Ning Yunzhao left before dawn, specifically instructing not to send him off, because his departure was silent and it was still early, no commoners saw it.
Miss Jun did not insist either, only sending Seventh Chen to deliver the farewell wine.
As Ning Yunzhao left the capital, rumors about the top scholar and Miss Jun continued to circulate, but there wasn't much to say about it. It was a matter of ancestral engagement; the lady abandoned the engagement to avenge her family, while the gentleman, out of loyalty, never wavered. The lady practiced medicine to save the world and the gentleman displayed both literary grace and martial prowess, overwhelmingly claiming the top spot – truly, a match made in heaven.
Good news is never as interesting as bad news.
As for the matters concerning Thousand-Man Commander Lu and Duke of Chengguo's heir.
"A fair lady is a gentleman's delight. With Miss Jun being so outstanding, isn't it quite normal for people to think of, long for, and seek her?" A man in a teahouse received food from a woman selling steamed cakes from her basket and, pointing at everyone around, said, "Tell me, who among you doesn't want to marry such a woman?"
Those present all laughed and waved their hands.
"Not at all."
The man spat and sat back down.
"What not at all? It's just too daunting to contemplate," he muttered with his mouth full of steamed cake.
It goes without saying that men of Thousand-Man Commander Lu and Duke of Chengguo's heir's status would dare to think it. Hence the commotion, but now all is settled – surely they can't ruin someone's marriage. Of course, given their identities, they could push others around and bully men and women if they wanted to, but both Miss Jun and Top Scholar Ning are not of the status to be oppressed.
It is said that the emperor has already reprimanded Thousand-Man Commander Lu and the princess.
"What does the princess have to do with this?" someone asked, puzzled.
"I know this, I know this," another man hurriedly said, "The princess also wanted Miss Jun to enter the Lu Family because Miss Jun cured Prince Huai and has excellent medical skills. The princess, ah, wanted Miss Jun to stay by her side to ensure the prince's well-being."
"That's just too selfish."
"Miss Jun can still treat Prince Huai without being part of the Lu Mansion."
"We also want Miss Jun to continue running her clinic and treating patients; how can we just think of them alone."
This comment instigated noise from the others.
The man who spoke quickly gestured with his hands for everyone to calm down.
"That's why, the emperor has reprimanded them. In the eyes of a doctor, all people should be treated equally. Even if she doesn't join the Lu Residence, if Prince Huai needs her, he can simply request Miss Jun's presence. Miss Jun is a doctor, naturally, she should treat all the people in the world, not just one individual," he said.
When the people around heard this, they all nodded in agreement.
"His Majesty is right."
"His Majesty is sagacious."
They said gratefully.
Seventh Chen shook his clothes and withdrew his gaze from the hall.
"This matter seems to have been smoothed over," he said to Manager Liu.
Manager Liu nodded with a smile.
"Top Scholar Ning is still a reliable mountain to lean on," he said with a smile.
Seventh Chen furrowed his brows.
"However, in the end, it's all fabricated. Noble Son Ning isn't young anymore," he said.
Now that Noble Son Ning has announced his engagement with Miss Jun, he couldn't pursue a marriage, and this was supposed to be the best time to do so after his top scholar announcement.
Noble Son Ning is willing to help, and the elders of the Ning Family must be going crazy.
Manager Liu reached out and twisted his beard.
"Actually, falsehood may contain truth, and truth may contain falsehood," he said, squinting with a smile, "And even if the engagement is fake, the feelings are real."
It is said that Ning Yunzhao definitely has thoughts about Miss Jun that he doesn't share with others.
Seventh Chen snorted twice.
If it turns into something real, that's all well and good; relying on a big family like the Ning Family is actually not bad.
As they were talking, a servant boy came in.
"Doctor Feng has sent me to get the next month's supply of smallpox vaccine," he said, handing over a list.
Doctor Feng is, of course, Elder Doctor Feng, who has become a government official, and everyone has begun to address him with respect.
Seventh Chen extended his hand with a smile to receive it.
"Has Miss Jun seen this?" he asked.
"Miss Jun has gone out on a medical visit. She said you, Manager Seven, can handle the arrangements," the servant boy said.
The vaccination campaign was being steadily conducted under Elder Doctor Feng's guidance, and Miss Jun had begun consultations anew, maintaining her usual rules.
"Although when Miss Jun shows up it means the illness is serious, which is very sad, being treated by Miss Jun when one is seriously ill is also a stroke of luck," said an old man in a casual robe under the eaves.
Miss Jun returned the courtesy.
"Lady's illness needs to be gradually nursed back to health, Lord Wang must not be anxious," she said. "You should also reassure Lady that haste won't help."
Lord Wang nodded with a smile.
"Miss Jun, your word that our Lady will be alright is comfort enough for us," he said. "Whatever we say, it's not as effective as a word from you."
"Therefore, an Imperial Physician bears heavy responsibility and must not speak carelessly," Miss Jun said with a smile.
Any other doctor saying this would be fine, but coming from Miss Jun, Lord Wang smirked to himself. Indeed, you do not speak carelessly, but every word you do say is frightening enough.
"Please, Miss Jun," Lord Wang personally saw her off.
Miss Jun did not insist on courtesy and walked one step behind, heading outside.
Before reaching the entrance, a burst of noise was heard, and an old servant stumbled in frantically.
"Master, Master, something terrible has happened," he shouted tremblingly.
Lord Wang frowned.
"What's the panic about?" he asked.
"Master, it's the men from the Jinyiwei..." the old servant shouted.
His words were cut short, as the sounds of footsteps scuffed hurriedly and more than a dozen Jinyiwei officers in flying fish uniforms surged in.
Lord Wang's expression tensed, and Miss Jun was also startled.
Who are they after?
Her gaze swept across the group; Lu Yunqi was not among them.
"What is the meaning of this?" Lord Wang demanded.
The leader of the Jinyiwei officers stepped forward a few paces.
"Wang Lian, you are accused of corruption, and we are ordered to search," he said coldly.
Lord Wang's complexion shifted.
"Nonsense," he retorted, his frown deepening, "is there an imperial decree for the search?"
The Jinyiwei officer gave a cold smile and shook his identification plate.
"This is sufficient," he asserted.
Without waiting for Lord Wang to respond, he waved his hand and his Jinyiwei subordinates charged in like ferocious wolves.
"How audacious!" Lord Wang's face turned ashen as he shouted sternly, "Stop them!"
Several household servants bravely tried to block them, but it only gave the Jinyiwei officers an excuse to fight, and in no time the entire courtyard was filled with cries of agony.
The Jinyiwei broke down doors and shattered windows, threw tables and kicked chairs.
Cries and sobs filled the entire Wang Mansion.
"Scoundrel! Villains!" Lord Wang trembled with rage.
Maid servants were crying out.
"Master, Master, Madam Wang has fainted."
Already gravely ill, Madam Wang could not endure the shock of the Jinyiwei's violent search.
Lord Wang, upon hearing this, nearly gasped for breath and stumbled toward the back of the mansion. Miss Jun hurriedly attempted to follow, but a Jinyiwei officer blocked her.
"The bailiffs are conducting an investigation; unrelated persons must step back," he stated.
"I am a Doctor, the person inside has fainted, I need to save their life," Miss Jun said.
The Jinyiwei officer looked at her coldly.
"Who knows if you're truly here to save a life or acting as an accomplice to smuggle out contraband," he said, while gesturing with his hand, "Get her out."
A few Jinyiwei officers with a sinister look advanced in unison.
Now was not the time for exchanging pleasantries, and they must have received instructions from Lu Yunqi to treat her without courtesy, even possibly to frame her.
Were they here to search Lord Wang just by coincidence or indeed to target her?
Miss Jun, looking at these Jinyiwei officers, slowly retreated until she was standing outside the door.
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Thank you to Ice from the South and Brother Zhen 520 for the rewards with He's Bi, thank you thank you.
It's Friday today, everyone get ready for a pleasant weekend. O(∩_∩)O~~