The sudden shout startled the disciple.

“Our… our master,” he stammered.

“Miss Qi?” Zhou Maochun asked, eyes wide.

“Yes,” Liu Pucheng took over with a smile. “Master is now at Gansu garrison.”

“Gansu!” Zhou Maochun jumped up, shouting loudly with disbelief written all over his face. “How can she be in Gansu?”

“She is in Gansu,” Liu Pucheng smiled, then sighed when speaking of this.

He really hadn’t expected Miss Qi to go to Gansu. When they saw the message Hu San had sent through drug merchants, everyone was shocked.

“Are you certain?” Zhou Maochun stared at him and asked.

Liu Pucheng was somewhat puzzled by his reaction.

“What’s uncertain about this?” he said with a smile. “Of course she would go to Gansu.”

“Why?” Zhou Maochun stared. There were so many places in the world – why would she go to Gansu of all places?

“Because Marquis Dingxi’s heir is there,” a disciple munching on flatbread couldn’t help but say with a grin.

Zhou Maochun stared at him blankly, watching that disciple chew the golden, oily scallion pancake with such fragrant relish.

“Give me a pancake!” he suddenly shouted, then quickly raised his hand with three fingers extended. “No, three!”

The owner responded loudly, sweating profusely as he bustled at the stove. This old man was finally willing to spend money! He’d been nursing one bowl of tea soup for half the day – they’d thought he was a pauper, but turned out he was someone who’d order three pancakes at once! A rich man!

“Your pancakes, sir,” the owner enthusiastically called out, delivering the pancakes and bowing as he stood before Zhou Maochun, slightly extending his hand.

The rule at roadside shops was payment first, then food.

Zhou Maochun hummed and reached out to take the plate of pancakes, seemingly not noticing the shopkeeper’s extended hand.

He didn’t see it, but Liu Pucheng did. In front of Master Zhou, who was also an elder, he couldn’t let him pay.

Liu Pucheng quickly signaled to a nearby disciple. Zhang Tong hurried to pay.

The owner took the money, looked at the old man who was now devouring the pancakes with his head down, and pursed his lips.

So there was a sucker paying after all!

“Sir, are you traveling alone?” Liu Pucheng asked hesitantly while eating.

It was the twelfth lunar month, almost New Year – what was he doing sitting alone in this roadside shop in the wilderness?

Was he going home? Visiting relatives? Or traveling?

Zhou Maochun ate his pancakes, making a humming sound through his nose and grinding his teeth audibly.

Liu Pucheng felt his question was inappropriate and quickly stopped asking. Since they needed to hurry, everyone ate quickly.

“Sir, we need to depart,” Liu Pucheng said, bowing to Zhou Maochun.

Zhou Maochun hummed in acknowledgment and got up to leave.

Liu Pucheng and the others respectfully watched him go, but saw Zhou Maochun walk straight to their carriage and climb aboard in two or three moves.

Everyone was dumbfounded.

Was he hitchhiking?

“Master, we’re really in a hurry,” Zhang Tong couldn’t help but whisper.

“Yes, yes. From Hu San’s letter, if we’re late he’ll die…” the disciples also whispered.

Liu Pucheng hesitated, then walked to the front of the carriage.

“Sir, we’re going to Gansu. May I ask where you’re heading along the way?” he asked.

“Gansu.”

Zhou Maochun’s voice came from inside the carriage.

Liu Pucheng was stunned.

Also going to Gansu?

“What a coincidence!” he said with relief and happiness.

Two cold laughs came from inside the carriage, accompanied by the sound of grinding teeth.

Zhou Maochun put the remaining pancake in his mouth and chewed forcefully.

Chang Yuncheng!

Chang Yuncheng, who was sitting at his desk reviewing intelligence reports from scouts, suddenly shivered.

Chang Yuncheng came back to his senses.

Why was he shivering?

Was he sick? Sick!

Chang Yuncheng suddenly stood up.

“Someone come,” he called.

Guards immediately entered from outside.

“I feel somewhat unwell, as if I’ve caught a cold. Go fetch a doctor,” Chang Yuncheng said, then thinking that someone unwell shouldn’t be able to stand, he quickly sat down.

The guards acknowledged and hurried off.

Chang Yuncheng stroked his chin.

They would certainly fetch the best doctor, and the best would naturally be…

He reached up to stroke his chin. The stubble hurt his hand, so he quickly stood up.

That woman could be incredibly particular sometimes – this won’t do, that can’t be done…

Chang Yuncheng washed his face and shaved, had his personal guard come in to redo his hair, and wanted to change clothes.

“Which of these two should I wear?” Chang Yuncheng looked at the casual cotton robes in his wardrobe.

One azure, one blue.

His personal guard’s face tightened. These, these two colors looked the same to him! What, what, what was the difference?

“Sir, sir, how are you?”

Shouts came from outside along with hurried footsteps – the defense official’s loud calls.

They’re here!

Chang Yuncheng quickly grabbed the azure robe and hurriedly put it on. The defense official had already rushed into the inner room.

“Has sir already taken to his bed?”

The loud voice carried tension.

After every major battle, some people would die, and those who weren’t wounded were particularly prone to illness. Once they fell sick, it was especially swift and beyond treatment…

Dear heavens, this lord must not be so unlucky!

Chang Yuncheng turned around and saw the defense official who had rushed in. His heart beat faster, then he saw behind the defense official walked out… a man.

Qiao Minghua frowned, looking at the man in the center of the room.

Deathly ill?

In all his years as a doctor, he’d never seen someone dying who was cleaned up so neatly and looked so radiant.

The defense official couldn’t be bothered to look at Chang Yuncheng’s condition and had already rushed over nervously.

“General, what’s wrong? Please lie down quickly,” he said.

Chang Yuncheng exhaled, looking at the man carrying a medicine box at the door.

This was the best doctor?

Was there a better doctor in the world than that woman?

Didn’t they know after all these days that the woman was the divine physician of Yongqing Prefecture?

A divine physician!

These people’s brains were really… blockheads!

“The General is fine, just some internal heat and stagnation caused by recent restlessness and sleeplessness,” Qiao Minghua said after taking his pulse and withdrawing his hand.

Chang Yuncheng hummed without speaking, looking listless.

“The General is exhausted from overwork,” the defense official said with feeling.

Now everyone knew. General Wu Lue patrolled from time to time at night, leading by example, which greatly encouraged the entire army.

“General sir, please rest well. We will certainly not disappoint your guidance, will strengthen patrols, and absolutely not slack off!” he said excitedly, patting his chest.

Chang Yuncheng pressed his forehead with his hand.

“Then I’ll trouble everyone,” he said somewhat weakly.

General Wu Lue was indeed ill. The defense official was both moved and anxious.

“Why are there so few people here to care for the General? How can he be properly looked after?” he said to his attendants, while directing them to find some maidservants and women. He also pulled Qiao Minghua aside to instruct, “Prescribe good medicine, the best medicine.”

Qiao Minghua resisted rolling his eyes. What medicine to prescribe – he was as sturdy as an old tiger…

“You must keep watch. If the situation isn’t right, say so immediately and have the General sent away to avoid delaying treatment,” the defense official whispered.

Qiao Minghua suddenly understood. Ah, so that’s how it is.

After all, he was a general from noble birth holding high rank. What patrolling and garrison duty – it was just for show. Who could stand staying in a godforsaken place like this fortress where birds don’t shit and chickens don’t lay eggs? The fighting was over. The military merits due wouldn’t be any less. Putting on a show was enough.

This excuse was quite clever – it both showed his hard work and suffering while allowing him to leave in glory and dignity.

Qiao Minghua looked at the man leaning somewhat lazily against his chair back. The man was very perceptive and immediately looked over too. Qiao Minghua lowered his eyes.

“I was just about to mention this,” he said with a bow. “Sir, we have many dead and wounded here after the battle, with heavy miasma that may not be conducive to the General’s recovery. It would be better to send him back early so renowned physicians can be consulted…”

The defense official was startled, and Chang Yuncheng also sat up straight abruptly.

What?

This doctor actually wanted to drive him away?

Who was he? What was his surname? What was his name?

He was the one who was talking with Yueniang on the hillside that day!

Just the two of them!

He looked quite old and ugly – was he very familiar with Yueniang?

Did he have improper thoughts?

“General, General, please rest first, don’t worry, take good care of yourself,” the defense official said quickly, seeing Chang Yuncheng’s face darken instantly, while glaring at Qiao Minghua and hurrying him out.

“What kind of way is that to talk?” he said, pulling Qiao Minghua far away after coming out, looking around before whispering angrily.

Qiao Minghua’s expression was indifferent.

“I know you military doctors are quick to pronounce life and death, but you have to see who this person is! This isn’t some ordinary soldier on the battlefield – this is General Wu Lue! Couldn’t you speak more tactfully?” the defense official rattled off.

Qiao Minghua frowned in confusion.

What did he mean?

The defense official paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, frowning with a gloomy, anxious expression.

“That is,” he leaned over and lowered his voice, “do you mean the General really… won’t make it?”

Qiao Minghua had no interest in flattering anyone, hadn’t thought of currying favor, and wouldn’t do such things as outright lying.

“Put it this way, sir,” he looked at the defense official. “Getting General Wu Lue away early would benefit you.”

Military promotion was very difficult – you had to wait for seniority and battle merits. Especially since most military officers came from humble origins, and as the saying goes, having connections at court makes things easier. Though I don’t need it, I can casually give you this opportunity and favor.

Qiao Minghua looked at the defense official with a carefree smile, said no more, turned and left, keeping his achievements and fame hidden.

The defense official stood there stunned for a moment before reacting, turning to look toward the courtyard where Chang Yuncheng was, clenching his fists.

He absolutely would not let General Wu Lue ruin his health for the sake of loyal duty!

Qiao Minghua returned to the wounded soldiers’ camp to see that a wounded soldier the woman had been treating was declared beyond help.

“Miss Qi, can we take him away now?”

A military doctor asked.

Though phrased as a question, Qi Yue understood he was actually making a statement.

She looked at the wounded soldier before her – burning with high fever, vital signs fading, still unable to recover – and finally lowered her gaze.

“Miss, he’s still alive…” A’Ru was about to break down.

The speed and number of deaths here exceeded her capacity to bear. It was worse than the anthrax epidemic. That time they had medicine and knew how to treat it, so no matter how many patients or deaths there were, she wasn’t afraid because there was hope. But this time, helpless and powerless, watching with that kind of despair…

“This is tetanus,” Qi Yue said. “He can’t be saved. The wounded here all have flesh wounds – we can’t keep him here anymore, or there will be cross-infection and more deaths.”

Her composure calmed A’Ru.

Qiao Minghua looked over from a distance and saw the woman starting to walk toward the next wounded patient.