Accompanied by the rustle of the curtains being lifted, gusts of wind blew into Jiuling Hall.
"Manager Liu," Fang Jinxiu said, rising to greet the newcomer.
"She went to see Doctor Feng at Hundred Herbs Hall; I think she intends to employ the doctors from the city," Manager Liu said, waving his hand to decline the tea Fang Jinxiu offered him.
Even though Miss Jun had only taken Liu'er to the Imperial Hospital, Manager Liu had known what had happened there right away.
"It's expected that the imperial physicians wouldn't help," Manager Liu continued.
"Although it is expected, I never imagined people could be so wicked," Fang Jinxiu remarked.
Manager Liu chuckled.
"Third Miss is still young," he said.
Because she is young, she hasn't yet seen the true horrors of human nature?
Fang Jinxiu gripped the teacup in her hands.
"No, I am aware," she said.
There is a saying that even a tiger does not eat its own cub, but she had seen those who discard even the bond between mother and daughter. What else in this world couldn't one understand about the human heart?
But those were things of the past, and there was no need to dwell on them continuously.
"Are those doctors willing to help?" she asked, changing the subject.
Manager Liu stroked his beard, his expression grave.
"This matter is really not easy to manage," he said.
Fang Jinxiu fell silent for a moment.
"Manager Liu, do you know that she doesn't have much confidence this time?" she said.
At the time, Miss Jun had said that what Prince Huai had was not smallpox. Even though she later claimed she could cure smallpox, the news was too frightening to reveal, so only she and Seventh Chen knew about it, and they had unanimously decided not to tell anyone else.
But from Manager Liu's expression, it was clear that he had no absolute confidence in what Miss Jun was about to do.
Manager Liu looked at her and smiled.
"Smallpox has been incurable since ancient times," he said. "I know there are many capable people in this world, and nothing is absolute, but after all, she's just a child. She's not a deity. To do what only deities can do by herself, it won't be easy at all."
............................
"Miss Jun, please have some tea," Doctor Feng offered her a cup of tea with his own hands.
Miss Jun quickly stood up to take it.
The two of them took their seats again.
"Does Miss Jun mean to ask me to help treat smallpox?" Doctor Feng continued the previous conversation.
Miss Jun nodded.
"Because there are many patients, and the disease is critical, I cannot manage it alone," she said. "That's why I want to ask for your help."
Is this the same proud girl who claimed that her medical skills were far superior to others, who justified her high fees, and who only treated diseases that others couldn't cure?
It seems that this issue is quite tricky.
Doctor Feng hesitated for a moment.
"Miss Jun, you know my medical skills," he said with a hint of shame. "My family mainly specializes in bone-setting, and I have had very little exposure to sores and ulcers."
He stood up and bowed.
"I am very ashamed that I am afraid I won't be much help to Miss Jun."
Miss Jun smiled and stood to return the bow.
"Doctor Feng, you are too modest," she said. "I see this as an opportunity since no one has ever done this before. With more people, it becomes easier to manage."
Indeed, it was not going to be easy. No one had ever attempted it before, which meant she hadn't either.
Doctor Feng's hands, hanging by his side, began to sweat slightly.
Oh my goodness.
"Yes, I am very ashamed," Doctor Feng bowed again.
Miss Jun returned the bow.
"I'll take my leave," she said.
Doctor Feng did not stand up, seemingly not wanting the young lady to see his blushing face. Listening to the sound of footsteps fade away as she left, he took a long time to straighten up, and though he was in his own shop, he peered out sneakily as if he were a thief.
The young lady had entered another medical clinic on the street.
I'm afraid it won't work,
Doctor Feng sighed as he watched the figure of the young lady, his heart heavy with concern.
........................
"Three places now," Manager Liu told Fang Jinxiu, waving his hand for the clerk to leave. "Not a single doctor has been willing to come out with her."
"Perhaps they still need time to prepare," Fang Jinxiu speculated.
Manager Liu was amused by her comment and, wanting to say something but then thinking better of it, nodded his head.
All right, let's wait then.
..........................
"What a joke."
Miss Jun's actions had caught the attention of the entire city, and the Imperial Hospital, which had just suffered a humiliating snub, was closely monitoring the situation.
They quickly learned about Miss Jun's visits to the clinics around the city after she had left the Imperial Hospital.
"She wants these doctors to help her; does she think they are all fools?" one imperial physician scoffed.
"She could still pretend if she hadn't approached them herself. Now, who doesn't know that she is clueless about treating smallpox?" another imperial physician remarked. "Those doctors aren't mad to follow her to their deaths, are they?"
"Maybe she wants to use the credit she gained from teaching and solving problems recently to coerce these doctors," Imperial Physician Jiang suggested, smoothing his sleeves. "Unfortunately, her phase of imparting knowledge and solving puzzles was too brief."
While it's a breach not to follow a teacher's orders, she is ultimately not these doctors' benefactor. It was one thing not to trouble her further and to show her some respect, but to expect them to accompany her to certain death based on a few instructive prescriptions was far too naïve for someone so young.
"Let's wait and see," he said.
..........................
"Miss Jun, please wait a moment."
When Miss Jun emerged from what was possibly the umpteenth medical clinic with Liu'er, someone called out to her from behind.
Miss Jun turned her head to see Doctor Feng.
"Doctor Feng?" she said.
Doctor Feng looked somewhat conflicted.
"Miss Jun, when you...," he started, then hesitated, "did you talk to the other doctors in the same way you did with me?"
Miss Jun smiled, as if she found his question odd.
"Of course," she said.
Sure enough... Doctor Feng's expression was complicated, and after a moment's hesitation, he took a step forward.
"Miss Jun," he seemed to have made a decision, leaning in to whisper, "you shouldn't talk to them like that."
Miss Jun looked at him, puzzled.
Doctor Feng didn't look at her, seemingly unable to bear it; his eyes darted around, and his face flushed.
He had lived to such an age and was doing something like this for the first time.
"Just tell them you are too busy to handle it alone and need their help. Don't mention anything else," he blurted out in a single breath, his face turning bright red.
The things this young lady had told him were truly shocking, with undertones in her conversation making it clear she had never treated smallpox before, and this attempt was a first.
If she herself was calling it a trial, how could other doctors dare to join?
With the emperor's imperial decree hanging over them and so many patients holding on to hope if they failed, not to mention what the emperor might do, the disappointment of the people alone could drown someone.
Why was she not as brash as she used to be at this critical time?
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Happy Monday~ Keep up the good work!