Chapter 45 March Brings the Joy of Spring

After two consecutive spring rains, the capital and its surrounding areas were transformed overnight into a place of rich spring atmosphere, with camellias blooming furiously in Guanghua Temple.

The first batch of physicians skilled in the art of vaccination had also smoothly passed their test and hung the Jiuling Hall vaccination sign in front of their own medical clinics, indicating they were ready to accept the public for vaccinations. In addition to the vaccination technique, Guanghua Temple's experience in treating smallpox patients was also imparted to them.

With vaccination available, other children no longer had to avoid smallpox like floods and fierce beasts, meaning children afflicted by the disease could now go directly to medical clinics for treatment.

The monks who had been relocated from Guanghua Temple finally returned, and after one and a half months, the fragrance of incense and the sound of bells and chanting once again emerged within the temple.

Holding an umbrella, a girl descending the temple steps suddenly stopped and looked back.

"The monks of Guanghua Temple are chanting sutras and performing rituals for the deceased children," said Doctor Feng, who followed behind.

"Shopkeeper Liu also donated money for the lamp oil," added Seventh Chen.

For this reason, a stele was erected within the temple, with Guanghua Temple's abbot personally inscribing the accounts of the smallpox-afflicted children, with names like Miss Jun and Doctor Feng inscribed on it.

Miss Jun smiled and continued down the steps.

The soldiers and Jinyiwei outside the temple had long been withdrawn, leaving an unprecedented tranquility.

But near the city gate, it was still bustling, with many carriages coming and going in the rain, and many bore the marks of feudal authority.

"These are the physicians leaving the capital for various prefecture offices; most should have left today," Doctor Feng said.

Though many places wanted Doctor Feng to join them, considering the importance of vaccination, the Hanlin Academy suggested to the emperor the establishment of a dedicated department to handle vaccination matters across regions, which the emperor agreed to and authorized Doctor Feng to oversee.

Doctor Feng was granted the title of medical officer; although it was an insignificant official position, it was still an official one.

For him, a man planning to have his descendants continue as orthopedic doctors, it was beyond his wildest dreams.

"In truth, this medical officer position should be yours, Miss Jun." Although a few days had passed, Doctor Feng still could hardly contain his excitement and spoke with a hint of guilt.

Miss Jun smiled.

"You can hold the position; there's no need for me," she repeated her stance.

Knowing her temperament, Doctor Feng did not insist further. Besides, it didn't matter who held the office, as the public was well aware of who was responsible for the cause.

"Miss Jun has returned!"

Who knew who first noticed and shouted, but the crowded city gate instantly made way, with everyone excitedly and joyously watching her.

It was like when the bell healers entered the market, of course, the renowned bell healers, not the ones initially considered swindlers and kidnappers.

Thinking back on those times, Miss Jun revealed a rare, mischievous smile befitting a young lady.

"Miss Jun, you've worked hard."

"Many thanks to you, Miss Jun."

Along the road, the words of men, women, old, and young continuously reached her ears, and the path was naturally cleared for their carriages to pass through, until they reached a street that was blocked. Despite the drizzle, the street was teeming with people, umbrellas colliding, and a mix of cursing, laughter, and shouting filled the air, as if a chaotic battle was unfolding.

"What's happening?" Liu'er said, sounding somewhat displeased, for these people had not noticed the Miss.

Doctor Feng stood stunned for a moment.

"Today is the eighteenth of March," he slapped his forehead with a dawning realization, "It's the day the Imperial College releases the examination results."

Miss Jun also came to a realization, peering forward from beneath her umbrella.

"It seems I've been in the mountains, unaware of the time passing; the Ministry of Rites exams are already over," she said, observing the surging crowd, and from the occasional bursts of cheers and sobs, she could imagine the turbulence of emotions before the announcement board.

Suddenly, she thought of that young man, who could express his affections for a maiden so openly and relaxedly.

"I wonder how Noble Son Ning fared on the exam," she wondered.

Under the lingering spring rain, Jiuling Hall seemed even more tranquil.

"Miss has returned!"

Liu'er's shout echoed at the entrance.

Fang Jinxiu, who had been standing inside the hall, rose surprised and delighted, watching the girl step inside.

"Why didn't you say anything?" She blurted out, looking outside where only the two of them, master and servant, were present, even Seventh Chen was not there.

"Chen Lin and Doctor Feng went to the Hanlin Academy," Miss Jun stated, "As vaccination is being promoted and many things are being prepared, he has gone to help Doctor Feng."

Fang Jinxiu nodded.

"Vaccination can be tricky yet simple, to prevent scoundrels from exploiting the public's urgent hearts and thus affecting the effectiveness of the vaccine, we must be careful," she said.

From the very beginning, when people were bribing to cut in line, to now, rumors are surreptitiously circulating about someone also privately developing their own smallpox vaccine.

Although Miss Jun had only discussed the origin of her vaccine with Doctor Feng and a dozen others, and these dozen had sworn never to divulge this information, the principle of using poison to combat poison had been discussed with many people.

This principle could easily teach people what to do, but I'm afraid it could lead to very cruel consequences.

"I have already spoken to Doctor Feng and the others about this; they will arrange for officials to conduct a strict investigation," Miss Jun said.

Fang Jinxiu knew she must have arrangements in place, so she only mentioned it and then dropped the subject. Although she had been at ease for a long time, seeing Miss Jun standing in front of her, she couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, followed by an inexplicable sigh.

Miss Jun looked at her and smiled.

"Are you too tired?" she asked.

It was a constant cycle of fear and anxiety, one wave subsiding only for another to rise.

Fang Jinxiu rolled her eyes at her.

"As long as you know," she said.

As they were speaking, someone ran in from outside.

"Miss Jun, we've succeeded," he shouted.

Fang Jinxiu's brows twitched in recognition of the fellow; he was a servant who followed Seventh Chen.

What kind of riddle was this? What did he mean by succeeded? What was happening now? They had just returned...

"How many?" Miss Jun, however, understood the riddle, looking at the servant with a smile.

Ning Yan's mansion, though not as spacious and grand as the old house in Yangcheng, was still elaborately elegant. At this moment, in the midst of the continuous spring rain, the small bridge over the flowing water in the back garden appeared even more delightful.

However, Ning Yunzhao and Ning Yan, seated in the pavilion, were not in the mood to enjoy the scenery.

The two faced each other, with ink, brushes, paper, and inkstones spread out on the table. Two or three sheets of paper covered in writing were already laid out, and Ning Yan was reviewing one of them while Ning Yunzhao wrote furiously.

One read while the other wrote; soon Ning Yan finished reviewing the three sheets, and Ning Yunzhao also put down his brush.

Without waiting for the ink to dry, Ning Yan picked them up and read attentively.

"Although you only placed third in the Ministry of Rites exam, nothing is decided until the palace exam," he said. "I won't comment on these essays just yet. Revise them yourself, and we'll discuss them in detail tonight."

Ning Yunzhao acknowledged and got up to see Ning Yan off, watching as he walked away in the light rain without an umbrella.

From a distance, Xiaoding peered around curiously.

Ning Yunzhao smiled and waved him over, and Xiaoding immediately came over gleefully, unable to hide his excitement on his face.

Compared to those outsiders anxiously waiting for the announcement of the results, Ning Yunzhao had known his ranking since yesterday.

Third place in the Ministry of Rites exam.

This meant that he was sure to be in the top ten in the palace exam.

Although the palace exam was only a few days away, Ning Yan had immediately sent the results of the Ministry of Rites exam back home using the postal relay horses, with a natural reminder on the letter not to lose composure, even though he himself could have waited until after the palace exam to send the final news, thus avoiding the need for such a reminder.

But the prospects of the Ning Family's younger generation were tied to the continued prestige of the Ning Family clan, and even Ning Yan, seasoned in the world of officialdom, could not help but be agitated.

If Ning Yan could not manage it, there was even less need for Xiaoding, a servant, to try.

"Master, what would you like to eat? I'll go out and buy you something," he whispered.

Faced with the upcoming palace exam, Ning Yunzhao was no more relaxed these days than before, and his studies were substantial.

"I'm not a greedy child craving sweets," Ning Yunzhao laughed, "I don't want anything special."

Xiaoding uttered an acknowledgment, fidgeting and seemingly unable to stand still, feeling there must be something he ought to do, and then he heard his master's voice once again.

"How are things at Guanghua Temple?"

Xiaoding stopped in his tracks and replied. Suddenly a verse came to mind: "Dudang Wine is the only solution to my worries."

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Thank you to Ice from the South for the generous reward of He's Bi. (O(∩_∩)O Haha~

Monday, keep it up!