After leaving Lord Li's room, the four head managers had mixed reactions – some were happy, some were sad.
The one feeling happy was Manager Lei from the Capture and Arrest Division, while the one feeling sad was Manager Wu.
Manager Wu was the most frustrated. He had been the head of the Prison Division for so long that he was starting to forget when he was appointed.
Just when the opportunity for a promotion was right before his eyes, not only did it slip away, but now even his subordinate was taken away. He might have to watch with resentment as Manager Lei gets promoted instead.
He was so furious that he blamed it all on the Lin family.
Manager Lei looked at Gong Xiaohua and was very satisfied with her, no matter how he looked. Never mind that she was a girl, she was worth more than a hundred others with her exceptional abilities.
With her, the rates of prisoners escaping and work injuries would definitely go way down – these were valuable political achievements.
"Xiaohua, come with me. I'll take you around the Capture and Arrest Division," Manager Lei said to Gong Xiaohua with a smile.
Beside them, Manager Wu now disliked whoever he laid eyes on, especially when he saw how smug Manager Lei looked.
"Manager Lei," he said, "Xiaohua used to work under me at the Prison Division. Shouldn't she bid farewell to her former colleagues before leaving?"
"Yes, yes, of course. Xiaohua, go and come back quickly."
"Yes."
Gong Xiaohua followed Manager Wu towards the prison.
As he walked behind and to the left of Gong Xiaohua, Manager Wu felt more and more frustrated.
But anyway, even though Gong Xiaohua no longer belonged to the Prison Division, it wouldn't be an overreach to ask her to help train some of the staff, given their past relationship.
"Xiaohua," he said, "how did everyone treat you at the Prison Division?"
"They all treated me very well, Manager."
"You're saying everyone treated you so well. Shouldn't you think of the brothers at the Prison Division when something good comes your way in the future?"
"Please tell me directly what you need, Manager."
"Straightforward, I like it. I'll pick a few people from the Prison Division for you to personally train for me."
"Huh? Manager, I..."
"What's with the hesitation? It won't take up your time. Just bring them along when you train others. Alright, here's the prison. Go inform the prison chief Lin, then report to the Capture and Arrest Division."
He left without giving Gong Xiaohua any chance to refuse, leaving her there speechless.
After bidding all her colleagues at the prison farewell one by one, she went to report for duty at Team One of the Capture and Arrest Division.
Manager Lei had already informed all the staff at the Capture and Arrest Division about Gong Xiaohua's transfer before she arrived.
She received a warm welcome as soon as she arrived at the division, and everything she needed for the job had been prepared for her.
In the end, she assumed her post at the Capture and Arrest Division directly.
Ever since they got out of prison that day, the unexpected thing for the Gong family was that after a stint in jail, the pair of children actually got a promotion when they came out – making the misfortune a blessing.
Gong Xiaonan went from a temporary policeman to a formal policeman, which was also a promotion of sorts.
What was even more dramatic was Gong Xiaohua’s change – she went directly from a prison guard to the deputy commander of the Capture and Arrest Division of the Ministry of Justice.
She might even become the commander in the future – something they didn’t even dare dream of in the past.
Dad Gong's expression changed when he saw his daughter. Had his daughter built up such great connections at the Ministry of Justice?
She didn't even get punished for missing the competition, and was able to get the Minister himself to personally redress her grievance and secure her a promotion.
He also heard that the Ministry of Justice had invited an incredible master to teach martial arts this year, and everyone had become extremely fierce. Especially one girl – could his daughter really be a genius in martial arts?
He looked at his son, then looked at his daughter, and realized he was getting old. It seemed that the future of the Gong family would have to rely on this pair of children.
Gong Dafu stayed with the Gong family for a while. He got up early and worked late every day to sell the remaining pickled foods at the market, saving up some money. He didn't want to keep relying on his uncle’s family, so he insisted on renting a place outside.
But rent was extremely expensive in the capital, so the small amount he saved, after taking out the capital for making pickled foods, could only afford a very small rental.
So he took Gong Xiaohua’s advice, did some simple renovations at the run-down temple where Dog Egg lived, and settled there for the time being.
And so Gong Dafu began his journey of settling down in the capital. With his help in the future, his relatives back home would also gradually put down roots in the capital.
One day when Gong Xiaohua was working at the Ministry of Justice, she received a message from Lord Li asking her to go over.
When Gong Xiaohua arrived at Lord Li’s office, there was a young beardless man with a somewhat effeminate aura standing inside.
Seeing Gong Xiaohua come in, Lord Li introduced him, “Xiaohua, this is Eunuch Sun, the head eunuch by the Twelfth Princess’s side.”
“Greetings, Eunuch Sun.”
So he was an eunuch from the palace. Unlike the portrayals in historical TV dramas in her previous life, at least in terms of appearance he looked no different from a normal man other than being slightly thinner.
“So this is the formidable elder sister the Princess mentioned befriending outside. Seeing you now, your heroic spirit and vigor are indeed extraordinary.”
“You flatter me, Eunuch.”
“I just heard that Ms. Gong has been promoted to deputy commander. This humble one is here to congratulate Ms. Gong – no – I should call you Deputy Commander Gong now.”
“You're too kind, Eunuch. May I ask why you have summoned me here today?”
“This humble one is here on the Princess’ orders to deliver an invitation to Deputy Commander Gong.”
“Three days from now is the Princess’ coming-of-age ceremony. The Princess has specially invited Deputy Commander Gong to attend the ceremony in the palace.” Eunuch Sun held out the invitation towards Gong Xiaohua and said.
Gong Xiaohua did not immediately take the invitation he handed over. Actually, she didn’t want to accept this invitation. She hadn’t had time to investigate the Lin family’s affairs yet, and now there was this princess too.
She said somewhat awkwardly, “The Princess still remembers me, just a coarse commoner. I don’t know etiquette. If I go to the palace, I’m afraid I’ll offend one of the nobles there and cause trouble for the Princess.”
“Ms. Gong need not worry. This humble one will arrange for maidservants to specifically guide you when the time comes.”
I’m not worried, I just completely don’t want to go.
“Does Ms. Gong have any other concerns?”
Seeing that she still hadn't taken back the invitation, Gong Xiaohua had no choice but to accept it reluctantly.
“Then please convey my gratitude to the Princess for her gracious invitation, and that I will definitely attend on time.”
Only then did Eunuch Sun nod in satisfaction and take his leave.
After Eunuch Sun had walked some distance away, she heard Lord Li's voice behind her.
"It seems you got along very well with the Princess after the last competition, so much so that she would think to invite you on such an important occasion."
What could she say, that the young girl was just too enthusiastic and she was forced into it?
"It's all thanks to the Princess's generosity."
"Mm. The relationships in the royal family are complex. Don't get too deeply involved with them."
"Yes, I understand. Thank you for the reminder, My Lord."
"Mm, you may leave now."
"Yes. I'll take my leave then."
