On the second day of the twelfth lunar month, Yanyang had just experienced a light snowfall. The snow melted as it hit the ground, and the air became increasingly damp and cold.
The most remote courtyard in Yanyang Prefecture.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Just as dawn was breaking, Su Ruojin was awakened by a series of urgent knocks on the door. She dressed quickly, tied her hair up haphazardly, and opened the door.
As soon as the door opened, a blast of cold air rushed in, and Su Ruojin subconsciously squinted her eyes.
Before she could speak, Zhang Mama at the door grabbed her and dragged her toward the gate of the mansion.
"Miss Su, your biological parents have been found. Their surname is Su, and they are villagers from Shili Village in the eastern suburbs of the city. From now on, you are no longer a young lady of our prefectural government. The madam is kind-hearted and has prepared some travel expenses for you. Take these and leave quickly. From now on, you will have no connection with our prefectural government."
Su Ruojin's eyes darkened slightly, and she made no move, letting Zhang Mama pull her forward.
The day has finally come.
She had given the Lin family a chance, but since they didn't cherish it, so be it.
As soon as they left the mansion, Granny Zhang rudely stuffed a coarse cloth bundle into Su Ruojin's arms. It wasn't properly secured, and the bundle fell to the ground and scattered.
Inside were several sets of old clothes and a few books that Su Ruojin often read. The books were on the ground, soaked with snow water, and some of the pages were wet.
At the same time, two taels of silver rolled out.
Su Ruojin picked up the books from the ground and saw that they were wet with snow water, and her eyes showed a little heartache.
A little beggar, about seven or eight years old, happened to pass by. Seeing that someone from the Lin family was coming out, he hurried over, hoping to get some benefits.
"Madam, Miss, please have mercy! I haven't eaten for three days. Please, have mercy and give me some food."
The little beggar stood barefoot in the snow, his hair a mess, his face so dirty that his original appearance was unrecognizable, and he wore clothes that could only be described as strips of cloth. With trembling hands, he held half a broken bowl and looked at Zhang Mama and Su Ruojin with a hopeful expression.
Su Ruojin bent down, picked up the two taels of silver from the ground, and gently put them into the little beggar's bowl.
The little beggar's eyes widened instantly, and he immediately knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly to Su Ruojin: "Thank you, Miss, thank you, Miss! May you live a long and happy life, have a harmonious marriage, many children, and enjoy boundless blessings. May your life be as long as the Southern Mountains and your happiness as vast as the Eastern Sea. May your family be filled with joy and all your wishes come true..."
The little beggar had never been to school, so he could only repeat all the blessings he had heard from others.
"Get up." Su Ruojin helped the little beggar up and left the Lin residence without looking back, her back as straight as a pine tree.
Granny Zhang spat at Su Ruojin's retreating figure: "Pah, what are you pretending to be so high and mighty for? You didn't bring a single penny home. Just wait to be kicked out of the house by your poor parents."
"Close the door. Remember this: if she comes to the manor again, kick her out immediately. Don't upset the young lady. It wasn't easy for the master and madam to find her again."
Granny Zhang deliberately spoke loudly so that Su Ruojin could hear clearly and not try to curry favor with the Lin family again.
"Yes!" the guard at the door replied.
The little beggar heard it too.
He glanced timidly at the young lady who looked like a fairy, and said hesitantly, "Miss, you should take this money back. I've already gotten half a steamed bun, so I won't go hungry."
He picked up the loose silver coins, intending to give them to Su Ruojin, but seeing his own dirty little hands, he only dared to hold the money in his palm, waiting for Su Ruojin to take them.
Su Ruojin smiled and reached out to pat his head: "Take it, but you have to hide it well and don't let anyone see it."
For a beggar, two taels of silver was a huge sum of money; if someone saw it, he might even lose his life.
The little beggar was about to kneel down and kowtow again, but Su Ruojin stopped him.
After parting ways with the little beggar, Su Ruojin took out a small white cloth bag embroidered with jacaranda flowers, took out a dried apricot and put it in her mouth. The sweet and sour taste instantly filled her mouth and made her mouth water.
Yes, the best apricot preserves are definitely from Yue Ji.
With apricot kernels in her mouth, Su Ruojin slowly walked towards the city gate.
The Lin family, haha, I hope they don't regret it!
The little girl had jet-black hair, fair and delicate features, arched eyebrows, and bright almond-shaped eyes like autumn water. Perhaps because of the cold weather, her cheeks were rosy, and she had red lips and white teeth.
She attracted a lot of attention along the way, with many people speculating about whose daughter she was, how she could be so beautiful, and why she was alone.
In the crowd, three men exchanged glances and secretly followed Su Ruojin.
After leaving the city, Su Ruojin did not go to Shili Village, but instead went in the opposite direction.
The three men originally planned to make their move once they were out of town and confirmed that she was alone, since they thought the girl's appearance would fetch a lot of money.
Strangely, even though the little girl was right nearby, no matter how fast they hurried, they just couldn't catch up with her.
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