Chapter 59: Not All I Hear is Pleasing

The announcement is out, and people are excited for the parade of the new palace graduates with flowers, even though it isn't bustling yet, the streets are continuously filled.

As for the vaccination, the romantic entanglements between Miss Jun and Lu Yunqi seem to have been forgotten at this moment, with everyone discussing and focusing on the newly appointed graduates, talking about the top scholar and other high achievers.

The carriage of Miss Jun has to slowly navigate through the bustling crowd on the street.

Teams of horsemen rush out of the city gates towards all directions, no matter if they are happy or disappointed, the results of the final imperial examination will be delivered to those who are anticipating.

At this time, the atmosphere in the Ning Family's large residence in the north of Yangcheng is very tense.

Eldest Madam Ning is not as indifferent as usual; instead, she keeps pacing in the room, her Buddhist prayer beads constantly twirling, and the Buddhist scriptures in her mouth never ceasing.

Inside and outside the yard is quiet, only to have Eldest Master Ning walk in with a smile, breaking the silence.

"Why are you fretting? The fastest the news can arrive is the day after tomorrow," said Eldest Master Ning with hints of drunkenness.

Eldest Madam Ning smelled the alcohol and felt a bit angry.

"At this time, and you're still drinking," she said.

"Ning Yunzhao passed the examination, everyone is coming to congratulate, of course I have to drink a few glasses," Eldest Master Ning said cheerfully.

The news of Ning Yunzhao's success in the examination had arrived the day before, and guests came immediately to congratulate. Even Taiyuan Prefecture sent gifts. Although not all visitors were entertained, some close friends and relatives were seen.

Eldest Madam Ning was not interested in this.

"Passing the examination, what's there to celebrate," she said, "Our Yunzhao is supposed to be the top scholar."

"It's all the same, all the same," Eldest Master Ning said with a laugh.

How could it be the same? Eldest Madam Ning gave Eldest Master Ning a displeased look and went inside to rest with the help of a maid.

A group of women from the clan came to congratulate too.

Eldest Madam Ning wanted someone to talk to and to calm her mind, so she entertained these women in the yard.

Knowing Eldest Madam Ning's concerns, the women didn't talk much about Ning Yunzhao's achievements. Speaking well might lead to embarrassment in case he didn't become the top scholar, and speaking poorly was even less enticing.

What could really entertain Eldest Madam Ning was talk of others' affairs.

"Elder sister, is it true? Did Miss Jun from the Fang Family contend with the princess for a husband in the capital?" one woman whispered.

A few days ago, along with the notification of Ning Yunzhao's success from the capital, the messenger had also brought some fresh news from the capital.

Being people from Yangcheng and having past dealings with the Ning Family, the news about Miss Jun spread quietly.

Eldest Madam Ning hummed noncommittally.

"Who knows?" she said.

But she didn't stop the ladies from speaking, and sensing they had picked the right topic, the women were invigorated.

"I never expected that."

"To do such a thing!"

"Why wouldn't she? Back then, relying on the Fang Family and her father, didn't she also make trouble at our house?"

"Lu Yunqi has considerable power in the capital, it's natural for her to latch onto him."

"Now that she has developed the smallpox vaccine, the emperor holds her in high regard, and even the princess has to give way."

"It's utterly disgusting, doing such things, as if all the men in the world are dead, snatching someone else's husband."

Indeed, it's too disgusting, stooping to such lows, Eldest Madam Ning fiddled with her prayer beads.

"That, the vaccine, when are we going to get it?" Suddenly a voice popped up amidst the laughter.

This question halted the laughter among the women.

Although Miss Jun has been fair and didn't follow the officials from Yangcheng and Runan, but still has home-town sentiments, and the first batch of vaccination doctors were allocated to both Yangcheng and Runan.

Many people in the city had been vaccinated, but a few were still observing, and the Ning family was among the observers.

Naturally, this was because the vaccination was introduced by Miss Jun, and everyone in the Ning Family knew about her strained relationship with Eldest Madam Ning. In order not to offend Eldest Madam Ning, no one from the family had gone for the vaccination.

But as more and more people got vaccinated, many in the Ning Family became restless.

"Eldest Madam has no children, she can endure, but we can't."

"The emperor has allowed vaccination for the prince and princess; it must be safe."

"Besides, the vaccination isn't owned by the Fang Family, it is managed by the feudal authority, impartially."

As such discussions became more frequent, Eldest Madam Ning had heard them, and now someone finally couldn't resist bringing it up to her directly.

The atmosphere in the yard became somewhat tense.

"Anytime is fine," Eldest Madam Ning said with a light smile, "As you please."

The woman, though somewhat nervous, was more overjoyed.

"I heard it's quite simple, Registrar Lin is in charge of this matter," she said.

As soon as these words were spoken, the mood became tense again.

Realizing her faux pas, the woman looked embarrassed.

Registrar Lin.

Eldest Madam Ning's expression was grim.

Ning Yunyan was already married off early, missing the glory of a top scholar brother to escort her during the wedding, failing to have a more grandiose scene in her husband's home.

It was all because of the daughter of Registrar Lin.

Such a good day today, yet it ended up mentioning two people she detested.

Eldest Madam Ning didn't bother to hide it anymore.

"I'm tired, I'll go rest first," she said, standing up and walking away.

The women all awkwardly stood up, not sure whether to follow her or stay, but upon seeing Eldest Madam Ning really entering the room, they reluctantly exited.

"What are you talking about so recklessly?" a few women whispered reproachfully.

"I'm not talking nonsense, don't you all want your children to be vaccinated? You know, during the New Year, several children in the neighboring villages died from the pox," the woman whispered, "Now that everyone else has gotten it, only we are left, what if it spreads to us?"

These women each had children or relatives with children; hearing this, they fell silent.

"When should we go then?" one woman suddenly asked.

"Let's just go soon, it's less than an hour's ride, and getting vaccinated there is quick," the first woman who spoke hurriedly said, "It will be over soon, and a round trip only takes half a day. If you're not confident, you can stay overnight at the designated clinic."

How convenient, the women whispered amongst themselves for a moment then dispersed.

Hearing the women outside deciding on a time and happily dispersing, Eldest Madam Ning standing by the window angrily set down her prayer beads.

Enough is enough, whatever new tricks she's up to, it won't salvage her broken reputation.

Eldest Madam Ning took a few deep breaths, looked at the Bodhisattva she worshiped, and devoutly kneeled down.

Her son would definitely become the top scholar.

Her son would be the clouds in the sky, never again mixing with the dirt.

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

Today, Lu Yunqi wasn't present in Prince Huai's mansion, but seeing Miss Jun come over, the doors of Prince Huai's mansion opened without any hesitation.

This was definitely arranged by Lu Yunqi.

Miss Jun walked inside; this time, Prince Huai was waiting for her in his sleeping quarters and Mr. Gu was not around.

"His Highness said he feels a bit unwell, and has not developed pox," the palace maid and eunuch said anxiously.

Prince Huai lay in bed, facing inward as if he were asleep.

"Let me check if he has a fever," Miss Jun said.

The palace maid and eunuch seemed uneasy.

"His Highness must sleep this way probably because he is uncomfortable," they said, trying to turn Prince Huai over.

Indeed, sleeping this way indicated discomfort, at least at the buttocks.

Miss Jun sat down beside the bed.

"No need," she stopped the palace maid, "I can manage."

Speaking, she reached out to touch Prince Huai's face which was turned inward.

Feeling her hand, Prince Huai slightly shivered, turning his head over with some annoyance.

Miss Jun then placed her hand on his forehead again.

"Don't move," she said.

Prince Huai clenched his hand by his side, but no longer moved his head.

After a moment, Miss Jun withdrew her hand.

"He's a bit feverish," she remarked, taking out a bag of medicine powder, "Boil this."

The palace maid and eunuch quickly agreed and left.

Miss Jun didn't expect both the palace maid and eunuch to leave, leaving just her and Jiurong alone in the room, the silence feeling slightly uncomfortable.

"I'll apply some medicine for you," she said.

Jiurong lay on the bed, turning his head inward again.

"No need," he mumbled.

Miss Jun couldn't help but smile, gently patting his shoulder.

"Come on, stop it, applying medicine isn't shameful," she said, pausing, "It was wrong of me to hit you; I was just too anxious..."

Before she could finish, Jiurong, lying on the bed, trembled slightly, then suddenly propped himself up to kneel and look at her.

"Who, who are you?" he asked, trembling, his eyes wide.

Miss Jun paused mid-sentence, her body stiffening.

He didn't mean it that way, did he?