137 Midnight Patient
Then, Xie Yunjin changed the subject immediately, “Are you going to be okay with the exam in September?”
Classmate Han got nervous right away. Though Xie Yunjin was his classmate, he always guided him through his studies. In some ways, Xie Yunjin felt more like his master.
“I’m not too confident.”
Xie Yunjin glanced at Classmate Han, “Then, study according to what I told you. With the right attitude, I’m sure you will at least get the scholar title.
Start studying seriously tomorrow and stop thinking about other things. If you fail this exam and fail to become a scholar, your father will beat you up.”
Classmate Han’s face turned dark at Xie Yunjin’s words. He was the father of two children – if his dad hit him, his children would laugh at him.
However, Classmate Han felt that his dad may really beat him up. So, he must pass this year’s exam.
At midnight, the Xie Village was completely silent as every household went to sleep.
Just then, the sound of galloping was heard on the main road from the village’s west entrance. This noise interrupted the silent night.
Many families were jolted awake as they got out of bed. The Third Grandma’s dog started to bark.
The Village Leader, Xie Fugui put on his clothes and got out of bed. Several other men in the village did the same.
The galloping headed east. Xie Yunjin and Lu Jiao, who lived the most east, were awoken at once.
Lu Jiao’s senses were very sensitive. When she focused, she knew right away that the horse was heading towards her home.
She wasn’t worried that the people were here to harm her. If that was the case, they wouldn’t be coming for her in such a loud and obnoxious manner.
This was likely people from Baohe Tang. Could it be that a fatal patient arrived there tonight?
Before she could think it through, she got out of bed and got dressed. The four little ones were startled and squeezed in closer to Lu Jiao, “Mommy…”
Lu Jiao patted each one of their heads and comforted, “It’s okay. Someone is probably sick and wants my help.”
The four little ones knew their mother was a great doctor. When they heard that, they stopped being scared.
Lu Jiao comforted them a bit more before they headed outside.
Once there, she watched the horse stop abruptly just outside the gate. A person jumped out of the carriage. When he saw Lu Jiao, he subconsciously shouted, “Mas…”
He couldn’t finish the word “master” since he remembered that Lu Jiao didn’t want people to know.
“Lady Lu, a critical patient is at Baohe Tang right now. I’m not confident about his condition. Please help me.”
Lu Jiao noticed how flustered Qi Lei was and knew that the patient must be doing poorly.
She didn’t waste any time and said to Qi Lei, “I will notify my husband and go with you right away.”
“Thank you.”
Outside the yard, the Village Leader and his people arrived just in time to hear what Qi Lei had to say. The Village Leader was in shock. He thought Dr. Qi was the best doctor from the city. How come he’s looking for Yunjin’s wife’s help? Could it be that Yunjin’s wife was a better doctor than him?
The Village Leader didn’t know what to say.
Lu Jiao entered the east bedroom and told Xie Yunjin, “There’s a critical patient at Baohe Tang. Dr. Qi asked for my help. I’ll be going now. Look after the four little ones.”
Lu Jiao tried to leave. Based on how flustered Qi Lei was, the patient was likely very sick.
Before she got far, Xie Yunjin suddenly asked, “Isn’t Dr. Qi a great doctor? How come he needs your help?”
Lu Jiao smiled, “We all have our strengths and weaknesses. He’s a great doctor but that doesn’t mean he knows everything. I’m not a great doctor but that doesn’t mean I can’t save anyone. The patient seems to be really sick and he’s not confident. If we can exchange knowledge, we may be able to save him.”
Lu Jiao then ignored him and left. The patient couldn’t afford to wait.
Behind her, Xie Yunjin ordered, “Classmate Han, go with Lu Jiao into town. Once she’s done, bring her back with your horse carriage. Then, you can go home to the Qinghe District.”
Classmate Han didn’t think too much and thought Xie Yunjin was simply worried about Lu Jiao. He agreed.
Lu Jiao heard all that and didn’t have the time to stop him. She went to the west bedroom and said to the children, “Uncle Han is going to give me a ride into town. Go sleep with your daddy in the east bedroom.”
Lu Jiao was worried the children were scared so she suggested they go sleep with Xie Yunjin.
The four little ones agreed. She picked two of them up and went to the east bedroom.
Classmate Han, who just walked out of the east bedroom, picked up the other two and brought them to the east bedroom.
Lu Jiao settled down the children and headed out.
Behind her, Xie Yunjin watched the two people leave. Slowly, his gaze landed on his feet. A little more time and he’ll be able to walk. Then, he’ll be able to accompany Lu Jiao to go to the patients.
With Classmate Han with her, he was less worried.
Lu Jiao went to grab her basket from the kitchen and headed to the horse carriage with Classmate Han. As they walked, she said, “You really don’t need to come. It’s better if you go back and rest.”
Classmate Han shook his head, “Yunjin’s worried about you. I’m more than happy to accompany you.”
Lu Jiao found this funny. There was no way Xie Yunjin would be worried about her. She wondered what was wrong with him tonight.
Just then, Qi Lei walked over and saw Classmate Han.
Lu Jiao introduced, “This is my husband’s classmate. He’ll come with us.”
Qi Lei nodded. Scholar Xie didn’t want the Master to go alone?
Lu Jiao asked Qi Lei, “How’s the patient?”
The three of them got onto the horse carriage. The wheeler quickly turned the horse to head back into town. Behind them, the Village Leader waved for everyone to go back and sleep.
Inside the Xie yard, Soot and Marble barked hard. Sadly, their volume was low and didn’t garner much attention.
Inside the carriage, Lu Jiao asked again, “What is wrong with the patient?”
Based on the look on Qi Lei’s face, the patient isn’t doing well at all and he isn’t certain about his conditions.
Qi Lei glanced at Classmate Han. Lu Jiao quickly said, “It’s okay. Classmate Han is close to my husband. You can say anything before him.”
Qi Lei looked back at Lu Jiao, “We received a heavily wounded patient at midnight. The patient was shot by an arrow – here.”