The next day, when Xie Ling got up, Gu Wei was gone.

As winter approaches, the daybreaks come later and later. In the past, it was still dark when Xie Ling got up, but today the sun is already shining brightly. It is probably because she was tired last night.

The sunlight shone through the wooden windows, making the dust fly and filling the room with light.

Xie Ling looked at the dressing table.

Gu Wei still arranged the toothbrush and toothpaste for her, filled the kettle with hot water, and placed the basin and washcloth neatly beside her.

Xie Ling sighed.

It seems that Gu Wei's mood is not too bad.

After washing up and going out, Xie Ling was met with a pair of sparkling eyes.

The little girl had two buns on her head, with two light cloud-like hairbands wrapped around her head and hanging behind her. She was wearing a yellow jacket, and looked bright and fresh, but her face was still pitifully thin.

"My lord, you are awake!"

Xie Ling reached out and touched Doukou's face, which was very cold.

"Cardamom? How long have you been waiting for me?"

Doukou smiled shyly, "Not long, sir, I came here today to thank you. Thank you for bringing me out, these clothes were given to me by Sister Qiuyue."

Xie Ling curved her lips, "It's okay. Go help Qiuyue. I remember she has to deliver food to the shopkeepers of Jilelou today."

When Doukou heard that she could help, her eyes were filled with excitement.

As she was about to leave, she stared at Xie Ling's face, seeming to be hesitant to speak.

Xie Ling was very considerate and said frankly:

"Doukou, don't be shy about what you want to say."

Doukou took a deep breath and told her everything that Nongyan had said to her at the gate of the county government office yesterday.

Finally, she carefully observed Xie Ling's expression and spoke softly, "Sir, I don't pity her. I just think it's safer to control such a person in our own hands. That Magistrate Cen has something on her. If she were to die in front of our door, it would be a cause for gossip."

Xie Ling's focus was not here, she looked straight into Doukou's clear eyes, "Who taught you these?"

How could a little girl who grew up in a mountain village understand these ways of employing people?

"My Lord, he was an old man from Huangjia Village. He had no children. One time he fainted in the field, and I carried him home and called a doctor. Then he would occasionally teach me how to read and talk about the principles of the world."

Doukou answered calmly and clearly.

Xie Ling's eyes were like torches, and her tone was excited, "Where is that old man now?"

This old gentleman might be a hermit master, such as Zhuge Liang.

That's why Doukou had the courage and insight that ordinary farm children didn't have, and she dared to ask Xie Ling to take her away in front of so many officers and soldiers.

There was a sad expression on Doukou's face.

"He has passed away. But before he died, he gave me a book and told me that if I encountered difficulties, I could go to the people in the book. They were all his friends. Even if the people in the book were gone, his descendants would definitely treat me well."

Xie Ling frowned, "Doukou, are you willing to let me see the book? According to your heart, if you don't want to, I will never say anything more."

Doukou's eyes widened. "How could I not want to? The book is always with me. I take it with me wherever I go."

After saying that, she hurriedly took out a snow-white book from the lining of her inner garment, fearing that she was too slow. Xie Ling felt that she was unwilling to do so.

The pages of that book were neat and new, and the quality of the paper was almost as good as that of modern books.

In this dynasty, even the top nobles might not have the chance to see such snow-white and thin pages.

Xie Ling had never seen it when she raided the Beijiang Palace.

This old man in Doukou's mouth is really interesting.

However, this man had a cold personality. He watched coldly as Doukou was bullied by her family. He died in a graceful manner, leaving behind only a book, and didn't care how a little girl would find these people in such a chaotic world.

But it is also this kind of educational method that has produced a strong and brave girl like Doukou.

He cannot protect Doukou for her whole life, so she has to walk the rest of the journey alone.

"Has anyone else seen this book?"

Doukou shook his head, "No. My Lord, I know that a man is innocent, but he is guilty of possessing a treasure."

Cardamom is very smart.

She had seen the papers in her grandfather's study, locked in a cabinet that no one could touch. They were as precious as heirlooms, yellow and rough, with even the edges visible. They were completely different from the one the old man gave her.

She knew she couldn't let anyone know she had the book, otherwise it would definitely bring trouble.

But she told Xie Ling without hesitation, and she really trusted Xie Ling.

Xie Ling touched Doukou's head, she really felt like she had picked up a treasure.

She bent down and looked at Doukou at eye level, her eyes serious, "Doukou, are you willing to learn from me and be my female official? You are only two years younger than me."

Doukou's eyes widened in disbelief at first, then her face flushed.

The girl had a childish face and dry yellow hair, but her eyes penetrated the house and flew across thousands of mountains and rivers.

“Cardamom is willing.

Ever since the teacher taught me to read, I knew that I did not belong to the mountains or Huangjia Village. I was unwilling to be a country woman. I wanted to be like the teacher said, to go out into the world and see the sufferings of the world. The master gave me a name, and I will follow the master's command. "

Xie Ling curled her lips.

"Okay. From now on, your last name is Xie, and you will be my little sister."

Doukou stared at Xie Ling in a daze, tears welling up in her eyes.

I don't know where I got the courage from, but I rushed over, hugged Xie Ling's waist, and burst into tears.

The girl was obviously only thirteen years old, but when he held her in his arms, she was just a bag of bones, so light and fluttery that it was very uncomfortable.

Xie Ling sighed and wiped the tears from her face.

Xie Doukou, a female official who would later go down in history, was just a young little girl at that moment.

"Doukou, let Qiuyue take you to find Yunchuan, and go to school with them first."

Doukou sobbed and stopped crying. After saying "OK", she flew away as lightly as a butterfly.

The girl who looked lifeless and like a zombie yesterday finally looks like a young girl today.

Xie Ling took the book and entered the space.

She wanted to see who the people in the book were and where this precious paper came from.