The atmosphere at the porridge distribution site was completely transformed. Whether they had received porridge or not, everyone was moved by the scene—one by one, they knelt down and kowtowed in the direction of the Imperial Palace.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live, long live, long live!"
Every disaster victim was thanking the Emperor, grateful that Eastlyn had such a good ruler. But when this scene reached the Emperor’s ears, he’d probably feel as disgusted as if he’d swallowed a fly.
Serena Feng’s lips curled into a faint, playful smile.
After all, the Imperial Palace wasn’t just home to the Emperor now—Ninth Royal Uncle lived there too. Nolan Dongling had clearly planned this in advance; that man never missed a chance to turn any situation to his advantage.
Her smile vanished as she turned and locked eyes with Sean Xuan’s dark gaze. Seeing the knowing smile on his face, Serena’s own smile froze instantly.
This man was anything but simple. Fortunately, they weren’t enemies.
"Ahem... Let’s head inside and get to work," Serena said awkwardly, changing the subject. Sean Xuan didn’t say another word, just smiled and nodded, carrying the medicine chest and following behind Serena, dutifully playing the role of a junior medical apprentice.
Jada Tang stood behind them, watching the two walk in one after the other, feeling a complicated mix of emotions she couldn’t quite name.
When walking with Ninth Royal Uncle, her lady always had to follow a step behind; with the Grand Heir, they usually walked side by side. But with Sean Xuan, this man...
...always kept half a step to a full step behind her lady, standing on her left like a responsible bodyguard, protecting her flawlessly.
Whatever the reason, this man truly bore no malice toward her lady—and it was impossible to dislike him.
The conditions inside the free-clinic hall were just as Serena had expected—terrible.
As soon as she entered, a foul stench hit her—so strong that even the heavy snow outside couldn’t mask the sour, rotten smell. Only a thin layer of straw covered the ground, and patients lay packed together. Those in slightly better shape sat up to give their spot to others.
Whenever a patient came in, no one needed to say a word—they would squeeze together on their own to make room.
When Serena entered, the Young Clan’s attending physicians were already treating patients. Medicine boys worked in the back, decocting herbs; each one managed dozens of medicine pots. Luckily, they were well-trained—otherwise, mixing up prescriptions would be a disaster.
Simon Sun had gone into the inner room, where the most severe cases were. He was treating an elderly man who’d just been carried in. From a distance, Serena could tell: the old man was simply starving and freezing; now that he’d made it here, his life was no longer in danger.
Every doctor in the free-clinic hall was swamped—there wasn’t even time to catch their breath. In the past, Serena would’ve dropped her medicine chest and jumped right in, but today was different...
Simon Sun, that blockhead—she’d set the perfect stage for him, yet he didn’t know how to seize the opportunity, letting the Yun clan doctors steal all the credit. Seriously...
It was enough to drive her mad!
She’d been waiting for that answer.
“Since you can’t, you’ll need to practice. Speed matters for a doctor—sometimes, being just one second faster means saving another life.”
Simon, this is a chance to improve your speed. Most of the people outside have frostbite and colds—they’re yours. As for the patients inside, don’t worry, I’ll handle them.
For the first time, she deliberately chose the most severe cases. Normally, in free clinics, no one would take them—they’d be sent to hospitals, and might die before the medicine worked.
But now... she’d rather take the blame herself than let Simon Sun’s reputation suffer.
“Okay.” Hearing Serena would personally treat the severe cases, Simon breathed a sigh of relief—he’d been afraid she wouldn’t.
He’d seen those patients—they were all minor illnesses that had become serious, requiring more medicine and more time to treat.
Serena was right—he could only treat three to five severe cases a day, but he could help hundreds with mild illnesses.
Seeing Simon agree without question, Serena felt both pleased and worried—pleased by his obedience, worried he might be too naive and get taken advantage of.
Take Sean Xuan, for example—his attitude changed overnight. Serena didn’t believe it happened without someone’s advice.
He was so easily swayed—without a strong woman by his side, he’d probably end up broke.
Serena sighed, then pointed at Jada Tang: “Jada, you’ve been with me long enough to know a bit—watch over things here and help Simon treat these patients. And no other doctor is allowed to help him; Simon takes responsibility for all of them.”
“Yes, Miss.” Jada wasn’t Simon—she understood how much Serena valued him, and promised to help.
“Don’t worry, Master—I won’t let you down,” Simon promised. Seeing Serena’s approving nod, he awkwardly scratched his head: “I’ll go see patients now.”
“Go on, I believe in you,” Serena said. Simon was taller than her—she meant to pat his head, but could only reach his shoulder.
Serena didn’t seek fame through medicine, but her student would—Simon Sun would become a legendary healer.
Watching Simon devote himself to his work, Serena felt sure her decision was right. All Simon needed to do was focus on healing—she’d take care of the rest, giving him a pure sky to study and heal beneath.
“Let’s go in—the patients inside can’t wait.” Serena motioned for Sean Xuan to bring the medicine box and follow her, silently praying that today’s clinic and food relief would go smoothly.
But that was wishful thinking—a group of officials from the Nine Gates Commandery came rushing out, heading straight for the food and clinic stall at the city gate. From their menacing looks, nothing good would come of it...
Everyone’s life is equal in theory, but... theory is theory and reality is reality. A nation will spend millions to save a leader, never the same on a beggar.
This world is unfair—just as, in disasters, children and women are saved first, leaving men and elders behind. It’s not that they’re less worthy, but when survival chances are limited, priority goes to those who need it most.
The topic was too heavy; Serena didn’t want to shatter Simon’s kindness. Anyway, during free clinics, she wouldn’t let him treat critical patients.
Serena took a deep breath and tried to lighten her tone: “Simon, I trust your medical skill, but you’re still too slow. I can bandage ten people at once—can you?”
Simon’s eyes lit up, full of admiration for Serena, but at her last words, he shook his head sadly: “No, I can’t.”
She’d been waiting for that answer.
“Since you can’t, you’ll need to practice. Speed matters for a doctor—sometimes, being just one second faster means saving another life.”
Simon, this is a chance to improve your speed. Most of the people outside have frostbite and colds—they’re yours. As for the patients inside, don’t worry, I’ll handle them.
For the first time, she deliberately chose the most severe cases. Normally, in free clinics, no one would take them—they’d be sent to hospitals, and might die before the medicine worked.
But now... she’d rather take the blame herself than let Simon Sun’s reputation suffer.
“Okay.” Hearing Serena would personally treat the severe cases, Simon breathed a sigh of relief—he’d been afraid she wouldn’t.
He’d seen those patients—they were all minor illnesses that had become serious, requiring more medicine and more time to treat.
Serena was right—he could only treat three to five severe cases a day, but he could help hundreds with mild illnesses.
Seeing Simon agree without question, Serena felt both pleased and worried—pleased by his obedience, worried he might be too naive and get taken advantage of.
Take Sean Xuan, for example—his attitude changed overnight. Serena didn’t believe it happened without someone’s advice.
He was so easily swayed—without a strong woman by his side, he’d probably end up broke.
Serena sighed, then pointed at Jada Tang: “Jada, you’ve been with me long enough to know a bit—watch over things here and help Simon treat these patients. And no other doctor is allowed to help him; Simon takes responsibility for all of them.”
“Yes, Miss.” Jada wasn’t Simon—she understood how much Serena valued him, and promised to help.
“Don’t worry, Master—I won’t let you down,” Simon promised. Seeing Serena’s approving nod, he awkwardly scratched his head: “I’ll go see patients now.”
“Go on, I believe in you,” Serena said. Simon was taller than her—she meant to pat his head, but could only reach his shoulder.