“Our… our Master,” he stammered.

“Madam Qi?” Zhou Maochun inquired, his eyes wide.

“That’s right,” Liu Pucheng replied with a smile, taking over the conversation. “Master is currently stationed in Gansu.”

“Gansu!” Zhou Maochun leaped up, shouting in disbelief, “How is she in Gansu?”

“She is indeed in Gansu,” Liu Pucheng chuckled, letting out a sigh as he mentioned it. No one had expected Madam Qi to go to Gansu; everyone was shocked when they saw the letter Hu San sent through the medicine merchant.

“Are you certain?” Zhou Maochun stared at him, demanding.

Liu Pucheng seemed puzzled by his reaction.

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

“Why?” Zhou Maochun pressed, his eyes glaring. Of all the places in the world, why specifically Gansu?

“Because the heir to the Marquis of Dingxi is there,” a nearby disciple, chewing vigorously on a flatbread, interjected with a grin.

Zhou Maochun stared blankly at him, watching the disciple masticate the golden, glistening scallion pancake, the fragrance wafting tantalizingly.

“Give me a flatbread!” he suddenly roared, then quickly raised his hand, holding up three fingers, “No, three!”

The proprietor bellowed his acknowledgement, sweating profusely while working at the stove. This old man had finally decided to spend money! He’d nursed a single bowl of tea for half the day, making the owner think he was a pauper, only to turn out to be the sort who demands three flatbreads at once! A rich man!

“Your flatbreads, sir,” the owner called enthusiastically, handing over the plate and standing before Zhou Maochun, his hand slightly extended. It was the local custom: pay before you eat.

Zhou Maochun grunted, taking the plate of flatbreads, seemingly oblivious to the shopkeeper’s outstretched hand.

He might not have noticed, but Liu Pucheng did. In front of Minister Zhou, who was also a senior figure, he certainly couldn't let the old man pay.

Liu Pucheng quickly signaled to the disciple beside him, and Zhang Tong promptly paid the money.

Upon receiving the payment, the proprietor glanced dismissively at the old man already stuffing his face with flatbreads. Tsk~ Turns out there was a fool footing the bill!

“Sir, are you traveling alone?” Liu Pucheng asked hesitantly while eating. It was nearly the twelfth lunar month, almost New Year. What was he doing sitting alone at this roadside stall in the desolate countryside? Was he heading home? Visiting relatives? Or touring?

Zhou Maochun made a sound through his nose while chewing, his teeth grinding audibly.

Liu Pucheng felt he had asked an intrusive question and quickly stopped, as they all needed to eat fast to continue their journey.

“Sir, we must set off now,” Liu Pucheng bowed respectfully to Zhou Maochun.

Zhou Maochun merely grunted and rose to leave.

Liu Pucheng and the others watched respectfully, only to see Zhou Maochun walk straight toward their carriage and clamber aboard with surprising agility.

Everyone was stunned speechless. Was he hitching a ride?

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

“Yes, yes, according to Hu San’s letter, if we’re late, he’ll die…” the other disciples murmured as well.

Liu Pucheng hesitated for a moment before approaching the carriage.

“Sir, we are heading to Gansu. May I ask where your destination lies?” he inquired.

“Gansu.”

Zhou Maochun’s voice drifted from inside the carriage.

Liu Pucheng froze. Going to Gansu too?

“What a coincidence?” He sighed in relief, then said happily, “That’s wonderful.”

Two cold sneers echoed from within the carriage, accompanied by the sound of grinding teeth as Zhou Maochun forcefully chewed the remaining flatbread in his mouth.

Chang Yuncheng!

Chang Yuncheng, who was sitting at a table examining intelligence reports from the scouts, shivered violently.

Chang Yuncheng collected himself. Why the sudden chill? Was he sick? Sick!

Chang Yuncheng abruptly stood up.

“Someone!” he called out.

Guards immediately entered from outside.

“I’m feeling a bit unwell, perhaps caught a chill. Send for a physician,” Chang Yuncheng said, then quickly sat back down, realizing that someone feeling unwell wouldn't be able to stand for long.

The guard acknowledged the order and hurried out.

Chang Yuncheng stroked his chin. They would naturally summon the best physician, and the best one would surely be…

He reached up to stroke his chin; the stubble scratched his hand painfully, so he stood up again. That woman could be incredibly fussy sometimes; this was not acceptable, that was not allowed…

Chang Yuncheng washed his face and shaved his beard. He then had his personal guard come in to re-tie his hair and change his clothes.

“Which of these two should I wear?” Chang Yuncheng looked at the casual cotton robes hanging in the wardrobe. One was cyan, the other was blue.

The personal guard’s face tightened. Were these two colors not the same for him? What was the difference?

“Sir! Sir! How are you feeling?”

Frenzied shouting and hurried footsteps erupted from outside. They were here!

Chang Yuncheng quickly snatched the cyan robe and hastily put it on. Just then, the garrison commander burst into the inner chamber.

“Is the General already confined to bed?”

The commander’s booming voice carried anxiety. After every major battle, some inevitably died, and those who remained uninjured were especially prone to sudden illness, often progressing too fast for timely treatment… Heavens, this esteemed General must not be so unlucky!

Chang Yuncheng turned around. Upon seeing the charging garrison commander, his heart quickened, then he saw the man walking in behind the commander… a man.

Qiao Minghua frowned as he looked at the man standing in the center of the room. Dying? In all his years as a physician, he had never seen someone so impeccably groomed and radiating such vitality while supposedly on death’s door.

The garrison commander paid no mind to Chang Yuncheng’s appearance, rushing forward anxiously.

“General, what is wrong? Please lie down immediately,” he urged.

Chang Yuncheng let out a breath and looked toward the man standing at the doorway carrying a medical chest. Was this the best physician? Was there any physician better than that woman in the world? Had these people not realized for so many days that the woman was the Divine Doctor of Yongqing Prefecture? A Divine Doctor! The minds of these people were truly… dense as wood!

“The General is fine. It’s merely some heat congestion, caused by stress and poor sleep recently,” Qiao Minghua stated after taking the pulse and releasing his hand.

Chang Yuncheng hummed in response, saying nothing, appearing dispirited.

“The General is exhausted from overwork,” the garrison commander lamented. Everyone now knew that the Martial Valor General conducted nightly patrols himself, setting an example for the entire army, which was highly encouraging.

“General, you must rest well. We absolutely will not fail your guidance. We will strengthen our patrols and never slacken!” he declared, thumping his chest excitedly.

Chang Yuncheng raised a hand to pinch his forehead.

“Then I must trouble all of you,” he said weakly.

The Martial Valor General was indeed ill; the commander felt both moved and anxious.

“Why are there so few people here to attend to the General? How can they manage?” he said to an attendant, while simultaneously ordering servants and women to be fetched, and then turning back to urge Qiao Minghua, “Prescribe the best medicine, the very best.”

Qiao Minghua fought the urge to roll his eyes. What medicine? The man was solid as an old ox…

“You must watch him closely. If his condition worsens, inform us immediately and arrange to have the General sent away to avoid delaying proper treatment,” the commander whispered to Qiao Minghua.

Qiao Minghua suddenly understood. Ah, so that was the situation. After all, he was a high-ranking general from noble lineage. All this talk of patrols and garrisons was mere posturing. Who could bear staying in a godforsaken place like a border fort? Once the fighting ended, the required military merits would follow. A show was enough. This excuse was quite clever—it made him appear hardworking while allowing him to leave gracefully and honorably.

Qiao Minghua glanced at the man lounging lazily in the chair. The man’s gaze, acutely sensitive, immediately met his, and Qiao Minghua lowered his eyes.

“This subordinate was just about to suggest that,” he bowed, saying, “Sir, our post has suffered many casualties after the battle, and the lingering negative energy is heavy. It might not be conducive to the General’s recovery. It would be best to send the General back soon so he can consult with a renowned physician…”

The garrison commander started, and Chang Yuncheng sat bolt upright. What? This doctor wanted to send him away? Who was he? What was his name? He was the man who spoke with Yue Niang on the hillside that day! Only the two of them! He looked quite old, and rather ugly. Was he intimate with Yue Niang? Did he harbor some improper thoughts?

“General, General, you rest first. Don’t worry, just recuperate,” the commander said quickly, seeing Chang Yuncheng’s face instantly darken, while he shot Qiao Minghua a glare and hustled him out.

“What were you saying?” Once outside, the commander pulled Qiao Minghua a distance away, looked around stealthily, and then hissed in a low voice.

Qiao Minghua’s expression was indifferent.

“I know you military doctors are quick to declare life or death, but you must consider who this person is! This isn't some common soldier on the battlefield; this is the Martial Valor General! Couldn't you have been more tactful?” the commander babbled on.

Qiao Minghua frowned, utterly confused. What did he mean?

The commander paced back and forth, his hands clasped behind his back, his face grim with worry.

“That,” he leaned in, lowering his voice, “Do you mean the Martial Valor General is truly… finished?”

Qiao Minghua had no interest in flattering anyone, nor did he intend to seek praise or favor. He would not tell outright lies.

“Let me put it this way, sir,” he looked at the commander. “Sending the Martial Valor General away sooner rather than later will benefit you.”

Promotions are hard for military officials; it requires years of service and battle honors, especially since most military officers come from humble backgrounds. As the saying goes, it’s easier when you have connections in court. Though I don’t need it, I can easily offer you this opportunity and favor.

Qiao Minghua offered the garrison commander a faint, detached smile, then turned and left, concealing his merit and goodwill.

The garrison commander stood frozen for a moment before realizing the situation. He turned back to look at the courtyard where Chang Yuncheng resided, clenching his fist. He would absolutely not allow the Martial Valor General to ruin his health by fulfilling his duty!

Qiao Minghua returned to the field hospital, where he saw a soldier being tended to by that woman had just been pronounced deceased.

“Madam Qi, can we have the body removed now?”

A military surgeon inquired. Although phrased as a question, Madam Qi understood it was a statement. She looked at the soldier before her, whose body was burning with fever, whose vital signs were fading, and who could not be saved. Finally, she lowered her gaze.

“Madam, he’s still alive…” A Ru was on the verge of breaking down. The speed and sheer number of deaths here exceeded her capacity to cope. It was worse than the anthrax epidemic; back then, they had medicine and knew the treatment, so they weren't afraid of countless patients or deaths because there was hope. But this time, it was helplessness, watching despair unfold…

“This is tetanus,” Qi Yue said. “He’s beyond saving. All the injured here have superficial wounds; we cannot keep him here, or it will lead to cross-infection, and even more people will die.”

Her calmness soothed A Ru.

Qiao Minghua watched from a distance as the woman moved toward the next patient.

There is one more chapter coming~ Although I don’t promise extra updates based on pink votes, I won't let readers vote in vain. RS