Lu Yunqi didn't like many things, nor did he dislike many things.
He obtained what he liked, and made what he disliked disappear.
His subordinates stood respectfully.
"We will handle it immediately," he said.
"Isn't Imperial Physician Jiang supposed to handle it?" Lu Yunqi asked.
Imperial Physician Jiang, having suffered a loss at Jiuling Hall and having made a bet with them, now needed to investigate the origins of Jiuling Hall to know his enemy as well as himself.
Since Imperial Physician Jiang was taking the lead, there was no need for them to intervene.
A small medical hall wasn't worth their involvement.
His subordinate acknowledged and left the room.
Only Lu Yunqi remained in the room, holding the documents but not looking at them anymore.
"I don't like this name," he said again.
Imperial Physician Jiang was surprised when the Jinyiwei sent over the documents; he had thought the Jinyiwei would just give him a verbal update, not deliver the documents themselves.
These documents contained extremely detailed information. He remembered some officials discussing in private how the Jinyiwei shamelessly spied on people's secrets, even recording how long an official spent with his concubine last night.
"There's not much information about Jiuling Hall, and mainly there's not much to ask deeper about," the visitor said.
Of course, for a small medical hall, it truly wasn't worth inquiring in detail.
Even so, these records wouldn't be easily handed over for someone to see.
Why was Lu Yunqi so easy-going this time?
Were they that close?
"The one-thousand man commander says that Imperial Physician Jiang is the head of the Imperial Hospital, connected to the emperor, Empress Dowager, and other dignitaries, and anything related to medicine cannot be overlooked," the visitor said.
So that was it; Lu Yunqi was indeed the emperor's dog, only attentive when it involved the emperor.
Imperial Physician Jiang smiled and thanked him.
At the same time, the exorbitant consultation fee of Jiuling Hall was becoming widely known; it was clear that they looked down on the poor.
Upon hearing the news, Cao Family's Wang, who had been humiliated once before, was again infuriated and caused a commotion in the streets.
Hearing about it from Xiaoding, Ning Yunzhao frowned.
How did things turn out this way?
Initially, it wasn't very good, as it is said, "The wise speak not of ghosts and gods."
Although claiming fame this way was quick, it inevitably led to criticisms. But gaining initial fame to attract patients and then slowly building a solid reputation seemed a good approach.
Yet unexpectedly, she had publicly declared such high fees and that she only treated cases others couldn't handle.
The girl was indeed act as ferociously and unrestrained as ever.
He didn't doubt her medical skills, just as back at Jin Yun Hall, her boldness in stepping up was because she was confident.
"Master, should I tell Cao Family's Wang to stop spreading rumors?" Xiaoding asked.
Ning Yunzhao shook his head.
"It's not spreading rumors," he said, "You stop her, but can you stop everyone?"
"What should we do then?" Xiaoding asked with a worried expression.
Ning Yunzhao smiled.
"Why worry when she isn't?" he said, "What can be done? Meet force with force and stem the tide with sand."
Xiaoding nodded.
"I'm just feeling sorry for Miss Jun; she's a young lady, wouldn't it be better for her to marry well without all this fuss?" he said.
Being a young lady, is it reasonable to avoid certain tasks because they are tough?
"That's why she is who she is," Ning Yunzhao said with a smile.
Xiaoding pursed his lips.
Regardless of how Miss Jun acted, in the young master's eyes, she was always perfect.
"This is exactly what Miss Jun said."
In the afternoon teahouse, a group of idle young nobles sprawled about, joking, drinking, and listening to music prostitutes play.
"The consultation fee is one thousand taels of silver."
Someone clapped Zhang Baotang on the shoulder.
"You've got money, lad, even willing to pay so much to see the expensive doctor."
Zhang Baotang shook his head.
"Not at all," he said, "Miss Jun didn't take my money."
Everyone then turned their eyes towards Zhu Zan.
"Is it really just friendship?" everyone asked.
Zhu Zan snorted, slamming his wine bowl onto the table.
"It's bullshit," he said. "Is she really such a good person?"
A thousand taels for a consultation fee.
An Immortal Ziying Plant costs even more than that.
What's crucial is that such things are hard to come by.
"Did you really pay for my medical expenses, second brother?" Zhang Baotang hurriedly asked.
Zhu Zan mumbled something unclear, and Zhang Baotang tried to give him money, but Zhu Zan impatiently pushed him away.
"But honestly," another person said, "a consultation fee of a thousand taels clearly implies they don't want to treat the poor, although many physicians do think about earning money, very few are bold enough to admit it openly."
"Who said a physician must always save lives and help the world?" Zhu Zan said. "Can't there be shameless ones just wanting to make money?"
The young people in the room looked at him.
"I don't know if that's a compliment or an insult," everyone laughed.
"It's neither a compliment nor an insult, it's simply none of our business," Zhu Zan said. "Moreover, the key point here isn't how much her consultation fee is or whether she has a compassionate heart, but rather promoting her superior medical skills."
He reached for the wine jug and poured himself some wine.
"Let's not forget, there are many out there who don't care about the consultation fee."
What does the clamor of those unable to afford her fees have to do with her? After all, she never planned to deal with those people.
This girl is cunning.
Daring to scam people of five thousand taels during the Lantern Festival, recklessly harvesting the Immortal Ziying Plant, even using hidden weapons to safeguard her life, calling him a beast chewing on a branch, once in Runan she embarrassed the people bullying her by playing the victim, and not to mention risking her life as bait entering a killing formation.
Don't be fooled by her delicate appearance.
Indeed, many people don't care about the consultation fee, especially when the news spreads to the inner residences.
"Imperial Physician Jiang is such a significant figure, why should he bother with a little girl?"
"Exactly, after all, there are truly many ailments that male doctors simply cannot resolve."
"People don't really know how uncomfortable those ailments are; the physicians who see them often say it's like pulling silk from a cocoon."
"If it can cure my disease instantly, not to mention a thousand taels, I'd be willing to give ten thousand."
The women laughed discussing it at home and gladly made it a topic of conversation when visiting friends. Miss Jun of Jiuling Hall's reputation for treating difficult diseases spread even further.
Inside a lavish room, a woman turned from her mirror as she fixed her makeup.
She was only about sixteen or seventeen years old.
"Is it really that impressive?" she asked.
Her voice was a bit hoarse as if stuffed with rags.
"Yes, Third Miss, everyone says so, and the Marchioness Dingyuan was cured by her," the maidservant spoke softly. "The Marchioness had taken medicine from Imperial Physician Jiang for ten days to half a month with no effects before she turned to Miss Jun."
She extended her hand.
"She was cured with just three doses over three days."
Cured in just three days?
The girl referred to as Third Miss pressed her hand against her neck.
"Then my throat could be cured quickly too," she said.
The maidservant nodded, looking at the medicine bowl on the table.
"Third Miss, you have been taking this medicine for several days without seeing any improvement. The doctor just said to keep taking it," she whispered, pointing outside, "but we can't wait forever."
Laughter from other women could be heard from the outer room.
"Is this from the master? What a beautiful hairpin, only worn by the empresses in the palace, right?"
Amidst the women's chatter.
This obviously made Third Miss distressed, and she threw the hairpin in front of the mirror in annoyance.
"Third Miss, with your voice hoarse, the master hasn't seen you for several days," the maidservant continued, picking up the hairpin to comb her hair. "Nowadays, many people are being added to the household. You were the first here, but don't let yourself fall behind, think about the life you're living now, it's something countless others can't even dream of."
Third Miss looked down at her sleeves without speaking.
This gorgeous robe, unlike anything she had seen before, now easily wrapped around her body, not to mention a box full of jewels, the best food, drink, and items.
Everyone says that the man is terrifying, but he's kind and responsive in front of them, proactive in everything, considering every detail.
This life, along with what her family gained, was almost like a dream.
No one wants to wake from a beautiful dream.
"Alright, tell the doorman I want to see another physician," she said, raising her head.