Go and capture those thirty-six fierce villains.

Outside the door, Feng Hanying whispered with some unease.

"Will your plan work? What if we come back in 7 days and he can't produce a travel permit...?"

"Don't worry, as a seasoned official, he can certainly tell which is more important, not earning extra money or potentially losing his official position."

Seeing Qin Ning's certainty, Feng Hanying stopped asking questions and changed the subject.

"So what do we do next?"

"Come on, go buy me two sets of clothes. And also, go buy me an elementary education book."

The little black cat, which had been dozing on his shoulder, suddenly opened its eyes and tried to run away as soon as it heard the word "book".

Qin Ning then grabbed him and hugged him tightly in her arms.

......

Meanwhile, in the back hall of the garrison.

A middle-aged man dressed in a blue-green official robe embroidered with bears sat with one half-reclined on an elmwood chair, his face ingratiating, and said softly:

"Lord Yang, I have completed all the tasks you instructed. But what about my transfer order...?"

The man addressed as Lord Yang sat opposite the middle-aged man. He appeared to be around forty years old, with fair skin, fine lines around his calm eyes, and a few strands of gray at his temples. He wore a blue official robe embroidered with white pheasants.

Judging from his appearance, he was also a fifth-rank official, just like the middle-aged man, except that one was a civil official and the other was a military official.

Behind Lord Yang stood two other people, one of whom resembled a pumpkin hammer transformed into human form, with a round body and expressionless face.

The other one was of normal build, but for some reason always had a silly grin on his face.

"Commander Gu, your younger brother works in the Ministry of War. He is much more well-informed than I am."

As he spoke, Lord Yang picked up the teacup on the table, but instead of drinking from it, he held it in his hand and examined it carefully.

"Doucai Sanqiu? This must be a fine piece from the Kyoto imperial kiln!"

A smile forced across Commander Gu's dark face: "Lord Yang has a good eye. If you like, I have another set..."

"I wouldn't dare. For a fifth-rank official to use such a thing would be presumptuous. I, Yang, have lived in the capital for a long time. If any censor were to see me, I would lose my position as Imperial Physician. Unlike you, Commander Gu, who is far from the emperor and quite carefree."

Lord Yang held his teacup, shook his head and sighed, as if he were genuinely envious of the other person.

thump!

Commander Gu collapsed to the ground, his expression one of panic, the tea in his hand soaking his blue-green official robes.

Seeing this, Physician Yang remained expressionless, placed the teacup back on the table, and said in a calm tone, "Meishan, quickly help Commander Gu to his seat."

"Yes, Godfather!"

The man with a silly grin on his face jogged over, lifted Gu Shoubei off the ground, and pressed him firmly into his seat. Then he turned to look at Physician Yang.

"Come back."

"Yes."

The man who was laughing incoherently jogged back.

"Commander Gu, there's no need for that. We're on the same side now. However... once we get to Kyoto, you'll have to be extra careful. That place... has a lot of people and eyes, and you never know when you might be targeted."

After Physician Yang finished speaking, he got up and led the two away.

The vast back hall was filled only with the heavy breathing of Commander Gu.

a long time.

A man dressed as a clerk emerged from behind a screen at the side door, jogging over to first wipe the tea off Commander Gu's clothes, then cautiously said:

"My lord, that man is merely a fifth-rank imperial physician. Even if he carries secret orders from above, you don't need to be so afraid..."

"You know nothing! I'm not afraid of a hundred or a thousand more imperial physicians! He's a member of the Sichen Guard!" Commander Gu kicked the other man away, his expression no longer showing the fear he had just displayed. As he spoke the last few words, his angry voice suddenly lowered.

As if afraid that Physician Yang and his entourage, who had already gone far away, would hear them.

"The Morning Guard!"

Upon hearing these three words, the clerk, who had slumped between the tables and chairs, shuddered. Ignoring his own pain, he hurriedly asked:

"Sir, which of the four seasons does this gentleman belong to?"

"The Autumn Bureau is in charge of both the martial arts world and the imperial court, overseeing all officials, and has the power to execute first and report later!"

Upon hearing this, a strong smell of urine suddenly filled the air, and the clerk actually urinated...

A flicker of disdain crossed Gu Shoubei's eyes as he covered his mouth and nose: "Useless thing... Has my second brother sent any letters recently?"

The advisor stood up awkwardly and deliberately distanced himself: "There's still no news from Second Master, but I reckon it should be around in two or three days."

Commander Gu nodded, seemingly lost in thought. After taking a couple of steps, he suddenly turned back and asked, "I haven't seen Xing'er these past two days. Where has he been gallivanting off to this time?"

"Your Excellency, the young master went hunting in Baiteng Fort a few days ago. Should we send someone to invite him back?"

"Yes, things haven't been peaceful at the border lately. Tell him to get back here right now and stay obediently inside the fortress."

After Gu Shoubei finished speaking, he walked to the back hall door, then suddenly stopped and turned back to ask again:

"I don't think I tripped and fell too deliberately just now, did I?"

The clerk immediately gave a thumbs-up and said obsequiously, "Master Bu Yi, your fall just now was absolutely flawless!"

Hmm... After receiving this answer, Lord Gu nodded in satisfaction and left from the back hall.

half an hour.

Once he was sure the other person was far away, the advisor stared at his wet crotch and sighed deeply, muttering a complaint under his breath:

"Damn it, being a lackey isn't easy..."

......

Physician Yang and his entourage stopped abruptly at the gate of the garrison headquarters.

The man, resembling a pumpkin hammer come to life, asked: "Godfather?"

Physician Yang stood on the steps, turned his head to look east, his eyes still as calm as still water. After a long while, he said indifferently, "Go back to the inn to change your clothes, then we'll go eat."

After saying that, he walked away, and the grinning man immediately followed.

The creature, whose shape resembled a pumpkin hammer come to life, looked down at the spot where its godfather had just stood, a puzzled expression on its face.

The steps, cast in large bluestone, bear the clear imprint of a pair of footprints.

"..."

The man bent down and smoothed out the footprints with his bare hands, then quickly caught up with the two who had already walked several feet away.

Baiweilou.

The only decent restaurant in Blood Rain Fortress. Its special features are its excellent wine and vegetables that are sold at a higher price than meat.

After Qin Ning and Feng Hanying finished buying clothes and books, they strolled around the city for a while before choosing to come here.

Feng Hanying was still dressed in the same neat outfit, but the hairpin in her hair had been changed to a bright green one, which made her pretty face look even whiter.

Whether on the street or inside Baiweilou Restaurant, it attracted a lot of attention.

Qin Ning changed into a plain white robe, and the sheepskin hat on his head was replaced with a crown commonly seen in the Great Xia Dynasty.

He attracted just as much attention as Feng Hanying, and even seemed to be surpassing her in some ways.

Hmm... he doesn't seem like a follower anymore, he's more like Feng Hanying's kept gigolo, especially since she pays for all his clothes and meals.

Qin Ning ate the vegetables in front of him while his mind wandered. He could clearly sense that since changing into this robe, Feng Hanying had been stealing glances at him more than twice as often as before.

"She didn't mention asking me to pay her back. Was she repaying a favor, or...?"

Boom!Boom!Boom!

A heavy thud came from the stairs, startling the diners on the second floor.

Qin Ning swallowed a mouthful of vegetables and looked up. She saw a man dressed in a royal blue long coat, looking like a wealthy man, with a few strands of gray hair at his temples, walking up the stairs.

Their eyes met, and the other person nodded in acknowledgment.