Chapter 40: Competing for Belief

Chapter 41: Please Go Ahead

To reward Zixing's generosity at the Moon Gathering, additional updates (5.1)

For replacements, delete from the bookshelf and re-add, then refresh to see the changes. I apologize; I didn't want this.

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I only cure the diseases you cannot cure, and I only do the things you cannot do.

This demeanor and these words were the same as before, but the doctors did not become indignant as they used to; instead, they all smiled, though their smiles were somewhat complicated.

Indeed, they could do these tasks, but just because they were capable, should they be the ones to do them?

What were these tasks? Vaccination, saving thousands of children from the scourge of smallpox, saving lives—a great virtue that would earn them countless thanks and admiration.

Although Miss Jun did not make an appearance, everyone knew that she was the one responsible for this task, but it was rare for someone to share such honor with others.

Even if she didn't share or allow it, no one held any grudges, as the burden of smallpox was taken up by her.

Initially, they thought of helping her, but when she stated that she never intended to cure smallpox but rather to prevent it, they somewhat understood that even without their help, the outcome would not change.

Who was helping whom, and who was repaying whom?

Everyone felt there was much to say, yet also felt it unnecessary to speak.

"Miss Jun, our trip wasn't in vain," said Doctor Feng to Miss Jun, bowing.

The other physicians bowed as well.

"Why should it be in vain? To do something is never in vain; it is just, "Miss Jun smiled and said, "When doing good deeds, ask not about the future, for Old Heavenly Father has His own justice."

As everyone had guessed, two days later, the emperor invited Miss Jun to the imperial palace to vaccinate the prince and princess, marking the end of this smallpox incident.

Although the treatment of smallpox was not satisfactory, who cared about that now? Although she could not cure smallpox, her ability to prevent it was truly a greater miracle.

For the public, contracting smallpox was someone else's problem; preventing themselves from getting it was what mattered most, and compared to others' issues, they cared more about their own.

Guanghua Temple still housed many children with smallpox; although there was no miracle cure, Miss Jun and the doctors never gave up and continued to use it as a vaccination site.

Those who lost children began to pack up and prepare to leave. Compared to the joy outside, their expressions were somewhat sad, but they stepped outside and saw Miss Jun and the physicians standing in the courtyard to see them off.

Seeing them, Miss Jun and the physicians bowed.

"We are ashamed," they said together.

This bow and the word "ashamed" unexpectedly made many noses sting, and women's tears flowed, their grievances dissipating in an instant.

They returned the gestures in disarray.

"Miss Jun, please don't say such things," the lead elder said, his voice somewhat hoarse, "It's not your fault the diseases couldn't be cured. You've done enough."

"Yes, you've also vaccinated us."

"You've provided so much in terms of food and drink."

Everyone chimed in.

Miss Jun and the doctors bid farewell to everyone again.

"Those of you who still have children can bring them for vaccination, and with these strings, you don't need to queue," Miss Jun said.

Seventh Chen hurriedly brought two workers forward, each holding a red string marked with the three characters for Jiuling Hall and stamped with a seal.

Such good fortune was rare.

Nowadays, with so many being vaccinated, they knew all too well that some had even started to sell queue spots, which only stopped after a rigorous inspection by the Five Cities Military Department.

The people were immensely grateful.

"The past is gone; everyone must still live well," Miss Jun said.

"When you bring your children for vaccination, De Sheng Chang will cover the cost," added Seventh Chen.

The crowd was even more moved, bowing in thanks. The sorrow and despair dissipated significantly, and they took the red strings and bowed to Miss Jun and the doctors before leaving.

Compared to the noisy Guanghua Temple, the Imperial Hospital was increasingly deserted, with people coming and going in hushed tones and furtive glances.

Imperial Physician Jiang walked out of the room with a stern face and immediately saw two imperial physicians standing in front of the courtyard gate.

"Why are you still here?" Imperial Physician Jiang barked, "Aren't you supposed to be at Princess Pingning's residence?"

The two imperial physicians looked embarrassed.

"Sir, we went," they said, hesitant to continue, "but we were kicked out."

Kicked out?

Imperial Physician Jiang felt his anger flare up instantly.

"What happened?" he demanded. "Did you make excuses again, speaking about the illness in vague terms? Haven't I told you to be sensible in your duties..."

Before he could finish, the two imperial physicians quickly shook their heads.

"No, sir, we were very proper," they said, with faces full of grievance. "It's just that the princess's residence was arranging vaccinations for the children at home and had already scheduled Doctor Guanghua Temple. They feared that our visit might wrongly suggest that the children were unwell, so they chased us out."

Because Guanghua Temple had announced several precautions to take before and after the vaccinations, one of which was that children who were feeling unwell should not be vaccinated.

Yet many people, unable to wait and fearful of missing the vaccination opportunity, brought their sick children to line up in secret, but of course, the doctor would find out and refuse them.

But to avoid vaccinations to the extent of not even allowing imperial physicians to visit was absurd.

It wasn't really about the concern of sick children affecting the vaccination; it clearly was about not wanting to displease Miss Jun of Guanghua Temple and affecting the vaccination process.

Miss Jun and the Imperial Hospital's disputes, although not widely known to everyone, were clearly understood by these shrewd aristocratic families.

Truly a bunch of opportunistic creatures.

Imperial Physician Jiang cursed bitterly in his mind.

For just a vaccination, they had forgotten all the benefits they received from the imperial physicians.

Feeling irritated, Imperial Physician Jiang sent the two physicians away and couldn't stay here any longer. He left and just as he reached the entrance of the Imperial Hospital, he saw a carriage with the imperial palace's mark approaching, led by a eunuch whom Imperial Physician Jiang recognized as the Chief Eunuch of Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.

What kind of person warranted this high-ranking eunuch to come in person?

Imperial Physician Jiang stood at the entrance, stunned, his complexion turning ashen. Through the spring breeze lifting the carriage curtain, he saw two people inside. He recognized both—a Miss Jun and Doctor Feng.

Both of them were troublemakers!

The carriage stopped in front of the palace gates, and Miss Jun and Doctor Feng got out.

Although they were invited to vaccinate several princes and princesses in the palace, they didn't have the privilege to ride a carriage into the imperial palace.

Doctor Feng stood in front of the palace gate, clearly nervous.

"Miss Jun, you can go elsewhere, but this is before the Emperor and Empress Dowager," he whispered. "I'll wait outside for you."

Miss Jun gave him a look.

At that moment, Doctor Feng looked as jittery as an apprentice under scrutiny.

"Maybe I could carry your medical box for you," he suggested, reaching out to grab the medical box from Miss Jun.

"If I need someone to carry the medical box, Seventh Chen is also waiting to come," Miss Jun said.

Doctor Feng raised his sleeve to wipe the fine sweat on his forehead.

"Miss Jun, I know you're just trying to make me feel valued," he whispered. "There's really no need, the recognition elsewhere is enough."

Miss Jun was somewhat amused.

"Doctor Feng, it's just entering the palace, what are you afraid of?" she said.

Doctor Feng was also slightly amused.

"Miss Jun, it's the palace," he said. "How are you not nervous, acting as if it's your own home?"

Because it was originally her home.

Miss Jun remained silent.

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More updates~~~~(>_<)~~~~