Chapter 182: Not Afraid, Not Retreating

Compared to Zhu Zan's indifferent disdain, Zhang Baotang was sincere and enthusiastic.

"Don't be afraid, Miss Jun. If there's an issue, just let someone come find me. My home is in the east of the city. Just ask for the Zhang Family and you'll find out," he said.

The Linchuan Zhang Family—Miss Jun certainly knew of them.

They were a family of military generals for generations, and although they prioritized culture over martial prowess, their status wasn't to be taken lightly compared to the cultured bureaucrat Ning Family.

After all, many cultured bureaucrats relied on palace graduates to pass on their legacy, whereas military generals relied on military exploits, which were relatively easier to obtain and ensured a more stable and substantial family legacy. Unlike the families of scholars, where failing to produce a palace graduate in two generations could lead to their decline.

Miss Jun smiled at him, nodded, and once again bowed to express her thanks.

"Let's go, let's go," Sifeng laughed, urging Zhang Baotang as they followed Zhu Zan who had already walked some distance away.

With the departure of Zhu Zan and his company, the street became bustling again as people surged forward, either curious or concerned, to inquire about the situation.

In such circumstances, it wasn't convenient for the people from Jiuling Hall to stay outside. Manager Liu instructed the staff to block the incoming crowd while protecting Miss Jun as she was about to enter.

Miss Jun was still holding the plaque of Jiuling Hall but did not move, instead, she looked down at the plaque.

It had been knocked down from the doorway just earlier and had gotten dusty.

She took out a handkerchief and bent over to carefully wipe it.

"It might be better to go inside and clean it..." Manager Liu said softly.

But Seventh Chen's eyes lit up, interrupting him.

"Just clean it here," he said softly.

A girl being bullied, wiping her family's plaque with tears and bearing the humiliation—this scene appeared even more tragic, and could more easily arouse the sympathy of others.

Manager Liu had thought of it as well, but he furrowed his brow.

This might be very effective elsewhere, but in the capital, facing the Jinyiwei, public sentiment meant nothing to them.

However, having public support was better than none, and besides, the previously distressed officials, in the eyes of the public, were still esteemed and not directly related. At most, the people would look on and pity them.

But Miss Jun was not a high-ranking official, she was a doctor who treated and saved people, which related directly to the interests of each individual, after all, no one could guarantee they wouldn't fall ill in their lifetime.

Moreover, with Miss Jun's advanced medical skills and a heart dedicated to benevolently healing the world, winning the hearts of the people might indeed protect her.

Manager Liu stepped back a few paces, moved away from blocking the crowd's view, and let everyone see Miss Jun's actions.

Miss Jun didn't notice the intentions and actions of Seventh Chen and Manager Liu. She just saw the dirt on the plaque and, thinking about how Lu Yunqi had almost kicked it to pieces, she, carrying her hard-won reputation, didn't think of anything else but wanted to clean it thoroughly.

"Miss," Liu'er rushed over, also pulling out her handkerchief, wiping her tears as she helped clean, "this belonged to the master, to the Grand Old Master, it's our family's."

Other people might be okay, but she was family with Miss Jun, she was part of the Jun Family. The Jun Family's plaque had almost been smashed—this was horrifying.

"The master is gone, our master died in vain."

The more Liu'er thought about it, the sadder she became, and she finally burst out crying loudly.

Seeing this scene, the onlooking crowd no longer felt it was appropriate to step forward to inquire. They felt both sympathy and sadness, especially when they heard Liu'er say the master died in vain; some women couldn't help but shed tears as well.

Miss Jun hadn't expected to make Liu'er so heartbroken. After wiping the plaque a few more times, she regained her composure and quickly embraced her to comfort her.

"Miss, what should we do with this?" Manager Liu asked softly from the side.

Miss Jun looked where he was pointing, at the plaque in her own hand.

"Hang it up," she said.

Seventh Chen hesitated.

"Hang it up," Manager Liu ordered, instructing two assistants, "This plaque has been protected by the Duke of Chengguo's heir."

The Duke of Chengguo's heir had protected this plaque for them, yet they dared not hang it; wouldn't that signify fear, compromising the Duke of Chengguo's heir's dignity?

Though a businessman, Manager Liu never believed in being all things to all people. It was either black or white for him, either supporting this or slandering that. There were no two ways about it.

Since even Thousand-Man Commander Lu had personally intervened over a plaque, this enmity was surely established and irreconcilable.

Relying on the Duke of Chengguo's heir, coupled with an imperial decree at home and all that Miss Jun had done, he couldn't believe it would still be challenging to settle in the capital.

Manager Liu made up his mind fiercely and, after issuing the command, personally lifted the plaque, while the assistants brought a ladder and hung it up.

With a respectful bow to the surrounding crowd, Manager Liu, together with Miss Jun and the others, entered the building. The crowd, however, didn't disperse and stood there, watching the newly hung plaque and murmuring complexities under their breath.

Manager Liu had intended to comfort Miss Jun, but she had already composed herself.

"Manager Liu, do not worry," she even comforted him.

Manager Liu sighed, knowing it would be this way; this girl always had her own ideas.

"Why is that?" he had to ask.

Miss Jun smiled.

"Just because of a name," she said.

Just because of a name?

What's so funny about that? Is that really something to rejoice over?

She had almost been strangled by Lu Yunqi just a while ago.

Indeed, it was a cause for happiness because no one knew how frightened she had been today. Sister Bing'er's disappearance and the terrifying revelation of her identity had truly scared her when she heard Lu Yunqi was coming to Jiuling Hall.

That helpless fright.

So, when she heard Lu Yunqi was coming to take down the plaque, her heart had settled.

It wasn't about her identity; it was just about the name "Jiuling."

Though this was also infuriating, it wasn't a completely desperate situation, so it was a fortunate misfortune.

It was something to be happy about.

Manager Liu found it hard to comprehend, but after this half a year, he had gotten used to Miss Jun's ways, just as Young Master would always caution, "Let her be, let her do as she will."

Manager Liu also bid farewell and left Jiuling Hall. The crowd at the door hadn't fully dispersed. He looked up at the plaque and felt a wave of relief wash over him again.

It was fortunate that the Duke of Chengguo's heir had come today; otherwise, he didn't know how to conclude the matter.

It was really quite fortuitous.

He twiddled his beard. How come the Duke of Chengguo's heir just happened to appear? Could it be that he, like himself, had also stationed people here to watch Miss Jun?

So, Miss Jun must know the Duke of Chengguo's heir and their relationship must be deep.

"Manager Liu," an assistant cautiously approached him from inside the hall and whispered.

Manager Liu, interrupted in his thoughts, glanced at the assistant.

"This Duke of Chengguo's heir is the man who Miss Jun sent out from Jiuling Hall that morning," the assistant whispered.

Manager Liu hissed, plucking a few hairs from his beard.

Their relationship really was profound!