Chapter 135: Good Intentions Go to Waste

Familiar bell sounds echoed leisurely within the alley, as Xiaoding quickly hid in the corner.

Children in the alley watched the woman carrying a bell and medicine box approach, and they scattered with laughter.

"That medicine-peddling liar is here."

The children's shouting livened up the whole alley.

Just like a vicious dog approaching.

Xiaoding thought, although it was Miss Jun's first time in this alley, good deeds do not go beyond the gate, but bad news travels far and wide; now, everyone in the city knew of a woman scammer roaming the streets.

Fortunately, the commotion here did not provoke any adults' curses or the barking of anyone's dog; instead, someone called out to Miss Jun.

"Miss, miss."

It was an old woman.

It was Ning Yunzhao's aunt's sister's son's wet nurse, from the Cao Family.

Quite a tangled connection.

Xiaoding smacked his lips; his effort was not wasted. Having boasted yesterday over drinks to Mr. Wang, whether Mr. Wang listened or not, Mrs. Cao had.

The young master had considered it well, women of Mrs. Cao's age loved to gossip, and since she also had an employer-servant relation with the Jiang Family of Fujian, her words carried weight. If Miss Jun could heal her, her reputation would definitely turn for the better.

Xiaoding peered out and saw Miss Jun standing before Mrs. Cao.

"What can I do for you, madam?" Miss Jun asked with a smile.

Mrs. Cao sized her up, skepticism evident in her eyes.

"So young," she said. "Are you really the granddaughter of the renowned doctor Jun Fengchun from Runan?"

Xiaoding internally cheered, Mrs. Cao's opener was spot-on, bringing up Miss Jun's grandfather right away, which ought to give Miss Jun a favorable impression without suspicion.

The young master really thought thoroughly for Miss Jun.

Wondering what expression Miss Jun had now, she must be pleased.

Regretfully, she was facing away, so he couldn't see her expression.

Liu'er could see.

"Miss, this old lady knows of Grand Old Master," she joyfully said, looking at Miss Jun.

It was exciting to know that a woman in the capital recognized the Grand Old Master.

Yet Miss Jun's expression remained unchanged, showing no surprise.

"Indeed," she responded with a smile.

"Then you must see to me, I always have trouble sleeping at night," Mrs. Cao said hastily.

This remark surprised the neighbors who had come out for a spectacle.

"Old Lady Wang, you better not ask randomly," a kind-hearted neighbor warned. "You could walk a bit further to the main street and consult Doctor Huang."

"Doctor Huang has already seen to it; I've taken a heap of medicine to no effect," Mrs. Cao said unapologetically. "I think he is incompetent."

This statement would tarnish Doctor Huang's reputation, spreading like wildfire within half a day.

Being a doctor wasn't easy; building a reputation was difficult, and even a small mistake could lead to denunciation.

Mrs. Cao looked back at Miss Jun.

"Young lady, please do take a look; I know your family has a great reputation," she said.

This was another decisive statement, surprising the neighbors.

Could this young lady truly be that capable?

They wanted to see for themselves.

More people gathered around; even the children stopped running and squeezed into the crowd for the spectacle, their eyes all fixed on Miss Jun's medicine box.

"The candy inside is tasty," a few bold children proclaimed.

Although their families had warned them, children who listened were no longer children, and many had tasted the candy Miss Jun offered, spreading the word among themselves.

Hearing the children, Miss Jun immediately opened her medicine box and took out a handful of candied fruit.

This time, although the parents were reluctant, none spoke up due to respecting Mrs. Cao; the children swarmed to grab the candy and start eating, shouting how sweet it was, some even reaching out for more from Miss Jun.

The small alley turned lively.

Xiaoding couldn't help but smile broadly, as this time the young master's arrangement had succeeded perfectly. Now, all that was left was for Miss Jun to show her skills by curing Madam Cao's illness, marking the start of their business. Then, from one will come many, and word of mouth will open up the situation.

Madam Cao was growing irritable from the children's clamor.

"Go, go play over there," she waved her hand and called out to Miss Jun again, "Miss Jun, please check on me quickly."

Miss Jun closed her medicine box and shook her head at Madam Cao.

"I'm sorry, old lady, I can't treat your illness," she said.

At this, everyone was stunned; even Xiaoding couldn't help but lean forward in surprise and stare at Miss Jun.

What did she mean?

"You can't treat it?" Madam Cao also asked, puzzled, then suddenly thought of something, turning pale. She grabbed Miss Jun by the hand, "Is my illness very serious?"

The neighbors around them also snapped back to reality, their expressions complicated.

This was indeed a tactic often used by traveling doctors, exaggerating the seriousness of your condition to swindle a hefty sum of money before leaving behind some worthless plasters and disappearing.

After all, a traveling doctor just runs from place to place; nobody could do anything about being fooled once in a lifetime.

But didn't Miss Jun still have Jiuling Hall open? Why would she use such tricks? Wasn't she afraid that people would smash her clinic?

Xiaoding also thought of this and breathed a sigh of relief.

It was alright since it was internal. Even if someone got fooled, they could just ask the young master to offer some compensation afterward.

Being associated with Miss Jun, people often say women are extroverted, but when men go out, they are just as unmatched.

Miss Jun patted Madam Cao's hand.

"No, old lady, you're overthinking it," she said with a gentle smile, "Your illness isn't serious. Just go to another clinic on the street, see a doctor, and take some prescribed herbs for a few days. You will be fine."

This statement left everyone stunned.

So, it was nothing serious? Then what was all this about?

"Why don't you examine me and prescribe some medicine then?" Madam Cao hurriedly said.

Miss Jun smiled and pointed to the flag that Liu'er was holding.

"I specialize in treating difficult and complex diseases," she explained, looking at Madam Cao, "Your illness isn't worth my effort."

What the...

What the...

Is she insane?

Those present stared at Miss Jun in astonishment.

Xiaoding also gaped, unable to form a single thought.

---

"Madam Cao has been cursing all day on the street."

"Young master, you know what Madam Cao is like; she'll remember this grievance for a lifetime."

"Now, the whole West City knows that Miss Jun is heartless, only out to swindle money."

"It won't take half a day before the entire capital knows, and Jiuling Hall truly won't be able to continue."

Xiaoding's voice continuously echoed in the room. Ning Yunzhao placed the scroll he was holding onto the table with a smack, interrupting Xiaoding's words.

"Young master... it's my fault for not handling things well," Xiaoding hastily admitted, stealing glances at Ning Yunzhao's expression.

"It's not that you handled it poorly; I handled it poorly," Ning Yunzhao said and then walked out after dropping that remark.

Xiaoding stuck out her tongue.

The young master was going to find Miss Jun; it seemed he was quite upset.

It was understandable, anyone would be upset if their well-meant actions were treated so dismissively, especially since Ning Yunzhao had been so carefully and heavily trying not to let her notice his good intentions.

And yet, it had been bluntly thrown to the ground.

It was more than anger; it was heartbreaking.

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Thanks to "Southern Ice" for the reward of He's Bi (*^__^*)

Have a nice weekend.