Chapter 5,

When the old lady saw Su Guoer kneeling on the ground and putting down the teacup in her hand, she quickly waved her hand and asked Mother Yuan to help her up. Su Guoer also took the opportunity to stand up from the ground with the help of Mother Yuan's hand.

"I came here today specifically to thank the old lady. I have made up my mind. I want to leave the house on my own and make a living with my skills." She looked up at the old lady's eyes and answered calmly.

This was the answer she gave after careful consideration.

The people of the Wei Dynasty were open-minded, and women could show their faces in public, study, and engage in commerce. Some even had their maternal lineages pass down their lineages from generation to generation. Bianjing, at the foot of the emperor, was not only prosperous but also had excellent public security, and was very tolerant of women. Consequently, there were many cooks and tradeswomen out and about, earning money by cooking or selling small items on the street to support their families. However, their numbers were limited.

The old lady said nothing else, only one sentence: "Have you thought it through? Do you really not want to be Shao Cheng's roommate?"

It’s not that I blame her for looking down on her own grandson, but no matter how I look at it, the first option she gave is enough to make people excited and unable to refuse.

This was the question asked two days ago. Su Guoer came to talk to the old lady about this today. By the way...it's time to talk about leaving the mansion. She is not a born child of the Duke's Mansion, nor is she a bought slave. She is just an orphan who is under the protection of the Duke's Mansion. It is enough for her to grow up to 18 years old. In the future, she should find a way to make a living on her own.

Whether he stayed in the Duke's Mansion or went outside, he couldn't stay in the Mansion like this without any status and disrupting their mansion rules.

A few days ago, the old lady called her in to discuss this matter. At that time, the old lady gave her two options. One was to be promised to Prince Pei as a concubine, that is, a maid. In the future, after the mistress married in and gave birth to the eldest son, she would be given to her as a concubine. It would be even better if she could give birth to a boy or a girl for the prince.

The second option is to leave the mansion, get married, or find a way to make a living. Her Duke's Mansion is willing to support her one last time. It all depends on her choice.

I just don’t know what the old lady meant by asking this last question?

Mother Yuan stood beside the old lady with a kind face and said in a gentle tone, "Young lady, you were raised by the old lady and me, so I'm going to tell you something from the bottom of my heart. Life is difficult for women in this world, and the Duke's Mansion is a wealthy family. Being a concubine of the prince is the best path for you. With the old lady looking after you, you will not be treated unfairly. Why do you have to show your face outside and do such low-class things? If you get married and have children in the future, how will you give them an explanation?"

"Born in this Duke's Mansion, even if you are a bastard, you are still more noble than those people outside."

Does this mean you're promising her a child?

That's right, this is indeed her best path. No matter for her or her future child, the Crown Prince is the highest branch she can climb.

only…………

Thinking of the scene of the agonizing stomachache in her previous life, she felt a chill in her heart.

No, she wouldn't choose that, and she couldn't choose that.

If she wants to live a good life, she must first be alive. She cannot sacrifice her own life for an unborn child and an uncertain future.

After thinking it through, Su Guoer knelt on the ground again and kowtowed three times to the old lady. This action stunned Mother Yuan. She stood in front of the old lady and looked at Su Guoer at a loss. After looking at the old lady, she calmed down a little.

The old lady didn't show much emotion, she just listened to Su Guoer quietly.

Su Guoer: "Thanks to the old lady's kindness, Guoer has been bothering the Duke's Mansion for more than ten years. During this time, the old lady took good care of me. I have no way to repay her. I am willing to repay the old lady's kindness in my next life and work like a slave. But..."

"My father told Guo'er before he died that he hoped Guo'er could go out into the world and meet all living things, understand the mountains and the seas, and see the world so that his life would not be in vain.

When I was little, I often heard my father talk about opening his own local restaurant in Bianjing City to pass on his legacy. Lately, whenever Guo'er thinks of my father, tears stream down her face. Because of my longing for him, I've decided to fulfill this as my father's last wish. I'd like to live up to his expectations of Guo'er, to see the world outside, and fulfill his last wish. So..."

“That’s why I had to reject the old lady’s kindness.”

"It's also because I'm not worthy of the Crown Prince. He's of noble birth and handsome, so even if he chooses a concubine, he has better options. So... the old lady should choose someone else for this concubine."

Seeing that she had made up her mind to leave, the old lady didn't know what to say.

But she really admired that a little girl would not be dazzled by the wealth of the Duke's Mansion. To be honest, Su Guoer really made her look up to her. As a result, she was even more satisfied with Su Guoer.

Only by having such a character can you avoid leading Shao Cheng astray.

It should be noted that the selection of concubines for the sons of aristocratic families is also quite particular. The first thing to be excluded are those with bad intentions and seductive vixens. The first choice is a good citizen with a good family background or a slave born in the family. There are not too many requirements for appearance. It is okay to be neat-looking. Not too beautiful. Too beautiful is no different from a vixen. If she can do some poetry and books, that's even better. Even if she can't do any poetry and books and is illiterate, it's also good if she has a gentle temperament.

Looking at Su Guoer again, she had an exceptionally pretty face, a beautiful figure, and her every move was that of a lady from an aristocratic family. Her temperament was also flexible and strong. A closer look revealed her to be completely satisfactory. The old lady secretly thought it was a pity. It was a pity that her young master was unlucky.

Since the other person was unwilling, she didn't want to force him: "Since you have made up your mind, just go. As for time, it won't be too late to leave after this month and you have received your monthly allowance. There are only a few days left anyway. Tell me when the time comes, and I will let Mother Yuan take you out of the house." The old lady took a sip of the tea in the teacup and spoke slowly. She looked up and saw Su Guoer kneeling on the ground. She stood up from the armchair and personally went forward to help Su Guoer up.

"I watched you grow up. Now that you're leaving, I have to give you some advice. Are you willing to listen?"

Su Guoer stood up and bowed: "I am willing to listen to the old lady's teachings."

Mrs. Pei then sat down and asked Su Guo'er to sit beside her. The two began to chat: "Opening a restaurant in Bianjing City requires land deeds, money, store location, business documents, and your own household registration.

"There are also taxes. According to the laws of the Wei Dynasty, all businessmen must pay very high taxes, and this city of Bianjing is no exception. But I remember that you are registered in Suzhou, not Bianjing, so you can apply for a tax exemption for the first year. This way you can earn more money, and when you save money to buy a house in the future, you can also have a place to stay in this city of Bianjing."