A gift of a Spirit Beast Egg for md12 to update the story (5.28)
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Leaving the capital?
"Why suddenly decide to leave?" Prince Xian asked in surprise.
After asking, he couldn't help but laugh at himself.
What was so 'suddenly'? The situation was far from well. She was first ostracized and found trouble with by the imperial physicians, followed by harassment from Lu Yunqi. This young lady's journey through the capital was indeed not easy.
"Even with such difficulties, you've made it through," Prince Xian thought for a moment and said with a smile, "Isn't there a saying that fortune comes after hardship? Miss Jun's reputation as a divine doctor is known to all; things will surely go smoothly for you in the future."
As he spoke, he patted his belly.
"Let's not worry about others. My entire family relies on Miss Jun. If anyone bullies Miss Jun, I will be the first to object."
Miss Jun laughed.
"Thank you, Your Highness," she said with a smile, "I'm not scared of anything."
Watching the young lady's blossoming smile, Prince Xian touched his belly and coughed lightly.
She did not show the slightest sign of schemes or depth.
She expressed her happiness or displeasure as casually as a sister would at home.
Were they that familiar with each other?
This thought flashed by, and he felt a moment of realization, slapping his belly again.
He finally understood what Zhu Zan meant.
This inexplicably familiar demeanor was rather... odd indeed.
"So you..." he said, coughing lightly.
"I do wish to leave," Miss Jun replied, looking at him with a frank expression, "I once really wanted to stay in the capital because I had things to do. But now I feel that staying here isn't what I imagined, so I've decided to go back."
To do things?
Things weren't as she wished?
She really was quite forward, not even mentioning her intent to propagate Jiuling Hall's medical heritage in the capital, but instead speaking so directly about having things to do.
These things, surely not related to practicing medicine.
This girl... Prince Xian once again patted his belly, finding himself at a loss for words at her statement.
"So please be assured, Your Highness, I'm not leaving because I found it tough," Miss Jun said, and after thinking, she smiled again, "As for Prince Huai, with Your Highness here, I'm at ease too."
Prince Xian made an 'oh' sound.
"I see," he said, nodding with a smile on his face, "No wonder Miss Jun brought me such a huge box of medicine, it turns out to be a farewell gift."
Who uses medicine for farewells? Prince Xian's words were really... Miss Jun laughed again.
"Thank you, Your Highness," she said with a deep bow, then raised her head to look at Prince Xian, "I'm leaving now."
With that, she smiled again.
"However, I will certainly come back."
Prince Xian 'oh'-ed once more, and though he tried hard to maintain a smiling face, his heart was already cursing.
This feeling was just too damned weird.
So much so that he didn't know what to say.
Miss Jun bowed once more to him, turned around, and walked away, with Liu'er following behind with the medicine chest.
Watching the young lady step by step leaving, crossing the threshold, about to vanish from his sight, Prince Xian suddenly felt a touch of sorrow.
This thought flashed through his mind, and he shivered suddenly.
It was truly maddening.
This was his second meeting with Miss Jun, the first time they'd spoken so much. Where did this sadness over parting come from?
It was utterly bizarre!
Extremely strange!
No wonder Zhu Zan always avoided seeing this young lady. How could she be so...?
Prince Xian reached out to touch his belly and furrowed his brows.
How could she not be afraid of him at all? Instead, she was so relaxed and comfortable, as if they were very familiar, as if she had known him for a long time.
It's truly baffling.
This girl is only about fifteen or sixteen years old, and it's her first time entering the capital, how could she recognize me?
From a past life?
Prince Xian watched the girl's retreating figure, she seemed to sense his gaze and stopped to look back.
She didn't offer a salute, but instead waved her hand.
Prince Xian shivered again.
Such a gesture was not something a commoner girl would dare do to a prince like him; this was a form of interaction only seen between royal family members of equal status.
Did this girl make such a gesture out of ignorance of the proper rituals, or was it a natural habit?
Out of ignorance, I suppose, given that she does come from a bureaucratic family, but it is also uncertain, as the girl is rumored to be crude and impolite.
As for habit...
The reason why Lu Yunqi was pestering Miss Jun was because of her name.
Jiuling.
Prince Xian stood in the hall, surrounded by the laughter and chatter of women and children; yet he was somewhat lost in thought.
There was once a girl named Jiuling too, who, by seniority, should call him Imperial Uncle, although she was three to four years younger than him.
Prince Xian touched his forehead.
Actually, his memory of this niece was fading; he vaguely remembered her big eyes, always rolling around, looking mischievous and playful, making one wonder what naughty plans she was concocting in her head. She was indeed a troublemaker, causing the Imperial Sister-in-law much worry.
Yet, this child was admirable, voluntarily praying for fortune for the Imperial Brother, abandoning the royal life of luxury and wandering outside.
Back then, he also felt ashamed, having clamored numerous times about going to the northern lands to fight against the bandits, but not even stepping out of the capital, not only because the emperor was reluctant to part with him, but also because he himself was afraid to go.
Such a girl, later on, disappeared.
The emperor, the Imperial Brother, the Imperial Sister-in-law—everyone was gone.
The days he once thought would remain unchanged suddenly vanished; gone meant gone forever.
Prince Xian watched the girl's figure disappear from his sight, standing in the hall in a daze.
A woman came by, laughing, hooked his arm and shook it, saying something, but Prince Xian watched her lips move, unable to hear a word, taking a while to come back to reality.
"What's wrong, prince?"
The women and children of Prince Xian's Mansion were terrified, bombarding him with questions, and some even wanted to call Miss Jun back.
Prince Xian waved his hand to stop the eunuch about to go out, his expression darkening.
There was, however, another unexpected matter.
This girl did not even ask how Zhu Zan was faring.
Wasn't she present when the incident happened? Moreover, with the emperor publicly announcing the outcome, she must know about Zhu Zan's current situation, right?
The sentence, the prison, all indicated that the matter was serious.
She must have been frightened, right?
Not a single question asked, yet she spoke of leaving the capital.
Seeing the turmoil in the Cabinet, the emperor's wrath, and the capital in upheaval, perhaps she intended to withdraw and escape.
Prince Xian shook his head, with a mix of disdain and a wry smile.
Poor Zhu Zan, he still thinks of helping her.
The ways of the world, how cold human relationships can be.
Miss Jun's carriage departed from Prince Huai's mansion, and Manager Liu from Jiuling Hall received the news as well.
"This is justice," he said. "Miss Jun saved people and saved lives, which merits multiple aids."
"Just as I thought, how could the medical clinic be forced to shut down just because Lu Yunqi made a fuss?" Seventh Chen, holding a teacup, added, "Let alone all over the world, in this entire capital with so many people, could he really prevent everyone from seeking our treatment?"
"Worrying over nothing, worrying over nothing," laughed Manager Liu.
As they were laughing, a shop assistant ran in breathlessly.
"Is she back?" Seventh Chen asked first with a smile, standing up.
"No, Miss Jun left Prince Xian's Mansion, but she didn't return here; she went to the Northern Administrative Court," the shop assistant panted out. "She only sent Miss Liu'er back."
Went to the Northern Administrative Court?
Manager Liu also stood up, looking at Seventh Chen in surprise.