Qin Chuyuan stopped and turned to look at Gong Xiaohua.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Did I say something wrong?"
"I won't take concubines. Don't say things like that again in the future."
"Okay. When you meet someone you like in the future, tell me and I'll step aside."
"We'll discuss the future when it comes. Where are you going? I'll see you off."
"I need to go to the Ministry of Justice first, then to Chongren Street to buy some things. You're going to court, so we're not headed the same way."
"I'll have some people accompany you."
"No need. I'm not used to people following me when I work."
"Alright then. Be careful when you're out."
"Mm. What do plan to do about what happened with your sister?"
"I'll send people to investigate secretly."
"Mm. Well, I'm going now."
The two parted ways at the side entrance of the Qin residence, one heading to the Ministry of Justice, the other to the palace.
Sitting in the carriage, Qin Chuyuan felt that waking up every morning to see Gong Xiaohua's face filled him with joy, if not for the concubine issue.
Gong Xiaohua arrived at the Ministry of Justice. People had already started trickling in to report for duty.
She went to find Lord Li first to hand over her duties.
To be honest, when she had first been promoted to Commander, she immediately left for the borderlands and hadn't actually worked a day at her post. It had been quite irresponsible. Yu Wei had temporarily taken over her position in her absence and had done very good work. It was only reasonable that he would now formally take over as Commander after she transferred to the Xiyuan Army.
"Thank you for the promotion, my lord. I swear to serve loyally." Yu Wei said.
"You earned this yourself through hard work. Also, recommend someone suitable to take over your previous post."
"Yes, my lord."
"Aiya, little Hua, I really will miss you after you leave. If the higher-ups need you to do anything in the future, you mustn't refuse!" Lord Li said sentimentally.
"As long as it isn't against my principles, I swear to do my utmost."
"Having your word is enough. Don't worry, I wouldn't ask you to do anything you don't want to."
"Thank you for your consideration, my lord."
"Mm, no other issues. You may leave."
"Yes, my lord."
After leaving Lord Li's office, Yu Wei and Gong Xiaohua headed to the Capture and Arrest Division together.
"Little Hua, thank you for speaking well of me before the lord today."
"There's no need for thanks, Commander. You earned the position through your own hard work."
"I heard you've been transferred to the Xiyuan Army. That army is usually hard to manage. Be careful over there."
"Don't worry, I have my ways of dealing with them."
"Speaking of my previous post, the lord asked me to recommend someone. I'm thinking of recommending Xiao Fu. What do you think?"
"You wouldn't happen to be recommending him just because he's my disciple, would you?"
"I can't deny that's part of the reason, but it's only a small part. In the time you were away, his skills improved greatly. He's clever and one of the most capable in the Capture and Arrest Division. Recommending him is reasonable."
"Then thank you, Big Brother Yu."
"To borrow your words, he earned this through his own hard work."
The two of them arrived at the Capture and Arrest Division. Her cheap disciple had already spotted her from afar and excitedly ran over. "Master! I thought you wouldn't be coming to the Ministry of Justice anymore. I was going to go find you at the Qins' if you didn't show up soon."
"Commander, you're leaving so soon?" The others crowded around as well.
"Mm. I'll be transferring to the Xiyuan Army in three days. I came today to bid you all farewell."
"You must come see us often in the future and exchange pointers."
"Don't worry, just focus on your duties."
Hearing this, everyone gradually dispersed.
"Xiao Fu, did your father finish making those things I asked you to get done?"
"They were done ages ago, Master. Wait here, let me grab them to show you."
Soon enough, Xiao Fu came back holding a scroll of sheepskin bound with rope.
Untying the rope and unrolling the scroll revealed rows of tools, nearly identical to the drawings she had made.
"Xiao Fu, please thank your father for me."
"No problem at all. Like my father says, once teacher, always father. If Master needs custom tools made in the future, just let my father know."
"Alright. Go attend to your duties. I still have some things to take care of."
"Yes, Master. Safe travels."
Gong Xiaohua went to her former barracks and quickly gathered her leftover belongings before making a trip to the dungeons to bid farewell to Old Man Lin, Wang Dachui, Sun Daqiang and the others, then left the Ministry of Justice.
Standing before the gates of the Ministry, she was filled with emotion. She had first met this compassionate and lovely group of people when she crossed over. Now, it seemed like no time had passed at all before she had to embark on a new path.
After leaving the Ministry of Justice, she headed towards Dr. Qi's pharmacy on Chongren Street to buy some medicinal materials.
When she arrived, Dr. Qi was seeing a patient. Spotting Gong Xiaohua, he quickly gestured for his apprentice to serve her tea.
After he finished diagnosing the patient, Dr. Qi happily said, "Little Hua, it's good you're back. I was about to go looking for you if you didn't show up soon."
"Looking for me?"
"Ever since the Nanlong Prefecture plague, several prescriptions for treating cold damage and cough have been spreading, and they're now widely used in the Medical Circle. The effects are immediate!"
"I also heard these prescriptions were created by you. Is that true? Do you have any other prescriptions? I'm willing to pay. Don't give them to me for free."
"How could I have that ability? Others wrote them. I just memorized them."
"Who wrote them? I've practiced medicine for decades and have never seen the likes."
"Many people. You don't know them."
"Impossible. Anyone who could write prescriptions like these must be famous doctors of this age."
"They were transcendent masters. I was lucky to help them with a small favor previously, so they taught me some medical techniques and had me memorize some medical texts, that's all."
"Why don't I believe you at all!" Dr. Qi looked at her suspiciously and asked.
"There's nothing I can do if you don't believe me." Gong Xiaohua calmly and unblinkingly lied.
Seeing her tranquil expression, Dr. Qi felt there was no use in questioning further and let the matter drop. After all, he wouldn't get anything out of her.
"What did you come here for today then?"
"I wanted to buy some medicinal materials."
"Don't tell me you want to buy spices again to make stew like last time. Your cousins come here often to buy supplies. They tell me that stewed meat is pretty tasty."
"No, I wanted to buy some medicinal materials to make medicinal paste for external injuries."
"Medicinal paste? Let me see the prescription."
Looking at the medicinal materials Gong Xiaohua wanted to buy, most were ordinary, mainly for treating external injuries and stopping bleeding. There were also one or two ingredients he didn't recognize.
"What are these ingredients used for?"
"To stop bleeding, reduce swelling and the like."
"Wait here. I'll grab the medicines for you. Give this old man a few jars when you're done. Consider the ingredients my gift to you."
"I'll send two jars over afterwards."
After all the medicinal materials were prepared, before leaving, Gong Xiaohua still left the silver behind.
Seeing there was still time, she headed over to her cousins' place with the ingredients.
She hadn't seen those children in a while and wanted to drop by. But when she arrived, she saw Gou Dan's stall smashed. His collar was gripped tightly in the hand of a young master while his other hand was raised threateningly.
The other children were also being held up by others. Gong Dafu and his brothers had been pressed to the ground, unable to move.
