A reward for md12 with an added Spirit Beast Egg update (5.29)
*************************************************************
She had said she was going to go.
Chen Seven forced himself to calm down.
"Did Prince Xian send her there?" he asked with a hint of realization.
Liu'er had already come in and frowned upon hearing this.
"What do you mean Prince Xian sent her?" she said. "After Miss Jun finished Prince Xian's business, she went to take care of her own affairs."
What does that mean?
Chen Seven and Manager Liu looked at her, an ominous thought creeping into their minds.
"Didn't she ask Prince Xian for help in treating the Duke of Chengguo's heir?" both asked in unison.
Liu'er shook her head.
"Of course not," she said. "Wasn't it Prince Xian who asked Miss Jun for help? Why would Miss Jun ask Prince Xian for help?"
Because you're an idiot.
Chen Seven glared.
Miss Jun is an idiot too!
How could she not seize such a good opportunity and instead go to Lu Yunqi alone and so boldly?
Has she gone mad?
Of course, Miss Jun wasn't mad. It would have been mad for her to ask for Prince Xian's help.
It was already conspicuous enough for Prince Xian to help her, let alone dealing with Lu Yunqi for Zhu Zan's sake. The emperor would definitely question his intentions.
Ultimately, this was her own conflict with Lu Yunqi, and it was better not to involve too many people, especially those who cared for them - the three siblings.
The carriage stopped outside the Northern Administrative Court, and the driver took a deep breath. With the previous experience of going to Lu Mansion, his legs were still somewhat soft, but at least he stood firm this time.
"Miss, we've arrived," he said.
Miss Jun got out of the carriage, and before she could step forward, she heard the rapid sound of horse hooves.
"Miss Jun?"
Several men's voices rang out.
Miss Jun turned around and saw it was Zhang Baotang and several others from Sifeng.
"Miss Jun, you're here. That's wonderful," Zhang Baotang said. He dismounted and turned back to look at a middle-aged man, "Doctor Liang, you can go back now."
"Just a moment," Sifeng hurriedly said, looking at Miss Jun with a complex expression. "Let's still have Doctor Liang take care of it."
Zhang Baotang made a surprised sound.
"But Miss Jun has better medical skills than Doctor Liang," he said, then quickly looked at Doctor Liang with a hint of apology, "Doctor Liang, I'm not saying that you aren't good..."
If such words might have embarrassed a physician in the past, many of them would no longer feel so now.
Doctor Liang immediately raised his hand to interrupt before Zhang Baotang could finish.
"No, no, Miss Jun has better medical skills than I do," he said sincerely. "It's better with Miss Jun here."
Miss Jun gave a bow to Doctor Liang.
Sifeng shook his head.
"It's not about medical skills," he said with a bitter smile. "Miss Jun, this is our second visit, and we still may not be let in. If we bring you, we definitely won't be able to get in. He would never allow you to treat the Princely Heir's injuries."
Zhang Baotang then understood.
He was so focused on Miss Jun's medical skills that he forgot Lu Yunqi intended to suppress Miss Jun's medical practice, to trouble her and force her, not even allowing her to treat others, let alone Zhu Zan.
Not to mention Zhu Zan had several times hindered Lu Yunqi from bullying Miss Jun. The two were love rivals for Miss Jun, and love rivals meeting each other are already intensely jealous. With Miss Jun showing concern for Zhu Zan right in front of Lu Yunqi, any man would be annoyed.
Zhang Baotang cursed softly.
"The Princely Heir's flogging is a flesh wound, and there's no urgent need for Miss Jun's intervention. The most important thing is just to have a reliable doctor take a look," he said, bowing to Miss Jun. "Miss Jun, you don't have to worry."
Miss Jun shook her head.
"Let me do it," she said. "Otherwise, you still won't be able to get in."
Zhang Baotang was stunned.
What did this mean? Could she really get them inside?
She was going to...
"I'll go see Lu Yunqi," Miss Jun said. "Please wait."
With that, she did not wait for Sifeng, Zhang Baotang, and others to respond, and turned to walk towards the gate of the Northern Administrative Court.
The gate had been smashed by Zhu Zan's trunks, and the damaged area had obviously been repaired. Two Jinyiwei stood at the entrance, seemingly oblivious to the discussion taking place outside.
This doesn't look good.
Zhang Baotang stepped forward to call out to her but was stopped by Sifeng.
"She's right," he said. "Perhaps only she can get us in to see Second Brother."
Zhang Baotang watched Miss Jun approach the Jinyiwei guards.
"How can she..." he began, but before he could finish, he saw the Jinyiwei, who had been as still as statues, bend respectfully and salute Miss Jun.
Well, Zhang Baotang swallowed the rest of his words and watched as Miss Jun gracefully entered.
Clearly, these Jinyiwei were not respectful simply because she was a divine doctor, but rather because Lu Yunqi had instructed them.
Was this a standing order, or had he anticipated that Miss Jun would come on her own accord?
"But, she's going to beg Lu Yunqi now," he said with a complex expression. "Lu Yunqi will surely make demands. What if..."
What if Lu Yunqi wants her to become his concubine?
Would she agree to that?
Miss Jun was entering the Northern Administrative Court for the first time.
Blue bricks, grey walls, clean and tidy surroundings, and no bureaucrats hurrying back and forth - it was all very quiet and tranquil, strangely more leisurely than other government offices.
It was ridiculous to feel at ease at the thought of the notoriously fearsome Northern Administrative Court. Perhaps it was because the Jinyiwei encountered along the way were all respectfully courteous, stepping aside to give way, and showing her the direction.
No one wished to see Lu Yunqi, nor could they see him so easily.
Unless Lu Yunqi was willing, and had been waiting all along.
Miss Jun followed the directions and arrived at a government office.
Here, still with blue bricks and grey walls, Lu Yunqi in a bright red robe stood under the eaves, blending in with the drab surroundings.
"You're here," he said with a smile.
As if a host warmly welcomes a long-awaited guest.
Miss Jun stopped in her tracks.
"Won't you come in and sit down?" Lu Yunqi asked, gesturing for her to enter.
"What are the conditions for me to see him and treat his injuries?" Miss Jun didn't answer but went straight to the point.
Lu Yunqi sighed softly.
"You caring about another man like this will upset me," he said.
Miss Jun looked at him, her feelings complex.
He had said this line to her before, coincidentally also about Zhu Zan. She couldn't remember the exact context, perhaps they were discussing some bureaucrat's matters when she suddenly thought of Zhu Zan, who fought with Prince Xian, and casually inquired why he hadn't come to the capital again.
At that time, Lu Yunqi didn't answer but made this remark.
Of course, it was a joke, a little sweet nothing between lovers. He obviously wasn't really angry, and she laughed heartily at it.
Now, there was no anger or displeasure on Lu Yunqi's face. After saying that, he smiled again.
"Of course, I won't be displeased," he continued. "As long as you are here, that's good enough."
Miss Jun remained silent.
This was certainly not meant to soothe, explain, or express his generosity. His meaning was clear - regardless of her intentions, whether for someone else or for something that made her happy or sad, as long as she was here, under his control.
She wasn't his Princess Jiuli. All he wanted was a substitute for Princess Jiuli, as long as this substitute was within his sight and grasp. Whether she was happy or unhappy, he didn't care at all.
In his eyes, she was merely an object, not a person, just like those women kept in the outer residences.
"The condition is simple," Lu Yunqi said, reaching out his hand to her. "Come."
He stood on the steps, reaching down to her from his higher position.