Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Or did he think of her Doraemon at first? Part I

“The symptoms that the villagers have are diarrhea and stomachache. Some also vomit and have a fever at the same time.”

“And where are the sick villagers staying?”

“They are staying in their own home, miss. They have their relatives help take care of them. The army doctors are so busy with helping the villagers that they do not have time to rest.”

Bai Yu let Bai Hua ask about the villager’s basic symptoms from a soldier sent by them after they arrived at the village in the late afternoon.

“It’s almost dark so there’s nothing much we can do.” Her half-sister muttered to herself. On her pretty face were signs of worry and contemplation.

“Benwang already had the people with severe conditions be separated in a tent. Tonight, we would have to treat them first.” The general said. Bai Hua nodded in agreement. She asked for Ouyang Feilong’s permission to go check on the sick, which he was willing to guide her there.

But before leaving, Rui Wang still sent a sharp glance at Bai Yu who stayed still, not doing or reacting to anything since she arrived. It might seem like she was selfish, but the truth was that she had no knowledge of treating sick people. She had no use even if she followed them.

.....

“I already sent words to the mansion. A doctor will come to check miss’s health as soon as possible, then we can go back and leave this blighted village.” Xiao Xi whispered when they entered the tent prepared by the soldiers.

“If I leave before things are resolved, then I’ll lose to Bai Hua.”

“But it’s dangerous, miss. If something happened to you...”

“If something happened to Bai Hua, then isn’t it better that I’m here to see it?”

“That’s true, miss.”

Bai Yu had to use the evil scheme as an excuse, otherwise, her maid would be suspicious.

Haah! She was still a human at heart, though. Even if she could not help treating the sick, there were other things she could do to help here. The old Bai Yu would have jumped at the opportunity as a nurse like a frail young miss would, and then her spotlight would be completely stolen by Bai Hua who was more capable. She knew that this original body had no knowledge about healing magic or any medicine. Thus, this new Bai Yu would not volunteer herself and become a fool, but she would sit back and watch the ability of the heroine.

“That third miss sure is irritating. She’s just a useless woman but she acts like a doctor. Surely, she’s trying to charm the general, miss.”

Xiao Xi had not known that the current Bai Hua could use magic now. Not just normal magic but healing magic, even. Her combination of the method of treatment from the old life and new life was what had created her reputation that would even reach the Emperor. This was the beginning of Bai Hua’s prosperous life in the series.

Right now, Bai Yu was not sure whether this Bai Hua was the same person as Song Lianhua or not. But the goddess of fate had said that she and Bai Hua’s fates were intertwined through many lives. It was possible that Bai Hua’s soul in another life as doctor Padma had crossed over into this body.

If it was truly Song Lianhua in Bai Hua’s body then she would have cried when she received beatings back at the mansion, because that was Song Lianhua who was weak, fragile, and so dear. Hmph!

“Her wishing to help the villagers is a good thing. What is there to gain from envying her?”

“But she’s outshining you, miss. How could that useless person like her compete with my young lady who has high-level magic?”

“No need to worry. I have my own way.”

Not liking others for being better or more popular than themselves was something Bai Yu had much experience in. When she was an international actress, she was so popular that many did not like her, but she did not care about them, and she herself never hated anyone better than her. She believed that it was proper for capable people to be able to show their skills, and those who feel envious should just go find something they were good at instead of spending their time on hating someone else.

So, even though she felt slightly envious of Bai Hua’s ability, she would not let herself lose to the heroine!

She was Bai Yu, the first miss of the senior chancellor household. How could she be defeated by a lowly daughter of a concubine?!

“Then, what would miss do?”

“During the time of an epidemic like this, hygiene is important.”

From the symptoms she heard, this illness sounded like food poisoning. Fortunately, it was not infectious, but there was a high possibility that the cause was from food, water, or bacteria in the ingredients that the villagers had eaten.

“Tell our people to boil water and wash every utensil in it before using it for the meals. That also includes water or other ingredients in cooking. You have to make it hot, or cook it thoroughly to sterilize it first.”

“I understand the part about boiling water. But what does sterilize mean, miss?”

“It means killing dirty things in the water.”

“Is there such a thing?”

“There is. But it’s so small that it’s invisible to the naked eyes.”

“Then how could miss see it?”

“Have you ever died before you realize what happened?” Bai Yu wanted to roll up her sleeves.

“I’ll go order the workers. Please excuse me, miss.”

———————-

“These seem like symptoms of food poisoning.”

Bai Hua said aloud in the meeting taken place in the general’s tent. Her conclusion was the same as what Bai Yu had assumed.

Though Ouyang Feilong did not show interest or care for anything in particular, he still took in every different opinion that would benefit the villagers. It could be said that the reason Bai Hua who was known for her uselessness could participate in this meeting was that the opportunity given to her by the general.

“What is this food poisoning?” The royal army doctor asked, perplexed that he had never heard of such disease once in all his life as a doctor.

“It is the condition where body received contamination. If the effect is not severe then it will result in frequent excretion or stomachache. If it is severe, it will lead to vomiting as well. But for the fever symptom, this is the first time I have seen it.” Bai Hua confidently replied. She was already used to explaining symptoms of illnesses.

“How would Miss Bai know?” The doctor looked at Bai Hua in surprise.

“Uh...” Her peach blossom eyes looked around for a moment. “...I have read it from a book, sir.”

Even though she knew it was a lie, Bai Yu still let her half-sister continue the pretense.

“And how do we treat these symptoms?” Ouyang Feilong asked as well. He did not care how she got her knowledge from. The black dragon’s only concern was whether she could cure the villagers or not. All eyes were on Bai Hua, waiting for the answer in hopeful silence.

“First, we will have to clean every utensil used for cooking, including all ingredients. Everything must be cleaned with boiled water.”

Too late, third sister. Jiejie had already done that.

“Benwang heard that Miss Bai had ordered the workers from the temple to handle this already.”

“Miss Bai...” Bai Hua tilted her head. She was confused because she did not order something like that, and so everyone’s gaze went to the first miss of the Bai family instead.

“I just like cleanliness. I did not realize that it would be helpful for third sister like this.” Bai Yu said humbly with a sweet smile. She could still perfectly maintain her image as a graceful and merciful young lady.

The truth was that she had also ordered workers to dilute salt and sugar in boiled water to use as rehydration solution for the villager to drink in order to substitute water and nutrient lost by diarrhea. She had just finished distributing the solutions to villagers who had slight diarrhea as well.

“Then, what to do next?”