The Prime Minister's Darling

Chapter 292: 162 Overwhelming Power (First Update)

On the other side, Gu Changqing led his horse, escorting Gu Jiao back to Bishui Alley.

He couldn’t figure out why the Capital City’s infamous thief, Fei Shuang, would know Gu Jiao. Perhaps Gu Jiao was overthinking it.

Fei Shuang always stole valuables, either treasures or state secrets. The most valuable item in Gu Jiao’s small basket was just a tiny first aid kit.

Even if it was filled with premium medicinal herbs, it wouldn’t pique Fei Shuang’s interest, would it?

Could it be that she was really after Gu Jiao herself?

But Gu Changqing didn’t believe there was anything suspicious about Gu Jiao.

Or maybe… Fei Shuang was actually targeting the Marquis Residence instead?

“We’re here,” Gu Jiao’s voice interrupted Gu Changqing’s thoughts.

Gu Changqing looked towards the mansion behind Gu Jiao. It was a smaller place than his own courtyard, but it radiated a unique aura. He couldn’t quite place what was different about it, but it was somehow inviting.

“Would you like to come in for a bit?” Gu Jiao asked.

“No, I have to go back to the residence,” answered Gu Changqing.

He really should be back by now; after dropping off Gu Yan and witnessing a brawl, he went over for a moment before returning with Gu Jiao.

It was getting late.

Gu Jiao gazed at him with clear eyes: “Thank you.”

“I didn’t really do anything.” By the time he arrived, Fei Shuang had already left. He thought even if he hadn’t shown up, this girl would have been alright on her own.

While Gu Jiao might have been fine, she might not have been able to recover the first aid kit so easily.

Of course, that wasn’t what Gu Jiao was thanking him for.

Gu Jiao gave a small smile, “Thanks for taking Gu Yan out. He really enjoyed himself.”

Earlier when she was seeing patients on Vermilion Bird Avenue, she saw Gu Yan on Gu Changqing’s horse, a few strings of crystal-clear candied hawthorns in his hand and a smug grin on his face.

In his growing years, Gu Yan really lacked a father’s presence. What the Marquis couldn’t offer him, Gu Changqing did.

Gu Jiao had never seen Gu Yan look so self-satisfied.

Some stability can be provided by Gu Jiao, but some courage can only be given by a father or brother.

This delicate boy, who could barely lift a bucket of water, was slowly beginning to spread his wings.

“Ah, you saw that, huh.” Gu Changqing cleared his throat, “When we left, I didn’t expect we would visit so many places. I forgot to inform your family. I wonder if they were worried.”

Gu Jiao smiled lightly, “My grandmother has her ways.”

Although the elderly mistress seemed always carefree, she always kept a sharp eye on her grandchildren.

Several of Gu Yan’s pets — seven chickens, a young eagle, and a puppy — were all sitting still at the gate where Gu Yan was waiting. If he had truly gone off with a stranger, they would have made a noise.

“That’s good then.” Gu Changqing felt relieved.

“I’ll be heading inside now,” Gu Jiao said.

“Alright.” Gu Changqing nodded. He suddenly remembered something and called after her, “By the way, do you have any more of that Golden Wound Medicine you gave me last time?”

…

“What? Golden Wound Medicine?”@@novelbin@@

The next day, after hearing Gu Jiao’s message, the second owner of the Medical Hall was so shocked — his eyes almost popped out of his head. “Wait a minute, how many did you say they wanted?”

“Over a thousand bottles, I guess,” Gu Jiao said nonchalantly.

The second owner fell into his chair, pinching himself to wake up. But then he realized what he just heard was true.

That was over a thousand bottles of golden wound medicine. How much silver would it make them if they actually sold it all?

The second owner rubbed his hands together, “Did they negotiate a lower price?”

Gu Jiao responded casually, “No, they did not. What we sell to others, we also sell to them at the same price.”

The second owner was utterly befuddled, “Wait, isn’t there a retail price difference? And they still want it at that price for a thousand bottles? Who’s so extravagant?”

Gu Jiao simply said, “The military camp.”

At her words, the second owner fainted again in disbelief.

How did their small medical hall manage to secure business with a military camp? What kind of windfall was this?

Medical officers from the palace provided medical supplies to the military camps. The supplies were mostly distributed by the government, and they rarely did business with private practices. If they really needed something that the government couldn’t provide, they would go to one of the highly ranked medical halls in the Capital City.

Like Hu family’s Huichun Hall, for example.

This business deal wasn’t urgent, the delivery isn’t until after the New Year. For now, Gu Jiao asked the second owner to start gathering the medicinal herbs. Only once the herbs were secured could they begin the bulk production.

As business improved, the medical hall was understaffed once again. As soon as the second owner woke up, he immediately ordered people to contact doctors in the Capital City to see if any were willing to practice at their medical hall.

Gu Jiao and the second owner were busy with their own tasks. Around noon, a familiar face arrived at the medical hall—Du Xiaoyun, whom they hadn’t seen for a while.

Du Xiaoyun no longer dressed like a scholar but wore a light-blue skirt typical of a female student. While it made others look gentle and elegant, she exuded a sense of spirit and vitality.