She has many things to do, but in fact, only one thing.
To keep herself alive, to keep her sister and brother alive, to avenge her father — these are the things she needs to do, but to accomplish them, she only needs to do one thing.
This matter is deeply buried in her heart, only occasionally flashing a thought covered by the midnight dreams, just like still being in a dream.
Even she dared not seriously think about it, because it is too distant and unattainable, fearing that thinking too much might obscure her mind and ruin the hard-earned opportunity to start afresh.
I wonder what Duke meant by saying what she needs to do?
No matter what it means, he must have guessed something.
Is her intention already so obvious?
"Saving lives and helping the people, indeed."
The voice of Duke came through.
"Let the family be celebrated and have its legacy last long."
Miss Jun breathed a sigh of relief, somewhat amused. After all, she's not Jun Zhenzhen, and she's increasingly forgetting it, so much so that before others even suspect her, she's already suspecting herself.
For Jun Zhenzhen, it's naturally about making the family renowned.
She chuckled softly.
"It's already very good," she said.
It seems Duke did not notice her peculiarity.
"With reputation, one can gain even more reputation," he continued calmly, "Once you achieve greater recognition, you can do more things, and by doing more, you gain even more fame, thus perpetuating endlessly. Moreover, you are a Doctor, you heal and save people, even if our emperor dislikes you, it's hard to resist public opinion."
All in all, Duke is still worried about implicating her, which is why he knowingly faces challenges head-on, confronting the raging storm, also seizing the opportunity to further enhance her reputation.
"It's not solely for you," Duke said with a smile, "This matter is inevitable, and since it's unavoidable, we chose the most beneficial approach."
Choosing the most beneficial method?
"So what do you plan to do next, Duke?" Miss Jun asked.
"Going home, I haven't been back for decades," Duke said with a smile, filled with longing, "Finally, I have time to go back and take a look."
As they were speaking, Zhu Zan came in.
"Someone from the palace went to Jiuling Hall," he said, looking at Miss Jun, "It's the Empress Dowager summoning you to the palace."
Empress Dowager?
Miss Jun frowned slightly, Duke chuckled.
"When called upon, she arrives," he said, "Don't worry, she won't trouble you. This time the Empress Dowager's summon demonstrates her regard for you and is also your honor."
Since folks from the palace arrived, Miss Jun couldn't remain at Duke of Chengguo's residence any longer, she bid farewell to Duke and his wife. Zhu Zan escorted her halfway to Jiuling Hall.
"My honor still relies on them bestowing it upon me," Miss Jun said while stepping through the door.
"Actually, it isn't so, it's just that they perceive it that way," Zhu Zan said, pulling her arm, "I plan to escort my father back home, there is something I..."
"If you have something to say, just say it, don't get handsy," Miss Jun frowned and said.
Zhu Zan did not let go of her arm.
"Serious matters are being discussed, don't always fret over trivial issues," he said formally.
Miss Jun laughed.
"Speak," she said, without further shaking off her arm.
"Don't do those foolish things if you enter the palace again," Zhu Zan said.
Those foolish things, naturally referring to something Miss Jun understands.
"How could that be called foolish?" Miss Jun said.
Her expression carried stubbornness and dissatisfaction, yet it was not repulsive, rather, it appeared playful.
Zhu Zan couldn't help but smile, although realizing it's not something to laugh about, he forced a straight face.
"If overestimating oneself isn't foolish, then what is?" he said solemnly, "You yourself mentioned, having courage without strategy is rashness, not bravery."
This short exchange would sound confusing to outsiders, yet it is laden with matters only they understand, encapsulating incidents from past lives.
Zhu Zan couldn't help feeling a bit of joy, yet swiftly turned to annoyance.
What's joyful about this, if possible, who would be willing to die once?
He was about to say something when someone nearby coughed.
Both Zhu Zan and Miss Jun regained their senses looking over, seeing Seventh Chen standing facing them.
Zhu Zan also coughed lightly, releasing his hold.
"Are you both alright?" Seventh Chen asked with a peculiar expression.
"We're fine," Miss Jun and Zhu Zan answered simultaneously, "Is something wrong?"
Seventh Chen chuckled dryly.
"Good if you're fine," he said, "If everything is fine, go check on Miss Zhao, they're leaving."
Though Qingshan Army is still stationed at Jingxi Camp, after Duke of Chengguo retired, the previously ignored Qingshan Army has been asked to immediately leave the capital and return to the northern lands for orders.
This is natural and cannot be opposed, Miss Jun is also not against it.
"It's understandable that Duke left, but it's a pity that Qingshan Army is leaving too," Seventh Chen said.
Qingshan Army being so formidable, and obedient to Miss Jun, could have served better as guards, yet having entered the military register, they became part of the Great Zhou Official Army, no longer anyone's personal soldiers, even Duke himself couldn't command them once he stepped down.
It's like giving such formidable soldiers free to Uncle Qinghe.
"How can this be considered a pity," Miss Jun shook her head, "Being a person's guard, what kind of horizon is that? Being a nation's guard is the true vastness."
In times of self-preservation, who cares about vastness, of what use is vastness?
Seventh Chen rolled his eyes, forgetting it, hasn't figured out what this woman thinks anyway, but thankfully every action she takes turns out correct.
Miss Jun showed no reluctance for Qingshan Army's departure, consequently, Qingshan Army members showed no reluctance either, Zhu Zan and Xia Yong promptly followed orders to leave.
Qingshan Army departed on the same day as Duke, leaving quietly, nearly unknown to people of the capital, Duke was dismissed, Zhu Zan wasn't, but since he was escorting his parents back home, he left as well.
"It feels suddenly lonely," Seventh Chen said with a sigh.
His voice had barely faded when they heard Liu'er inside with a quick pattering of feet and accompanying shouts.
"Where's Miss's cloak?"
"It was placed here last night, who took it?"
Alright, seems there isn't much change actually, Seventh Chen thought, holding his hands as he walked towards the front hall, looking at the empty hall and sighing again.
There is change, his Jinxiu hasn't returned, handling a money business takes so long.
Seventh Chen walked outside, looking at the carts and horses prepared by staff, suddenly seeing someone walking up from the street.
Early morning on the street, there aren't many people, hence the rider was conspicuous.
"Ah, Mr. Ning," Seventh Chen hastily called out.
Ning Yunzhao smiled and spurred his horse forward.
It's been a while since they last saw him; once Miss Jun returned she immediately encountered him again, Seventh Chen smiled.
"Mr. Ning, you just passing by?" he recalled how Fang Jinxiu previously jested with Ning Yunzhao, thus asking with a smile.
Ning Yunzhao smiled.
"Not really," he said, "Today Miss Jun is entering the palace, I specially came to accompany Miss Jun, after all, we're fellow townsfolk from Yangcheng."
Admirable.
Entering the palace explained as a hometown fellowship, such reasoning only Mr. Ning could conceive and express.
Seventh Chen looked at him full of admiration.