The Lucky Heiress

Chapter 410: Rescued_1

Despite taking the medicine, Mr. Tan did not wake up or show any signs of the fever subsiding, which made it difficult for Ada and the others to feel reassured quickly.

Ada was still somewhat hesitant, unsure about whether to fetch a doctor and get more medicine.

If Wei Ruo’s medicine was ineffective and they delay consulting a doctor, it could worsen Mr. Tan’s condition!

Noticing the hesitation in the group, Xiumei said, “Don’t worry, lives are at stake here. My lady wouldn’t have suggested this course of action if she wasn’t confident.”

Ada frowned, still unsure, “I know your lady wouldn’t risk a patient’s life just like that, but…” but whether the medicine would work remained uncertain.

Xiumei added, “If you are not convinced that the medicine my lady made will be able to cure your master, wait for four hours. If your master is not awake after four hours, you can proceed with your plan as planned, to go into the city to find a doctor.”

After some hesitation, Ada finally agreed.

Because even if they left now and successfully reached the city, and found a doctor, it wouldn’t be until tomorrow that they could bring the doctor back.

After an anxious wait of an hour and a half, Mr. Tan awoke.

To their surprise, upon touching Mr. Tan’s forehead, they found his fever had subsided.

It was truly amazing how quickly his fever had gone!

Later, Wei Ruo prepared a bowl of medicine for Mr. Tan and instructed Ada and the others to administer the medicine every six hours.

By the next morning, Mr. Tan had mostly recovered and looked refreshed, with no semblance of illness.

Knowing he had been cured by Wei Ruo’s medicine, Mr. Tan expressed his gratitude, “Thank you, Miss Wei. I really do not know how to thank you enough.”

“There’s no need for thanks. Our meeting here is a form of fate,” said Wei Ruo, speaking in a casual tone.

She never considered demanding favors or money in return in such a situation.

“Miss Wei, you are an extraordinary woman,” Mr. Tan acknowledged.

“You should rest well. Even though you’re almost fully recovered, you still need time to recuperate,” Wei Ruo advised.

Once Mr. Tan was out of danger, Ada, Aer, and the others immediately set off to join Xiu Fengyuan and Lu Yuhong in continuing the snow removal.

Today marked the sixth day, and they needed to expedite their progress.

Every additional day spent here increased the risk.

This time Mr. Tan had a cold, and luckily Wei Ruo was there to treat him. The next time somebody fell ill, they might not be as fortunate to have Wei Ruo’s medication available.

After three days of strenuous digging, they had only cleared around one fifth of the distance to the city gate.

If the weather didn’t improve and the snow didn’t melt, they would need to keep digging for another twelve days at their current pace…

Their spirits were a bit low.

These three days had exhausted them and left blisters on their hands.

Despite their regular martial arts and archery training, they were struggling.

Another twelve days of digging… they might not be able to manage…

But nonetheless, they had to continue digging.

By digging, at least they could take their fate into their own hands. If they stopped, they would be at the mercy of their circumstances.

Just when they thought it would take a long time to reach the city gate, a turning point arose.

At noon that day, after only a few bites of the dough cakes Wei Ruo had prepared for them, they saw several shadows in the distance against the vast white expanse of snow.

The figures were small and far off, but they were unmistakably humans.

And there were many of them, dozens in fact.

After observing for a while, they realized that these people were also shoveling snow and digging out paths, just like them!

“Those are the townsfolk from the city! They’re digging out towards us!”

Upon realizing this, Liu Yu shouted, full of joy.

Immediately after, Lu Yuhong and Gao Wentian also cheered.

On seeing a glimmer of hope, everyone was excited and hastened their movements.

Four hours later, the people on both sides united.

Seeing dozens of government soldiers and civilians, all equipped with shovels and pickaxes, a wave of warmth surged in everyone’s heart.

After their excitement subsided, they immediately turned around and returned to their shelter to deliver this good news to Wei Ruo.

It turned out that as soon as the snowstorm hit, Lord Yuan had initiated measures, mobilizing soldiers and civilians to start shoveling snow and clearing paths.

Due to Lord Yuan’s competent governance, both the commoners and the gentry respected and trusted him, and so they cooperated wholeheartedly.

Apart from clearing the snow from their own homesteads, they also volunteered to join the government officials in clearing the snow outside the city gates.

This was why the snow removal was progressing so effectively.

After hearing this, Xiumei, her face glowing with excitement, admired, “Lord Yuan is incredibly capable! He managed to arrange for the digging to reach the outskirts of the city so quickly!”

Wei Ruo agreed. Being able to organize such a large-scale operation in such a short time, and successfully clearing roads within the city and even outside, demonstrated exceptional management and execution skills.

Xiu Fengyuan spoke to Wei Ruo, “Miss Wei, the path that the city folk have dug is wide enough for your carriage to pass. However, the section that we dug is rather narrow, barely enough for one person and a horse to pass side by side.”

“No worries. You can go back first, Xiu. We’ll wait here till the town’s people widen the path up to our location and we can then proceed,” Wei Ruo replied.

“I disagree. It’s too dangerous to leave both of you ladies alone out here,” Xiu Fengyuan protested.

“Xiumei and I can take care of ourselves. Moreover, with the snow-covered wilderness, not even animals are going out, there’s nothing to worry about. And it shouldn’t be long before the townsfolk widen this remaining stretch of the path,” Wei Ruo reassured.

“But…” Xiu Fengyuan still had concerns.

“Brother Xiu, you should return first. I’ll stay here to look after my sister,” said Yichen.

Immediately after, Yichen patted Xiu Fengyuan’s shoulder, signaling with his eyes for him and the others to leave promptly.

Xiu Fengyuan instantly understood Yichen’s meaning, realizing that having them stay would not be helpful to Wei Ruo.

Hence, Xiu Fengyuan and the others left first.

Escorted by his four servants, Mr. Tan similarly headed into the city.

Before they departed, Wei Ruo gave them the remaining two pills, as well as the porcelain bottle they were kept in.

With that, only Wei Ruo, Xiumei, and Yichen remained in the shelter.

Yichen sat quietly in the makeshift bed outside, layered with blankets, keeping vigil.

When it came to dinner time, Wei Ruo made a fire and cooked as usual, but this time the portions were smaller as there were only three of them.

Wei Ruo made dough cakes with flour and dried meat, frying them in a pan.

“Eat,” Wei Ruo said, handing Yichen the meat cake.

Yichen looked at the meat cake in his hand, not eating immediately.

“What’s wrong? Didn’t you like it?” asked Wei Ruo.