Nie Cheng took out a copper coin, which had a notch and couldn’t be used. Was this a good thing?

Gu Yundong held the copper coin and examined it for a long time, but couldn’t figure out its significance. She looked at Nailiang with a puzzled expression.

“Alright, stop beating around the bush,” Aunt Ke scolded him with a glare.

Nailiang cleared his throat and said, “When I was writing a letter to Constable Jiang, the magistrate happened to pass by and learned about your situation. He gave me this copper coin. The county magistrate of Fengkai County was recommended by our magistrate. If you encounter any trouble in the future, you can give this copper coin to the county magistrate, and he will help you.”

“Our magistrate… is indeed a good person. May you have a safe life,” Gu Yundong couldn’t believe that a dignified prefect would have the time to pay attention to someone like her.

Nailiang twitched his mouth. Was her only description of the magistrate as a good person and wishing her safety?

But Gu Yundong wasn’t wrong in her thoughts. How could a prefect like him have so much free time? He remembered her mainly because Nailiang had mentioned her several times. Most importantly, it was because of the portrait she had drawn.

Because of that portrait, the bandit leader was caught by the yamen in just three days. Moreover, it happened during the transition of the new emperor, a time when disasters and rebellions were taken seriously. He was the first to achieve such a feat and gained a lot of credit. It also confirmed the rumors that the new emperor was blessed by the heavens. He even made a big impression on the new emperor.

At this time, when the new emperor was promoting talents and vigorously rearranging the officialdom to establish his own power, the magistrate’s act made him a person on the new emperor’s list. With the positions filled here, it was basically guaranteed that he would move up and go to the capital.

Who helped him so much? Wasn’t it Gu Yundong? She was just a little girl, but she made a deep impression on the magistrate.

Gu Yundong accepted the copper coin. She wouldn’t refuse such a good thing.

In this day and age, having money wasn’t enough; you also needed power. Otherwise, no matter how much money you had, you couldn’t keep it. This copper coin and the letter might not be needed, but it was best to have them just in case.

Gu Yundong thanked him and took the letter and the copper coin.

Early the next morning, as soon as the city gate opened, Gu Yundong took her family and left Fish and Rice Lane.

Aunt Ke didn’t come out to see them off; her mood wasn’t good, and she stayed in her room all the time. It wasn’t until there was no sound outside that she sighed and walked out slowly.

The empty house seemed to lack any vitality, and the lively children’s voices from the past two days were gone.

Aunt Ke walked to the kitchen, where she could still faintly smell a fragrance.

Although they hadn’t spent much time together, Aunt Ke did like those two children. Even the ignorant Yangshi, along with Gu Yundong, who had safely brought her mother and siblings to Xuanhe Prefecture from afar, made her feel a bit sorry for them. She admired Gu Yundong even more. If it weren’t for her being a girl, who knows how high her achievements would be in the future?

What a pity.

Aunt Ke returned to the main hall and saw a piece of paper on the table. When she picked it up, she found it was a recipe, listing five or six dishes that she had enjoyed during this time.

“This girl…” Aunt Ke chuckled.

At this moment, Gu Yundong had already left the city gate and was sitting in a carriage heading to Yongfu Village.

The carriage was rented, and now that she had money, Gu Yundong wouldn’t skimp on herself. It would take three days to walk from the capital to Yongfu Village, but with a fast horse, they could make it in just one day.