Chapter 22 Let's Wait and See

For Seventh Chen's complex expression and his sighs, the doctors did not pay attention, continuing to review the medical cases and discuss the prescriptions.

Seventh Chen stared blankly for a moment.

"I'm off to get busy," he said, before turning and leaving.

Miss Jun did not look at the medical cases again and rose to walk out, just reaching the door when she saw Zhu Zan striding toward her.

"Do you know this place is going to be sealed off?" he asked.

"I just found out," Miss Jun replied, her expression still calm and unhurried.

"Are you up to the task or not?" Zhu Zan frowned as he spoke.

Miss Jun did not answer, looking outside instead.

"This really isn't up to me," she said.

What? Zhu Zan was taken aback. Not up to her? Whose decision was it, then? Why the mysterious act?

He was just about to ask when Seventh Chen, who had just left, came running back in.

"Miss Jun, Miss Jun, Manager Liu is here," he said, with an odd look on his face, "and he's brought a lot of cattle."

Cattle?

Can cattle be used in medicine too? Zhu Zan wondered, only to see a smile blooming on the young girl's face, like a flower unfolding.

"Now, it's possible," she said.

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

It became very lively outside Guanghua Temple.

It had always been lively, swarming daily with children suffering from smallpox brought by their parents, who had heard the news and sought the last chance for a cure.

Despite the ferocity of smallpox, these parents still brought their children as quickly as possible, hoping for that last thread of life.

This kind of liveliness was sorrowful and astonishing.

But now, the crowd outside Guanghua Temple was not composed of children with smallpox or miscellaneous workers from the Imperial Hospital delivering medicine and supplies. It was the people from De Sheng Chang along with more than a dozen cattle.

The front of Guanghua Temple was in a noisy chaos of humans and animals.

"Manager Liu."

Miss Jun, accompanied by Seventh Chen, went out to greet them, with Zhu Zan unsteadily following behind.

Manager Liu, looking tired, stepped forward.

"Miss Jun," he said, "I could only find so many in such short notice. It's really difficult to find them, and I was worried about the timing, so I sent the first batch over."

"You've worked hard," Miss Jun acknowledged, not waiting to talk more as she bypassed him to scrutinize the cattle.

Manager Liu gave a good-natured smile, and Seventh Chen quickly took hold of him.

"It's really urgent recently," he whispered.

Manager Liu chuckled.

"Of course, I know. I'm no child to be fretting over these trifles," he said, looking toward Miss Jun.

Miss Jun was already standing in front of the cattle.

These cattle varied in size and breed and seemed to have been brought directly, filthy and foul-smelling.

Yet Miss Jun directly leaned in, inspecting the body of the cattle meticulously from top to bottom.

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

"Look here."

It seemed like the man turned around in front of her, pointing at the belly of a cow grazing on grass.

She pinched her nose and stood a few steps back.

"What am I looking at?" she asked gruffly.

"What? You're looking at great merit," the man said, beckoning to her again.

Reluctantly, she approached and squatted down to look.

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

Miss Jun's hand paused, observing the cow's belly spotted with pox marks.

She rose and examined another, then another, scrutinizing all thirteen cattle in earnest before finally standing up straight to address Manager Liu.

"Manager Liu," she said, "you are a great benefactor to all beings."

Manager Liu was startled and then laughed, finding her words somewhat exaggerated but also feeling an inexplicable warmth in his heart.

This girl indeed knew how to cheer someone up, if she wished to.

"Miss Jun, are all these the cattle you wanted?" he asked.

Miss Jun nodded.

"Manager Liu, you're truly reliable," she stated.

Manager Liu laughed again, and Seventh Chen stepped forward.

"Should we herd these cattle into the temple?" he inquired.

Miss Jun nodded.

Seventh Chen then set to work calling people to herd the cattle, while Manager Liu started to have his workers assist, but Seventh Chen stopped him.

"Manager Liu, we can handle this. You've been working hard for a long time and deserve a rest," he insisted.

"It's not a bother at all, I should at least see them inside," Manager Liu protested.

Seventh Chen extended his hand once more, firmly preventing him from entering.

"Alright, go back. Guanghua Temple now only allows entry, not exit," Zhu Zan's voice came from high up on the steps.

Manager Liu's body stiffened. It wasn't like this before. His gaze swept around the area.

No wonder there were so many more soldiers.

Only allowing entry and not exit, could the situation inside Guanghua Temple be very serious?

Seventh Chen patted his arm.

"You should go back, you'll be of more use on the outside," he said quietly.

Manager Liu looked towards Miss Jun, who had already started walking into the temple, but turned to look back when she heard the conversation.

"Don't worry, everything is under control," she said with a smile.

Manager Liu smiled too.

She was still the same as before. No matter how grave the situation and how others were worrying and anxious, she always seemed unfazed, with everything under her control.

But indeed, time and again, she had proven that everything was under her control.

"Alright, then I'll take my men back to rest first. If you need anything else, just let us know," Manager Liu said, without taking a step forward.

Miss Jun nodded and quickly turned, ascending the steps.

Seventh Chen then called out to the surrounding government soldiers.

"Come on, soldiers, lend a hand," he said.

The soldiers exchanged glances, seemingly uncertain whether to help or not.

"Help," Lu Yunqi's voice came from behind.

Everyone turned to look and saw him approaching with a squad of Jinyiwei.

With his word, the soldiers promptly stepped forward.

The steps leading to Guanghua Temple became noisy, filled with shouts and the bellowing of cows. Although the cows moved slowly, fortunately, they were docile, and soon more than a dozen cows were herded into the temple.

Outside the temple now were Manager Liu and his men, Lu Yunqi with the Jinyiwei, and Zhu Zan, who stood leaning against a tree on the steps.

Manager Liu averted his gaze and led his men away.

Lu Yunqi made his way up the steps, followed by the Jinyiwei. As they passed Zhu Zan, he suddenly stood up and reached out, grabbing Lu Yunqi by the shoulder.

The Jinyiwei moved in unison, and the air on the mountain path grew tense.

Lu Yunqi's hand as well pressed down on Zhu Zan's arm. Both men's expressions were impassive, but their clothes billowed, a sign that they had both exerted hidden strength.

"Xiao Zao, come, let's have a word," Zhu Zan said with a laugh, his hand still hooking Lu Yunqi's shoulder and pulling him a step closer.

Lu Yunqi stood before him.

Both men were of similar stature, but Lu Yunqi was slimmer, and Zhu Zan, being stocky, seemed taller.

Lu Yunqi looked at him with an expressionless face.

Zhu Zan, on the other hand, was all smiles, as if they were familiar and close friends.

"I've always wanted to ask you, after doing so many inhumane and heartless things," he said seriously, "do you ever have nightmares?"

The surrounding Jinyiwei became visibly agitated again, but Lu Yunqi raised his hand to stop them.

"No," he answered.

"You're ready to see so many people die just to destroy a name. Do you really not feel any remorse at all?" Zhu Zan asked again, even reaching out to tap Lu Yunqi's chest.

"No," Lu Yunqi replied once more, then eyed Zhu Zan, "I can also destroy many more names, like that of the Duke of Chengguo."

Zhu Zan laughed heartily and threw a punch at Lu Yunqi.

The Jinyiwei lunged forward, but Zhu Zan had already taken a step back to avoid them.

Lu Yunqi raised his hand, stopping the Jinyiwei who were about to draw their swords.

"I'm waiting," said Zhu Zan, turning away with long strides.

Lu Yunqi raised his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, his cold gaze following Zhu Zan's retreating figure.

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

Miss Jun was also intently watching the cows in the courtyard.

Ever since the cows had been brought in, she'd been watching them like this for quite a while.

Liu'er, curious as well, watched with her head tilted.

"Miss, Doctor Feng and the others are waiting for you," she reminded her, then whispered, "Do you feel like eating beef?"

Miss Jun let out a chuckle.

"It's no issue to want some. Here, no one dares to come in," Liu'er whispered back.

There was a law in the Great Zhou Dynasty that banned the killing of cattle.

Miss Jun smiled.

"No, tell everyone to wait a moment," she said, "There's something good for everyone to see."

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Thank you Tiankong Yi Weilan for gifting the Spirit Beast Egg. Thank you to Douban for the half-year celebration.

Thank you to ? The Last Shot?, Ice of the South, and md12 for gifting He's Bi.

June has ended, and everyone can see the results. There's just one thing I want to say.

I, no matter where I stand, am there because I've been lifted up by all of you.

Ah, it's still shameless, no added chapters, and tearfully, I can't write faster. I really want to write more because you all enjoy it and my manuscript fees increase, but... the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

For July, I still need everyone's support, bowing deeply.