Rumors spread like wildfire across Wuzhen City.
The story of 'Zhao Yunxiang kidnapping Bai Rouyuan' had turned into the biggest scandal of the year.
Every teahouse whispered it.
Every noble gathered to discuss it.
Every commoner retold it with exaggerated details.
The Zhao Manor, meanwhile, had turned into a storm.
Zhao Manor — Chaos Behind Closed Doors
Zhao Jinming fury filled the entire hall.
He wanted to strike his son, but suddenly he paused.
His son's condition was too pitiful—bloodied, maimed, unable to stand properly.
The wedding scheduled for today had to be postponed.
Zhao Yunxiang had lost his ability to "be a man."
Now the child in Bai Yuxin's womb was Zhao clan's only hope for a future heir.
They need to continue the wedding.
Fortunately, Bai Yuxin did not object.
Her father, Bai Zhenglu, insisted his grandchildren will be the main heir—and demanded Bai Yuxin become the first wife.
Zhao Jinming only rubbed his temple, exhausted by the shame.
A Deadly Epidemic in Dongming City
Bai Yunchen was reporting to their father.
"The Crown Prince received word from Marshal Prince Murong Shaoheng.
A village near Dongming City, close to Yunbei City, is struck by a deadly epidemic.
Many are dying."
Rouyuan stepped forward.
She heard a serious discussion from the front hall.
"What's happening, Yu-ge?"
Bai Yanyu explained everything in detail—the deaths, the symptoms, the fear.
Rouyuan immediately turned to Bai Yunchen.
"Tell the Crown Prince… I am willing to help. Once I recover fully, I will lead the medical rescue team myself."
Bai Yunchen agreed without question.
Preparing for Departure
After several days of rest, Rouyuan regained her strength.
She asked Sacred Lotus Medicine Hall young physicians and students to pack, medicinal herbs, sterilization supplies, masks, apron, disinfectant, medicinal alcohol, and all the medical tools.
Murong Qingshi insisted on joining.
"Dongming City is in my father's territory. As their Princess, I must be the first to help my people."
Yan Doudou also wanted to come, "Eastern Sea Region is my hometown… I can cook and help the weak."
Rouyuan smiled.
Doudou's cooking truly was the best among them.
Wen Xianyi stayed behind to manage Yunyan Pavilion and aid Master Su.
Rouyuan would surely need their assistance now and then, particularly whenever medicine or equipment had to be replenished.
They loaded all supplies into the carriages.
Bai Yunchen led the escort, joined by Deputy General Wei Shensu and the elite of Snow Wolf Cavalry.
Murong Yexuan was sent by the Crown Prince "to maintain order"—but everyone knew he insisted on going for Rouyuan's sake.
On the Road — The Smooth Carriage
As they travelled, Qingshi frowned, "Why does this carriage feel… unusually smooth?"
Doudou pressed her palm on the window.
"It barely shakes at all."
Rouyuan chuckled, "Ah… I improved it."
She proudly explained, "I installed spring absorbers at all four joints. They're tightly wound metal coils—when the wheels hit bumps, the springs compress and soften the impact."
"The wheels," she continued, "I layered them with cotton inside, leather in the middle, and rubber outside. Cotton softens the impact. Leather stabilizes the shape. Rubber grips the road.
That's why it rides so smoothly."
"Some of the medical supplies we're carrying contain liquids. If the carriage shakes too much, they might spill. So, I improvised a bit." Rouyuan added.
Qingshi gasped.
"I want it too!"
Doudou raised her hand.
"Me too…me too!"
Rouyuan laughed.
"I'll make yours after I finish father's, Yu-Ge's, and Xianyi's."
Arrival — Dongming City Medical Field
Arriving at the Dongming City Disaster Camp, the severity of the epidemic became immediately apparent.
Even from inside the carriage, Rouyuan could see bodies stacked beside the tents, and several soldiers were busy incinerating the corpses.
'Why aren't they burying them…?' Rouyuan muttered under her breath, frowning at the sight.
"It seems the situation is truly dire. Here—wear your masks first," she instructed Qingshi, Doudou, and Xiaoya.
She opened one of the supply boxes, took out several herbal-filter masks, and handed them to the three.
They stepped down from the carriage, followed closely by the young physicians and Sacred Lotus students, all heading toward the staff tent.
Qingshi quickly ordered the young physicians and students to put on their masks as well.
She then leaned toward Xiaoya and whispered something.
Xiaoya nodded, walked over to Bai Yunchen, and passed him a full box of masks.
More boxes were taken out from the carriage and distributed—one to the Snow Wolf Cavalry elites, and several more to the soldiers stationed around the camp perimeter.
Everyone immediately began wearing the protective masks as instructed.
Inside the Medical Camp
The 'Assistant Head Imperial Physician, Wang Bao' greeted them with exhaustion on his face.
He explained the situation where most of patient patients vomiting uncontrollably with symptoms of high fevers.
The death occurring within hours, Imperial physicians collapsing from exhaustion.
"Take me to the patient tent," Rouyuan ordered.
Inside, the smell of vomit, feces, and decay blurred the air.
Rouyuan examined a patient.
"Show me your tongue."
It was thin.
White.
Dry.
Clear signs of extreme dehydration.
The patient weakly explained, "I cannot keep any food in. Fever… stomach pain… I ran to the latrine ten times today…"
Rouyuan asked for stool color.
Wang Bao replied, "Pale… almost grayish whitish water."
Rouyuan froze.
Her eyes widened.
They returned to the physicians' tent.
Rouyuan thought rapidly, piecing together every symptom she had observed.
Severe dehydration… not improving even after drinking water… vomiting, diarrhea, fever… pale stool…
Her eyes widened.
"It's cholera!" she exclaimed.
Everyone turned to her in shock.
"Listen carefully—no one removes their masks," Rouyuan commanded, her tone sharp.
"You young physicians and students, cleanse the patients with strong alcohol. Wear gloves and wash your hands after every contact. Sort the patients by symptoms, separate them as far apart as possible, and quarantine those with similar signs."
She continued firmly, "Do not touch patient stool with bare hands. Dispose of it safely—bury it deep or burn it. Disinfect anything contaminated."
The young physician and students nodded, immediately understanding the gravity of the situation.
Turning to Yexuan, Rouyuan said, "Your Highness, please gather as much lime as you can… and salt, and honey. I need them to prepare medicine."
Then to Doudou, she added, "Doudou, boil all drinking water before giving it to anyone—patients or staff. All food must be clean and cooked using boiled water."
"Make a warm lime juice and give to all the patients. Lime can disrupt bacterial cell membranes and create inhospitable conditions for microbial growth."
"Clean all the cutting board with lime added with salt."
"it may not eliminate all pathogens, but still…"
"And boil some hot water for me as well. I need it for the medicine."
Long and precise.
Doudou, Qingshi, and Bai Yunchen headed out with several imperial physicians and Sacred Lotus students, each hurrying to carry out Rouyuan's instructions.
Meanwhile, Yexuan and the Wang Bao exchanged confused looks.
"What exactly is cholera?" the Wang Bao finally asked.
"Cholera is an infection spread through contaminated water," Rouyuan explained.
"It causes the body to lose water and electrolytes far too quickly."
"Electrolytes?" Yexuan echoed.
"They are charged minerals inside the body," Rouyuan clarified.
"They regulate hydration, nerves, muscles, and fluid balance—you lose them through sweat, urine, and stool. Without electrolytes, the organs stop functioning."
"Cholera can kill through dehydration, malnutrition, and infection."
"So what should we do?" Wang Bao asked anxiously.
"We must give them ORS."
"ORS?" he repeated.
"Oral Rehydration Salts," Rouyuan said. "I'll teach you in a moment."
Yexuan asked quietly, "What do you need me to do?"
"Investigate the source of this outbreak," she replied.
"And… help me mix the ingredients."
At that moment, Xiaoya entered the tent. "The water is boiled, and all requested items are ready," she reported.
Rouyuan nodded and followed Yexuan toward the kitchen tent.
Teaching ORS — The Medicine That Saves Lives
In the kitchen tent, imperial physicians and students crowded around her.
Rouyuan demonstrated, "Boil 1.8 liters of water. Add 25 grams of salt. Then, add 37.5 grams of honey."
"Add lime for taste. It can also stop the microbial growth by disrupting their cellular processes,"
"Mix until completely dissolved."
"Give this every time a patient urinates, vomits, or defecates."
Wang Bao whispered, "This simple medicine… can save them?"
Rouyuan nodded. "ORS saves more lives than any herb. It replaces the water and electrolytes they lose. Without it—cholera kills rapidly."
Everyone hurried to prepare hundreds of batches.
The rescue mission had begun.