Valia was exploring the clinic. Since it had only recently started operating, she had some concerns that the staff might not work well together or that the atmosphere might be chaotic.
However, upon closer observation, everyone working there was much more organized than she had expected.
“How is the work here?”
“Since everyone works diligently as if it’s their own job, any issues are quickly resolved… Honestly, it’s even smoother than I expected.”
The person in charge of the clinic management was a member of Derek’s information guild, Luness. And he was one of the few who knew Derek’s true identity.
Considering the many preparations to be made here, Valia couldn’t entrust it to just anyone. However, the situation didn’t allow Valia to manage it directly, so she had requested Derek to dispatch guild members.
“I heard from Rain. Have you found any leads?”
Thinking of Derek’s letter she received a while ago, Valia asked.
Upon which, he confidently smiled. “Of course. The research has been underway for a while now.”
Derek’s letter contained the answer Valia had been eagerly waiting for – they had found a clue to manufacture the antidote.
Although she had been worried about when the contact would come, the timing was very good.
“If it had been a little later, I was planning to press him. Thankfully, that’s not necessary now.”
At the clinic where Valia was now, pharmacists were gathered, putting all their effort into developing the antidote.
“When do you think it will be completed?”
“Well, we’ll have to see how it progresses, but according to the chief pharmacist, it’s almost finished.”
“Really?”
“The ingredient analysis is done, and we just need to finalize the mixing ratio.”
Valia expressed a relieved expression at his words.
It was really close.
Winter was approaching.
The empress’s lifespan was less than a year. They needed to hand over the antidote to her as soon as possible, gradually extending the empress’s life without the emperor noticing.
“She won’t refuse the antidote. It seems like the empress is enduring for Khalid’s sake.”
Valia recalled the face of the empress she had met before.
She was undoubtedly the face of her mother.
Of course, Valia had no intention of making the relationship between them better, considering what the empress had done to Khalid.
Valia would just fulfill her wishes within reason. The empress would desire that much.
“Let me know when it’s absolutely complete. I’ll be waiting.”
“Understood.”
After finishing the conversation with him, Valia explored the inside of the clinic again.
The response from the citizens had been quite positive as they could receive high-quality treatment at an affordable price.
Even now, many people were waiting to receive treatment, even if they had to wait for an appointment.
Valia greeted them with a nod and went down to the basement.
“I’ve filled all the firewood.”
“Hmm…”
The underground storage was filled to the brim with firewood.
“For moisture control, I’m considering various methods, but the building was recently constructed, so we’ll know for sure only when we experience winter.”
The person in charge of the warehouse calmly explained to Valia.
“What about the blankets?”
“They are stored over there.”
Opening another door in the basement, Valia saw stacks of blankets. Similarly, to prevent moisture, there were pieces of paper placed between them.
“You paid attention to the storage details. Thank you.”
“No, not at all! Princess, you’re doing this for all the citizens of the empire, so we can’t be careless in management.”
The caretaker replied proudly.
Opening another door in the basement, there were stacks of blankets inside. Similarly, as items vulnerable to humidity, there seemed to be a thoughtful effort to prevent moisture by placing paper in between.
“You’ve paid attention to storage. Thank you.”
“No, not at all! What you’re doing, Princess, is for all the citizens of the empire, so we can’t be negligent in management.”
The caretaker responded with a proud expression.
“We also check the food supply every day. We store it as jerky and dried goods. Perhaps everyone can have a bountiful winter.”
“That’s fortunate.”
After thoroughly inspecting the underground warehouse, Valia left the clinic.
She felt relieved seeing that everyone working here was sincerely committed to their tasks.
“I’ll be relying on you in the future. I’ll come to check occasionally, but if anything urgent comes up, please send a letter to the palace.”
“Yes, understood.”
Only after confirming everything until the very end did she board the carriage.
Even inside the carriage, Valia didn’t put down the documents.
Clinics built in various regions were also preparing for winter, just like here. The methods varied slightly depending on the climate of each region, but the goal was the same.
“Of course, we can’t provide everything for free.”
It was possible to provide free services to the poor, but giving everything for free to everyone was impossible.
After Being Cheated On, She Picked Up a Treasure (Female-dominant)
One-line summary: The husband I married on a whim had been secretly in love with me for a long time.
On the day when Jun Shao finally obtained the imperial decree for her marriage, Lan Qu, the person she had admired for six years, defied the decree and ran away.
Her gentleness and devotion, her promise of a lifetime together, were all disregarded by him. Instead, he dreamed of entering the palace to serve the Emperor’s sister as a sixth-rank attendant.
News of this incident spread throughout the capital, and the alleys in front of and behind the Lan mansion were crowded with people who came to watch the commotion.
Jun Shao should have been embarrassed and angry.
But someone stepped in to protect her dignity.
The figure was in a miserable state, yet still possessed an undeniable elegance and handsomeness.
The young lord struggled to climb the wall of the Lan mansion and shouted to her, “If he won’t marry you, I will!”
So, Jun Shao took advantage of the situation and married the person.
She thought the young lord did it to save the Lan family from the crime of defying the imperial decree, but never imagined that from beginning to end, what he coveted was her.
*
After the wedding, Jun Shao felt like she was living in a dream.
Her Wife-master was as beautiful as a fairy in a painting, skilled in the six arts, well-versed in poetry and literature, capable of being gentle and attentive, and also grand and dignified. Most importantly, she was the only one in his heart and eyes.
Jun Shao didn’t know how Lan Shiwu, as a illegitimate son without a father and blessed with beauty, had managed to preserve his purity, recklessly escape, and use his last ounce of strength to ruin his own reputation, all because of his love for her, just to stand before her.
She could only see him gazing at her with eyes full of love, and when she bestowed a name upon him, his eyes shone like stars.
“You have come to me like a weary bird perching on a branch. I shall call you A Qi.”
