Older Xiao looked carefully at the man in white and felt he looked somewhat familiar.
"How may I address you, Sir?" Older Xiao asked.
The man in white looked towards him and slowly spoke, "I'm Xiao Zimo."
Older Xiao was stunned. His surname was also Xiao?
"Master Xiao, are you certain they have contracted the plague?"
"Older Xiao, wait a few days and see for yourself. Those two will not be the only ones to fall ill," Xiao Zimo replied.
Hearing those words, everyone instinctively glanced at those around them, afraid that their neighbor might be infected.
"Especially those already in poor health will show symptoms quickly. This elder had a lung condition previously. I suggest you avoid gathering together to prevent transmission," Xiao Zimo added.
After Xiao Zimo administered the needles, almost everyone now believed him. Upon hearing his warning, they immediately dispersed back to their homes.
"Master, please save my father and grandfather!" Liu Yan knelt before Xiao Zimo pleading.
"Didn't you not believe me earlier?"
"We've been in this village our whole lives without much experience. We wrongly suspected you! We had poor judgement!"
As a young lady, Liu Yan was not one to stand on ceremony. Knowing they had wrongly suspected him, she sincerely apologized.
Xiao Zimo did not hold it against her inexperience. "Take me to your home," he simply said.
"Thank you Master!" Liu Yan promptly stood up.
"Wait!" Xiao Han rushed over. "Take me along too! I know a little medicine!"
Yuan Zhan scoffed disdainfully, "Little brother, I suggest you leave quickly. You look too frail. Don't risk infection!"
"Hey! Who are you looking down on? If this truly is the plague, I may know more than you all!" Xiao Han retorted, "Without proper precautions, you will all perish if this is contagious!"
Hearing Xiao Han's words, Xiao Zimo looked towards her. "May I ask for this little brother's name?"
Xiao Han smiled. "What a coincidence. I'm also surnamed Xiao, I'm Xiao Han!"
"Do you know much about the plague?" Xiao Zimo politely inquired.
Xiao Han confidently replied, "I know a little more than you all! You won't regret taking me along!"
Xiao Zimo paused before saying, "Very well, come along."
And so, Xiao Han went with Xiao Zimo and the others to Liu Yan's home.
Upon arriving, they saw Liu Yan's mother carrying a basin of water outside.
"Mother, how is grandfather?"
Seeing Liu Yan helping her father walk, Liu Yan's mother promptly put down the basin and went to assist Liu Uncle. "What happened to your father?"
"I'm fine..." At this point, Liu Yan's father's symptoms were not yet severe.
"Father has the same symptoms as grandfather had earlier!"
"What? This sickness truly spreads?" Only now did Liu Yan's mother notice the few behind them.
"They..."
"They've come to treat grandfather and father!"
Xiao Zimo's gaze fell upon the basin of water on the ground. "Did Uncle Liu cough up blood?"
"Yes, he still has a high fever and has been delirious. " Liu Yan's mother quickly replied.
"Bring Uncle Liu inside first. I will prescribe a remedy for you to collect from Uncle Zhong," said Xiao Zimo.
Liu Yan's mother supported Liu Uncle inside.
After a while, Liu Yan brought pen and paper.
Xiao Zimo wrote down some medicine names and handed the prescription to Liu Yan.
Looking at the medicine names, Xiao Han raised her brows.
"Miss, I also need some items. Please help prepare them."
"Of course."
...
After awhile, Yuan Zhan watched curiously as Xiao Han busied herself with needle and thread.
"What is she making?"
Xiao Zimo looked at the items in Xiao Han's hands. "I do not know either."
"Does she truly know medicine? She does not look the part!"
Xiao Han coolly replied, "Yuan Zhan, do not judge by appearances. His earlier words show he understands medicine."
After some time, Xiao Han stretched and stood up. "Finally done!"
She held up some homemade masks and walked over to Xiao Zimo and Yuan Zhan. "Here, one each!"
"What are these?" Yuan Zhan asked puzzledly.
Xiao Han put on a mask. "They are called masks. Wear them like this. They can lower chances of infection, understand?"
While not as effective as modern masks, they offered some protection at least!
"Such contagious illnesses often spread through the air. I've sewn in some herbs which should have some effect!"
But Yuan Zhan still did not understand. "You mean wearing this prevents infection?"
"Not exactly. Just less likely. Those with stronger immunity have lower chances of infection."
Xiao Zimo understood her intention and admired her innovation. Accepting her mask, "Brother Xiao is exceptional indeed."
"You flatter me! These are easy to make. The rest are for the Liu family!"
That night, the Liu family all wore Xiao Han's masks.
Xiao Han burned herbs to fumigate their home, hoping to kill some airborne viruses if not all.
She sterilized their used utensils with boiling water and alcohol.
Watching all she did, Xiao Zimo gazed at her inquisitively.
"I'm suffocating! Liu Yan, is there a bath?"
"Yes, Young Master Xiao please follow me."
"Young Master Xiao? Why address me like that?"
Liu Yan explained, "Both masters have the Xiao surname...so to differentiate..."
Xiao Han leaned close to Liu Yan and raised his brows. "That's easy! Call me Big Brother Xiao!"
Flustered by his actions, Liu Yan lowered her head. "B-Big Brother Xiao, this way please..."
Behind them, Yuan Zhan scoffed again. "Turns out to be a lecher!"
Oblivious to Yuan Zhan's words, Xiao Han followed Liu Yan to bathe and borrowed a set of men's clothes.
Stepping out refreshed, Xiao Han deeply inhaled.
Returning to the yard, the others looked at her in surprise.
Having washed off the grime, her fair complexion was revealed. She was also slender unlike what they imagined, looking like a frail scholar.
"Why are you all staring at me??" Xiao Han asked puzzledly.
Liu Yan uncomfortably averted her gaze.
Yuan Zhan scoffed again. "You look just like a woman!"
Xiao Han: "..."
"Mind your words, Yuan Zhan," Xiao Zimo scolded.
"Yeah, you look so manly! Built like a bull! A life of hard labor indeed!" Xiao Han retorted.
Yuan Zhan: "..."
"Masters!" Liu Yan quickly interrupted sensing impending conflict. "Please pardon us, but we only have one vacant room. I hope you do not mind sharing..."
"What?! You expect me to room with them?!" Xiao Han exclaimed.
