August was already hinting at a chill.
When the sound of bells rang at the mouth of the alley, many families in the alley opened their doors.
Children surged out like wolves released from their cages.
"Do you have any candy?"
"Do you have candy?"
They surrounded Miss Jun at the entrance of the alley and called out.
Miss Jun shook her head with a smile.
"It's getting cooler, there's no need for candy now," she said.
The children's faces were filled with disappointment, and upon hearing this, the adults immediately came out to call back their children.
"Don't disturb the Divine Doctor," they shouted.
Half a month earlier, they would have stopped their children too, but not out of fear of disturbing the Divine Doctor, it was fear that the Divine Doctor might harm their children.
Manager Liu stood at the entrance of the alley, watching this transformation with scarcely concealed surprise.
"How did things change so suddenly?" He said, puzzled, "She hasn't cured any earth-shattering illnesses, has she?"
And Jiuling Hall's reputation in the capital was still unremarkable, so why did it feel like the attitude of the people in the city had changed all at once?
What had happened during these days?
Manager Liu looked back at his assistant, who also shook his head in confusion.
"We didn't do anything," the assistant said, "But some folks started asking Miss Jun if they had any ominous signs, I don't know whether they were joking or serious."
He pointed as he spoke.
"Look, Shopkeeper."
Manager Liu looked over and sure enough saw the people in the alley all gazing at Miss Jun as she walked by.
There was none of the previous scorn or disgust, only curiosity and even eagerness.
"Divine Doctor, can you see if I have any ominous signs?" someone else asked.
Didn't that sound like sarcasm?
Miss Jun shook her head with a smile, yet said not a word and continued forward.
The person who didn't receive an answer showed a smile, but it wasn't one of mockery, rather it was one of joy.
"This means my health is good and there's no evil spirit," she said proudly to the person beside her.
There was such a logic?
Manager Liu watched in surprise.
More people rushed out of the alley, a few women, one of whom was holding a child in her arms.
"Divine Doctor, Divine Doctor," they called out, their voices filled with panic, "Please see what's wrong with my daughter?"
Business had come to their doorstep, it seemed Miss Jun really had started to make headway with the public.
Maybe it was just a matter of getting familiar with her?
That was good too, although fame came slowly, it was finally improving.
Manager Liu watched with satisfaction as the family stood beside Miss Jun.
Miss Jun glanced at the little girl held in an adult's arms.
"There's no harm," she said, gesturing outward with her hand, "You can go to a medical hall on the street and get a needle; that will be fine."
Manager Liu was stunned again, still no treatment?
But this time, after hearing Miss Jun say this, the family showed no anger or sense of discrimination and didn't start yelling like the Cao Family had, rather they looked overjoyed.
"That's wonderful, Buddha bless us, Miss Jun said it's fine," the two women said excitedly.
So, Miss Jun saying it's fine was as good as Buddha's own words?
Manager Liu watched dumbfounded as the family ran past him with their child in their arms.
Interesting.
He looked toward Miss Jun up ahead, only to see Miss Jun put away the bell and turn around.
"Miss, where shall we go next?" Liu'er hurriedly followed and asked.
"Nowhere else needed," Miss Jun said, "Let's return to Jiuling Hall."
Manager Liu noted the early return that day and checked the light of day, but then he heard the assistants say Miss Jun was staying indoors.
One or two days might be due to needing rest, but after that, three days, four days, Miss Jun sat inside Jiuling Hall.
"So she won't be a bell healer anymore?" Manager Liu asked.
"Seems like it. She's busy concocting medicines in Jiuling Hall every day," the attendant said.
"Yes, that's true. With her mindset of wanting to earn a thousand taels of money with just one instance, such opportunities are hard to come by," Manager Liu shook his head, "She's better off relying on her medical practice to build her fame steadily. I do think her medical skills are quite good. It's best to accumulate slowly like this."
But what's the use? Even if he speaks, the girl won't listen.
"Write this down in the letter to the young master," Manager Liu instructed the servant boy.
Although he had long given up hope that the young master would make arrangements for Miss Jun's affairs, they were instructed to send a letter to Yangcheng every half a month, and it was now time to dispatch the letter.
Meanwhile, Miss Jun was also writing a letter in Jiuling Hall, which was far from empty.
"Master Ning, please have some tea," Liu'er said, offering him a cup of tea.
Ning Yunzhao smiled at her and nodded in gratitude, noticing the slight reddish hue in his tea.
"Drink it. It's perfect for someone like you who burns the midnight oil studying," Miss Jun said without looking up.
Ning Yunzhao smiled and took a sip of tea.
"So does that mean you won't need to work as a bell healer anymore?" he asked.
"The shift has been made," Miss Jun said, "Those who needed to know now know. From here on, I'll just wait for the right person."
Seeing patients had somehow also become about fate.
This girl certainly had a way with amusing words.
Ning Yunzhao smiled again.
"That's true; after all, we're not in it for the money," he said.
Liu'er interjected with a surprised sound.
"Who is 'we'?" she asked.
"Naturally, it's you and me, fellow townsfolk and close as kin," Ning Yunzhao replied calmly, "They think running a medical clinic is business, and since it's a business, it's naturally about money. But actually, some businesses are not for money."
Liu'er let out a sound of realization, her curiosity piqued.
"Then what is it for?" she inquired.
"For fame, for legacy," Ning Yunzhao said.
Liu'er acknowledged with a couple of acknowledging sounds and, hearing the attendant shout that the water was boiling, hurried to continue brewing the tea.
Miss Jun had been preparing her own medicinal herbs and taught Liu'er how to brew medicinal tea.
Once Liu'er left to continue her task, Ning Yunzhao finished his tea in one gulp, also feeling relieved.
Miss Jun had finished her last stroke as well.
"Are you not busy today?" she asked.
"I happened to be visiting my uncle's house, so I swung by your place on the way. It's been a long time, so I wanted to check how things were going," Ning Yunzhao replied.
Miss Jun smiled at him.
Although she did not fully understand why he always made it sound like he was passing by when it was actually a detour, she knew asking might make things awkward.
It's no use hitting someone who's smiling; no need to create an awkward situation.
"It's hard to tell now, but it will be lively after a while," she confidently stated.
Her words were light-hearted and self-assured.
"Do you have enough help? Do you need assistance?" Ning Yunzhao also said with a smile.
He too was light-hearted and confident about her words.
"No need for that," Miss Jun said, shaking the letter in her hand, "I've already found some help."
............….
Fang Chengyu laughed as he read the letter in his hand.
Beside him, Fang Yunxiao glanced at him.
"What's so funny?" she asked.
Fang Chengyu didn't reply, but Fang Yuxiu spoke up first.
"Nothing she writes could be that amusing; it's just dry stuff. It's only Chengyu who likes to laugh," she said.
Fang Chengyu laughed again and passed the letter to her.
"Take a look, Second Sister," he said, eyes sparkling, "Jiuling is starting to become famous. No need to be a bell healer anymore."
Fang Yuxiu took the letter and read it.
"She's really becoming a busybody," she commented, "Instead of being a proper doctor, she opts to be a shaman."