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If she still boasted arrogantly like before and said she could cure the illness without any problems, things would have been easier.
She could have asked everyone to help with a hand, and then many people would have been tempted, either because of her previous guidance or the opportunity to make a name for themselves. For whatever reason, they would have had the courage to follow her.
But if she frightened everyone's courage away, then no matter the reason, nothing would be important without their lives.
He restrained himself again and again before finally he said such words to the girl, which frankly meant teaching her to deceive other doctors.
That was indeed a mean-spirited idea.
Undertaking such an action would be leading people into a pit of fire.
Doctor Feng felt his face flush red and lowered his head, wishing he could burrow underground.
Miss Jun's laughter reached his ears.
"Thank you," she said to him, bowing in respect with sincere and grateful expression.
She understood. Doctor Feng's heart sank. He didn't know whether to be pleased or upset. His expression was very complex.
It was as if he hoped she would do it, but if she really did, he felt profoundly disappointed.
This was perplexing. The idea was his in the first place, so how could he blame the girl?
He didn't want to stay here; he hastily bowed and was about to turn around.
"However, I cannot do that," Miss Jun's voice followed.
She can't?
Doctor Feng paused his step and looked up.
"This time, I need to ask for everyone's help, and I must make it clear," said Miss Jun. "Only by letting everyone know what they are getting into can they do it well."
That was a kind of arrogance, too, wasn't it?
I'm going to tell you just how dangerous and unreliable this task is, but I still invite you to help. Do you dare to help or not?
Young people are just like that, Doctor Feng thought with a complex expression, sometimes a bit naive.
"But this is problematic," he still said in a low voice.
"There's no problem with me saying this. Everyone must think clearly and make their own decision," Miss Jun said. "Indeed, I do need help with this disease. This is not something I can do alone, but that's not to say I am without confidence or blindly trying. I have a plan in mind; I only lack implementation."
Doctor Feng looked at her.
"But isn't implementing the most difficult part?" he said with a wry smile.
"Just because it's difficult, should we not do it?" Miss Jun laughed. "Every prescription and treatment we use today started from nothing. They were all developed through the trials and tests of our predecessors. In ancient times there were Shennong and the divine doctor Bian Que, who refined their medical skills and remedies through these trials. Without their experimentation, how would we know that toxic aconite could be used, or that arsenic could save lives?"
Doctor Feng looked at her, his lips moving as if he wanted to say something but nothing came out.
Miss Jun smiled softly at him, her eyes sincere.
"I know this is indeed very risky, and I'm very grateful that you came to advise and talk to me about it," she said, bending her knees to bow.
Doctor Feng sighed and waved his hand, refusing the gesture.
"But this is something I must do," Miss Jun continued, turning her head towards the city walls. "Smallpox is a poisonous plague that has claimed countless lives. It's like facing an enemy from the northwest, wolves baying at the gate. We are already at the front lines; should we retreat now? Even if we can't carve out a path of survival, killing a few of the enemy is still worthwhile; leaving some trails for others to explore means we haven't labored in vain."
After speaking, she bowed to Doctor Feng and walked away with long strides.
"My Miss won't have labored in vain," Liu'er said to Doctor Feng, clutching the medicine chest, looking up with a hum and striding to follow.
Doctor Feng stood where he was, his expression complex and unchanging.
.......................
As dusk slowly settled in, the door curtain rustled, and seeing Miss Jun enter, Manager Liu and Fang Jinxiu hurriedly stood up.
"Seventh Chen and the others have almost finished setting up outside the city and won't come back today. They will stay overnight to take care of things," Fang Jinxiu said.
"The medicinal herbs have also been loaded onto the carts to be sent to Guanghua Temple tonight," Manager Liu added.
No one asked her what she had gone out to do or how it went.
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Miss Jun nodded.
"I'll go tomorrow," she said, without mentioning what she had done and the results.
"Let's eat then," Fang Jinxiu said, looking over at Manager Liu.
Manager Liu hastily waved his hands.
"I should head back now, there are still some things to take care of at the shop, so I won't eat here," he said. "I have also prepared some things for those who will be going tomorrow, and I will send them here in the morning."
Miss Jun nodded and smiled at him.
Manager Liu returned the smile, turned, and left. As he stepped out of Jiuling Hall, his smile vanished, replaced by a somber expression.
He had searched the entire city but ultimately failed to persuade even one doctor.
Those imperial physicians bore a grudge against Miss Jun and were set on seeing her fail; probably, it was they who spread the news of Miss Jun curing Prince Huai's smallpox to these patients, firmly resolved not to help.
Though initially at odds with Miss Jun, the city's doctors had later resolved their conflicts and even benefited from her goodwill. In everyday conversations, they respected Jiuling Hall.
But respect alone was not enough when it came to matters of benefit and risk; people chose self-preservation.
And there was nothing to criticize in that—it was simply human nature.
Manager Liu exhaled. The night wind of the first lunar month was still bitterly cold, prompting him to tuck his hands away.
What was there to fear? Even if it ended in failure, one could just reveal the imperial decree, close Jiuling Hall, and leave the capital, thus saving their life.
After all, the ancestors amassed family fortunes, was it not for their descendants to squander them? If squandered, simply start anew.
Manager Liu pulled his hat down and entered his carriage to leave.
The night enveloped the capital, and the lights began to brighten.
Lights were still on at Hundred Herbs Hall, where a young apprentice dozed off behind the counter and Doctor Feng sat at his desk, medical texts open before him, though he hadn't turned a page since morning.
The oil lamp flickered, casting light on his deep-set features when suddenly, he slapped the desk and stood up.
The sound jolted the apprentice awake.
"Master, are we closing up?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.
Doctor Feng grunted in acknowledgment but didn't reply as he picked up a lantern and walked out.
The apprentice cheerfully locked up, unaware that Doctor Feng wasn't heading home but instead took the lantern and walked onto the quiet, nighttime streets.
Soon after, a loud knocking shattered the street's tranquility as the door creaked open.
"Doctor Feng? At this hour, you..." the person inside exclaimed, surprised at the visitor.
"Doctor Liu, let's talk inside," Doctor Feng said, snuffing out his lantern.
Darkness returned to the doorway.
The night deepened, the room's light enduring, and the tea, laid out on the small desk, had turned cold.
The two men sitting opposite each other had grave expressions, yet neither showed signs of weariness.
"Old Feng, this is really too risky," the man opposite finally sighed.
Doctor Feng nodded at him.
"Yes, I know," he said.
"She has a support system. If something goes wrong, with the Fang Family's and De Sheng Chang's imperial decree in hand, the emperor won't do much to her. She's still a young lady; she could just shut her doors, go back to the inner residence, marry, and have no worries about food or drink. But what about us?" the man said. "We wouldn't be able to stay in the capital anymore, nor keep our medical hall running, and our whole families would be ruined."
"I know, I know," Doctor Feng nodded again.
"If you know all this, then why do you still insist on persuading us for her?" the man said, somewhat helplessly.
Doctor Feng picked up the cup of tea in front of him, which had long gone cold, and took a sip.
"Because I believe she's credible," he said.
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Let's add one more update.