Chapter 634 - 636: Crisis Management, Turning the Situation Around
Bai Ruozhu’s voice was clear and resonant, quickly attracting everyone’s attention.
She turned her head and called out to Tu Ying, Cui Fan, and the others, then pointed in the direction of the hysterical woman, saying to Cui Fan: "That woman and her son seem to be in some sort of trouble. The mother isn’t explaining anything. Who would willingly let their son miss the chance of being treated? Please bring them here."
Cui Fan, whose martial arts skills were far superior to Tu Ying’s, rushed over swiftly and soon brought the screaming woman and her ailing son forward.
Seeing hope in sight, someone in the crowd yelled, "My arm has been squeezed and injured, save me!"
Tu Ying heard this and immediately flew into action, pulling the injured person out from the crowd.
"My leg seems to have broken, please help me!" yet another voice called out.
Soon enough, the injured individuals were one-by-one rescued, and the tumultuous crowd quietened down, as their full attention was drawn towards Bai Ruozhu, who was performing lifesaving acts on the red carpet.
The woman who was initially screaming was constantly looking around suspiciously. It was evident that she was not to be easily trusted. The boy she had claimed as her son was lying unconscious with a pallid face. Bai Ruozhu felt his pulse and quickly knit her brows in concern.
"Tie up this woman and hand her over to the sheriff later," Bai Ruozhu directed, pointing at the woman.
Cui Fan immediately restrained the woman. With a loud voice, she yelled, "What are you trying to do? Kill me? My son came here for entertainment and almost died. Now you want to murder me to keep me quiet?"
Without even looking at her, Bai Ruozhu was busy inserting needles into the unconscious young man, not hesitating at all. Without turning her head, she replied, "Stop claiming he’s your son. Even if you were his mother, you surely didn’t give birth to him. Would a real mother knowingly give her son, who suffers from a heart condition, Aconitum wine to drink?"
"What Aconitum wine? I have no idea what you’re talking about," the woman said defensively, feigning ignorance.
Bai Ruozhu scoffed, "I don’t have time to argue with you. The magistrate will judge fairly." She then turned her attention back to the ailing young man to continue the emergency rescue.
The Aconitum wine that Bai Ruozhu mentioned contains a component known in modern times as Aconitine. If not properly prepared, it can become poisonous when used in drinks. While it likely wouldn’t harm an average person, for someone with a heart disease, it could easily provoke cardiac arrhythmia, leading to passing out and possibly even shock.
After a course of acupuncture, the boy’s breathing normalized, and his complexion didn’t look so frightening anymore. Bai Ruozhu then tended to the others. She instantly rectified a dislocated arm and attended to a fractured leg, after which she got a clamboard to immobilize it.
There were others who had minor injuries such as twisted waists and sprained ankles, all of whom she treated. She also had Zhang Lilang take a record of their conditions and their addresses, promising to send medication later on.
The way she resolved the situation won the deep approval of the onlookers. It wasn’t uncommon for a crowd to be injured in the chaos caused by such a spectacle, but in the past, those injured had to simply accept the unfortunate occurrence. Someone who would step up and take responsibility, providing medical care and covering all expenses, like Bai Ruozhu did, was indeed a rarity.
Once Bai Ruozhu had taken care of everything, she turned to Fusa, gesturing for her to speak, "You should chat with the guests about the upcoming lottery draw, and explain what the three winners will receive as prizes and services."
Brought back to reality, Fusa nodded sheepishly at Bai Ruozhu. She had been so absorbed in the commotion outside that she’d entirely forgotten her duty as a host.
At that moment, Bai Ruozhu bowed to the crowd around her and said, "Today is supposed to be a day of celebration for Hua Xiangrong’s product launch, and I wouldn’t want any unpleasantness. Regardless of whether people were deliberately causing trouble or if the disturbance was purely accidental, my only wish is to resolve the issue as soon as possible, for everyone to arrive and leave with joy in their hearts."
Pointing to the injured individuals, she continued, "These folks have been injured, and I would like to take them home to rest. Could everyone please make way?"
"Bai is right. Let’s clear a path for them!" someone in the crowd yelled. Consequently, an aisle wide enough for one or two people to pass through slowly formed in front of Bai Ruozhu.
Bai Ruozhu then bowed to the crowd again, "Thank you all for cooperating."
With the passage cleared, she arranged for Cui Fan and the guards to escort the injured people out and towards a horse carriage waiting at the end of the street to take them home.
The young man who had suffered a heart attack awoke. In a feeble voice, he asked, "Am I still alive?"
Bai Ruozhu rushed over and said, "You had a heart attack, but your life was saved. In the future, avoid drinking medicinal alcohol indiscriminately, especially those given by people with ulterior motives."
Showing a startled expression, he quickly seemed to realize what had happened, his eyes involuntarily widened.
"You can rest temporarily in the backyard of my shop, since your heart condition is not minor and needs careful treatment," Bai Ruozhu added.
The young man looked slightly stunned. Unclear whether he had heard her or not, Bai Ruozhu was left with no choice but to instruct her brother to help him inside.
The woman who was being detained suddenly yelled at the young man, "Ji, are you alright? As long as you’re okay. Please, save me. They want to kill me to shut me up."
The Sheriff who had come to take her away retorted loudly, "I am the Sheriff, who would dare to try and murder you while I’m here? Stop spreading rumors and stirring trouble!"
The young man suffering from the heart attack seemed to not hear anything and was like a puppet on strings, being led by Bai Zepei into the backyard.
Seeing that the situation was under control, Bai Ruozhu nodded at Zhang Liliang. Following this, Zhang Liliang began to speak to the crowd, warming the atmosphere before announcing the continuation of the press conference.
By this time, except for Tu Ying, the remaining nine maids lined up at the main gate, standing unmoving so people could observe the workmanship and designs of their dresses.
The soothing music resumed, while on the other side Fusa was drawing lots for the guests. She used a lottery box and asked the elderly Madame Meng to draw the first winner.
Next, she called Wang Miaoshuang to draw another name, and finally Bai Ruozhu stepped up to bow to the audience and draw the third lucky guest.
Bai Ruozhu was not familiar with any of the three winners; she felt a bit of regret about this, but she realized that this was the meaning of true fairness.
The three winners each received a new eight-tailed cover skirt in varying colors and patterns. They were all thrilled and immediately thanked Bai Ruozhu.
Bai Ruozhu smiled saying, "We also offer a VIP service to our guests for skin care. I guarantee that you will leave with glowing skin, looking an immediate year or two younger. Then you will truly need to thank me!"
Her offer of VIP service was a clever way of advertising her Hot Spring Women’s Club in advance.
The press conference was nearing its end. Bai Ruozhu led the three winners to the backyard for beauty treatments. The rest of the guests, intrigued, decided not to rush off just yet.