Chapter 43: Presenting Gifts to the General

Upon leaving the bookstore, Su Yuxin indeed proceeded to Liu Yun Xuan. She bought an ample supply of calligraphy tools. By the time everything was purchased, it was already noon. Considering the General would not return to the residence for lunch, she decided to head to Yingke Lai instead. Eight Treasure Duck from Yingke Lai was her favorite dish. It was said to be a recipe passed down through generations in the family, exclusively handed down to descendants. Even the imperial chefs in the palace couldn't replicate its flavor. Consequently, Yingke Lai's business was exceedingly thriving. After the midday meal, it was almost time to head back. Su Yuxin casually bought a few small trinkets by the roadside before finally making her way back to the General's residence. As soon as she entered, she encountered Zhou Zheng, who, as usual, had a serious expression. "I have arranged for Mr. Jiang to stay in the Yuedian Pavilion," he said. "Hmm," Su Yuxin nodded, saying, "I appreciate your efforts." "Also, the General is currently waiting for you in the Yimei Garden," Zhou Zheng added. "The General is back?" Su Yuxin was taken aback. "When did he return?" Wasn't he supposed to have left for the military camp early in the morning? Usually, he only returned after dinner. Why was he back so early today? "He returned around midday and had lunch here at the residence," Zhou Zheng replied. Su Yuxin regretfully slapped her forehead. If she had known earlier, she wouldn't have gone to Yingke Lai for lunch. It would have been nice to return and have lunch together with the General. As soon as she arrived at Yimei Garden, Ziyuan approached her, "Madam, you've returned. The General has been waiting for you for a long time." "I know," Su Yuxin nodded and entered the room, drawing back the curtains. Feng Yao was lounging on the couch, flipping through a book she often read to pass the time. "Why did the General come back so early today?" Su Yuxin approached with a sweet smile in her eyes. Feng Yao pulled Su Yuxin into his embrace and playfully tapped her small nose. "Having a good time? Have you had lunch?" "I've already had lunch." Su Yuxin found a comfortable spot and began to play with Feng Yao's thumb. "I didn't go for leisure; I was attending to matters." "Oh? What important matters did you attend to?" Feng Yao asked as he twirled Su Yuxin's strand of hair. Her hair was truly excellent, black, shiny, smooth, and carried a faint scent of roses, which was delightful. "I hired a tutor and bought many things," Su Yuxin counted on her fingers. "I even bought a gift for you." Earlier at Liu Yun Xuan, she had set her eyes on an inkstone. Considering the General's daily engagements that required an inkstone, she thought of buying it as a gift. "You bought a gift for me?" Feng Yao's eyes lit up. "Qing Que, bring it here," Su Yuxin beckoned, and Qing Que handed over a square red sandalwood box. The box was adorned with gold-lacquered galloping horses, which added to its grandeur. "Here, a gift for the General," Su Yuxin promptly placed the red wooden box into Feng Yao's arms. "What is it?" Feng Yao asked. "The General should see it for himself." This was the first time Su Yuxin had given a gift to someone and was feeling a bit bashful. Feng Yao smiled and opened the box. Inside was an inkstone, carved with a majestic war horse. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and the material was of high quality. "Do you like it?" Su Yuxin eagerly asked Feng Yao. "I do, very much." Feng Yao placed the inkstone on the table, kissed Su Yuxin's forehead, and said, "My inkstone just broke, and I was thinking of buying a new one. You've gifted me one right on time. Truly, our minds are in harmony." If Wood Spirit heard this, she would surely mock them. The General's own inkstone was ten times better than this, and it was kept intact on the desk without a scratch. The General's thick skin was getting thicker by the day. "As long as the General likes it," Su Yuxin rubbed her slightly flushed cheeks, always feeling a bit clumsy when with the General. "As long as it's from you, I will like anything," Feng Yao pinched Su Yuxin's blushing face, smiling warmly. His little miss was always so easily embarrassed. Her rosy cheeks were like apples, tempting one to take a bite. Just as Feng Yao was about to act, Su Yuxin suddenly became serious. "By the way, I have something to tell you, and something I'd like your help with," she said. "What is it?" Feng Yao looked at Su Yuxin and traced her pink lips with his finger. "I hired a tutor to teach Xia Zhi how to read and write. His name is Jiang Han, from Jingzhou, who came to the capital to seek relatives. He planned to take part in this year's autumn examination, but his relatives have already left the city. He had nowhere to stay, so I thought of arranging a tutor position for him. He appears refined and knowledgeable, so I sent Orange to process his paperwork at the government office and the steward arranged his stay at Yuewai Pavilion." Su Yuxin licked her lips and peeked at Feng Yao's expression. Throughout history, no master had specifically hired a tutor for their servants. She was afraid her decision might upset the General. "You have full authority over matters in the residence," Feng Yao ruffled Su Yuxin's hair, his lips curled into a gentle smile. "The General is so kind," Su Yuxin hugged Feng Yao's arm and rubbed against it, like an affectionate kitten, both satisfied and content, "Also, I want the General to help me find an elderly strange physician." "Why do you want to find them? Is there something wrong with you?" Feng Yao's expression immediately turned anxious. "No, no, it's not about me, nor is anyone unwell," Su Yuxin waved her hands, explaining, "Here's the thing..." Su Yuxin recounted how she gave Xia Zhi a medicine pouch, how she went to Ren'an Hall to collect the medicine apprentice from Dr. Sun, and what Dr. Sun had said... She told Feng Yao everything in detail. "As Xia Zhi has a talent for medicine, I thought of finding a good master for him," Su Yuxin pursed her lips. In fact, besides repaying her past life's debts, she also had her own selfish motives. Although Feng Yao was currently in the capital, if a border conflict arose, he would have to return to the battlefield. In her previous life, from the time she married into the General's residence until her death, it was just five years, yet Feng Yao had been deployed at least three times. At this rate, he would be deployed

 more than ten times in his lifetime. The battlefield was merciless, but if there was a military doctor comparable to a strange physician accompanying Feng Yao, she would feel much more at ease. "Alright." Feng Yao nodded, "I'll have Shui Ling find out." Shui Ling was the only female among his Five Spirit Guards, almost as cold and reserved as Jin Ling. Her agility was top-notch; her martial arts were at the peak where she could soar without using force, as light as a goose, traveling on the wind. Even Feng Yao would admit defeat when it came to agility alone. Her incredible abilities in reconnaissance made her ideal for gathering intelligence. So, Shui Ling was later tasked with the responsibility of the intelligence guard, teaching selected talents her agility skills. Elusive in her appearances, in this life and the previous, Su Yuxin had only seen her once. "Hmm, with Shui Guard in action, we'll surely find the old strange physician quickly," Su Yuxin nodded vigorously.