Tongzi's mouth hung open, speechless for a moment.
The entire Liu family had rushed to Nanzhou County due to the plague, and with Sister Cai'er's fate unknown, now they wanted to take Jiuer to be treated. It seemed Hualán Medical Hall was doomed this time.
"Miss Jiuer, may I have a word?" After attending to official matters, Yun Hao entered the medical hall and led A'Jiu to the consultation room.
Meng Shaode looked from Tongzi to the consultation room, wondering what was going on.
"To be frank, there is no cure for this illness, and its cause is unknown," Yun Hao said bluntly.
A'Jiu slowly raised her head, "I am staying at the medical hall under the care of my sister-in-law, but I am not a successor to the Liu family's lineage. I only have a rudimentary understanding of acupuncture and no experience with plagues. Brother Yun Hao, Hualán Medical Hall cannot be the only one in Nanming City. Why must Lord Wang insist on targeting the Liu family?"
"Alas..." Yun Hao looked at the spark in the young girl's eyes and lowered his head in shame.
"This is partly my fault. I thought you were a physician of extraordinary skill at such a young age. It was also in a moment of urgency that Lord Wang learned of your exceptional medical abilities. The yamen runners also benefited from your help and jointly recommended you. This... this was indeed my oversight."
"You can't be blamed entirely; you were trying to help me at the time."
A'Jiu drooped her head, lost in thought. She knew her own limitations. She knew less about this plague than her sister-in-law, who at least had the benefit of her elder brother's guidance through osmosis.
As for herself, she only understood ear acupuncture, barely recognized any herbs, and was completely clueless about preparing medicine.
"How about this," Yun Hao's eyes suddenly lit up. "I'll escort you out of the city in a government carriage. You can all escape. When I report back, I'll say I couldn't find you. I'll hold onto this official document for now."
A'Jiu was startled by his words and stared at Brother Yun Hao in a daze.
"Escape? What about you? If they find out you helped us, what will happen to you? And... and what about my grandma? Why hasn't she returned yet?"
"Don't worry about Madam Wang. Lord Wang had intended to personally escort your grandmother to meet the King of Nanming and claim rewards after the banquet last night.
Who knew there would be a refugee riot. Lord Wang also bears some responsibility for the mismanagement of the situation, so it was delayed.
Now Lord Wang is tearing his hair out. Moreover, with a plague suddenly appearing within his jurisdiction, he has no face to claim any rewards. He's been so busy he's likely forgotten about your grandmother. She can be escorted out of the city later."
A'Jiu fell into deep thought. After considering all possibilities, she found no other way out. Brother Yun Hao's plan was the best option.
"Can Tongzi come with us too? He's a medicinal boy taken in by Old Master Liu and has no one to rely on."
A'Jiu had made up her mind. Survival was paramount at this moment.
"Alright. You arrange things. Will an hour be enough? I'll return in an hour."
Yun Hao dared not delay any longer. He had to report back. He bowed and turned to leave Hualán Medical Hall.
"Miss A'Jiu, what do we do? Do you have a plan?" Tongzi anxiously blocked A'Jiu.
"Leave the city together," A'Jiu replied with a simple four words.
"Ah? What about the medical hall?" Tongzi followed behind A'Jiu.
A'Jiu had already started calling for her mother to pack.
"The medical hall won't collapse if we leave it here. As long as we are alive, there is hope. If we stay here, it's a dead end."
A'Jiu rolled up the bedsheets and then looked back at Tongzi, who was reluctant to leave.
"Brother Tongzi, I know you are attached to this place, but I only have a superficial understanding of ear acupuncture. Think about it; even Old Master Liu, with his profound medical skills, couldn't cure this illness. If I go, I'd be walking into death."
"That's right! My daughter is right. We absolutely cannot be with those sick people. If we get infected, we'll die."
In Meng Shaode's vocabulary, plague meant contagious and deadly.
Hearing this, Tongzi had no argument. Old Master Liu had even treated a royal concubine in the palace before.
Even his medical skill couldn't figure out the cause. If Miss A'Jiu went, it would truly be a suicidal mission.
"This Lord Wang is truly a beast," Tongzi gritted his teeth and cursed. "He's deliberately making things difficult for our Hualán Medical Hall."
"Stop cursing others. Self-preservation is the most important thing," A'Jiu said, indifferent to others' good or bad deeds. It was enough to take care of herself and live wisely.
The family of three, along with Tongzi, boarded the carriage with uneasy expressions.
Tuoba Yan, in military attire, sat with Yun Hao on the outer edge of the carriage.
They were stopped just as they reached the city gate.