… he ought to treat her better… lest this child grow to resent him… and end up disliking Yue Niang in the future….

“Miss Wang…” Chang Yunchéng began, his voice stiff. “…I sincerely apologize for the imposition…” Wang Qiao’er smiled sweetly.

“My Lord is too kind,” she replied, offering a slight bow. “Why has My Lord come here?” Yes, this was her place.

Why was he here? Chang Yunchéng couldn't help but scan his surroundings again.

What if that man asked him the same thing? Back in Qi Yue’s room at Qian Jin Tang, he had acted like the host, inviting Chang Yunchéng to sit.

So now, in his home… “I, I came to look around,” Chang Yunchéng managed, squeezing out a smile for Wang Qiao’er. “Then you’ve come at a good time,” Wang Qiao’er’s eyes lit up.

“This garden has a lake that offers a bit of elegant charm. Esteemed Lord, shall I take you to see it?” Before Chang Yunchéng could answer, another childish voice rang out.

“Uncle!” What was happening today? Chang Yunchéng turned at the sound and saw Yan’er rushing toward him, with maids and servants close behind her.

Yan’er sprinted over and threw herself right into Chang Yunchéng’s arms. “Uncle, you’re back?” she exclaimed with delight.

Chang Yunchéng lifted her up. “Why are you here?” he asked.

“Not just me; my grandmother and everyone else are here too. Grandmother said that with the epidemic breaking out, everyone needs to come to Auntie’s place.

It’s the safest here, so our whole family has moved in, several carts full…” Yan’er said cheerfully. Chang Yunchéng was startled.

They all moved in? Just then, he heard the clamor of carts and people outside the gate.

He didn’t have time to speak further; he set Yan’er down and strode quickly toward the exit. “Hey, hey, Esteemed Lord, aren’t you going to see the lake…” Wang Qiao’er called out quickly.

Chang Yunchéng was already gone without a trace. She stomped her foot in frustration and glared at Yan’er.

Yan’er was also looking at her. When enemies meet, their eyes burn with rage; the two children glared at each other.

“My uncle is back. Don’t even think about stealing my aunt,” Yan’er hissed.

Wang Qiao’er smiled faintly at her. “I’m not stealing your aunt anymore,” she said.

Yan’er blinked, a hint of suspicion in her eyes. “I’m going to steal your uncle,” Wang Qiao’er said with a slight smile.

The sound of children’s playful quarrel once again filled the courtyard. Outside the quarantine hospital, Qi Yue and Chang Yunchéng managed to intervene just as the Liu family members were unloading their belongings, insisting on moving in.

After much persuasion, Old Madam Liu finally agreed to drop the idea of staying. “I told you, that old coot was bound to cause trouble…” Old Master Liu muttered from inside the carriage.

He hadn't gotten out of the carriage the entire time. “Is your idea of trouble worse than yours?” Old Madam Liu snapped back.

“If we listed all the trouble you’ve caused, it would take days and nights! Do you want me to start now?” Old Master Liu swiftly pulled the carriage curtain shut.

“It’s truly safer if you stay in your own homes. Besides, it hasn’t reached that critical stage yet,” Qi Yue said quickly with a smile.

As she spoke, the sound of horses’ hooves approached. Two carriages arrived, and Qi Yue looked over to see Wang Qingshun lifting the curtain of his carriage.

“Well, well, quite a few patients already,” he said with a smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes. “Don’t worry, Official Wang.

A spot will always be reserved for you whenever you decide to stay,” Qi Yue returned the smile just as insincerely. Wang Qingshun cursed inwardly.

He conceded defeat now; he definitely couldn't win a verbal sparring match against this woman. But luckily, this time he wasn't here for a verbal fight; he was here to challenge her luck.

He alighted from the carriage, and the doctors from the other vehicles followed suit. “What?

Is the Official planning to move in immediately?” Qi Yue smiled. “That’s wonderful.

My five patients here have already recovered. Everyone can focus solely on caring for the Official.” Wang Qingshun let out a cold laugh.

“Is that so? That would be excellent,” he said.

“I just came to check if the treatment hasn’t worked yet. If it hasn't, let us take over the treatment.

It saves us from worrying ourselves sick here, where fright alone could make someone ill.” Qi Yue ignored the rest of his nonsense and focused on the phrase, let us treat him—which meant… “That’s right. The diarrhea cases in the city have been cured,” Wang Qingshun said, a mocking smile spreading across his face as he looked at her.

“Madam Qi, I’m afraid you’re disappointed. We lived without you.”