Gansu Town was one of the nine frontier garrisons of Great Xia. Though it couldn’t compare to Jizhou, Xuan, Da, or Shanxi, due to its unique geographical position linking all the other garrisons, it could be considered doubly important.

The result of this double importance was that the economy was also quite prosperous, especially in recent years when the Eastern Tartars’ cavalry had suffered heavy losses and rarely caused disturbances.

The season had already entered November. Compared to the south, which wasn’t yet too cold, people here had already donned thick cotton robes.

Everything in sight was grayish-brown, just like the passing crowds, displaying the unique roughness characteristic of the northwest.

Qi Yue and her companions curiously observed the pedestrians, while the pedestrians also curiously observed them.

The city gates here were as strictly guarded as they had encountered all along their journey.

Suddenly, a troop of horses charged out from the city, and pedestrians scattered to make way.

Qi Yue and her group naturally moved aside as well, watching this group of soldiers in gleaming armor pass by.

“The guards have been going in and out particularly frequently lately.”

“Yes, are we going to war?”

The pedestrians by the roadside discussed among themselves.

A pedestrian who was obviously better dressed spoke up.

“No,” he said decisively.

Everyone looked at him.

“Why not? Every winter there’s usually fighting,” someone questioned.

“Haven’t you noticed the city has been different lately?” the man said.

Some people nodded, others shook their heads.

“Recently the city has been freshly painted, soldiers are constantly being sent to sweep and clean, I heard they’re also buying some young, capable women as servants, and guards are making rounds three times a day for inspections…” the man said, looking at everyone with a meaningful expression. “This means an important personage is coming.”

Everyone suddenly understood.

“Think about it – if we were really going to war, what important personage would come here?” the man said.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

“What kind of personage could make these soldiers fuss about like this?” someone asked curiously.

“Who knows,” the man said, waving his hand. “Go ask at the garrison.”

Go to the garrison to ask who was coming? That would be asking for a beating!

Everyone made dismissive sounds, expressing their disdain, and dispersed.

Qi Yue hadn’t heard this idle chatter. Her carriage continued toward the city gate after the soldiers passed.

Seeing their large convoy, the guards obviously heightened their vigilance.

“Escort agency from the capital?” the guards asked.

“Yes,” the escort masters replied.

The guards looked over, their eyes falling on Qi Yue sitting outside the carriage.

“What’s your business?” they asked.

Hu San hurriedly led his horse over.

“We are physicians,” he said.

Physicians?

Physicians and their families, the guards thought, nodding and no longer looking at the women in the carriage. They dispersed to conduct inspections, then waved them through.

The carriage had just started moving when a voice came from inside the gate tunnel.

“Physicians?” a male voice said. “Perfect timing.”

Then a tall man walked out.

“Come, come, I was just looking for a physician. Come with me to look at my brother’s arm,” he said loudly, his gaze falling on Hu San.

Hu San couldn’t help but want to roll his eyes at this man.

What attitude! Did he know who he was? The chief disciple of the wife of the biggest boss here…

His expression showed reluctance, which the man naturally noticed.

“What kind of quack physician is this? Are you spies trying to sneak in?” the man said, about to draw his sword with a clang, shouting loudly.

The escort masters hurriedly stepped forward, their expressions tense.

They weren’t afraid of fighting bandits and thieves on the road, but if they fought with these soldiers, it could be fatal…

A’Ru and A’Hao also became nervous.

Xiao Qu and the four guards also assumed sword-drawing postures.

“How dare you!” they shouted in unison.

Seeing that not only were these people unafraid, but their attitude was aggressive, the man’s expression became even more serious.

The surrounding guards also gathered around. The area in front of the city gate suddenly became tense, and passersby scattered, not daring to approach.

“Put them down, put them down,” Qi Yue said, jumping down from the carriage while looking at the soldier and walking over. “Officer, it’s like this – we have some urgent business, so we’re in a hurry. How about this: first let my people go find my relatives to send word. I’ll go take a look at your brother’s illness.”

The man stared at her.

This woman was wrapped in a large cloak, which couldn’t hide her graceful figure. Her face was covered with a veil, but one could still see she was beautiful.

Relatives?

“Relatives with whom?” he blurted out.

“Why do you talk so much?” Xiao Qu frowned and shouted. “Is it your place to ask…”

The atmosphere that had just relaxed suddenly became tense again.

“Alright, alright, Xiao Qu, go quickly. Give word first, ask where he is, but don’t say I’ve come yet,” Qi Yue said, walking closer to the man. “Come, where is your brother? Let me see what’s wrong with his arm.”

“You?” the man stared at her.

“Yes, I’m a physician,” Qi Yue said.

A woman?

The man couldn’t help but look at Hu San beside her.

“Master, I’ll go get the medicine box,” Hu San snorted, deliberately speaking loudly.

The woman was the physician? Not husband and wife, but master and disciple?

The man spat.

“Bad luck,” he said, waving his hand. “Go, go.”

“Hey,” Qi Yue called after him. “Why aren’t you having me look at it?”

“Look at your mother’s head,” the man cursed.

“Hey, why are you cursing?” Qi Yue frowned.

Cursing? If the person in front of him weren’t a woman but a man, he would have hit them too.

“Are you leaving or not? If not, we’ll lock you all up…” the man shouted.

Qi Yue shook her head and turned to wave her hand.

“Let’s go,” she said, supporting herself with one hand to sit back in the carriage.

Xiao Qu had already gone ahead with his men. Hu San wiped his nose, looked at the man resentfully, and led his horse forward.

This unexpected incident didn’t affect everyone’s mood, but they also had no heart to admire the bustle of the local market. Qi Yue sat in the carriage discussing with A’Ru and A’Hao how to surprise Chang Yuncheng, their faces beaming with smiles.

“…When he sees Xiao Qu, he’ll definitely ask how they came. Then Xiao Qu will answer as I told him – that things were exposed and they were driven away… Then he’ll follow Chang Yuncheng, learn his whereabouts, and tell us. Then I’ll go there in advance… Hey, do you think I should suddenly jump out to startle him, or should I pretend to be a passerby walking past him so he sees me but can’t believe it?” Qi Yue said, leaning against the carriage, crossing her legs and swaying leisurely.

A’Ru reached out to pat her crossed leg.

“Sit properly, sit properly,” she scolded.

Meanwhile, A’Hao giggled and imitated her, shaking Qi Yue’s arm.

“Mistress, teach me how to whistle…” she said.

A’Ru had to turn around to scold her again.

Qi Yue tapped the carriage, quite dissatisfied that her words were being ignored by the two.

“I’m talking about serious business. Can you give me some opinions? Be serious,” she said.

A’Ru reached out to remove the face veil from her face.

“For serious business, be serious. Don’t do these things. It’s best to follow Xiao Qu obediently,” she said.

Qi Yue waved her hand.

“You really have no sense of romance. This is a big surprise!” she said with a laugh.

“What does ‘surp-rice’ mean?” A’Hao asked curiously.

“It means a big surprise!” Qi Yue raised her hands and shouted, her smile lighting up her entire face. “Do you want to jump out from the side and shout ‘surprise’ together?”

A’Hao clapped and said it sounded good, while A’Ru rolled her eyes.

Just as they were laughing and talking, Xiao Qu’s urgent voice came from outside the carriage.

“Mistress, mistress,” he called, reining in his horse.

Qi Yue hurriedly lifted the carriage curtain, looking around carefully.

“Hey, didn’t we agree you wouldn’t come see us first…” she said in a low voice, looking behind Xiao Qu with some anticipation for that person…

“Mistress, the Prince is no longer here,” Xiao Qu said urgently.

What?

Qi Yue was stunned.

“Not here?” she asked blankly.

Hearing this, A’Ru and A’Hao also squeezed over in surprise, all looking at Xiao Qu.

“Yes, the Prince was reassigned two months ago, transferred from here all the way to the garrisons toward Xuanda,” Xiao Qu said hurriedly.

Qi Yue stared at him.

Damn it, this really was a big surprise!

“You can jump out and raise your hands to shout ‘surprise’ now,” she said, turning to A’Ru and A’Hao.

The night here was darker than in the capital. Six lamps were lit in the private room, illuminating the crowd eating around three tables.

A’Ru, A’Hao, Xiao Qu and the others couldn’t eat anymore, but Qi Yue was still eating here. Of course, Hu San wasn’t idle either.

“Are you all finished eating?” Hu San asked everyone, stopping with food still in his mouth.

A’Ru kicked him under the table.

“You can still eat?” she whispered harshly.

“Why can’t I eat?” Qi Yue said, cheerfully tearing off a piece of mutton and holding it up to the escort masters at the other table. “Try this roasted mutton – it’s really authentic!”

The escort masters all smiled and thanked her.

“Lady Qi, are you really not going back with us?” the lead escort master hesitated for a moment before walking over to ask.

“I’m not going back. I finally made it here – how could I go back?” Qi Yue said with a laugh.

“But the person you’re looking for isn’t here?” the escort master frowned with concern. “The local customs here are rough, and it’s near the border. It’s really too dangerous for you three women to stay here.”

Having traveled together for so long, they had developed great fondness for this cheerful and generous woman. At first, taking this escort job, they thought this delicate little lady would cause them trouble on the journey. They hadn’t expected this delicate little lady to have exceptional adaptability – not only did she not cause trouble, she could always say or do interesting things that made the boring journey very enjoyable.

Leaving her behind, they really couldn’t feel at ease.

“Hey, hey, am I not a person?” Hu San interrupted, dissatisfied at being ignored.

Qi Yue laughed.

“It’s fine. Xiao Qu also asked – the person I’m looking for will be back in a while. We’ll wait here,” she said.

Since that was the case, the escort masters stopped trying to persuade her.

“Come, come, drink this farewell cup to thank you for your hard work and wish you a smooth journey!” Qi Yue raised her wine cup.

The escort masters all smiled and raised their cups.

“For such an occasion, and being in Mobei, shouldn’t we use big bowls for drinking? Small wine cups are so shabby,” Qi Yue said again.

A’Ru reached out.

“Don’t use the wine cup either – I’ll get you some tea,” she said.

Qi Yue quickly laughed dryly.

“The sentiment, the sentiment – having the sentiment is enough,” she said, quickly drinking it all, afraid it would be taken away.

The escort masters laughed heartily and also drained their cups.

Deep into the night, A’Hao helped Qi Yue dry her hair while A’Ru made the bed.

“Are we really staying here?” A’Ru asked. “Why don’t we reveal our identity and go stay at the Prince’s place?”

Qi Yue didn’t put on her shoes, running a few steps on tiptoe to jump onto the bed.

“What identity would we use to stay there?” she asked, flopping onto the bed and stretching out comfortably with a big smile.

Indeed, what was their relationship now? They had no relationship at all…

“…A’Ru, remember to go with Hu San to find a house. Let’s rent one…” Qi Yue said again, hugging the quilt and rolling to the inside of the bed with her eyes closed.

A’Ru acknowledged, extinguished the lamp on this side, and closed the door.

Everything around became quiet.

In the darkness, Qi Yue opened her eyes and punched the quilt.

Didn’t that brat see even one letter?

How infuriating!

What terrible timing!

Damn the backward communications of this old society!