The carriage meandered its way to Jiuling Hall's entrance, where two other vehicles had already stopped.
Many doctors and ordinary folk were indignant because, although there was no longer a line of people outside the Jiuling Hall, its business hadn't dried up; the carriages coming and going obviously belonged to the homes of the wealthy.
What hadn't changed were Miss Jun's consultation rules.
A maidservant, seated before a desk, had just finished describing her mistress's condition and looked at Miss Jun with a glimmer of expectation.
But Miss Jun contemplated for a moment, then shook her head.
"This illness doesn't require my treatment," she said.
The maidservant's face lit up with hope.
"But Miss Jun, my lady's ailment has been improving for some time now," she said. "You cured the Marchioness Dingyuan, didn't you?"
"I treated her because her illness could be treated in such a manner," Miss Jun replied. "Your mistress's isn't suitable for that; she needs to recuperate slowly. Quick treatments might actually do more harm. The prescription the doctor has given is very suitable; don't worry."
Her polite and sensible response, though devoid of committing to treat the illness, still soothed the maidservant.
"Then I truly thank you, Miss Jun," she said.
"If you have any questions, you can consult me at any time," Miss Jun offered. "For instance, if there's something you're uncomfortable discussing with the physician, you can tell me, and I can help adjust the prescription with them."
Indeed, there were times when certain sensitive conditions couldn't be easily discussed with physicians, nor were they easy to diagnose with traditional methods.
Overjoyed by this, the maidservant expressed her gratitude profusely.
As she watched her leave, the next waiting maidservant hurried forward.
"I am from Scholar Yang's household in the southern part of the city," she said, handing over a calling card.
This was one of Miss Jun's rules for consultations—declaring one's household.
The woman sat down, whispering quietly to Miss Jun as though afraid of being overheard.
Standing behind the counter, Seventh Chen understood.
"It seems she'll become a physician for women," he murmured to Fang Jinxiu with a chuckle.
"That's a good thing," Fang Jinxiu replied. "It avoids any conflict with the male physicians, considering they might find it inconvenient to treat women."
"And women's money is easy to earn," Seventh Chen laughed quietly.
Fang Jinxiu glared at him.
"Don't joke around in the clinic," she admonished.
Seventh Chen promptly stifled his laughter and acknowledged her point, while the maidservant had finished discussing her mistress's condition with Miss Jun.
"This doesn't require a house call; one bottle of medicine will suffice," Miss Jun stated as she wrote out a prescription. "After you finish this bottle, it should be fine."
Even though she didn't get a home visit from Miss Jun, obtaining the medicine was still a relief.
It was said that, following the Marchioness Dingyuan's recommendation, the elderly mother-in-law of the Duke of Baoning also took Miss Jun's Concentration Pills. After taking them, she who previously needed support to walk could now stroll about the garden on her own, even growing some black hair.
Unfortunately, Miss Jun's medicines were as difficult to obtain as her consultations.
The maidservant happily took the prescription to the counter, where one assistant collected the money and another provided a bottle of the medicine, watching as the maidservant left in high spirits.
As one maidservant exited, another stepped in.
"Divine Doctor, my young lady has lost her voice," she said. "Please come and take a look."
Miss Jun gestured for her to sit.
"Whose household are you from?" she inquired.
"From the west side of the city," the maidservant simply replied and sat down.
She neither presented a calling card nor declared her household.
Miss Jun's brow furrowed slightly.
"How did she become hoarse, and when did it start?" she asked. "First, tell me about that."
The maidservant promptly recounted the history of the ailment and the medicines that had been taken.
Miss Jun smiled.
"This is of no serious concern," she assured. "The prescription that the doctor gave is right; just keep taking it."
Having said that, she looked towards the door as another patient walked in, ready to greet the next visitor.
But the maidservant remained seated, unmoving.
"Divine Doctor, you should still take a look before we discuss further," she said.
Miss Jun had yet to speak when a newly arrived maidservant became displeased.
"You, do you not know Miss Jun's rules?" she said, "This means that your family member is fine, go find another doctor to take a look."
The maidservant smirked.
"My family specifically needs the Divine Doctor," she stated, coughing lightly and then raising her voice to call outside, "Someone, please fetch Miss Jun for a consultation."
This was someone looking for trouble, Seventh Chen and Fang Jinxiu both frowned.
"Hey you, bullying others because you think you're above them," the newly arrived maidservant said indignantly, "So many people come here and behave properly, even the people from Marquis Dingyuan's household are like this, where do you come from..."
Her words halted abruptly as she looked at the few people who entered, her expression suddenly turning to one of dread.
Seventh Chen and Fang Jinxiu also stiffened.
The several individuals donned flying fish uniforms and wore stern expressions, their waists adorned with decorated executioner's swords, causing the atmosphere in the main hall to freeze instantly.
It was the Jinyiwei.
The maidservant seemed quite pleased with the quiet of the hall and everyone's expressions.
"Divine Doctor, please," she said to Miss Jun with a smile.
Miss Jun's expression remained the same; she showed no signs of fright or anger from being threatened.
"I see," she stood up and said, "Jinxiu, bring me the medicine chest."
She had agreed just like that?
The maidservant smiled smugly, as if to say, you know what's good for you, you follow the rules. Those nobles need to maintain face, so they accord you respect, but we don't need to follow your rules.
To us, we are the rules.
"Is that alright?" Fang Jinxiu handed over the medicine chest and asked in a low voice, "Shall I look for Manager Liu?"
"Yes, it's no problem, there's no illness I can't treat," Miss Jun said.
Besides, she had always known that one day she would cross paths with the Jinyiwei in the capital; she just hadn't expected it to come so soon.
"This is for the best, Divine Doctor," the maidservant said with a pleasant smile as she led the way.
Watching Miss Jun leave in the carriage, the maidservant inside the hall dared to breathe a sigh of relief.
It seems that no matter how strictly Miss Jun discusses her rules, bold enough to argue with the imperial physicians, when faced with the Jinyiwei, she dares not say anything and forgoes her rules.
Indeed, these rules change depending on who you are facing.
But, which influential person from the Jinyiwei could command such respect, to use the Jinyiwei as an escort? Certainly, it must be someone extraordinary.
Miss Jun sat in the carriage without looking outside, until the carriage came to a stop.
"Divine Doctor, we've arrived," the maidservant said as she lifted the carriage curtain.
Miss Jun looked outside, her clasped hands loosening, revealing the faint sweat in her palms.
No, it's not.
She glanced at the modest door of the residence ahead, then lowered her gaze and stepped out of the carriage.
This was still the rear entry, a door opened by an elderly porter who gave her a sidelong glance and then ignored her.
Despite the modest front, the estate itself was vast, and seemed to house many; laughter and chatter could be heard from afar. Rounding a floral wall, she caught sight of a group of women whose silhouettes fluttered like swallows beneath the shade of trees.
Their robes billowed and their laughter tinkled like silver bells as they played on swings.
These were ladies playing on swings.
Miss Jun glanced momentarily before averting her eyes, remaining focused. However, the women saw her.
"Nanny Huang, who is that?" a female voice inquired.
Involuntarily, Miss Jun turned toward the voice and saw four or five women standing beneath the swing frame, all flamboyant in appearance and varying in demeanor.
Suddenly, she halted in her tracks.
A strange feeling.
These women... it felt like she had seen them somewhere before?