Chapter 98: Talking of Returning

For the 1.2 million starting coins tribute from the readers in the south, here is an additional update (2)

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Miss Jun's safe return gave everyone at Jiuling Hall a sigh of relief.

Hearing that Zhu Zan's brothers had also taken people with them, Seventh Chen, Manager Liu, and others all sighed in relief.

Since those people were there, they surely had a way to enter the prison. It would be fine for Miss Jun to just follow them in, so she shouldn't need to take action herself, and thus wouldn't be troubled by Lu Yunqi.

After all, it was now a matter involving the Duke of Chengguo, Grand Scholar Huang, and the emperor. These were all high-ranking figures, and as mere doctors in a medical hall, they were insignificant as ants in comparison.

It was best to diligently and honestly do their own part.

"There's not much of these medicinal materials left; we'll go purchase more tomorrow." Seventh Chen flipped through the accounting book, instructed the apprentices, and then looked up at Miss Jun, "While it's not busy now, I'm thinking of going home to bring my mother here."

"Good idea," Miss Jun smiled, "we can go together."

Seventh Chen grinned with a nod, but his smile suddenly faded, looking at Miss Jun somewhat stunned.

"What did you say, 'go together'?" he asked, "Where are you going?"

Young Master Fang Jinxiu and Manager Liu also looked over in surprise.

"I'm thinking of leaving the capital and going back," said Miss Jun.

Fang Jinxiu stood up.

"Why?" she said, her voice somewhat agitated, "Are you a coward?"

Manager Liu hurriedly gestured for her to calm down.

"How can you say that? Miss Jun has never been like that," he said, looking gravely at Miss Jun, "You must have something important to take care of back home, right?"

He then smiled again.

"You've been away for quite some time; it's indeed time to go back for a visit. The young master and Old Lady must be looking forward to it."

Miss Jun smiled.

"Yes," she said.

"Then I won't go back, and when you come back, you can bring my mother with you," Seventh Chen said, "Jiuling Hall can't go on without people."

"Am I not a person?" Fang Jinxiu said, "There have been hardly any patients lately; we're just selling medicine. It's not like it can't go on without someone."

Seventh Chen chuckled, and Miss Jun smiled as well.

"Yes, Jiuling Hall will just sell medicine in the future. Jinxiu, you can handle it alone," she said, then turned to Seventh Chen, "You should go and bring your mother yourself; I don't plan to enter the capital again once I leave."

Indeed, that was truly her intention.

Seventh Chen and Manager Liu fell silent for a moment.

Otherwise, why would she suddenly say she's leaving when everything was fine?

Of course, it hadn't been fine. Many things had happened recently, but even when pressured and troubled by Lu Yunqi, she did not speak of leaving. Now that the difficulties were past, and with Prince Xian extending his support and good days seemingly ahead, why was she talking of leaving?

"Did Prince Xian say something? Or Thousand-Man Commander Lu? Or the Duke of Chengguo's heir?" Manager Liu asked, with a gravity to his tone.

Today, Miss Jun had met those three, and only those three had the power to influence her decision.

Miss Jun shook her head.

"No, nobody said anything, and Prince Xian has been kind. He will look after Jiuling Hall in the capital in the future," she said, "I just feel that what I've done so far hasn't reached my anticipated goals."

Anticipated goals?

"Even though it encountered obstacles, Jiuling Hall has nevertheless become renowned throughout the land," said Manager Liu, "I think you have lived up to your grandfather's expectations, Miss Jun."

Miss Jun smiled.

Indeed, Jiuling Hall has become renowned, but to what end?

"Famed doctors gain the heart of the people, but many die at the hands of bureaucratic families. Wen Zhi was cooked to death by King Min of Qi, Bian Que was stabbed to death due to Doctor Qin's scheme, and Hua Tuo met an unwarranted death," she said.

Seventh Chen, Fang Jinxiu, and Manager Liu were rendered silent again for a moment.

The implication being that a doctor is just a doctor, that no matter the fame, when faced with these powers, they are still nothing and can be easily manipulated or discarded.

"So, are you still affected, is that it?" Fang Jinxiu said, "Are you afraid?"

Miss Jun shook her head with a smile.

Of course, it wasn't fear, but rather, it wasn't enough.

With the skill of a divine doctor, she could treat and save people, she could help Jiurong, but it was far from enough; this prestige and status were far from enough.

And Lu Yunqi was too mad; if she stayed in the capital within his sight, who knew what trouble it would bring.

"I am not afraid. Now that Jiuling Hall has gained its reputation, if I stay in the capital, I will inevitably have to tangle with Thousand-Man Commander Lu. Although I'm not scared and many people will protect me, fighting with a madman would make anyone appear mad," she said, "Jiuling Hall can continue to sell medicine without providing consultations. I've taught you all how to prepare the medicines, so people in the capital or other doctors can come here to get them. Even if Thousand-Man Commander Lu wants to cause trouble, he won't easily find a way, and this can also be considered as advancing by retreating."

The three people inside the hall fell silent.

Manager Liu wanted to say something but in the end, he just smiled.

"If that's the case, then let's arrange the journey back," he said.

Young Master had said, whatever she says goes; they should just follow without asking for reasons.

It was the same when she arrived, and naturally the same when she leaves.

Whatever she says is how it will be.

"I will prepare then," said Seventh Chen, speaking to Miss Jun, but glancing at Fang Jinxiu.

As expected, without waiting for Miss Jun to speak, Fang Jinxiu who had been silent, spoke first.

"You've been thinking of this day for a long time, haven't you?" she said, "You invited us to the capital to help you, to work in the accounting room and as shopkeepers, but in reality, it wasn't for now that you made us shopkeepers and accountants, it was for after you left—only then would we truly be shopkeepers and accountants of Jiuling Hall."

Miss Jun remained silent, and then smiled.

"Yes," she said, "I do tend to think further ahead in my actions."

Initially, it was to test staying in the capital, and since it was only a trial, of course, she had to consider how to arrange things if she did not stay.

The reputation of Jiuling Hall had risen as expected.

But since she was not sure if she would stay in the capital permanently, from the beginning she rarely offered consultations, to get people accustomed to her absence.

Later, she let Fang Jinxiu and the others handle the medicine preparation, each with their own tasks, also in preparation for her departure so that Jiuling Hall could continue operating normally.

Now that the reputation had risen, and people's hearts were won, she couldn't abandon them; Jiuling Hall must remain, so that people would continue to remember Jiuling Hall and the things she had done.

Moreover, with the smallpox vaccine now available,

even if she left, Jiuling Hall would not disappear from the capital.

Of course, it would all rely on Fang Jinxiu and Seventh Chen.

Miss Jun looked at Fang Jinxiu.

"You can still think over whether you want to be the accountant of Jiuling Hall," she said.