Chapter 41: Holiday

(Note: btw readers Mo Chen is Bai Mucheng, I’m confused back then. Sorry, enjoy reading!!)

Tian Mi meticulously inspected their disinfection procedures, showing a remarkable level of seriousness.

She said, “Get more people to help. Wash the bandages and the soap thoroughly, boil them in hot water, and dry them properly for storage. The lives of the wounded are in your hands.”

The three assistants immediately felt the weight of their responsibility grow heavier.

Dr. Zhang added, “We’ve sent some apprentices to deliver medicine and check on those with minor injuries.”

Dr. Li asked curiously, “Dr. Tian, where did you get your tools made? I’d like to have a set forged as well.”

Tian Mi replied, “Ask the court to have more made. The craftsman who made mine fled during the famine, and I have no idea if they survived. As for the needles, it’s not difficult—just bend the smallest embroidery needles women use.”

Sighs echoed around the room. Everyone was aware of the severe drought in Yu Wang’s territory that had claimed countless lives.

Tian Mi began guiding them through practice sessions, but the sight left many of the wounded trembling in fear.

To comfort them, she reassured, “Don’t worry, everyone. I’m watching closely. If anyone can’t manage, I’ll take over immediately.”

With that, she sedated the nearest patient, allowing Dr. Zhang to handle the wound cleaning, medicine application, and stitching under her supervision.

As they cleaned the wound, the smell of alcohol wafted up. Dr. Zhang commented, “Such fragrant liquor! What a waste!”

Fearing they might sneak a drink, Tian Mi warned, “This is for cleaning wounds. Drinking it will kill you, just like it kills germs.”

Her warning startled them, and they quickly gave up any thoughts of drinking it.

The medicine Tian Mi applied was also one of her creations. Dr. Zhang sniffed it and exclaimed, “This is excellent! Where did it come from?”

Tian Mi smirked. “I made it myself. It stops bleeding and speeds up recovery—it works wonders.”

Worried that his talking might contaminate the wound, she quickly fashioned simple masks out of two pieces of cloth and handed one to him, putting on another herself.

Dr. Zhang struggled to hold the needle steady with the forceps. Frustrated, he asked, “Can I use my hands instead?”

Tian Mi hesitated, knowing hands were less precise and risked infection. However, for practice purposes, she nodded and had him disinfect his fingers with alcohol again.

This left the other patients even more nervous.

Dr. Zhang began to regret not isolating the treatment area. Watching the procedures seemed to be heightening everyone’s anxiety, including his own. Dr. Li and Dr. Wang agreed and decided to arrange a separate room for treatments in the future.

Tian Mi suggested, “Set up a dedicated treatment room and burn mugwort there regularly. It’s very effective.”

But there was no time for that now. Dr. Zhang steeled himself and completed the stitching, albeit clumsily and ungracefully. Despite his lack of skill, he followed the procedure correctly.

Tian Mi remarked, “Once we’ve treated all these patients, practice on pork, especially tying knots.”

One patient muttered, “Why not practice on pork first?”

Tian Mi countered sternly, “If your wounds aren’t treated promptly, they’ll get infected, and you could die.”

Her blunt statement left everyone speechless.

Tian Mi handed out three curved needles and thread sets for them to practice. She focused on cleaning wounds, applying medicine, and guiding them through the stitching process. She also personally handled the soldiers’ more severe injuries.

She prioritized treating the most critical wounds and those with large openings. For wounds she couldn’t stitch immediately, she ensured they were cleaned and medicated.

Zuo Zhengfeng had arranged housing for her—a small courtyard close to the medical camp. She planned to stay for several days, and Zuo Zhengfeng personally brought her lunch, taking excellent care of her.

After working non-stop for half a day, her back ached, and she could barely straighten up. The food prepared for her was specially made and a thoughtful reward for her hard work.

Sitting down for just five minutes, she scarfed down her meal at lightning speed. Then, after washing her hands, she got ready to return to disinfecting and continuing her work.

This Eating Speed Left Zuo Zhengfeng Stunned.

He headed over to Bai Mucheng. When Bai Mucheng saw him return so quickly, he asked, “Why are you back already? Didn’t I tell you to take good care of Dr. Tian?”

Zuo Zhengfeng replied helplessly, “Dr. Tian’s heart is with the wounded. I barely put the food down before she sat, ate it in two bites, and hurried back to the medical camp.”

This woman was truly unpretentious, he thought, recalling her clean and decisive demeanor.

By the afternoon, the three doctors’ hands had steadied, and their speed had improved significantly.

Dr. Zhang remarked, “We’re part of King Ding’s vanguard forces. Our medical supplies and tools are relatively sufficient, and we have fewer injured to treat. But at the main camp, there are many more wounded, fewer doctors, and a severe shortage of medicine. The death toll there is staggering.”

Tian Mi encouraged, “Do the best you can! As long as hygiene is maintained, the bleeding is stopped, and the wounds are stitched properly, external injuries can be treated.”

What truly took lives, however, was not blood loss but infection.

Bai Mucheng, accompanied by Zuo Zhengfeng and Huang Shengying, came by the camp for an inspection. Passing by the medical station, he considered checking in on the situation. The vanguard he had selected consisted of handpicked elites, so he was deeply invested in their well-being.

Meanwhile, the soldiers who had undergone morning surgeries were beginning to wake up. Two of them, in particular, felt noticeably better.

“Dr. Tian, you’re truly kindhearted, beautiful, and skilled in medicine,” one of them praised.

Tian Mi laughed heartily, completely unrestrained. “You’ve got great taste!” she responded.

She then pulled out a pill from her small satchel and said, “This will help replenish your blood and energy—take it to recover faster.”

Pleasing this wealthy woman clearly came with perks!

From their angle outside the tent, Bai Mucheng, Zuo Zhengfeng, and Huang Shengying had a perfect view of her uninhibited laughter. They were stunned—most women they encountered were either modest and gentle or at least pretended to be so. Yet here was Tian Mi, entirely unique.

Huang Shengying and Zuo Zhengfeng, having grown accustomed to Tian Mi’s carefree personality, suppressed their laughter.

For Bai Mucheng, however, that familiar feeling within him grew stronger.

They chose not to enter and quietly left instead. The cheerful atmosphere inside suggested everything was under control.

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As they walked away, Bai Mucheng turned to Zuo Zhengfeng and asked, “Didn’t you say she’s a poor widow raising two children on her own? I don’t see anything pitiable about her.”

What was supposed to be a sorrowful story turned out to be a woman living her days happily and energetically.

Huang Shengying, stifling his amusement, replied, “Your Highness, Dr. Tian hadn’t been married to her husband for long before he left, so their bond wasn’t deep. It’s only natural that she might seek another match in the future.”

The expression on his face made it abundantly clear who he thought her ideal match should be.

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That evening, Tian Mi instructed them to burn mugwort to repel mosquitoes.

This wasn’t the modern era, and their lighting at night was dim and unstable, making it impossible to continue stitching wounds. Fortunately, only a few minor injuries remained untreated, none of which were urgent.

Returning to her courtyard, Tian Mi found that Zuo Zhengfeng had brought over a woman to assist with her daily needs. The man was truly thoughtful.

The woman, hired from a neighboring village, moved into the courtyard next to hers and quickly set to work. She cooked Tian Mi a bowl of egg noodles and heated water for her to wash up.

After eating, Tian Mi pretended to freshen up and then retreated to her room to rest. In reality, she entered her spatial dimension, indulging in a bath in the spirit spring. Submerging herself completely from head to toe, she felt utterly rejuvenated.

After drying her hair, she sprawled on the sofa, her body entirely relaxed. For the first time in ages, she could sleep comfortably in her space without the children to worry about. Taking a day off just for herself felt incredible.

Still, she couldn’t help but miss the kids. It was the first time she’d slept apart from them since they were born. Were they behaving? Did they miss their mother? Were they drinking their milk properly?

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Bai Mucheng, also exhausted from the day, lay on his bed. But his thoughts kept returning to the image of that plump woman flaunting her husband so proudly that night.

The memory filled him with irritation. Shaking his head, he tried to push her image out of his mind. Instead, Tian Mi’s bright, hearty laughter popped into his head.

Was this how women were now? Confident, radiant—whether they were beautiful or not?

He quickly shook his head again. Why was he thinking about a widow?

Ugh! That obnoxious woman had really driven him mad.