Chapter 179: Who Made the Move?

"When did the people move away, you don't know."

"You also don't know where they went."

"With such a poor job done, what else can you say?"

"The superior only ordered you to leave, not involving your families, isn't that already a grace?"

As two Jinyiwei's bodies were carried out, the expressions of the people in the courtyard did not change.

Everyone must bear the consequences of their own wrongdoings, and it was fortunate that their families were not implicated.

Lu Yunqi must be in a bad mood right now, as Jiang, the Hundred-man commander, hesitated outside the door, regretting that he did not bring any good news to lighten the mood.

He stepped inside and was about to speak when someone else followed him in.

It was a young man dressed as a peddler, holding a bamboo basket that emitted a fragrant smell.

However, in the suffocating room, this fragrance did not help to ease the tense atmosphere, as Lu Yunqi looked indifferently at the two who had entered.

"Sir, there are no unusual movements around, nor any suspicious persons approaching," the peddler said.

Lu Yunqi hummed a response, not asking further or speaking.

The peddler was about to leave, then paused as if he remembered something.

"However," he hesitated.

Lu Yunqi looked at him.

"Speak," he commanded.

"However, today a bell healer came to the alley behind the Temple of Emperor Guan," the peddler continued, "and even treated the neighbors there."

Bell healers?

"Is it Miss Jun from Jiuling Hall?" Jiang interrupted.

The peddler nodded.

"It's her," he said, "saying that the woman had some ominous signs."

This was not unusual; Miss Jun had always followed this approach.

"It seems she has no patients lately and is bored of being a doctor," Jiang commented, taking the opportunity to inform Lu Yunqi about the situation at Jiuling Hall, "so it seems these doctors no longer unanimously oppose Jiuling Hall."

Lu Yunqi released a sound and looked at Jiang.

"Jiuling Hall," he said, "does she still go by that name?"

Jiang paused, then nodded.

"Of course," he said.

The reputation had been established already; how could it possibly change?

However, establishing a reputation was not what Lu Yunqi wanted to see.

"Sir, although some doctors have changed their views about her, some have not, I will go find some...," Jiang continued.

Lu Yunqi stood up, slightly moving his neck as if to relieve the stiffness from maintaining the same position for too long.

"Oh," he said, "no need for that much trouble."

..........................

Miss Jun was walking slowly in the street, still ringing her bell, surrounded by a warmly greeting crowd. Although she smiled, her eyes could not conceal a trace of anxiety.

How could she have disappeared?

Why would Sister Bing'er disappear?

The last time, she had not dared to approach and inquire; but now, finally with the right timing and under the auspices of Jiuling Hall and the bell healers' names, getting close to this place, getting close to Sister Bing'er without raising suspicions.

But she hadn't expected that the person would be gone.

If she had never been here from the beginning, it would be understandable. A year ago, she had suddenly entered the palace to assassinate the emperor; such abnormal action would definitely be investigated, and Bing'er might have been found out, and naturally, Sister Bing'er could have been exposed too, leaving them no option but to remove her.

But she had just learned from a woman that Sister Bing'er's family had always lived here, only leaving a few days ago.

This meant that the incident might not have been exposed yet.

But why did it have to happen just after she arrived in the capital? It surely meant someone else also knew about it.

Could she have aroused suspicion?

Impossible.

Absolutely impossible, as she had been cautious enough in her actions.

What exactly was going on?

"Miss, Miss," Liu'er called out.

Miss Jun stopped in her tracks, taking a moment to calm her emotions before looking at Liu'er.

"Miss, do you still want to keep walking?" Liu'er asked, a hint of confusion in her expression.

Only then did Miss Jun realize that she had already reached the front of Jiuling Hall.

She had indeed lost her composure.

The situation had become somewhat complicated; she must be even more cautious now.

"Forget it, I am too tired; let's not continue today," she said with a smile.

Liu'er, happy to take over, grabbed the medicine box first and entered. Miss Jun sighed lightly, lowered her head, and also went inside.

"You're back, just in time for dinner," Seventh Chen said as he swung his arms jokingly in the courtyard.

His words carried a hint of sarcasm, but unfortunately, Miss Jun was distracted and did not pay attention, and Liu'er did not understand at all.

"Have you finished your work?" asked Liu'er. "Don't just think about eating."

Seventh Chen rolled his eyes, choked by her words.

He was about to speak when suddenly there was a commotion outside, accompanied by the sound of horses' hooves and footsteps suggesting many people had arrived at the gate.

"Miss Jun, Miss Jun," the shopkeeper at the front gate ran in, pale-faced, pointing outside, "It's bad, the Jinyiwei are here."

The Jinyiwei?

Everyone in the courtyard tensed slightly.

"What's all the fuss about? It's not the first time they've come," Seventh Chen said calmly. "They must be here for a medical consultation again."

He shook his head, a hint of helplessness in his voice.

"Our rules don't apply to them; we'll just have to inconvenience Miss Jun. Even if it goes against the rules, no one else will say anything. After all, they are the Jinyiwei. Everyone understands. I'll go and see."

As he spoke, he walked outside. Fang Jinxiu hesitated briefly, then continued pouring herbs into the sieve. Her peripheral vision glanced at Miss Jun, whose hands paused again.

Miss Jun's expression was somewhat stiff — still not fully recovered.

She never had this expression before.

Whether facing her family's skepticism or confronting challenges from the ladies of Yangcheng and even while dealing with the county registrar and the Jinyiwei, she always appeared calm and indifferent.

But now, she seemed somewhat startled.

This matter must be very serious.

Could it be related to the last incident...

Fang Jinxiu set down the herbs in her hand, brushed her sleeves, and hurriedly went outside.

Miss Jun took a deep breath as well. Whatever it was, since it had arrived, it was time to face it.

She started walking outside, following Fang Jinxiu before overtaking her.

Fang Jinxiu gave her a glare — look at you putting on airs.

Miss Jun walked into the hall. No one was inside. Seventh Chen stood at the door looking outside, his face somewhat pale.

Miss Jun approached him; outside, a squad of Jinyiwei stood solemnly, the spectators on the street numerous but utterly silent. Everyone's gaze, filled with wariness and avoidance, focused on the man still mounted on his horse in front of Jiuling Hall.

The man on the horse was also in a flying fish uniform and embroidered saber, his complexion particularly porcelain in the deep autumn sunlight, his eyes full of sternness.

Lu Yunqi.

He had come himself.

Was it related to today's incident with Sister Bing'er?

Miss Jun watched him.

Lu Yunqi did not look at her, his lifelessly focused gaze sweeping past the sign of Jiuling Hall.

"Take it down," he commanded.

Following his order, two Jinyiwei immediately stepped forward, drew their embroidered sabers, leaped up, and struck the sign with the backs of their blades.

With a crack, the sign of Jiuling Hall fell abruptly.

The onlookers as well as Seventh Chen, Liu'er, and Fang Jinxiu all gasped in shock.

The sign of Jiuling Hall hit the ground with a thud, kicking up dust.

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Some asked why others were unaware of Princess Jiuli studying medicine. The later texts will explain this; it's a secret.