Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 341: New Beginnings (Part 2)

The injured soldier who had already taken the anesthetic was long unconscious, lying motionless like a corpse at the mercy of whichever direction he was moved.

Sun Zelan knew very well that the surgery needed to be completed while the drug was still effective. Otherwise, the pain would kill the soldier. She heard familiar, light footsteps but was too engrossed to look up, focusing intently on her suturing.

Sun Guangbai occasionally wiped her sweat and absorbed the continuously seeping blood with clean gauze, which quickly filled the basin on the ground.

Sun Guangbai had come prepared with another packet of clean gauze, specially prepared beforehand by boiling in hot water, making them incredibly soft.

Sun Zelan suddenly said, "Scissors."

Sun Guangbai immediately handed the scissors over. Sun Zelan cut the thread, passed the scissors back, and continued stitching the stomach wound. Brother and sister worked in seamless, fluid coordination.

The scene was both gruesome and possessed a nearly cruel beauty.

Jiang Shaohua remained silent, unobtrusively standing beside them, intently watching.

Brave as she was, witnessing this scene was still enough to make her heart pound, her stomach churn uneasily.

It was unclear how much time had passed when Sun Zelan finally finished.

She looked up, letting out a long breath. Her intense concentration had lasted nearly two hours, even a person of iron would find it hard to endure.

Sun Guangbai said softly, "Sister, leave the rest to me, you should take a break."

Sun Zelan murmured a response, went to wash her hands, and changed out of the blood-dotted clothes into a clean outfit. Then, naturally, she walked over to Jiang Shaohua, her tone somewhat gentle, "Commandery Princess, support me."

Jiang Shaohua couldn’t help but smile, replied, and held up the exhausted Sun Zelan as they walked out of the tent side by side.

Several meters away, Qin Hu was unable to control his gaze, intently focused on that long-missed, beautiful face.

The wind lantern hanging outside the military tent swayed in the night wind, causing the light to fluctuate. Sun Zelan’s delicate face shifted in the light and shadow, with visible fatigue at the corners of her eyes, yet her gaze remained dazzlingly bright.

Meanwhile, Meng Sanbao quietly nudged Qin Hu, signaling him to go forward with eagerness.

Qin Hu, however, did not move, simply watching from afar until the Commandery Princess took a step forward, then as her trusted aide, he followed while still maintaining the appropriate distance.

From Qin Hu’s perspective, he could see Sun Zelan’s figure and half of her face. He watched as she turned her head to smile at the Commandery Princess, observed her weary steps, feeling a mix of sourness, sweetness, and bitterness in his heart.

He had told her that he would never intrude upon her life again in the future. He really had adhered to his promise. Over the past year, he had stopped seeking her out. When they occasionally met, he kept his distance, politely addressing her as Miss Sun. Sun Zelan was quite content with this peace.

Knowing that she was satisfied was enough for him.

Jiang Shaohua guided Sun Zelan into the army tent.

Life in the military camp was simple when it came to food, clothing, and accommodations. Sun Zelan’s tent had nothing special, just a bit cleaner than the others.

Sun Zelan sat, half-reclining on the chair like a limp rag, with no concern for appearances: "I’m dead tired and starving."

Amused and slightly pained, Jiang Shaohua ordered for a late-night meal to be delivered immediately.

The stoves in the camp kept some fire going at night, and soon two large steaming bowls of noodles were brought over.

"Commandery Princess, Bao Er is on duty tonight. He specially made these hand-rolled noodles for you to try." Chen Jinyu walked in with a smile, personally carrying two large bowls.

The bowls were the biggest ones used in the camp, filled with the rich aroma of pork bones boiled for half a day, topped with two poached eggs, verdant leaves, and a large piece of braised pork.

How tempting this was!

Jiang Shaohua immediately felt her appetite come alive, inviting Sun Zelan to join her for the midnight snack.

Having not eaten since the afternoon, now past midnight, Sun Zelan was famished. She quickly picked up the chopsticks and started eating.

The deliciousness of the fragrant pork noodle was enough to bring tears to one’s eyes.

Sun Zelan devoured her meal, barely able to utter a word. Jiang Shaohua also ate with great delight.

Standing by, Chen Jinyu couldn’t help but laugh: "Seeing Commandery Princess and Miss Sun eating like this makes me hungry too. Later, I’ll have to tell Bao Er to prepare such a bowl for me tomorrow morning."

Jiang Shaohua laughed: "Sure, tell him, I want to have it again tomorrow morning too."

"Add me to the list," Sun Zelan chimed in, her mouth full.

Two years ago, Bao Er married Fangniang. Though a couple joined late in life, their love was genuine. They lived in the camp each day, sharing food and work.

The only regret was Fangniang’s poor health from her ordeal in the bandit’s lair, unable to conceive. Bos Er mustered courage and sought Sun Zelan’s help.

Sun Zelan thoughtfully prescribed medicine for Fangniang, who has taken it for half a year with no pregnancy yet. However, she’s visibly healthier and more robust.

Grateful to Sun Zelan, Bao Er often quietly prepared tasty meals for her.

Sun Zelan does not stand on ceremony, busy all day without fancy clothes or makeup. Her only indulgence is eating. Nobody objects to this small pleasure.

After filling her stomach, Sun Zelan took another relaxing breath.

Jiang Shaohua smiled, motioned for Chen Jinyu to clear the dishes, and casually began to chat with Sun Zelan: "How is that injured soldier? Can he be saved?"

"It’s too early to say." Upon mention of the injured soldier, Sun Zelan immediately sat up straight, answering earnestly: "He’s severely injured, with a ruptured kidney. I barely stitched it up. He needs careful monitoring over the coming days. Once he survives the high fever for several days, we will see if he can cling to life."

Jiang Shaohua sighed: "Thank you for your hard work."

Sun Zelan also sighed: "I don’t feel it’s hard work. I just regret my lack of medical skill, being unable to save every injured soldier."

"There have indeed been quite a few soldiers brought back over the past half year. I’ve saved a couple, yet more couldn’t make it. The aides in the camp only see the saved and call me Divine Doctor Sun. I sincerely feel unworthy."

A doctor bears the heart of a parent, indeed.

Wishing desperately to save all the wounded.

Jiang Shaohua reached out to hold Sun Zelan’s hand, softly saying: "You don’t need to feel unworthy. You have done everything possible, deserving completely the title of Divine Doctor Sun without any regret. In my heart, you are unique as a divine healer."

Sun Zelan smiled softly: "Your compliments are the best, among all who praise me."

"Of course," Jiang Shaohua added solemnly: "Those qualified to hear compliments from me are few and far between in this world. Divine Doctor Sun should cherish this."

Jiang Shaohua and Sun Zelan exchanged smiles.