Chapter 134 Guidance and Assistance

"Miss, what on earth are you doing wandering around these alleys?"

A rebuking voice came from the alley.

"Look, Shopkeeper," the young assistant hurriedly spoke, "she's been caught like this again."

Manager Liu looked over and saw Miss Jun being stopped by a woman.

"This is the wife of Lord Zhou, the Capital City Mayor's deputy from the East Wing," he said.

These string of titles might confuse the average person, but even a mere tea-server at De Sheng Chang understood what it meant.

In the capital, where court officials and the Mayor's office abound, and with the nearby three counties and eighteen townships, various types of officials are everywhere. Walking on the street, you could bump into a Capital Official.

Although many of these officials lead lives indistinguishable from ordinary people, some even struggling, they are still officials. The King of Hell is easy to see, but little demons are tricky; offend someone, and you might trip over a snare anywhere.

So for those in business with bureaucrat identities, the first thing to do is to familiarize themselves with and recognize this fact.

This is also why it's said that living in the capital is not easy.

"This Lord Zhou is particularly good at making trouble out of nothing," the assistant said somewhat nervously. "Shopkeeper, why don't you go over and resolve the situation?"

If Miss Jun offended Madam Zhou without knowing any better, it would be troublesome.

Manager Liu started to step forward but then held back.

The most basic requirement for them who handled the money business was to keep their word.

The big family's Young Master had said to follow Miss Jun's arrangements for everything, so unless she spoke up, they could not act.

"Let's wait and see," he said.

Miss Jun glanced at herself holding the flag, then gave the woman a smile and a courteous gesture.

"I am a bell healer from Jiuling Hall," she said.

The woman looked at the flag in her hand.

"For treating all sorts of difficult and complicated illnesses, bringing back the dying, immediate relief upon medication," she read, and then, looking at Miss Jun, she smiled. "Young lady, you don't lack confidence, do you?"

Miss Jun promptly agreed.

"If I didn't have real skills, I wouldn't dare to practice," she said.

The woman did not expect her to be so straightforward and shook her head.

"Miss, if you have a medical practice, then you should sit at the clinic. If you are a bell healer, then you shouldn't have a clinic to sit in," she said. "What's the meaning of carrying the name of a medical practice while wandering the streets?"

"One does not easily dispense advice, and one does not knock on doors to offer medical skills. My Jiuling Hall is newly established; the public doesn't know about it yet, so I chose to be a bell healer first to make it convenient for people to seek treatment," Miss Jun explained.

The woman found it both amusing and exasperating.

"Young lady, so you're aware that one does not knock on doors to offer medical skills," she said. "Your running all over the streets, causing children to make a fuss and consume random things, is more than knocking on doors; you're disturbing the peace."

"Madam, the preserved fruit I gave to the children is a special heatstroke relief pill from Jiuling Hall. Now, with the summer heat and dampness, children lose their appetite. Eating a little can be good for their health," Miss Jun said amicably.

"Young lady, this is the capital," the woman said, gesturing outside. "There are three medical practices on this street alone. I can't say that everyone in there is a renowned doctor, but at least one of the doctors has some reputation. If we feel unwell, we can simply walk a few steps to see the doctor, and if we need any medicine, we can have it prepared there. Why would we wait especially for you to treat us?"

"Madam, naturally you don't need me," Miss Jun replied as pleasantly as ever. "I am waiting for those who do need me."

The woman shook her head, too lazy to say more.

"I'll give you one last piece of advice: don't wander around the capital," she said rudely. "If you truly wish to heal and save people, then go to the countryside, to places lacking medical care, to aid the world and save lives. Don't come here trying to show off and seek attention."

With that, she brushed off her sleeves and looked at the gatekeeper.

"Clean the area in front of the door. We don't just let anyone in."

Her shout directed at the gatekeeper was in fact a scolding towards Miss Jun.

The onlookers in the alley pointed and discussed among themselves.

Miss Jun's expression remained calm, and Liu'er, although displeased, clutched the flag tightly because of Miss's instructions.

"Let's go," Miss Jun said, turning around and shaking the bell.

The crisp sound of the bell rang out leisurely.

Manager Liu's furrowed brow relaxed, showing a hint of surprise.

Putting aside everything else, Miss Jun certainly had remarkable patience.

Thinking this, Manager Liu pondered deeply for a moment.

When you think about it seriously, the role of a bell healer may seem absurd, but upon closer reflection, not just anyone can do it.

Especially a girl like Miss Jun.

Considering her background as a member of the Apricot Family, with a father who was an official known for his loyalty and righteousness.

Here she was, walking the streets, attracting attention, enduring cold stares, ridicule, and curses, yet remaining so composed.

She must either have an incredibly good temperament or have some ulterior motive.

It was well known throughout the Fang Family and even within the money business that Miss Jun was not someone with a good temper.

Thinking of this, Manager Liu took a step forward to catch up.

"Miss Jun," he greeted.

Miss Jun stopped in her tracks.

"Manager Liu," she said with a smile, "what can I do for you?"

"There is something I don't understand," Manager Liu said bluntly. "Why do you want to become a bell healer, Miss Jun? If you need to build a reputation, we have ways to bring many patients to your door."

Miss Jun smiled.

"The reputation gained from having patients come to my door is not enough for me," she said.

Not enough?

"Can you really build a reputation this way?" Manager Liu asked earnestly. "These people don't need a bell healer."

"Yes, I can," said Miss Jun. "As long as I find the people who need a bell healer."

The people who need a bell healer?

Who in the capital needs a bell healer?

There are medical clinics everywhere, and renowned doctors abound.

Is it necessary to give away free medicine and consultations to gain a good reputation as was done in Runan?

But there's no need to become a bell healer for that; display a notice for free consultations at Jiuling Hall for a month.

Manager Liu couldn't understand it.

But Ning Yunzhao was starting to get it.

"The people who need a bell healer are naturally those who believe in bell healers," he tapped on the desk, muttering to himself before suddenly raising his voice, "Xiaoding, Xiaoding."

Xiaoding hurried in from the outside.

"Young Master, what is it now?" he asked.

"Is Miss Jun going out today?" Ning Yunzhao inquired.

Xiaoding looked helpless.

"Young Master, if you really want to see Miss Jun, just go. She won't ignore you if you show up; it's not like her to leave you behind while she shops," he said. "Running three times a day to check on Miss Jun can't replace you."

Ning Yunzhao frowned at that.

"What are you talking about," he said. "I have business with her when I want to see her, why would I go see her otherwise."

Xiaoding chuckled dryly; so the previous times he accompanied Miss Jun for meals and drinks were for business.

Ning Yunzhao stood up and took a few steps.

"Is she going to West City today?" he asked.

Xiaoding made a sound of affirmation.

"She should be. Miss Jun was in West City yesterday; she hasn't finished making her rounds there," he explained. "Based on my observations over the past few days, Miss Jun is very patient and methodical. She finished browsing the four streets of East City before heading to West City, so she'll definitely do the same."

Ning Yunzhao paused in his steps.

"Xiaoding, the milk brother of the cousin of my eleventh aunt's family is in West City," he said. "Tell him to seek treatment from Miss Jun."

Xiaoding felt a little dizzy trying to follow, took a moment to realize whom the Young Master was speaking of, and was impressed by the convoluted way he had thought of it.

"Should I tell him that it was you, Young Master, who said so?" he asked.

"If you say it's me, will he still believe it himself?" Ning Yunzhao frowned. "You go and casually chat with him over a drink; recount the events in Runan to him."

Xiaoding understood.

"You're brilliant, Young Master," he said with a laugh. "This way, he won't be suspicious, and neither will Miss Jun."

Even if she finds out about the connection with Ning Yunzhao, Miss Jun wouldn't guess it was at Ning Yunzhao's behest, but rather that she had heard of the legend.

"You're really good to Miss Jun, Young Master," Xiaoding exclaimed again.

"That's because she is good herself. If she didn't have such medical skills, I wouldn't do this," Ning Yunzhao said indifferently.

That seemed to be the reasoning, yet it wasn't, Xiaoding thought, scratching his head.

"But would you do the same for others with such medical skills?" he couldn't help asking.

Ning Yunzhao did not answer that question.

Because the answer was too obvious, he didn't want to deceive himself.

Of course not; others weren't her.

The reason he did this was naturally because she was her.