Chapter 191 Hope You Can Cure

Imperial Physician Jiang had an agreement with me: those he cannot cure, I would treat. Now, I have come to honor our wager.

"What does this mean?"

This is a provocation!

Hearing the report from the gatekeeper, the faces of the imperial physicians turned astonished and then angry.

"This is just too much."

"Don't they realize what time it is?"

"Drive her away, drive her away."

Everyone was talking at once, but Imperial Physician Jiang raised his hand to stop them.

"She says she's here to honor the wager?" He looked at the gatekeeper, "Does she know what disease I'm treating and who the patient is?"

She probably knows, the gatekeeper nodded.

She might not have known before, but now that the news has spread about Prince Huai contracting smallpox, everyone in the capital would know, including Miss Jun.

"She knows," Imperial Physician Jiang repeated, with profound meaning.

She knows the current patient is Prince Huai, but does she understand who Prince Huai really is?

Does she perhaps think that because of the prince's noble status, she can seize this opportunity to make a name for herself?

Truly too young and too naïve.

"Well then, please invite her..." Imperial Physician Jiang began.

Before he could finish, the imperial physicians in the room stood up.

"Sir, you must not."

"How can you let her treat Prince Huai?"

Such a strong reaction? Were they angry, or were they too fearful to accept the challenge?

The gatekeeper was somewhat surprised.

"Prince Huai is so exalted, how can we let this inexperienced child take over the treatment?" An imperial physician caught his breach of decorum, cleared his throat, and spoke with a solemn expression.

Well, that's also true; smallpox is an incurable disease, thought the gatekeeper as he lowered his head and withdrew.

Seeing the gatekeeper leave, the imperial physicians in the room immediately took a few steps closer.

"Sir, this is no joking matter," one imperial physician said. "We cannot let Miss Jun treat him, after all..."

After all, Prince Huai did not have smallpox.

They could use some medicine to make Prince Huai exhibit symptoms of smallpox, deceiving other people, even other doctors, but they couldn't be sure about fooling Miss Jun.

After all, whether out of disdain or begrudging acceptance, they had to admit after watching her these past days that Miss Jun's medical skills were indeed good. Whether they were as miraculous as she claimed was another matter, but she certainly had some genuine ability.

Prince Huai's true condition must not be known to outsiders.

Of course, he knew that too, Imperial Physician Jiang thought, but this was an opportunity.

He picked up his teacup and slowly swirled the tea.

"Firstly, Prince Huai's illness is indeed very serious. Even if it's not smallpox, it is equally fatal," he told the imperial physicians, "The reason we said it was smallpox is simply to make the public understand the severity and threat of Prince Huai's current illness."

So, they're not afraid of Miss Jun pointing out it's not smallpox?

The imperial physicians looked at Imperial Physician Jiang, puzzled.

"If she points out we misdiagnosed, that's not a disgrace, as long as she can cure him," Imperial Physician Jiang said. "We are doctors; as long as the patient can be cured, that's all that matters."

The imperial physicians exchanged glances. While the logic was sound, what if...

"What if she can't cure him?" one imperial physician blurted out.

Imperial Physician Jiang lifted his teacup to his lips.

"Then there's nothing we can do," he said, "We won't be to blame."

With that, he slurped a big sip of tea.

We won't be to blame.

The imperial physicians looked at each other, understanding the plan.

Prince Huai's illness was sure to be incurable, and given his special status, even though they had replaced the diagnosis with an incurable disease, there would be controversy if something went wrong.

If someone was willing to be the scapegoat, why shouldn't they be happy?

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

Miss Jun and Liu'er had been standing outside for quite a while, and the Imperial Hospital had even closed its gates.

"Miss, could it be that he's scared and simply dares not accept the challenge?" Liu'er said with a sneer and disdain on her face.

Miss Jun looked at the tightly shut gate and smiled.

"No," she said, "he won't be scared, he'll be very pleased."

Her brother was sick, and many people were pleased; for many, this was an opportunity.

For her, it too was an opportunity.

Walking on the edge of a knife may be painful, yet she felt exhilarated.

Imperial Physician Jiang put down his teacup, a more complex expression crossing his face than before.

The imperial physicians were happy because they thought about the possibility of scapegoats if the treatment failed.

But he pondered more deeply, even considering the possibility that she could cure the ailment.

Imperial Physician Jiang pulled out a booklet tucked between the pages of a medical case on his desk, records about Jiuling Hall provided by the Jinyiwei, to which he had added information over the past few months.

The girl had extraordinary medical skills, and although he was reluctant, he had to admit this fact.

Moreover, the girl was not foolish. Despite seeming ostentatious and ludicrous, with a desire for fame, her actions were intricate, with a hidden delicacy to her recklessness.

If she stepped forward for this illness, it was highly likely she could cure it.

However, he was neither worried nor afraid of her success because that wasn't necessarily a cause for joy.

Imperial Physician Jiang closed the booklet; the patient was Prince Huai after all.

The emperor was angered by Prince Huai's illness, while the Empress Dowager protected the physicians, seemingly encouraging them to treat without worries, but it also meant they wouldn't be blamed if the treatment failed.

If they were not to blame for failure, what would happen if they succeeded? Would they be blamed then?

Imperial Physician Jiang lifted his teacup and took another big sip, the aroma of the tea bringing pleasure.

Some reputations were worth having, others were like the blade of a guillotine.

Young people are still naïve.

Seeing a few imperial physicians approach, the gatekeepers hurriedly inquired.

Should they send people away, or arrest them?

"Open the gate, invite her in," the leading imperial physician instructed.

Inviting her in? Did they really agree? The gatekeepers wondered as they hastily opened the gate, only to be stunned.

There was no one outside.

"Where is she?" the physicians also stepped out, their expressions filled with astonishment.

"Sir, she really was just outside," the gatekeepers hastily explained.

It wasn't as if they were playing tricks on the authorities.

Glancing frantically to both sides, the street of the government office lay quiet and deserted in the winter's day.

Could it have been an illusion? A dream? But everyone couldn't be dreaming the same dream.

"Perhaps she talked big but got scared and ran away," one gatekeeper suggested.

Ran away?

What nonsense!

"It's too late to run now!" an imperial physician said with a livid face, "To Jiuling Hall."

Miss Jun hadn't run away; she had suddenly been grabbed and dragged into a nearby alley.

Liu'er, struck unconscious, was tossed against a wall, while Miss Jun was pinned against it.

"Zhu Zan, do you have business with me?" she asked calmly, without alarm.

As if they had just greeted each other casually on the street.

Zhu Zan released her but didn't back away, still blocking her against the wall.

"What are you doing here?" he questioned.

"Nothing much, I'm here to fulfill a bet with Imperial Physician Jiang," Miss Jun replied.

She had never seemed afraid of him and always appeared quite composed.

Zhu Zan frowned, looking down at her.

"Do you know who Prince Huai is?" he inquired.

Miss Jun smiled, so he wanted to stop her?

Did everyone hope for Prince Huai's death?

Before she could respond, Zhu Zan spoke first.

"I'll make a deal with you," he said, eyeing Miss Jun, "If you cure him, I'll ensure your safety. If you fail to cure him, I'll ensure the Fang Family's safety."

He... what... said...

Miss Jun stared at him, dazed, her eyes suddenly moist and for a moment, everything seemed blurred.

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I've lost track of the days... working just one day feels like an entire week.