Bai Sheng nodded in approval, "That's basically the idea. Gā méi, chasing after a man isn't about blindly following him. You need to focus on yourself and improve. When you shine brightly, his gaze will naturally be drawn to you. Even if you don't capture his attention, you won't be disappointed because you'll have a richer, more colorful world."
"My lady, I understand. From now on, I will remember your words and strive to become excellent. If I can achieve this, my lady, can my name be changed?"
Bai Sheng smiled, "Of course. From now on, you shall be called Sun Mingyue."
"Thank you, my lady!" Sun Gā méi bowed to Bai Sheng excitedly.
Sun Gā méi, no, Sun Mingyue, walked to the door with light steps, then suddenly stopped. She turned back, her eyes blinking as she asked, "My lady, if I encounter questions I don't understand in the future, can I still come to you?"
Bai Sheng nodded with a smile, "Of course."
"Thank you, my lady!" Sun Gā méi jumped up happily.
Gā méi's father heard that the lady had changed his daughter's name and wasn't disappointed. It was the lady who had given his daughter a new name; looking across the entire Red Tree Slope, what daughter had such good fortune?
Mingyue·Gā méi worried that her father would brag, so she sternly told him not to spread the word that the lady had allowed her to change her name. Otherwise, with so many people on Red Tree Slope, if they all ran to the lady to change their names, wouldn't she be exhausted? Not to mention that the lady was pregnant and was managing so many affairs on Red Tree Slope; where would she find time to bother with their trivial matters?
Mingyue·Gā méi's proud father immediately covered his mouth tightly. His daughter was right; they couldn't cause more trouble for the lady.
Sun Gā méi went from house to house to inform the residents of Red Tree Slope that her full name was Sun Mingyue, and Gā méi was just her childhood name.
Someone asked her, "So, from now on, will we call you Gā méi or Mingyue?"
Gā méi smiled, "Either is fine. One is a childhood name, and the other is a full name."
Qian Zhaodi heard that Sun Gā méi had changed her name and also wanted to change hers. She asked Gā méi, didn't her father disagree with her changing her name? Why did he agree now?
Sun Gā méi felt that Qian Zhaodi was still on good terms with them, so she quietly told her that it was the lady who had agreed, and her father was incredibly proud of it.
Qian Zhaodi forced a smile, "My lady is so busy, and she still... still handles these matters for you?"
"Of course. My lady is very kind. She also explained many life principles to me, which suddenly made my mind much sharper," Gā méi said with admiration.
"Oh, my lady is... is indeed very good," Qian Zhaodi smiled reluctantly.
Gā méi leaned closer and cautioned her, "You mustn't tell anyone else, lest everyone seeks out my lady and exhausts her."
"Mhm, don't worry, I won't," Qian Zhaodi nodded.
A day later, Qian Zhaodi also went to the lady to change her name, becoming Qian Cuiwan.
Two days later, many boys and girls on Red Tree Slope went to the lady to change their names.
They all felt that any name changed by the lady must be blessed with golden light and be auspicious.
Bai Sheng managed well enough; it wasn't a big deal, just a bit mentally taxing.
Lu Ye was somewhat annoyed. Gā méi's mouth was too quick.
Bai Sheng smiled, "It probably wasn't Gā méi who let it slip."
"Then who was it?" The first person to come for a name change was Sun Gā méi.
"It was Qian Zhaodi!" Lu Hua appeared at the door at some point, looking quite displeased. "Gā méi only told her and asked her not to say anything. Who knew she'd go to my sister-in-law the next day and tell others that Gā méi said my sister-in-law could help change names."
Bai Sheng looked at Lu Ye and nodded with a smile.
Qian Zhaodi was indeed a pitiable girl. She was diligent but too scheming. Bai Sheng always found it hard to get close to her.
Lu Ye couldn't recall anyone named Qian Zhaodi after thinking for a long time, so Bai Sheng smiled and let the matter pass.
Sun Gā méi was indignant and went to find Qian Zhaodi to settle the score. Qian Zhaodi cried and apologized, saying she was just too happy and accidentally let it slip.
"You said it was okay, but why did you use my name?" Gā méi asked angrily.
"But... it's the truth. You really did tell me," Qian Zhaodi thought innocently, wanting to cry.
Gā méi's teeth were clenched in anger, "I... I considered you a good sister, and I told you to keep it a secret!"
"I... I'm sorry, Gā méi. I was just too excited and misspoke," Qian Zhaodi said, linking her arm around Gā méi's and apologizing with a fawning expression.
Gā méi pushed her hand away and said coldly, "From now on, you are no longer my good sister, Sun Gā méi!"
With that, she left without looking back.
Qian Zhaodi stood there, watching her retreating figure, a hint of disdain in her eyes.
Sun Gā méi found Bai Sheng and knelt before her with a thud, "My lady, I'm sorry. Because I told Qian Zhaodi about changing names, they all came to you, causing you trouble."
Bai Sheng smiled, "Get up quickly. A woman's knees are also made of gold. I don't blame you. However, Gā méi, learn from your experience and gain wisdom. We should not harbor ill will towards others, but we must guard against others."
Gā méi wiped her tears and stood up, "Thank you, my lady, I understand. From now on, if you want me to do anything, just say the word, and I, Sun Gā méi, will go through fire and water to get it done perfectly for you."
Bai Sheng chuckled, "Good, good, rest assured, I will."
Next to the school, there were three rooms in the clinic. One was for the doctor's consultations, one for processing and storing medicinal herbs, and the third for selling them.
In front of the clinic, many osmanthus trees were planted, and behind it, a grove of poplar trees.
The planting of these trees was designed by Bai Sheng and executed by Yang Ming. Yang Ming's execution was truly strong; whatever Bai Sheng said, he would absolutely complete it on time and with high quality.
Bai Sheng naturally intended to heavily rely on such a dependable person.
The consultation and medicine prices at the clinic were entirely set by Granny Wu. All the profits also went to Granny Wu. This clinic was Bai Sheng's gift to her master.
Granny Wu sat in the clinic all day, busy with the herbs and finding great satisfaction in her work.
Her chatty old friend, Granny Zhong, moved her weaving work to next to the clinic so she could continue chatting with Granny Wu.
To accommodate her clingy old girlfriend, Granny Wu had her disciple build a thatched shed for her.
Bai Sheng thought, why not also open a weaving shop? The shop would be managed by Granny Zhong.
Thus, the "Red Tree Slope Weaving Shop" was officially established.
As the weather grew cold, in the Yang family's clothing workshop, over twenty women worked day and night, hoping to finish making two sets of thin cotton clothes for everyone before the end of the year.
The fabric was ordinary coarse cloth bought by the lady, but the quality of the cotton was excellent. It was said to be bought by the lady from a merchant caravan from the Northern Qiang Kingdom.
These cotton clothes were given for free to the laborers on Red Tree Slope, as well as the wives and children of the bandits who were working.
Yang Shi calculated that if this continued, the lady would suffer significant losses.
So, she suggested to the lady that a wooden shed be built next to the weaving shop, where cloth, ready-made clothes, or shoes could be sold in the future.
Bai Sheng also had this plan. She had originally intended to wait until the bandit women's temperaments stabilized, as they should be quite suitable for garment making.
However, since Yang Shi had brought it up, they would proceed.
And so, the "Red Tree Slope Clothier" also officially opened for business.