Flowers in full bloom

"Oh, Miss, where are we going first tomorrow? Shangjing City is so big. I heard from Brother Ping'an that it will take more than two hours to walk from the outer city of the imperial city to the inner city. Some roads are not accessible. Should we go directly to the Dingbei Marquis Mansion? But we don't even know where the Dingbei Marquis Mansion is?" Xiaoxiao asked worriedly.

"According to the official road we are taking now, heading north, we should enter Shangjing City from the south gate of Shangjing City," Hua Lei said, pointing to a line on the map. "As for Dingbei Marquis Mansion, we will not look for it tomorrow. We will look for it after we settle down in Shangjing City."

Xiaoxiao nodded, opened the window and looked outside, then closed it again and said softly, "Miss, it's very late. Let's go to bed early. We have to get up early tomorrow." "Okay." Hualei put away the map, carefully tucked it into the book, put it in the cloth bag, and went to bed.

Soon, Xiaoxiao's shallow breathing sounds were heard beside her, but Hua Lei was tossing and turning, thinking about her life in her previous life, her grandfather who had passed away not long ago, and how to survive in the capital city. Although Uncle Fu and Aunt Song were both adults, they might be slaves all their lives, so they were used to doing things according to the instructions of Hua Lei's grandfather.

Now that Hualei's grandfather has passed away, they are used to listening to Hualei's instructions and have no ideas of their own. The advantage of this is that they are loyal to Hualei and her brother, respectful, and never have second thoughts, and will not bully their master. The disadvantage is that they have no ideas of their own and listen to their master in everything. If Hualei is an adult, it's okay, but the problem is that Hualei is only twelve years old now. Although the inside is far more than that, Hualei can't say it clearly, right? So there are some things that Hualei knows how to do, but she can't say it clearly, which makes Hualei very embarrassed sometimes.

After thinking about this and that, Hua Lei finally fell asleep in a daze. When Xiao Xiao called her to wake up, Hua Lei felt that she had just fallen asleep. She had no choice but to force herself to get up and splash cold water on her face. After she woke up a lot, she packed her things and went downstairs to eat. When Uncle Fu paid the room fee and led the mule cart out to prepare for the journey, the sky was just getting light.

The group got on the cart. Of course, the children were carried on the mule cart. Hua Moyuan, who said he was an adult, was also half carried and half dragged on the mule cart and continued to sleep. Hua Lei and Xiao Xiao leaned against each other, half asleep and half awake. After an unknown amount of time, Aunt Song gently woke Xiao Xiao and Hua Lei up, "Miss, we will enter the city in two quarters of an hour." There was an unconcealable panic on her face.

With a click, Hua Lei woke up completely. Yes, Aunt Song had spent almost the first half of her life wandering around the few houses in the old house. The farthest she had ever been was probably the market in the town and the few acres of farmland in her hometown. She had never traveled such a long way to a completely unfamiliar place that was completely unfamiliar to them. The panic in their hearts might be even greater than Hua Lei's. They were able to abandon everything familiar and follow Hua Lei and her brother all the way without regard for the consequences. This showed their protection and loyalty to Hua Lei and her brother.

Hualei lifted the curtain and looked ahead, patted Auntie Song's hand, and said softly as if to comfort her, "Okay, Auntie Song, tell Uncle Fu that we should stop the car by the woods ahead, tell Xiaoyuan and the kids to get up and rest for a while."

Aunt Song nodded, relaxed her throat a little, and talked to Uncle Fu who was driving the car in front about resting. Aunt Fu in the car behind also gently woke up the children who were sleeping in the car and dressed them.

As they were talking, the car had already reached the edge of the woods and everyone got off. Uncle Fu and the brothers Ping An and Xi Le pulled the mule into the woods and let it find food on its own. Aunt Song and Aunt Fu also took a few large pieces of dark old linen and took Hua Lei, Xiao Xiao and other women and children to the depths of the woods to relieve themselves.

Yes, now when people go out, if they want to relieve themselves, they just find a place with few people, use a few old cloths to cover their poop and pee, and relieve themselves anywhere. At first, Hualei was not used to it, but in the past half month, Hualei has adapted well and is no longer surprised.

After all, when the urge comes, you can't hold it in. By the time the women took turns to take care of their own affairs and returned to the car, more than a quarter of an hour had passed. After washing their hands and eating some steamed buns bought from the inn, the children had also sobered up a lot.

Hualei looked at the sky. The sun was already hanging in the sky. It was about nine o'clock in the morning. She called Uncle Fu and said, "Uncle Fu, we will enter the city from the South Gate later. After entering the city, we will go to the East City District, and then find a teahouse or restaurant to rest. Ask the pawnshops in the East City District and see if there are any suitable houses there."

"Miss, Dongcheng District is full of high-ranking officials. Is it appropriate for us to go there? It is said that a brick thrown in Beijing can hit several officials. If we go directly to Dongcheng District without knowing the place, will it be..." Luo Pingan, who had also seen the map of Shangjing City and related books, asked worriedly.

Brother Ping An, don't worry. It's true that the people living in Dongcheng District are all high-ranking officials and nobles, but most of them live between the inner city and the outer city. We are going to the outer city, where ordinary people live. Besides, every district has ordinary people and high-ranking officials and nobles. As small minions like us, we just need to abide by the law, not take the initiative to cause trouble, and live our lives in peace. "

Uncle Fu nodded, and everyone got on the car and headed for the city gate. In just two cups of tea, they arrived at the city gate. Everyone got off the car and lined up, waiting to enter the city.

There weren't many people at the city gate today, and after a short while, it was my turn.

Uncle Fu handed over his travel permit and household registration. The gatekeeper at the city gate checked it carefully, counted the number of people in line, roughly checked everyone's appearance, checked the supplies on several mule carts, then handed the information back and waved his hand to let people enter the city.

Uncle Fu took the household registration information, thanked them, and led everyone into the city quickly. It was not until the mule cart turned a corner and the city gate was no longer visible that Uncle Fu breathed a sigh of relief, and everyone finally put their minds at ease.

Hua Lei also breathed a sigh of relief. The ancient capital was really powerful. No wonder ordinary people were most reluctant to deal with government offices. Just a few doormen were enough to make people feel stressed. Of course, it was also possible that Hua Lei and his group had never traveled far and had never seen the world.

Everyone got back on the cart and headed towards East City District. Several women and children now crowded onto Hua Lei's mule cart. Hua Lei rolled up the curtain and looked at both sides of the street. After all, Shangjing City was located at the foot of the emperor and the center of politics, culture and education of the Great Sheng Kingdom. Even the ordinary shops on the street could not be compared with the small town where Hua Lei's old house was located.

The mule cart slowly went to Dongcheng District. Every time they turned a street, Hua Lei would carefully look at the street name engraved on the stone tablet at the street, and then match it with the street on the map she had seen last night. Then she would ask the leader Fu Bo to adjust the route from time to time. When Hua Lei called Fu Bo to stop, the group was already standing in front of a restaurant at the end of Dongxiao Street in Dongcheng District.