Jun Jiu Ling Episode 13 Recap
> Jun Jiu Ling Recap
Zhu Zan, accompanied by several city guards, rode directly towards the imperial city. He had prepared his defense in advance, determined to remain calm and composed regardless of how Emperor Chu Rang questioned him. Zhu Zan firmly asserted that he had defied the imperial edict to deal with a group of bandits from the North who were plundering in the capital’s suburbs.
He claimed to have heard about their presence from passers-by and, not wanting to miss the opportunity, secretly followed and eliminated them. Zhu Zan’s sworn brother, Li Sanbing, had in fact already eradicated the bandits on Mount Yang, as Zhu Zan had anticipated such an inquiry and prepared this "double gain" plan, which also served as a convenient excuse. Despite Zhu Zan's meticulous explanation, the suspicious Emperor Chu Rang was not easily convinced.
He decided to hold a joint trial, involving Tan Song of the Supreme Court, Han Feng of the Ministry of War, and Commander Lu Yunqi of the Military Surveillance Department. While Tan Song and Han Feng might conduct the trial impartially, Lu Yunqi harbored a deep personal grudge against Zhu Zan, making it likely he would use this opportunity for a personal vendetta.
During the joint trial, the focus immediately turned to the "Map of Capital City," which Zhu Zan had personally drawn and which had circulated among the populace. Zhu Zan readily admitted his involvement, explaining that the map was essential for people entering the capital and that its sale by post soldiers had generated significant income. This had not only improved the post stations but also greatly eased the Ministry of War's expenses and led to better-quality post horses.
Han Feng of the Ministry of War openly confirmed that the map had indeed helped alleviate their funding issues. However, Commander Lu Yunqi countered, implying that Zhu Zan was guilty of treason for distributing the map and suggesting the Ministry of War was colluding with him. Han Feng was enraged by the accusation. It was only through Tan Song’s timely intervention that a physical confrontation was avoided.
Zhu Zan clarified that the map contained only details about dining and entertainment, deliberately excluding any information about city defenses, government offices, or the imperial city, and it lacked precise geographical measurements, rendering it useless to the enemy. He passionately explained that the map showcased the prosperity of Tianyou, allowing the soldiers in the North, who might never see the capital, to visualize what they were fighting to protect.
This gave profound meaning to their bloody battles on the front lines. Zhu Zan’s words resonated deeply, leaving Lu Yunqi speechless and Tan Song unsure how to proceed. They ultimately decided to refer the case to Emperor Chu Rang for a decision. Later, the eunuch Yuan Bao advised the Emperor that while Zhu Zan’s actions were "absurd," the matter could be handled flexibly.
He urged the Emperor to keep Zhu Zan in the capital, as Lord Cheng was gaining influence in the North, and holding his son would serve as a crucial check on his power. Emperor Chu Rang, fearing a blow to public morale due to Zhu Zan's contributions in the North, decided to temporarily overlook the offense, letting Zhu Zan compensate for his faults with his merits.
In the aftermath, some officials remarked that this outcome was fitting, as having the "merciless" Lord Zhu Zan and the "arrogant" Commander Lu Yunqi in the capital would hold each other in check, promising a lively future for the city. Upon returning to her inn, Jun Jiuling was met by Liu'er, who expressed her worry about her nocturnal outing. Jun Jiuling explained she had been to meet an old friend.
They decided to dine out at a Runan restaurant and then search for a suitable shop. Liu'er found a potential location that was in a prime area but was concerned its proximity to the palace meant it would mostly serve high officials and nobles, who would likely consult the Imperial Academy of Medicine instead of their Jiuling Drugstore. Jun Jiuling, however, revealed her strategic vision: establishing a foothold in the capital required building connections with influential figures.
They then proceeded to the Deshengchang firm. Shopkeeper Liu of Deshengchang greeted "Miss Jun," explaining that Fang Chengyu's letter had predicted her arrival. He then presented a package from Fang Chengyu, which turned out to be the "Jiuling Drugstore" plaque, already beautifully repainted with gold characters. Liu'er was astonished by Fang Chengyu's foresight. Jun Jiuling clarified that she had decided to open the drugstore on her journey and had not informed the Fang family, highlighting Fang Chengyu's remarkable thoughtfulness.
Shopkeeper Liu confirmed that the shop was ready for opening on the 18th, just five days away, and expressed concerns about the tight timeline. He strongly advised a grand opening to build her reputation in a city full of famous doctors, but Jun Jiuling calmly reiterated that she had a plan and instructed him to proceed as she directed. Meanwhile, at the Ning Mansion, Ning Yunzhao was presented with a wedding gift list for Commander Lu Yunqi by his uncle.
Preoccupied, he retired to his room, prompting his uncle to comment on his unusual behavior and instruct a subordinate to reduce the wedding gift, as their family had little connection with Lu Yunqi. Later that night, Ning Yunzhao sought out Jun Jiuling at her inn, having found her by inquiring at inns near the city gate. He expressed concern about her plan to name her new clinic "Jiuling Drugstore."
He explained that the name was "improper" as it was the same as the late Princess Jiuling, who was Commander Lu Yunqi's deceased wife. Knowing Lu Yunqi's eccentric temper, he warned that opening the clinic on the very day of the commander's new wedding could invite trouble. Undeterred, Jun Jiuling declared that if Lu Yunqi did cause problems, "Jiuling Drugstore" would become famous.
Seeing her resolve, Ning Yunzhao conceded, musing as he left that while he might be overly cautious, living in the capital was indeed "difficult." Despite Ning Yunzhao's warnings, Jun Jiuling proceeded with the opening of Jiuling Drugstore on the day of Lu Yunqi's wedding to Jiuli. As the wedding procession passed, Jun Jiuling discreetly observed from a secluded spot.
She witnessed the young prince, Jiurong, crying heartbrokenly and calling for his sisters, distraught that both Jiuli and his "second sister" had left him. Jiurong's teacher, Gu Qing, tried to comfort him and led him back to Prince Huai's residence. Watching Jiurong's grief, Jun Jiuling's heart filled with sorrow, and she silently vowed to accelerate her revenge. As she wiped away her tears, Zhu Zan appeared, intercepting her.
He had noticed her unique gaze towards Jiuli and her tears upon seeing Jiurong. He questioned her motives for being in the capital. Jun Jiuling reiterated her previous explanation: she and Princess Jiuling were like sisters, making Jiuli and Jiurong like her own family. Zhu Zan then pressed her on how she recognized the disguised imperial eunuch Yuan Bao. Jun Jiuling calmly explained that she had met Yuan Bao with her father during a palace banquet.
Still suspicious, Zhu Zan tried to "read her eyes," but she dismissed his efforts as "childish" and left, claiming to be too busy with her new drugstore. Shortly after its grand opening, Jiuling Drugstore surprisingly closed its doors, leaving locals and Shopkeeper Liu bewildered. Zhu Zan and his sworn brother noted the unusual closure. His brother speculated she was intentionally seeking trouble and was likely in the capital to avenge her father.
Meanwhile, Jun Jiuling, adopting the identity of a traveling hand-bell doctor, went through the streets with Liu'er. Her strategy was to treat the relatives of a Mrs. Zhou, who was close to the Marquis of Dingyuan's family, hoping to eventually gain access to their circle and gather information about Jiurong and Jiuli. They encountered children, to whom Jun Jiuling offered specially made medicinal preserves. An adult woman quickly intervened, calling them "frauds" and telling the children to discard the preserves.
Annoyed by the thankless work, Liu'er questioned why they weren't seeing patients at their well-appointed drugstore, but Jun Jiuling insisted they would proceed "slowly." Independently, Ning Yunzhao also attempted to visit Jiuling Drugstore to congratulate her, only to find it closed. That night, Lu Yunqi, heavily intoxicated on his wedding night, mistakenly called out "Jiuling" to his bride, Jiuli. When Jiuli gently corrected him, "I'm Jiuli," the memory seemed to sober Lu Yunqi.
He murmured that Princess Jiuling never drank and then poured his wine onto the ground. In parallel, a distraught Jun Jiuling was also drinking, revealing to Liu'er that it was her very first time. She confided that she was upset because she "couldn't protect the person most important to me." She then sent Liu'er out to buy more wine, promising to roast meat for her when she returned.
