Nearly two hundred villagers had followed Xiao Jingcheng and Zhao Hu back. As a result, quite a few new patients had been added to the cave where the sick were being accommodated.
Although she was deeply concerned about Xiao Jingcheng's condition, the patients brought back by Zhao Hu and the others were equally important. Jiang Mian forced herself to stay busy and immerse herself in the work. Sure enough, she had no time to think about anything else.
She removed the silver needles from the child's body and was about to stand up when a sudden dizziness hit her. She swayed and almost fell to the side.
Fortunately, a woman beside her caught her just in time, preventing her from hitting the rock wall. Otherwise, her head would have been cut open by the sharp rocks.
Steadying herself, she shook her dizzy head and thanked the woman who had helped her. "Thank you."
The woman looked at her with concern. "Doctor Jiang, you've been working non-stop for a whole day and night. If you keep going like this, you'll fall ill yourself. Go back and get some sleep."
The others also chimed in. "Yes, Doctor Jiang. We know you're kind - hearted and can't bear to see us sick, but you have to take care of yourself too!"
"That's right. We're not in any serious condition. We're used to working outdoors in all kinds of weather. This minor illness is nothing."
"Go back and rest quickly..."
Doctor Shen from the Fuzheng Hall Medical Center in Dongli Town also looked concerned. "Doctor Jiang, when treating the sick, you need to know your limits. Don't make us worry."
Jiang Mian had truly reached her limit. Without saying much, she thanked everyone. Then, with heavy steps, she was about to head towards the cave where Jiang Zhiqing was.
But just as she reached the cave entrance, she changed direction and went elsewhere.
There were several fires burning in the cave. The bright light illuminated the surroundings, allowing Jiang Mian to clearly see the person lying in the middle.
Mo Zhizhang had already treated Xiao Jingcheng's wounds. His head was wrapped in several layers of gauze, and he was wearing clean clothes. The blood on his face had been wiped away. He lay there quietly, his chest rising and falling slightly with each breath, indicating that he was still alive.
She just stood at the entrance, looking from afar without getting closer.
Mo Zhizhang walked up to her. It was as if he was explaining and also trying to comfort her. "It's just a superficial wound. The bone isn't exposed, and his brain isn't injured. It seems that it's still the effect of the blood clot that was left in his head before. There's no immediate danger to his life."
Jiang Mian tightened her fingers and nodded. "I see. Thank you, Uncle - Master."
Mo Zhizhang hinted. "Since you're so concerned about his safety, why don't you go in and take a look yourself?"
Jiang Mian paused for a moment and shook her head. "No need. With Uncle - Master here, I'm at ease. I'm tired. I'll go back and rest first."
She turned around, held up her umbrella, and left.
Mo Zhizhang's gaze followed her until she was out of sight. Then he withdrew his eyes, only to meet a pair of dark, beady eyes.
The yellow dog had run off somewhere with the other dogs earlier and now suddenly reappeared.
It had clearly seen Mo Zhizhang's look and expression when he was looking at Jiang Mian. It bared its teeth at Mo Zhizhang and let out a low growl from its throat, pretending to pounce on him.
Mo Zhizhang easily dodged, feeling a bit confused.
"You ungrateful dog."
The yellow dog didn't really want to bite him. It turned around and ran away, chasing after Jiang Mian into the cave where she was. Only the mongrel dog and the curly - haired dog stayed beside Xiao Jingcheng.
When Jiang Mian returned to the cave, she looked towards the corner.
Jiang Zhiqing was wrapped in Li Zhao's clothes and was asleep again.
She put down her umbrella, found her bag, changed into a clean set of clothes, and then lay down not far from Jiang Zhiqing.
Although her body was extremely tired, once she closed her eyes, she tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep.
The mountains were different from the town. As soon as night fell, all her senses were heightened. The annoying sound of the rain outside made it hard for her to sleep. The stones under her body were digging into her arms painfully. She could also hear the suppressed sobs of the villagers in the nearby cave.
She didn't know what they were crying about. Everyone had lost their homes. They were all in the same miserable situation.
Her father was poisoned, and her mother was suffering from dementia and didn't recognize anyone.
She hadn't even cried yet. What did they have to cry about?
Even Xiao Jingcheng was in a bad situation.
He couldn't go back to his home, couldn't be recognized by his mother. His own brother wanted to kill him, and his own father had abandoned him. He had almost lost his life while trying to save the villagers of Dongli Town.
Unconsciously, the image of Xiao Jingcheng with a pure expression, squatting in front of her, looking at her with those light amber eyes full of dependence emerged in her mind.
The scene changed, and she remembered his mischievous look when he deliberately called her his wife in the market, forcing her to buy that golden bowl.
And last night, when he was wearing a coir raincoat, standing under the eaves of Huichun Hall, calmly and resolutely watching her leave.
She thought carefully. She had seen all his looks, but the most common one was him lying motionless in bed with his eyes closed. But for some reason, just thinking about his appearance earlier made her heart ache.
A faint sound of footsteps came from beside her. The footsteps were approaching her. The next moment, a furry and warm body burrowed into her arms.
Jiang Mian was startled and opened her eyes. The next moment, the dog's warm tongue gently licked her cheek, and she heard the familiar whimper of the yellow dog.
It seemed to know that she was in a bad mood and was trying to comfort her.
Hugging the yellow dog tightly, Jiang Mian's nose twitched. "Big Huang, I'm sorry. I pushed you in a hurry today. Will you forgive me?"
The yellow dog's tail wagged behind it. It licked the girl's cheek again, responding to her.
Jiang Mian had so many things on her mind, but she couldn't tell them to anyone else. But now she had the perfect listener in her arms. She gently stroked the dog's slightly prickly fur and said in a muffled voice,
"Big Huang, I really hate Xiao Jingcheng."
The yellow dog stiffened and looked at her in disbelief.
"He can't swim. Why did he have to show off?" she scolded in a low voice. "I told him not to go near the water, but he still did. He deserves to end up like this."
Then she continued talking to herself. "But he's the crown prince. They say a ruler should love the people like his own children. Protecting the people is the responsibility of a crown prince like him."
"He promised me that he would bring you back to me unharmed. You're back safely, but he's injured."
"Big Huang, do you think he'll wake up?"
After saying that, she gave a soft laugh. "I'm really stupid. You're just a dog. How could you answer me?"
"Sigh -"
The dog in her arms let out a sigh. The sound was so close that Jiang Mian's body stiffened in shock.
That sigh sounded just like a human's, and even...
It kind of sounded like Xiao Jingcheng?
Jiang Mian couldn't help but think that she was really crazy.
This was Big Huang. How could it be Xiao Jingcheng?!