Cao Tiedan was already a young man at the age of thirteen. He worked odd jobs in several shops, but he was too honest and often offended people with his outspokenness. He had moved from one place to another without any stability. Aunt Cao was very worried about this.
Gu Liyue sized up Cao Tiedan, thought for a moment and asked, "Auntie, why not let Tiedan try his luck in the county town? Maybe he can find a suitable place there?"
Aunt Cao hesitated. Her son had never left her since childhood. She was really reluctant to part with him.
Gu Liyue didn't try to persuade her further. "We're going on a long - distance trip this time. We don't know when we'll be back. Xiao Hei is very obedient. It doesn't bark randomly and isn't picky about food. I just hope Auntie can take care of it for us."
Aunt Cao asked, "Going on a long - distance trip? Is it to the county town?"
Gu Liyue glanced at the Liu family's yard next door, shook her head and whispered, "There's a need for an embroidery woman in the capital. I want to go..."
Aunt Cao got anxious immediately. She quickly grabbed Gu Liyue and asked, "Is it a proper place? Liyue, you're young and inexperienced. You don't know how terrifying people outside can be. You're innocent and have such good looks. Many people will have other thoughts. If they take you far away to such a place, you won't even know where to cry."
Gu Liyue comforted her, "I know what I'm doing. Auntie, don't worry."
Aunt Cao was still worried. She tried to persuade Gu Liyue for a long time. Seeing that Gu Liyue was stubborn, she didn't say anything more. She just asked, "When are you leaving?"
"They're leaving tomorrow afternoon. Yunniang and I will go to the county town early in the morning."
Early the next morning, Gu Liyue and Yunniang packed their things and were about to go out when they saw Cao Tiedan coming.
Cao Tiedan grinned and took the luggage from Gu Liyue's hand. "Sister Liyue, my mother said that what you suggested yesterday about me looking for a job in the county town was a good idea. After working for a few years and learning some skills, I can also find a wife. I'll go with you today."
Gu Liyue knew that Cao Tiedan didn't really go for a job. It was because Aunt Cao was worried about her and specifically asked her son to go and keep an eye on her. Although Aunt Cao was just an ordinary person and couldn't help much, Gu Liyue was really touched by her kindness.
Because they had luggage, Gu Liyue specially rented an ox - cart. The three of them got on the cart with their luggage. The coachman sat in the front to drive the cart.
Cao Tiedan blinked his eyes and asked, "Sister Liyue, I heard that you came here in a carriage last time. How was it? Was it much more stable than this ox - cart?"
Gu Liyue thought that A Jie could even fall asleep in the carriage, so it must be very stable. This ox - cart was so bumpy that it could jolt one's intestines out. It was just a bit faster than walking.
Cao Tiedan said again, "Sister Liyue, actually it's quite good here in our town. We can take care of each other. Sister, why do you have to go so far to earn money?"
Gu Liyue propped her face and looked at the scenery around. She said seriously, "I want to see more of the world. Tiedan, I didn't know how small our town was until I went to the county town. I want to see what the capital is like. Anyway, I have nothing now. At worst, I'll just come back the way I went."
"But what if you really meet bad people?"
Gu Liyue laughed. "Why be so timid? I've suffered enough in the past ten years. Even if the future is harder, I have no ties. Except for Yunniang, there's no one I really care about. What do I have to be afraid of?"
Cao Tiedan was silent for a long time before he nodded. "You're right. Last night, my mother also persuaded me like this. She said that if I wanted to go out and make a living, she wouldn't stop me."
After getting off the cart, Gu Liyue didn't go directly to the Feng family's business. She asked around and found out where the Lin family in Cangyun County lived.
It seemed that the Lin family had only moved here in the past two years. The head of the family was the magistrate of Cangyun County. He had come here alone at first, and his wife and children only came at the beginning of this year.
No wonder A Jie seemed unfamiliar with this place. It turned out that he wasn't a local.
Gu Liyue settled Yunniang and Cao Tiedan in a noodle shop and then went to the Lin family alone. She had thought about it for a long time last night and was very clear. Since she was going out, she should pay attention to safety.
The Feng family was very powerful. There was no need for them to make things difficult for a little girl like her. But what if? What if they thought she was helpless and no one would care if they abducted her? After much thought, she decided to ask someone to keep an eye on the situation.
Gu Liyue didn't know anyone else, so she thought of Mrs. Lin that day. She was very nervous. Mrs. Lin looked very elegant. Even though she was kind, it was obvious that she was not an easy person to get close to. Would she be annoyed by Gu Liyue's trouble?
The gatekeeper of the Lin family was a very kind old man. He didn't look down on Gu Liyue at all because of her old and ordinary clothes. Instead, he bowed respectfully and asked, "Miss, are you here to see our master?"
Gu Liyue quickly explained, "No. I once met Mrs. Lin. Today, I have something to ask her for help. I'm Liyue from Dapo Bay in Yangxin County. Please help me announce my arrival, sir."
Seeing that Gu Liyue was polite, the gatekeeper showed more respect. He went in to announce as she asked.
After a while, an old woman came out and led Gu Liyue into the tea - room next to the gatehouse. She served tea and snacks.
"Madam is busy at the moment. Please wait a while, Miss Liyue."
The tea and snacks on the table smelled very good, but Gu Liyue suppressed her desire and didn't even look at them. At this moment, she was a bit grateful for Miao's strictness in the past. She used to like delicious food, but whenever there was something delicious at home, as long as she took a look at it, she would surely be beaten. Gradually, even if she really wanted it, she wouldn't show it.
She only waited for half a quarter of an hour. Then the old woman led Gu Liyue into the mansion. The Lin family's mansion wasn't very big, but the maids and servants were very well - trained. Even when there was a stranger in the mansion, no one would secretly look at her.
Gu Liyue lowered her head and followed the old woman closely all the way to the courtyard. The sweat rolled down her cheeks, but she didn't dare to wipe it. She just obediently waited on one side.
After waiting for a while, Mrs. Lin came out and sat on the chair in the corridor. She wasn't as enthusiastic as last time. She just asked indifferently, "I heard that Miss Liyue is looking for me? What's the matter?"
Gu Liyue knew that the twenty taels of silver last time meant to end their kindness. But she was so ignorant that she came to bother again. She was really annoying.
However, she didn't know who else to ask about this matter, so she had to come here shamelessly.
Gu Liyue knelt down honestly. "I've encountered a bit of trouble. You're the greatest benefactor I've ever met in my life. After much thought, I decided to come here shamelessly to ask you for help... Please don't blame me, madam."
Mrs. Lin's expression softened a bit. Seeing Gu Liyue standing in the sun on such a hot day, she waved her hand and asked someone to invite Gu Liyue to the corridor.
"Go ahead."