Chapter 119 You Need a Leave Slip to Go Out

Chapter 119 You Need a Leave Slip to Go Out

The figure slowly straightened up, and a delicate face peeked out from behind the medicine cabinet. Upon seeing the person, the person was taken aback at first, then lowered their voice and beckoned: "Come in quickly, it's windy outside."

Jiang Yutang responded softly and quickly walked into the house. When she got to the other person, she realized that he looked young and was even as tall as her. His eyes and brows had a gentle look about them.

She knew in her heart that the other person was most likely a woman disguised as a man. She didn't speak rashly, but took the initiative to pick up the wooden rake next to her and help turn over the medicinal herbs on the drying rack.

The two worked together seamlessly all morning, finally able to catch their breath around lunchtime.

Doctor Xu, the delicate-looking young man, held the rough porcelain bowl. When he learned that Jiang Yutang came from the capital and had studied under the Imperial Physicians in the Imperial Hospital, his eyes lit up with envy.

"The imperial physicians in the Imperial Medical Academy are all top-notch doctors. If Miss Jiang can learn from them, her medical skills must be extraordinary."

Jiang Yutang smiled, too embarrassed to say more, and turned to look at the sun overhead.

It was already noon, and the sunlight was just right.

She tentatively said, "Dr. Xu, I'd like to go out for a bit to buy some bedding and daily necessities. I'll be back in half an hour, it won't delay anything."

Upon hearing this, Doctor Xu raised an eyebrow, put down his chopsticks, and explained, "The camp rules are strict; you need to get a slip of paper from Lieutenant Wu to go out. However, he went to the military camp to train new recruits this morning, so he's probably not at the camp headquarters right now."

"I see."

Jiang Yutang responded and didn't insist, "That's alright, I can go tomorrow."

Jiang Yutang spent the whole day at the clinic. The work wasn't too strenuous; it mostly involved organizing medicinal herbs, registering information on the wounded and displaced, and occasionally helping Doctor Xu grind and crush medicine.

What pleased her most was the meals provided. Two meals a day were delivered on time by the camp guards. Today, upon learning that a new doctor had arrived at the clinic, an extra plate of stir-fried vegetables was specially added to dinner, making it more substantial than usual.

Holding the warm, rough porcelain bowl, she ate the fragrant brown rice and home-style dishes, and felt the taste of home that she hadn't experienced in a long time.

Dr. Xu was gentle and kind, and the two worked together very well. In just one afternoon, they organized the stockpiled medicinal herbs in an orderly manner, which made her feel more at ease about the future.

After finishing up the remaining tasks, Jiang Yutang returned to the tent, still smelling faintly of herbs.

Before the curtain was even lifted, the sounds of Yun Shi and her two sisters-in-law laughing and talking could be heard from inside.

She lifted the curtain and walked in, seeing the three of them sitting around a bamboo mat, holding needles and thread, their faces beaming with genuine joy.

"Tang'er is back!"

Yun quickly put down her needlework and pulled her to sit on the bed. Mu got up and poured her a cup of warm tea.

"Was your first day on the job tiring? Is the work at the clinic heavy?"

Jiang Yutang warmed her hands with hot tea, shook her head and smiled, "I'm not tired, just sorting out some medicinal herbs. But you guys, are you getting used to the work in the embroidery room?"

Yun smiled broadly and held out her finger to show her. There was a little cotton thread on her fingertip and a tiny needle mark: "Hey, it's been a long time since I've touched a needle and thread. I accidentally pricked my finger while mending clothes today."

Mu and Zhu quickly chimed in, "That's right, it's been a long time since we've used it, so it's inevitable that we're a bit rusty."

With a place to stay and a stable job, everyone exuded a sense of peace and security.

Before long, the three older brothers returned one after another. Although they did not mention the current situation, their eyes revealed an undisguised joy.

After asking, I learned that apart from Yun and her two sisters-in-law, everyone else had already eaten dinner at their own places.

Jiang Yutang asked in surprise, "Don't they provide food in the embroidery room?"

"Giving is giving..."

Zhu said embarrassedly, "The kitchen is full of men, and it would be too awkward for us women to squeeze in there, so we came back first."

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.” Jiang Yutang stood up. “Wait here, I’ll go to the kitchen and get the food for you.”

She grabbed Jiang Sumin, who was about to sit down, and said, "Fourth Brother, come with me and help me get the bowls and chopsticks."

"Hey, slow down!"

Jiang Sumin quickly followed, shouting as he walked, "My fingers are swollen from using the abacus all day, I don't have the strength to help you carry things."

"It's just a few bowls, look how tired you are," Jiang Yutang said with a smile.

Jiang Sumin complained to himself, "The way those old guys in the accounting office record the grain and fodder is too messy. One ledger is written in a mess. After I went there, I reclassified and sorted it out. I calculated from noon until dark. My fingers were almost stiff."

"Let me see." Jiang Yutang took his hand and examined him carefully.

On her fair hands, the tips of her middle and index fingers were slightly red.

She gently rubbed his palms to help improve his blood circulation: "You've worked hard. I'll get you some herbal medicine to reduce the swelling later."

Jiang Sumin casually withdrew his hand: "By the way, didn't you go out to buy anything today?"

Jiang Yutang shrugged, her tone helpless: "Not yet. Doctor Xu said the camp rules are strict, and you have to get a note from Lieutenant Wu before you can go out. I haven't seen him at all today."

"There's nothing we can do about it, but we'll run into it eventually, no rush."

As they walked toward the kitchen, they saw seven or eight shirtless soldiers squatting at the kitchen door, slurping their food from large, rough porcelain bowls.

Upon seeing two unfamiliar faces approaching, everyone looked up to examine them. After recognizing the newcomers, they paused in their eating and then tacitly moved aside to make way for them.

All eyes fell on Jiang Yutang's face, some with surprise, others with undisguised scrutiny. Whispers behind her made her feel uncomfortable.

She finally understood what Zhu meant by "I'm sorry." Those direct gazes were more painful than needle pricks.

"We've come to get three dinners for the women in our family," Jiang Sumin said, stepping forward and stating his purpose.

The old cook in the kitchen glanced at them, saw that he was a new employee in the accounting department, and without saying a word, turned around and served three bowls of rice and dishes, and even poured two extra spoonfuls of meat broth on him.

"Take it."

Jiang Yutang kept her head down and followed closely behind Jiang Sumin as they left. She only dared to breathe a sigh of relief after they had walked quite a distance away.

"Don't come here alone in the future," Jiang Sumin said, turning his head to instruct her.

She smiled and nodded in agreement: "I understand, I'll definitely invite you next time."

Jiang Songzhi delivered the last three empty bowls to the kitchen.

As night fell, Jiang Yutang, carrying a wooden bucket, was about to fetch water from the well when she stepped out of her tent and saw Cheng Dai'er, who had just returned from the weapons shop.

"Auntie, you're back so late."

Cheng Dai'er nodded slightly in response, then turned to crawl into the tent next to her.

Jiang Yutang suddenly remembered the matter of getting the captain's approval slip and quickly called out to her, "Auntie, wait a minute! Did you run into Captain Wu at the military camp today?"

Cheng Dai'er paused, turned around in confusion, and nodded: "What's wrong?"

"Very good!"

Jiang Yutang stepped forward happily, put down the wooden bucket, put her hands together and asked, "Could you help me apply for a travel permit from Captain Wu? I want to go out to buy some bedding and daily necessities for my family."

In the distance, the torches of patrolling soldiers lit up. Cheng Dai'er stared at her intently, her brows furrowed, and hesitated to answer.