In front of the resplendent hall, not a soul was present, the young man and woman faced each other with gentleness and amiability—no quarrels, no humiliation, no force. If seen by outsiders, the anger and skepticism would surely dissipate somewhat.
There is no coercion, no bullying; this is the definition of mutual affection.
Although no one can see this scene, one can imagine how many outside are speculating. Such speculation invariably falls into two categories, love or hate.
For now, the majority believe there is bullying and victimization and, therefore, resentment.
But what about the future?
When no matter how the anger is expressed, Lu Yunqi remains silent and courteous?
When she enters Prince Huai's mansion again and again, and each time leaves safely accompanied by Lu Yunqi?
What would the public think?
"You should not have come here," Lu Yunqi said, looking at the girl in front of him.
"In treating illnesses, if someone in distress seeks help, one should not inquire about their wealth or poverty, nobility or lowliness, beauty or ugliness, whether they are friend or foe, civil or barbarian, wise or foolish. All should be treated equally, with the same care one would give to their dearest kin. Nor should one hesitate, worrying about personal fortune or disaster, protecting one's own life or body," Miss Jun said.
Lu Yunqi suddenly burst into laughter.
To outsiders, his laughter would be astonishing, as nobody knew that Lu Yunqi's porcelain-like face could make such a large gesture, a gesture capable of shattering his alabaster complexion.
Indeed, his face seemed to crack wide open with laughter, revealing an aspect unfamiliar to outsiders, but not to Miss Jun.
He extended his hand and patted her shoulder, as if stroking a kitten or a puppy.
"Imperial Physician's benevolent heart? You don't have such a thing," he said. "Stop jesting. You're here simply because you wish to be, you can't bear not to come."
Miss Jun let him do as he pleased, her expression calm, showing neither surprise nor even anger.
"But you need not worry. I'm not concerned with what you want to do," Lu Yunqi said. "I just have to do what I must."
"Lord Lu, do you believe I could kill you?" Miss Jun said.
Lu Yunqi looked at her and laughed again, his hand withdrawing.
"I do not believe so," he said. "The Prince is fishing in the back garden."
With those words, he did not linger any longer and passed by her.
Miss Jun watched as he left Prince Huai's mansion, and the Jinyiwei guards who had spread out around them also followed his departure.
An eunuch, who had been hidden from view, emerged quietly with his head bowed low.
"Miss Jun, please come this way," he said, as if he was still leading the way, as if nothing had occurred.
Miss Jun withdrew her gaze and followed him, her hand in front of her tightening its grip.
If she wanted, Lu Yunqi could have been dead by now.
Her bracelet contained a lethal poison, and her mouth concealed a life-ending toxin. A bite on his hand, or a slap on his face, would have taken his life before he could harm her.
But she didn't.
Of course, she wasn't afraid of death; in fact, killing Lu Yunqi wouldn't lead to her death.
A girl of high integrity and the descendant of loyal officials, tirelessly working for the public good to dispel the plague and avert disasters, who rushed to Prince Huai's mansion to provide follow-up consultation after her efforts—would it be wrong for her to accidentally kill a man with a notorious reputation who covets her and attempts misconduct in a moment of anger and fear?
Would anyone consider her a criminal?
Far from becoming a felon, many people would commend her.
After all, there were more people who wished for Lu Yunqi's death than for hers.
Miss Jun followed the eunuch around the bend at an unhurried pace, crossing another threshold. However, there was at least one who wished for her death, not Lu Yunqi's.
Even if only one, the power of this one presently overwhelms the ten million.
The emperor.
The person who least wants Lu Yunqi to die is the emperor.
If Lu Yunqi were to be killed by her now, the emperor might not execute her, whether due to public opinion or the imperial decree held by the Fang Family. However, she surely could not stay in the capital any longer, and her previously accumulated popularity and reputation would inevitably be destroyed by the emperor—not just Jiuling Hall but also De Sheng Chang, everything would be razed in the emperor's wrath.
Leaving the capital, breaking away from Prince Huai and her sister, dispersing the hard-earned reputation and riches.
Miss Jun suddenly smiled.
Lu Yunqi's disbelief wasn't that he didn't think she could kill him, but rather he didn't believe she would dare to kill him.
Just like how she knew she shouldn't visit Prince Huai's mansion at this time, yet she still came.
After all that she's done, how could she bear to see all her efforts wasted?
This Lu Yunqi was truly not the Lu Yunqi she knew; this was the real Lu Yunqi, whose means and thoughts instilled fear in others, the Yama Lu.
Miss Jun lifted her head and saw ahead, beyond the lush greenery, a lake came into view, and she immediately noticed a small figure sitting under a big tree by the lake.
Her expression softened and she became a tad more resolute.
So what?
If Lu Yunqi, relying on everything that she couldn't bear to give up, wanted to entangle her, then for the sake of everything she wanted to obtain, should she be afraid of his entanglement?
"Miss Jun has arrived."
Mr. Gu turned around and, with a smile, said to the approaching girl.
Prince Huai was still sitting by the lake, holding a fishing rod with a focused expression, not getting up or turning his head to look over.
Mr. Gu smiled.
"It's time for a follow-up checkup," he said in a lowered voice, seemingly afraid to startle the fish Prince Huai aimed to catch, creating an impression that it wasn't Prince Huai intentionally ignoring anyone.
Miss Jun also smiled and replied in a low voice.
The three of them stood by the lake in silence for a moment.
"Speaking of follow-up checkups, I should call the eunuch over. He mentioned that His Highness had some trouble sleeping last night; let him describe it to you," Mr. Gu suddenly recalled and said.
Not sleeping well, huh? Miss Jun glanced at Prince Huai and nodded.
Mr. Gu turned and walked away.
Only Miss Jun and Prince Huai were left by the lake. Miss Jun set down the medicine chest and looked at the boy sitting upright, whose figure appeared even more slender after a serious illness.
"Does Your Highness like fishing?" she asked, unable to hold back.
Prince Huai hummed in response, unmoving.
Hum what? When did he ever like fishing? It was more accurate to say he liked catching fish with a net. Once, while net fishing, he almost fell into the water and was punished by her with a beating.
Miss Jun took another step forward and looked at the fish basket beside Prince Huai.
"Your Highness, how many fish have you caught..." she asked.
Before she could finish, Prince Huai suddenly turned around, and the fishing rod in his hand whipped through the air.
"Why are you so annoying! You scared away my fish!" he cried out with a raised voice.
The fishing rod crashed against Miss Jun with a swift surprise, leaving her stunned. Even though a child's strength wasn't great, Miss Jun felt a burning pain on her arm.
She looked at Prince Huai in front of her, who was still sitting. His face was not the usual dignified one, but instead, was tightly drawn, eyes filled with undisguised disgust.
Disgust.
Because she scared away his fish by talking?
Miss Jun's gaze fell on the fishing rod that dropped at her feet.
"You fish without using a hook?" she said.
Prince Huai's face tensed again, his hand lifting the rod once more.
"How brazen, you actually refer to me as 'you,'" he shouted, with a child's anger, lashing out at Miss Jun with the rod, "You cheap slut!"
The fishing rod struck Miss Jun's arm again, this time on her shoulder.
Miss Jun only felt her entire person flaring with pain.
Cheap slut?
Cheap slut?
********************
Sorry, I overslept.
I'll take a look, and keep going.