Feiyan mustered her courage and finally revealed the reason why she had changed her mind and decided not to go to her relatives but to find Hong Xiaoduo.
When Hong Xiaoduo refused to take her with her at Dawu Pass, she was at a loss. It wasn't until Lin Ansheng found a security escort agency and arranged for them to go find that relative that she changed her mind half a day after they set off, while she was in the carriage.
The distant relative she mentioned was actually her aunt.
My aunt married someone from far away; her husband's family owned a silk shop and were very wealthy.
However, she clearly remembered that two years ago, when her family was still safe, she went to visit relatives with her mother during the Spring Festival. The relatives mentioned to her mother that her aunt had a hard life and had married a lecherous scoundrel.
How lecherous was he? So lecherous that he even went after his own niece and cousin's wife.
When Feiyan heard this, she didn't think it had anything to do with her. Her aunt's husband's home was far away, and she hadn't been back since she got married. The distance made it inconvenient to travel. Whether her aunt's husband was lecherous or bad, she couldn't see or contact him anyway, so there was no danger.
However, the thought of seeking refuge with such a person terrified Fei Yan. The more she thought about it, the more panicked and horrified she became.
This stranger, Hong Xiaoduo, was considerate of her future, preventing her from agreeing to be sold to that young master Zhao, and even giving her money to pay off her debts and bury her father. She suggested that she seek refuge with relatives and ask that general to help her find a reliable escort agency.
Another point is that on the day of departure, General Lin told her not to blame Hong Xiaoduo for refusing, because she had picked up seven little beggars and it was already hard enough to carry them with her, and raising seven children also required money.
Feiyan felt that since Hong Xiaoduo was so kind to the beggars she found, it must be safest for her to follow Hong Xiaoduo. So, she changed her mind and explained the same thing to General Lin after returning to Dawu Pass.
"Hong Niangzi, could you take me with you? I... I'm very good at needlework. I can make some things to sell. I... I really want to go with you." Fei Yan was somewhat incoherent.
Hong Xiaoduo actually understood that he had helped her, so she trusted him.
Hong Xiaoduo sighed: "There were actually many reasons why I rejected you that day. You saw these seven children beside me, didn't you? I'm just like them, without a home or a stable place to live."
We're just wandering around now. To put it nicely, it's called traveling; to put it bluntly, it's called being a wanderer. Not only are we used to eating and sleeping in the open, but we also encounter robberies along the way from time to time, which is very dangerous.
So following me isn't your best option. Do you prefer living in fear?
Actually, I'm quite happy that you're following me out of trust rather than simply out of gratitude.
However, your decision is not wise.
Here's an idea: you should rest here and wait for the snow to stop before going back to Dawuguan. Go find General Lin and ask him to find you a job with room and board. You said needlework is good, right? If you have a skill and someone introduces you, supporting yourself shouldn't be too difficult.
Since you were recommended by General Lin, no one will dare to bully you.
What do you think? Isn't the path I suggested better?
After listening to her words, Fei Yan thought about it very seriously, and then looked up at Hong Xiaoduo.
“Hong Niangzi, I… I still want to follow you. My father and I have already experienced the hardships of wind and rain on our journey, I’m not afraid of hardship. As for the danger of encountering bandits, they’re not afraid of us. After experiencing it a few times, I’ll become braver.”
"Lady Hong, I promise I won't be a burden or a drag on you."
Hong Xiaoduo had just seen her expression and thought she had successfully persuaded her, but she didn't expect it to still be no use.
"What if I still don't agree? What will you do then? Tell the truth," Hong Xiaoduo asked helplessly.
Feiyan felt a little uncomfortable, but still replied, "If Madam Hong doesn't agree, I plan to let that镖师 (bodyguard/escort) leave, and then I'll follow behind you."
After hearing this, Hong Xiaoduo's feelings were also very complicated. She could understand the other person's situation and feelings.
She's practically an orphan now. In this era, surviving might not be difficult for her; the challenge is living a good life.
Living well doesn't necessarily mean living a wealthy and comfortable life.
In such an era, a pretty orphan girl with no one to rely on had very limited options.
She might be trafficked to brothels, forced into prostitution, or, due to poverty, sold into servitude to wealthy families for life. Alternatively, she might be taken as a concubine by a rich family.
In short, it's difficult!
"I've said what I needed to say. If you're truly willing to follow me without fear of hardship or danger, then go ahead. Anyway, if you regret it later, you can always leave on your own," Hong Xiaoduo said.
This time, she truly couldn't refuse.
"Lady Hong, you really agreed to take me in?" Fei Yan asked in disbelief, realizing she had misheard.
Hong Xiaoduo nodded. She already had seven children, so one more wouldn't matter.
"Feiyan thanks Miss Hong." Feiyan was so happy she wanted to cry, and in her excitement she almost knelt down.
"Hey, don't kneel! If you dare to kneel, I'll take back what I just said." Hong Xiaoduo immediately glared at him.
Upon hearing this, Fei Yan, who had already knelt down, immediately stood up straight: "I was wrong."
"Pfft, you must be a bit older than me." Hong Xiaoduo was amused.
"I'm eighteen this year, how old are you, Madam Hong?" Fei Yan replied immediately.
"Oh my, you're eighteen already! An eighteen-year-old girl is like a flower in full bloom. You're so pretty, you should be getting married at this age, right?" Hong Xiaoduo asked casually.
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